GB1559708A - Remote controlled electrically driven rearview vehicular mirror assembly - Google Patents

Description

PATENT SPECIFICATION

Application No 2410/79 ( 22) Filed 8 July 1976 Divided out of No 1559705 Convention Application No 594245 Filed 9 July 1975 Convention Application No 655135 Filed 3 Feb 1976 in United States of America (US) Complete Specification published 23 Jan 1980

INT CL 3 B 6 OR 1/06 ( 11) 1 559 708 ( 52) Index at acceptance B 7 J 69 ( 54) REMOTE CONTROLLED ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN REARVIEW VEHICULAR MIRROR ASSEMBLY ( 71) We, HARMAN INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIES INC, a Corporation organised and existing under the laws of the State of Michigan, United States of America, of 26600 Telegraph Road, Suite 207, Southfield,

Michigan 48076, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: -

This invention relates to a remote controlled electrically driven rearview vehicular mirror assembly.

The present invention derived from an effort to create an electrically controlled remote control mirror which was rugged, accurate, satisfactorily waterproof, essentially vibration-sensitivity free, and simple of manufacture During the course of the development, it was discovered that certain principles could be applied which were being developed in a different manner and for a different purpose.

Thus, there was being designed high fidelity four-channel stereo equipment utilising a universally pivotal knob which varied the position of a pair of arcuate members rotatable about mutually perpendicular axes, with those arcuate members driving suitable variable resistance elements to selectively vary the effective gain of each of the four-channel circuits to provide a desired balance of the sound energy from each of the four loudspeaker assemblies During the course of the development, the applicants conceived of an adaptation of that principle in which a pair of driven rotatable arcuate elements were employed to convert rotational forces applied thereto into pivotal movement of a mirror A preferred structure was developed to couple a pivotal mirror assembly to the crossed arcuate members in a manner satisfactorily to preclude vibrational movement of the mirror relative to the crossed arcuate members as an element of a design for providing a mirror satisfactorily immune to distortion of image due to vibration produced either mechanically or as a result of varying wind forces Drive means for rotating the arcuate members was also developed to aid in the dampening of undesired movement of the mirror while yet establishing a limit to the maximum restraint of relative movement between the mirror glass and the power source, so as to establish a selective clutching capability to permit selective decoupling in response to the application of forces, in either direction along the drive train, to which other elements of the drive train could not properly respond.

In our copending Patent Application No.

28475/76 (Serial No 1,559,705) from which the present Application is divided there is claimed a vehicular remote control outside rearview mirror mounting assembly comprising first and second cooperating pivot assembly portions, a generally arcuate drive arm rotatable about an axis relative to the second pivot assembly portion, a pair of actuating arms secured to the first portion and extending substantially in parallelism therefrom and clasping a portion of the arcuate drive arm therebetween, and means for rotating the drive arm about said axis whereby to cause, through engagement with the actuating arms, the first pivot portion to rotate relative to the second pivot portion about an axis parallel with the axis of rotation of the drive arm Preferably the actuating arms are resilient and clampingly engage the drive arm received therebetween.

In the preferred construction a second drive arm is provided selectively rotatable through an angle about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first drive arm, and also is in driving engagement between a pair of actuating arms extending in parallel from the first pivot portion for rotating the first pivot portion about a second axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the second drive arm in response to rotation of the second drive arm.

o ( 21) ( 62) ( 31) ( 32) ( 31) ( 32) ( 33) ( 44) ( 51) 2 1,559,708 2 According to the present invention there is provided a vehicular remote control outside rearview mirror assembly comprising first and second cooperating pivot assembly portions, said first pivot assembly portion being rotatable through an angle about each of two mutually perpendicular axes relative to said second portion, a reflective mirror member, means for supporting said reflective mirror member on said first pivot assembly portion for rotation therewith, selectively operable drive means, and first and second generally arcuate drive arms each selectively rotatable through an angle about substantially pendicular axes by said selectively operable drive means, said drive means including a pair of worms, each rotatable about an individual worm axis, and a worm follower individual to each of said worms and rotatable by the respective worm about an axis spaced from the worm axis of the worm individual thereto, and actuating arm means secured to the first pivot portion and in driving engagement with the first and second drive arms and effective when selectively driven by said drive arms to rotate said first pivot portion.

In our copending Patent Application No.

Claims (24)

1. 2409/70 (Serial No 1,559,707) we claim a

   vehicular remote control outside rearview mirror assembly comprising a housing, first and second cooperating pivot assembly portions, said first pivot assembly portion being rotatable through an angle about each of two mutually perpendicular axes relative to said second portion, said second portion being integral with said housing, a reflective mirror member, means for supporting said reflective mirror member on said first pivot assembly portion for rotation therewith, selectively operable drive means including an electric motor, and means coupling said drive means to said first pivot portion for exerting all rotational forces from said electric motor to said reflective mirror member through said first pivot assembly portion, said mirror member being also subject to movement by forces applied directly thereto, limit means for limiting the movement of said mirror member in each of a plurality of directions, said coupling means including a clutch for transmitting forces from said drive means to said first pivot portion but effective when forces continue to be exerted by said drive means after said limit means has limited the movement of said mirror member in any direction and also effective when force is applied directly to said mirror member when said drive means is deenergised, for slipping to prevent damage, said clutch comprising a drive worm and a worm follower.

