Telescoping Rear View Assembly Friction Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Telescoping rear view assemblies in vehicles experience unintended movement and vibration due to uneven surfaces and turbulence, affecting the clarity and visibility of mirrors and cameras.

Innovation Solution

A single arm telescoping rear view apparatus with a wear plate and roller assemblies providing frictional resistance, and a non-round telescoping tube with ridges that interact with the wear plate to minimize movement and vibration, ensuring the mirror or camera remains stable in its adjusted position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If telescoping rear view assemblies are designed to be adjustable to varying distances, then the adaptability and viewing flexibility are improved, but the assemblies become prone to unintended movement and vibration during vehicle operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of rear view assembly positionVSAvoidstability of adjusted position
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A detent mechanism acts as an intermediary between the telescoping support arm and the mirror assembly. This mechanism includes detent members with cam surfaces that engage with corresponding surfaces on the support arm, providing automatic positioning and stabilization at selected extension positions without requiring additional locking components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The detent mechanism applies preliminary counteracting forces through spring-loaded detent members that continuously press against the cam surfaces. This preliminary anti-action prevents the mirror assembly from moving unintentionally during vehicle operation by counterbalancing vibration and turbulence forces before they can cause position drift.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If the telescoping mechanism allows smooth movement for adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but vibrations cause the assembly to extend or retract from its set position during vehicle operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth adjustment of mirror positionVSAvoidvibration-induced movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The detent mechanism serves as a mediator that allows smooth manual adjustment during normal operation while automatically engaging to prevent vibration-induced movement. The cam surfaces provide a sliding interface for adjustment that transitions to a locked interface when positioning forces are applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The detent mechanism dynamically transitions between two states: a disengaged state allowing free movement for adjustment, and an engaged state that locks the position during vehicle operation. The spring-loaded detent members automatically engage when the support arm reaches a desired position and disengage when force is applied for repositioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces undesired vibration and telescopic movement, enhancing the structural integrity and visibility of the rear view assembly by maintaining the adjusted position of mirrors and cameras, even in conditions of turbulence.

Implementation Method 1

Attached to the support arm is a wear plate and roller assemblies providing frictional resistance of the support arm when assembled into the mirror head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3366519B1Single arm telescoping rear view assembly
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 SMR PATENTS S A R L
  • EP3366519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3366519B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3366519B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention refers to a single arm telescoping rear view apparatus comprising a base and a head. In one embodiment, a base has a wear plate secured to a single support arm which frictionally engages a single telescoping tube of the head. Furthermore, a base can have a roller assembly which frictionally engages the inner wall of a single telescoping tube of the head. Frictional forces created minimize the telescopic or vibrational movement of the head during use of a vehicle. In another aspect, a wear plate is secured to a single telescoping tube while, roller assemblies are attached to a support arm which frictionally engage ridges of the telescoping tube.