Rearview Mirror Pivot Mount With Detent Retention for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interior rearview mirror assemblies face challenges in accommodating different vehicle windshield angles and mounting configurations, particularly with heavier mirror heads that degrade vibration resistance and require flexible mounting solutions to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Innovation Solution
A vertically adjustable single ball mounting assembly with a ball-and-socket pivot joint and detent mechanism, allowing for uni-directional pivoting about a horizontal axis while limiting movement about other axes, and optionally incorporating a wedge mount for secure retention and hidden wire routing, enabling versatile installation across various vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a double ball pivot mounting configuration is used to allow adjustable mirror positioning, then the mirror head can be positioned at various angles, but the vibration resistance deteriorates and the mounting stability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is segmented into two distinct pivot joints: a first ball-and-socket pivot joint for vertical adjustment and a second pivot joint with a horizontal pivot axis for angular positioning. This segmentation allows each joint to specialize in one degree of freedom, improving overall stability while maintaining adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly uses a dynamic detent mechanism that engages at specific positions to provide stable retention while allowing smooth transitions between positions. The detent structures engage with corresponding features to lock the mirror head at desired angles, providing vibration resistance while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mirror head is made heavier to support integrated features like video displays and driver monitoring systems, then the functionality is improved, but the vibration resistance deteriorates and mounting stability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly incorporates a spring-loaded detent mechanism that provides a counterbalancing force to support the weight of heavier mirror heads. The spring element engages with detent structures to hold the mirror head at various positions, effectively counteracting gravitational force and improving vibration resistance despite increased mirror head weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball-and-socket pivot joint uses spherical geometry to distribute the weight of the mirror head evenly across the contact surfaces. This spherical interface provides stable support for heavier mirror heads while allowing smooth rotational adjustment, maintaining both load-bearing capacity and operational flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single ball member mounting is used to reduce part count and simplify installation, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability to different vehicle configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly uses a universal ball-and-socket pivot joint design that can accommodate various vehicle windshield configurations and mirror head types. The first ball-and-socket pivot joint provides universal angular adjustment capability, allowing the same mounting assembly to be adapted to different vehicle models and mirror configurations without requiring custom components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly is divided into modular components including a base portion, arm portion, and mirror head portion that can be independently adjusted. This modular segmentation allows the same basic mounting assembly to be configured for different vehicle applications by adjusting the pivot angles and positions, maintaining versatility while keeping the overall part count low.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head adjustable relative to a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a base portion configured to attach at an interior portion of a vehicle and an arm having a pivot element. The mirror head is adjustably attached at the pivot element of the arm via a ball-and-socket pivot joint. The arm is pivotally attached at the base portion via a uni-axial pivot joint and pivots relative to the base portion about a pivot axis of the uni-axial pivot joint. The uni-axial pivot joint limits pivoting of the arm relative to the base portion about other axes. The uni-axial pivot joint includes a retention mechanism that is configured to retain the arm in a selected position relative to the base portion. The mirror head is adjusted via pivoting of the mirror head at the ball-and-socket pivot joint.