Retractable Vehicle Viewing Assembly With Anti-Backlash Collision Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric retractable vehicle periphery viewing devices face issues with aerodynamic performance, weight reduction, and damage prevention during collisions, as well as vibration and visibility challenges due to backlash in gear systems and lack of buffering mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The electric retractable vehicle periphery viewing device incorporates a motor, speed reduction mechanism, clutch mechanism, and rotational force transmission mechanism, with anti-backlash features and a stopper to minimize backlash and allow for buffering during collisions, reducing the device's length and weight while maintaining visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the support member is made retractable to improve aerodynamic performance and prevent damage, then fuel efficiency and durability are improved, but the device becomes vulnerable to collision damage when protruding in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a buffering mechanism that allows the support member to rotate forward and backward when collided with from the front or back side. This cushioning mechanism is built into the system in advance, enabling it to absorb collision impacts through rotational movement rather than rigid resistance, thereby preventing damage to the camera unit while maintaining the retractable configuration's aerodynamic benefits
2Weight of moving object
If the device is made compact to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics, then fuel efficiency is improved, but collision buffering capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the support member rotatable around the shaft axis, transforming it from a static rigid structure into a dynamic component capable of absorbing collision impacts through rotational movement. This dynamic capability is integrated into the compact retractable design, allowing the system to maintain both lightweight aerodynamic efficiency and collision buffering reliability through controlled rotational motion rather than adding substantial buffering mass
3Reliability
If backlash is eliminated to improve visibility, then backward visibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the engagement parameters between gear teeth to minimize backlash while maintaining reliable meshing. By optimizing the geometric parameters of the gear system rather than adding complex anti-backlash mechanisms, the patent achieves improved backward visibility through reduced gear play while keeping the device complexity manageable through parameter optimization rather than structural complication
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide an electric retractable vehicle periphery viewing device, that can improve fuel efficiency due to air resistance and that can prevent a damage or the like in the event of a collision of an obstacle when the device is in use, the electric retractable vehicle periphery viewing device of the present invention includes a base (2), a shaft (3) and a viewing assembly (4). The viewing assembly (4) includes a housing (4U), (4D), a viewing unit (5), and an electric retracting unit (6). The electric retracting unit (6) includes a casing (6U), (6D), a motor (7M), a speed reduction mechanism (7), a clutch mechanism (8), and a rotational force transmission mechanism (9). The motor (7M), the speed reduction mechanism (7), the clutch mechanism (8), and the rotational force transmission mechanism (9) are arranged in a direction intersecting with an axial direction of the shaft (3).