NL2012670B1

NL2012670B1 - Actuator mechanism.

Info

Publication number: NL2012670B1
Application number: NL2012670A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Frits Brouwer Stefan
Original assignee: MCI (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B V
Priority date: 2014-04-23
Filing date: 2014-04-23
Publication date: 2016-07-04
Also published as: NL2012670A

Abstract

The application relates to an actuator mechanism for adjusting the relative angular position of at least a first and a second portion of a wing mirror, especially for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator means (2) attachable to the first portion and a support means (4) attachable to the second portion, or vice versa, wherein the actuator means (2) and the support means (4) are movably coupled with each other via a drive train (6), the drive train (6) comprising a worm(8), driveable by the actuator means (2), and at least one multilayer worm gear (10), meshing with the worm (8), comprising at least a first worm gear element (12) and a second worm gear element (14), arranged concentrically and rotationally relative to each other around a rotational axis Ax of the worm gear (10), and a clutch means (16), preferably disengageably coupling the worm gear (10) with the support means (4), wherein a clutch element (18) of the clutch means (16) is pre-forced against and preferably disengageably coupled with at least one of the first and second worm gear elements (12, 14) via a wedge surface arrangement (20), arranged in such a way, that the first and second worm gear elements (12, 14) are pre-forced into a relative rotation around the rotational axis Ax against worm faces (9) of the worm (8).

Description

Title: Actuator mechanism

Description

The present invention relates to an actuator mechanism for adjusting the relative angular position of at least a first and a second portion of a wing mirror, especially for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator means attachable to the first portion and a support means attachable to the second portion, or vice versa, wherein the actuator means and the support means are movably coupled with each other via a drive train, the drive train comprising a worm, drivable by the actuator means, and at least one multi-layer worm gear, meshing with the worm, comprising at least a first worm gear element and a second worm gear element, arranged concentrically and rotationally relative to each other around a rotational axis of the worm gear, and a clutch means, preferably disengageably coupling the worm gear with the support means.

The invention further relates to a wing mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a base portion attachable to a body part of the motor vehicle and a mirror portion having a mirror element, rotationally arranged relative to the base portion via an actuator mechanism of the before-mentioned art.

Further the invention relates to the use of such an actuator mechanism with a wing mirror for a motor vehicle.

It is generally known that motor vehicles, such as automobiles, are provided with aids to enable observation of what is happening on the side of and behind the automobile. Often, such aids are designed as wing mirrors. Normally, a wing mirror comprises a cup-shaped housing which is fitted on a more forward part of the side of the motor vehicle and in which a mirror glass is accommodated. The mirror glass is often substantially plateshaped and includes an angle with the main axis of the motor vehicle both in the horizontal plane and in the vertical plane. The horizontal and the vertical angles depend inter aha on the length and the personal preferences of the driver of the motor vehicle. To enable the desired angles for each driver to be set, the mirror glass is connected with the mirror housing so as to be pivotable about at least one pivoting axis, but often about two pivoting axes mutually including a right angle.

It is further known that not only a mirror glass is adjustable relative to the motor vehicle, but also other mirror elements, for example housing elements and similar. These constructions for example allow adjusting of the mirror housing relative to the automobile. This is e.g. used for pivoting mirror housings from an unfolded orientation to a folded orientation, for example in a parking position of the automobile.

Because the angles desired by a driver can normally be assessed only from the driver's seat of the vehicle, and because the driver normally cannot adjust the mirror elements manually from this position, it is desirable that the position of the mirror elements can be adjusted remotely by means of an actuator mechanism. This is also the case for mirror elements which can be pivoted from an unfolded to a folded position as mentioned above.

Preferably, the actuator mechanism then comprises an actuator means, for example an electric motor, and a support means movably coupled therewith via a drive train. Owing to the use of such an actuator means and especially of an electric motor, the actuator mechanism can be made of relatively compact design, while with the aid of the drive train a relatively fast rotation of the output shaft of the electric motor can be converted into a relatively slow movement of the adjustment element, so that the angular position of the mirror element can be accurately set.

To realize, with the aid of the drive train, an appropriate transmission between the actuator means and the end portion of the drive train, the drive train often comprises a worm-worm gear arrangement, wherein a worm gear meshes with a worm. By use of a clutch element the support means, e.g. carrying a mirror element like a mirror glass or mirror housing is coupled to said worm-worm gear arrangement and especially to the worm gear, either in a fixed or in a disengageable manner.

The above wing mirrors are normally exposed to external forces, like head wind forces, vibrations or forces applied by pedestrians passing by or similar. Also it is sometimes necessary to pivot the wing mirrors from their unfolded position to a folded position manually, so that the overall width of the automobile can be reduced, for example for passing narrow passages or when using a car wash tunnel. For that reason often disengageable clutch means are provided, which are disengageably coupling the support means from worm-worm gear arrangement.

