Pivoting Mirror Sunshield with Elastic Clip Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mirror sunshield devices fail to provide a pair of pivoting attachment points directly to the rearview mirror, limiting the ability to adjust the relative angle and effectively block glare.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting mirror sunshield device with a visor body and clip pivots that attach to the rearview mirror, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure engagement with the mirror's top edge, using elastically deformable mirror clips to snap fit and apply force for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed parallel attachment is used to attach the sunshield to the rearview mirror, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to adjust the relative angle and effectively block glare is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a pivoting mechanism that allows the sunshield to transition from a fixed parallel attachment to an adjustable angled position. The pivot joint enables dynamic repositioning of the sunshield relative to the rearview mirror, allowing users to optimize glare blocking at different angles while maintaining structural simplicity through a single degree of freedom movement.
2Ease of operation
If the sunshield attaches to the mirror mount rather than directly to the mirror, then the attachment is stable, but the ability to provide pivoting attachment points directly to the mirror is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary attachment mechanism consisting of mirror clips that engage with the mirror's top edge. These clips serve as a mediator between the sunshield and the mirror, providing direct attachment points while maintaining stability through elastic deformation and snap-fit engagement. The intermediary clips allow pivoting motion while ensuring reliable attachment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mirror clips are made rigid for stable engagement, then the attachment is secure, but the ability to pivot and adjust positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the elastic properties of the mirror clips, transforming them from rigid structures to elastically deformable components. This allows the clips to exhibit both flexibility for pivoting motion and sufficient strength for stable engagement. The elastic deformation parameter enables the clips to accommodate angular adjustments while maintaining secure attachment through controlled flexibility.
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 adjustable positioning and effective blocking of sunlight and glare from the rearview mirror, enhancing user comfort by allowing the visor body to sit between the mirror and windshield.
Implementation Method 1
using elastically deformable mirror clips to snap fit and apply force for stability
Data Source
AI summary
A pivoting mirror sunshield apparatus for preventing glare around rearview mirrors includes a visor body having a body front side, a body back side, a body top edge, a body bottom edge, a body left edge, and a body right edge. The body bottom edge has a cutout portion extending towards the body top edge to accommodate a mounting arm of a rearview mirror of a vehicle. A plurality of clip pivots is coupled to the visor body. Each clip pivot is coupled to the body front side. A plurality of mirror clips is coupled to the plurality of clip pivots. Each mirror clip has a pivot portion pivotably coupled to the respective clip pivot and a clip portion to selectively engage a mirror top edge of the rearview mirror.