Rearview Device Multi-Piece Backing Plate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rear view devices for vehicles often fail to provide a full and expansive field of view, especially in blind spots, and lack protection for the spotter mirror element, making them prone to damage from external elements like ice and snow.
Innovation Solution
A rearview device design featuring a primary and secondary reflective element with separate backing plates, where the secondary reflective element has a wider field of view and is attached to the primary element using clips or projections, ensuring alignment and movement in unison, and incorporating a chromium-based reflective coating on a polymeric substrate, with a perimeter framing portion for protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-piece molded plastic backing plate is used for both main reflector and blind spot reflector, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the field of view is insufficient and the spotter mirror lacks protection
Solution Approach 1:
The backing plate is divided into two separate pieces: a primary backing plate for the main reflector and a secondary backing plate for the blind spot reflector. The secondary backing plate includes a perimeter framing portion that protects the spotter mirror while both plates are attached to a common support structure, allowing independent optimization of each reflector's function and protection
2Device complexity
If the spotter mirror is exposed without protection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the spotter mirror is vulnerable to damage from ice, snow, and scraping devices
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary backing plate includes a perimeter framing portion that extends beyond the spotter mirror to provide protective coverage. This framing structure acts as a shield against ice, snow, and scraping devices before they can contact and damage the spotter mirror surface
3Device complexity
If conventional single-reflective-element devices are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the field of view does not include a sufficiently wide angle view for blind spots
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines both a main reflector and a blind spot reflector (spotter mirror) into a single integrated rearview device. The primary and secondary backing plates are attached to a common support structure, merging multiple reflective functions into one device to provide comprehensive field of view coverage including blind spots
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
Enhances the field of view by providing a wider angle and protects the spotter mirror from damage, ensuring a seamless integration and improved visibility for the driver, especially in harsh weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the primary reflective element may include a chromium-based reflective coating applied to a surface of the primary reflective element and the secondary reflective element may include a chromium-based reflective coating applied to a surface of the secondary reflective element
Data Source
AI summary
A rearview device for use with a vehicle includes a primary reflective element backing plate, a primary reflective element positioned on the primary reflective element backing plate, a secondary reflective element backing plate, a secondary reflective element positioned on the secondary reflective element backing plate, and an attachment mechanism including at least one clip or projection to attached the secondary reflective element to the primary reflective element backing plate. The attachment mechanism aligns a primary central axis of the primary reflective element to a secondary central axis of the secondary reflective element to be substantially parallel.