It has to be mentioned that the above actuator mechanism for adjusting the relative angular position of at least a first and a second portion of a wing mirror could also be used for adjusting and positioning other elements and especially elements of a motor vehicle.

As during use a wing mirror is often exposed to strong vibrations, resulting from unevenness of the road surface or wind forces, it is a necessity to provide the arrangement in a snug manner and in detail without any backlash of the drive train. Furthermore, the impression of quality of a wing mirror is in particular affected by its when touched by a user. As this rigidity is tremendously affected by backlash of the drive train, one’s attention has to be turned on the drive train arrangement and on the actuator mechanism arrangement in this regard respectively.

For reducing the backlash of an above actuator mechanism and in detail of a worm-worm gear arrangement solutions are known trying to inter aha improve the meshing of the worm and the worm gear. Those arrangements e.g. comprise worms which are divided in at least two parts perpendicular or parallel to a central rotational axis of the worm or comprise multi-layer worm gears having multiple worm gear elements. Also other arrangements are known actively calibrating the axial distance between the worm and the worm gear. All these arrangements are intending to improve the meshing between the worm and the worm gear to reduce backlash.

Document US 2007/175295 for example provides an actuator mechanism especially for a steering apparatus for an automobile having a worm-worm gear arrangement. The worm gear is split into a multi-layer worm gear having first and second worm gear elements which are arranged concentrically and rotationally relative to each other. The two worm gear elements are meshing with the worm, wherein due to the possible relative rotation between the worm gear elements a meshing adaption could be achieved. The first and second worm gear elements are then secured manually, for example by screws. The drawback of such an arrangement is, however, that the manual securement of the two worm gear elements increases assembly time, and thus cost. A similar solution is known from document US 5,934,144 also making use of the above split gear assembly or multi-layer worm gear. For improving the meshing between the worm gear and the worm, the two concentrically arranged worm gear elements of the worm gear are rotationally pre-forced in an opposite rotation relative to each other by use of a spring force element arranged co-planar to the worm gear, thereby “broadening” the teeth of the worm gear and improving the meshing with the worm. With this construction one worm gear element is secured to a drive train, wherein the other is freely rotatable arranged thereto. This construction is, however, complicated and difficult to assemble.

The above state of the art documents disclose actuator mechanisms suffering from a complicated and elaborate construction. Furthermore, no reliable integration of a clutch element especially for disengageably coupling the worm gear or the worm from the attached support means is known.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reliable and easy to assembly actuator mechanism having a reduced backlash. In a specific application it is further desired that this actuator mechanism is disengageably coupled to the support means, so that the support means can be disengaged from the actuator means.

The above object is solved by an actuator mechanism according to claim 1, by a wing mirror for a motor vehicle according to claim 16 and by the use of a respective actuator mechanism according to claim 17.

In detail the above object is solved by an actuator mechanism for adjusting the relative angular position of at least a first and a second portion of a wing mirror, especially for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator means attachable to the first portion and a support means attachable to the second portion, or vice versa, wherein the actuator means and the support means are movably coupled with each other via a drive train, the drive train comprising a worm, driveable by the actuator means, and at least one multilayer worm gear, meshing with the worm, comprising at least a first worm gear element and a second worm gear element, arranged concentrically and rotationally relative to each other around a rotational axis of the worm gear, and a clutch means, preferably disengageably coupling the worm gear with the support means, wherein a clutch element of the clutch means is pre-forced against and preferably disengageably coupled with at least one of the first and second worm gear elements via a wedge surface arrangement, arranged in such a way, that the first and second worm gear elements are pre-forced into a relative rotation around the rotational axis against worm faces of the worm.

The above object is also solved by a wing mirror for a motor vehicle comprising a base portion attachable to a body part of the motor vehicle and a mirror portion having a mirror element, rotationally arranged relative to the base portion via at least one of such an actuator mechanism, wherein the base portion is coupled to the actuator means and the mirror portion is coupled to the support means, or vice versa.

The above object is also solved by the use of at least one of such an actuator mechanism with a wing mirror for a motor vehicle, comprising a base portion attachable to a body part of the motor vehicle and a mirror portion having a mirror element, wherein the mirror element is rotationally arranged relative to the base portion and wherein the base portion is coupled to the actuator means and the mirror portion is coupled to the support means of the actuator mechanism, or vice versa.

It has to be mentioned that a mirror element as mentioned above could be a glass, a frame of a glass, a housing or any part of a wing mirror which has to be adjusted relative to the first portion. Also it has to be mentioned that the actuator mechanism as mentioned above could also be used not only with wing mirrors, but also with any parts where a first and a second portion have to be adjusted and especially angularly adjusted relative to each other.

