GB2273479A

GB2273479A - An external rear-view mirror for motor vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2273479A
Application number: GB9325462A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernhard Mittelhauser; Jan Schubert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-12-18
Filing date: 1993-12-13
Publication date: 1994-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2013-12-13
Also published as: DE4242963A1; FR2699474B1; ES2084556A2; FR2699474A1; ES2084556R; GB2273479B; ES2084556B1; GB9325462D0

Description

2273479 AN EXTERNAL REAR-VIEW MIRROR FOR MOTOR VEHICLES The invention

relates to an external rear-view mirror for motor vehicles, adapted to a streamline shape, with a casing formed at its rear, open end to receive an adjustable mirror body, said casing merging, at least at the top, seen in the plan view of the mirror, practically without a slot into the foot of the mirror.

This slot-free transition is important not only for aerodynamic reasons, but also because, when a slot is present, the penetration of foreign bodies cannot be excluded.

It is known in external rear-view mirrors with a laterally-projecting mirror casing, to pivot the mirror casing, seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, in a forward and backward direction, in order to deflect impacts and 'i,o effect a parked position. The pivoting movement undertaken in this respect is effected about a vertical axis. This pivoting movement is however not possible with external rear-view mirrors of the type already mentioned, because the streamlined shape does not permit such movements, due to the greater length of the casing.

The purpose underlying the invention is to design external rear-view mirrors of the type already mentioned in such a way that, although they have a longitudinallyextended shape, they permit a yielding movement of the casing, and the setting of a so-called parking position, in order to thus considerably reduce the-lateral overhang of the casing. At the same time the invention is intended to fulfil the requirement of retaining the previous ly-mentioned slot-or gap-free condition when the casing moves into and adopts the abovementioned positions.

This purpose is fulfilled according to the invention in that the casing is constructed, on its side f acing the foot of the external rear-view mirror or the vehicle, in the manner of the portion of the external surface of a circular cone or of a paraboloid of revolution, but is at least constructed substantially in the manner of this body of revolution, and in addition is pivotable about the main axis of the cone or of the paraboloid of revolution, or of the similarly-constructed body of revolution.

Such a design of the external rear-view mirror ensures that, upon a pivoting movement of the casing, e.g. in order to obtain a parked position, the slot-free condition is retained or, during pivoting and in the pivoted condition, no slot is present between the casing and its foot or the vehicle. This prevents foreign bodies or the like from penetrating between casing and foot, which could impair later return of the casing into its normal position.

In order to achieve the abovenamed aim, the invention requires a configuration of the casing only in the pivoting region thereof, e.g. over a pivotal path of e.g. 600. In the other regions of its outer skin, the casing can be of a different shape, e.g. it can have convexities permitting it to accommodate a comparatively large mirror body. In addition, drive means, guides or the like can be provided in the aforementioned regions of the external surface, in order to enable the casing to be pivoted or secured in position. For this reason one or more slots may be provided on the foot of the mirror, into which there engage securing and guide bolts, these bolts preferably being attached to the casing.

Drive means for pivoting the casing can comprise a pinion, mounted in the casing and driven at that point by an electric motor, said pinion operating in conjunction with a curved toothed rack to be shaped to conform to the curvature of the body portion mentioned.

It is further of advantage if the pivotal axis of the casing does not extend precisely horizontally, but slightly obliquely downwards. It is also advantageous if the pivotal axis extends in an inclined direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. This gives rise to favourable aerodynamic possibilities.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatically-shown external rear view mirror for vehicles, seen in the direction of the mirror body (position of use approximately out of sight of the vehicle driver); Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a mirror according to the invention as an external mirror for motor vehicles; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the mirror according to Fig. 2, seen in the direction of the mirror body; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mirror according to Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a partial section along line V-V in Fig. 4.

The casing 1 of the external rear-view mirror, approximately funnel-shaped in its entirety, is secured to a foot 2. The casing 1 is open at the end facing the vehicle driver. In the opening 3 there is located the mirror body, indicated at 4 in Fig. 4, which is pivotably mounted in a known way, and can be displaced from the vehicle's interior by known means. In the position of use, the casing 1 merges practically without a slot and without steps into the foot 2. This is particularly the case in the upward transitional areas, along line 5, for aesthetic and aerodynamic reasons, but also for reasons of safety, in order to prevent foreign bodies from entering.

The foot 2 merges harmoniously into the lateral portions of the vehicle, and is anchored at this point in a known way. Both the foot 2 and the casing 1 are extensively adapted to the streamline shape.

Whereas external rear-view mirrors with a casing projecting at approximately right angles to the vehicle permit parking positions of the external rear-view mirror by means of pivoting the casing about a perpendicular axis, and in the same way also yielding movements of the casing on encountering obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle, this cannot be done because of the slim shape of the mirror extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle according to the invention. The invention rather provides for the casing 1 to pivot about a longitudinal axis 6, preferably downwards, as can be seen in Fig. 3. The pivotal range is indicated at 7; pivoting is effected in the direction of arrow 8. The pivoted position is indicated by 11 It is important, not only during the pivoting movement of the casing 1, but also in the final position of said casing 11 that a slot-free transition is retained between the casing 1 and the foot 2; the edge of the foot 2, at 5, should under these circumstances remain practically on the outer skin of the casing 1.

