Rearview mirror lens angle adjusting device based on shape memory alloy

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of automobile rearview mirrors, in particular to a rearview mirror lens angle adjusting device based on shape memory alloy, which comprises a lens and a rearview mirror shell, and a memory alloy wire angle adjusting mechanism is arranged in a cavity enclosed by the lens and the rearview mirror shell. The memory alloy wire angle adjusting mechanism comprises at least two memory alloy wires, one end of each memory alloy wire is connected to the lens in a dispersed mode, the other end of each memory alloy wire is connected to the rearview mirror shell in a concentrated mode, the different memory alloy wires are connected to different positions of the lens, the end of each memory alloy wire is connected with a wire clamping terminal, and the wire clamping terminal is connected to the rearview mirror shell. The wire clamping terminal is a conductive piece, the wire clamping terminal is used for guiding current input by a power supply module to the memory alloy wires, the power supply module is in signal connection with a controller, and the controller is used for controlling the power-on and power-off of the power supply module and each memory alloy wire. The device is flexible and accurate in angle adjustment and light in weight.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of automobile rearview mirrors, and in particular to a rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy. Background Art

[0002] The automotive industry is highly competitive, and vehicle engineers are constantly working to improve the safety and comfort of cars. In many cases, this means that cheaper and more compact actuators are needed. Many common functions in cars are driven by motors. Among them, the electric rearview mirror of the car is such an application. Its rearview mirror with lens angle adjustment function has become a standard configuration for more and more cars. The existing rearview mirror adjusts the lens angle through the cooperation of motors, turbines, worms and gears. There are problems such as complex overall structure, heavy size, high noise, easy damage to the motor, high friction of the gears, and easy generation of powder inside. Through the study of existing solutions, an actuator based on shape memory alloy wire to adjust the lens angle of the rearview mirror is designed. The shape memory alloy wire adjustment platform is connected to the mirror surface through a ball hinge to stabilize the mirror surface and provide a maximum range of motion without friction. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy, which can flexibly and accurately adjust the rearview mirror angle and improve the driving safety of the vehicle.

[0004] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: to provide a rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy, including a lens and a rearview mirror housing, a memory alloy wire angle adjustment mechanism is provided in a cavity enclosed by the lens and the rearview mirror housing, the memory alloy wire angle adjustment mechanism includes at least 2 memory alloy wires, one end of each of the memory alloy wires is discretely connected to the lens, and the other end is centrally connected to the rearview mirror housing, different memory alloy wires are connected to different positions of the lens, and the end of each of the memory alloy wires is connected to a wire clamping terminal, which is a conductive member, and is used to guide the current input by a power module to the memory alloy wire, the power module is connected to a controller signal, and the controller is used to control the power on and off of the power module and each of the memory alloy wires.

[0005] Furthermore, a lens connecting plate is provided on the back side of the lens, the wire terminals include upper wire terminals and lower wire terminals, the lens connecting plate is fixed with the same number of lower wire terminals as the memory alloy wires, and a shell connecting plate is provided on the inner bottom surface of the rearview mirror shell, the shell connecting plate is fixed with the same number of upper wire terminals as the memory alloy wires.

[0006] Furthermore, the number of the memory alloy wires is 4, the upper end of each memory alloy wire is centrally connected to the rearview mirror housing, and the lower end of each memory alloy wire is respectively connected to the four corners of the lens.

[0007] Furthermore, a concave platform is provided in the middle of the lens connecting plate, a spherical concave surface is provided in the middle of the concave platform, a hollow cylinder is connected to the bottom of the shell connecting plate, the hollow cylinder is sleeved on a column, a spherical pressure head is connected to the bottom of the column, the spherical pressure head is adapted to the spherical concave surface, the spherical pressure head is placed in the spherical concave surface, a spring is provided on the periphery of the column, when the hollow cylinder is sleeved on the column, the bottom surface of the hollow cylinder is in contact with the spring, and when the hollow cylinder is sleeved on the column, it is fixed by inserting a straight bolt.

[0008] Furthermore, the controller is accommodated in a cavity formed by the lens and the rearview mirror housing.

[0009] Furthermore, the lower wire terminal is welded to the lens connecting plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper wire terminal is welded to the shell connecting plate.

[0011] Furthermore, the controller is fixed on the shell connecting plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the controller is signal-connected to the vehicle-mounted controller.