It is a gist of the invention that the clutch element of the clutch means is pre-forced against and coupled with at least one of the first and the second worm gear elements in such a way that it not only provides coupling between the respective parts but also reduces backlash of the worm-worm gear arrangement due to the fact that it forces the first and the second worm gear elements in a pre-forced manner into a relative rotation around the rotational axis. When the first and second worm gear elements are e.g. provided as tooth gears, this results in an adapted broadening of the tooth and improves the meshing with the worm. This “broadening advantage” is known from the art, wherein however now the clutch means is also effectively reducing backlash by improving the meshing between the worm and the worm gear.

In a preferable application the clutch means is provided as a disengageable clutch means to be disengageable connected to the worm gear or to disengageably connect the support means with the worm gear respectively. With this embodiment the clutch means not only provides the disengagement mechanism and the disengageable clutch mechanism, respectively, but also the reduction of backlash due to pre-forcing of the at least two worm gear elements in an opposite rotation.

The clutch element is coupled to at least one of the first and second worm gear elements via a wedge surface arrangement. Such a wedge surface arrangement preferably comprises at least two wedge elements slidingly coupled relative to each other and transforming the pre-force applied by the clutch element in a momentum acting on the at least one worm gear elements around the rotational axis. With the embodiment of a disengageable clutch element preferably the wedge surface arrangement is provided in such a way that disengagement of its wedge elements occurs -against the implied pre-force - under a momentum acting on the support means forcing the wedge elements in a gliding movement relative to each other.

The wedged surface can be integrated with the disengageable clutch but also can be a separated part.

Due to the disengageable clutch arrangement it is possible to disengage the coupling between the worm gear and the support means if e.g. an external force is acting on the support means or the second portion, attached to the support means respectively. As mentioned above, when the actuator mechanism is provided in a wing mirror, such an external force can be a pedestrian acting on the wing mirror or a user trying to manually pivot the wing mirror from an unfolded to a folded position etc.

Due to the arrangement of a clutch element, a wedge surface arrangement and a multi-layer worm gear, an easy to assemble and reliable actuator mechanism and wing mirror is respectively provided.

Especially when the clutch element is pre-forced in a direction of the rotational axis of the worm gear, the above arrangement provides a reliable construction having a reduced amount of individual parts.

Preferably the wedge surface arrangement is in general arranged in such a way that the applied pre-force, pre-forcing the clutch element of the clutch means to the worm gear, is partly transformed into a pre-force momentum around the rotational axis acting on at least one of the first and second worm gear elements.

In general it is possible that the pre-force applied from the clutch element acts on one worm gear element, namely the first worm gear element only; it is, however, also possible that both worm gear elements or, when there are more than two provided all or some of the worm gear elements, are forced into the respective relative rotation, and preferably an opposite rotation with regard to the other worm gear. It is also possible to provide an arrangement in such a way that not only the pre-force introduced by the clutch element results in the relative rotation of the worm gear elements, but also forces resulting from the meshing and driving of the worm-worm gear arrangement.

The mentioned actuator means can for example comprise an electric motor or a similar motor. The worm gear and the respective worm gear elements are preferably provided with tooth elements on their outer ring portion. Of course, any other arrangement for meshing with a worm can be provided.

Preferably the support means comprises a drive shaft to be rotationally driven by the worm gear and extending in the direction of its rotational axis, wherein the clutch element is supported by said drive shaft in such a way that it is rotationally fixed to. Preferably the clutch element is also provided in such a way that it is movable along said drive shaft. Such a drive shaft can for example carry a wing mirror housing or a mirror glass or any other wing mirror element to be pivoted relative to the first portion. The drive shaft preferably comprises at least one coupling projection and/or recess the clutch element is rotationally fixed at, to be rotationally secured to the drive shaft. By coupling the respectively arranged clutch element and clutch means with the worm gear, a reliable coupling can be provided for disengaging the second portion from the first portion when necessary. Especially with such an arrangement the clutch element of the clutch means is concentrically arranged to the rotational axis of the worm gear and preferably also concentrically arranged to the drive shaft.

Preferably the clutch element is pre-forced against the worm gear via a spring force means and for example a pressure spring, which can be for example also arranged concentrically to the rotational axis and especially in such a way that it encloses the drive shaft. The spring force means is for example with one end coupled to a portion of the drive shaft, the support means or the second portion, wherein the other end is coupled to the clutch element pre-forcing it against the worm gear.

Especially with such an arrangement a synergetic effect arises, as the above pre-force, for example applied by a spring force means, on the one hand provides a reliable coupling, on the other hand reduces backlash of the worm-worm gear arrangement.

Preferably the wedge surface arrangement provides an engagement coupling where complementary portions of the worm gear and the clutch element, preferably provided as wedge elements, are coupled with each other. These portions are arranged in such a way that they are disengageable relative to each other especially by a disengaging rotation force or a disengaging momentum acting on the worm gear and/or the support portion or in general by a disengaging momentum acting around the rotational axis of the worm gear.

