JPH0366172B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a door mirror for an automobile. In particular, a shock-absorbing door mirror has a tilting mechanism designed to alleviate external shocks and artificially tilt the mirror housing of the door mirror that protrudes from the outside of the vehicle, thereby holding the door mirror tilted inward from the outside of the vehicle. It is related to.

<<Prior art and its problems>> A conventional electrically retractable door mirror is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Utility Model Application No. 60-58553. According to this, a housing is rotatably installed on a door (vehicle body) via a rotating shaft of a base, and this rotating shaft is connected to a drive shaft of a motor via gear means, so that the housing is rotated by the motor. It is designed so that it can be stored on the door (vehicle body) side.

Generally, an automobile door mirror D is often arranged to protrude from the outside of the vehicle body by an amount l, as shown in FIG.

This is because the mirrors installed in the door mirrors are flat mirrors and are close to the driver's viewpoint, so it is not possible to obtain sufficient rearward visibility with the mirror area of the conventional fender mirror, that is, the field of view image area. The reason for this was that the door mirrors had to be made larger, and the entire door mirrors had to be larger.

For this reason, as mentioned above, there is a risk that external objects or people may come into contact with the portion protruding from the outside of the vehicle body, resulting in an unexpected accident. In addition, the protruding portion l becomes an increase in the loading capacity when the vehicle is transported, which not only increases the transportation cost but also sometimes becomes an obstacle when the vehicle is put into a garage.

Therefore, the electrically retractable door mirrors mentioned above are shock-absorbing door mirrors that have a tilting mechanism to reduce the impact when the mirror housing tilts due to external force if an obstacle occurs when entering the garage. The configuration disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 58-33339 was adopted. That is, the mirror housing (mirror body) that holds the mirror in a freely adjustable manner and the mounting base are connected by a hinge plate, and the mirror housing (mirror body) is crimped and held on the mounting base by two tension coil springs. In the event of an external impact, the mirror housing (mirror main body) is tilted in the direction of the impact against the tension coil spring to alleviate the impact and to prevent the impact from occurring when the vehicle is being transported or parked in a garage. The mirror housing (mirror body) is artificially forced to tilt and a tilting holding member (retaining plate) is interposed between the mirror housing (mirror body) and the mounting base. It was held in a tilted state relative to the mounting base.

However, in such conventional technology, the mirror housing (mirror body) and the mounting base are crimped by two tension coil springs, and the mirror housing (mirror body) is pressed against the tension coil springs. Since the structure is such that the shock from the outside is alleviated by tilting, there is a risk that when a shock is received, the resistance to the tilting of the tension coil spring may become an unexpected obstacle and cause serious damage. Also, when the mirror housing (mirror main body) is artificially tilted relative to the mounting base during transportation or storage in a garage, a force resisting the tension coil spring is applied and the tilting holding member (hinge plate) is held in between. It was necessary to intervene, and it was a considerable burden on those who were weak. Also, the tilting holding member (hinge plate)
Since it is provided as a separate structure from the shock-absorbing door mirror, there was a risk of it being lost.

Furthermore, in the case of electrically retractable door mirrors, the above-mentioned tilting mechanism is constructed separately from the rotation transmission means from the motor to the mirror housing tilting, so that when the mirror housing is tilted due to an impact, the rotation transmission is A large impact will be applied to the toothed part of the gear, which may damage the gear teeth or overload the motor, leading to damage. This led to the need for countermeasures such as these, which led to the size of door mirrors becoming larger and larger. This increase in size is the most worrying thing when used as an automobile door mirror.

<Object of the Invention> The present invention provides a shock-absorbing door mirror equipped with a tilting mechanism that prevents the impact force from being transmitted to a drive mechanism such as a gear means or a motor even if an impact is applied to the housing. The purpose is to

<<Structure of the Invention>> The door mirror of the present invention includes: a base fixed to a vehicle body; a mirror housing rotatably supported on the base via a rotation shaft; and a drive mechanism disposed within the mirror housing. a gear fixed to the motor output shaft of the drive mechanism; a gear meshing with the gear and attached to the rotation shaft; an overload prevention means for the drive mechanism provided on the rotation shaft; The overload prevention means includes a buffer means provided in a bearing between the mirror housing and the base at the lower side, and the overload prevention means is formed in a conical recess formed in the mirror housing and a rotation shaft, and the outer periphery is fitted into the conical recess. The buffering means has a conical protrusion that fits into the inner peripheral surface of the conical part and is formed on the base, a flange formed on the conical part, and a day tent provided on the base side abutment surface of the flange, and between the base and the housing and a spring receiver having a spring attached to the rotary shaft that biases the pressure holding force of the overload prevention means and the buffer means; The shock absorber is compressed so that the pressure holding force of the buffer means is greater than the pressure holding force of the overload prevention means.

