Motorcycle Rear Mirror Joint With Anti-Rotation Cable Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical cables in rear-view mirrors of motorcycles are prone to damage and loss of contact due to repeated adjustments, leading to reduced service life and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A rear-view mirror arrangement with a rotatable adjustment device and a limiting device that prevents excessive rotation, routing electrical lines through the adjustment device to prevent overtightening and damage, featuring a ball joint and locking mechanism to secure the mirror holder to the holding arm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the mirror housing is rigidly connected to the support arm via an articulated connection to allow adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the electrical cables running through the joint become twisted and damaged over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of mirrorVSAvoidelectrical cable integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the joint with integrated cable routing) that mediates between the mirror housing and support arm. The electrical cables are routed through the joint itself rather than externally, allowing the joint to accommodate cable movement during adjustment while protecting cables from twisting and damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The joint is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to accommodate the movement and flexibility of electrical cables during mirror adjustment. The joint structure adapts to the cable routing requirements, enabling smooth rotation while preventing cable damage through its design that accommodates cable flexing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If repeated adjustment of the mirror is allowed to provide versatility, then the adaptability is improved, but the electrical contacts are lost and service life is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemirror adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidservice life of electrical components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The joint serves as an intermediary that protects electrical contacts from wear during repeated adjustments. By routing cables through the joint structure itself, the design isolates the electrical contacts from the twisting and flexing that would otherwise occur during mirror adjustment, thereby extending service life while maintaining adjustment flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The joint structure is designed in advance to cushion and protect the electrical cables and contacts from the harmful effects of repeated adjustment movements. The routing through the joint provides built-in protection against twisting and damage before it can occur, enabling long-term use without contact loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If the electrical cables are routed externally for ease of installation, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the cables are exposed to damage from rotation and adjustment movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing simplicityVSAvoidcable damage from rotation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The joint acts as an intermediary structure that provides a protected pathway for electrical cables. Instead of routing cables externally where they would be exposed to rotation damage, the cables are routed through the joint itself, which shields them from harmful rotational movements while maintaining relatively simple installation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4211001B1Rear mirror assembly with Anti-rotation protection
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4211001B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4211001B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4211001B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a rear mirror assembly (10) for a motorcycle with a mirror mounting (11) and a holding arm (12) which is designed to connect the mirror mounting (11) to the motorcycle, wherein an adjustment device (13) is arranged between the holding arm (12) and the mirror mounting (11), said adjustment device being designed to be rotatable at least about one free rotational axis (14) in order to adjust the position of the mirror mounting (11) relative to the holding arm (12), and the adjustment device (13) comprises a limiting device (15) in order to limit the rotational adjustment (D).