This could for example be achieved by providing the wedge surface arrangement comprising complementary gliding faces gliding relative to each other and against the pre-force until they reach a disengagement position, when such a momentum occurs.

Preferably the wedge surface arrangement therefore comprises complementary interacting gliding faces, at least one arranged at the clutch element and at least a complementary one arranged at least at one of the first and second worm gear elements. These gliding faces are at least partially abutting at each other and are pre-forced by the above clutch element relative to each other. Due to the arrangement of one gliding face at the clutch element at least a complementary one arranged at one of the first and second worm gear elements a wedge surface arrangement is provided which can especially transfer the pre-force introduced by the clutch element into a rotational force for the first and/or the second worm gear element.

Preferably there is arranged at least one complementary gliding face at the first worm gear element and at least another complementary gliding face at the second worm gear element, wherein these complementary gliding faces are arranged in such a way that the pre-force of the clutch element results in a rotation in opposite directions of the respective worm gear elements.

Preferably at least one gliding face is inclined relative to the rotational axis around an inclination axis, extending perpendicular and preferably radial to the rotational axis.

Further preferably at least one gliding face extends from the outer side of the worm gear element to its inner side and preferably radially to the rotational axis.

By the above arrangements, provided individually or in combination, a coupling between the clutch element and the worm gear is provided which can be disengaged by an external force acting on the support means or the second portion and especially by a momentum around the rotational axis. Further such an arrangement transforms the pre-force of the clutch element in a reliable manner onto a rotational force acting on the worm gear element(s).

It is possible to provide the above inchned gliding faces in abutment with complementary non-inclined gliding faces or gliding faces which are inchned in a different angle or orientation. Preferably the complementary interacting gliding faces are however arranged in a parallel orientation.

Preferably the wedge surface arrangement comprises a plug engagement, wherein an insertion means of the clutch element is detachably inserted into a complementary receiving means of the worm gear or vice versa. With such an arrangement the insertion means can simply be plugged into the receiving means and in an opposite direction can simply be disengaged. These insertion means and/or the receiving means are preferably provided with the interacting gliding faces as mentioned above.

If an insertion means is provided at the clutch element, the receiving means is provided at the worm gear and at least at one of the first or the second worm gear elements respectively, or vice versa. Further it is possible to provide a combination of insertion and receiving means at the clutch element and the worm gear element(s), respectively.

Preferably the receiving means and/or the insertion means comprises at least two gliding faces oppositely inclined relative to each other, wherein for the worm gear at least a first gliding face is preferably arranged at the first worm gear element and at least a second gliding face is arranged at the second worm gear element.

The receiving means and the complementary insertion means provide an engagement coupling which can preferably be disengaged by a disengaging rotational force exceeding the force necessary for adjusting the first portion relative to the second portion.

With regard to the above arrangement it is preferred that multiple gliding faces are annually arranged around the rotational axis. These multiple gliding faces are preferably gliding faces having a similar or the same inclination angle. If gliding faces with an opposite inclination angle are provided, also these opposite inclined gliding faces can be arranged around the rotational axis in an annular manner. Preferably the gliding faces have a similar or identical distance from the rotational axis.

As mentioned, the wedge surface arrangement is preferably arranged in such a way that the applied pre-force, introduced by the clutch element, is transformed in at least two different and especially opposite momenta around the rotational axis, wherein each momentum is acting on one of the first and second worm gear element, wherein the other one is acting on the other worm gear element.

Preferably and especially with regard to the arrangement having insertion means and receiving means at least one gliding face of the receiving means extends in an outwardly inclined direction to the insertion means. In this regard preferably the insertion means has at least one complementary inclined gliding face.

Preferably the wedge surface arrangement comprises gliding faces arranged as wall elements of a projection and/or recess of the at least one of the first and second worm gear elements. These projections and/or recesses can be provided as integral arrangements at the respective worm gear elements having the respective preferably inclined gliding faces. Preferably the projections and/or recesses are arranged on the main surface of the worm gear and the respective worm gear elements, respectively. Preferably, at least a projection and/or a recess of one worm gear element, comprising at least one wall element, is arranged relative to a recess and/or a projection of the other worm gear element, also comprising at least one wall element, in such a way that a receiving means and/or an insertion means is provided.

Preferably at least one of the first and the second worm gear elements is a ring element or at least partly a ring element having an outer ring portion. Preferably with this arrangement at least one gliding face is arranged at a projection element extending radially and especially inwardly from said outer portion. This projection element provides a reliable basis for arranging the gliding face in a desired orientation and inclination.

Preferably the first and the second worm gear elements are nestable with each other. This means that they can be stacked and, when having for example the above projections and/or recess elements, can be stacked in such a way that the projections and/or recess elements are nested preferably beside each other. By providing such a nesting arrangement, a multi-layer worm gear can be provided having the required wedge surface arrangement with reduced dimension and especially height.