   In our copending Patent Application No.

   2408/79 (Serial No 1,559,106) we claim an electrically actuated vehicular remote control outside rearview mirror assembly comprising a housing, a reflective mirror member, pivot means for pivotally supporting the mirror member on the housing, and stabiliser means for exerting a frictional force for opposing movement of the mirror member relative to the housing, such stabiliser means comprising an aperture in the housing, a bar slidably engageable with the aperture, means connecting the bar to the mirror member, and friction means acting between the bar and the aperture.

   The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

   Figure 1 is an exploded elevational view, in partial section, of a completed mirror assembly embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the operational elements of the mirror; Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of various operational parts of the mirror; Figure 4 is an elevational view of the structure of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view, looking downwardly, taken of Figure 2 with the top of the housing removed; Figure 6 is a detailed fragmentary view, taken from one end, of one of the driving and clutching elements; Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the structure of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a representation, in plan, of the relationships between one of the elements of Figure 7 and a part with which it cooperates, under central and extreme conditions; Figure 10 is a representation, in elevation, of the parts shown in Figure 9; Figure 11 is an elevational view of a mirror and power housing assembly comprising another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 12-12 of Figure 11; Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along the line 14-14 of Figure 11; Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of a detail of Figure 12; Figure 15 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the internal structure of the mirror of Figure 11, shown in assembled position in Figure 17; Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of Figure 11; Figure 17 is an elevational view of the power housing of Figure 11, with the rear cover removed for clarity of illustration; Figure 18 A is an end view of an element of the structure of Figure 11 illustrated in its state before assembly into the structure; Figure 18 B is an end view of a portion of the housing of Figure 11 together with the element of Figure 18 A disposed therewithin; Figure 19 is a separated perspective view 1,559,708 3 1,559,708 3 of the structure of Figure 11 in association with a mirror shell; and Figure 20 is a schematic representation of electrical control equipment which can be associated with the assembly of Figure 11.

   The drawings illustrate the present invention embodied in an outside rearview vehicular mirror, for use on automobiles or the like, in which the driver is provided with an actuating knob which he can manipulate to tilt a reflective mirror glass about substantially horizontal and vertical axes The disclosed embodiment is an electrically powered mirror employing one electric motor, or equivalent, drivingly to rotate the mirror about a vertical axis and a second electric motor, or equivalent, drivingly to rotate the mirror about a horizontal axis, although it is contemplated that a single motor may be employed, if desired, using a solenoid, or equivalent drive varying means to shift the single motor between operative relationship with vertical and horizontal drive trains.

   Referring to Figure 1, the operating elements of the power actuated mirror are housed within a case or housing 10, which may be made of plastics material, which is seatable within the cavity of an open faced mirror shell 12 and may be secured therewithin by means such as screws 14 passing through apertured tabs 16 in housing 10 and engaging tapped bosses 18 in shell 12 Reflective mirror member 20, which may be provided with a plastics or metallic backing or case 21, as in customary practice, is pivotally supported on housing 10 and, when the mirror is fully assembled, is bounded by the inner surface of the open face of the shell 12 and is pivotable therewithin An electrical cable 22, carrying a plurality of electric wires for supplying power to the electric motors within the housing 10, extends through the housing 10 and is provided with a seal 24 to prevent the entrance of water into the housing 10 around the cable 22 Cable 22 extends to the battery of the vehicle under the control of a manual switch (not shown) provided at a position readily accessible to the driver The switch may, for example, be a joy-stick type switch with two double pole double throw switches having a neutral position, in each of vertcal and horizontal senses of movement, movement of the handle from the neutral position in a vertical tilting sense (referred to the mirror glass) producing energisation of a vertical drive motor in one polarity to tilt the mirror upwardly (about a horizontal axis), movement of the handle from neutral position in a downward tilting sense energising the same motor in reverse polarity, movement of the handle to the left energising a horizontal drive motor in a polarity to produce the requisite leftward pivotal swinging of the mirror, and movement of the handle in the opposite horizontal sense energising that horizontal drive motor in reverse polarity to produce the requisite rightward pivotal swinging of the mirror glass in a horizontal sense (about a vertical axis) Concurrent movement of the handle in both vertical and horizontal senses produces concurrent energization (with appropriate polarity) of both of the motors to produce concurrent movement of the mirror in both vertical and horizontal senses for rapid adjustment to the position preferred by the driver.

