Machine element or mechanism – Mechanical movements – Reciprocating or oscillating to or from alternating rotary
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-26
2002-01-29
Fenstermacher, David (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Mechanical movements
Reciprocating or oscillating to or from alternating rotary
C074S089190, C074S502100, C359S874000, C359S877000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06341536
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an actuating mechanism for a motor vehicle, wherein a first element can be fastened to a vehicle; and a second element, which is connected to the first element so as to swivel around at least one axis of rotation, includes a mounting for a manipulatable member. The second element is connected to at least one adjustable element, which can be actuated by a drive between the first and the second element, and to at least one friction element, which rests against the first element.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
DE-PS 30 26 561 discloses an actuating mechanism, for whose adjustment around two vertical axes there are adjustable elements in the form of racks, which are actuated by a drive, and for whose improved vibration damping there are friction elements in the form of spherical disk segments.
The known mirror adjustment exhibits the drawback that the adjustable elements are housed inside the drive housing and thus are located at a relatively short distance from the axes of rotation. Therefore, the controlling torque, exerted by the drive on the actuating mechanism, is also relatively low. Another drawback lies in the undefined friction forces, which are generated by the spherical dish segments. Since they are made of plastic, their elastic effect can decrease over the course of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide for the aforementioned class of rearview mirrors an especially high controlling torque and a frictional force that is as constant as possible over its life time, whereby the number of parts is kept to a minimum and the assembly is especially simple.
This problem is solved by the invention in that at least one friction element and one adjustable element form a one piece friction-adjustable element, which serves as the connecting element between the first and the second element, and the friction-adjustable element is under a tensile load.
Since the friction-adjustable elements are arranged on the outside of the first element, it is possible for the controlling torque to be especially high. Hence the large radius of friction is especially appropriate for damping the vibration and the holding force is very high. The tensile load further increases the positive effects, because zero tolerance is produced.
Preferably the friction-adjustable element consists of a metal band or a composite part with at least one toothed region, since this design makes it especially easy to manufacture, and it exhibits adequate strength. The teeth can be cut into the metal band by perforation, drawing or punching. The friction-adjustable element can also be designed as an engineering plastic part, especially if the quality of the teeth must meet special requirements. Preferably at least one friction-adjustable element is connected to the second element at connecting points.
A second solution to the problem includes a chain with a number of links forms the adjustable element and the friction element, wherein the chain is under tensile stress. The chain exhibits the advantage that it can be moved in all directions, thus following the movements of an adjustable element in all directions.
Preferably the drive engages in or between the chain links in order to produce a drive coupling, thus eliminating the need of impressing separate teeth. To swivel the second element around two axes of rotation that are vertical to each other, there are two friction-adjustable elements or two chains.
A preferred improvement of the invention embodies the feature that the two friction-adjustable elements can be driven independently of each other. Each friction-adjustable element is connected to the second element at at least two of the connecting points. When using two connecting points per friction-adjustable element, one connecting point of the second element with the first friction-adjustable element is followed by a connecting point of the second element with the second friction-adjustable element, whereby the connecting points are spaced uniformly apart at an angle of 90° with respect to an intersection of both axes of rotation. Each friction-adjustable element encloses the first element; and the friction-adjustable elements are guided at least partially in or at the first element.
Since the friction-adjustable elements can be driven independently of each other, the teeth are easy to design because there are no or only few nonaxial movements. The first element can be enclosed by the two connecting points of the friction-adjustable elements with the second element with the result that the second element is held securely at the first element. To lock the friction-adjustable elements in position, guides are provided in or at the first element.
Since the two friction-adjustable elements cross at one point, it is necessary to form the first element in such a manner that the two friction-adjustable elements do not impede one another. The same effect can be achieved through a suitable design of the friction-adjustable elements. In particular the use of thin metal bands eliminates impedance between the two friction-adjustable elements, even if they slide over one another. Thus the first element is especially easy to design. The two friction-adjustable elements can also be in essence uniformly spaced apart relative to the intersection of the axes of rotation.
When using large friction-adjustable elements, it may become necessary to arrange the two friction-adjustable elements on different rails and at least partially at varying distances from the intersecting point of the axes of rotation so that they do not impede each other.
It is especially advantageous to allow tensile forces to act on the friction-adjustable elements not only when standing still but also in operation, thus ruling out any play between the first and the second element. The tensile forces can be achieved, for example, by designing at least one friction-adjustable element with a springy region. In particular it is desirable to design the springy region as a wave, since the desired maximum range of the spring can be accurately set. In the assembled state, the springy region is completely stretched in order to exclude as much as possible dead travel in operation.
According to another important feature of the invention, the second element is designed essentially rigid, thus significantly suppressing vibrations of the manipulatable member.
An improvement of the invention provides the second element with an annular rim/an annular wall, which has a special reinforcing effect on the second element.
On this rim/wall are moulded the connecting points to the at least one friction-adjustable element. Thus the adjusting forces are transferred optimally to the entire second element.
According to an especially easy to assemble improvement of the invention the connecting points are designed in the form of a catch projecting from the ring interior. Moreover, these catches have the shape of circular segments with the result that the center points of the circular segments can lie on the axes of rotation. Thus the friction-adjustable elements can make swivel movements and large torques can be transferred.
Since the second element has spring members, to which the connecting points between the friction-adjustable elements and the second element can be moulded, the friction-adjustable element can be designed without a springy region. The spring members can be simply designed by affixing a slotted recess in the second element.
At least one friction-adjustable element is hinged to the second element, thus eliminating the need for the friction-adjustable element to be provided with an arched toothing. To reduce the weight of the second element and make it easy to produce, yet ensure adequate strength, the second element can be designed as an aluminum drawn part, an aluminum cast part or a magnesium diecast part.
A design with especially few components is achieved in that there are no attachment means between the first and second element. This is possible because the friction-ad
Guttenberger Richard
Seichter Werner
Bühler Motor GmbH
Fenstermacher David
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