ADJUSTING INSTRUMENT, EXTERIOR MIRROR UNIT, MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

Adjusting instrument for an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle, comprising a foot for attachment to the fixed world, being the motor vehicle, and a housing adjustably connected with the foot, the housing being adjustable around a rotation axis extending through the adjusting instrument, while around the rotation axis a passage opening is provided for passing through a cable tree, the housing being provided with a slot along a height thereof which provides lateral access to the passage opening and the foot being provided with a slot along a height thereof which provides lateral access to the passage opening, the housing being furthermore adjustable relative to the foot into an assembly position in which the slot of the foot aligns with the slot of the housing to provide lateral access to the passage opening for laterally introducing a cable tree into the passage opening.

Claims

1. An adjusting instrument for an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle, comprising a foot for attachment to the fixed world, being the motor vehicle, and a housing adjustably connected with the foot, the housing being adjustable around a rotation axis extending through the adjusting instrument, while around the rotation axis a passage opening is provided for passing through a cable tree, the housing being provided with a slot along a height thereof which provides lateral access to the passage opening and the foot being provided with a slot along a height thereof which provides lateral access to the passage opening, the housing being furthermore adjustable relative to the foot into an assembly position in which the slot of the foot aligns with the slot of the housing to provide lateral access to the passage opening for laterally introducing a cable tree into the passage opening.

2. The adjusting instrument according to claim 1, furthermore comprising a closing element for locking the cable tree in the passage opening.

3. The adjusting instrument according to claim 1, furthermore comprising a passage tube which is receivable in the passage opening, the passage tube having a slot for introducing the cable tree.

4. The adjusting instrument according to claim 3, wherein a passage tube is adjustable relative to the adjusting instrument for locking the cable tree after assembly.

5. The adjusting instrument according to claim 1, furthermore comprising a drive unit for adjusting the housing relative to the foot.

6. The adjusting instrument according to claim 5, wherein the drive unit has a drive wheel along which the housing is adjustable, which drive wheel is provided with a slot for providing lateral access to the passage opening.

7. The adjusting instrument according to claim 1, wherein the housing is biased towards the foot by at least one elastic element placed at a distance from the rotation axis.

8. The adjusting instrument according to claim 1, wherein the foot is provided with first cooperating elements which are translatable relative to second cooperating elements of the fixed world in one direction and which block translation in an opposite direction for connection of the foot with the fixed world.

9. The adjusting instrument according to claim 1, wherein the passage tube is provided with a lower flange which extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the passage tube.

10. The adjusting instrument according to claim 9, wherein the passage tube furthermore comprises an upper flange which extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the passage tube for locking the adjusting instrument in axial direction between the upper and the lower flange.

11. A method for assembling a cable tree in an adjusting instrument for an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle comprising a foot for attachment to a mirror shoe of the exterior mirror and a housing adjustably connected with the foot, the housing being adjustable around a rotation axis extending through the adjusting instrument, while around the rotation axis a passage opening is provided for passing through the cable tree, the method comprising providing a slot along a height of the housing; providing a slot along a height of the foot; adjusting the housing relative to the foot so that the slot of the housing aligns with the slot of the foot to thereby provide a lateral access to the passage opening; laterally introducing the cable tree into the passage opening.

12. A motor vehicle comprising an adjusting instrument according to claim 1.

13. An exterior mirror for a motor vehicle comprising an adjusting instrument according to claim 1.

Description

[0028] The invention will be elucidated in more detail on the basis of non-limiting exemplary embodiments which are represented in a drawing. In the drawing:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an adjusting instrument according to the invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an adjusting instrument according to the invention;

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an adjusting instrument in the assembly position;

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an adjusting instrument provided with a cable tree;

[0033] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a drive unit of an adjusting instrument;

[0034] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective exploded view of a drive wheel of the drive unit and the housing of the adjusting instrument;

[0035] FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross section through the adjusting instrument;

[0036] FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of an adjusting instrument connected with the fixed world;

[0037] FIG. 9 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a linear connecting device;

[0038] FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the linear connecting device of FIG. 9;

[0039] FIG. 11 shows a schematic exploded side view of a second embodiment of a linear connecting device;

[0040] FIG. 12 shows a schematic side view of the linear connecting device of FIG. 11, with the foot translating relative to the fixed world;

[0041] FIG. 13 shows a schematic side view of the linear connecting device of FIG. 11, with the foot in a further translation than in FIG. 12;

[0042] FIG. 14 shows a schematic side view of the linear connecting device of FIG. 11, with the foot in a further translation than in FIG. 13; and

[0043] FIG. 15 shows a schematic side view of the linear connecting device of FIG. 11, with the foot in a further translation than in FIG. 14 and the foot connected with the fixed world.