Preferably a projection and/or recess element of at least one worm gear element comprises at least one abutment element for abutment against a complementary abutment element of the other worm gear element, wherein abutment faces are extending in a vertical direction and/or horizontal direction relative to the main plane of the worm gear. Arranged in a horizontal direction these abutment elements or their respective faces have a smaller size than the main planes of the worm gear elements, thereby reducing friction between the same, nevertheless providing a reliable abutment of the two or more worm gear elements relative to each other in a vertical manner.

Preferably an elastic force element and especially a spring element is arranged at the worm, introducing a pre-force on the worm in a direction of the worm gear along a worm pre-force axis, wherein this worm pre-force axis is inclined to the worm's rotational axis and to an axis radially extending from the rotational axis of the worm gear through a meshing portion of the worm and the worm gear. The meshing portion is that portion where the worm gear meshes with the worm.

Preferably the worm pre-force axis is arranged coplanar with the main axis of the worm gear. Further preferably the worm pre-force axis is arranged inclined with regard to this axis in such a way that it forces the worm gear preferably into an end bearing of the worm gear. Preferably the worm pre-force axis is inclined as mentioned above for pre-tensioning the worm gear elements relative to each other in the direction of the rotational axis.

The elastic force element is thereby preferably provided or attached at a free end of the worm.

The above arrangement can be used with an actuator mechanism of the before-mentioned art. However, it is also possible to use it with standardized worm-worm gear arrangements and especially with worm-worm gear arrangements having a one-layer worm gear. In general an arrangement having a worm meshing with a worm-gear can be equipped with the above elastic force element. Also the arrangement can be used with any kind of actuator mechanism where a worm meshes with a worm gear.

Introducing a pre-force on the worm in the direction of the worm gear along a worm pre-force axis as mentioned above, guarantees an improved meshing between the worm and the worm gear. The worm faces of the worm are reliably pressed against the worm gear and its respective meshing elements like gear teeth etc. Furthermore the worm is secured in its position wherein movement of the worm gear along its rotational axis and in a radial direction relative to the rotation axis of the worm gear is hindered.

As mentioned above, the invention also relates to a wing mirror for a motor vehicle and also to a use of an actuator mechanism as it is mentioned above with a wing mirror for a motor vehicle.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are represented in the sub claims.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of exemplary embodiments which are represented in the drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic isometric view of one embodiment of the actuator mechanism according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows an isometric detail view of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 show exploded assembly drawings of part of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows an isometric view of part of the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Figs. 6 and 7 show an exploded assembly drawing of the embodiment of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 shows an isometric view of part of the embodiment of Fig. 1 comprising one worm gear element;

Fig. 9 shows an isometric view of part of the embodiment of Fig. 1 comprising two worm gear elements;

Fig. 10 shows a schematic isometric view of another embodiment of the actuator mechanism according to the invention; and

Fig. 11 shows an isometric detail view of the embodiment of Fig. 10.

In the following the same parts and elements are labeled by the same reference signs, wherein high indices may be used.

Figs. 1 to 9 disclose one embodiment of the actuator mechanism and wing mirror according to the invention, respectively, in different kinds of views and assembly states.

Disclosed is an actuator mechanism 1 for adjusting the relative angular position of at least a first and a second portion of a wing mirror (not shown). The actuator mechanism 1 comprises an actuator means 2, here shown as a gear for an electromotor or similar motor. The actuator means 2 can comprise any kind of actuator means for actuating the respective drivable parts, e.g. an electric or similar motor etc.

One of these drivable parts is a worm 8 having worm faces 9 meshing with a worm gear 10, having teeth 38 on its outer side 40. The worm gear 10 is disengageably coupled with a support means 4 via a clutch means 16. The support means 4 can for example be attached with the second portion, wherein the second portion for example can be a mirror housing, a mirror glass or a similar mirror element.

The actuator means 2 and the support means 4 are movably coupled with each other via a drive train 6, comprising the worm 8, driveable by the actuator means 2, and the worm gear 10, meshing with the worm 8. By actuating the actuator means 2 the support means 4 can be rotated around the rotational axis Ax.

The worm gear 10 is provided as a multi-layer worm gear 10 meshing with the worm 8 and comprising at least a first worm gear element 12 and a second worm gear element 14, which are arranged concentrically and rotationally relative to each other around a rotational axis Ax of the worm gear 10.

With this embodiment the rotational axis Ax of the worm gear 10 and the axis of the support means 4 are identical so that the support means 4 concentrically rotates when the worm gear 10 rotates around the rotational axis Ax.

The clutch means 16 comprises a clutch element 18 which is preforced against and disengageably coupled with at least one of the first and second worm gear elements 12, 14 via a wedge surface arrangement (see e.g. Figs. 6 and 7). This wedge surface arrangement is arranged in such a way that the first and the second worm gear elements are pre-forced into a relative rotation around the rotational axis Ax against the worm faces 9 of the worm 8. By this pre-forcing action backlash of the coupling between the worm and the worm gear is reduced. With other words by relative rotation between the two worm gear elements 12, 14 the broadness of each tooth 38 of the worm gear 10 is increased, thereby adapting the meshing between the worm 8 and the worm gear 10.

