JP2001158296A - Electric storing device for mirror - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To lower a rotational speed of an electric motor at a position near a final point of the mirror storing operation. SOLUTION: Voltage dropping means 1, 1' are mounted at an upstream side and a downstream side of an electric motor 2 in series for reducing the voltage fed to the electric motor 2 just before a final point of the storing operation. The voltage dropping means 1 is composed of a resistor 15, a diode 12 connected to the resistor 15 in parallel and controlling the current to flow in a predetermined direction, and a switching mechanism 11 connected to the resistor 15 in parallel, and operated in an opened (OFF) state when a driving mechanism 3 driven by the electric motor 2 reaches a position just before the operation final point. The switching mechanism 11 is operated in accompany with the operation of the driving mechanism 3, and composed of switch contacts 111, 111' and a cam 112.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric storage device for a mirror, and more particularly, to a reduction in power supplied to an electric motor in a final stage of a storage operation, thereby reducing a rotation speed of the electric motor. Thus, the present invention relates to an electric mirror storage device in which a load input to a gear train forming a drive mechanism is reduced, and a biting phenomenon does not occur in the gear train.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electric storage device for a mirror, in particular,
The electric storage device for a door mirror is, for example, as shown in FIG.
A mirror assembly 5 in which a mirror, a housing, and the like are integrally assembled is provided with a shaft 9 attached to a door side.
Are mounted so as to be rotatable around the motor, and are driven by a drive mechanism 3 mainly formed of a gear train including an electric motor 2 and a worm mechanism. Then, a control means 6 for stopping the operation of the electric motor 2 when the respective components are driven to predetermined positions is separately provided. The operation of the control means 6 prevents an excessive current from flowing into the electric motor 2 and prevents the electric motor 2 from burning. Further, in the above, when the electric motor 2 operates and the drive mechanism 3 rotates,
The entire housing (mirror assembly) 5 including the mirror rotates around the shaft 9 so that the mirror assembly 5 is retracted or unfolded.

[0003]

In each of these operations, at the final point (position) of the operation, generally, a large current instantaneously flows through the electric motor 2 in the operation end state of the drive mechanism 3. By the action of the large current, a relay device or the like provided in the control means 6 is operated, so that the power supply to the electric motor 2 is stopped. A relatively large driving force is input to the gear train and the like of the driving mechanism 3. As a result, a biting phenomenon occurs in the worm wheel and the like forming the gear train. In such a state, next, when the electric motor is driven to rotate in the reverse direction to drive the drive mechanism in the reverse direction, the drive mechanism is difficult to operate, and therefore, the electric motor malfunctions (startup failure). ). In order to solve such a problem, the rotation speed of the electric motor is reduced by reducing the power supply to the electric motor (decreasing the voltage) near (immediately before) the final operation point of the drive mechanism. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object (problem) of the present invention to provide a mirror electric storage device in which the bite phenomenon in the drive mechanism is prevented from occurring.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following measures. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an electric motor that is connected to a predetermined power supply via a switch and drives the next drive mechanism, and receives the power from the electric motor to store the mirror assembly An electric storage device for a mirror, comprising: a drive mechanism that operates and includes a gear train and the like; and control means serving to cut off an excessive current generated in the electric motor when an overload is applied to the electric motor. Regarding, between the control means and the electric motor, immediately before the final operation point of the drive mechanism driven by the electric motor, a voltage drop means that operates to reduce the power supplied to the electric motor, It was decided to adopt a configuration that was provided.

[0005] By adopting such a configuration, in the present invention, the electric power (current value) supplied to the electric motor is reduced immediately before the final operation point of the drive mechanism. Will decrease the rotation speed of the motor. As a result, the speed of the retracting or expanding operation of the mirror assembly is reduced, and the overall kinetic energy (KE) is reduced. Therefore, the occurrence of a biting phenomenon or the like in the gear train portion forming the driving mechanism is prevented.