   The mirror 20 (Figure 5) is secured in any suitable manner upon a ball stud assembly 28 which is integral with a generally hemispherical ball 30 forming a first pivot assembly portion of a ball and socket joint Stud assembly 28 tepresentatively comprises through studs (at 1200 spacing) the ends of which are staked within the mirror case 21 (Figure 5) Ball 30 pivotally engages a second pivot assembly socket portion 32 which is illustrated to be formed integrally with the body of housing 10 and to comprise an aperture formed centrally of a front wall of the housing 10 Ball 30 is spring biased into frictional engagement with socket 32 by a spring assembly 34 having a central portion pressing on and slidably engageable with a spherical boss 33 on ball 30, and three arms projecting radially and terminating in pads which are secured in any suitable fashion to the outer face of the case 10 The centre 35 of the spherical boss 33 is also the centre of the spherical surface of ball 30 and hence is the point about which the reflective mirror member 20 rotates The biasing force of the spring 34 is intended to be sufficient to establish frictional engagement between the ball and socket to aid in steadying the mirror against vibrational forces and to assist in holding it in selected position That spring force also establishes an effective (in the sense of adequate, under commercial standards) watertight seal between the ball 30 and the socket 32 In the illustrated arrangement, the ball is provided with a spherical surface and the socket is provided with a conical surface, to provide line contact between the two It is contemplated that the socket can also be made spherical to increase the area of engagement, if desired It is further contemplated that a rubber boot may be secured between the face of the housing 10 and the reflective mirror member 20, surrounding the ball stud assembly 28, to provide improved water sealing, if that proves desirable in any given commercial installation.

   Reflective mirror member 20 is pivoted about the effective centre of the spherical surface of ball 30 Forces must be exerted to produce that tilting With an electrically operated unit, it is particularly important that the operating mechanism be satisfactorily sealed against the ingress of water, and in the disclosed arrangement the forces to tilt the 1,559,708 1,559,708 mirror member 20 are exerted directly through the ball 30 itself Accordingly, with sealing of the case 10 (Figure 1) and of the entry at 24 for stationary electrical cable 22 (Figure 1), and with the creation of an effective water seal at the ball and socket fitting, as discussed, satisfactory water sealing of all of the operating elements can be achieved.

   A tail piece assembly, illustratively in the form of four actuating pins or arms 36, 38, and 42, is secured to the ball 30 In the preferred arrangement, ball 30, the ball stud assembly 28, and the arms 36-42 are integrally moulded of suitable plastics material.

   A horizontally disposed drive arm 44 (Figure 3) is provided with a pair of co-axial spaced apart circular cylindrical bearing surfaces 46 and 48 which are rotatably supported within corresponding appropriate bearing surfaces in the case 10 and case cover 50 For example, cylindrical surface 48 seats in a semi-cylindrical bearing cavity 49 in case 10 (Figure 3) and a corresponding semi-cylindrical bearing surface, constituting the other half of the surrounding bearing, is provided (not shown) on the adjacent face of cover 50 Correspondingly, a vertically disposed drive arm 52 is provided with co-axial circular cylindrical bearing surfaces 54 and 56 which are suitably supported in bearing surfaces in case 10 and cover 50.

   Drive members 44 and 52 are provided with central arcuate portions 58 and 60, respectively As may be seen in Figure 4, the arcuate portion 58 of the drive arm 44 is trapped between actuating arms or fingers 36 and 38, on one side of drive arm 44, and between fingers 40 and 42, on the other side of that drive arm Correspondingly, the arcuate middle portion 60 of drive arm 52 is trapped between actuating arms or fingers 36 and 42, disposed to one side of drive arm 52, and fingers 38 and 40 disposed to the other side of that drive arm Accordingly, as drive arm 44 is rotated about its axis of rotation 62 (Figure 3), forces are exerted through the appropriate pair (depending upon the direction or rotation) of the actuating arms 36-38 or 40-42 to rotate ball 30 about a horizontal axis through point 35 (Figure 5) to produce upward or downward vertical tilting of the mirror member 20 Correspondingly, when drive arm 52 is rotated about its rotational axis 64, forces are exerted through the appropriate pair of actuating arms (in the direction of the force) 36-42 or 38-40 to pivot ball 30 about a vertical axis through point 35 It is to be understood that the terms horizontal and vertical are employed herein with reference to the attitude of the assembly in the drawings, it being recognised that the pivoting may not necessarily be parallel and perpendicular to the horizon when the mirror is mounted on a vehicle.

   In the illustrated arrangement, pivot axis 64 (Figure 5) is disposed proximate the rotational centre 35 of ball 30, while rotational axis 62 of drive member 44 is disposed somewhat further away from point 35 Accordingly, arcuate portion 58 of drive arm 44 clears arcuate portion 60 of drive arm 52 even though, as is preferred for economy of manufacture, parts 44 and 52 are identical.

   While the arcuate portions 58 and 60 of the drive arms need not be in the shown (Figure 3) circular configuration, deviations from the circular pattern will result in changes in the rate of movement of the mirror, with a given drive rate of the powering electric motor, during the pivoting.

   Drive arm 52 is rotated about its axis of rotation 64 by a power source in the form of an electric motor 70, while drive arm 44 is rotated about its axis 62 by a power source in the form of electric motor 72 In usual practice, drive motors will be twelve volt reversible d c motors The drive train from electric motor 70 includes worm 74, secured to and driven by electric motor 70, a worm gear 76 driven by worm 74, a worm 78, integral and rotated with gear 76, worm gear engaging and driven by worm 78, worm 82, integral and driven with, gear 80, and a coupler 84 engaging worm 82 and converting rotation of worm 82 into rotation of drive arm 52 about axis 64 Coupler 84 is in the nature of a modified worm gear or worm follower, as will be described Suitable bearings are provided in case 10 and cover 50 for bearingly supporting the various elements of the drive train For example, motor 70 rests upon a web 86 (Figure 3) with an unthreaded portion of the worm 74 adjacent the motor being bearingly supported in a bearing, one portion of which is illustrated at 88 in Figure 3 and the other portion of which (not shown) is on cover 50, and with the lower unthreaded portion of pinion 74 being bearingly supported in slot 90 formed in web 92 in case 10.

   Correspondingly, the drive train from motor 72 includes worm 94, which drives worm gear 96, which is integral with worm 98, which drives worm gear 100, which is integral with worm 102, which drivingly cooperates with coupling means 87, which is integrally formed on drive arm 44, so that rotation of motor 72, in either direction, produces rotation of drive arm 44 in either of the two senses, as selected.

   The illustrated arrangement is designed so that all elements of the drive train for pivoting the mirror horizontally are identical to the corresponding parts for pivoting the mirror vertically.

   Coupler 84, which is moulded as an integral part of drive arm 52, is bifurcated, comprising first and second parallel and facing cam follower elongated arm members 106 and 108 (Figure 7) Arm 106, provided with a worm 1,559,708 clearance step 110, terminates at its free end in a cam follower 112 Correspondingly, arm 108 terminates in cam follower 114 Cam or worm followers 112 and 114 constitute opposing teeth engageable with the thread of worm 82 (Figures 9 and 10) The faces of worm followers 112 and 114 which engage the thread are conformed in a generally frusto-conical manner to provide appropriate matching with the configuration of the abutting faces of the thread of the worm 82 As may best be seen in Figures 6 and 8, the arms 106 and 108 are disposed at an angle to one another to position the surfaces 112 and 114 concurrently to engage the thread of the worm 82 on essentially opposite sides thereof.

   As motor 70 is energised to drive worm 82 via elements 74, 76, 78 and 80, cams 112 and 114 are advanced, to the left or to the right, along the thread of worm 82 so as to rotate the coupler or cam follower assembly 84 about axis 64 correspondingly to rotate the arcuate portion 60 of drive member 52.

   Therefore, ball 30 is pivoted about a vertical axis through pivot point 35 by the forces exerted by arcuate portion 60 on the actuating arms or pins 38-40 or 36-42, depending upon the direction of rotation of the worm 82.

   The spacing between the arms 106 ad 108 considering their angle of respective tilt, is selected so as to provide an interference fit between the cam followers 112-114 and the thread of the worm 82 Accordingly, when the parts are assembled, one or both of the arms 106 and 108 is slightly distorted from its free position (illustrated in Figures 6 to 8) to exert a continuing resilient force tending to maintain cams 112 and 114 firmly in engagement with the thread of the worm 82 (see Figures 9 and 10) Therefore, by holding the longitudinal position of worm 82 fixed by appropriate thrust bearing means, the position of arms 106-108, and hence the rotational position of drive arm 52, is fixed during all periods in which worm 82 is not being rotated Similarly, drive arm 44 is held quite firmly in position, when motor 72 is not energised, by virtue of its corresponding cooperation with its respective drive train.

   Those facts may be employed to aid in reducing the effects of vibration upon the mirror member 20 Thus, mirror member 20, when utilised as an element of an outside rearview mirror for a vehicle, is subject to vibrational forces due both to the effects of wind and to vibration of the vehicle from the road.

   As a result, there is a tendency for the mass of the mirror member 20 to vibrate relative to the remainder of the vehicle, tending to produce a slightly blurred image Vibration of the mirror member 20 relative to the housing is impeded in part by the frictional engagement between the ball 30 and the socket 32 under the action of spring 34 Further, a rigidifying effect is achieved by establishing a clamping relationship between the actuating arms or pins 36-42 and the drive arms 44 and 52 Thus, the distance between pins 36 and 38 (Figure 4) is preferably selected such that there is an interference fit between those pins and the actuating arm 52, that is, the free distance between the pins 36 and 38 is slightly (at least 0 012 cms) less than the width of the arcuate portion 60 of the drive arm 52, and the same considerations apply to pins 40 and 42 Correspondingly, the distance between pins 38 and 40, as well as the distance between pins 36 and 42, is selected to provide an interference engagement with the arcuate portion 58 of the drive arm 44.