The clutch means 16 is especially in this regard provided as an engagement clutch means, wherein it is pre-forced by a force element and here a spring element 24 against the worm gear 10.

In the state shown with Fig. 1 and 2 the support means 4 and the worm gear 10 and its individual first and second worm gear elements 12 and 14 are rotationally coupled, so that the support means 4 can be driven by rotating the worm gear 10.

The support means 4 comprises a drive shaft 22 which is extending in the direction of the rotational axis Ax of the worm gear, wherein the clutch element 18 is supported by said drive shaft 22 in such a way that it is rotationally fixed to, but movable along, here along the axis Ax. Against the pressure of the force element and here the spring element 24 the clutch element 18 can be moved along the drive shaft 22 and the support means 4, respectively, thereby disengaging and decoupling the connection between the clutch element 18 and the worm gear 10. With this embodiment therefore the clutch element is pre-forced in a direction of the rotational axis Ax of the worm gear.

As can be seen with Figs. 3 and 4, the actuator mechanism comprises the worm gear 10 provided by two worm gear elements 12, 14, the clutch element 18 of the clutch means 16 coupled with this worm gear 10 and supported by the drive shaft 22, and the support means 4, respectively, wherein the clutch element 18 is pre-forced against the worm gear elements 12, 14 and the worm gear 10 respectively via the force means 24 which is here provided as a spring element 24. The drive shaft 22 comprises recesses and/or projections 64 the clutch element 18 is coupled to via flap elements 66 for rotationally fixing the clutch element 18 to the drive shaft 22.

As mentioned before, the clutch element 18 and the worm gear 10 and its first and second worm gear elements 12, 14 are coupled with each other via a wedge surface arrangement 20 which comprises complementary interacting gliding faces arranged at the clutch element 18 and the first and second worm gear elements 12, 14, respectively. As can be seen in more detail with Figs. 6 to 9, this wedge surface arrangement 20 comprises the gliding faces 30, 32, wherein at least one gliding face 30 is arranged at the clutch element 18 and at least a complementary gliding face 32 is arranged at least at one of the first and the second worm gear elements 12, 14.

With this embodiment at least one gliding face 30, 32 is inclined relative to the rotational axis around an inclination axis Ai extending perpendicular and preferably radial to the rotational axis Ax.

Further, at least one gliding face 30, 32 extends in a direction from the outer side 40 of the worm gear element 10 to its inner side 42 and preferably radially to the rotational axis.

The relatively inclined gliding faces 32, 30 are arranged with this embodiment in an annular manner around the rotational axis Ax. As can especially be seen with Fig. 9, the wedge surface arrangement 20, here just one part, namely the part arranged at the worm gear 10, is shown, which comprises a plug engagement, wherein an insertion means 34 of the clutch element 18 (see Fig. 6) can be detachably inserted into a complementary receiving means 36 of the worm gear 10 (see Fig. 9), or vice versa. Vice versa means that the receiving means 36 can be arranged at the clutch element 18 and the insertion means at the worm gear 10 and its respective first and second worm gear elements respectively.

With this embodiment the receiving means 36 and the insertion means 34 can comprise at least two gliding faces 30a, 30b (see Fig. 6) and 32a,32b oppositely inclined relative to each other. For the worm gear 10 it preferably holds that a first gliding face 32a is arranged at the first worm gear element 12 and a second gliding face 32b is arranged at the second worm gear element 14 or vice versa. For the ease of understanding the gliding faces arranged at the worm gear 10 are in general labelled as gliding faces 32, wherein for more detail explanation gliding faces 32a and b are mentioned. As can be seen especially with Fig. 9, at least one gliding face 32 of the receiving means 36 extends in an outwardly inclined direction to the insertion means 34 as shown in Fig. 6.

In general, preferably the gliding faces are arranged in such a way that insertion and receiving means are provided in such a way that the two means 34, 36 can be plugged in and coupled relative to each other.

By providing such a wedge surface arrangement 20 having complementary interacting gliding faces 30, 32, the pre-force applied by the clutch element 18 on the first and second worm ring elements 12, 14 is transformed in momenta acting around the rotational axis Ax, thereby forcing the first and second worm gear elements 12, 14 in a opposite rotational direction around the rotational axis Ax.

Furthermore, the respective arrangement of the wedge surface arrangement 20 ensures a clutch means disengageably coupled with the worm gear 10. By applying a rotational force on the drive shaft 22 and the support means 4, respectively, the gliding faces 30, 32 are gliding along each other against the pre-force applied by the clutch element 18 and the force means 24 up (in direction of the rotational axis Ax) to a respective disengagement point, where no rotational coupling is provided anymore, leading to the disengagement.

