Vehicle Mirror Device Dynamic Nipping Force Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle mirror devices face challenges in reducing frictional force between moving and contacting members during mirror surface angle adjustments, which affects the ease and precision of mirror positioning.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle mirror device with a moving member, a contacting member, and displacing means that either moves away from each other or applies contact force to reduce friction, utilizing driving and contacting means to adjust the mirror surface angle while minimizing frictional resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the moving member and contacting member are made to contact each other to adjust the mirror surface angle, then the mirror positioning function is achieved, but the frictional force between the moving member and contacting member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the nipping force dynamic rather than static. The elastic member (spring) automatically adjusts the nipping force between the supporting pivot and cap support based on the operational state: maintaining strong nipping force when stationary for stability, and reducing nipping force when the pivot plate tilts for reduced friction. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between needing contact for positioning and needing to minimize friction for smooth operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the nipping force is increased to stabilize the mirror, then the mirror stability is improved, but the frictional force increases making adjustment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member creates a dynamic nipping force that adapts to operational needs. When the mirror is stationary, the elastic member maintains strong nipping force between the supporting pivot and cap support, ensuring mirror stability. When adjustment is needed and the pivot plate tilts, the geometric relationship changes cause the elastic member to reduce the nipping force, thereby reducing friction and enabling smooth adjustment. This dynamic behavior simultaneously achieves both stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exhibits periodic action in the cycle of tightening during stationary operation and loosening during adjustment. The elastic member continuously cycles between maintaining high nipping force (when the pivot plate is in its neutral position) and reducing nipping force (when the pivot plate tilts during adjustment). This periodic variation in force application allows the system to alternate between stable positioning and easy adjustment states.
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 frictional force between moving and contacting members, enhancing the adjustability and stability of the mirror surface, eliminating the need for lubricants, and improving visibility by suppressing chattering and vibration.
Implementation Method 1
due to the urging force of an elastic member, a nipping force for nipping the pivot plate between the supporting pivot and the cap support is applied. Here, when the pivot plate is tilted, due to the cap support being pushed by a shock-absorbing spring, the nipping force of the tilting pivot by the supporting pivot and the cap support is lessened, and the frictional force between the supporting pivot and the cap support and the tilting pivot is decreased.
Implementation Method 2
when the pivot plate is tilted, due to the cap support being pushed by a shock-absorbing spring, the nipping force of the tilting pivot by the supporting pivot and the cap support is lessened
Data Source
AI summary
At a vehicle door mirror device, an inner wall of a mirror holder is nipped between a supporting surface of an inner case and a contacting surface of a support pivot, and a peripheral wall of the mirror holder is made to press-contact a peripheral wall of a case. Here, at a time when the mirror holder is rotated, the support pivot is displaced toward a vehicle rear side, and nipping of the inner wall between the supporting surface and the contacting surface is cancelled, and press-contacting of the mirror holder peripheral wall against the case peripheral wall is cancelled. Therefore, frictional force between the supporting surface and the contacting surface and the inner wall, and frictional force between the case peripheral wall and the mirror holder peripheral wall, can be reduced effectively.