Exterior Rearview Mirror Assembly With Integrated Dual-Axis Powerfold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles lack efficient mechanisms to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting arm, limiting the driver's rearward field of view and not providing a seamless powerfold adjustment.
Innovation Solution
The exterior rearview mirror assembly incorporates a dual-actuator system with motors and gears that allow the mirror head to pivot about both vertical and horizontal axes, enabling adjustable and powerfold movements relative to the mounting arm, ensuring optimal rearward visibility and integration of additional features like turn signal indicators and displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional single-actuator system is used to adjust the mirror reflective element, then the structure is simpler, but the mirror head cannot pivot about both vertical and horizontal axes, limiting the driver's rearward field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple actuator functions into a single integrated actuator assembly. The actuator housing contains both a first actuator for pivoting the mirror head about a vertical axis and a second actuator for pivoting the mirror head about a horizontal axis, merging what would traditionally be separate adjustment mechanisms into one unified system that provides multi-axis adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that performs multiple functions: it adjusts the mirror reflective element's angle, pivots the mirror head about vertical and horizontal axes, and provides powerfold capability. This universal design allows a single component to replace multiple separate mechanisms, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If the actuator is disposed inside the mirror casing, then the structure is more compact, but the aperture in the mirror casing must accommodate movement during actuator operation
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing is nested within the mirror casing, with the actuator disposed inside the casing and the mounting arm received through an aperture in the casing. This nesting arrangement allows the actuator to be contained within the existing casing volume while still permitting the necessary movement through the aperture during operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If powerfold function is added to pivot the mirror head relative to the side of the vehicle, then the functionality is enhanced, but the actuator system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The powerfold function is merged with the existing actuator system. The actuator housing contains both the first actuator for mirror adjustment and the second actuator for powerfold operation, combining multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism rather than adding a separate powerfold system.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that performs multiple functions: it adjusts the mirror reflective element's angle, pivots the mirror head about vertical and horizontal axes, and provides powerfold capability. This universal design allows a single component to replace multiple separate mechanisms, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting arm and a mirror head having a mirror reflective element. An electrically-operated actuator includes a first attachment element that attaches at an actuator-mounting bracket of the mounting arm and a second attachment element that attaches at the mirror head. The actuator is electrically operated to cause adjustment of the mirror head relative to the mounting arm about first and second pivot axes. A mounting post of the mounting arm passes through an opening of the mirror head, the opening providing clearance between the mirror head and the mounting arm to allow movement of the mirror head relative to the mounting arm during electrical operation of the actuator when the base mounting portion of the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior portion of the side door of the equipped vehicle.