Vehicle Mirror Spherical Seal Structure for Smooth Cold Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle mirror surface angle adjusting devices face issues with smooth angle adjustment due to increased contact force at low temperatures and potential water penetration through gaps between sliding parts, as seen in JP 2013-163498.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle mirror surface angle adjusting device featuring a stationary member with a stationary-side spherical surface and a movable member with a movable-side spherical surface, where a gap is sealed by a sealant, with sealant pool parts in the form of circumferential and longitudinal grooves, preventing water ingress and allowing smooth adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gap is provided between the sliding site and contact surface to reduce contact force, then smooth angle adjustment is achieved, but water can penetrate from the gap into the mirror surface angle adjusting device
Solution Approach 1:
A sealant is introduced as an intermediary substance between the movable-side spherical surface and stationary-side spherical surface. The sealant fills the gap created by the spherical surface design, preventing water penetration while maintaining the smooth adjustment capability. The sealant acts as a mediator that simultaneously addresses both the water protection requirement and the operational smoothness requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs spherical surfaces (movable-side spherical surface and stationary-side spherical surface) instead of traditional sliding contacts. This curvature-based design reduces contact force and friction, enabling smooth angle adjustment. The spherical geometry allows for continuous rotation while maintaining a consistent gap that can be sealed by the sealant.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mutual contact (pressure contact) is maintained between sliding parts, then structural stability is achieved, but contact force increases under low-temperature environment causing inability to slide smoothly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional sliding contact with spherical surface contact. The movable-side spherical surface rotates relative to the stationary-side spherical surface, reducing contact force and friction especially under low-temperature conditions. This curved surface design maintains structural stability while enabling smooth rotational adjustment without the sticking problems associated with flat sliding contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the contact interface from flat sliding surfaces to spherical surfaces, fundamentally altering the contact parameters. This parameter change reduces the contact area and pressure, thereby reducing friction and enabling smooth operation across a wider temperature range while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3(B)
AI summary
The present invention includes a stationary member, a movable member, a holding member, and a driving member. The stationary member has a stationary-side spherical surface. The movable member has a movable-side spherical surface. The stationary-side spherical surface and the movable-side spherical surface together forms a gap. The stationary-side spherical surface and the movable-side spherical surface are interposed with a sealant, which seals the gap. Consequently, the present invention allows smooth adjustment of an angle of a mirror surface, and prevention of water penetrating inside.