Vehicle Mirror Actuator Pivot Clip Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mirror actuators for vehicles require a complex assembly process and generate vibration due to the use of plate springs, increasing assembly time and affecting the adjustment of side view mirrors.
Innovation Solution
A mirror actuator design featuring a cover with a cover rail and a pivot clip with clip ribs, allowing the adapter plate to rotate around two orthogonal axes, reducing the number of components and eliminating the need for plate springs, thereby simplifying assembly and reducing vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components are assembled in a stacked manner using plate springs and screws, then the adapter plate can be fixed to rotate about multiple axes, but the assembly time increases and vibration is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot retainer and pivot sleeve are integrated into a single pivot assembly component, eliminating the need for separate plate springs and screws. This merged structure achieves both axial rotation support and perpendicular axis rotation capability while reducing the number of parts to assemble, directly resolving the contradiction between assembly time and rotation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pivot assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the first axis of rotation through the rotatable shaft, enables the second axis of rotation through the pivot retainer's spherical space geometry, and eliminates the need for separate fastening components. This multi-functional design reduces assembly complexity while maintaining rotational stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If plate springs are used to fix the pivot retainer and pivot sleeve, then the components can be assembled, but vibration is caused during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The plate spring component is completely removed from the assembly. The pivot retainer and pivot sleeve are fixed using alternative mechanisms within the integrated pivot assembly structure, eliminating the source of vibration while maintaining ease of assembly through the simplified single-component design.
Solution Approach 2:
The design eliminates reliance on elastic components like plate springs that have limited service life and generate vibration. The integrated pivot assembly uses durable structural features built into the housing and cover that provide permanent, vibration-free operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used to assemble the adapter plate structure, then rotation about multiple axes is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (pivot retainer, pivot sleeve, fastening elements) are merged into a single integrated pivot assembly. This unified component maintains the capability to rotate about the first axis (through the rotatable shaft) and the second axis (through the spherical space geometry) while reducing the total component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pivot assembly performs multiple functions: supporting the rotatable shaft for primary rotation, providing spherical space geometry for secondary rotation, and incorporating built-in retention features to secure the adapter plate. This multi-functionality achieves multi-axis rotation capability without increasing component count.
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror actuator for a vehicle includes a housing and a cover disposed, when the mirror actuator is assembled, at an upper side of the housing. The cover has a cover rail formed therein. An adapter plate has a rotatable shaft which, when the mirror actuator is assembled, is seated on the cover rail and rotatable around a first axis of rotation. A pivot clip, when assembled to the cover, is rotatable around a second axis of rotation, surrounds the rotatable shaft, and affixes the adapter plate on the cover rail.