MOTION MECHANISM, EXTERIOR MIRROR DEVICE AND VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a movement mechanism, which is provided with a base element and a support element, which, inserted into each other, form a ball hinge construction, the support element being rotatable relative to the base element about at least a first virtual axis, which passes substantially through a virtual center of the ball hinge construction. The support element is provided with drive means to enable the support element to be moved relative to the base element, which drive means comprise a first electric motor and a first drive train with an output gearwheel. The drive means are housed in the support element in order to move along with the support element when the support element is moved relative to the base element. The output gearwheel of the first drive train engages a non-straight, that is, curved, first drive rod located in the support element, this first drive rod being provided with an anchor part which is connected with the base element so that the first drive rod does not move along with the support element when the latter is moved relative to the base element.

Claims

1. A movement mechanism, comprising a base element and a support element, which, inserted into each other, form a ball hinge construction, the support element being rotatable relative to the base element about at least a first virtual axis, which passes substantially through a virtual center of the ball hinge construction, the support element being provided with drive means to enable the support element to be moved relative to the base element, which drive means comprise a first electric motor and a first drive train having an output gearwheel, said drive means being housed in the support element in order to move along with the support element when the support element is moved relative to the base element, said output gearwheel of the first drive train engaging a non-straight, that is, curved, first drive rod, located in the support element, said first drive rod being provided with an anchor part which is connected with the base element so that said first drive rod does not move along with the support element when the latter is moved relative to the base element.

2. The movement mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the support element is rotatable relative to the base element also about a second virtual axis, which passes substantially through said virtual center of the ball hinge construction, the drive means housed in the support element comprising a second drive train with a second output gearwheel, said second output gearwheel engaging a non-straight, that is, curved, second drive rod, located in the support element, said second drive rod being provided with a second anchor part which is connected with the base part so that said second drive rod does not move along with the support element when the latter is moved relative to the base element.

3. The movement mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first anchor part is mounted rotatably to some extent relative to a second virtual axis in a recess in the base element, wherein the second virtual axis passes substantially through said virtual center of the ball hinge construction, and wherein the second virtual axis makes an angle of about 90° with the first virtual axis in a plane in which both virtual axes are substantially located.

4. The movement mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the second anchor part is mounted rotatably to some extent relative to the first virtual axis in a second recess in the base element.

5. The movement mechanism according claim 1, wherein the first drive rod has the form of a ring segment of which a virtual central axis substantially coincides with the first virtual axis.

6. The movement mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the second drive rod has the form of a ring segment of which a virtual central axis substantially coincides with the second virtual axis.

7. The movement mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first and/or the second drive rod has the form of a ring segment which is rotatable relative to a third virtual axis, which passes substantially through said virtual center of the ball hinge construction and which, in the plane in which the third virtual axis and the first virtual axis and/or second virtual axis are substantially located, makes an angle of about 45° with said first virtual axis and/or an angle of about 45° with said second virtual axis.

8. The movement mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the first recess is in the form of a slotted hole and the first anchor part is in the form of a, cylinder-shaped, shaft rotatable in the slotted hole, which is slidable in the length direction of the slotted hole, with the length of the slotted hole being substantially oriented in a direction substantially around the virtual center and substantially in the plane in which both virtual axes are substantially located.

9. The movement mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the first drive rod is located in the support element such that, upon a rotation of the support element about the first virtual axis, a relatively small displacement of the first anchor part becomes possible, and wherein, substantially in the plane in which both virtual axes are substantially located, said relatively small displacement is a relatively small pivoting movement about the virtual center.

10. The movement mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the base element is provided with a first recess which is arranged movably in the base element such that, upon a rotation of the support element about the first virtual axis, a relatively small displacement of said first recess and/or of the first anchor part positioned therein becomes possible, and wherein said relatively small displacement is substantially located in the plane in which both virtual axes are substantially located and concerns a relatively small pivoting movement about the virtual center.

11. The movement mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the second recess and the second anchor part placed therein are configured such that the second anchor part is rotatable to some extent relative to the first virtual axis and such that shifting of the second anchor part and/or of the first virtual axis relative to the base element is prevented.

