Rearview Assembly Carrier Plate Alignment and Button Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rearview assemblies often have visible gaps between the housing and the rearview device, which can be aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to grip, and may not efficiently integrate bottom-mounted buttons and wire harnesses.
Innovation Solution
A rearview assembly design featuring a carrier plate with a peripheral wall aligned with the rearview device's edge, a housing with a forward lip for smooth transition, and bottom-mounted buttons using Hall effect switches, along with a wire harness slot to manage wiring without interfering with the assembly's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the housing directly contacts the rearview device, then the structure is simple, but visible gaps appear between the housing and rearview device creating aesthetic issues and poor grip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carrier plate as an intermediary component between the housing and rearview device. The carrier plate includes a peripheral wall that extends forward to align with the peripheral edge of the rearview device, while the housing has a forward lip that abuts the rearward edge of the peripheral wall. This intermediary structure eliminates visible gaps and provides a smooth exterior transition without requiring complex integrated housing designs.
2Device complexity
If buttons are mounted on the front of the housing, then the button mechanism is simple, but the wire harness routing becomes complex and may interfere with assembly position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the buttons from the front of the housing to the bottom surface of the housing, changing the spatial dimension of button mounting. This dimensional shift allows the wire harness to be routed through a slot in the carrier plate below the mount aperture, separating the wire harness path from the button actuation path and eliminating interference between these two functions.
3Shape
If the carrier plate peripheral wall is not aligned with the rearview device edge, then manufacturing is easier, but the exterior transition appears uneven and grip is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the alignment function into two separate components: the carrier plate peripheral wall that aligns with the rearview device edge, and the housing forward lip that abuts the rearward edge of the peripheral wall. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with standard tolerances while achieving precise overall alignment, reducing the need for high-precision manufacturing of single integrated parts.
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 provides a seamless exterior transition, improved grip and aesthetics, and simplifies the button mechanism with Hall effect switches, while ensuring the wire harness is not obstructed during assembly or adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
bottom mounted buttons that use Hall effect switches to enable particular features of the rearview assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a rearview device having a peripheral edge. A carrier plate is operably coupled to the rearview device. The carrier plate includes a peripheral wall with a forward edge and a rearward edge. The forward edge is substantially aligned with the peripheral edge of the rearview device. A housing includes a forward lip configured to abut the rearward edge of the peripheral wall to provide a substantially smooth exterior transition from the housing to the peripheral wall to the rearview device.