Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – Retractable vehicle mirror
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-27
2001-11-27
Shafer, Ricky D. (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
Retractable vehicle mirror
C359S872000, C359S877000, C248S479000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322221
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a mirror operating mechanism, and in particular to a mechanism which is able to move a mirror from an in-use driving or deployed position to a second position such as an intermediate or park position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention will be described in relation to its application to a wing or side mirror used on motor vehicles. However, it should be realised that the operating mechanism may be for use with other devices not necessarily mirrors, and therefore the invention should not be restricted to this specific application described hereunder.
Mirror heads are designed to rotate about a vertical pivot both forwards or backwards. The mirror head is held in its driving position by a detent which allows manual movement of the mirror housing to a parked position, deflection through being hit by passing traffic or colliding with an obstruction. With the mirror parked, the mirror head is substantially parallel to the side of the vehicle which in turn reduces the risk of impact or interference from passing pedestrians or other vehicles. It is particularly useful when the vehicle is parked in or travelling along narrow or congested roadways.
Typically, known automatic parking mechanisms are designed to drive the mirror head out of its normal operative position by applying sufficient torque to overcome the holding power of the mirror head detents. In addition, extra detents are required that have a greater breaking torque than the first set to enable manual breakaway of the mirror and associated drive means if the mirror head is impacted. Clearly, the drive mechanism will be required to provide sufficient torque to overcome the first set of detent mechanisms. This may be quite significant torque depending on how rigidly the mirror is to be held in either its operative or parked positions. This requires high power motors that have a high noise output. The mirror head, bracket and spigot also need to be designed to resist high loads and this normally means the use of metal components.
It is an object of this invention to provide a mechanism, and a particular mirror operating mechanism that allows automatic parking of the mirror head that overcomes the above problems. Preferably, the invention can be used to automatically park the mirror head when the vehicle ignition is switched off, and to then “retrieve” the mirror head to its deployed position once the ignition is again switched on.
It is also an aim of this invention to provide a drive means which will enable both linear movement and rotational movement of a mirror head or any other element that requires this combination of movement, be it a mirror head or otherwise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In its broadest form, the invention is a mirror operating mechanism for rotating a mirror head with respect to a mounting bracket comprising:
a mirror mounting bracket,
a spigot on said mounting bracket,
a mirror head supported on said mounting bracket for rotation with respect to said spigot,
at least one detent between said mirror mounting bracket and said mirror head to hold said mirror mounting bracket and mirror head in position,
resilient means acting between said mirror mounting bracket and mirror head, with respect to said detent, that holds said detent engaged, thereby restraining movement of said mirror head,
drive means operatively coupling said spigot to said mirror head to rotate said mirror head with respect to said spigot, and
an actuator incorporated within said drive means that is moved by said drive means upon its initial operation while said detent engaged and therefore resisting rotation of said mirror head, said actuator movement applying a force to said resilient means to in turn compress said resilient means to allow movement of said mirror head with respect to said mirror mounting bracket so that said detent may disengage whereupon said actuator ceases movement and said drive means in turn rotates said mirror head with respect to said spigot once said detent is disengaged.
Although the invention in its broadest form is described in relation to a mirror head attached to a mounting bracket, it will be understood that it will be equally suited to other elements where one element is to move with respect to the other.
The movement of the mirror head may be in a direction that is either parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spigot, or transversed to the longitudinal axis of the spigot. The detent will be positioned accordingly. Movement parallel to the spigot would use a vertical detent, and transverse movement would use a horizontal detent.
Preferably, detents used with the mirror operating mechanisms may comprise a recess having a pair of inclined surfaces that mate with a corresponding projection, also with inclined surfaces at each end of the projection. Alternatively, spring loaded detent balls may be used in combination with recesses.
The drive means preferably comprises an electric motor in combination with associated drive gears. The actuator which is operated by the drive means upon its initial operation, causes movement of the mirror head to allow the detents to disengage. Continued operation of the drive means then causes rotation of the mirror head into a parked position. Once the detents have disengaged, the resistance to further linear motion of the mirror head will be greater than the resistance for rotation of the mirror head which then results in rotation of the mirror head.
In respect of vertical movement of the mirror head, the resilient means may comprise a coil spring that is coaxial with the spigot and forces the mirror head against the detents. In this case, vertical movement of the mirror head will require compression of the coil spring to lift the mirror head to allow the detent to disengage. The drive means may include a gear wheel journalled with respect to the spigot so that the axis of the gear wheel is coaxial with the spigot and so that the gear wheel is able to move longitudinally with respect to the spigot axis. Preferably, the coil spring acts directly against the upper surface of the gear wheel and the gear wheel in turn abuts against a portion of the mirror head to therefore transfer force to the detent.
The actuator preferably comprises at least a first ramp surface on the gear wheel that engages a corresponding second ramp surface that is held with respect to the spigot. Upon initial operation of the drive means, the ramp surfaces engage and cause a linear movement of the gear wheel with respect to the longitudinal axis of the spigot as the first ramped surface slides up the second ramped surface. The coil spring resists the lifting of the gear wheel, however continued movement of the first ramp surface with respect to the second ramp surface causes compression of the coil spring and in turn lifts the gear wheel away from its engagement with the mirror head. This in turn relieves the amount of force applied to the detents and upward movement of the mirror head to eventually allow disengagement of the detent.
There may be some clearance between the first and second ramped surface so some minor rotation of the gear wheel is required before the ramped surfaces engage. The clearance will ensure that the gear wheel can always apply load to the mirror head when it is not being driven. This in turn applies load to the detent between the mirror head and mirror mounting bracket.
When the gear wheel is sufficiently lifted and the detent disengaged, the gear wheel will remain stationary and the electric motor will drive itself and the attached mirror head around the static gear thereby causing rotation of the mirror head with respect to the mirror mounting bracket.
The ramped surfaces may comprise a variety of shapes, but preferably either a projection having ramped ends, or a saw tooth shape projection may be used. Preferably, three sets of ramped surfaces are equally spaced around the spigot to balance forces on the gear wheel and provide a stable mounting.
A clutch may also be incorporated within the assembly. The clutch may be located between the gear whee
Britax Rainsfords Pty Ltd
Davis & Bujold P.L.L.C.
Shafer Ricky D.
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