Vehicle Mirror Plate Rotary Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle rear vision mirror assemblies lack a secure and easy-to-use mechanism for attaching and detaching the mirror plate from the retention plate, as previous designs do not provide a means to lock the mirror plate securely to the retaining plate.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle mirror assembly with a mirror retention plate featuring parallel free edges and a releasable locking mechanism, where one edge of the mirror plate has projections to engage the retention plate and the other edge has a rotary locking mechanism actuated by a shaft accessible from the side or end wall, allowing secure retention and easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sliding engagement is used to attach the mirror plate to the retention plate, then the mirror plate can be easily replaced, but the mirror plate cannot be securely locked in place
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into two distinct functional segments: a sliding engagement mechanism for easy insertion and replacement, and a separate locking mechanism for secure retention. The mirror plate has projections on one edge for sliding engagement and a locking mechanism on the opposite edge, creating functional segmentation that resolves the contradiction between ease of replacement and security of attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the mirror plate and retention plate. It includes a locking member with a locking projection that engages with a corresponding feature on the retention plate, providing the necessary security while allowing the sliding engagement to remain simple and easy to operate for replacement purposes.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the mirror plate, then the attachment security is improved, but the complexity of the attachment system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, distinct mechanism from the sliding engagement system. The locking mechanism includes a locking member with a locking projection that can be independently actuated, allowing the security function to be added without fundamentally complicating the basic sliding attachment concept. The locking mechanism is self-contained and works in conjunction with, rather than complicating, the sliding engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-actuating through a simple key or tool insertion into a keyway. The locking member rotates or moves to engage or disengage the locking projection, providing security without requiring complex external systems or multiple components. The design allows the user to perform the locking and unlocking operations themselves with a simple tool.
3Ease of operation
If a releasable locking mechanism is implemented, then easy release is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity of the mirror plate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the mirror plate structure itself rather than being a completely separate assembly. The locking member is integrated into the mirror plate, and the locking projection is formed as part of the mirror plate's geometry. This integration reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies manufacturing compared to having entirely separate locking components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the locking mechanism as a separate device that attaches to the mirror plate, the design inverts the approach by making the locking mechanism an integral part of the mirror plate itself. The locking member and projection are formed directly on the mirror plate, reversing the conventional approach and simplifying both manufacturing and assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3
AI summary
A vehicle mirror assembly has a mirror retention plate having two parallel free edges and a replaceable mirror plate having a first surface to which the mirror is attached and a second surface opposite said first surface. The second surface has two parallel edges which includes projections on one of said edges able to retain one of said edges of the retention plate. On the second edge of said second surface of the mirror plate is a releasable locking mechanism engageable with the other of said free edges of the retention plate. This allows the mirror plate to be simply snapped into position and released by triggering the release mechanism.