Vehicle Mirror Folding Gear-Detent Mechanism for Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle mirrors, both mechanical and camera-based, face issues with wind noise and abrasion due to varying gaps between the mirror housing and base during operation, which are not adequately addressed by current folding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A driving apparatus is introduced that includes a fixing member and a driving member to rotate the mirror housing relative to the base, utilizing a detent mechanism with inclined surfaces and elastic forces to adjust the gap between the mirror housing and base, minimizing wind noise and abrasion by allowing precise control over the mirror's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the mirror housing is folded towards the vehicle body to secure surrounding space, then the space occupation is reduced, but wind noise and abrasion increase due to gap variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the gap between the mirror housing and vehicle body adjustable rather than fixed. The driving member changes the gap distance according to the mirror housing position: maintaining a first gap distance when unfolded and reducing to a second gap distance when folded. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the gap to different operational states, reducing wind noise during driving while minimizing space occupation when folded.
2Device complexity
If the mirror housing is kept at a fixed position during operation, then structural simplicity is maintained, but the ability to adjust gap for different operating conditions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing a driving member that enables dynamic position adjustment of the mirror housing. The driving member includes a driving gear and detent member mechanism that allows the mirror housing to be rotated between unfolded and folded positions with controlled gap distances. This adds adaptability while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through a well-defined mechanical mechanism.
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 apparatus effectively reduces wind noise and prevents abrasion by maintaining optimal gap distances between the mirror housing and base, enhancing the operational stability and durability of vehicle mirrors.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to generate an elastic force to push the driving gear toward the detent member, and when the detent protrusion is supported by protrusion support, the elastic force of the elastic member may be transmitted to the mirror housing through the detent member and the drive body and may act as a force that maintains the mirror housing proximate to the mirror base
Implementation Method 2
a driving motor for generating the driving force to rotate the drive body with respect to the fixing member
Implementation Method 3
The detent groove and the detent protrusion may include a detent groove inclined surface and a detent protrusion inclined surface, respectively, which face each other in a rotation direction of the driving gear
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for operating a mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a fixing member fixed to a mirror base of the vehicle; and a driving member fixed to a mirror housing of the vehicle and configured to rotate the mirror housing with respect to the fixing member by generating a driving force. A position of the mirror housing includes a first position where the mirror housing is unfolded with respect to the mirror base and a second position where the mirror housing is folded with respect to the mirror base. The driving member is configured to decrease a gap between the mirror housing and the mirror base when the mirror housing is changed from the second position to the first position, and increase the gap when the mirror housing is changed from the first position to the second position.