Single-Motor Mirror Drive With Alternating Dual-Axis Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive systems for adjusting instruments in motor vehicles require multiple electric motors and complex wiring to adjust exterior vision units about multiple axes, leading to increased cost, space usage, and inefficiencies such as varying adjustment speeds and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
A drive system utilizing a single electric motor with a selective transmission mechanism that switches between two driving paths upon motor energization, allowing for adjustment about two axes with constant speed and reversible direction without changing the motor's rotation direction, using a mechanical flip-flop mechanism and adjustable transmission elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple electric motors are used to adjust exterior vision units about multiple axes, then the adjustment functionality and reliability are improved, but the device complexity, cost, and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple driving functions into a single electric motor by using a transmission mechanism with two selectable driving paths. The first driving path drives the output shaft in a first direction for adjusting about a first axis, while the second driving path drives the output shaft in a second direction for adjusting about a second axis. This merging eliminates the need for multiple motors and reduces wiring complexity while maintaining full adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single electric motor is designed to perform multiple adjustment functions through the selectable transmission mechanism. The motor can alternatively drive the output shaft in different directions depending on which driving path is selected, enabling adjustment about multiple axes with one motor. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity and cost while preserving reliability.
2Device complexity
If a single electric motor is used to adjust about two axes, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the adjustment speed varies and noise issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanism dynamically selects between two different driving paths based on the required adjustment direction and axis. The selectable connection allows the system to optimize the transmission ratio for each specific adjustment task, maintaining constant adjustment speed regardless of which axis is being adjusted. This dynamic selection resolves the speed consistency issue while keeping device complexity low.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the motor rotation direction is reversed to change adjustment direction, then the adjustment versatility is improved, but the wiring complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reversing the motor rotation direction to change adjustment direction, the patent inverts the approach by keeping the motor rotating in one direction and using the transmission mechanism to produce opposite output shaft rotations. The selectable transmission provides a first driving path for one direction and a second driving path for the opposite direction, eliminating the need for motor reversal and associated wiring complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Drive for an adjusting instrument, comprising a single motor, in particular an electric motor, and a driving shaft coupled therewith. The driving shaft cooperates via a transmission selectively with a first and a second driving path respectively. The drive comprises furthermore an operating mechanism with which the transmission is switchable between the first and the second driving path. The operating mechanism is energized by the motor via the driving shaft and is configured, upon successive energization of the motor from rest of the drive, to select alternately the first and the second driving path as initial driving path.