Interior Mirror Stay Structure for Stable Torque Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mirror stay devices for interior rearview mirrors face challenges in easy assembly due to dimension deviations and inconsistent rotational torque, and thermal deformation leads to instability in maintaining torque on the ball clamp and tube.

Innovation Solution

A mirror stay device with plate springs assembled to both end portions of a body and a mount, featuring a ball and wire passage, along with a pivot ball assembly, allows for easy assembly and minimizes torque changes even with thermal deformation, using a body with stoppers and a body cover to restrict plate spring movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a ball clamp and tube structure is used to secure the ball, then the mirror can be mounted, but dimension deviations prevent easy assembly and consistent rotational torque

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoiddimensional consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the structural parameters by replacing the ball clamp with a plate spring mechanism. The plate spring has a specific thickness (0.5-1.5mm) and elasticity that allows it to deform and accommodate dimensional variations in the ball and body, enabling easy assembly while maintaining consistent torque through its elastic properties rather than rigid dimensional constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If plastic material is used for the ball clamp, then assembly is simplified, but thermal deformation causes widening and torque instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite material strategy by combining plate spring (metal with high thermal stability) with plastic components (body cover, stoppers). The metal plate spring provides thermal stability and maintains torque consistency under temperature changes, while the plastic components provide ease of manufacture and assembly, creating a hybrid structure that leverages the advantages of both material types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from plastic to metal for the torque-critical plate spring component. This material substitution provides high thermal stability and elastic properties, preventing the thermal deformation and torque instability that occur with plastic ball clamps, while the overall structure remains easy to manufacture through the use of stamped metal springs and simple plastic covers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Weight of moving object

If aluminum material is used for the tube, then weight is reduced, but thermal deformation causes widening and torque maintenance difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent weightVSAvoidthermal deformation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite material strategy by replacing aluminum tube with a plate spring structure made of metal (providing thermal stability) combined with plastic body cover and stoppers. This hybrid structure maintains the lightweight advantage while eliminating thermal deformation issues through the metal spring's dimensional stability and elastic compensation capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Device complexity

If the body is designed as a single piece, then structure is simple, but assembly with balls is difficult due to dimension deviations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the connection mechanism from rigid (single-piece body with fixed holes) to elastic (plate spring with deformable contact). The plate spring's elasticity allows it to adapt to dimensional variations in the balls during assembly, making assembly easier while maintaining structural simplicity through the single-piece body design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables easy and consistent assembly of the interior rearview mirror with reduced torque variation, ensuring stability and safety by maintaining torque on the balls, and facilitating separation of the mirror assembly in case of a collision to prevent injury and damage.

Implementation Method 1

the compression of the plate springs is exerted to the body so that a change in the amount of torque on the balls becomes relatively small

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

If portions of the body surrounding the balls is thermally deformed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS8157238B2Stay for the inside mirror of the vehicle

Publication Date: 2012.04.17 SMR PATENTS S A R L

AI summary

The present invention discloses a stay device for a vehicle comprising a mount having a ball formed protrudely on a front surface thereof and a wire passage formed therein and extended into the ball; a body coupled to the mount through the ball of the mount, the body having a wire passage formed therein; a plate spring provided for pressurizing the body; a body cover for wrapping the body and the plate spring; and a pivot ball assembly having a ball protrudely formed on a rear surface thereof, the pivot ball assembly being coupled to the body.