[0013] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0014] 1. The present invention utilizes the signal connection between the controller and the power module, and realizes the contraction of the memory alloy wires at different positions by controlling the power on and off of the power module and different memory alloy wires respectively, so that the tilt direction and tilt angle of the rearview mirror lens can be accurately controlled.

[0015] 2. The present invention uses the heat-shrinking property of the memory alloy wire when it is powered on to replace the traditional motor drive method to adjust the angle of the rearview mirror, so that the adjustment device has a compact structure, light weight, and no noise during the adjustment process.

[0016] The foregoing and other aspects, embodiments and features of the present invention can be more fully understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Other additional aspects of the present invention, such as the features and / or beneficial effects of the exemplary embodiments, will be apparent from the following description or learned from the practice of the specific embodiments according to the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale according to actual reference objects. In the accompanying drawings, each identical or nearly identical component shown in various figures may be represented by the same reference numeral. For the sake of clarity, not every component is labeled in each figure. Now, embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 The figure is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy of the present invention when it is tilted forward.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy of the present invention when it is tilted in the reverse direction.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the spherical pressure head and the shell connecting plate in the present invention.

[0023] Figure numerals: 1-shell connecting plate; 2-spherical pressure head; 3-spring; 4-lens connecting plate; 5-lens; 6-lower wire terminal; 7-memory alloy wire; 8-upper wire terminal; 9-slotted bolt; 10-controller; 11-rearview mirror shell. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiment of the present invention clearer, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings of the embodiment of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiment is a part of the embodiment of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the described embodiment of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used herein should be the common meaning understood by people with general skills in the field to which the present invention belongs.

[0025] The words "first", "second" and similar words used in the patent application specification and claims of the present invention do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish different components. Similarly, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms of "a", "an" or "the" and other similar words do not indicate a quantitative limitation, but indicate the existence of at least one. Words such as "include" or "comprise" mean that the elements or objects appearing before "include" or "comprise" cover the features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or components listed after "include" or "comprise", and do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their collections. "Up", "down", "left", "right" and the like are only used to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0026] See also Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides an angle adjustment device for a rearview mirror lens 5 based on shape memory alloy, comprising a lens 5 and a rearview mirror housing 11, wherein a memory alloy wire 7 angle adjustment mechanism is provided in a cavity enclosed by the lens 5 and the rearview mirror housing 11, wherein the memory alloy wire 7 angle adjustment mechanism comprises at least two memory alloy wires 7, wherein one end of each of the memory alloy wires 7 is discretely connected to the lens 5, and the other end is centrally connected to the rearview mirror housing 11, and different memory alloy wires 7 are connected to different positions of the lens 5, and the end of each of the memory alloy wires 7 is connected to a wire clamping terminal, which is a conductive member, and is used to guide the current input by a power module to the memory alloy wire 7, and the power module is signal-connected to a controller 10, and the controller 10 is used to control the power on and off of the power module and each of the memory alloy wires 7.

[0027] The present invention utilizes the property that the memory alloy material will shrink when heated after being energized, and applies it to the rearview mirror angle adjustment, so that the rearview mirror lens 5 angle adjustment device has a simple structure, low cost, low noise, and light weight. The original traditional motor control has noise from the operation of the motor, and the weight of the motor is much larger than that of the memory alloy wire 7. In order to assemble the motor, a matching installation structure must be designed, which further increases the overall weight.

[0028] Shape memory alloys are a class of smart materials that can effectively change shape and provide actuation by recovering the memorized geometry. The reversible mechanism behind shape memory alloy actuation is a solid-state phase transition that occurs as a function of temperature and stress. The unique thermomechanical behavior of shape memory alloys is a result of the transformation of the austenite phase to the martensite phase and vice versa. These alloys have extremely high energy density; therefore, actuators using these alloys are compact and lightweight.

[0029] The present invention utilizes the controller 10 to connect with the power module signal, and realizes the contraction of the memory alloy wires 7 at different positions by controlling the power on and off of the power module and different memory alloy wires 7 respectively, so that the tilt direction and tilt angle of the rearview mirror lens 5 can be accurately controlled.

