Vehicle Mirror Mounting Tool for Windshield Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for mounting an interior rear-view mirror on a vehicle windshield, such as using hammers or pliers, face difficulties in constrained environments with obstacles, leading to potential damage to the windshield or base due to incorrect force application.
Innovation Solution
A new mounting tool with a support finger on the windshield, a movable actuating rod, and a rear foot on a plexiglass plate, which allows for easy and controlled sliding of the mirror foot onto its base using hooks and a quarter-turn rotational movement, ensuring precise alignment and minimizing force on the parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pliers are used to grasp and slide the mirror foot on the base, then the manual operation can be performed, but the operator's movements are hampered by obstacles such as lugs or functional protuberances in constrained spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mounting tool as an intermediary device between the operator and the mirror foot. This tool includes a support finger that rests on the windshield base, a movable actuating rod, and a rear foot that follows the rod's movement. The tool's hooks engage with the mirror foot's lugs, allowing the operator to apply force through the tool rather than directly manipulating the mirror foot with pliers, thereby overcoming obstacles in constrained spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting tool utilizes a different dimensional approach by introducing vertical movement through the actuating rod that moves along the support finger. This vertical dimension allows the tool to navigate around horizontal obstacles like lugs and protuberances that would block direct lateral manipulation with pliers
2Productivity
If the operator exerts pushing force with pliers in constrained spaces, then the mirror foot can be pushed onto the base, but there is a risk of tearing off the base or causing cracks on the windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting tool acts as a mediator that distributes and controls the application of force. The support finger rests on the windshield base to provide a stable reference point, while the actuating rod and rear foot mechanism translate the operator's pulling motion into controlled sliding force on the mirror foot, preventing excessive or misdirected pushing forces that could damage the windshield or base
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of pushing the mirror foot onto the base as with pliers or hammer, the invention inverts the approach by having the operator pull the mirror foot onto the base using the mounting tool. This pulling action through the rod and foot mechanism provides more controlled and directed force application, reducing the risk of damaging the windshield
3Ease of manufacture
If hammer is used to push the mirror foot onto the base, then the assembly can be completed, but the operation requires significant effort and potential for damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting tool serves as an intermediary mechanical advantage device. The support finger anchored on the base, combined with the movable rod and foot mechanism, allows the operator to apply force more efficiently. The hooks engaging the lugs and the lever action of the rod reduce the effort needed compared to directly hammering or pushing the mirror foot
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting tool incorporates dynamic elements including the movable actuating rod that can move along the support finger, and the rear foot that follows the rod's movement. This dynamic mechanism allows for controlled force application and adjustment during the mounting process, making the operation easier and more adaptable than static tools like hammers
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3D
Figure 4~5B
AI summary
Method of mounting an interior rearview mirror on a base previously fixed to a windscreen (6) of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - pre-positioning of the rearview mirror (1) on its base, - setting up a mounting tool (8), by hooking it onto protruding parts (4a) of the base of the rearview mirror (4a), and resting the tool on the windscreen, - clipping the base of the rearview mirror (4) onto its base by pulling along the base using the tool, while resting it on the windscreen (6), - releasing the tool in the final mounting position.