Rear View Mirror Actuator With Simplified Fold-Tilt Gear Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical actuators for rear view systems in vehicles are noisy, heavy, and costly due to complex gearing mechanisms and the need for high-strength metallic parts, which increase weight and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A gear assembly with fold and tilt gears featuring through holes for the spindle, eliminating the need for biasing members and simplifying the design, allowing for cost-effective production and assembly, and incorporating a simple restricting mechanism using an end stop and shroud to define rotation limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electromechanical actuators with complex gearing mechanisms are used, then reliable rotation control is achieved, but weight increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex gearing mechanism from the actuator design. Instead of using multiple gears with biasing members, the invention uses a direct-drive mechanism where the motor shaft directly connects to the mirror head through a simplified transmission system, removing unnecessary components that contribute to weight and noise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical gear train with a simplified direct mechanical connection. The motor shaft directly drives the mirror head rotation without intermediate gears, substituting a complex mechanical transmission system with a simpler direct-drive mechanism that reduces weight and eliminates gear-related noise
2Strength
If high strength metallic parts are used in the gear train, then shock loads during impacts are withstood, but cost and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the gear train components that would require high-strength metallic parts to withstand shock loads. By eliminating the gears and biasing members, the design no longer needs expensive high-strength metals, allowing the use of lighter, more cost-effective materials while maintaining adequate impact resistance through the simplified structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simpler mechanical structure that can be manufactured using conventional, cost-effective materials and processes. The design accepts that certain components may have limited life under extreme impact conditions but compensates through overall system simplicity and ease of replacement, rather than using expensive high-strength materials throughout
3Stability of the object's composition
If biasing members are added to keep gears in place, then gear dislocation is avoided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the biasing members from the design. Instead of adding components to keep gears in place, the invention eliminates the gears themselves and their associated positioning requirements, achieving a design where no biasing members are needed because the direct-drive mechanism inherently maintains proper component alignment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the motor shaft and mirror head connection to self-maintain proper alignment and positioning without requiring external biasing members. The direct mechanical connection between the motor shaft and mirror head inherently ensures correct positioning through its simple structural design, eliminating the need for additional positioning components
4Device complexity
If a single actuator is used for multi-axis adjustment, then design cost and complexity are reduced, but rotation limitation control becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rotation control function by incorporating physical stop mechanisms at specific locations in the rotation path. These stops divide the continuous rotation into defined segments or ranges, allowing the single actuator to achieve multi-axis adjustment while maintaining precise rotation limitation control through mechanical boundaries rather than complex electronic control
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to an actuator for rotating a head of a rear view device of a motor vehicle about two axes relative to a base of the rear view device, the actuator comprising: a gear assembly comprising: a fold gear configured to rotate the mirror head in a first direction and a second direction about a first axis, wherein the fold gear comprises an opening, in particular in form of a bore or a through hole; a tilt gear configured to rotate the mirror head in a third direction and a fourth direction about a second axis, wherein the tilt gear comprises an opening, in particular in form of a bore or a thorough hole; a spindle having a first end and a second end; a slide attached to the spindle via a channel; wherein the opening of the tilt gear receives the first end of the spindle and the opening of the fold gear receives the second end of the spindle; a housing enclosing the gear assembly, wherein the housing is configured to rotate with the head in the first direction, the second direction, the third direction and the fourth direction; and a shaft configured to be fixed on the base and configured to remain stationary, wherein the shaft provides at least one end stop configured to define a maximum rotation of the head in the first direction and in the second direction.