Vehicle Side Mirror Housing Flow Rectifying Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In side mirror devices with integrated cameras, water droplets can be blown toward the lens by traveling wind, especially when a recessed portion on the mirror housing is positioned on the vehicle rear side relative to the camera lens, leading to vortex formation and water introduction into the lens area.

Innovation Solution

A side mirror device design featuring a recessed portion on the mirror housing with a flow rectifying portion that directs traveling wind away from the lens area, including a flow rectifying surface and eave portion to prevent vortex formation and water droplet introduction, ensuring effective separation of air currents and water droplets from the lens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a recessed portion is provided on the vehicle rear side of the lens to accommodate components, then device integration is improved, but water droplets are easily introduced toward the lens due to vortex formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice integrationVSAvoidwater droplet introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The recessed portion is segmented into multiple functional zones: a first recessed portion for camera installation and a second recessed portion for the turn signal lamp, with a ridge portion separating them. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific function while the ridge portion acts as a barrier to prevent water droplet introduction toward the lens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A ridge portion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the first and second recessed portions. This ridge portion serves as a mediator that blocks water droplets from the turn signal lamp area from reaching the lens area, while still allowing the camera to function in the first recessed portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the mirror housing is formed in a convexly curved shape to direct water droplets downward, then water droplet runoff is improved, but droplets can still be blown toward the lens by traveling wind

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater droplet runoffVSAvoidwater droplet introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mirror housing has different surface qualities at different locations: the main body has a convexly curved shape for general water runoff, while the area around the recessed portions has localized modifications including overhanging portions and a ridge portion. These local quality changes create specific protection zones that prevent water droplets from being blown toward the lens by traveling wind.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the camera is installed with the lens directed toward the vehicle rear side to expand imaging range, then imaging capability is improved, but the lens becomes more vulnerable to water droplet introduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging rangeVSAvoidwater droplet introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The camera is nested within the first recessed portion of the mirror housing, with the lens directed toward the vehicle rear side. This nesting arrangement allows the camera to be protected by the recessed structure while maintaining its rearward-facing imaging capability. The ridge portion and overhanging portions further nest and protect the lens area from water droplet intrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design effectively suppresses water droplet introduction into the camera lens area by directing traveling wind and separating air currents, preventing water droplets from adhering to the lens during vehicle travel.

Implementation Method 1

a flow rectifying portion which forms a flow of traveling wind toward the recessed portion is provided on the mirror housing... an air current of the traveling wind is easily separated at a peripheral region of the lens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow separation: Flow Separation

Data Source

PatentUS10442368B2Side mirror device for vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A recessed portion positioned on a vehicle rear side with respect to a lens of a camera and recessed in an inner side direction from an outer surface of a mirror housing is provided on the mirror housing. A flow rectifying surface, which forms a flow of traveling wind toward the recessed portion, is provided on the mirror housing.