Retractable Vehicle Side Mirror Housing for Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle side mirrors and housings attached to the outer body with a fixed base are prone to damage, obstruct access, and increase drag coefficient, thereby reducing fuel economy, especially in limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle side mirror and housing system that can be concealed and revealed through an opening in the vehicle body using motors, mechanisms, and robotics, such as screw gears, worm screws, and rack and pinion gears, allowing for flexible positioning and protection from damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vehicle side mirrors are attached to the outer body with a fixed base, then the mirror provides stable viewing, but the mirror gets damaged, broken or blocks access in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning the mirror housing from a fixed position to a movable position. The housing can move between a deployed position for viewing and a retracted position for protection, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements. This is achieved through mechanical actuators that enable the housing to slide or rotate within the body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the mirror housing within a cavity or recess in the vehicle body. When retracted, the housing nestles inside the body structure, protecting it from damage and freeing up external space. This nested configuration allows the mirror to be stored safely when not in use while maintaining access to passageways.
2Reliability
If vehicle side mirrors are attached to the outer portion, then the mirror is always visible, but it causes drag coefficient and reduces fuel economy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the mirror housing movable rather than fixed. The housing can be retracted into the body when the vehicle is in motion to reduce aerodynamic drag, and deployed when stationary or at low speeds when visibility is needed. This dynamic positioning optimizes the balance between visibility and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic action through automated control that periodically deploys and retracts the mirror housing based on vehicle operating conditions. The system activates the mirror when needed for viewing and retracts it during high-speed travel to minimize drag, creating a periodic cycle of deployment and retraction that optimizes both visibility and fuel economy.
3Device complexity
If vehicle side mirrors are fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the mirror blocks access and gets damaged in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic movement capability to the mirror housing, allowing it to transition between deployed and retracted positions. This adds mechanical complexity with actuators and control systems, but eliminates the harmful effects of fixed positioning by enabling the housing to move out of the way when needed and protect itself when retracted.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle side mirror (22) housing (12) base (17) and mirror (23) to view behind you.A vehicle side mirror (22) is concealed and revealed through an opening in the vehicle body (11) automatically when started, turned off, in park, in autonomous mode or manually with a switch, key fob or voice command.When concealed in the container (16) the vehicle allows for more room to pass and less damage to the un-exposed vehicle side mirror (22), when driving or in autonomous mode the vehicle side mirror (22) is concealed thus the vehicle can have an increase in fuel economy do to the decrease of the drag coefficient.