GB2195593A - Rear-view mirror for a motor vehicle - Google Patents
Rear-view mirror for a motor vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2195593A GB2195593A GB08710050A GB8710050A GB2195593A GB 2195593 A GB2195593 A GB 2195593A GB 08710050 A GB08710050 A GB 08710050A GB 8710050 A GB8710050 A GB 8710050A GB 2195593 A GB2195593 A GB 2195593A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- mirror
- capsule
- view mirror
- pressure
- view
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/02—Rear-view mirror arrangements
- B60R1/08—Rear-view mirror arrangements involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors
- B60R1/081—Rear-view mirror arrangements involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors
- B60R1/082—Rear-view mirror arrangements involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/02—Rear-view mirror arrangements
- B60R1/08—Rear-view mirror arrangements involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors
- B60R1/083—Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors
- B60R1/086—Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors using a mirror angularly movable between a position of use and a non-glare position reflecting a dark field to the user, e.g. situated behind a transparent glass used as low-reflecting surface; Wedge-shaped mirrors
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)
- Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
Abstract
The mirror 1 of flexible material, e.g. glass, has its curvature variable by varying the pressure of a medium provided in a space behind the mirror. The mirror 1 is rectangular and is backed by a sealed capsule 5 containing a pressure medium, e.g. wax or glycerin. The pressure within the capsule 5 is variable by means of a screw device 6. A spring element 12 of complete shape (Fig. 5) transmits forces within the capsule 5. The mirror (1'', Fig. 7) may be prismatic and mounted for tilting. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Rear-view mirror for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a rear mirror for a
motor vehicle, wherein the mirror is of flexible
material and the curvature of the mirror is
variable by varying the pressure of a pressure
medium in a space behind the mirror.
A rear-view mirror of this type is known
from French Patent No. 1 214783. In the case
of this known rear-view mirror. the medium
behind the mirror is air which can be pressur
ized by-means of a rubber bulb connected to
a supply line leading to the space behind the
flexible mirror.
Although the use of air as a pressure me
dium is simple, it has the disadvantage that
on account of the fact that the system is not
fully hermetically sealed, a constant loss of
pressure occurs, so that the desired curvature
of the mirror, once set, cannot be maintained
for a prolonged period of time.
A rear mirror is also known from DE-OS
1530622, in which a mirror of flexible ma arterial can be varied in curvature by being
acted upon by a mechanical pressure. In this
case a curvature is produced only in the hori
zontal direction of the mirror, as a result of
which undesirable distortions in the reflected
image occur.
The present invention seeks to provide a
rear-view mirror for a motor vehicle in which
the curvature is variable and, once set, is
maintained unchanged for a prolonged period
of time, and that even in the case of a rectan
gular mirror a spherical curvature is achieved
with the resulting reduced distortion of the
reflected image.
According to the present invention, there is
provided a rear-view mirror for a motor
vehicle, wherein the mirror is made of a flexi
ble material and the curvature of the mirror is
variable by varying the pressure of a pressure
medium in a space behind the mirror, charac
terized in that the mirror is rectangular and is
backed by a hermetically sealed capsule con
taining a pressure medium, and in that the
capsule has a wall portion movable by a
screw device to vary the pressure within the
capsule.
By virtue of the fact that the mirror is rec
tangular and is backed by a hermetically
sealed capsule loss of pressure medium is
avoided and the curvature of the mirror can
be made spherical.
The sealed capsule is preferably a plastics
envelope filled a viscous material, such as
rock fat, wax or the like.
The invention will now be described further,
by way of example, with reference to the ac
companying drawings, in which:
Figure l is a section taken in a horizontal
plane through an internal rear-view mirror of
the invention, the mirror being shown in a flat condition,
Figure 2 is similar section to Fig. 1 showing the mirror in a curved condition,
Figure 3 is a section along the line Ill-Ill in
Fig. 1,
Figure 4 is a vertical section along the line
IV-IV in Fig. 1;
Figure 5 is a front elevation of a compensating spring element; and
Figures 6 and 7 are similar views to Fig. 4, but showing embodiments incorporating a dipping or anti-dazzle device.
An internal rear-view mirror comprises a mirror 1 of flexible material. It is possible, in view of the preferred optical properties, for the said mirror 1 to be a glass mirror which can be deformed within specific limits.
The mirror 1 is held in a mirror casing 2 which is secured in conventional manner in the motor vehicle by way of a mounting device 3 and can have a tilting device 4 for dipping the internal rear-view mirror to prevent dazzle.
The mirror 1 is backed by a sealed capsule 5 containing a pressure medium the other side of which capsule is supported in the mirror casing 2 and the internal pressure of which is variable by way of a screw collar 6.
Because the mirror 1 is held in place by the rim of the casing 2 any increase in pressure within the capsule 5 results in a spherical bulging of the mirror 1 and thus in the desired adjustment of the convexity of the mirror to determine the angle of view.
The screw device 6 is formed in a simple manner from an externally threaded part 7 integral with the mirror casing 2 and an adjustable collar 6 which is screw threaded onto this part 7. The pressure exerted by the collar 6 is transmitted by way of a pressure plate 10 to a bellows-like portion 11 of the capsule 5. It is this pressure that is applied evenly over the surface of the mirror 1, to cause spherical deformation of the mirror surface.
The hermetically sealed capsule 5 comprises a plastics envelope 9 filled with a viscous material, such as rock fat, wax, glycerin or the like. Care should be taken to choose a material that is subjedt to little change in volume as the temperature varies, so that it does not change the mirror curvature once set. In addition, the viscous material should be frost-resistant, so that the sealed capsule is not damaged in the case of a motor vehicle left out in the open.