   The magnitude of the interference fit should not be so great as unduly to increase the frictional force impeding sliding movement between the pins 36 to 42 an the arcuate portions 58 and 60 during the adjustment of the mirror That factor, and hence the extent of the interference fit, will vary in accordance with the type of plastics, or other material, of which the parts are made.

   With reference to Figures 6 to 9, the couplers 84 and 87 are designed to create a static force tending to prevent rotation of drive arms 52 and 44, about their axes 64 and 62, relative to worms 82 and 102, respectively.

   However, the purpose of making arms 106 and 108 effectively in the form of projecting cantilever beams is to permit the couplers to serve not only as a force transmitting means (to convert rotation of worm 82 or 102 into rotation of drive arm 52 or 44), but also to serve as an overload or slip clutch under certain conditions Those conditions are primarily twofold First, a driver may place his fingers directly on the glass 20 and manually tilt that glass horizontally or vertically to a new position That force would produce pivotal movement of ball 30 and hence rotational motion of drive arm 44, or drive arm 52, or both Yet worms 82 and 102 may well be stationary The clutch means is provided to permit the development of excessive forces in the system under that condition and to permit the driver manually to adjust the mirror if he chooses.

   Further, when motor 70 or 72 is energised, the mirror 20 is pivoted in a selected sense.

   The system is designed for a certain permitted angle of tilt of the glass In a constructed embodiment, provision was made for a 15 degree tilt of the glass from its centered position in each of the four senses, that is, for a 30 degree total angle of vertical and horizontal tilting.

   However, at the limit of that tilting, limit stops are effective to prevent further tilting of the mirror 20 In the illustrated embodiment the limitation of movement is effected by engagement between the tilted glass and a surface of the housing 10 If the driver continues to energise either of the drive motor 6 1,5,0 v; or 72 after that limit position is reached, worm 82 or 102 continues to rotate Yet, drive arm -52 or 44 is effectively prevented from rotating further in the selected direction by virtue of the assumed engagement of the mirror with the limit stop Slip clutch means are provided to prevent the development of undue stresses under that condition and to prevent damage to the motor.

   Both such slip clutch means take the form of the arms 106 and 108 (and counterpart arms on the other drive arm) which serve as limitedly flexible or resilient cantilever beams Thus, in response to the development of excessive forces due to either of the abovenoted conditions, the forces tending to establish further rotation between the worm and the drive arm result in the establishment of a force between the face of the worm thread and the cam surfaces 112 and 114 to tend to cam those surfaces outwardly from the thread, which is accommodated by flexing of arms 106 and 108 That flexure is sufficient to permit cams 112 and 114 to travel over the crest of the thread and to jump to the next turn of the thread This operation can repeat, under appropriate continuing conditions, with the coupler 84 continuing simply to step from one thread to the next, repetitively, as long as the continuing excessive force continues to be exerted due either to continuing manual movement of the glass by the driver towards the limit position or due to continuing operation of the drive motor after the mirror glass is at its limit stop position.

   The operating parts of the illustrated svstem are, in commercial preference, constructed of suitable plastics material, for example nylon, polypropylene, polycarbonate, fluorocarbon or polyethylene The couplers 84 and 87 are therefore designed, of whatever selected plastics or other material is employed, to develop an adequate forceful engagement between the cams 112, 114 and the thread of the worm 82 or 102 to tend to assist in the dampening or prevention of vibration of the mirror glass, while yet providing sufficient flexibility to serve the above described slip clutching function in response to the abnormal application of excessive forces to the drive train of the system.

   It will be observed that from an operation standpoint, the tilting of the ball 30 in response to movement of arcuate portion 58 or of arcuate portion 60, in each of four senses, can be accomplished by the provision of but one pair of diagonally disposed actuating arms or pins, such as pins 36-40 or pins 38-42.

   However, improved clamping against mirror vibration is achieved by the provision of the two pairs of pins.

   The embodiment of Figures 11 to 20 (which is the preferred embodiment) is in many ways similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 10 The elements of the second embodiment have been given reference numerals like those of the corresponding elements in the first embodiment with with the suffix "a", and reference may be made to the description of the first embodiment for an applicable description 70 of the corresponding elements in the second embodiment, with the exceptions and additions which will be apparent or specifically noted.

