Mirror Adjustment Device Play Suppression via Resilient Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mirror adjustment devices for motor vehicles experience loose play during manual adjustment and jerky movement during electric adjustment due to low frictional forces, leading to vibrations and usability issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a resilient element, such as a spring or leaf spring, to apply a bias to the worm shaft, reducing play and preventing judder by maintaining axial tension between the worm gear assembly and bearing parts, thus enhancing the feel and stability of manual adjustments while allowing smaller frictional forces during electric operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If smaller frictional forces are used during electric adjustment, then cost-effective electric motors can be utilized, but jerky movement and vibrations occur leading to poor usability
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt between electric and manual adjustment modes. During electric adjustment, the bearing provides low friction for smooth movement, while during manual adjustment, the resilient element engages to reduce play and provide stable positioning without jerky movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction characteristics of the bearing are changed based on the adjustment mode. A resilient element (spring or elastomer) is introduced to modify the friction parameters dynamically - providing low friction during electric operation for cost-effective motors, and increased controlled friction during manual operation to eliminate play and prevent judder.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pivot extends obliquely to enable manual adjustment, then the mirror housing can be moved back and forth manually, but jerky movement occurs during electric adjustment due to small frictional forces
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing design incorporates dynamic friction characteristics that adapt to different operational states. The resilient element engages selectively to provide stability during manual adjustment while maintaining low friction during electric adjustment, resolving the conflict between versatility and smooth operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element acts as an intermediary between the bearing surfaces, modifying the interaction characteristics. It provides the necessary friction control to enable both manual adjustability and smooth electric adjustment without jerky movements, mediating between the conflicting requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If low frictional forces are used in the bearing, then cheaper electric motors can be utilized, but loose play is sensed during manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing provides dynamically adjustable friction characteristics. During electric adjustment, low friction allows the use of cost-effective motors. During manual adjustment, the resilient element engages to eliminate play and provide precise positioning, resolving the contradiction between cost and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction parameters of the bearing are changed based on operational mode. The resilient element modifies the contact characteristics between bearing surfaces, providing low friction for electric operation and high controlled friction for manual operation, thereby enabling both cost-effectiveness and precision.
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 resilient element effectively reduces the sensation of loose play and eliminates jerky movements, improving the usability and smoothness of mirror adjustments, while enabling the use of smaller, more cost-effective electric motors without compromising performance.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element, such as a spring or leaf spring, to apply a bias to the worm shaft
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An adjustable mirror (1) is provided with a mirror housing (1') and a mirror foot (1''), coupled via a pivot (5) and a motor mirror adjustment device. The motor mirror adjustment device is provided with a housing (3) which includes a bearing part (3'); an electric motor (4); and a gear transmission for transmitting rotation of the electric motor to the pivot. The gear transmission is supported against the bearing part and includes drive elements such as gears and/or worms (6') and/or worm gears (6), and an output gear (8) which is connected to the pivot. The gear transmission is provided with a resilient element (10) between one of the drive elements and the bearing part, or between the drive elements mutually, and is designed to generate a bias between the one of the drive elements and the bearing part.