Pivoting Detent Joint with Stop Blocks for Vehicle Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exterior vehicle mirror assemblies lack a built-in mechanism to restrict the pivotal movement of the mirror head support arm, leading to potential damage from over-rotation.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting detent joint with a built-in stop mechanism, comprising interlocking tooth rings and stop blocks, which define a controlled range of movement for the mirror head support arm, utilizing a cylindrical column and coil spring for engagement and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pivoting detent joint connection is provided between carrier base and support arm, then the mirror can be selectively positioned and held in desired orientation, but there is no mechanism to restrict pivotal movement beyond defined range
Solution Approach 1:
The stop blocks are pre-positioned within the detent joint structure at locations that correspond to the maximum allowable pivotal movement limits. These stop blocks engage with the support arm or carrier base before any damage can occur, automatically preventing over-rotation without requiring external intervention or additional control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop blocks serve as intermediary elements between the pivotal movement mechanism and the potential damage zone. They physically intervene in the movement path by contacting the support arm or carrier base at predetermined angular positions, thereby mediating the interaction between operational movement and structural limits.
2Reliability
If stop mechanism is added to restrict pivotal movement, then damage from over-rotation is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop blocks are integrated directly into the existing detent joint assembly, merging the protective function with the positioning mechanism. The stop blocks are positioned within the hollow interior chamber or on exterior surfaces of the detent joint components, eliminating the need for separate protective devices or external limiting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop blocks serve multiple functions: they define the operational range of the mirror assembly, prevent over-rotation damage, and work in conjunction with the detent teeth to provide both positioning and protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated protective components.
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
Prevents unwanted rotation of the mirror assembly, ensuring the mirror head remains within a defined operational range, thereby preventing damage to the vehicle or the mirror assembly.
Implementation Method 1
A coil spring is carried in the interior channel that engages a head portion of the connecting bolt and the floor plate of the arm column so that the spring biases against the head portion to draw the connecting bolt into the interior channel
Data Source
AI summary
A support arm carried by a carrier base. A base tooth ring on the carrier base and an arm tooth ring on the support arm, wherein the arm tooth ring releasably interlocks with the base tooth ring. A base column having a hollow interior chamber carried by the carrier base, and an arm column carried by the support arm extending into the hollow interior chamber. A first stop block channel disposed in a bottom surface of the base column, and a second stop block channel disposed in the support arm adjacent an exterior side of the arm column. A first stop block carried by a distal end of the base column received into the second stop block channel, and a second stop block carried by a distal end of the arm column being received into the first stop block channel to define a range of pivotal movement.