Exterior Mirror Folding Device Carrier Axial Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Folding devices for external vehicle mirrors often experience axial spacing deviations during assembly, leading to increased noise and wear due to multiple separate components, which cause misalignment and mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
A folding device design where the motor shaft, output axle, and gear mechanism are positioned relative to each other via a single component, a carrier, ensuring consistent axial spacings and minimizing noise and wear by direct support and adjustment of the motor shaft through a pressure piece and adjustment screw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate components are used to position the motor, output gear, and intermediate shaft, then the device can be assembled with standard components, but axial spacing deviations occur leading to increased noise and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple housing components (first housing portion, second housing portion, and intermediate housing) into a single integrated housing structure. This single housing simultaneously positions the motor, output gear, and intermediate shaft, eliminating axial spacing deviations caused by component displacement during assembly while reducing the total number of parts.
2Ease of manufacture
If the motor and output gear are positioned via separate housing portions, then assembly is simplified, but axial spacing deviations increase noise and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The housing integrates the positioning functions for the motor, output gear, and intermediate shaft into a single component. This integration maintains ease of manufacture through modular design while eliminating axial spacing errors that cause noise and wear, as the single housing ensures precise relative positioning of all driven components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If axial spacings are determined via multiple separate components, then the device can accommodate component variations, but deviations in axial spacings increase noise and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The single integrated housing determines all axial spacings internally, eliminating the accumulation of tolerances that occurs when multiple separate components are assembled. The housing is designed with precise internal features that position the motor, output gear, and intermediate shaft at correct spacings, ensuring reliable operation with minimal noise and wear.
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 solution reduces noise and wear by maintaining precise axial spacings and preventing component displacement, resulting in a compact, quiet, and durable folding mechanism for external vehicle mirrors.
Implementation Method 1
direct support and adjustment of the motor shaft through a pressure piece and adjustment screw
Data Source
AI summary
A folding device to move a mirror head relative to a mirror base of a motor vehicle exterior mirror, the folding device including a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror base, a motor arranged in the carrier, and which has a motor shaft, an output device operatively connected to one of the mirror base or the mirror head, and a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output device to the motor shaft. The motor shaft and the output device are located parallel with each other, and the motor, the output device, and the gear mechanism are positioned relative to each other via the carrier, such that the axial spacings of the motor shaft, the output device, and the gear mechanism located therebetween are determined via the carrier.