Vehicle Side View Mirror Assembly with Accessory Mounting Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles designed for door removal often lose their side view mirrors, as they are typically mounted to side doors, leading to a lack of visibility and accessory mounting options when doors are removed.
Innovation Solution
The side view mirror assembly includes a mirror neck cover and a base frame that establish an accessory mounting platform, secured to the vehicle's static body structure, allowing for the integration of accessories like cameras, lights, and antennas, even when doors are removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If side view mirrors are mounted to side doors, then the mirrors can be easily installed and removed with the doors, but the mirrors are lost when doors are removed for off-road operations
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly is segmented into two mounting options: door-mounted configuration for normal operation and static body structure-mounted configuration for off-road operations. The base frame can be selectively mounted to either the door or the static body structure, allowing the mirror system to function independently of the door assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The base frame is designed with universal mounting capability to interface with both door structures and static body structures. This multi-functionality allows the same mirror assembly to serve in both conventional door-mounted applications and off-road door-removed applications without requiring separate mirror systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If side view mirrors are integrated into door structures, then the mirrors are removed with the doors, but accessory mounting options are lost when doors are removed
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory mounting platform is merged with the mirror assembly base frame. The same structural components that support the mirror also provide the mounting platform for accessories such as cameras, lights, and antennas. This integration eliminates the need for separate accessory mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The base frame serves multiple functions: it mounts the mirror to the vehicle, provides structural support for the mirror housing, and simultaneously serves as an accessory mounting platform. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional mounting hardware when doors are removed.
3Reliability
If mirrors are mounted to static body structure, then mirrors remain during door removal, but the mounting structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into a reusable base frame assembly that can be selectively mounted to different locations (door or static body structure). This segmentation allows the complex mounting hardware to be concentrated in the base frame rather than distributed across multiple components, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The base frame is pre-configured with mounting interfaces for both door attachment and static body structure attachment. This preliminary preparation of mounting interfaces allows for quick transition between mounting configurations without requiring complex field modifications or additional hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure details vehicle body mounted side view mirror assemblies that include mounting platforms for mounting one or more accessory items to the vehicle. The mounting platforms may be established by a mirror neck cover of the side view mirror assembly, a leaf screen, or both. The mounting platforms may include one or more mounting openings and associated fasteners for securing the accessory items directly to the side view mirror assembly.