Next, the invention according to claim 2 will be described. The feature of this is that it relates to the configuration of the voltage drop means for reducing the electric power supplied to the electric motor. That is, according to the present invention, in the electric storage device for a mirror according to claim 1, the voltage drop unit is connected in parallel with a resistor having a predetermined resistance value. A diode for performing current control in a fixed direction, and a diode connected in parallel to the resistor, wherein the drive mechanism changes from a closed (ON) state when the drive mechanism reaches a position immediately before its final operation point. Open (OFF)
And a switch mechanism that operates in a state. By adopting such a configuration, according to the present invention, the voltage drop means is formed of a simple component including a resistor having a predetermined resistance value, a diode, and an ON / OFF switch mechanism. And the manufacturing cost can be reduced. With such inexpensive components, the kinetic energy (KE) in the vicinity of the final operation point can be reduced, and the biting phenomenon in the drive mechanism can be prevented. Become.

Next, the third aspect of the present invention will be described. The feature of this is that it relates to a switch mechanism forming a voltage drop means. That is, in the electric storage device for a mirror according to claim 2, the switch mechanism is operated in accordance with the operation of the drive mechanism, and the operation center point of a base forming the voltage drop means is used as a fulcrum. And a cam provided at a position of an operation center point of the base and operated to open (OFF) the switch contact at a position immediately before an operation final point of the drive mechanism. , Is adopted. By adopting such a configuration, in the device of the present invention, the switch mechanism forming the voltage drop means is formed by a simple ON / OFF switch and a cam, and the overall configuration is simplified. Become so. As a result, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and further, the space can be saved.

Next, the invention according to claim 4 will be described. That is, according to the present invention, in the electric storage device for a mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the voltage drop means is operated such that the voltage drop means operates when the electric motor rotates forward and reverse, respectively. On both sides,
It was decided to adopt a configuration in which each was provided in series. By adopting such a configuration, in the case of the present invention, at the time of normal rotation and reverse rotation of the electric motor, the rotation speed of the electric motor is appropriately reduced near the final operation point thereof, The bite phenomenon in the gear train forming the driving mechanism is prevented both when the mirror assembly is retracted and when the mirror assembly is expanded.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Although it relates to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the configuration thereof includes a mirror assembly 5 integrated with a mirror housing and the like.
A shaft 9 for rotatably supporting the mirror assembly 5;
Electric motor 2 responsible for retracting operation of mirror assembly 5
And a driving mechanism 3 that receives the power from the electric motor 2 and stores and unfolds the mirror assembly 5.
When the mirror assembly 5 is retracted and unfolded based on the driving action of the drive mechanism 3, at the final point of the operation, it is possible to prevent an excessive current from flowing into the electric motor 2 and to prevent the electric motor 2 from flowing. Basically, it comprises control means 6 for stopping the operation, and voltage drop means 1, 1 'for reducing the power supplied to the electric motor 2 immediately before the end point of the operation of the drive mechanism 3. Things.

In such a configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the voltage drop means 1, 1 'is provided on a base 19 which rotates together with the mirror assembly 5, and has a predetermined voltage. Resistor 1 having a resistance value of
5, 15 ', diodes 12, 12' connected in parallel to the resistors 15, 15 ', and provided below the base 19, wherein the resistors 15, 1'
The switch contacts 111 and 111 'connected in parallel to the 5' and the diodes 12 and 12 'and the switch contacts are normally closed (ON state) when the switch contacts 111 and 111' come to predetermined positions. ) From the open state (OFF state) and is provided near the upper end of the shaft 9 supporting the mirror assembly 5.
And that is basically composed of The two switch contacts 111 and 111 'are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the rotation center point (O1 point) of the base 19 with respect to the shaft 9 (FIG. 2).
3), the voltage drop means 1, 1 'including such switch contacts 111, 111' are connected in series to the electric motor 2 with the electric motor 2 interposed therebetween, as shown in FIG. Is what it is. The control means 6 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is provided on the base 19 on which the voltage drop means 1, 1 'having such a configuration is installed. The control means 6 is provided to prevent an excessive current from flowing through the electric motor 2 when the drive mechanism 3 reaches the final operation position thereof, and includes a PTC element, a relay, and the like. It is formed by.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, a driving mechanism 3 for receiving the power from the electric motor 2 to drive the mirror assembly 5 includes a worm 32 directly connected to the rotating shaft of the electric motor 2, The worm wheel 31 includes a gear train 33 that meshes with and engages with the worm wheel 31 to rotate the mirror assembly 5 about a shaft 9 attached to a door body or the like.

