Vehicle Side Mirror Resin Housing Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rearview mirror systems for vehicles have a complex structure with multiple components, including metal stays and screws, which can be simplified and lightened to reduce weight and component count.

Innovation Solution

The rearview mirror system is designed with a resin housing divided into a front housing and a rear housing, where the indicator system is supported by the front housing and the mirror part is supported by the rear housing, with integral spherical-shaped engaging parts for angle adjustment and locking pawls for attachment without screws, simplifying the structure and reducing components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal stays and screws are used to attach the rearview mirror to the vehicle body, then the structural strength and reliability are improved, but the number of components increases and the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the stay and housing into a single integrated resin housing structure. The housing directly attaches to the vehicle body mounting surface without separate metal stays, while incorporating reinforcement ribs internally to maintain structural strength. This merging eliminates multiple components (metal stay, screws, washers) into one unified resin housing piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses resin material with reinforcement ribs to create a composite-like structure that provides both light weight and structural strength. The reinforcement ribs act as internal strengthening elements within the resin housing, replacing the need for separate metal reinforcement components while maintaining attachment reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If metal stays and multiple attachment components are used, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the weight of the rearview mirror system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidweight of rearview mirror system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical attachment system (metal stay, screws, washers) with an integrated resin housing structure that uses friction fit and reinforcement ribs for attachment. This substitution eliminates heavy metal components while maintaining reliable attachment through the resin housing's direct mounting surface and reinforcement structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The resin housing incorporates reinforcement ribs that create a composite-like structure, providing high strength-to-weight ratio. This allows the housing to maintain attachment reliability without requiring heavy metal stays, achieving both light weight and secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If the housing is made of resin and divided into front and rear parts, then the number of components is reduced and weight is lightened, but the manufacturing precision and assembly complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidhousing assembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into front and rear sections that can be separately manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall integration. The division enables modular manufacturing with precise fitting interfaces between the front and rear housing sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The front and rear housing sections are designed to integrate seamlessly with precise fitting interfaces. The segmentation is implemented in a way that maintains the appearance and functionality of a unified structure, with the joint between sections being minimal and precisely aligned to ensure manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Weight of moving object

If the housing is made of resin and divided into front and rear parts, then the weight is lightened, but the structural rigidity may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of rearview mirror systemVSAvoidstructural rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The resin housing incorporates reinforcement ribs at specific locations where structural strength is needed, particularly at the attachment area and joint between front and rear sections. This local reinforcement provides high rigidity where required while maintaining light weight in other areas of the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The resin housing with reinforcement ribs creates a composite-like structure that achieves high strength-to-weight ratio. The reinforcement ribs are strategically placed to provide structural rigidity without adding significant weight, allowing the housing to be both lightweight and structurally sound.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP1897792B1Side rearview mirror with embedded turn indicator for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2009.10.21 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP1897792B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1897792B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1897792B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Problem To provide an indicator-integrated rearview mirror for a vehicle-in which the number of components can be cut down to simplify and lighten the structure thereof. Solution A housing of a rearview mirror is divided into two of a front housing 31 and a rear housing 32 which are made of resin, an indicator system 33 is supported by the front housing 31, and a mirror part 35 is supported by the rear housing 32. The both housings 31 and 32 are attached to each other by engagement of locking pawls with locking holes. A plane part facing the front housing 31 is formed in the rear housing 32, and the locking holes are formed at edges of the plane part. A spherical-shaped engaging part which supports the mirror part 35 while the angle thereof can be adjusted is formed integrally with the rear housing 32. The rear housing 32 is configured by integrally forming an accommodation part for the mirror part 35 and an attachment stay part attached to the vehicle body-side, and the front housing 31 is configured by integrally forming an accommodation part for the indicator system 33 and a cover for covering the attachment stay part.