12. The movement mechanism according claim 1, wherein the first drive rod and/or the second drive rod is provided with a toothing to mesh with the toothing of the respective output gearwheel and wherein the respective output gearwheel is provided with or is provided on a shaft part which is radially located in a groove in the respective drive rod.

13. The movement mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the support element supports a mirror surface, a display and/or a camera, which is substantially immovably fixed relative to said support element.

14. An exterior mirror device for a vehicle, provided with a movement mechanism according to claim 1.

15. A motor vehicle, provided with a movement mechanism according to claim 1.

16. A motor vehicle, provided with an exterior mirror device according to claim 14.

Description

[0025] The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment represented in the drawing. In the drawing:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a first schematic perspective view of a movement mechanism according to the invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a second schematic perspective view of the movement mechanism of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a third schematic perspective view of the movement mechanism of FIGS. 1 and 2, in which it is partly cutaway; and

[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cross section of the cutaway movement mechanism of FIG. 3.

[0030] The drawing shows merely schematic representations of preferred embodiments of the invention. In the figures, like or corresponding parts are indicated with the same or corresponding reference numerals.

[0031] The movement mechanism 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 comprises a base element 2 and a support element 3, which, inserted into each other, form a ball hinge construction. To that end, the base element 2 and the support element 3 can comprise mating spherical segments 2a, 3a, where one spherical segment 2a can be a concave spherical segment in which fits the other spherical segment 3a, which can then be a convex spherical segment. In respect of the spherical segments it is noted that one of the two spherical segments 2a may cover a relatively small portion of a sphere, and, for instance, may be formed by just a substantially ring-shaped spherical segment, which is movably, preferably close-fittingly, placed in or around the other spherical segment 3a.

[0032] It is noted that the base element 2 and the support element 3 may be cardanically mounted relative to each other.

[0033] Further, it is noted that in the example shown here the support element 3 is inserted in the base element 2, but that in alternative embodiments, conversely, the base element 2 may, for instance, be movably placed in the support element 3. In such a case, the spherical segment of the base element 2 may be formed, for instance, as a convex spherical segment, while the support element 3, in turn, can then comprise a concave spherical segment cooperating therewith.

[0034] The support element 3 of the example shown in FIGS. 1-4 is rotatable relative to the base element 2 about at least a first virtual axis A, which passes substantially through a virtual center or midpoint M of the ball hinge construction. It is noted that this virtual center M may be formed by the center of a virtual sphere of which the spherical segment 2a of the base element 2 is a part and/or by the center of a sphere of which the spherical segment 3a, which is part of the support element 3, forms a part. Most preferably, the centers of the two spherical segments 2a, 3a can substantially coincide.

[0035] The support element 3 is provided with drive means 16, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 11 to enable the support element 3 to be moved relative to the base element 2. The drive means comprise a first electric motor 16 and a first drive train 10 with an output gearwheel 11. The drive means 16, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 11 are housed in the support element 3 in a manner moving along with the latter. This means that they move along with the support element 3 when the support element 3 is moved relative to the base element 2. The drive means 16, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 11 may for instance be suspended in the support element 3 or be suspended in a supporting structure placed in the support element, and which supporting structure is preferably fixed in the support element. A respective specimen of the drive means 16, 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d, 11 may for instance be fixed in the support element 3 and/or in the supporting structure or may, for instance, be rotatably suspended therein or be located therein in yet another manner.

[0036] The output gearwheel 11, which may be provided, for instance, with involute or other outer toothing, engages a non-straight first drive rod 13, located in the support element 3, which may be provided, for instance, with involute or other inner toothing. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the first drive rod 13 is provided with an anchor part 14 which is connected with the base element 2, for instance by being snapped into it, so that the first drive rod 13 does not move along with the support element 3 when the latter is moved relative to the base element 2.

[0037] The drive rod 13, as for instance in the example shown here, may be located substantially inside the support element 3. The anchor part 14 can then extend through a, preferably slotted, opening 12 to the base element 2. Alternatively, the drive rod 13 may also be placed at a different spot. For instance, the drive rod 13 may be located in a slot provided in the exterior of the support element 3. In such a case, a, preferably slotted, opening may then be provided in the support element 3 to facilitate the output gearwheel 11 engaging the drive rod 13.

