Elastically Deformable Side Mirror Cap for Motorcycle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Side mirrors on straddled vehicles, such as motorcycles, face challenges when the mirror stay has a varying cross-sectional shape, making it difficult to move the cap along the stay without deformation or a conspicuous gap, which can lead to water and dust ingress.
Innovation Solution
A side mirror design featuring an elastically deformable tubular cap with varying inner diameters and shapes to match the mirror stay's cross-sectional changes, ensuring easy movement and minimizing the gap between the cap and the stay, while preventing water and dust entry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the cap is formed with a constant inner diameter to match the base portion of the mirror stay, then the gap between the cap and mirror stay is inconspicuous, but it becomes difficult to move the cap along the mirror stay when the cross-sectional shape varies
Solution Approach 1:
The cap transitions from a static constant-diameter structure to a dynamic variable-diameter structure that adapts to the mirror stay's cross-sectional changes along its length, enabling smooth movement while maintaining gap concealment
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the cap have different inner diameters tailored to match the local cross-sectional dimensions of the mirror stay at corresponding positions, allowing the cap to fit tightly at the base while accommodating shape variations toward the distal end
2Ease of operation
If the inner diameter of the cap is increased to facilitate movement along the mirror stay, then the cap can be moved easily, but the gap between the cap and mirror stay becomes conspicuous
Solution Approach 1:
The cap's inner diameter varies dynamically along its length rather than being uniformly enlarged, allowing easy movement at sections where the mirror stay cross-section changes while maintaining tight fit where the gap would be conspicuous
Solution Approach 2:
The cap incorporates localized diameter variations that match the mirror stay's cross-sectional profile, ensuring tight fit and gap concealment at critical areas while providing clearance for movement at other sections
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 design allows for smooth cap movement along the mirror stay, maintaining a concealed gap and preventing water and dust ingress, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
the cap includes a base portion, a distal portion located closer to the mirror stay than the base portion, a first tubular portion having a first inner diameter provided in the distal portion, and a second tubular portion having a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter... the cap is likely to elastically deform to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the mirror stay
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a side mirror (20) including: a rod-shaped mirror stay (23); an adapter (24) that connects together the mirror stay (23) and a handle (11); and an elastically deformable tubular cap (25) that covers the adapter (24).; a cross-sectional shape of a middle portion (33) of the mirror stay (23) being different from a cross-sectional shape of a base portion (31); the cap (25) including a first tubular portion (51) having a first inner diameter D51 provided in a distal portion (25t), and a second tubular portion (52) having a second inner diameter D52 larger than the first inner diameter D51; the first inner diameter D51 being smaller than an outer diameter D31 of the base portion (31) of the mirror stay (23).