With the shown embodiment it is also possible, e.g. by a respective (rampant) selection of the inclination angles, to provide a coupling which is not disengageable but still forcing the worm gear elements 12,14 in a relative rotation.

It has to be mentioned that preferably the coupling between the clutch element 18 and the worm gear 10 is a rotational coupling so that rotational forces can be transformed. Disengagement occurs, i.e. relative movement in direction of the rotational axis Ax up to the disengagement position, if a momentum acting on the support shaft 22 exceeds a disengagement moment.

With the embodiment shown, the gliding faces 30a, 30b (see Fig. 6) and 32a, 32b are inclined along their respective axes by the same inclination angle, wherein different inclination directions (a positive or a negative inclination angle) is provided. Preferably at least one gliding face 32 of the receiving means 36 extends in an outwardly inchned direction of the insertion means 34 (see Figs. 6 and 9).

As can be seen with Fig. 9, the oppositely inclined gliding faces 32a,32b of the first and the second worm gear element 12, 14 together define the insertion means 36, wherein the oppositely inclined gliding faces 30a,30b of the clutch element define the insertion means 34. This could, of course, also be provided the other way round.

Relevant in this regard is the fact that with the embodiment of the multi-layer worm gear 10 one of the inclined gliding face 30b of the receiving means 36 is arranged at the second worm gear element 14, wherein the complementary and oppositely inclined gliding face 32a is arranged at the first worm gear element 12. Both gliding faces 32a, 32b are provided as wall elements of projections 46 extending from the respective first and second worm gear elements 12, 14. Gliding faces however can also or instead be provided at respective recesses provided at the worm gear elements.

Further it can be seen that the first and second worm gear elements 12, 14 are nestable with each other. The gliding faces 32a, 32b and the projection 46 are arranged in such a way that in the nestable state the receiving means 36 are provided, wherein the first and second worm gear elements 12, 14 are abutting relative with each other along the rotational axis Αχ at abutment elements 52, which are here provided as horizontal abutment elements 52a. Each of the first and the second worm gear elements 12, 14 comprises multiple of these horizontal abutment elements 52a, providing a secure arrangement of the two worm gear elements 12, 14 in a vertical direction, namely the direction of the rotational axis Ax.

Further abutment elements 52 are provided as vertical abutment elements 52b providing an abutment if the two worm gear elements 12, 14 are rotating relative to each other beyond a desired relative rotation angle.

As shown with Figs. 8 and 9 with this embodiment the first and the second worm gear elements 12, 14 can be provided as ring elements having an outer ring portion 44, wherein at least one gliding face 32 is arranged at a projection element 50 extending radially and especially inwardly from said outer ring portion 44.

The embodiment shown with Figs. 10 and 11 is almost identical to the embodiment as explained before. Therefore, for the relevant features and arrangements it is referred thereto. However, the embodiment shown with Figs. 10 and 11 furthermore comprises a force element 60 and especially a spring element which is arranged at the worm 8, introducing a pre-force on the worm 8 in a direction of the worm gear 10, this means in a direction basically oriented in direction where the worm gear 10 is arranged, wherein this pre-force is introduced along a worm pre-force axis Aw, wherein this worm pre-force axis Aw is inclined to the worm's rotational axis Awr and inclined to an axis Am radially extending from the rotation axis Ax of the worm gear through a meshing portion 62 of the worm 8 and the worm gear 10. As mentioned in the above general invention part, this arrangement is also applicable with any kind of worm-worm gear arrangement and not necessarily with a worm gear arrangement as described before.

Preferably the worm comprises a support element 68 the force element 60 is supported on. This support element 68 can be preferably arranged as a dome-shaped or a similar ball-shaped arrangement.

As mentioned above, the invention beside an actuator mechanism also relates to a wing mirror for a motor vehicle comprising such an actuator mechanism and use of such an actuator mechanism with a respective wing mirror. For redundancy reasons a specific explanation of different parts of the wing mirror except the before-described actuator mechanism are not included here. They are evident for the person skilled in the art.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. It has to be mentioned that all the features mentioned and especially the features mentioned in the claims could be provided with an embodiment of the invention in combination or on their own. The combination of features as brought forward with the above embodiments is not necessarily required.