[0038] It is noted that the non-rectilinear drive rod 13 may be located, for instance, between two ribs 4 or surfaces 4 which can prevent lateral displacement of the drive rod 13.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, the drive rod 13 may be bearing-mounted, for example with the aid of a slide bearing. Also, the first output gearwheel 11 may for instance be provided with a shaft part 11a, which is radially bearing-mounted in a groove in the drive rod 13.

[0040] As can be properly seen in, for instance, FIG. 4, the drive train 10 can comprise a number of cooperating elements, preferably gearwheels 18a-18d, 11, which can preferably define a number of reduction stages. In the example shown here, the output or driven shaft 16a of the first motor 16 is for instance provided with a first gearwheel 18a, mounted thereon substantially non-rotatably, for instance with the aid of a slip coupling, and which may be implemented, for instance, as a worm 18a. This first gearwheel 18a can drive a second gearwheel 18b which, via a third gearwheel 18c substantially non-rotatably connected therewith, such as, for instance, a worm 18c, can drive a fourth gearwheel 18d. The fourth gearwheel 18d may for instance be substantially non-rotatably connected with a fifth gearwheel, here forming the output gearwheel 11 of the first drive train 10.

[0041] It is noted that, preferably, the rotary shafts and the gearwheels 18a-18d, 11 of the drive train 10 substantially cannot move axially and neither laterally in the support element 3.

[0042] To enable, for instance, an adjustment of the support element 3 about two axes, so that, for instance, the rotation of a mirror glass about both a Y axis and an X axis can be enabled, the support element 3 can most preferably be rotatable relative to the base element 2 about a second virtual axis B as well. This second virtual axis B then passes, preferably, substantially through the virtual center M of the ball hinge construction. The drive means housed in the support element 3 can then comprise a second drive train 20 with a second output gearwheel 21, the second output gearwheel 21 engaging a non-straight second drive rod located in the support element 3.

[0043] Preferably, the second drive train 20 is driven by a second electric motor 26, which may be placed, for instance, substantially parallel with the first electric motor 16 in the support element 3. The second drive train 20 may for instance be configured substantially correspondingly to the first drive train 10.

[0044] It is noted that the first electric motor 16 and/or the second electric motor 26 can most preferably be an electric motor with mechanical or sensory position feedback of the rotor position for the control of coils of the electric motor concerned.

[0045] Preferably, the first and/or the second electric motor may be implemented as an electric motor with brushes, such as, for instance, a direct-current motor with brushes.

[0046] For instance to allow the movement mechanism 1 to be made of relatively inexpensive design, it may be advantageous that the first and/or the second electric motor is not a stepping motor.

[0047] In FIGS. 3 and 4, the second, non-straight drive rod 23 is omitted so that a second, preferably slotted, opening 22 is made visible. In respect of the first and second opening 12, 22, which may be made of slotted shape, it is noted that, preferably, they can be elongate and can extend in a length direction that is substantially located in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane in which the first and second virtual axes A, B are located and which runs parallel with the respective virtual axis B, A passing through the anchor part 14, 24 extending through the respective opening 12, 22.

[0048] For instance just as with the first drive rod 13, the second drive rod 23 may be provided with its own anchor part 24 which is connected with the base element 2, for instance by being snapped into it, so that the second drive rod does not move along with the support element 3 when the latter is moved relative to the base element 2.

[0049] The first anchor part 14 may be mounted rotatably to some extent relative to a second virtual axis B, in a, preferably slightly elongate, recess 15 in the base element 2. It is noted that the second virtual axis B can run substantially through the virtual center M of the ball hinge construction and that the second virtual axis B can make an angle of about 90° with the first virtual axis A in a plane in which both virtual axes A, B are substantially located.

[0050] Additionally or alternatively, the second anchor part 24 may be mounted rotatably to some extent relative to the first virtual axis A, in a second, preferably round, recess 25 in the base element 2.

[0051] The first and/or the second drive rod 13, 23 can have the shape of a ring segment which is rotatable relative to a third virtual axis C, which runs substantially through the virtual center M of the ball hinge construction and which, in the plane in which the third virtual axis C and the first virtual axis A and/or second virtual axis B are substantially located, makes an angle of about 45° with the first virtual axis A and/or makes an angle of about 45° with the second virtual axis B.

