JPH09142215A - Outside rear view mirror for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily watch an image close to rear wheels and a rear bumper, and concurrently prevent visual recognition for a rear view from being degraded when a rear view mirror equipped with a quick angular change means is changed in angle downward. SOLUTION: The mirror surface 14 of the outside rear view mirror for a vehicle is supported by a mirror reflection angle adjusting actuator unit 20 via a hold member, in order to visually recognize widely the rear side image when the mirror surface 14 is changed in angle downward by a prescribed large angle by a quick angular deformation means 50, the mirror surface is formed out of a main mirror surface area 14a composed of a great constant curvature convex surface, and of an auxiliary mirror surface area 14b composed of a gradually changing curvature convex surface formed continuously to the upper part of the main mirror surface.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rearview mirror in which an auxiliary mirror surface area having a gradually changing curvature convex surface is formed above a main mirror surface area having a constant curvature convex surface so that an upper image is not lost when adjusting a mirror surface angle. In particular, the present invention relates to an external rear-view mirror for a vehicle, in which the mirror surface angle is rapidly changed when the vehicle moves backward so that the vicinity of the rear wheel can be widely viewed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a vehicle moves backwards in a narrow place such as when the vehicle is moved to the front or the garage is retracted, it is often desired to visually recognize the vicinity of the rear wheels rather than the distance behind the vehicle. In such a case, conventionally, it was necessary to electrically or manually adjust the reflection angle of the mirror surface downward and then to move the vehicle backward. Also, since it takes time to operate such a mirror surface adjustment switch, a rearview mirror that automatically and rapidly changes the mirror surface downward when the reverse gear is selected and the vehicle can be moved backward is also proposed. ing. For example, the actual Kaihei 4-125944, the same 6-6
No. 8992, No. 4-41047 and No. 6-6
In No. 8992, the actuator unit is provided with a built-in rapid angle changing means for advancing / retreating a movable pivot for vertical reflection angle adjustment by a predetermined stroke, and by operating the shift lever of the drive system to the reverse side when the vehicle moves backward, It discloses an electric rear-view mirror capable of automatically rotating the mirror surface downward by driving the reversible motor 3 of FIG. Separately from this, actual Kaihei 1-102037
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-52252 discloses that a lower part of a convex mirror is bent so that a lower visual field portion different from the main mirror portion can be seen at the same time.

[0003]

With these devices, when the vehicle moves backwards, such as when entering the garage, the downward deflection of the mirror causes
Although the images near the rear wheel and the rear bumper that are most desired to be viewed are large and easy to see, the view behind the vehicle is lost and a new blind spot occurs. Especially when using the rapid angle changing method, it takes a very short time (0.1 to 0.5 seconds).
Since it changes the angle at, there is a high risk of overlooking obstacles in the distance behind. Further, in the case where the lower part of the convex mirror is bent, the image of the ground reflected on the auxiliary mirror portion flows while the vehicle is running, which gives a great sense of discomfort. Furthermore, if the connecting portion between the normal mirror and the auxiliary mirror is bent, it is difficult to understand the relationship between the images, and a sense of discomfort is great. It is an object of the present invention to provide a rearview mirror for a vehicle in which a reflection angle can be adjusted by an electric remote control so that an upper image is not lost when looking downward, and another object is a rapid angle changing type. Another object of the present invention is to provide a rearview mirror that makes it easy to see the images near the rear wheels and the rear bumper and does not reduce the visibility of the rear view when the vehicle rearview mirror changes rapidly downward.

[0004]

To achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a rearview mirror in which an upper image is not lost when the mirror surface angle is adjusted. That is, a rearview mirror having a mechanism for adjusting the mirror surface is characterized by having a main mirror surface area with a constant curvature convex surface and an auxiliary mirror surface area with a gradually changing curvature convex surface formed continuously above the main mirror surface area. . Further, in a rearview mirror provided with a quick angle changing means for changing a mirror surface downward at a predetermined angle, the mirror surface is supported on a mirror reflection angle adjusting actuator unit side through a holding member, and the quick angle changing means is provided. When the mirror surface is deflected downward by a predetermined angle, the main field of the constant curvature convex surface and the gradually changing curvature convex surface continuously formed on the upper part of the main mirror surface area allow the rear view image to be widely visible. And an auxiliary mirror surface area. The mirror reflection angle adjusting actuator unit includes first and second movable pivots for adjusting vertical and horizontal reflection angles arranged in an actuator unit housing, and the first and second movable pivots arranged in the housing. First and second moving back and forth of the movable pivot in the axial direction
A power transmission element having a motor and a worm gear, and a mirror surface rapid changing means arranged in a housing concentric with the first movable pivot;
A mechanism for sliding a screw rod portion screwed into the first movable pivot and a motor for driving the mechanism are configured.