The expression "hermetically sealed" as used herein is intended to indicate that the capsule should not only be fully enclosed but that it should be made of material which is not permeable by the enclosed pressure medium so as to prevent pressure loss within the capsule 5 even over extended periods of time.
In order that a uniform spherical surface curvature may be achieved over the longitudinal
extension of the mirror 1, a compensating
spring element 12 is arranged lying immedi
ately behind the mirror 1 (see Fig. 5). The
forces act upon one transverse bar 16 or 16'
etc by way of edge strips 13 and 14 and
triangular supports 15 or 15' etc interposed
between them, in order to transmit the abut
ment force in different degrees to the edge
strips 13 to 14, depending upon the thickness
of the respective transverse member 16 or
16' etc.
An anti-dazzle device can also be provided
in the case of a mirror 1 of variable convexity
of the invention, by providing a second, partly
reflecting, surface in the casing inclined rela
tive to the surface of the mirror 1. In the case
of the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the sec
ond reflective surface 1' is acted acted upon
by the pressure in the capsule 5 and may
therefore have an angle of view differing from
that of the main mirror 1.
If a flexible prismatic mirror 1", as shown in
the embodiment of Fig. 7 is used, the differ
ent flexural stiffness of which is compensated
by a flexible prismatic plate 17 positioned at oits back, the advantage may be gained that
the reflected image covers the same angle of
view in the normal position and in the anti
dazzle position.
Claims (7)
1. A rear-view mirror for a mbtor vehicle,
wherein the mirror is made of a flexible ma
terial and the curvature of the mirror is vari
able by varying the pressure of a pressure
medium in a space behind the mirror, charac
terized in that the mirror is rectanguler and is
backed by a hermetically sealed capsule con
taining a pressure medium, and in that the
capsule has a wall portion movable by a
screw device to vary the pressure within the
capsule.
2. A rear-view mirror according to Claim 1,
wherein the sealed capsule comprises a plas
tics envelope filled with a viscous material,
such as rock fat, wax, or glycerin.
3. A rear-view mirror according to Claim 1
or 2, wherein the screw device is formed by
an externally threaded part on the mirror cas
ing threadedly engaged by a collar which acts
upon a bellows-like portion of the capsule by
way of a pressure plate.
4. A rear-view mirror according to any pre
ceding claim, wherein immediately -behind the
flexible mirror there is arranged a compensat
ing spring element to distribute the deforma
tion forces in such a manner as to ensure a
uniform spherical surface curvature.
5. A rear-view mirror according to any pre
ceding claim, wherein an anti-dazzle device for
dipping the rear-view mirror is disposed be
tween the mirror casing and a mount of the
mirror.
6. A rear-view mirror according to any pre
ceding claim, wherein the mirror comprises a prismatic mirror, the different flexural rigidity of which is compensated by a flexible prismatic plate placed at its back.
7. A rear-view mirror for a motor vehicle, constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, Fig.
6 or Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19863633533 DE3633533A1 (en) | 1986-10-02 | 1986-10-02 | REAR VIEW MIRROR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8710050D0 GB8710050D0 (en) | 1987-06-03 |
| GB2195593A true GB2195593A (en) | 1988-04-13 |
| GB2195593B GB2195593B (en) | 1990-08-29 |
Family
ID=6310885
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8710050A Expired - Fee Related GB2195593B (en) | 1986-10-02 | 1987-04-28 | Rear-view mirror for a motor vehicle |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DE (1) | DE3633533A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2604670A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2195593B (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10147717A1 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2003-04-17 | Winkel Gmbh | Device for supporting workpieces comprises a scissor-like elevating platform mounted on a horizontal turntable forming part of a rotating device, drive devices, an elevating platform plate, and a control column |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3828221A1 (en) * | 1988-08-19 | 1990-02-22 | Audi Ag | Wing mirror for a motor vehicle |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4128310A (en) * | 1975-10-14 | 1978-12-05 | John Miller | Zoom mirror |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1143034A (en) * | 1955-09-01 | 1957-09-25 | Variable magnification mirror | |
| DE1530622A1 (en) * | 1964-10-01 | 1969-08-28 | Rene Devos | Rearview mirror |
| DE2255789A1 (en) * | 1972-11-15 | 1974-05-16 | Braun Ag | MIRROR WITH ADJUSTABLE FOCAL LENGTH |
| JPS58201035A (en) * | 1982-05-20 | 1983-11-22 | Fuji Electric Co Ltd | Interference meter for two light flux |
| DE3234843A1 (en) * | 1982-09-21 | 1984-03-22 | M.A.N. Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg AG, 8000 München | EXTERNAL REAR VIEW MIRROR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES |
| GB2184562B (en) * | 1985-12-10 | 1989-10-11 | Joshua David Silver | Liquid or semi-solid lens or mirror with system for adjusting focal length |
-
1986
- 1986-10-02 DE DE19863633533 patent/DE3633533A1/en active Granted
-
1987
- 1987-04-28 GB GB8710050A patent/GB2195593B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-10-02 FR FR8713683A patent/FR2604670A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4128310A (en) * | 1975-10-14 | 1978-12-05 | John Miller | Zoom mirror |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10147717A1 (en) * | 2001-09-27 | 2003-04-17 | Winkel Gmbh | Device for supporting workpieces comprises a scissor-like elevating platform mounted on a horizontal turntable forming part of a rotating device, drive devices, an elevating platform plate, and a control column |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3633533A1 (en) | 1988-04-14 |
| FR2604670A1 (en) | 1988-04-08 |
| GB8710050D0 (en) | 1987-06-03 |
| GB2195593B (en) | 1990-08-29 |
| DE3633533C2 (en) | 1990-06-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |