Dual-Actuator Rearview Mirror Assembly for Stable Field Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior rearview mirror assemblies lack the ability to efficiently adjust the rearward field of view with precise lateral and vertical adjustments while maintaining a constant tip angle, and often require vehicle control system modifications for different applications.
Innovation Solution
An exterior rearview mirror assembly with dual actuators and dual pivot axes, allowing independent or cooperative operation to adjust the mirror head and reflective element laterally and vertically, with a control system that determines optimal adjustment speeds and angles based on user input and mechanical configuration, and includes a memory system for saving preferred settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to adjust the mirror, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to achieve precise lateral and vertical adjustments while maintaining constant tip angle is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment function is segmented into two independent actuators: a first actuator for lateral adjustment and a second actuator for vertical adjustment. This segmentation allows each actuator to specialize in one degree of freedom, achieving precise control over both lateral and vertical positions while maintaining the ability to preserve tip angle during lateral movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-actuator one-dimensional control to dual-actuator two-dimensional control by introducing independent lateral and vertical adjustment mechanisms. This dimensional expansion enables precise positioning in both lateral and vertical directions simultaneously, while the control system coordinates both actuators to maintain constant tip angle during lateral adjustments.
2Ease of operation
If the mirror head is adjusted laterally, then the rearward field of view is expanded, but unwanted vertical movement of the reflective element occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the positions of both actuators and dynamically adjusts the second actuator (vertical adjustment) in response to the first actuator's (lateral adjustment) movement. This feedback coordination ensures that when lateral adjustment is performed, the vertical position is simultaneously corrected to compensate for tip angle changes, thereby maintaining stable vertical positioning of the reflective element while expanding the field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the control of lateral and vertical adjustments through a coordinated control mechanism that operates both actuators simultaneously. When lateral adjustment is initiated, the control system combines this with compensatory vertical adjustment to maintain constant tip angle, effectively merging two adjustment functions into a unified controlled operation that achieves field of view expansion without unwanted vertical movement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different vehicle applications require different mirror configurations, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and control system modifications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-actuator system with independent lateral and vertical control capabilities provides a universal platform that can serve multiple vehicle applications. The same basic configuration can accommodate different mirror types (convex, flat, electrochromic), different mounting positions, and different field of view requirements by simply adjusting the control parameters and actuator ranges, without requiring fundamental redesign or additional hardware modifications for different vehicle models.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 1B
AI summary
An exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a non-movable portion, a movable portion and a mirror head. The non-movable portion is configured for attachment at an exterior portion of a vehicle and the movable portion is movable relative to the non-movable portion. The mirror head is movable relative to the movable portion, and a mirror reflective element is fixedly attached at the mirror head. A first actuator is operable to move the movable portion relative to the non-movable portion about a first axis and a second actuator is operable to move the mirror head relative to the movable portion about a second axis. The first and second actuators are cooperatively operable to move the movable portion about the first axis and to move the mirror head about the second axis, and the mirror reflective element moves in tandem with movement of the mirror head.