Prism Toggle Spring Actuation Mechanism for Rearview Mirror Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rearview mirror actuation mechanisms are susceptible to inadvertent movement out of stable positions, particularly when adjusting the mirror, which can be inconvenient and lead to unintended changes in the viewing mode, especially in standard prism mirrors and display mirrors.
Innovation Solution
The actuation mechanism incorporates a spring plate with opposing resiliently deformable arm portions and a toggle barrel, where the arm portions are operably coupled with the toggle barrel along a coupling axis, providing balanced spring forces to secure the mirror in stable positions and prevent unintended movement by configuring the spring plate with bends on opposite sides to apply binding forces in both stable positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single bent spring plate is used to provide biasing force, then the actuation mechanism can achieve movement between stable positions, but the mechanism becomes susceptible to inadvertent movement out of stable positions
Solution Approach 1:
The spring plate is divided into two separate resiliently deformable arm portions (first and second arm portions) that can be independently configured. Each arm portion has its own bend (first bend and second bend) positioned on opposite sides of the spring plate, allowing independent optimization of spring forces for each stable position without compromising the other.
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
This configuration ensures stable positioning of the rearview mirror, reducing inadvertent movement and maintaining the desired viewing mode, whether in standard or dimmed mode, by providing balanced forces that resist changes in position, thus enhancing user control and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The spring plate has a first resiliently deformable arm portion extending away from the second end of the mounting plate to define a first bend disposed on the first side of the spring plate and a second resiliently deformable arm portion extending away from the second end of the mounting plate to define a second bend disposed on the second side of the spring plate
Data Source
AI summary
A rearview mirror for a vehicle includes an actuation mechanism coupled within a housing. The actuation mechanism includes a mounting plate rotatably coupled within the cavity of the housing at a first end thereof. A spring plate is coupled with the mounting plate and has a first resiliently deformable arm portion extending away from the mounting plate to define a first bend disposed on a first side of the spring plate and a second resiliently deformable arm portion extending away from the mounting plate to define a second bend disposed on a second side of the spring plate. The actuation mechanism further includes a toggle barrel rotatably coupled within the interior cavity of the housing. The first and second arm portions of the spring plate are operably coupled with the toggle barrel along a coupling axis.