Mirror Adjustment Unit Internal Electrical Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mirror adjustment units for motor vehicle exterior mirrors face issues with wear-out of sliding contacts leading to unreliable electrical connections, increased complexity and cost due to numerous wire outputs, and dimensional tolerances during assembly, especially when integrating view assist devices like heating elements and electrochrome glass.
Innovation Solution
A mirror adjustment unit utilizing internal electrical connectors, such as spring elements or flexible current conductors, to establish a reliable and efficient electrical connection between view assist devices and the onboard network with a reduced number of wires, incorporating motor casings for compact construction and reduced radiation emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sliding contact is used for electrical connection between base frame and mirror support, then electrical connection is maintained during rotation, but the sliding contact wears out upon frequent rotation leading to unreliable electrical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sliding contact system with an electrical connector system that uses flexible printed circuit boards (FPC) and contact elements. This substitution eliminates the wear problem inherent in sliding contacts while maintaining electrical connection during mirror rotation adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible printed circuit boards (FPC) as the electrical connection medium. These thin, flexible circuits can accommodate the rotational movement between the base frame and mirror support without suffering from wear, providing reliable electrical connection for view assist devices throughout the product lifecycle.
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous wire outputs are provided for each electrical function, then all electrical functions can be connected, but the complexity and cost increase due to more connecting wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal electrical connector design where the FPC-based connector system can accommodate multiple electrical functions (heating, electrochromic glass, ultrasonic motors) through a single integrated connection interface. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate wire outputs for each function while maintaining full electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple electrical connection functions into a single FPC-based electrical connector assembly. By combining heating elements, electrochrome glass connections, and ultrasonic motor connections into one integrated flexible circuit system, the patent reduces wire complexity and assembly steps while maintaining adaptability to various mirror configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bundled electrical connection is arranged between vehicle and base frame, then electrical functions are connected, but it is time consuming and may give rise to connecting errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates electrical connectors and wiring into the mirror support subassembly during manufacturing, before final installation in the vehicle. The FPC circuits are pre-configured and connected to view assist devices, so that upon installation, electrical connectivity is automatically established without requiring time-consuming on-site wiring and connection procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mirror elements with view assist devices include upstanding pins for electrical supply, then electrical connection is provided, but the mirror elements become high and fragile and difficult to stack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical upstanding pin electrical connection system with an FPC-based flexible circuit system. This substitution eliminates the need for protruding pins, thereby maintaining the compact, stackable form factor of mirror elements while providing reliable electrical supply to view assist devices through flexible printed circuits that can bend and conform to the mirror element structure.
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
This solution provides a reliable, flexible, and efficient electrical connection to view assist devices, reducing assembly time and costs while maintaining a compact design, and eliminating the need for additional wire outputs, thus addressing the issues of wear-out and complexity in existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
the electrical connection between the base frame and the mirror support comprises a pair of contact parts disposed movably relative to each other, which jointly form a sliding contact
Implementation Method 2
A mirror adjustment unit utilizing internal electrical connectors, such as spring elements or flexible current conductors, to establish a reliable and efficient electrical connection
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror adjustment unit for an exterior mirror (1) comprises a base frame (11) and a mirror support (9). The mirror support is rotatable relative to the base frame via an adjusting mechanism (14a, 14b) including a first and second electrically energizable driving device (15, 16) for rotating the mirror support relative to the base frame with respect to a first and a second axis, respectively. The second axis is perpendicular to the first axis. The first and second driving device have a first and second electrical connector (17, 18), respectively, arranged on the base frame, for electrical connection of the first and the second driving device, respectively, with an on board network (4) of a motor vehicle to which the base frame is connectable. The mirror adjustment unit further has a third connector (22, 23) for electrical connection of a view assist device (19) with the onboard network. The third electrical connector is placed between, and electrically connected with, on one side, the first and second electrical connectors and, on the other side, the view assist device.