Exterior Mirror Mounting Structure for Rigidity and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting systems for vehicle side-view mirrors fail to provide adequate structural rigidity, lead to water and air ingress, and result in undesirable noise and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A mounting system for vehicle door mirror assemblies that includes a plate mounting portion with multiple tabs and a fastener for secure attachment to the door sash, and a base mounting portion oblique to the plate mounting portion for secure attachment to the door skin, enhancing structural rigidity and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single mounting point is used to attach the mirror assembly to the vehicle door, then the device complexity is reduced, but the structural rigidity and stability of the mirror assembly deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure is divided into two separate mounting portions: a plate mounting portion attached to the door sash and a base mounting portion attached to the door skin. This segmentation allows each mounting portion to independently contribute to the overall stability, resolving the contradiction by maintaining structural rigidity while keeping each individual mounting component relatively simple
2Ease of manufacture
If mounting tabs are used to secure the mirror assembly, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the structural rigidity deteriorates due to gaps between tabs
Solution Approach 1:
The plate mounting portion and base mounting portion work together as a combined mounting system. The plate mounting portion with tabs provides ease of manufacture, while the base mounting portion complements it to achieve sufficient overall structural rigidity, merging the advantages of both approaches
3Ease of operation
If seal gaps are maintained between moving parts and fixed parts of the vehicle body, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing necessary clearance, but water and air ingress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting structure acts as an intermediary element between the mirror assembly and the vehicle door. It provides the necessary clearance for door operation while simultaneously serving as a barrier to prevent water and air from entering through the seal gaps, thus resolving the contradiction
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting system and method for a mirror assembly of a vehicle is provided. The mirror assembly includes a plate mounting portion formed along the body plate of the mirror assembly that includes provisions for secure attachment to a door sash of a vehicle. The mirror assembly also includes a base mounting portion formed along an underside of the swivel arm of the mirror assembly that includes provisions for secure attachment to a door skin of the vehicle.