<<Description of the Embodiment>> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the door mirror of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the mirror housing 2 has a generally elongated and rectangular box shape and holds the mirror 1 in its opening in a freely adjustable manner via a universal joint (not shown). The base 3 side of the mirror housing 2 is formed in an arc shape, and a hook-shaped fitting part 21 for the base 3 is formed in the lower part. Further, inside the mirror housing 2 of the fitting part 21, a motor 41 and a reducer 42 of the drive mechanism 4 are installed.
, the two gears 43 of the drive mechanism 4,
44, and a conical recess 24 formed between the space 23 and the fitting portion 21. The fitting portion 21 of the conical recess 24
A contact surface 25 for the collar 51 of the rotating shaft 5 is formed on the side.

The base 3 includes a base main body 31 fixed to a vehicle body (not shown) and a support part 32 that rotatably supports the mirror housing 2.
Reference numeral 2 denotes an inner circumferential surface of the conical portion 52 of the rotating shaft 5, which is roughly hook-shaped so as to correspond to the hook-shaped fitting portion 21 of the mirror housing 2, and whose outer periphery fits into the conical recess 24 of the mirror housing 2. The conical convex portion 33 into which the
It protrudes toward the error housing 2 side. A housing portion 53 for the coil spring 9 is provided on the support portion 32 side of the conical convex portion 33 . Also, Figure 9 shows
This is a detailed view of the support part 32 of the base 3, and a protrusion 35 protruding from the conical convex part 33 is provided on the contact surface 34 of the support part 32 with the fitting part 21 of the mirror housing 2 at an angle of 120°. are provided at intervals.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the rotation shaft 5 includes a hollow shaft 54 and a conical portion 52 having a flange 51 on the periphery formed in the middle of the shaft 54,
A storage portion 5 is provided between the conical portion 52 and the central axis 54.
3 is provided. Further, the circumferential portion 52 of the shaft 54
Further upwardly (in FIG. 4), a mounting portion 55 for the gear 43 of the drive mechanism 4 and a fitting groove 56 for the retaining ring of the spring receiver 7 are formed, and similarly, a fitting groove 56 for the retaining ring of the spring receiver 7 is formed in the lower shaft portion. A retaining ring fitting groove 57 is provided. Note that 58 is a fitting recess formed on the lower surface of the collar 51 into which the projection 35 of the base 3 is fitted. Then, this protrusion 35 and the fitting recess 5
8 to form a so-called day tent.

The mirror housing 2, base 3, drive mechanism 4, rotation shaft 5, and springs 6, 9 constructed as described above are assembled as shown in FIG. 4.
That is, first, the shaft 54 of the rotating shaft 5 is disposed to penetrate through the conical convex portion 33 formed on the support portion 32 of the base 3 . At this time, the outer peripheral surface 33 of the conical convex portion 33
The inner circumferential surface 52b of the conical portion 52 of the rotating shaft 5 abuts and fits into the a, and the flange portion 51 abuts against the abutting surface 34 of the base 3. At this time, the fitting recess 58 formed in the flange 51 of the circumferential portion of the rotating shaft 5 and the protrusion 35 on the contact surface 34 of the base 3 are fitted in a proper position. Above that, there is a conical recess 2 of the mirror housing 2.
4 is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface 52a of the conical portion 52 of the rotating shaft 5, and the gear 43 is fitted onto the shaft 54 in a non-rotatable manner and disposed within the space 23 of the mirror housing 2. Then, the gear 44 is connected to the drive shaft 41a of the motor 41.
The lid 23
a, and the motor 41 is disposed on the mounting portion 22 on the lid 23a. Finally, the springs 6 and 9 are compressed into the mounting portion 23 and the storage portion 53 at the upper and lower ends of the rotating shaft 5 via the spring receivers 7 and 8, respectively. The cord 41c of the motor 4 is connected to the hollow part 54 of the shaft 54.
It passes through a and is led out to the outside.