[0005]

When a vehicle rearview mirror whose reflection angle can be adjusted in an electric remote control manner is viewed downward, the upper image is reduced by the auxiliary mirror surface area formed by the gradually changing curvature convex surface continuously formed on the upper portion of the main mirror surface area. Even so, obstacles can be visually recognized without being lost. While the mirror body is running in the neutral state, the convex surface with a gradual curvature reflects the distance (the sky), so the scenery does not flow and there is no discomfort. Depending on the shape of the visor of the mirror body, the visor (particularly the upper edge of the opening of the mirror body) can be projected on the convex surface of the gradually changing curvature while traveling. Further, in the rear-view mirror provided with the rapid angle changing means, in addition to the above-mentioned action, the driver's operation is further unnecessary, and the driver's burden can be reduced. When the vehicle moves backward (reverse state), the rear surface near the rear wheel is projected on the main mirror surface area, which is a convex surface with a constant curvature, due to the rapid mirror angle change, so that a large image can be easily obtained. Even in that case, since the rear of the vehicle is reflected in the auxiliary mirror surface area of the convex surface of gradually changing curvature, the image is small, but an obstacle or the like can be visually recognized.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The following embodiments show an example in which the present invention is applied to a rearview mirror provided with a mechanism capable of adjusting a reflection angle by an electric remote controller and a rapid angle changing means. 1 is a front view of an electric remote control type rearview mirror assembly of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view when a mirror (mirror) is rapidly bent, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the rear view in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a side view showing the rear view in the state of FIG. Although the illustrated example shows a door mirror on the left side of the vehicle, a rearview mirror described below may be mounted on the right side or the left and right.

The rear-view mirror assembly 10 includes an actuator unit 20 for holding a mirror holder 13 having a mirror 14 in a mirror body 12 rotatably mounted on a base 11 and adjusting a reflection angle. ing. Mirror 1
4 is supported by a pivot 22 on the side of the mirror reflection angle adjusting actuator unit 20 via a holding member (hollow spherical trapezoidal pivot 15) as described later, and the rapid angle changing means 5 is provided.
When the mirror surface is deflected downward by a predetermined large angle by 0, the main mirror surface area (constant R surface) 14a having a large constant curvature convex surface and the upper part of the main mirror surface area are continuously formed so that the rear view image can be widely viewed. 14b of the auxiliary mirror surface region (gradually changing R surface) which is formed as a convex surface and gradually increases its curvature.
With

Actuator unit 2 for adjusting the mirror reflection angle
The zero housing is formed by fitting a front housing 21a and a rear housing 21b. Rear housing 2
1b is a concave spherical socket 2 for holding a mirror on its outer surface
Two. The mirror holder 13 is provided with a hollow spherical trapezoidal center pivot 15 and pivot receivers 16 and 17 for adjusting vertical and horizontal reflection angles on the back surface thereof. The central pivot 15 is fitted into the concave spherical socket 22 on the outer surface of the rear housing, the spherical trapezoidal cap 25 is inserted into the shaft 18 inside the central pivot 15, and the tapping screw 23 and the helical spring 24 are used to center the torque. Tighten the pivot 15 to hold the mirror (Fig. 1,
2).

Similar to the actuator unit 20 disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 6-68992, the through holes 26 are formed in the rear housing 21b at a position spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the orthogonal direction with the central pivot 15 as the center. Open and project the movable pivots 36 and 46 for adjusting the vertical and horizontal reflection angles. In the housing, the first and second movable pivots 36 and 46 are moved forward and backward in the axial direction.
The first with the second motor 31, 41 and the worm gear,
The second power transmission element and the mirror rapid angle changing means 50 arranged in the housing concentric with the first movable pivot 36.
And incorporate.

