Multi-Stage Swing Arm Mirror Mount for Off-Highway Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-highway vehicles face challenges with side mirror placement due to extreme dimensions, requiring significant extension beyond the vehicle centerline for visibility, which affects machine width and transportation, and lack adjustability to accommodate varying operator sizes and tight clearance environments.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage swing arm mirror mount system with a pivotally connected cross-member that can articulate and adjust in length, providing secure hold positions and allowing the mirror to swing outward by up to 90 degrees, and can be mechanically or electronically controlled for optimal visibility and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mirror is extended significantly outward of the vehicle centerline to improve operator visibility, then the visibility is improved, but the machine width dimensions increase affecting transportation clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror mounting system employs a multi-stage swing arm mechanism with multiple pivot points that allows the mirror to dynamically change its position between extended operational configuration and retracted transport configuration. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by enabling the mirror to extend outward during operation for optimal visibility while retracting during transportation to reduce machine width dimensions and clearances.
2Reliability
If the mirror is extended outward to provide better visibility, then operator visibility is improved, but the vehicle requires dis-assembly and loading on semi-trailer trucks for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arm mechanism with multiple pivot points enables the mirror assembly to be dynamically reconfigured from an extended operational position to a compact retracted position that fits within standard transportation clearances. This eliminates the need for dis-assembly and specialized loading equipment, allowing the vehicle to be transported on standard semi-trailer trucks while maintaining optimal visibility capabilities during operation.
3Device complexity
If the mirror is fixed in position to simplify the mounting structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adjustability for varying operator sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-stage swing arm mechanism incorporates multiple pivot points that provide adjustable positioning capabilities for the mirror. The system can be configured to accommodate varying operator sizes by adjusting the mirror's angular position at each pivot stage, thereby achieving adaptability without significantly increasing mounting structure complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is segmented into multiple independent pivot points along the swing arm, allowing each segment to be independently adjusted. This segmentation enables fine-tuning of the mirror position to accommodate different operator sizes and preferences while maintaining a relatively simple overall mounting structure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a detent-configured swing mechanism is used to improve adjustability, then the flexibility is improved, but the vibration and weight increase making it non-viable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a continuous swing arm mechanism with multiple pivot points that provides smooth adjustability without the need for heavy detent configurations. The dynamic positioning capability is achieved through the geometric arrangement of pivot points rather than through mechanical detents, thereby maintaining flexibility and adjustability while significantly reducing the weight of the mirror mount assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror mounting system including: a mirror having a reflective surface to provide an operator with a view of a surrounding area; a mirror frame configured to hold the mirror; at least one arm extending horizontally from a vehicle to support the mirror frame; the at least one arm being pivotally connected between the vehicle and the mirror frame; and a cross member configured to be attached to the vehicle and further configured to be attached to at least one of the following: the at least one arm and the at least one mirror frame.