As is clear from the above configuration, the conical concave portion 24 of the mirror housing 2 and the conical convex portion 3 of the base 3
3 refers to the outer circumferential surface 52a of the conical portion 52 of the rotating shaft 5.
and inner circumferential surface 52b by coil springs 6, 9, and the rotating shaft 5 and base 3 are connected by a fitting recess 58 provided in the collar 51 and a protrusion 35 provided in the contact surface 34. Then, they are further fitted and pressed together for positioning.

Next, to explain the operation of the embodiment of the present invention, the first
When the mirror housing 2 is manually rotated and tilted relative to the base 3 by remote control using a switch in the room as shown in FIG. 5, for example, when the mirror housing 2 is tilted backward, the motor of the drive mechanism 4 is 41 is rotated, and the speed is reduced by the reducer 42.
When the transmission is transmitted to the gear 44 fixed to the output shaft and the gear 43, the gear 43 is non-rotatably attached to the mounting portion 55 of the shaft 54 of the rotation shaft 5, and further
Since the rotation of the gear 44 with respect to the base 3 is restricted by the fitting recess 58 and the protrusion 35, the gear 44 engages and rotates around the gear 43 while rotating.

Therefore, the mirror housing 2 to which the gear 43 is fixed rotates and tilts rearward while contacting the outer peripheral surface 52a of the conical portion 52 of the rotating shaft 5. Conversely, when rotating and tilting the mirror housing 2 forward with respect to the base 3 side, by reversing the motor 51, the gear 44 can be rotated in the opposite direction to the gear 43 and revolved. Therefore, the same is achieved.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when an external force P is applied to the mirror housing 2, the gears 43 and 44 mesh and do not rotate, so that the mirror housing 2 and the rotating shaft 5 are fixed. , the external force is applied to the conical portion 33 of the base 3, the contact surface 34, the inner circumferential surface 52b of the conical portion 52 of the rotating shaft 5, and the collar 51, and the projection 35 of the contact surface 34 and the collar 51 fit together. The engagement state with the recessed portion 58 is released against the coil springs 6 and 9, and the rotating shaft 5 is raised to rotate the mirror housing 2 together with the rotating shaft 5 with respect to the base 3.
At this time, the buffer means between the inner circumferential surface 52b of the rotating shaft 5 and the outer circumferential surface 33a of the conical portion 33 of the base 3 releases the pressure-contact holding state and rotates circumferentially, and at the same time the outer circumferential surface of the conical portion 52 of the rotating shaft 5 The overload prevention means between the surface 52a and the conical recess 24 of the mirror housing 2 releases the pressed state and rotates circumferentially. Therefore, the mirror housing 2 is rotated and tilted relative to the base 3.

In the above-described embodiment, when the mirror housing 2 receives an external impact from a bit or an object, the outer peripheral surface 52 of the conical portion 52 provided on the rotating shaft 5
a and the conical recess 24 of the mirror housing 2, and an overload prevention means of the drive mechanism consisting of springs 6 and 9 that press the conical recess 24 of the mirror housing 2; The pressure holding force between the inner circumferential surface 52b of the conical portion 52 and the outer circumferential surface 33a of the conical convex portion 33 of the base 3 and the buffer means constituted by the springs 6 and 9 is determined by the rotation axis 5.
As a result, the tension of the spring 9 provided at the lower part of the spring 6 provided at the upper part of the outer periphery of the lower spring 9 is made larger than that of the upper spring 6.
The pressure holding force of the buffer means is greater than the pressure holding force of the overload prevention means, so that when an external force is applied to the mirror housing 2, the overload prevention means and the buffer means are pressed and rotated at the same time. In addition, in order to first release the buffering means to the pressure-contact holding state and then release the pressure-contact holding state of the overload prevention means and rotate the pressure-contact, the tension of the spring 9 must be increased or the tension of the springs 6 and 9 must be increased. This can be achieved by adjusting the depth of the fitted state between the fitting recess 58 formed on the collar 51 of the rotating shaft 5 and the protrusion 35 provided on the contact surface 34 of the base 3, which are the same. . Furthermore, in this example, the springs are compressed above and below the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 5, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one spring may be placed between the overload prevention means and the buffer means, or between the buffer means. It may be contracted around the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 5 at the lower part or the upper part of the overload prevention means. Further, although the overload prevention means is constructed by integrally surrounding the rotating shaft with the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the conical portion 52 by conical bearings between the base and the housing, a separate circumferential member may also be used. An engagement member such as a friction member or a protrusion may be provided above or below the gear provided on the rotating shaft to release the pressure contact.
Also, in the case of the buffer means, a protrusion, ball, or recess is formed on the conical convex portion 33 of the base 2, and the recess, receiving portion, or protrusion that engages with the protrusion is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the conical portion.
It may also be provided at 2b. That is, a conical recess formed in the mirror housing, a conical part formed in the rotating shaft and whose outer periphery fits into the conical recess, a spring receiver attached to the rotating shaft, and a spring compressed between the base and the housing. and constitute an overload prevention means, a conical convex portion formed on the conical portion and the base and fitted to the inner circumferential surface of the conical portion, a flange formed on the conical portion, and a base side abutment of the flange. The day tent provided on the contact surface and the spring constitute a buffering means, which allows the mirror housing to rotate and tilt relative to the base, allowing the door mirror to tilt smoothly toward the vehicle body, thereby preventing damage to people or property. It is possible to obtain a door mirror capable of alleviating impact without causing any damage to the motor or the like.