The rapid angle changing means 50 is arranged in a rotatable cylindrical action block 70, the inside of the action block 70, is shifted in the axial direction by the rotation of the action block 70, and has a screw rod portion. 67
It is formed of a slide member 65 having a motor and an action block driving motor (third motor) 51.
The adjusting nut 35 formed by the claw 37 of the movable pivot 36 for adjusting the vertical reflection angle is screwed into the screw rod portion 67 of the slide member 65 (FIGS. 2 and 3), but for adjusting the left and right reflection angles. The adjusting nut formed by a plurality of claws extending from the root portion of the movable pivot 46 to one side is screwed into a screw rod portion (not shown) provided on the bottom of the housing.

The power transmission means for adjusting the vertical mirror reflection angle is formed by a first worm 33 fixed to the shaft of the first motor 31 and a first worm wheel 34 meshing with the worm. It Warm wheel 34
The slide member 65 having the screw rod portion 67 is arranged in the front housing in a concentric position with the rotation stopper. The slide member 65 is inserted into the protrusions 94, 95, 96 formed on the front housing 21a in a non-rotating state (FIGS. 2 and 3).

By driving the first motor 31, the worm wheel 34 is rotated to move the movable pivot 36 with an adjusting nut forward and backward to adjust the vertical reflection angle of the mirror. At this time, the fins 30 of the adjusting nut 35 are engaged with the vertical grooves 39 and the adjusting nut 35 is rotated and slid in the axial direction. At the time of overload, the elastic force of the claw 37 disengages the tip of the claw from the screw thread of the screw rod portion 67 to act as a clutch, thereby preventing the conversion means from being damaged.

The power transmission means for adjusting the left-right direction mirror reflection angle is formed by a second worm 43 fixed to the second motor shaft 42 and a second worm wheel 44 meshing with the worm. Also, warm wheel 4
A screw rod (not shown) formed in the front housing concentric with 4 is screwed into a claw forming an adjust nut. By driving the second motor 41, the worm wheel 44 is rotated to move the movable pivot 37 with an adjusting nut that meshes with the screw rod forward and backward to adjust the reflection angle in the left-right direction of the mirror.

The rapid angle changing means is, as shown in FIGS.
The slide member 65 is shifted to rapidly tilt the mirror to a downward angle at which the rear view near the rear wheel can be visually recognized. The third motor 51, the power transmission means, the action block 70, and the support member 80 are provided. The main component. The third motor 51 is arranged in the housing between the first and second motors 31 and 41, and the main members below the power transmission means are accommodated by being wrapped with the first rotation / reciprocation conversion means. A compact rearview mirror angle adjusting device can be configured without increasing the housing thickness.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, this power transmission means is the same as the worm 53 mounted on the output shaft 52 of the third motor 51, the twin gear (intermediate gear) 54, and the first screw rod portion. The fan gear 60 is arranged on the axis and meshes with the flat gear of the twin gear to rotate by a predetermined angle. The twin gear 54 is integrally formed with a worm wheel 55 that meshes with the worm 53 for rapid angle changing at the upper stage and a flat gear 56 that meshes with the fan gear 60 at the lower stage. The central hole 57 of the twin gear is fitted to a shaft 58 provided in the front housing.

As shown in FIG. 3, the front housing 2
A shaft 5 for supporting the twin gear 54 at approximately the center of the inner wall of 1a.
8 is set up. Further, a recess 90 is formed in the inner wall of the front housing 21a near the mounting position of the slide member 65. Inside this recess 90, a pair of arc-shaped guides 9 that rotatably hold the action block 70 inside.
1, 92 and pins 94, 95, 96 for fixing the slide member 60 in a non-rotating state are provided.

The slide member 65 has a bottomed cylindrical portion 66.
And a spiral cam groove 69 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 66 for converting the rotation of the action block into the movement of the slide member in the axial direction, and the cylindrical portion from the center of the bottomed cylindrical portion toward the cylindrical opening side. 66 is provided with a screw rod portion 67 extending over the height of 66 and screwed into the first adjusting nut, and is slidable in the axial direction inside an arc-shaped guide (not shown). It is fitted. The cam groove 69 on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion is engaged with a pin 77 provided on an action block 70 described later. The upper end of the cam groove 69 has a cutout 69a.
Are formed. The pins 94, 95, 96 provided on the inner wall of the front housing 21a are inserted into the central hole 67a and the rotation stop hole (not shown), respectively, to slide the slide member 65.
Is rotatably supported so as to be movable in the axial direction of the member (FIG. 3).

