Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – With support
Patent
1995-07-26
1997-04-29
Dzierzynski, Paul M.
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
With support
359841, 359873, 359876, 359877, 248474, 248479, G02B 508, G02B 7182, G02B 718
Patent
active
056255020
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a mirror pivoting system for pivotally connecting a mirror housing of a rearview mirror relative to a vehicle, comprising: a first carrier member which is adapted to be fixedly connected relative to the vehicle; a second carrier member which is adapted to be connected to the pivotable mirror housing, and which is pivotally coupled with the first carrier member; a movement actuator comprising an electric motor and a transmission system associated therewith, which movement actuator has a first actuator part coupled with the first carrier member and a second actuator part coupled with the second carrier member and is designed to cause the second carrier member to perform a pivotal movement relative to the first carrier member; and a first clamping coupling which is arranged between one of the first and second actuator parts and the respective one of the first and second carrier members.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Such a mirror pivoting mechanism is known in practice and is adapted to be mounted in the interior of a mirror housing/base combination of a rearview mirror to be attached to the side of a vehicle. In appearance, the mirror housing/base combination forms one whole, with the mirror base being attached to the vehicle and with the mirror housing, having the rearview mirror arranged therein, being pivotable relative to the mirror base. In the service position of the mirror housing, where the mirror surface makes an angle of nearly 90.degree. with the side of the vehicle, a driver of the vehicle can view the part of the road beside and behind the vehicle through the mirror. The mirror housing projects relative to the side of the vehicle, and the pivotal movement referred to provides the possibility, if desired, to fold the mirror housing into a rearwardly folded position so as to remove such projection or at least to reduce it, so that the total width of the combination of the vehicle and the mirror housing is reduced, which provides advantages, for instance when parking in situations where only little parking space is available, or to prevent damage due to passing vehicles.
The pivotal movement can be carried out manually. When the vehicle is provided with a mirror pivoting mechanism as described above, which will generally be the case with luxury vehicles, the driver is given the possibility of folding the mirror housing rearwardly from his seat by operating the electric motor. The option of manual operation, however, is retained, so that it is also possible to manually move the mirror housing from the service position to the rearwardly folded position and vice-versa by exerting an external force on the mirror housing. On the one hand this offers the possibility of folding the mirror housing inwardly or outwardly in case of an electric failure as well, and, on the other hand, it provides a protection against the occurrence of damage because the mirror housing will yield rather than break off.
In a system as known, for instance, from Dutch patent application 89,02300, the above is realized in that the transmission system comprises a gear reduction system of which an input gear is mounted on the output shaft of the motor and of which an output shaft is coupled via a friction coupling with the first carrier member. The motor is fixedly connected with the second carrier member. Upon operation of the electric motor, the friction coupling keeps the output shaft of the gear reduction system fixed relative to the first carrier member, so that the motor, and hence the mirror housing, rotates about the output shaft fixed relative to the first carrier member. When an external couple is exerted on the mirror housing, the transmission system is blocked and the output shaft can be practically regarded as being fixedly connected with the mirror housing. When said external couple exceeds a predetermined value, the friction coupling will slip so as to allow the mirror housing to pivot.
Although this known system is satisfactory, there are still some disadvantages assoc
REFERENCES:
patent: 4863255 (1989-09-01), Seitz
patent: 4981349 (1991-01-01), Tamiya et al.
patent: 4988068 (1991-01-01), Yamana et al.
patent: 5245480 (1993-09-01), Polzer
patent: 5467222 (1995-11-01), Oishi
Blom Adrianus J. M.
Brouwer Stefan F.
Hoogenboom Rudolf P.
Vernooij Martinus A. B.
Dzierzynski Paul M.
Eaton Corporation
Johnston Roger A.
Sikd-er Mohammad Y.
LandOfFree
Mirror pivoting mechanism, and vehicle comprising such mirror pi does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Mirror pivoting mechanism, and vehicle comprising such mirror pi, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mirror pivoting mechanism, and vehicle comprising such mirror pi will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-710630