ACTUATOR MECHANISM, EXTERIOR MIRROR DEVICE AND VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator mechanism for adjusting at least one angular position of a mirror element in an exterior mirror device for a motor vehicle. The actuator mechanism comprises a base element and a mirror element movably coupled with the base element, which comprises a mirror support for supporting a mirror surface. The mirror element is rotatable relative to the base element about at least a first pivoting axis with the aid of a first electric motor provided in the actuator mechanism, which extends in a longitudinal direction that is substantially transverse to a supporting surface of the mirror support. What can be elegantly facilitated by this, for instance also in the case of a relatively small mirror surface that is only a few centimeters wide and/or is only a few centimeters long, is that, as seen from a direction in which during use the mirror surface is being viewed by a driver, such electric motor does not protrude, or hardly protrudes, next to, above and/or below the mirror surface.

Claims

1. An actuator mechanism for adjusting at least one angular position of a mirror element in an exterior mirror device for a motor vehicle, comprising a base element and a mirror element movably coupled with the base element, which comprises a mirror support for supporting a mirror surface, the mirror element further being rotatable relative to the base element about at least a first pivoting axis with the aid of a first electric motor provided in the actuator mechanism, which extends in a longitudinal direction which is substantially transverse to a supporting surface of the mirror support on which during use the mirror surface is supported by the mirror support.

2. The actuator mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the mirror element is furthermore rotatable relative to the base element about a second pivoting axis, which is substantially transverse to the first pivoting axis, with the aid of a second electric motor provided in the actuator mechanism, which extends in a longitudinal direction which is substantially transverse to the supporting surface of the mirror support.

3. The actuator mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first electric motor is housed substantially in the base element, and wherein also the second electric motor is housed substantially in the base element.

4. The actuator mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first electric motor is housed substantially in the mirror element, and wherein also the second electric motor is housed substantially in the mirror element.

5. The actuator mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the supporting surface has a width that is less than 4 cm or less than 3 cm.

6. The actuator mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the supporting surface has a length which extends transversely to the width of the supporting surface and which length is less than 4 cm or less than 3 cm.

7. The actuator mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the supporting surface of the mirror support extends substantially in a flat plane.

8. The actuator mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the supporting surface of the mirror support is formed as a convex surface.

9. The actuator mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the base element of the actuator mechanism has a length and/or a width that is substantially not greater, and less, than the height of the actuator mechanism extending substantially transversely to the supporting surface of the mirror support and/or the height of the base element extending substantially transversely to the supporting surface of the mirror support.

10. The actuator mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the mirror element comprises at least one spherically shaped hinge part, which is concavely shaped or cup-shaped, by which the mirror element is rotatably connected with the base element and wherein the base element comprises at least one spherically shaped hinge part, which is convexly shaped part, to cooperate with the at least one spherically shaped hinge part of the mirror element.

11. The actuator mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the first electric motor has an output shaft which by means of a first drive train drives a first drive rod to cause the mirror element at a position situated laterally remote from the first pivoting axis to move locally up and/or down relative to the base element in order to cause the mirror element to rotate relative to the base element about the first pivoting axis.

12. The actuator mechanism, preferably according to claim 11, wherein a first gearwheel, which is an involute gearwheel or a worm wheel, is at least substantially non-rotatably mounted on an output shaft of a first electric motor of the actuator mechanism, by means of a slip coupling, and wherein a second gearwheel, which is an involute gearwheel, a hypoid gearwheel or a worm wheel, is provided rotationally, bearing-mounted, on said output shaft of the first electric motor and is substantially fixed in axial direction.

13. The actuator mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the actuator mechanism is configured such that the first gearwheel and the second gearwheel are both part of the same drive train, and/or that during use of the actuator mechanism the second gearwheel rotates in the same rotational direction as said output shaft with a smaller speed of revolution than said output shaft.

14. An exterior mirror device for a motor vehicle, configured as a blind spot mirror device, comprising a housing and a mirror element, rotatable relative to the housing about at least a first pivoting axis, which comprises a mirror surface supported by a mirror support, comprising an actuator mechanism according to claim 1.

15. The exterior mirror device according to claim 14, wherein the mirror surface forms a convex mirror surface, which is configured to serve as a blind spot mirror.

16. The exterior mirror device according to claim 14, wherein the base element of the actuator mechanism is housed in the housing of the exterior mirror device and is substantially immovably fixed therein, or wherein the base element of the actuator mechanism forms an integrated portion of the housing of the exterior mirror device.