The fan-shaped gear 60 is formed by engaging a pair of tongue pieces 63, which are provided at opposite positions on the inner side of the upper edge of the inner wall of the annular body 61, at the opposite positions with the slit 72 formed in the cylindrical portion of the action block 70. This is for synchronously rotating the action block 70 at the same angle.

The action block 70 is a fan-shaped gear 60.
For converting the rotational movement of the cylindrical cam into a linear movement in the axial direction of the cylindrical cam, the cylindrical main body 71, a pair of slits 72 formed in the diametrical direction of the cylindrical main body 71, and an outer flange provided below the slit 72. 73, an annular groove 74 formed substantially in the center of the outer periphery of the cylindrical body 71, an inner flange 75 protruding inward from the upper edge of the cylindrical body 71, and a flange 75.
And the pin 77 provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical body 71. The pin 77 protruding from the inner wall of the action block 70 is engaged with the cam groove 69 of the slide member 65, and when the action block 70 rotates, the slide member 65 is fitted into the cam groove 69 of the slide member 65 by the pin 77. The adjusting nut 35, which is pushed up along with the screw rod portion 67 on the leading end side of the slide member, also moves to rapidly change the mirror angle. At this time, the tongue piece 63 protruding from the inner surface of the fan gear is fitted into the slit 72 provided in the axial direction on the outer circumference of the action block.

Next, the operation will be described. (Normal tilting) The slide member 65 that is prevented from rotating
Stands still with the bottom of the cylindrical portion substantially in contact with the inner surface of the front housing 21a. In this state, to adjust the vertical angle of the mirror, the first motor 31 is rotated by operating a switch (not shown). This rotation is transmitted to the adjusting nut 35 via the worm 33 and the worm wheel 34. Adjust nut fin 30
Is engaged with the vertical groove 39 formed in the boss hole 38 of the worm wheel 34, so that the adjusting nut 35 rotates in synchronization with the worm wheel 34. The adjusting nut 35 is thrust in the axial direction by the action of the claw 37 of the adjusting nut 35 that engages with the screw rod portion 67 of the slide member, and the tilting causes the mirror 11 to be tilted about the central pivot 15 and the vertical direction. Adjust the mirror angle of (Figs. 2 and 3).

To adjust the horizontal angle of the mirror, the second motor 41 is operated by operating a switch (not shown).
To rotate. This rotation is transmitted to the adjusting nut 45 via the worm 43 and the worm wheel 44. The fin 40 of the adjusting nut is a worm wheel 44.
The adjusting nut 45 rotates in synchronism with the worm wheel 44 since it is engaged with the vertical groove 49 formed in the boss hole 48). The adjusting nut 45 slides in the axial direction by the action of the claw 47 of the adjusting nut 45 which engages with the screw rod 28, and the mirror angle is adjusted by this sliding. The adjust nut 45 is thrust in the axial direction, and by this thrust, the mirror 11 is tilted about the central pivot 15 to adjust the mirror angle in the left-right direction. As described above, while the mirror body 11 is traveling in the neutral state, the rear surface is projected by the primary mirror area 14a having a constant curvature convex surface, and the gradually changing curvature convex surface 14b projects a distant (sky) state, so that the scenery does not flow, There is no discomfort (Fig. 4).

(Rapid angle changing action) The mirror 14 at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2 is rapidly angled greatly downward by the third motor 51. That is, by switching operation, the motor 5
1 rotation, worm 53, twin gear (intermediate gear) 5
The fan-shaped gear 60 and the action block 70 are rotated via 4. Since the slide member 65 engages the pin with the rotation stop hole, the pin 77 of the action block 70 is
By the action of the spiral cam groove 69 of the slide member 65,
The slide member 65 is pushed up in the axial direction by a predetermined displacement amount. Due to this pushing up, the adjustment nut 35 screwed into the screw slides and changes rapidly.

