FR2726647A1 - Automobile rear view mirror control device with mirror inclination measurement part - Google Patents

Abstract

The mirror control mechanism (12) involves a mirror surface (11) which is tested by bringing a mobile unit (8) into contact with it using a jack. The contact is maintained after release of the jack by four suction pads on the upper face of the mobile unit.The mobile unit (8) has two inclinometers (10) attached to it such that they measure the angles of elevation and azimuthal bearing of the mirror surface. The data obtained is processed by a processor (14) equipped with entry and exit analogue cards (16,18) and displayed on a numerical display unit (17).

Description

DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a machine for controlling the angles of movement of mirrors for electric and mechanical rear view mirrors for the automobile.

Car manufacturers are constantly faced with international competition, hence the desire to opt for better quality of their product. Traditionally, mirror manufacturers did not control the angular travel given by the mirror on exit from production.

No previous device made it possible to provide total quality assurance on the movement of the mirror.

The machine according to the invention meets this need.

The electric mirror is mounted flanged on the machine, mirror down and in a horizontal position. A mobile element actuated by a vertical pneumatic cylinder presses against the mirror. By the action of suction cup, this element is fixed to the mirror. The vertical pneumatic cylinder can thus disengage from the movable element and descend again at the end of the stroke.

The rear view mirror is then activated by means of its own electrical controls.

The mirror has two movements to be controlled successively
- an angular movement relative to the vertical axis, sky-earth
(rear view mirror mounted on a vehicle)
- an angular movement relative to the horizontal axis. left right
(perpendicular to the driver's field of vision)
The mobile element is equipped with two Accustar clinometer sensors.

These sensors are characterized by their cylindrical term diameter 50, length 30.

as well as their ability to transmit an electrical signal of a proportional amount; on its own degree of inclination relative to its generator and a previously defined reference frame 0.

The clinometers are mounted oriented on the movable element so as to have their work planes respectively parallel to the two inclination planes of the mirror. Each inclination plane of the mirror then corresponds to a "clinometer" measurement sensor. During the measurement, the mobile element is made integral with the mirror (suction cup) and is suspended in a vacuum. The setting in motion of the mirror then carries with it the mobile element of the same degree of inclination. The clinometer whose working plane is parallel to the tilting plane of the mirror. then switches from an angle equal to that taken by the mirror.

The simple fact of tilting this sensor increases an analog output, evolving by 60 mV per degree of tilt. A converter transcribes the voltage on a 0-10 V scale.

The information is transmitted to the programmable controller via an analog input card. The controller processes the information and sends the angle in question to a digital display via an analog output card.

The display thus follows the movement of the mirror. At the end of scanning of the range of movement of the mirror, the automaton sends to the display the absolute value of the total displacement angle, obtained by the mirror. If this value goes out of the tolerated range, the operator is notified and discards the mirror considered.

Once the check has been carried out in the two planes, the vertical pneumatic cylinder fitted with the removal tools rises until contact with the mobile element.

The clamping cups relax and allow the movable element to sit by gravity on the removal tools. The cylinder goes back down, the mirror is unlocked and the cycle is finished.

Figure 1 shows the front view of the machine.

Figure 2 shows the side view of the machine
Figure 3 shows the top view of the machine
Figure 4 shows the mechanical measuring device in front view
Figure 5 shows the mechanical measuring device in top view
Figure 6 shows the principle of information processing
With reference to these drawings, the machine comprises a frame (1) receiving a mechanical block (2). On this block is mounted a set of vertical guides (3).

At the end of the guide shafts (4) is fixed a removal tool (7) provided with four conical bushings (5). This assembly (4) - (5) - (7) is driven in vertical translation by the pneumatic cylinder (6).

The mobile element (8) is simply placed by gravity on the four conical bushings (5). This mobile element (8) is equipped with four suction cups (9) ensuring, during the control phase, fixing to the mirror (11). Two Accu star clinometer sensors (10) are attached to the movable element (8), the orientation of which is defined as follows:
- each clinometer is placed so as to record the degree of inclination
of the mirror in heaven-earth and left-right.

- the work surfaces of the clinometers (P3-P4) are then respectively
parallel to the inclination planes (P1 P2) of the mirror (11).

After mounting the cylinder (6), the suction cups (9) guarantee the fixing of the movable element (8) on the mirror (11). The mirror unit (12) is clamped on the support (15) and electrically connected to the console (13). Its movement is ensured by its own actuators via the automaton (14). The inclination along the plane (P1) of the mirror (sky-earth) causes the inclination of the same angle of the clinometer (10 '). The tilt along the plane (P2) left-right of the mirror causes the tilt of the same angle of the clinometer (10 ").

The information given by (10) goes through a 0-10V converter then is received by the automaton (14) via an analog input card (16). The automaton (14) processes and sends the information to the digital display (17) via the analog output card (18).

The operator (19) displays on the console (13) the absolute value of the angular displacement.

By way of nonlimiting example, the clinometer (10 ') will give a travel of 10 and the clinometer (10 ") of 15".

The machine according to the invention is particularly intended for controlling electrically operated mirrors for cars.

Claims (7)

1. Machine for controlling the angles of movement of the mirror mirrors  electrical and mechanical for cars characterized by the fact that it  has two electronic clinometer sensors for measuring  the tilt in degrees of the mirror in two orientations  different. 2. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the clinometer 10 '  ensures the angle reading of the mirror in the sky-earth direction. 3. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the clinometer 10 "  ensures the angle reading of the mirror in the left-right direction. 4. Machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the orientation  of the clinometer 10 'is perpendicular to the orientation of the clinometer 10 ". 5. Machine according to any one of claims characterized in that  that the movable element (8) is kept pressed against the mirror (11) under the action  suction cups (9). 6. Machine according to claim 5 characterized in that the movable element (8)  either conveyed vertically between two mirror controls. 7. Machine according to claim 6 characterized in that in front of its translation  vertical, the movable element (8) simply rests by gravity on the tooling  removal (7) centered on four conical bushings (5).