[0030] See also Figure 3 As shown, when the rearview mirror lens 5 needs to tilt to the right, it is only necessary to control the left memory alloy wire 7 to be energized and the right memory alloy wire 7 to be de-energized. In this way, only the left memory alloy wire 7 is energized and heat-contracted, and the lower end of the memory alloy wire 7 pulls the lens 5 to move in the contraction direction of the memory alloy wire 7, so that the rearview mirror lens 5 can be tilted to the right. Please refer to Figure 4 Similarly, when the rearview mirror lens 5 needs to tilt to the left, it is only necessary to control the memory alloy wire 7 on the right side to be energized and the memory alloy wire 7 on the left side to be de-energized, so that only the memory alloy wire 7 on the right side is energized and heat-contracted, and the lower end of the memory alloy wire 7 pulls the lens 5 to move in the contraction direction of the memory alloy wire 7, so that the rearview mirror lens 5 can be tilted to the left. By controlling the voltage of the energized voltage, the contraction length of the memory alloy wire 7 can be accurately controlled, thereby accurately controlling the tilt angle of the rearview mirror lens 5.

[0031] In some embodiments of the present invention, a lens connecting plate 44 is provided on the back side of the lens 5, and the wire terminals include upper wire terminals 8 and lower wire terminals 6, and the lens connecting plate 44 is fixed with the same number of lower wire terminals 6 as the memory alloy wires 7, and the inner bottom surface of the rearview mirror housing 11 is provided with a housing connecting plate 1, and the same number of upper wire terminals 8 as the memory alloy wires 7 are fixed on the housing connecting plate 1.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present invention, the number of the memory alloy wires 7 is four, the upper end of each memory alloy wire 7 is centrally connected to the rearview mirror housing 11 , and the lower end of each memory alloy wire 7 is respectively connected to the four corners of the lens 5 .

[0033] In some embodiments of the present invention, a concave platform is provided in the middle of the lens connecting plate 44, and a spherical concave surface is provided in the middle of the concave platform. A hollow cylinder is connected to the bottom of the shell connecting plate 1, and the hollow cylinder is sleeved on a column. A spherical pressure head 2 is connected to the bottom of the column, and the spherical pressure head 2 is adapted to the spherical concave surface. The spherical pressure head 2 is placed in the spherical concave surface. A spring 3 is provided on the periphery of the column. When the hollow cylinder is sleeved on the column, the bottom surface of the hollow cylinder contacts the spring 3. When the hollow cylinder is sleeved on the column, it is fixed by inserting a straight bolt 9.

[0034] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, no matter in which direction the rearview mirror angle is adjusted, the spherical pressure head 2 will cause rotation in the spherical concave surface. Since the contact surface between the spherical pressure head 2 and the spherical concave surface is arc-shaped, the friction is small and the rotation is more flexible. By arranging a spring 3 on the periphery of the column, when the hollow cylinder is sleeved on the column, the bottom surface of the hollow cylinder contacts the spring 3. When the hollow cylinder is sleeved on the column, it is fixed by inserting a slotted bolt 9. The pressure between the spherical pressure head 2 and the spherical concave surface during rotation can be adjusted by adjusting the depth of the screwed-in slotted bolt 9. In this way, it can be adjusted as needed, so that the rearview mirror angle adjustment is more accurate.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention, the controller 10 is accommodated in a cavity formed by the lens 5 and the rearview mirror housing 11 .

[0036] In some embodiments of the present invention, the lower wire terminal 6 is welded to the lens connecting plate 44, which improves the fixing stability of the memory alloy wire 7 and ensures that the fixing position of the memory alloy wire 7 does not change during the tilting of the rearview mirror.

[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, the upper wire terminal 8 is welded to the housing connecting plate 1, which improves the fixing stability of the memory alloy wire 7 and ensures that the fixing position of the memory alloy wire 7 does not change during the tilting of the rearview mirror.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, the controller 10 is fixed on the shell connecting plate 1 to improve installation stability.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, the controller 10 is connected to the vehicle controller signal, and can also realize that when the driver sits in the main driving position, the visual system recognizes the driver's identity and determines whether there is an archived rearview mirror angle record. If there is a record, the lens 5 is automatically adjusted to the previously recorded angle, and if there is no record, the driver information is actively stored; if the new driver does not adjust the lens 5 angle, the lens 5 controller 10 automatically records the current lens 5 angle after the vehicle moves. After the rearview mirror lens 5 angle is adjusted, the vehicle starts, and the rearview mirror lens 5 angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy works normally.