When the fan gear 60 is rotated through the worm 53 and the twin gear (intermediate gear) by the rotation of the third motor, the tongue 63 inside the fan gear 60 engages with the slit 72 of the action block 70. Therefore, the action block 70 rotates together with the fan gear. Third
When the motor of FIG.
It stops when it hits, and stops when it rotates in reverse. The action block 70 includes an annular groove 74 on the outer peripheral surface.
In addition, since the four claws 82 of the support member 80 are engaged and are rotatably held, the play of the action block in the thrust direction is eliminated and the visibility of the mirror is improved.
In this way, when the vehicle is moving backward (reverse state), the rear mirror area (constant R surface) 14a formed by the constant curvature convex surface having a large curvature radius is projected near the rear wheel. Since the rear of the vehicle is reflected on the (gradually changing R surface) 14b, the image is small but obstacles and the like can be visually recognized (FIG. 5).

[0024]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the reflection angle is adjusted by the electric remote controller to look downward, the auxiliary mirror surface area is formed by the gradually changing curvature convex surface continuously formed on the upper part of the main mirror surface area. Even if the upper image becomes small, obstacles and the like can be visually recognized. In addition, when the mirror body is traveling in the neutral state, the convex surface of the gradually changing curvature reflects the distance (the sky), so that the scenery does not flow and there is no discomfort. Depending on the shape of the visor of the mirror body, the visor (particularly the upper edge of the opening of the mirror body) can be projected on the convex surface of the gradually changing curvature while traveling. According to the second and third aspects of the invention, in the rearview mirror provided with the rapid angle changing means, in addition to the above operation, the driver's operation is further unnecessary and the driver's burden can be reduced. That is, since the vicinity of the rear wheel is projected on the main mirror surface area having a constant curvature convex surface due to the mirror surface rapid angle change when the vehicle is reversing (reverse state), the image is large and a sense of distance can be easily obtained. Even in that case, the rear of the vehicle is reflected in the auxiliary mirror surface area of the gradually changing curvature convex surface, so that although the image is small, obstacles and the like can be visually recognized, and the image is large and the sense of distance can be easily obtained, which reduces the burden on the driver.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a rearview mirror assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view when the angle of the mirror is rapidly changed from the state of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a rear view in the state of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a rear view in the state of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Rear-view mirror assembly 11 Mirror body 20a Main mirror surface area (constant curvature convex surface) 20b Auxiliary mirror surface area (gradual curvature convex surface) 12 Mirror holder 13 Mirror 14 Pivot plate 15 Central pivot 16, 17 Pivot receiver 20 For adjusting mirror reflection angle Actuator unit 22 Socket 23 Tapping screw 24 Spring 25 Ball trapezoidal cap 26, 27 Through hole 30, 40 Fins 31, 41, 51 Motor 33, 43 Worm 34, 44 Worm wheel, 35 Adjust nut 36, 46 Movable pivot 50 Rapid angle changing means 53 Worm of rapid angle changing means 54 Twin gear (intermediate gear) 60 Fan gear 62 Gear part 65 Sliding member 66 Cylindrical part of sliding member 67 The same screw rod part 69 Cam groove 70 Action block 76 Notch 80 Support member

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A rearview mirror having a mechanism for adjusting a mirror surface, having a main mirror surface area of a constant curvature convex surface and an auxiliary mirror surface area of a gradually changing curvature convex surface continuously formed on the main mirror surface area. Characteristic external rearview mirror for vehicles. 2. A rear-view mirror provided with a rapid angle changing means for changing the angle of a mirror surface downward at a predetermined angle, wherein the mirror surface is supported on a mirror reflection angle adjusting actuator unit side via a holding member, and is rapidly moved. When the mirror surface is bent downward by a predetermined angle by the angle changing means, the rear view image can be widely viewed, and the main mirror surface area with the constant curvature convex surface and the gradual change formed continuously above the main mirror surface area. An external rear-view mirror for a vehicle, which has an auxiliary mirror surface area formed by a convex surface with a curvature. 3. The mirror reflection angle adjusting actuator unit includes first and second movable pivots for adjusting vertical and horizontal reflection angles arranged in an actuator unit housing, and the first and second movable pivots arranged in the housing. 1st and 2nd
Of moving the movable pivots in the axial direction, respectively.
A power transmission element having a second motor and a worm gear,
A mirror surface rapid changing means arranged in the housing at a concentric position with the first movable pivot; the rapid changing means comprises a mechanism for sliding a screw rod portion screwed into the first movable pivot; The vehicle exterior rearview mirror according to claim 2, comprising a motor for driving the mechanism.