Exterior Mirror Adjuster Wire Spring Mounting Against Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjusting instruments for exterior vision units in motor vehicles face issues with vibrations due to creep and relaxation of plastic materials, which are not adequately addressed by current solutions like metal leaf springs, as they are costly and heavy, and provide limited spring travel.
Innovation Solution
A wire spring with a low force buildup and large spring travel is used to pretension the housing and supporting frame, effectively compensating for material relaxation and providing a durable, cost-effective fixation, allowing for a compact and efficient mounting construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal leaf spring is used to connect the housing and supporting frame, then the housing can be fixed with respect to the supporting frame in a manner free from play, but the cost increases and the component becomes relatively heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal leaf spring to plastic material, and changes the spring mechanism parameter from leaf spring bending to coil spring compression/expansion. This allows achieving the same fixation stability with reduced weight and lower cost while maintaining sufficient spring travel through the coil spring's mechanical properties
2Reliability
If a metal leaf spring is used to connect the housing and supporting frame, then the housing can be fixed with respect to the supporting frame in a manner free from play, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastic, and changes the spring mechanism from leaf spring to coil spring. Plastic coil springs can be manufactured through injection molding processes, significantly reducing production cost compared to metal leaf springs which require specialized forming and assembly processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a plastic housing integrated with a plastic coil spring, creating a composite plastic assembly that combines structural support and spring functionality in a single material system, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs
3Reliability
If a metal leaf spring is used to connect the housing and supporting frame, then the housing can be fixed with respect to the supporting frame in a manner free from play, but the spring travel remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spring mechanism from leaf spring to coil spring, fundamentally altering the deformation mode from bending to compression/expansion. This enables significantly larger spring travel while maintaining sufficient pretensioning force through the coil spring's mechanical properties and geometry
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 wire spring ensures a stable and vibration-free mounting of exterior vision elements by distributing pretensioning force uniformly, maintaining the shape of housing components and reducing play between parts, thus enhancing operational reliability and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
A pretensioned wire spring proves sufficiently suitable for compensating the occurring plastic's relaxation in the parts of the adjusting instrument
Implementation Method 2
A wire spring has a comparatively low force buildup, with a large spring travel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an adjusting instrument (1) for an exterior vision unit of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (5) with a fixing element (5A) for coupling with a supporting frame (3) of the exterior vision unit and an adjusting element (5B) which is pivotably connected with the housing for adjusting an exterior vision element, wherein a mounting construction is provided for the purpose of mounting the housing to the supporting frame, comprising an engagement body (11) movable relative to the housing, for the engaging thereof by a fastening element, in particular a screw, for connecting the engagement body with the supporting frame, wherein the engagement body can move along with the fastening element; and a wire spring (7) which by way of two parts thereof spaced apart at an intermediate distance is supported on a housing part. The engagement body engages the wire spring in a portion of the wire spring that is located between the two spaced apart parts in order to realize in a mounted condition an elastic deformation of the wire spring.