Mirror Protector with Indent Notches for Light Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wing mirrors on motor vehicles are susceptible to damage due to their exposed position, and existing mirror protectors often fail to adequately protect external lights like indicator lights, which are critical for visibility but vulnerable to collisions.
Innovation Solution
A mirror protector with an indent and notches on its surface, designed to fit over a vehicle wing mirror, allowing external lights to remain visible while providing protection through a combination of internal and external notches that deflect collisions, ensuring the light remains visible and the mirror is safeguarded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mirror protector is provided to protect the wing mirror, then the wing mirror is protected from damage, but the exterior light such as indicator light cannot be seen clearly
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror protector is segmented with notches that divide the protective body into sections, allowing light to pass through while maintaining overall protection. The notches create openings in the protective structure without compromising its integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror protector has different properties in different locations: the body provides opaque protection while the notches provide transparent openings. This local differentiation allows simultaneous protection and visibility functionality.
2Reliability
If the mirror protector covers the entire wing mirror for maximum protection, then the wing mirror is well protected, but the exterior light is blocked and not visible to other road users
Solution Approach 1:
The protective body is segmented with notches that create strategic openings. These notches are positioned to align with exterior light sources, ensuring that protection is maintained in non-critical areas while visibility is preserved at light emission points.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific portions of the protective body are extracted or removed to create notches, allowing light to pass through while the remaining body structure continues to provide protection.
3Strength
If the mirror protector is made solid and continuous for better protection, then collision resistance is improved, but the ability to allow light through is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous protective body is segmented by introducing notches. These notches are strategically positioned to maintain structural strength while creating light transmission pathways. The segmentation allows the protector to be strong where needed and transparent where light must pass.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror protector exhibits local quality variations: solid and continuous in areas requiring collision resistance, and interrupted with notches in areas requiring light transmission. This spatial differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between strength and light transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mirror protector 10 comprises a body 12 for fitting over a vehicle wing mirror. The body 12 includes an indent 16 in one side 18 of the body 12. The indent 16 includes one or more notches 20 extending outwards from the body 12 and into the indent 16. The mirror protector 10 can be retrofitted to an existing wing mirror and will allow an exterior light such as an indicator light on the wing mirror to be seen, while also providing some measure of protection for the indicator light.