   The power actuated mirror housing l Oa (Figure 11) is provided with a plurality (repre 75 sentatively three) of projecting slotted tabs 16 a through which screws 14 a (Figure 19) may be inserted to engage tapped holes in bosses 18 a disposed within the mirror shell 12 a At least one of the screws 14 a, such as 80 the upper one of those screws, is so disposed behind the glass case 21 a that it is inaccessible when the power housing and mirror are secured within the shell 12 a, so as to impede larceny of the mirror and power housing 85 assembly, since the removal of the unit would normallv entail the breaking of the glass The assembling of the mirror and power housing assembly to the shell 12 a is, in the illustrated arrangement, performed before the mirror 90 glass 20 a is secured within the case 21 a, and to facilitate that assembly, an aperture 200 (Figure 12) is formed in the glass case 21 a in an appropriate location so that the assembler may drivingly insert a screw there 95 through to engage the upper tab 16 a on the housing 10 a (Figure 11) and the corresponding boss 18 a in the case 12 a The glass is thereafter secured to the glass case 21 a by any suitable means, such as through the use 100 of a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

   Stabilising means have been added to the second embodiment to ensure rigidity of the glass, particularly under conditions of high speed vehicular vibration The stabilising 105 means is illustrated in the form of a pair of generally rectangular cross-section bars 202 and 204 (Figure 16) Bar 204 terminates in a spherical end 206 (Figures 16 and 14) which is snap fit in a socket 208 formed integrally 110 with the plastic glass case 21 a The walls of the socket 208 are provided with a diametrical slot 210 to create sufficient flexibility to permit the ball 206 to be snapped and retained therewithin Ball 206 is provided with an orienting 115 tang 212, engageable in the slot 210, to ensure proper orientation of the rectangular (not square) cross-section bar 204.

   Bar 204 cooperates with an elongated aperture 214 in a boss formed integrally with the 120 housing l Oa (Figure 16), with the aperture being rectangular in cross-section and including a pair of parallel side walls 216 and 218 (Figure 18 B) spaced apart a preselected distance Bar 204 is provided with an integ 125 rally formed flap 220 which extends the length thereof and depends from an edge of the bar 204 and projects therefrom at an appropriate angle, such as 300 Bar 204 with its integral flap 220 is desirably formed of plastics 130 1,559,708 A 1,559,708 material The width of the bar 204 (Figure 18 A) is substantially less than the distance between the adjacent faces of walls 216 and 218, but the total width of the bar assembly 204 (Figure 18 A) including the flap 220 in its free and unconstrained position is substantially greater than the distance between the adjacent faces of walls 216 and 218 Accord-' ingly, as may be seen tn Figure 18 B, when the flap 220 is pressed inwardly and the bar 204 inserted within the aperture 214, flap 220 is bent from its free position, resiliently opposing the bending As a result, flap 220 forcibly engages the inner surface of wall 218, forcing the opposite wall of bar 204 into frictional engagement with the adjacent surface of wall 216 so as to establish a controlled frictional engagement between the bar 204 and the walls of the aperture 214 to restrain relative movement therebetween and hence to dampen any tendency of the mirror and glass to vibrate The frictional force is not, of course, sufficient to impede purposeful tilting of the glass either by manual pressure on the face of the glass or through electrical actuation.

   A corresponding bar 202 cooperates with an aperture 222 (Figure 16) mounted on the housing l Oa and cooperates therewith in a corresponding manner.

   In the embodiment of U Figures 11-20, the mirror case 21 a (Figure 13) is associated with the movable pivot member 30 a through attachment means 28 a in the form of a tubular projection from the body of the ball or movable pivot 30 a, surrounding a central drilled post 226 The face of the plastics glass case 21 aadjacent the housing is provided with a shallow recess 228 accepting the end of the attachment means 28 a As may best be seen in Figure 12, the end-of the tubular attachment means is recessed along an area defined by a chord 230 slightly spaced from the centre of the cylinder and the back of the glass case is similarly conformed so as to orient the glass case with reference to the movable pivot member 30 a and to prevent relative rotation therebetween A screw 232 passes through an aperture in the mirror case 21 a and engages the aperture in the central post 226 to secure the glass case to the movable pivot element.

   It is contemplated that the glass 20 a will be glued or otherwise secured in place on the mirror case 21 a after the screw 232 is seated.

   A spring 34 a (Figure 16) having a central portion and four splayed depending legs 234, is secured, such as by a screw 236 (Figures 13 and 16) to the movable pivot element 30 a, screw 236 passing through a central aperture in the base of spring 34 a and threadedly engaging an aperture formed in the central inner portion of the pivot 30 a The arms 234 ride against a surface 238 on the inner face of the housing l Oa (Figures 13 and 17), and specifically upon a portion of that surface serving to define the socket member 32 a Accordingly, the spring arms 234 ride against the generally spherical surface and exert a continuing force tending to pull movable pivot element 30 a into engagement with the mating surface of the fixed pivot portion 32 a, assisting to establish a barrier against the entry of water and dirt into the housing Except for that sliding frictional joint between the ball and socket elements 30 a and 32 a, the housing 10 a is effectively sealed.

