View Angle Adjustment Mechanism with Spherical-Conical Pivot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mirror surface angle adjustment mechanisms using a forcible fitting-type pivot suffer from instability in operating torque due to dimensional inaccuracies in the convex and concave spherical surfaces, leading to fluctuations in mirror surface angle adjustments.

Innovation Solution

The mechanism employs a pivot with a spherical surface inscribed within two conical surfaces, allowing for stable operating torque by ensuring precise fitting and elastic deformation through circumferential slits, and utilizing a grease reservoir between the pivot components for smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional forcible fitting-type pivot with spherical surfaces is used, then the structure is simple, but dimensional inaccuracies cause instability in operating torque

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of operating torqueVSAvoiddimensional accuracy of spherical surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a spherical surface on the pivot convex that is inscribed within two conical surfaces on the pivot concave. This curved surface geometry ensures stable contact and torque transmission while compensating for dimensional variations in manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and torque stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the pivot surfaces by introducing conical surfaces with specific angles (α and -α) rather than using simple spherical surfaces. This parameter change allows the pivot to maintain stable operating torque despite variations in manufacturing precision of the individual surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If spherical surfaces are used for pivot fitting, then the design is simple, but the fitting is sensitive to dimensional variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivot structure complexityVSAvoidsurface accuracy tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention maintains relative simplicity by using curved surfaces (spherical and conical) rather than complex multi-component assemblies. The spherical surface inscribed in two conical surfaces provides a robust fitting that tolerates dimensional variations while keeping the overall structure straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If precise spherical surface fitting is required, then torque stability improves, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating torque stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters by using conical surfaces with specific angles rather than requiring high-precision spherical surfaces. This parameter change allows standard manufacturing processes to produce the pivot components while achieving stable operating torque, improving ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The curved surface geometry of the spherical pivot inscribed in conical surfaces provides inherent tolerance to manufacturing variations. This geometric approach allows standard manufacturing capabilities to produce components that still achieve reliable torque stability without requiring specialized high-precision manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This configuration stabilizes the operating torque for mirror surface angle adjustments, reducing backlash and ensuring consistent performance even with variations in surface accuracy, and provides effective chatter vibration suppression.

Implementation Method 1

the spherical surface of the pivot convex is inscribed in and slides on the two conical surfaces of the pivot concave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the slit makes elastic deformation of the at least one of the pivot convex and the pivot concave easy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a gap formed between the pivot convex and the pivot concave at a position between two positions at which the pivot convex is inscribed in the pivot concave may form a grease reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS10589682B2View angle adjustment mechanism in view device

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 MURAKAMI CORP

AI summary

This invention relates to a view angle adjustment mechanism that causes a view element tilting section holding a view element to be supported by a tilting support section via a forcible fitting-type pivot to perform view angle adjustment. A pivot is assembled by forcible fitting between a pivot convex and a pivot concave. The pivot convex includes a spherical surface. The pivot concave includes a surface formed by arranging two conical surfaces so as to face in respective directions opposite to each other along a center axis X of the pivot concave. The spherical surface of the pivot convex is inscribed in the two conical surfaces of the pivot concave.