EP0173433A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote control system
Assignee: Bsg Overseas Ltd
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Filing: 1985-07-02
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-07-02
Abstract
Abstract Remote control means for adjusting the orientation of a controlled member, e.g. a vehicle rearview mirror (10), comprises a pivot bearing (32) for supporting the controlled member (10) on a base member (34), means for applying a frictional force to the pivot bearing (32) so as to resist pivotal movement of the controlled member. At least two springs (20, 22) formed of a shape memory alloy, connect the controlled member (10) to the base member (34) on opposite sides of the pivot bearing (32), each spring (20, 22) being so constructed so as to exert sufficient force to overcome the friction of the pivot bearing (32) when the alloy is in its resilient phase but insufficient force to overcome said friction when the alloy is in its non-resilient phase. The springs (20, 22) are heated electrically in order to cause them to change phase.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick Jean James Desforges
- 👤 Jean-Michel Harry
- 👤 Yves Cluet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/062; B60R1/07; B60R1/072; F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/06; F03G7/061; F03G7/0614; F03G7/06145; F03G7/066; H; H01; H01H; H01H61/00; H01H61/01; H01H61/0107; H01H2061/0122
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
Remote control means for adjusting the orientation of controlled member (10) comprising a pivot bearing (32) for supporting the controlled member (10) on a base member (34), means for applying a frictional force to the pivot bearing (32) so as to resist pivotal movement of the controlled member (10), characteised by at least two memory springs (16, 18, 20, 22, 60, 70, 94) formed of a shape memory alloy and connecting the controlled member (10) to the base member (34) on opposite sides of the pivot bearing (32) and means for selectively heating each of the memory springs (16, 18, 20, 22, 60, 70, 94), each memory spring (16, 18, 20, 22, 60, 70, 94) being so constructed so as to exert sufficient force to overcome the friction of the pivot bearing (32) when the alloy is in its resilient phase but insufficient force to overcome said friction when the alloy is in its non-resilient phase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
Remote control means for adjusting the orientation of controlled member (10) comprising a pivot bearing (32) for supporting the controlled member (10) on a base member (34), means for applying a frictional force to the pivot bearing (32) so as to resist pivotal movement of the controlled member (10), characteised by at least two memory springs (16, 18, 20, 22, 60, 70, 94) formed of a shape memory alloy and connecting the controlled member (10) to the base member (34) on opposite sides of the pivot bearing (32) and means for selectively heating each of the memory springs (16, 18, 20, 22, 60, 70, 94), each memory spring (16, 18, 20, 22, 60, 70, 94) being so constructed so as to exert sufficient force to overcome the friction of the pivot bearing (32) when the alloy is in its resilient phase but insufficient force to overcome said friction when the alloy is in its non-resilient phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Remote control means according to claim 1, wherein the means for heating each of the memory springs (16, 18, 20, 22, 60, 70, 94) comprises means (24, 26) for passing an electric current therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
Remote control means according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pivot bearing (32) is arranged to permit angular movement about two mutually orthogonal axes, at least three memory springs (16, 18, 20, 22, 60, 70, 94) being symmetrically disposed round the pivot bearing (32).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Remote control means according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a respective second spring (80, 92), formed of a material the same elasticity both above and below the temperature at which the shape memory alloy changes phase, is connected so as to oppose each of the memory springs (70, 94).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
136 words
Remote control means according to claim 4, wherein a respective screw-threaded rod (82) for each of the memory springs (94) engages with one of the controlled member (10) and the base member (34) and a respective screw-threaded nut (90) is connected to the other of the controlled member (10) and the base member (34) and engages with the rod (82) so that relative rotation of the rod (82) and the nut (90) causes movement of the controlled member (10) relative to the base member (34), the memory spring (94) being connected between the rod (82) and the nut (90) so as to tend to cause relative rotation in one direction and the second spring (92) being connected between the rod and the nut (90) so as to tend to cause relative rotation in an opposite direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Remote control means according to any preceding claim, wherein the controlled member is the mirror (10) of a vehicle rearview mirror assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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