Motor Vehicle Mirror Guide Elements Rainwater Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle exterior mirrors suffer from rainwater contamination of the adjacent side window due to rainwater accumulation and flow along the separation edge, which affects the driver's view, especially during transverse acceleration or side wind.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle exterior mirror design featuring a convexly curved mirror housing with a separation edge on the underside and strategically placed guide elements that prevent rainwater from flowing transversely, ensuring it breaks off over the guide elements rather than reaching the side window, thereby reducing wetting and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a separation edge is provided on the underside of the mirror housing to improve aerodynamics and reduce rainwater contamination, then air resistance and noise are reduced, but rainwater still accumulates and flows along the separation edge toward the side window under transverse forces
Solution Approach 1:
The separation edge is segmented into multiple sections by introducing guide elements that divide it into a first separation edge section and a second separation edge section. This segmentation prevents continuous rainwater flow along the entire separation edge by creating intermediate drainage points where water can break away from the mirror housing underside and fall away from the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide elements are introduced as intermediary structures between the first and second separation edge sections. These guide elements act as mediators that intercept rainwater flow, force it to break away at controlled points, and prevent it from reaching the side window area, thus resolving the contradiction between aerodynamic separation and rainwater management.
2Loss of energy
If the separation edge extends across the mirror housing underside to maximize aerodynamic benefit, then air resistance is reduced, but rainwater has a longer path to flow toward the side window increasing contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous separation edge is divided into multiple segments by guide elements, creating a first separation edge section and a second separation edge section. This segmentation reduces the maximum flow distance for rainwater by introducing intermediate breakaway points, while the overall separation edge structure remains intact to maintain aerodynamic benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem of rainwater flow along the separation edge is solved by introducing a new dimensional element - the guide elements protruding from the separation edge into the flow path. This creates a three-dimensional structure that intercepts the two-dimensional flow of rainwater, forcing it to break away at controlled points rather than following the continuous path along the separation edge.
3Device complexity
If no guide elements are provided, then the mirror housing structure remains simple, but rainwater flows freely along the separation edge to the side window causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The separation edge is divided into multiple sections by guide elements, creating a first separation edge section and a second separation edge section. This segmentation prevents continuous rainwater flow toward the side window while adding minimal structural complexity, as the guide elements can be integrated into the existing mirror housing design.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than redesigning the entire mirror housing structure, guide elements are introduced only at specific locations where rainwater interception is needed. This local modification approach addresses the contamination problem without requiring comprehensive structural changes, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 guide elements effectively redirect rainwater droplets away from the side window, minimizing contamination and improving the driver's view by controlling the separation location of rainwater, even under transverse forces like side wind or curve travel.
Implementation Method 1
the wind force generated by the airstream
Implementation Method 2
water droplets ultimately break away from the separation edge to the rear by the force of gravity and by the wind force generated by the airstream
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle exterior mirror has a curved mirror housing, a housing foot with which the mirror housing can be fixed to the motor vehicle, and a reflective mirror body arranged in an opening on the rear of the mirror housing. A separation edge extends approximately in the transverse direction on the underside of the mirror housing and elevated guide elements are provided on the underside of the mirror housing adjoining the separation edge toward the front. The guide elements prevent rainwater from being able to flow away in the proximal direction on the underside of the mirror housing.