Vehicle Mirror Coupling Device for Compact Rotary Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically rotating adjustment units for indirect vision systems in vehicles are large and heavy due to the need to transmit and absorb forces and moments, making them inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device that decouples the base part and the part to be rotated when the electric rotary drive is inactive, allowing for direct transmission of forces and moments only when the drive is activated, enabling a smaller and lighter design by using a mechanism with coupling and decoupling elements, such as pins and sloping sections, and a self-locking gear to maintain torque during rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electrical rotary drive is arranged between the base part and the part to be rotated to transmit and absorb forces and moments, then the drive can rotate the part, but the components become large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment unit is segmented into two operational states: a first state where the coupling device directly transmits forces and moments between base part and part to be rotated, and a second state where the electrical rotary drive is activated to override this coupling and enable rotation. This segmentation allows the drive to be smaller since it only needs to handle rotational torque, not continuous force transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device dynamically switches between engaged and disengaged states based on operational requirements. When engaged, it provides direct mechanical coupling for force transmission; when disengaged, it allows the electrical rotary drive to rotate the part. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for the drive to continuously withstand high forces and moments
2Force
If the coupling device maintains continuous coupling between base part and part to be rotated, then forces and moments are transmitted directly, but the electrical rotary drive must be large to handle excessive forces during activation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is preliminarily engaged in the zero position to establish direct force transmission between base part and part to be rotated. The electrical rotary drive remains inactive during normal force transmission. Only when rotation is required does the drive activate to decouple the parts, preventing excessive forces from acting on the drive during its operation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
An electrically rotary adjustment unit, particularly for indirect vision systems for vehicles, is provided, which allows the use of less robust components. By providing a coupling device (11; 110, 17, 23) which, in the neutral position where the electric rotary drive (7) is deactivated, couples the base part (1) and the rotating part (3) together in a rotationally fixed manner and decouples the electric rotary drive (7) from the rotating part (3), and, when the electric rotary drive (7) is activated, decouples the base part (1) and the rotating part (3) from each other and couples the electric rotary drive (7) to the rotating part (3), the forces and torques occurring during operation are transmitted directly between the base part (1) and the rotating part (3) via the coupling device (11; 110, 17, 23).This direct and immediate coupling between the base part (1) and the rotating part (3) is only interrupted when the electric rotary actuator (7) is activated, for example, to fold a mirror into a parking position. The electric rotary actuator (7) is only activated for a short time or for a duration during which it can be ensured that no excessive forces act on the base part (1) and the rotating part (3). Consequently, the electric rotary actuator (7) can be correspondingly small and designed for comparatively low forces and torques.