Integrated Socket Joint Anchors for Stable Vehicle Mirror Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exterior vehicle mirror assemblies face issues with aerodynamic turbulence, vibration, increased manufacturing costs, assembly complexity, and weight due to bulky clamp connections, which lead to premature failure and aesthetic concerns.
Innovation Solution
A socket joint design featuring a concave portion for the support tube, anchors with securing arms and hollow fastener prongs for clamping, a central connecting post for interlocking with the mirror head, and a pivot surface with rounded knobs for adjusting the mirror head's angle, reducing weight and complexity while maintaining stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If clamp connections are used to firmly attach the mirror head to the support tube, then the connection stability is improved, but the aerodynamic turbulence and vibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clamping function and aerodynamic fairing into a single integrated structure. The clamping assembly includes clamping surfaces that directly contact the support tube, while aerodynamic fairings are integrated into the same assembly to streamline the connection. This eliminates the need for separate bulky clamps that create turbulence, resolving the contradiction between connection stability and aerodynamic performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If aerodynamically streamlined covering is provided over the clamping components, then the aerodynamic turbulence is reduced, but the manufacturing costs and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic fairing is integrated directly into the clamping assembly structure rather than being a separate component. The clamping assembly includes clamping surfaces and aerodynamic fairings as unified elements, eliminating the need for separate covering parts and reducing assembly steps while maintaining aerodynamic benefits.
3Stability of the object's composition
If clamp type connections with multiple parts are used, then the connection stability is improved, but the weight of the mirror assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple clamp components into a single integrated clamping assembly. The assembly includes clamping surfaces, aerodynamic fairings, and positioning features all unified into one structure that attaches to the support tube, reducing the total number of parts and overall weight while maintaining connection stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If clamp connections are used to firmly attach the mirror head, then the connection stability is improved, but the wear on support and mounting components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using external clamps that grip the outside of the support tube, the invention uses internal clamping surfaces that contact the interior surface of the support tube. The clamping assembly includes surfaces adapted to engage the interior surface, distributing clamping forces more evenly and reducing stress concentrations that lead to wear and failure.
Data Source
AI summary
A socket joint for a mirror assembly having a first concave portion receiving a support tube that attaches to the vehicle. A pair of anchors disposed in the first concave portion extend through openings in the support tube. The anchors project outwardly from the first concave portion into the support tube. Each anchor engages an interior surface of the support tube. A fastener engages each anchor from a front side of the socket joint to clamp the support tube between the anchor and first concave portion. A central connecting post extends outward from the front side of the socket joint for cooperating with various assembly components to pivotally mount a mirror head. A second concave portion is disposed around the central connecting post which receives a complementary convex portion of the mirror head housing so that the housing can pivot on the second concave portion around the central connecting post.