In order to achieve this aim, the side of the casing 1 f acing the f oot 2 is shaped in a manner of a body of revolution, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1; the run of the lines is indicated at 9.

The body of revolution substantially corresponds to a paraboloid of revolution, i.e. to a body of revolution which tapers towards its forward end, especially gradually. A body tapering thus (towards the f orward end of the vehicle) has the advantage that the f orward end 10 can be surrounded by a correspondinglyshaped portion of the foot 2; the surrounding portion of the foot 2 is indicated by 11. Under these conditions the pivotal axis 6 coincides with the axis of rotation of the body of revolution.

In order to achieve the aim of the absence of slots described above, it is only necessary correspondingly to shape the portion of the casing wall 12 of casing 1 facing the foot 2; laterally externally, at 13, the casing 1 can again overhang, in order to enable correspondingly larger mirror bodies 4 to be used. If the portion 14 of the foot 2 facing the casing wall 12 is shaped to conform with the body of revolution, guidance and drive systems for the casing 1 may be provided in this area. Thus the casing 1 may be equipped internally with an electrically-driven pinion 15, meshing with a toothed rack 16 curved to conform with the body of revolution, in order thus to enable pivoting in the direction of arrow 8. This pivoting movement is provided not only in order to obtain the parked position, but also when the external mirror is stressed in the direction of the mirror body 4. The pivoting movement in this case replaces the automatic pivoting provided in the case of mirrors with casings projecting at right angles. A possible method of guiding and securing the casing 1 can be seen in Fig. 5. Attached to the casing wall 12 is a laterally-projecting bolt 17, which passes through a slot 18 extending vertically to the axis of rotation 6 in the foot 2, and engages behind the wall of the foot 2 with a widened portion 19. The length of the slot 18 in this case corresponds to the length of the pivotal path in the direction of arrow 8.

In order to dispose the casing in an aerodynamically advantageous way, the axis of rotation 6 according to Fig. 2 is inclined forward and downward. The angle of incidence should be approximately 8 - 120; this angle is indicated at 20. It is also advantageous if the axis of rotation 6 is inclined, as in Fig. 4, forward towards the centre of the vehicle; the angle 21 should come to approximately 8 - 120.

As already mentioned, in the case of forces acting in the direction of arrow 22 (longitudinal direction of the vehicle), the casing 1 is capable of pivoting about axis 6 (fig. 3); this pivoting movement can be initiated by sensors or by other means, e.g. mounting of the struck casing 1 upon a ramp. If however, the casing 1 is stressed contrary to the direction of arrow 22, e.g. when the vehicle is travelling forward and an obstacle is contacted, a special effect results from the formation of the casing 1. An external contour is provided (when the casing 1 is seen from above - Fig. 4), which leads to deflection of the obstacle. For this reason the external contour is so selected that, approximately halfway along, the casing 1 forms with the direction of arrow 22 an angle of approximately 25 - 350, 7 the angle with the free edge 23 of the casing 1 reducing even to approximately 150. This effect of lateral drift is therefore of significance in connection with the mirror according to the invention, because, as Fig. 4 shows in particular, the mirror merges linearly and without steps via the foot 2 into the casing 1 and, because of its longitudinally - extended shape, affords to possibility of deflecting backwards by pivoting (against the direction of arrow 22).

Claims

An external rear-view mirror f or motor vehicles, with a casing formed at its rear, open end to receive an adjustable mirror body, said casing merging, at least at the top, seen in the plan view of the mirror, practically without a slot into the foot of the mirror, in which the casing, on its side facing the foot, is shaped in. the manner of a portion of the external surface of a body of revolution (circular cone, truncated circular cone, paraboloid), tapering in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is pivotable about the main axis of the body of revolution.
2. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing is shaped in the manner of the body of revolution only in the region facing the foot, and, preferably at an approximately opposite point, is provided with an overhang.
3. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which the end of the casing lying at the front in the direction of travel is rounded and is at least partly surrounded by a portion of the foot.
4. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which the portion of the foot facing the casing is also shaped to conform with the body of revolution, and serves as a pivotable securing means for the casing. 1
5. A mirror as claimed in claim 4, in which the casing is provided with a drivable pinion which meshes with a stationary, curved toothed rack.
6. A mirror as claimed in claim 4, in which the casing is provided with a projecting pin which passes through a slot located in the foot and engages behind the foot with a widened portion.
7. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing is pivotable downwards.
8. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which the body of revolution is shaped at least substantially as a paraboloid of revolution.
9. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which the pivotal axis of the casing is oriented slightly obliquely downwards.
10. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which the pivotal axis of the casing extends slightly obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
11. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which. the casing is pivotable in order to adopt a parked position.
12. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing pivots under the action of impacts.
13. A mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which the casing has with its external contour a deflecting edge for external resistances (obstacles), which forms with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle an angle of approximately 25 - 3500 especially an angle of approximately 300.
14. An external rear-view mirror for motor vehicles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.