Telescoping Side Mirror Assembly with Manual Locking Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side mirror assemblies for motor vehicles, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,055, require a tool to adjust the mirror's position, which can be inconvenient for operators needing to extend the mirror further away from the vehicle without the proper tool available.
Innovation Solution
A side mirror assembly with a pivotally secured tube and a locking lever that allows the mirror housing to slide along the tube, enabling telescoping motion without the need for tools, allowing the mirror to be extended or retracted for improved rearward visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a set screw is used to secure the mirror housing to the tube, then the mirror position can be adjusted, but a tool is required to loosen and tighten the set screw which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed to be operable by the user without requiring external tools. The lever itself serves as the adjustment tool, allowing the user to manually loosen and tighten the set screw through simple lever manipulation, thereby making the system self-serving and improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever acts as an intermediary tool between the user and the set screw. Instead of directly manipulating the set screw with a hex key or other tool, the user operates the locking lever which in turn actuates the set screw, providing a user-friendly interface for adjustment while maintaining the secure locking function
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mirror housing is made telescoping to extend further from the vehicle, then rearward visibility is improved, but the mechanism requires additional components that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The telescoping mechanism is divided into discrete functional segments: the tube providing structural support, the mirror housing containing the mirror, and the locking lever providing adjustment capability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple and maintainable
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror housing is designed with dynamic positioning capability through the telescoping tube and locking lever mechanism, allowing it to transition between fixed positions. This dynamic design enables the mirror to adapt to different viewing requirements while maintaining stability when locked in place, balancing adjustability with structural integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A side mirror assembly for a motor vehicle includes a base which is fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A tube is pivotably secured to the base. The tube extends between a pivot end and a distal end. A mirror housing defines a mirror opening and a tube opening. The mirror housing receives the distal end and a portion of the tube disposed adjacent the distal end through the tube opening. A mirror is mounted within the mirror housing and is exposed through the mirror opening for an operator of the motor vehicle to view rearward of the motor vehicle without turning completely around. A case frame is fixedly secured to the mirror housing at a position disposed adjacent the mirror. The side mirror assembly also includes a locking lever which is movable between an unlocked position allowing the case frame and the mirror housing to slide along the tube and a lock position for securing the case frame and the mirror housing at a desired position along the tube.