[0052] In the example shown here, the virtual center M of the ball hinge construction is approximately in a top surface 5 of the support element 3, and the third virtual axis C can be approximately in this top surface 5. However, in alternative embodiments the top surface may also be placed below or above the virtual center M of the ball hinge construction, and the third virtual axis C can then, for instance, be above, or below, the top surface 5. It is noted that, additionally or alternatively, the third virtual axis C can run obliquely relative to the top surface 5.

[0053] In respect of the support element 3, it is noted that it, preferably the top surface 5 thereof, may be configured for supporting a mirror surface or other element or object, such as for instance a camera or display. To that end, for instance, the support element 3 may be provided with fastening means such as for instance screw holes, bushes, pins and/or eyes 6, which can be used, for instance, to secure a mirror glass defining the mirror surface on the support element 3. Alternatively or additionally, the support element 3 can support the mirror surface directly, for instance in that the mirror surface is coated onto a top surface 5 of the support element 3.

[0054] As can be seen in FIG. 4 and can be seen still better in FIG. 2, the first recess 15 may be formed as a somewhat elongate hole or as a slotted hole 15. Further, the first anchor part 14 can have the shape of a preferably cylinder-shaped shaft 14 rotatable in the slotted hole 15, which is slidable in the length direction of the slotted hole 15. The length of the slotted hole 15 can then be preferably substantially oriented in a direction forming substantially a part of an arc around the virtual center M, which part of an arc may then most preferably be substantially located in the plane in which both virtual axes A, B are substantially located. Alternatively or additionally, the first anchor part 14 and/or the second virtual axis B may be provided rotatably to some extent in a different manner, about the virtual center M and in the plane in which both virtual axes A, B are substantially located. This can for instance be accomplished by having the recess 15, which can then be formed, for instance, as a round hole, move relative to the base element 2. This could be done, for instance, by providing the first recess in a sliding element slidable relative to the base element, while the sliding element can for instance be slidable in a direction forming substantially a part of an arc around the virtual center M, which part of an arc may then most preferably be substantially located in the plane in which both virtual axes A, B are also substantially located.

[0055] Highly advantageously, as can be properly seen in FIG. 2, the second recess 25 and the second anchor part 24 placed therein may be so configured that the second anchor part 24 is rotatable, at least to some extent, relative to the first virtual axis A and such that shifting of the second anchor part 24 and/or shifting of the first virtual axis A relative to the base element 2 is prevented. In an advantageous embodiment, the second recess 25 can thus be formed, for instance, as a round hole 25, which may be provided in a fixed, substantially undisplaceable, spot in the base element 2, in contrast to the first recess 15 which in such an embodiment, for instance, is displaceable and/or does allow play in that it is, for instance, of somewhat elongate design.

[0056] The invention also relates to an exterior mirror device for a vehicle, provided with a movement mechanism according to an aspect of the invention. In the mirror device, the base element 2 may for instance be mounted in a mirror housing and/or on a frame of this mirror device. The base element may for instance be substantially fixedly secured therein or thereon. Alternatively, the base element 2 may for instance also form an integrated part of such a mirror housing or such a frame.

[0057] Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle, preferably a motor vehicle, such as, for instance, an automobile, truck, camper or bus, that is provided with a movement mechanism and/or with an exterior mirror device according to an aspect of the invention.

[0058] It is noted that for the purpose of clarity and a concise description, elements and/or features of different aspects and embodiments have been described herein as part of the same or different exemplary embodiments, but that the scope of the invention can also encompass embodiments that constitute not explicitly described combinations of all or some of the elements and/or features described. It will hence be clear to one skilled in the art that each of the above-shown and described elements and/or features of the movement mechanisms shown and described is also understood to have been described and shown separately and can also be applied individually and/or can be applied in combination with at least one other element and is understood to have been described herein as such.

[0059] Furthermore, it is noted that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described here. Many variants are possible.

[0060] For instance, the second drive rod may be implemented, placed and/or bearing mounted just as has been described for the first drive rod. These and other variants will be clear to one skilled in the art and are understood to be within the scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.