   Worms 82 a and 102 a (Figures 15 and 17) have been modified from their counterparts in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 10 primarily in two ways First, in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 10, the limit positions to the tilting movement of the glass in each sense (up, down, left, right or approximately along each diagonal) was established by engagement between the glass case 21 a and the housing l Oa In the embodiment of Figures 11 to 20, a limit stop is established within the drive train Thus, a shoulder 242 is formed at the left end of the thread of worm 82 a and a shoulder 244 is formed at the right end thereof Limit stops are established by the engagement of the worm follower mechanism 84 a with each of those two shoulders Corres ponding shoulders adjacent the ends of the thread on worm 102 a constitute the limits in other senses of movement.

   The clutching function has been previously described In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 10, the clutching means was designed effectively to slip if the forces exceeded a preselected value That preselected value was selected to be high enough to ensure proper operation of the mirror while yet protecting against excessive loads either due to shifting of the glass by the application of the forces directly to the surface of the glass or due to continuing electrical energisation after the mirror glass reached a limit position An improvement has been effected by selectively modifying the magnitude of the preselected force at which the clutch will slip as a function of the angular position (in any sense) of the mirror glass Thus, the end 1-1/2 turns of the thread of the worm 82 a have been gradually tapered in diameter from the full diameter down to the root diameter at a point adjacent the shoulders 242 and 244 As a result, the preselected force at which the clutch will slip is kept at a constant reasonably high value over the major portion of the angles of tilting of the mirror up to a point proximate the limit positions of the mirror glass In that final angular movement (over about 1-1/2 turns of the worm 82 a) between that proximate point and the limit point, the applied force at which the clutch will slip is progressively diminished This has the practical advantage that if the mirror continues to be electrically actuated after it has reached its limit posi8 1559708 O don, the continuing intermittent engagement of the clutch once every revolution of the worm will produce a small magnitude signalling working of the glass surface, and will produce less audible noise, and less wear on the clutch parts than if slipping of the clutch occurs over the major central portions of the length of the worm Similar considerations apply to the construction of the thread on worm gear 102 ae Housing l Oa (Figures 16 and 17) has been provided with a hollow extension defining (in cooperation with the cover 50 a) a socket 248 of generally rectangular cross-section and opening downwardly An electrical connection means, in the form of the terminating end of a metallic strip 250, projects into socket 248 and extends in a sealed manner through slots formed therefor in the moulded plastics housing 10 c to terminal 252 of motor 72 a.

   A corresponding strip 254 underlies 250 (in the view of Figure 17) and follows a corresponding course but terminates at terminal 256 of motor 72 a Corres Dondingly a metallic strip 258 terminates within socket 248 and extends to terminal 260 of motor 70 a, and a corresponding strip, underlying strip 258 (in the view of Figure 17), extends to terminal 262 of motor 70 a Thus, there are four terminating metallic-strip ends projecting into and exposed in the socket 248, serving the function of an electrical jack A four terminal electric plug 264 (Figure 20) is designed to be insertable in socket 248 and to be, if desired, selectively lockable therewithin Plug 264 serves the function of establishing an electrical connection between the four terminating ends of the connection means in socket 248 with a four wire cable 266 extending to the switch 268, which may be of the form previously described A selectively detachable connector, such as a plug and jack coupling 270 may be inserted in the cable 266 at a point closely proximate to switch 268, and, if desired, a further selectively detachable electrical connector assembly 272 may be disposed in the cable at any intermediate point to facilitate installation of the cabling in a vehicle Conductors 274 and 276 may extend from any suitable point in the electrical system, such as from the switch, to battery and ground, respectively It will be perceived that by virtue of the inclusion of the selectively detachable connection means, the switch 268, if it becomes defective, may be replaced, by disconnecting it at connector 270, without replacing the major portion of the cabling and without replacing any portion of the mirror assembly Similarly, if the mirror and power housing assembly becomes defective, the plug 264 may be removed from the socket 248 after disassociating the housing 10 a from the shell 12 a as previously described, and a replacement unit installed.