<<Effects of the Invention>> As is clear from the above configuration, the door mirror of the present invention has the following effects.

1. When the mirror housing is artificially rotated and tilted by remote control during shipping or storage, the gear fixed to the motor output shaft of the drive mechanism forms the center of rotation. Because it revolves while rotating on its axis, it has an extremely simple structure, and can be rotated and tilted smoothly with a small amount of driving force.

2. Since the rotation of the motor is achieved by a reduction mechanism and two gears, etc., deceleration is easily achieved, and a small motor with a high rotation speed can be used, allowing the overall size to be reduced.

3. Since the mirror housing, rotation shaft, and base are each circumferentially surrounded by a conical bearing and a conical circumferential part, the area of their contact surfaces is large, and the mirror housing is protected against vibration. It doesn't shake much.

4. When an external impact is received, the two gears are firmly fixed, so the impact force is transmitted to the motor, reducing the possibility of damaging the motor. Moreover, the mirror housing and rotating shaft are securely connected to the base. Since it can be rotated and tilted, damage to drive mechanisms such as motors or damage to people or property due to impact can be alleviated.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing how the door mirror is attached to the vehicle body, FIGS. 2 to 9 show the door mirror of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 3, and Figure 5 shows how the mirror housing is manually rotated to the rear of the vehicle by remote control. FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a state in which the mirror housing is rotated and tilted backwards due to an external impact; FIG. Fig. 8 shows the rotation axis, Fig. A is a left side view, and Fig. B is a partially sectional front view. , Figure C is a right side view, Figure D is a bottom view, Figure 9 shows the support part of the base, Figure A is a plan view, Figure B is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Figure A, and Figure C is a cross-sectional view taken along line D in Figure A. -D sectional view. 1...Mirror, 2...Mirror housing, 21
...Fitting part, 22...Mounting part, 23...Air gap, 2
4... Conical recess, 3... Base, 31... Base main body, 32... Support part, 33... Conical convex part,
35... Protrusion, 4... Drive mechanism, 43, 44...
Gear, 5... Rotating shaft, 52... Conical part, 52a...
...Outer circumferential surface, 52b...Inner circumferential surface, 58... Fitting recess, 6, 9... Coil spring, 7, 8... Washer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A base fixed to the vehicle body, a mirror housing rotatably supported on the base via a rotation shaft, a drive mechanism disposed within the mirror housing, and a mirror housing fixed to the motor output shaft of the drive mechanism. a gear, a gear meshing with the gear and attached to the rotating shaft, an overload prevention means for the drive mechanism provided on the rotating shaft, and a bearing between the mirror housing and the base below the rotating shaft. the overload prevention means has a conical recess formed in the mirror housing and a conical part formed in the rotation shaft and whose outer periphery fits into the conical recess; The buffering means is provided on the conical part, a conical protrusion fitted to the inner circumferential surface of the conical part and formed on the base, a flange formed on the conical part, and a base-side abutting surface of the flange. A spring having a day tent and urging the pressure holding force of the overload prevention means and the buffer means is compressed between the spring receiver attached to the rotating shaft, the base, and the housing, and the spring is compressed between the base and the housing. A door mirror characterized in that the pressure holding force of the buffer means is greater than the pressure holding force.