The driving mechanism 3 having such a configuration
The shaft 9 of the mirror assembly 5 to be stored
As shown in FIG. 1, a base 19 that rotates integrally with the mirror assembly 5 and rotates around the shaft 9 is provided at a portion where the switch is mounted on the base 19. A voltage drop means 1, 1 'including a contact point 111 and the like is provided.
Also, near the upper end of the shaft 9, the base 19
Is provided with a cam 112 which makes a relative rotational movement with the switch contacts 111 and 111 'provided on the other side.

Next, the operation mode and the like of the embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. First, when the main switch 7 is turned on in FIG.
From there, a predetermined current flows to the electric motor 2 via the control means 6. As a result, the electric motor 2 rotates.
The drive mechanism 3 connected to the electric motor 2 operates, and the retracting operation or the expanding operation of the mirror assembly 5 (see FIG. 1) is performed. In these series of operations, the voltage drop means 1, 1 'as shown in FIG. 3 operates near the final operation point of the drive mechanism 3.

The operation of the voltage drop means 1, 1 'will be described mainly with reference to FIG. First, in storing the mirror assembly 5 in the expanded state, the switch contact 111 forming the voltage drop means 1 from the state of FIG.
The base 19 mounted on the cam 112 starts relative rotation with respect to the cam 112 in the direction of the solid arrow. At this time, one switch contact 111 is open (turned off).
However, the current from the battery 8 is as shown by the arrow in FIG.
The current flows to the electric motor 2 via the diode 12 without passing through the resistor 15. Therefore, in this state, the voltage supplied to the electric motor 2 has a higher value (predetermined voltage value) than that supplied by passing through the resistor 15 immediately before the final operation point. as a result,
The electric motor 2 is vigorously rotated in the reverse direction at a higher voltage value than immediately before the final operation point.
Therefore, the biting state when the operation of the gear train 33 or the like is stopped is released at a stretch. In such a state, when the electric motor 2 continues to rotate, the base 19 further rotates, and the state shown in FIG. 2B is obtained. At this time, the engaged state between the switch contact 111 and the cam 112 is released, the switch contact 111 is closed (ON state), and the current value supplied to the electric motor 2 is maximum in FIG. As a result, the electric motor 2 is driven to rotate at a high speed, and the retracting operation of the mirror assembly 5 is also performed at a high speed. When this state further proceeds, as shown in FIG. 2C, the other switch contact point 111 'and the cam 112 come into engagement with each other.
The switch contact 111 'is in an open state (OFF state). As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the resistor 15 'of the other voltage drop means 1' operates, and the voltage supplied to the electric motor 2 drops. That is, near the final point of the retracting operation of the drive mechanism 3, the supply voltage to the electric motor 2 is reduced, the rotation speed of the electric motor 2 is reduced, and the retracting operation of the mirror assembly 5 is performed slowly. Becomes As a result, the kinetic energy (KE) of the mirror assembly 5 is reduced near (immediately before) the final point of the retracting operation, and the worm wheel 31, the worm 32, and the gear train 33 forming the drive mechanism 3 (see FIG. 4). ) And the like are suppressed.

When the mirror assembly 5 stored in this manner is expanded, the main switch 7 shown in FIG.
Is turned on in the reverse direction, thereby causing the electric motor 2 to perform reverse rotation. Along with this, the substrate 19 forming the voltage drop means 1 is driven in the direction of the dashed arrow from the state of FIG. As a result, contrary to the case of the above-mentioned storage, the process proceeds to FIGS. 2B and 2A, and the deployment operation of the mirror assembly 5 is performed. In this case as well, a sufficient current is supplied to the electric motor 2 by flowing the current via the diode 12 'at the start point of the deployment operation. As a result, the driving mechanism 3 is driven vigorously. Then, near the last point (immediately before), one switch contact 111 is turned off, and the power supplied to the electric motor 2 is reduced (subject to a voltage drop). As a result, the deployment speed of the mirror assembly 5 is reduced,
The kinetic energy (KE) will be weakened.
Therefore, also in this case, similarly to the case of the above-mentioned storing operation, the biting phenomenon in the drive mechanism 3 is suppressed.