   WHAT WE CLAIM IS:1 A vehicular remote control outside rearview mirror assembly comprising first and second cooperating pivot assembly portions, said first pivot assembly portion being rotat 70 able through an angle about each of two mutually perpendicular axes relative to said second portion, a reflective mirror member, means for supporting said reflective mirror member on said first pivot assembly portion for rota 75 tion therewith, selectively operable drive means, and first and second generally arcuate drive arms each selectively rotatable through an angle about substantially perpendicular axes by said selectively operable drive means, 80 said drive means including a pair of worms, each rotatable about an individual worm axis, and a worm follower individual to each of said worms and rotatable by the respective worm about an axis spaced from the worm axis of 85 the worm individual thereto, and actuating arm means secured to the first pivot portion and in driving engagement with the first and second drive arms and effective when selectively driven by said drive arms to rotate said 90 first pivot portion.
2. 2 An assembly according to claim 1, in which the first and second co-operating pivot assembly portions are a ball and socket joint.
3. 3 An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, 95 which comprises a housing with the second portion of the pivot assembly being comprised by said housing.
4. 4 An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the housing has a central aperture 100 extending through a wall thereof, the first pivot portion being seatably engaged with the second pivot assembly portion from the exterior of the housing, and the actuating arm means on the first pivot portion projecting into the 105 housing through the central aperture.
5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein spring means are provided for continuously exerting a force on the first pivot portion in a direction to seat the first pivot 110 portion on the second pivot portion.
6. 6 An-assembly according to claim 5 when appendant to claim 3, wherein the spring means has a plurality of arm portions engaging the housing and a central portion engag 115 ing the movable pivot assembly portion.
7. 7 An assembly according to claim 6, wherein means are provided for securing the arm portions to the housing, said central portion being slidably engageable with the first pivot 120 portion.
8. 8 An assembly according to claim 6, wherein means are provided for securing the central portion to the first pivot portion, the arm portions being slidably engageable with the 125 housing.
9. 9 An assembly according to claim 8, in which the spring means is disposed within the housing in which the arm portions are slidably 1.559708 9 1,559,708 9 engageable with portions of the housing constituting portions of the second pivot portion.
10. An assembly according to any preceding claim, in which the first drive arm when rotated through an angle by the selectively operable drive means drives the actuating arm means through an angle in one plane and in which the second drive arm when rotated through an angle by the selectively operable drive means drives the actuating arm means through an angle in a plane substantially perpendicular to the one plane.
11. 11 An assembly according to any preceding claim, in which said selectively operable drive means for each drive arm includes an electric motor and a drive train driven by said motor, and in which each of said worm followers is integral with a respective one of said drive arms.
12. 12 An assembly according to claim 11, wherein each drive train comprises a clutch for transmitting forces from the drive means to the first pivot assembly portion, such dutch being capable of slipping when a predetermined force acting between the drive means and the first pivot assembly portion is exceeded.
13. 13 An assembly according to claim 12, in which the clutch comprises a respective one of the worms and the worm follower cooperable therewith, the follower having a cam surface engageable with the threaded worm, the cam surface being supported by a flexible elongated member of selected flexibility for permitting the cam surface to deflect over the threads of the worm under excessive force conditions.
14. 14 An assembly according to claim 13, in which the worm follower comprises a pair of the cam surfaces, the cam surfaces being opposed and engageable with the threaded worm and each being supported by a respective flexible elongated member.
15. An assembly according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the slipping clutch is such that the preselected force is of a substantially uniform value over the range of angular movements of the first pivot portion to selected positions proximate the limit positions and is of a lower value between the selected positions and the limit positions.
16. 16 An assembly according to claim 15 when appendant to claim 13 or 14, in which the worm has a greater thread height at its centre than near its opposite ends.
17. 17 An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second pivot portions together form a ball and socket joint effectively sealed against water leakage between the two portions.
18. 18 An assembly according to claim 17, when appendant to claim 3, wherein an electrical conductor means extends into the housing means being provided for effectively sealing the entry of the electrical conductor means to the housing against water.
19. 19 An assembly according to claim 18, when appendant to claim 11, in which the electrical conductor means comprises a socket integral with the housing and a plurality of electrical conductors sealed and exposed in the socket and extending within portions of the housing to the electric motors.
20. An assembly according to claim 22, wherein electrical switch means are provided for controlling the electrical motors and are adapted for disposal in a vehicle upon which the mirror assembly is mounted remote from the assembly, electrical conductor means from the switch means terminating at the housing being selectively detachable connected to the electrical conductors in said socket.
21. 21 An assembly according to claim 20, wherein the electrical conductor means from the switch means terminate in a plug for receipt in said socket.
22. 22 An assembly according to claim 3, or any preceding claim appendant thereto, in which the housing is rigid and is received within an internal cavity of a mirror shell, the mirror shell having an open face bounding the reflective mirror member with means being provided securing the housing within the shell.
23. 23 An assembly according to claim 3 or any preceding claim appendant thereto, wherein stabiliser means are provided for exerting a frictional force for opposing movement of the reflective mirror member relative to the housing, such stabiliser means comprising an aperture in the housing, a bar slidably engageable with the aperture, means connecting the bar to the reflective mirror member, and friction means acting between the bar and the aperture.
24. 24 An assembly according to claim 23, in which the friction means comprises an integral flap on the bar forcibly engageable with a wall of the aperture.

    An assembly according to claim 24, in which the aperture is elongated and has two generally parallel walls the adjacent faces of which are spaced apart at preselected distance, in which the bar is of plastics material and has a body with a width less than the preselected distance, and in which the integral flap on the bar extends longitudinally of the body, and angularly outwardly from the width of the body and is deflected from its free posi1,559,708 1,559,708 tion thereof by an engaged one of the parallel walls of the aperture for resiliently forcing the bar into frictional engagement with the other one of the parallel walls of the aperture.

    J A KEMP & CO, Chartered Patent Agents, 14, South Square, Gray's Inn, London, WC 1 R 5 EU.

    Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, by the Courier Press Leamington Spa 1980 Published by The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC 2 A l AY from which copies may be obtained.