Vehicle Mirror Actuator Toggle Mechanism Glare Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle mirror assemblies face challenges in adjusting the glass element's position to mitigate glare from headlights and ambient reflections, which can interfere with the visibility of the display, and existing solutions lack efficient mechanisms for smooth and controlled movement.
Innovation Solution
An actuator assembly with a toggle mechanism and damper is integrated into the mirror assembly, allowing the glass element to tilt between on-axis and off-axis positions, and the display can be turned on or off accordingly, using a positioning assembly with a lever and rotational damper for smooth adjustment and a sensor to control the display's state based on the glass element's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the glass element is tilted to an off-axis position to reduce glare, then glare interference is reduced, but the complexity of the adjustment mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a toggle mechanism for position switching and a rotational damper for motion control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall system complexity while achieving glare reduction through glass element tilting.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotational damper is introduced as an intermediary component between the toggle mechanism and the glass element. This damper mediates the motion transmission, providing smooth and controlled rotation to the glass element while isolating the complexity of motion control from the position switching mechanism.
2Speed
If a toggle mechanism is used to adjust the glass element position, then the adjustment speed is improved, but the smoothness of movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational damper serves as a mediator between the fast-acting toggle mechanism and the glass element. It allows rapid position changes while simultaneously providing damping to smooth out the movement, eliminating the jerkiness typically associated with toggle mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper changes the motion parameters by introducing rotational resistance that varies with speed. At high speeds during toggling, the damper provides minimal resistance for fast response, while at lower speeds it increases resistance to smooth the movement, effectively decoupling speed from smoothness requirements.
3Illumination intensity
If the display is always on to ensure visibility, then visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display operation is made dynamic rather than static. The display automatically adjusts its on/off state based on the glass element's position and ambient lighting conditions detected by sensors. This dynamic behavior optimizes visibility by turning the display on only when necessary, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining visibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors provide feedback about the glass element position and lighting conditions to the display control system. This feedback loop enables the display to make intelligent decisions about when to activate, ensuring visibility is maintained during glare conditions while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during normal viewing conditions.
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 effectively reduces glare interference by adjusting the glass element's position and controlling the display's visibility, providing a seamless and accurate operation that enhances the driver's experience by minimizing light reflection issues during various driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor configured to detect a position of the actuator assembly
Implementation Method 2
a rotational damper configured to control a movement of the actuator assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A mirror assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The mirror assembly comprises a support bracket, a glass element operably coupled with the support bracket, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is in connection with the support bracket, wherein the actuator assembly is adjustable to tilt the glass element to a first position and to a second position. A damper is in engagement with the actuator assembly and the support bracket. The damper controls a movement of the actuator assembly corresponding to the movement of the glass element from the first position to the second position. The mirror assembly further comprises a sensor configured to detect a position of the actuator assembly.