Rear-View Mirror Folding Assembly With Dynamic Gap Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric folding devices for exterior rear-view mirrors face issues with poor anti-shake performance, increased wind noise, and high motor current requirements due to gaps between the mirror baseplate and bracket, which also lead to material degradation and folding failures.

Innovation Solution

An electric folding device design that eliminates the gap between the base and seat by using a centralized connection piece with limiting convex blocks and a drive gear, allowing the base to lift smoothly with reduced bearing requirements, enabling the use of ordinary plastic gears for lighter and cost-effective production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a gap is reserved between the mirror baseplate and the mirror bracket to reduce frictional resistance during electric folding, then the folding operation becomes smoother, but the anti-shake performance deteriorates and wind noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding operation smoothnessVSAvoidanti-shake performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic gap control mechanism where the gap between the mirror baseplate and bracket is maintained during folding operation but eliminated during normal driving state. The mounting shaft can rotate relative to the base plate, allowing the gap to open during folding and close during driving, thus achieving both smooth folding and good anti-shake performance dynamically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a gap is reserved between the mirror baseplate and the mirror bracket, then frictional resistance during folding is reduced, but wind noise increases during travel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding frictional resistanceVSAvoidwind noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting shaft's rotational capability allows the gap to be dynamic - open during folding to reduce friction, and closed during driving to eliminate wind noise. The spring mechanism ensures the gap closes automatically when folding force is removed, preventing wind noise during travel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the mirror baseplate is supported solely by the folding mounting shaft with a spring, then the structure becomes simpler, but the support stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structure complexityVSAvoidsupport stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting shaft is designed to rotate relative to the base plate, creating a dynamic support system. During folding, the shaft rotates to accommodate movement; during driving, the spring force and rotational constraint provide stable support, eliminating the need for complex multi-point support structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 provides improved anti-shake performance, reduced wind noise, and efficient folding without excessive motor current, ensuring the mirror baseplate and bracket are securely attached, preventing shake and folding failures.

Implementation Method 1

the base is lifted up the mounting shaft under the elastic force of the spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4242063B1Electric folding device for exterior rear-view mirror of vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 NINGBO JINGCHENG CAR IND
  • EP4242063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4242063B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4242063B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses an electric folding device for exterior rear-view mirror of a vehicle which comprise a centralized connection piece, having a mounting portion provided for the drive gear to slide circumferentially; a limiting seat is integrally disposed on an upper part of the mounting portion, the spring is abutted against an upper end of the limiting seat, and the drive gear is abutted between the limiting seat and the base. In an initial state, a reserved gap is present between the drive gear and the limiting seat/the base; the electric drive unit drives the base cam assembly to gradually slide relative to the seat cam assembly; the reserved gap is gradually eliminated until the base cam assembly is abutted against the seat cam assembly as the base is lifted up. The present invention provides the electric folding device for exterior rear-view mirror of a vehicle which can achieve a smooth lifting function, has low requirements for the bearing capacity of gear, is suitable for lightweight development, and has low costs.