[0044] It is noted that the drawing figures are merely schematic representations of preferred embodiments of the invention. In the drawing figures, like or corresponding parts are denoted with the same or corresponding reference numerals.

[0045] As regards the purport of this disclosure, it is pointed out that all the technical features and elements specifically described and/or shown here are also understood to have been described and/or shown separately and can each also be applied individually and/or can be applied in combination with one or more other features and/or elements and are understood to have been described herein as such. The skilled person reading the description will appreciate that such technical features and/or elements can be seen apart from the context of the exemplary embodiment given, and furthermore can be seen apart from the technical features with which they cooperate in the context of the example. In order to keep the description concise, however, these features, elements and combinations are not all literally described and/or shown as a separate feature, element, combination or embodiment.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an adjusting instrument 1 according to the invention. The adjusting instrument 1 comprises a foot 2 for attachment to the fixed world, being the motor vehicle. The attachment to the fixed world can be carried out, for instance, by fastening the foot 2 to a mirror shoe of an exterior mirror of the motor vehicle. The mirror shoe can thereupon be fixedly connected with, for instance, a door of the motor vehicle.

[0047] The foot 2 can be connected with the mirror shoe in various manners, for instance with the aid of screws or with the aid of a linear connecting device such as shown, for instance, in FIGS. 9-15.

[0048] The adjusting instrument 1 furthermore comprises a housing 3 which is adjustably connected with the foot 2. A mirror cap of the exterior mirror can be connected, for instance, with the housing 3. Then, upon adjustment of the housing 3 relative to the foot 2, the mirror cap can be adjusted relative to the motor vehicle. For instance, the mirror cap may be adjustable between a folded-in position or parking position in which the mirror cap extends substantially along the motor vehicle, and a folded-out position or driving position, in which the mirror cap extends substantially transversely to the motor vehicle.

[0049] The housing 3 of the adjusting instrument 1 is adjustable relative to the foot 2 around a rotation axis A. The rotation axis A extends through the adjusting instrument 1, both through the foot 2 and through the housing 3. The rotation axis A can extend in a direction practically parallel to a height direction of the adjusting instrument 1, but can also run obliquely through the adjusting instrument 1. Many positions of the rotation axis A are possible.

[0050] Around the rotation axis A, usually, a passage opening 4 is provided. The passage opening 4 can extend as a tubular opening around the rotation axis A and is usually used to pass a cable tree through it. Advantageously, the cable tree is then on or near the rotation axis A of the adjusting instrument 1, so that damage or fatigue of the cable tree resulting, for instance, from movement and/or squeezing during adjustment can be counteracted.

[0051] As the cable tree is usually already provided with fastening elements, such as plugs or connectors, for attachment to an electric component in the mirror cap, these fastening elements are likewise, along with the cable tree, passed through the passage opening. As a consequence, the inner diameter of the passage opening becomes relatively large, usually larger than the outer diameter of the largest connecting element, as a result of which, after passing through the cable tree, relatively much space in the passage opening remains unused. The dimensions of the adjusting instrument are thereby adversely affected in that the adjusting instrument is likewise made of relatively large design.

[0052] According to the invention, the housing 3 is provided with a first slot 5 along a height Hh of the housing 3. The first slot 5 provides lateral access to the passage opening 4. Furthermore, the foot 2 is provided with a second slot 6 along a height Hv of the foot 2. The second slot 6 provides lateral access to the passage opening 4. To bring a cable tree via the slots 5 and 6 into the passage opening 4, the slots 5 and 6 need to align, as shown in FIG. 1. To this end, the housing 3 and the foot 2 are adjustable relative to each other into an assembly position. When the housing 3 and the foot 2 are in the assembly position, the slot 5 of the housing 3 and the slot 6 of the foot link up with each other, and the cable tree can be laterally brought into the passage opening 4. Due to a lateral assembly of the cable tree in the adjusting instrument 1, the fastening elements of the cable tree do not need to be passed through the passage opening 4 anymore, so that the passage opening 4 can be made of smaller design.

[0053] Given smaller dimensions, for instance a smaller diameter, of the passage opening 4, the general dimensions, in particular the outer dimensions of the adjusting instrument 1, can also be smaller. As a result, the design freedom can increase, both as regards possible mirror cap shapes and possible electric components in the mirror cap.

[0054] The first slot 5 of the housing 3, and/or the second slot 6 of the foot 2, may be implemented as a straight slot 5, 6, as shown, for instance, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, but may also be implemented as an oblique slot, or as a part of a spiral around the rotation axis. Many variants are possible, as long as the cable tree can be brought from a side into the passage opening 4.