[0040] Through the functions of the original on-board controller, new functions can be expanded. For example, when the vehicle is driving on the road, the vehicle blind spot monitoring system is activated. This system senses moving objects such as vehicles and bicycles coming from behind. The electronic control unit can calculate the relative speed between the moving object and the current vehicle. If the relative speed is greater than the threshold set by the system, the vehicle blind spot monitoring system is activated and the vehicle's exterior rearview mirror indicator light is always on. If the driver tries to change lanes to a dangerous lane at this time, the vehicle's exterior rearview mirror indicator light will flash and the alarm buzzer will sound an alarm to remind the driver that there is a risk of collision.

[0041] In summary, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. Simple structure. Compared with the prior art solution of adjusting the angle of the lens 5 with a motor and a gear, the lens 5 angle adjustment mechanism made of shape memory alloy is much simpler, and the angle can be adjusted in time using only four shape memory alloy wires 7, a spring 3 and a fixed structure. 2. Light weight. Using the memory alloy wire 7 to replace the traditional dual motors and gears can effectively reduce the weight of the car rearview mirror, which meets the requirements of the existing lightweight car. 3. Low cost. The cost of the memory alloy wire 7 is much lower than that of the existing motor and gear. 4. Not easy to damage. The memory alloy wire 7 has a memory effect and ductility. After an accidental touch operation, it can be automatically restored to a normal working state by heating. 5. The installation steps are simple and easy to operate. 6. Low sound. The memory alloy wire 7 is silent when working, which can effectively reduce environmental noise compared to the humming sound of the motor. 7. Low friction resistance. The contact connection between the spherical pressure head 2 and the spherical concave surface can effectively reduce friction and make the angle adjustment more efficient and sensitive. 8. Stable operation, not affected by environment and weather.

[0042] Although the present invention has been disclosed as above with preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. A person with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs may make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be determined by the definition of the claims.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy, comprising a lens and a rearview mirror housing, characterized in that: A memory alloy wire angle adjustment mechanism is provided in the cavity formed by the lens and the rearview mirror housing, and the memory alloy wire angle adjustment mechanism includes at least two memory alloy wires, one end of each of the memory alloy wires is discretely connected to the lens, and the other end is centrally connected to the rearview mirror housing, different memory alloy wires are connected to different positions of the lens, and the end of each memory alloy wire is connected to a wire clamping terminal, which is a conductive part, and is used to guide the current input by the power module to the memory alloy wire. The power module is connected to the controller signal, and the controller is used to control the power on and off of the power module and each of the memory alloy wires.

2. The rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy according to claim 1, characterized in that: A lens connecting plate is provided on the back side of the lens, and the wire terminals include upper wire terminals and lower wire terminals. The lens connecting plate is fixed with the same number of lower wire terminals as the memory alloy wires. A shell connecting plate is provided on the inner bottom surface of the rearview mirror shell, and the same number of upper wire terminals as the memory alloy wires are fixed on the shell connecting plate.

3. The rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The number of the memory alloy wires is 4, the upper end of each memory alloy wire is centrally connected to the rearview mirror housing, and the lower end of each memory alloy wire is respectively connected to the four corners of the lens.

4. The rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy according to claim 2, characterized in that: A recessed platform is provided in the middle of the lens connecting plate, and a spherical concave surface is provided in the middle of the recessed platform. A hollow cylinder is connected to the bottom of the shell connecting plate, and the hollow cylinder is sleeved on a column. A spherical pressure head is connected to the bottom of the column, and the spherical pressure head is adapted to the spherical concave surface. The spherical pressure head is placed in the spherical concave surface. A spring is provided on the periphery of the column. When the hollow cylinder is sleeved on the column, the bottom surface of the hollow cylinder contacts the spring. When the hollow cylinder is sleeved on the column, it is fixed by inserting a straight bolt.

5. The rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller is accommodated in a cavity formed by the lens and the rearview mirror housing.

6. The rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lower wire terminal is welded to the lens connecting plate.

7. The rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper wire terminal is welded to the shell connecting plate.

8. The rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy according to claim 2, characterized in that: The controller is fixed on the housing connecting plate.

9. The rearview mirror lens angle adjustment device based on shape memory alloy according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller is connected to the vehicle-mounted controller by signal.

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