Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – With support
Utility Patent
1998-03-25
2001-01-02
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
With support
C359S877000, C248S481000, C074S502100
Utility Patent
active
06168279
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates a reflective mirror support which is used in vehicles to adjust the position of a reflective mirror element in a rearview mirror assembly housing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pivotable support which permits multi-axis positioning of the reflective mirror element within the housing.
Conventional adjustable rearview mirror assemblies, and especially exterior rearview mirror assemblies, include an adapter and/or backing plate, on which a reflective element is mounted, and a fixed base, such as a manual actuator or an electrical actuator assembly. The fixed base or electrical actuator assembly is mounted in a fixed position on a bracket in the mirror assembly housing. Typically, the adapter plate includes a spherical structure which cooperates with a corresponding spherical socket structure on the fixed base or the electrical actuator housing, to provide a ball and socket type adjustable connection. In this manner, the adapter plate and reflective mirror element are pivotal about a plurality of axes passing through the centroid of the ball and socket connection to allow multi-axis positioning of the reflective mirror element.
However, these prior known ball and socket connections often exhibit nonuniform movement of the reflective element. This non-uniform movement occurs because of irregular and unpredictable contact between the moving component parts of the adjustable support. This unpredictable contact also causes the magnitude of the actuating forces to vary which leads to poor control over the movement of the reflective element. In some instances, this unpredictable contact may even lead to the adapter plate binding with the fixed base or electrical actuator housing.
In order to achieve more uniform contact between these two spherical bearing surfaces and, therefore, increased control over the positioning of the reflective element, prior rearview mirror supports have attempted to carefully match the respective spherical surfaces of the component parts which requires tight, highly precise, molding tolerances. Tight molding tolerances, however, significantly, increase the cost of production. Alternatively, attempts have been made to lubricate the respective spherical surfaces of the component parts to alleviate the impact of the surface to surface variations. However, over time, such lubrication can break down.
Consequently, there is a need for an adjustable support for a reflective mirror element in a rearview mirror assembly that will exhibit increased control over the positioning of the reflective element, and more uniform movement, and will not require the tight molding tolerances associated with the dual spherical surfaces of the conventional, prior known adjustable supports, and yet is adaptable for use in either manually, manually remote operated or electrically operated rearview mirror assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved reflective mirror element support, especially suited for exterior rearview mirror assemblies, which includes an improved pivotal connection between an adapter member and a fixed base. The adapter member and fixed base of the present invention are easier to mold and provide increased control over the relative movement of the adapter member with respect to the fixed base.
According to one aspect of the invention, an adjustable support for a reflective element in a rearview mirror assembly includes an adapter member which is adapted to support the reflective element, a fixed member, and at least one connecting member urging the adapter member into bearing contact with the fixed member. One of the adapter member and the fixed member includes an arcuate bearing surface, and the other of the adapter member and the fixed member includes an annular line bearing surface, which bears on the arcuate bearing surface and forms an annular line bearing contact between the adapter member and the fixed member to permit adjustment of the position of the reflective element.
In one form, the annular line bearing surface is defined by a cylindrical member, preferably by the distal end of the cylindrical member. Further, one of the adapter member and the fixed member includes at least one projecting member and the other of the adapter member and the fixed member includes a corresponding recess. The projecting member cooperates with the corresponding recess to limit the relative rotation of the adapter member about a first axis of the fixed member but permits the adapter member to rotate about a second axis of the fixed member, where the first axis is generally orthogonal to the second axis. For example, the projecting member may comprise a rib.
In other forms, one of the adapter member and the fixed member includes a plurality of projecting members, in which case the other of the adapter member and the fixed member includes a plurality of corresponding recesses. Preferably, the projecting members are arranged in a spaced-apart radial arrangement, preferably on the back side of the adapter member. In other forms, the fixed member includes a cylindrical member extending toward the adapter member. The cylindrical member defines the arcuate bearing surface and also includes the plurality corresponding recesses. The cylindrical member may be defined by an annular wall, with the corresponding recesses being formed in the annular wall.
In another form, the fixed member comprises an electrical actuator housing, which provides remote adjustment of the reflective element within the rearview mirror assembly.
In yet another form, the adapter member is urged toward the fixed member by a plurality of cables, which extend through the adapter member and fixed member to an actuator. At one end, the cables are secured to the adapter member, and their other ends are secured to the actuator, which provides remote manual adjustment of the orientation of the reflective mirror element in the exterior mirror assembly.
Thus, by reducing the contact between the adapter member and the fixed member to a line bearing contact an adjustable support for a reflective mirror element is disclosed that exhibits predictable and uniform contact between its moving parts. Consequently, the adjustable support exhibits increased control over the positioning of the reflective element and provides more consistent movement. Moreover, the adjustable support of the present invention eliminates the need for tight molding tolerances associated with the spherical to spherical contact of conventional adjustable supports and, yet, is adaptable for use in manually remote operated, and electrically operated rear view mirror assemblies. In addition, with proper material selection, no secondary lubricant applications are necessary with the present invention. Therefore, the adjustable support of the present invention is less costly to manufacture.
These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the invention will become more apparent from a study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
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Donnelly Corporation
Robinson Mark A.
Spyrou Cassandra
Van Dyke Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
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