[0055] Optionally, after assembly of the cable tree into the passage opening 4, the cable tree may be locked in the first and/or second slot 5, 6, for instance by providing a closing element. The closing element can be, for instance, a—U-shaped—ring which can be slid over the cable tree, or can be a clamp with which the cable tree can be locked up in the passage opening. Also, the closing element can be a foam-shaped or rubbery filler piece, which, after assembly of the cable tree, can be introduced into the slots. Many variants are possible. Advantageously, the cable tree then remains approximately at the position of the rotation axis, which can reduce the chances of damage to the cable tree during adjustment.

[0056] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the housing 3 comprises an upper part 3a and a lower part 3b. The upper and the lower housing parts 3a, 3b are fixedly connected with each other, for instance by means of screws, or snap connection, etc. In the lower housing part 3b, the foot 2 is arranged which is rotatably situated in the housing part 3b.

[0057] In another embodiment, furthermore, a passage tube 7 may be provided which is receivable in the passage opening 4. The passage tube 7 is likewise configured to provide the cable tree access to the passage tube 7 via a side, for instance via a slot 8 in a length direction of the passage tube 7. The slot 8, however, may also be of oblique configuration relative to a length direction of the passage tube 7, or can be a part of a spiral. Advantageously, the slot 8 is so designed that in the assembly position, in which the first slot 5 of the housing 3 aligns with the second slot 6 of the foot 2, the slot 8 likewise aligns with the first and the second slot 5, 6, thereby providing for lateral access of the cable tree into the passage tube 7 which is in the receiving opening 4.

[0058] The passage tube 7 may be implemented as a separate part that can be introduced into the passage opening 4, for instance by likewise making use of the lateral access provided by the slots 5, 6 of the housing 3 and the foot 2.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows the adjusting instrument 1 provided with the passage tube 7 in the assembly position. Presently, lateral access of the cable tree into the passage tube 7 is possible. FIG. 3 shows schematically a cable tree 9 which is in the passage tube 7. For simplification of the figure, the cable tree 9 is here represented as a plurality of current conducting wires 10, without fastening elements.

[0060] After assembly of the cable tree 9, the passage tube 7 can be pivoted to thereby lock the cable tree 9 in the passage tube 7 and close off the slots 5, 6. A sidewall 7a of the passage tube 7 then functions as closing element for locking the cable tree 9, so that sideways movement of the cable tree 9 away from the rotation axis can be counteracted.

[0061] The passage tube 7 is here provided with an upper flange 11 and a lower flange 12. The upper and the lower flange 11, 12 here extend in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the passage tube 7. After assembly of the passage tube 7 in the passage opening 4, the upper and the lower flanges 11, 12 can respectively be above and under the adjusting instrument 1, thereby locking the adjusting instrument 1 in axial direction, i.e., in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. Thus, for instance, the various housing parts 3a, 3b can be locked.

[0062] The passage tube 7 can also function as a rotation bush around which the housing 3 of the adjusting instrument 1 is rotatably bearing-mounted. The passage tube 7 is preferably connected with the fixed world and/or with the foot 2. For instance, the passage tube 7 can be screwed to the foot 2 and thus be connected with the fixed world. Alternatively, the lower flange 12 can be connected with the fixed world, for instance with a screw or snap connection or with a linear connecting device such as shown, for instance, in FIGS. 9-15.

[0063] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the upper flange 11 is provided with a rib 13. The rib 13 here functions as a holding element for, after assembly of the passage tube 7 and the cable tree 9 in the adjusting instrument 1, grasping and rotating the passage tube 7, so that the passage opening 4 can be closed off. Instead of a rib 13, a slot may be provided, or a hook, or a snap connection or the holding element may optionally be left out.

[0064] In an advantageous embodiment, the adjusting instrument 1 is provided with a drive unit 14 for adjusting the housing 3 relative to the foot 2. In the representation of FIG. 5, the lower housing part 3b is shown, the upper housing part 3a is left out, so that the drive unit 14 is visible. The drive unit 14 comprises a motor 15, for example an electric motor, which, via a drive train 16, drives a drive wheel 17. The drive wheel 17 is connected with the foot 2, and the drive train 16 is connected with the housing 3, so that by driving the drive wheel 17, adjustment of the housing 3 relative to the foot 2 is effected.

[0065] The drive train 16 is here implemented by one worm wheel and two gear wheels and should be regarded merely as an example, for the drive train can also be implemented in many other ways, for instance by two worm wheels and one gear wheel or, for instance, by a cycloid gear wheel.

