Rear View Mirror Plate Locking Pins for Easy Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle rear view mirror assemblies lack a simple and cost-effective locking and release mechanism for mirror plates, making them prone to damage and difficult to replace.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly using slidable locking pins with a spring-loaded clip-on mechanism, allowing easy locking and unlocking of the mirror plate with a 'press down and lever out' action, facilitating secure engagement and effortless disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotatable locking and release components (shaft, levers, springs, worm assembly, gear wheel) are used, then the mirror plate can be locked and released, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: locking pins for engagement, a simple release tool interface, and spring-loaded actuators. Each component performs a specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The complex rotatable shaft, worm assembly, and gear wheel mechanisms are completely removed from the design. Only the essential locking pins and simple spring-loaded actuators remain, extracting away unnecessary complexity while preserving the core locking function
2Reliability
If rotatable locking and release components are used, then the mirror plate can be locked and released, but the manufacturing and repair cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pins are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The elimination of complex mechanical assemblies reduces both initial manufacturing cost and ongoing maintenance expenses
Solution Approach 2:
By removing expensive rotatable shafts, worm assemblies, and gear wheels, the patent dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the essential locking function through simpler, cheaper components
3Ease of operation
If sliding engagement without locking is used, then the mirror plate can be engaged, but it cannot be securely locked and is prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sliding engagement function with the locking function into a unified mechanism. The locking pins work together with the sliding motion to provide both easy engagement and secure locking in a single operational sequence
4Device complexity
If no release mechanism is provided, then the locking structure is simple, but the mirror plate cannot be easily released for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
A simple release tool is introduced as an intermediary to interact with the locking pins. This external tool provides the necessary leverage and mechanical advantage to release the locking mechanism without adding complexity to the internal assembly
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring complex internal mechanisms to主动 release the locking pins, the design inverts the approach by providing a simple external interface that allows user-applied force to directly actuate the release function
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a secure and reliable locking mechanism that is easy to operate, reducing the complexity and cost of manufacturing and repair, while enabling straightforward replacement of mirror plates.
Implementation Method 1
a spring loaded clip-on mechanism, wherein, when the or each locking pin is in the locking position
Data Source
AI summary
An external vehicle rear view mirror assembly has a mirror (12), a mirror plate (14), and a mirror retention plate (16). The mirror plate has an attachment arrangement which can releasably engage the mirror plate to the mirror retention plate. The attachment arrangement has a locking assembly for engaging the mirror retention plate so that the mirror plate, when in the engaged position, can assume a locked position with respect to the mirror retention plate. The locking assembly has locking pins (24, 26) which are movable between a locking position and an unlocking position. Each locking pin has a leading free end (28) and an opposite head end (30). The head end has pin locking surfaces (32, 33a, 33b) which are engageable with a respective plate locking surface (34) of the mirror plate by operation of a respective spring loaded clip-on mechanism (36). Each locking pin is in the locking position when the leading free ends engage the mirror retention plate and lockably retain the mirror plate in the locked position. Each locking pin is in the unlocking position when the leading free ends are disengaged from the mirror retention plate after releasing the spring loaded clip-on mechanism.