Exterior Mirror Actuator With Pivot-Tube Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles experience undesirable vibrations during vehicle travel, which can interfere with the rearward view and cause driver disorientation.
Innovation Solution
The exterior rearview mirror assembly incorporates a biasing element, such as a spring bar, that engages the upper end of a pivot tube within the mirror head. This biasing element flexes to apply a biasing force, attenuating vibrations and stabilizing the mirror head relative to the mounting arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the mirror head is rigidly connected to the mounting arm, then the structural strength is improved, but vibrations are transferred to the mirror reflective element causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
A biasing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the mounting arm and the mirror head. This biasing element flexes to absorb vibrations while maintaining the structural connection, thereby preventing vibration transmission to the mirror reflective element while preserving structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the mounting arm and mirror head is changed from a rigid fixed parameter to a flexible parameter that allows controlled movement. The biasing element enables the connection to flex within certain parameters, absorbing vibrations while maintaining structural strength
2Stability of the object's composition
If the mirror head is allowed to move freely relative to the mounting arm, then vibration isolation is improved, but the mirror adjustment functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is made dynamic rather than static. The biasing element allows controlled movement and flexibility to isolate vibrations, while the actuator provides controlled adjustment movement when needed. The system transitions between a flexible state for vibration isolation and a controlled state for adjustment
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid support structure is used within the mirror head, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but vibrations are amplified and transferred to the mirror reflective element
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing element serves as a mediator between the rigid support structure and the mounting arm. It allows the precision mirror head to maintain its rigid internal structure for manufacturing accuracy, while the biasing element absorbs vibrations before they reach the mirror reflective element
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The biasing element effectively reduces the transfer of vibrations to the mirror reflective element, enhancing the stability of the rearview and improving the driver's view by minimizing unwanted movement of the mirror head.
Implementation Method 1
the biasing element flexes to impart a biasing force between the mirror head and the upper end of the pivot tube
Implementation Method 2
the biasing element at least partially attenuates vibrations from transferring through the pivot tube to the mirror head and the mirror reflective element
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting arm and a mirror head having a mirror reflective element, with a biasing element disposed within the mirror head. An electrically operable actuator is disposed at a distal end of the mounting arm within the mirror head. With the mounting arm attached at the exterior portion of the vehicle, the mirror head is movable relative to the mounting arm and the mirror head is pivotable about a pivot tube of the actuator. The actuator is operable to adjust the mirror head and the reflective element relative to the mounting arm to adjust the rearward view provided to the driver. The biasing element engages the pivot tube and imparts a biasing force between the mirror head and the pivot tube and at least partially attenuates vibrations from transferring through the pivot tube to the mirror head and the reflective element.