[0066] The drive wheel 17 is preferably arranged concentrically around the rotation axis A. The drive wheel 17 is provided with a slot 18 which provides for lateral access to the passage opening 4 around the rotation axis A. Thus, in the assembly position, when the first slot 5 of the housing 3, the second slot 6 of the foot 2, and the slot 18 of the drive wheel 17 link up with each other and form a lateral access to the passage opening 4, a cable tree can be brought from a side of the adjusting instrument 1 into the passage opening 4.

[0067] The housing 3 is adjustable relative to the drive wheel 17. To that end, the drive wheel 17 is provided with a guiding groove 19 in which a groove and/or rib and/or cam 20 of the housing 3 can move, shown in FIG. 6. Since the drive wheel 17, due to the presence of the slot 18, cannot move full circle through 360° anymore, there is provided in the groove 19 a stop 21 which can define the end of a stroke. Possibly, a plurality of stops 21 may be provided to define an angular displacement of an adjusting stroke.

[0068] Advantageously, the housing 3 is biased relative to the foot 2. To this end, the housing 3 is under spring action. Possibly, an elastic element, for instance a helical spring, may be provided, which is around the rotation axis. Preferably, the helical spring is substantially concentrically around the rotation axis, so that the line of action of the helical spring approximately coincides with the rotation axis. To provide lateral access to the passage opening, the helical spring preferably has one turn, or less than one turn. Alternatively, the bias can also be achieved by at least one elastic element placed at a distance from the rotation axis.

[0069] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, two elastic elements 22 are provided which are at a distance from the rotation axis A, so that the line of action of the elastic element does not coincide with the rotation axis, but is substantially parallel thereto. The elastic elements 22 are here implemented as helical springs, but may also be implemented otherwise. The elastic elements 22 are in a recess 23 of the foot 2. The elastic elements 22 thus work on one side 22a on the foot 2, and on an opposite side 22b on an underside 17a of the drive wheel 17 and therefore on the housing 3. It is also conceivable that the one or more elastic elements are included in the drive wheel 17.

[0070] Possibly, a single elastic element 22 may be provided at a distance from the rotation axis A and/or the foot 2 may be wholly or partly of elastic design to thereby achieve the bias.

[0071] Advantageously, the drive wheel 17 is disengageably connected with the foot 2, and thus with the fixed world, as shown in the cross section of FIG. 7. Thus, the drive wheel 17 can be uncoupled from the fixed world, when the drive wheel 17 is not driven, for instance in the event of an unforeseen contact with an external object or, for instance, in the case of deliberate or inadvertent manual adjustment. To this end, between a side 22b of the elastic elements 22 and the underside 17a of the drive wheel 17, balls 24 are provided which are in a cavity 25 in the underside 17a of the drive wheel 17. The balls are thus under spring action, but as soon as an external force is greater than the spring force, the balls 24 can be forcibly dislodged from their cavity 25 and the drive wheel 17 can detach from the fixed world. The balls thus work as a clutch coupling. Other implementations of a clutch coupling, however, are also possible, for instance when foot and drive wheel are provided with a mating but disengageable cam pattern.

[0072] FIG. 8 shows a side view of an adjusting instrument 1 which is connected with a mirror shoe 26 as the fixed world. The mirror shoe 26 in turn may itself be connectable with an arm extending from the motor vehicle. Many variants of connection with the motor vehicle are possible. One possible connection between the adjusting instrument 1 and the fixed world is made, for instance, by utilizing a linear connecting device 100. The linear connecting device 100 comprises first cooperating elements 101 which are translatable relative to second cooperating elements 102 of the fixed world in one direction and which block translation in an opposite direction for connection of the foot with the fixed world. The fixed world is here represented by the mirror shoe 26.

[0073] The first cooperating elements 101 here comprise a rib 101 provided on the passage tube 7, which is translatable relative to the second cooperating elements 102, here implemented as a groove 102a of the mirror shoe 26. By introducing the rib 101 in the groove 102a, translation is possible. The second cooperating elements here furthermore comprise resilient fingers 102b. The resilient fingers 102b are on the mirror shoe 26 at a beginning of the groove 102a. The resilient fingers 102b thus permit translation in one direction R, that is, in a direction whereby the rib 101 is introduced into the groove 102a, in other words, in a direction past the fingers and away from the fingers. However, the resilient fingers 102b block translation of the rib 101 in groove 102a relative to the fingers 102b in the opposite direction S, that is, towards the fingers. Thus, a fixed connection of the passage tube 7, which can be a shaft bush 107 in other designs, with the fixed world 103 or mirror shoe 26 is obtained, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0074] In the adjusting instrument 1 as shown in FIGS. 1-8, there is further a foot 2 which is fixedly connectable to the fixed world. The foot 2 may be around the passage tube 7 and may be provided with recesses for screws. The screws may for instance be screwed into the foot 2 via an underside of the mirror shoe 26 through holes in the mirror shoe 26, thus allowing a fixed connection of the foot 2 to the fixed world to be effected. Alternatively, the passage tube 7 and the foot 2 can be fixedly connected with each other, while the passage tube 7 can optionally be connected with the mirror shoe 26 via the linear connecting device 100. The linear connecting device 100 is here implemented at an underside of the passage tube 7, in particular at the lower flange 12, but many variants are possible.

