Vehicle Mirror Electric Storage Unit Anti-Rattle Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric storage units for vehicle outside mirror devices face challenges in reducing the number of parts while effectively preventing the cover from rattling, as eliminating the sealing member can lead to gaps that compromise rattling prevention.

Innovation Solution

The electric storage unit incorporates a gear case with an upright wall and a cover with a fitting wall, utilizing an elastically deformable fitting piece that deforms to fit a protruding unit, eliminating the need for a seal member and ensuring secure assembly without gaps, thus reducing parts and preventing rattling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the sealing member is eliminated to reduce the number of parts, then the number of parts is reduced, but a gap is formed between the locking hole and locking projection causing the cover to rattle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of partsVSAvoidrattling prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sealing function and the locking function into a single integrated structure. The sealing protrusion is formed integrally with the locking projection, eliminating the need for a separate sealing member while maintaining both sealing and anti-rattling functions. This integration resolves the contradiction by reducing part count without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking projection is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the locking action to secure the cover to the case, and it also provides the sealing function by forming a sealing protrusion that contacts the sealing groove. This multi-functionality allows the single structure to replace both the locking mechanism and the separate sealing member, reducing part count while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a sealing member is used to prevent rattling, then rattling is prevented, but the number of parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverattling preventionVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing protrusion and locking projection into a single integrated component formed from the case. This merging eliminates the need for a separate sealing member while maintaining the sealing function that prevents rattling, thus reducing the total number of parts while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the sealing function from the separate sealing member and integrates it directly into the locking projection structure. By taking out the sealing function and embedding it within the locking mechanism, the design eliminates redundant parts while maintaining the anti-rattling performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This configuration allows for a significant reduction in the number of parts and ensures the cover is securely attached, preventing rattling and water ingress, while maintaining operational stability even under varying environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

the elastically deformable fitting piece is configured to elastically deform in a direction of a center line of the shaft to be fitted with the fitting protruding unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3812213B1Electric storage unit for vehicle outside mirror device, and vehicle outside mirror device
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 MISATO INDUSTRIES CO LTD
  • EP3812213B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3812213B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3812213B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention includes a shaft, a gear case, a cover, a motor, and a rotational force transmission mechanism. The gear case has an upright wall. The cover has a fitting wall and a cover wall. The upright wall and the fitting wall are provided with a fitting member. The fitting member includes a fitting protruding unit, and an elastically deformable fitting piece having a fitting opening unit. As a result, the present invention can sufficiently reduce the number of parts and can surely prevent the cover from rattling.