Vehicle Mirror Retraction Unit With Elastic Gear Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for vehicles experiences backlash between the motor and the case and cover, leading to instability in rotating the pivot body, preventing smooth rotation.
Innovation Solution
An electric retraction unit with a shaft fixed to the vehicle body, casings rotatably attached to the shaft, a motor, a deceleration mechanism, and a holding member that includes a gear with a shaft part attached to the motor's drive shaft, where the motor and gear are held by the holding member, and the casings are stiffer than the holding member, allowing for smooth rotation by absorbing thrust loads and maintaining alignment without backlash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the motor is directly accommodated between the case and the cover, then the device structure is simplified, but backlash occurs between the motor and the case/cover, causing unstable rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a holding member as an intermediary component between the motor and the case/cover. This holding member includes a motor holding portion that secures the motor and a gear holding portion that supports the gear, thereby mediating the connection and eliminating direct contact that causes backlash. The holding member absorbs dimensional variations and prevents the motor from tilting or shifting during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the motor mounting structure into separate functional portions: a motor holding portion and a gear holding portion, both integrated into the holding member. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the motor holding portion secures the motor body while the gear holding portion supports the gear shaft, preventing backlash without requiring complex overall restructuring.
2Manufacturing precision
If a rigid connection is used between the motor and the case, then alignment is maintained, but the motor experiences excessive burden and rotation becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the connection from rigid to elastic by using the holding member with elastic properties. The holding member maintains alignment precision through its structured design while its elastic nature allows it to absorb thrust loads and reduce the burden on the motor, preventing excessive force transmission that would cause instability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the holding member is made highly rigid, then alignment is maintained, but backlash occurs and rotation stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the rigidity parameter of the holding member to an intermediate value - not too rigid to cause backlash, not too flexible to lose alignment. The holding member is designed with sufficient rigidity to maintain alignment between the motor and gear while incorporating elastic characteristics to absorb thrust loads and prevent backlash during operation.
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
Enables the electric retraction unit to smoothly rotate the pivot body in a stable state, reducing the burden on the motor and maintaining alignment, thus enhancing the device's operational stability and reducing component complexity and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the holding member is configured of an elastic member and held by the casings, and includes a gear holding part configured to rotatably hold the shaft part of the gear
Data Source
AI summary
A visibility assembly includes a base, a shaft, and the visibility assembly. The visibility assembly includes a housing, a visibility unit, and an electric retraction unit. The electric retraction unit includes a shaft, casings, a motor and a deceleration mechanism, and a holding member. The casings are configured of a member higher in stiffness than the holding member. The holding member is configured of an elastic member. The visibility assembly is able to rotate smoothly.