[0075] FIGS. 11-15 shows an alternative embodiment of the linear connecting device 100. The linear connecting device 100 comprises first cooperating elements 101, which are translatable relative to second cooperating elements 102. The first cooperating elements 101 are at an underside of a shaft bush 107, also called central shaft. The shaft bush 107 is usually biased under spring tension towards the fixed world 103. The second cooperating elements 102 are on a top of the fixed world 103, which may for instance be implemented as a mirror shoe.

[0076] The first and second cooperating elements 101, 102 are configured to allow translation in one direction R, and to block translation in the opposite direction S. To that end, the first and second cooperating elements 101, 102 are provided with a first inclined surface 101r, 102r having a relatively gentle inclination which makes translation in the direction R relatively easy. Furthermore, the first and second cooperating elements 101, 102 have a second inclined surface 101s, 102s having a relatively steep inclination, which makes translation in the opposite direction S rather difficult, so that translation can be blocked. Preferably, the first inclined surfaces 101r, 102r have a comparable or corresponding angle of inclination to facilitate translation.

[0077] The first and the second cooperating elements preferably have a shape that is corresponding. Advantageously, there are preferably at least as many first cooperating elements 101 as second cooperating elements 102, while at least an equal number of first cooperating elements 101 are shaped correspondingly to the second cooperating elements 102 cooperating therewith. Thus, a solid, fixed coupling can be effected.

[0078] Furthermore, the mirror shoe 103 is provided with a recess 108 in which a projection 109 of the shaft bush 107 is insertable. This recess 108 can function as guide, in some exemplary embodiments. Projection 109 may be configured to be movable under spring action relative to shaft bush 107, in an upward direction, perpendicular to a plane including directions S or R. For instance, under spring action the projection 109 may be depressible and/or translatable and/or pivotable. The spring action may be carried out, for instance, by a spring standing on a lower flange of the shaft bush 107, for example, a helical spring. Also, the spring action may be provided by at least one elastic element that is at a distance from the rotation axis of the shaft bush 107, and which may possibly be included in the fixed world 103. Many variants are possible.

[0079] When connecting the shaft bush 107 with the fixed world 103, the projection 109 is introduced into the recess 108, as shown in FIG. 12. The shaft bush 107 is thereupon translated in the direction R relative to the fixed world 103, whereby the first cooperating elements 101 move over the second cooperating elements 102. In FIG. 12 a position is shown in which one of the second cooperating elements 102 has already been passed by a first cooperating element 101 and now lies opposite a next first cooperating element 101. Upon further translation in the direction R, as shown in FIG. 13, an inclined surface 101r abuts against the inclined surface 102r of the second cooperating element 102. Upon yet further translation in the direction R, due to the inclined surfaces 101r, 102r, the first cooperating elements 101 can be moved upwards, usually against the force of a spring which is around the shaft bush 107, as shown in FIG. 14. Thereupon, a next first cooperating element 101 can fall over the second cooperating element 102. Upon further translation in the direction R, the first cooperating elements 101 can thus be further displaced relative to the second cooperating elements 102 until the end of the guide 109 has been arrived at, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0080] Translation in the opposite direction S can be blocked in that the angle of inclination of the inclined surfaces 101s, 102s is relatively large, the inclined surfaces 101s, 102s are fairly steep. This makes it very difficult for the cooperating elements 101, 102 to be uncoupled in the direction S against the force of the spring action.

[0081] The above-described linear connecting device 100 can be implemented in many ways, and can also be provided on various components of the adjusting instrument 1. For instance, the foot 2 may be provided with it, or the passage tube 7 may be provided with it. Many variants are possible. Also, the linear connecting device 100 can be regarded as an invention per se, independent of an adjusting instrument.

[0082] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments given here. Many implementation variants are possible.

[0083] Such variants will be clear to those skilled in the art and are understood to be within the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.