However, other modifications, variations and alternatives are also possible. The specifications, drawings and examples are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restrictive sense.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps then those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ shall not be construed as limited to ‘only one’, but instead are used to mean ‘at least one’, and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Reference signs 1 Actuator mechanism 2 Actuator means 4 Support means 6 Drive train 8 Worm 9 Worm faces 10 Worm gear 12 First worm gear element 14 Second worm gear element 16 Clutch means 18 Clutch element 20 Wedge surface arrangement 22 Drive shaft 24 Spring force means 30 Gliding faces 32 Gliding faces 34 Insertion means 36 Receiving means 38 Teeth 40 Outer side 42 Inner side 44 Outer ring portion 46 Projection 50 Projection element 52 Abutment element 60 Force element 62 Meshing portion 64 Recess 66 Flap element 68 Support element

Claims

An actuator mechanism for adjusting the relative angular position of at least a first and a second portion of an exterior mirror, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising an actuator means (2) attachable to the first portion and a support means (4) which is attachable to the second part, or vice versa, wherein the actuator means (2) and the support means (4) are movably coupled to each other via a drive train (6), the drive train (6) being provided with a worm (8), which is drivable by the actuator means (2), and at least one multi-layer worm gear (10) which engages the worm (8), and which is provided with at least a first worm gear element (12) and a second worm gear element (14), arranged concentrically and rotatably with respect to each other about an axis of rotation Ax of the worm gear (10), and a coupling means (16), which preferably detachably couples the worm gear (10) to the support means (4), characterized in that a torque The element (18) of the coupling means (16) is biased against and preferably detachably coupled to at least one of the first and second worm gear elements (12, 14) via a wedge surface device (20) arranged such that the first and second second worm gear elements (12, 14) are biased in a relative rotation about the axis of rotation Ax against worm surfaces (9) of the worm (8).

Actuator mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element (18) is biased in a direction of the axis of rotation Ax of the worm gear (10).

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support means (4) comprises a drive shaft (22) for being rotatably driven by the worm gear (10) and which extends in the direction of its axis of rotation Ax, the coupling element ( 18) is supported by the drive shaft (22) in such a way that it is fixed relative to rotation against it, but is movable along it.

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling element (18) is biased against the worm gear (10) via a spring force means (24).

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedge surface device (20) comprises complementary cooperating sliding surfaces (30, 32), wherein at least one sliding surface (30) is arranged on the coupling element (18) and at least one complementary sliding surface (32) is provided on at least one of the first and second worm gear elements (12, 14).

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, preferably claim 5, characterized in that at least one sliding surface (30; 32) is inclined with respect to the axis of rotation Ax about an inclination axis Ai, which is perpendicular to and preferably radial to the axis of rotation Ax extends.

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, preferably one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that at least one sliding surface (30; 32) extends in a direction from the outside (40) of the worm gear element (10) to its inside (42) and preferably radially towards the axis of rotation Ax.

Actuator mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wedge surface device (20) comprises a plug-in coupling, wherein a plug-in means (34) of the coupling element (18) can be released into a complementary receiving means (36) of the worm gear (10 ) is stuck, or vice versa.

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, preferably claim 8, characterized in that the receiving means (36) and / or the insertion means (34) comprise at least two sliding surfaces (30a; 30b; 32a; 32b) that are opposed to each other are inclined, wherein a first sliding surface (32a) is provided for the worm gear (10) on the first worm gear element (12) and a second sliding face (32b) is provided on the second worm gear element (14), or vice versa.

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, preferably one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that at least one sliding surface (32) of the receiving means (36) extends to the insertion means (34) in an outwardly inclined direction.

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one sliding surface (30; 32) is arranged as a wall element of a protrusion (46) and / or a recess of the at least one of the first and the second worm gear element ( 12, 14).

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the first and the second worm gear element (12, 14) is a ring element with an outer ring portion (44), wherein at least one sliding surface (32) is arranged on a protrusion element (50) extending radially and in particular inwardly from said outer ring portion (44).

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second worm gear element (12, 14) are nestable with each other.

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a protrusion element (50) of at least one worm gear element (12, 14) comprises at least one stop element (52) for abutment against a complementary stop element (52) of the other worm wheel element (14) 12) which extends in a vertical direction and / or a horizontal direction with respect to the main surface of the worm gear (10).

Actuator mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a tensioning element (60) and in particular a spring element is arranged on the worm (8), thereby biasing the worm (8) in the direction of the worm gear (10) ) along a worm biasing axis Aw, said worm biasing axis Aw sloping toward the axis of rotation Awr of the worm and to an axis Am extending radially from the axis of rotation Ax of the worm gear (10) through an engagement portion (62) of the worm (8) and the worm gear.

An exterior mirror for a motor vehicle, comprising a base portion attachable to a hull portion of the motor vehicle and a mirror portion with a mirror element rotatably mounted relative to the base portion via at least one actuator mechanism (1) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the base portion is coupled to the actuator means (1) and the mirror portion is coupled to the support means (4), or vice versa.

Use of an actuator mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 15 with an exterior mirror for a motor vehicle, which is provided with a base part that can be attached to a hull part of the motor vehicle and a mirror part with a mirror element, the mirror element being rotatably arranged with respect to the base portion, and wherein the base portion is coupled to the actuator means (2) and the mirror portion is coupled to the support means (4) of the actuator mechanism, or vice versa.