[0016]

According to the present invention, an electric motor which is connected to a predetermined power supply via a switch and drives a next driving mechanism, and a mirror assembly which receives power from the electric motor and accommodates the mirror assembly An electric storage device for a mirror, comprising: a drive mechanism that operates and includes a gear train and the like; and control means serving to cut off an excessive current generated in the electric motor when an overload is applied to the electric motor. Regarding, between the control means and the electric motor,
Immediately before the final operation point of the drive mechanism driven by the electric motor, a configuration is adopted in which a voltage drop unit that operates so as to reduce the power supplied to the electric motor is provided. Immediately before the final operation point of the mechanism, the rotational speed of the electric motor is reduced, and the speed of the retracting or expanding operation of the mirror assembly is reduced, so that the total kinetic energy (K) is reduced.
E) has been reduced. As a result, the occurrence of a biting phenomenon in the gear train forming the drive mechanism is prevented.

The voltage drop means may include a resistor having a predetermined resistance value, a diode connected in parallel to the resistor to control current in a predetermined direction, A switch contact and a cam, which are connected in parallel to the body, and which operate from a closed (ON) state to an open (OFF) state when the drive mechanism reaches a position immediately before its final operation point. And the switch mechanism formed by the above, the voltage drop means can be formed by simple parts, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. With such inexpensive components, the kinetic energy (KE) in the vicinity of the final operation point can be reduced, and the occurrence of the biting phenomenon in the drive mechanism can be prevented. It became so.

The switch mechanism forming the voltage drop means is operated in conjunction with the operation of the drive mechanism. The switch mechanism performs a rotary motion about the operating center point of the base forming the voltage drop means. And a switch contact which is provided at the operation center point position of the base and is located just before the final operation point of the drive mechanism.
FF) and a cam that operates so as to cause the voltage dropping means to be formed by a simple O mechanism.
It is formed by an N / OFF switch and a cam, and the overall configuration is simplified. As a result, it has become possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and further save the space.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a developed perspective view showing the overall configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation mode of a voltage drop unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the overall configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an entire configuration of a general mirror electric storage device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 voltage drop means 11 switch mechanism 111 switch contact 112 cam 1 'voltage drop means 11' switch mechanism 111 'switch contact 12 diode 12' diode 15 resistor 15 'resistor 19 base 2 electric motor 3 drive mechanism 31 worm wheel 32 worm 33 gear train 5 mirror assembly 6 control means 7 main switch 8 battery 9 shaft

Claims (4)

[Claims] An electric motor connected to a predetermined power supply via a switch and driving a next driving mechanism;
A drive mechanism that receives the power from the electric motor to perform a retracting operation of the mirror assembly and includes a gear train and the like, and a function of cutting off an excessive current generated in the electric motor when an overload is applied to the electric motor. And a control unit that performs
Between the control means and the electric motor, immediately before the final operation point of the drive mechanism driven by the electric motor,
An electric storage device for a mirror, further comprising a voltage drop unit that operates to reduce electric power supplied to the electric motor. 2. An electric storage device for a mirror according to claim 1, wherein said voltage drop means is connected in parallel to said resistor having a predetermined resistance value and in a fixed direction. And a diode for controlling the current flowing to the resistor in parallel with the resistor. When the drive mechanism reaches a position immediately before its final operation point, it changes from a closed (ON) state to an open ( And a switch mechanism that operates in an OFF) state. 3. The electric storage device for a mirror according to claim 2, wherein the switch mechanism is operated in conjunction with the operation of the drive mechanism, and the operation center point of the base forming the voltage drop means. And a switch contact which rotates at a fulcrum, and which is provided at an operation center point position of the base and operates so as to open (OFF) the switch contact at a position immediately before the final operation point of the drive mechanism. An electric storage device for a mirror, comprising: a cam; 4. The electric storage device for a mirror according to claim 1, wherein the voltage lowering means is provided on both sides of the electric motor so as to be operated when the electric motor rotates forward and reversely. An electric mirror storage device characterized by being provided in series with each other.