Replaceable Hydrophobic Film for Vehicle Mirror Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrophobic mirrors require replacement when their hydrophobic properties are compromised, which is time-consuming and costly, as the entire mirror body needs to be replaced rather than just the hydrophobic layer.

Innovation Solution

A hydrophobic mirror with a replaceable hydrophobic film comprising a flexible substrate and a patterned hydrophobic layer, where the film can be easily attached and detached from the mirror body using a transparent adhesive layer, allowing for economical replacement of the film instead of the entire mirror.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire mirror body is replaced when hydrophobic properties are compromised, then the hydrophobic function is restored, but the time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrophobic functionVSAvoidreplacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mirror system is divided into two independent segments: the mirror body and the hydrophobic film. The hydrophobic film can be detached and replaced independently from the mirror body, allowing only the compromised film to be replaced rather than the entire mirror assembly. This segmentation enables selective replacement of the functional layer while preserving the underlying mirror structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophobic film is extracted as a separate, replaceable component from the mirror body. The film is applied to the mirror body surface but can be removed and replaced independently. This extraction allows the hydrophobic function to be maintained by replacing only the film layer when its properties deteriorate, rather than replacing the entire mirror body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the entire mirror body is replaced when hydrophobic properties are compromised, then the hydrophobic function is restored, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrophobic functionVSAvoidreplacement cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hydrophobic film is designed as a disposable or replaceable component with a limited service life. When the film's hydrophobic properties deteriorate, only the relatively inexpensive film needs to be replaced, not the expensive mirror body. This approach treats the hydrophobic film as a consumable element that can be economically replaced independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of time

If a replaceable hydrophobic film is implemented, then replacement cost and time are reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplacement timeVSAvoidmirror structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophobic film is implemented as a thin, flexible coating layer on the mirror body surface. This thin-film approach adds minimal structural complexity while enabling independent replacement. The film's flexibility allows it to conform to the mirror surface while maintaining ease of application and removal, achieving replaceability without significant structural complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS10877186B2Hydrophobic mirror and vehicle using the same

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a hydrophobic mirror. The hydrophobic mirror includes a support, a mirror body set in the support, and a hydrophobic film located on a surface of the mirror body. The hydrophobic film comprises a flexible substrate and a hydrophobic layer located on a surface of the flexible substrate. The hydrophobic layer comprises a base and a patterned bulge layer located on a surface of the base.