Rear View Mirror Assembly Tool-Free Hinge and Snap Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rear view mirror assemblies for motor vehicles face challenges in consistent assembly and disassembly without damaging components, and require specialized tools, limiting ease of service and configuration.

Innovation Solution

A hinge connection between the bezel assembly and the lower casing element, with snap, latch, and clip connections, allows for rotation and clipping to form sub-assemblies, enabling easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining the integrity of reflective elements, and allowing for late configuration of legal glass types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rigid connection methods are used for mirror assembly, then structural stability is improved, but assembly and disassembly complexity increases and requires specialized tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mirror housing is divided into multiple detachable segments (first housing portion, second housing portion, third housing portion) that can be assembled and disassembled independently. Each segment connects through simplified interfaces that maintain structural integrity while enabling tool-free assembly and disassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple mirror assembly variants are produced to accommodate different legal glass types, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibility for legal glass typesVSAvoidnumber of mirror assembly variants

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure incorporates movable and adjustable components that allow the same basic assembly to be configured for different legal glass types. The detachable housing portions can be repositioned or reconfigured to accommodate various mirror glass specifications, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated assembly variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If specialized tools are required for assembly and disassembly, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of repair worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidserviceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection interfaces between housing portions are designed to be self-aligning and self-securing through simplified mechanical features. The detachable connections can be assembled and disassembled by hand without requiring specialized tools, while still maintaining precise alignment and secure attachment during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11618384B2Assembly, method for assembling and disassembling such an assembly, and external rear view device and vehicle with such an assembly

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 SMR PATENTS S A R L

AI summary

An assembly includes a head assembly for an external rear view device to be attached to a motor vehicle, a lower casing element, an upper casing element, an articulation assembly, a bezel assembly for carrying at least one rear view element, and a hinge connection between the bezel assembly and a first sub assembly provided by at least the lower casing, the articulation assembly and attachment means with the articulation assembly being mounted on the attachment means or the attachment means being mounted on the articulation assembly.