17. A motor vehicle, provided with an actuator mechanism according to claim 1.

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

Description

[0026] The inventive actuator mechanism and exterior mirror devices of this disclosure will be further elucidated on the basis of non-limiting exemplary embodiments, which are represented in a drawing. In the drawing:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an actuator mechanism according to a first embodiment of a first aspect of the disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the actuator mechanism of FIG. 1, in which among other parts a casing of a base element of the actuator mechanism has been omitted;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a further schematic perspective view of the actuator mechanism of FIGS. 1 and 2, in which furthermore also a mirror support has been omitted;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a cross section of the part shown in FIG. 3 of the actuator mechanism of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an alternative actuator mechanism;

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a drive train that forms a detail of the actuator mechanism of FIG. 5; and

[0033] FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a detail of the drive train of FIG. 6.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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 understand that such technical features and/or elements can be considered separately from the context of the given exemplary embodiment, and furthermore can be considered separately 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.

[0036] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an actuator mechanism 1 according to a first embodiment of a first aspect of the disclosure. The actuator mechanism 1 is suitable for adjusting at least one angular position of a mirror element 2 in an exterior mirror device for a motor vehicle. The actuator mechanism 1 comprises a base element 3 and a mirror element 2 movably coupled with the base element 3. The mirror element 2 is rotatable relative to the base element 3 about at least a first pivoting axis A1. It is noted that, in embodiments, the movement of the mirror element 2 can have multiple degrees of movement relative to the base element 3.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the mirror element 2 may, for instance, also be rotatable about a second pivoting axis A2, which is substantially transverse to the first pivoting axis A1.

[0038] It is noted that the mirror element 2 comprises a mirror support 4 for supporting a mirror surface. The mirror support 4 has a supporting surface 6 on which it can support the mirror surface during use. The supporting surface 6 is here a substantially flat surface, but may alternatively also be a substantially curved surface, for instance, a singly curved surface, but also, for instance, a doubly curved surface. The curved surface can be, for instance, concave. In a preferred embodiment, the curved surface can be convex, for instance for supporting a convex mirror surface, which can be applied, for instance, for a blind spot mirror.

[0039] Preferably, an actuator mechanism 1 can be part of an exterior mirror device for a motor vehicle, such as, for instance, a blind spot mirror device. The exterior mirror device can then comprise a housing and a mirror element 2 rotatable relative to the housing about at least a first pivoting axis, which mirror element 2 comprises a mirror surface, supported by a mirror support 4, which mirror surface can for instance form a convex mirror surface, for instance to be able to serve as a blind spot mirror.

[0040] In embodiments of the actuator mechanism 1, the supporting surface 6 can for instance have a width 13 which is less than 10 cm or 8 cm, preferably less than 6 cm or 5 cm, for instance less than 4 cm or less than 3 cm. Additionally, the supporting surface 6 can have a length 14 which extends transversely to the width 13 of the supporting surface 6 and which is less than 10 cm or 8 cm, preferably less than 6 cm or 5 cm, for instance less than 4 cm or less than 3 cm.

[0041] The mirror surface mentioned may be formed, for instance, by a mirror glass, but may possibly be formed differently, as, for instance, with the aid of a mirroring coating which is supported directly by the mirror support 4 or which is arranged, for instance, on a, preferably plate-shaped, member, this member being carried by the mirror support 4. In embodiments of the actuator mechanism 1, the mirror element 2 can therefore comprise a mirror surface supported by the mirror support 4. The mirror surface can be substantially a flat mirror surface and be formed on or by a member, such as, for instance, the mirror glass, that has a substantially uniform thickness in a depth direction 9 which is substantially transverse to the width direction 10 and to the length direction 11 of the mirror support 4. However, all kinds of other forms are also possible. Thus, the member mentioned can comprise, for instance, a convex mirror surface at its front and have a flat rear side which can be placed on or against a flat supporting surface 6 of the mirror support 4.

[0042] Regarding the base element 3, it is noted that it can comprise, for instance, a casing 8, preferably for at least partly housing one or more electric motors 5, 7 for moving the mirror element 2 relative to the base element 3 and/or for at least partly housing one or more drive trains 50, 70 for moving the mirror element 2. However, it is noted that one or more electric motors 5, 7 in alternative embodiments may be housed at least partly in the mirror element 2.

[0043] The base element 3 may be housed in a housing of an exterior mirror device and may be substantially immovably fixed therein. For instance, the base element 3 may to that end be provided with fastening or fixation means 33 and/or with plug or socket means 12 for connection of cabling, for instance for an electric motor 5, 7 of the actuator mechanism 1. Alternatively, the base element 3 of the actuator mechanism 1 may form an integrated portion of the housing of the exterior mirror device.

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a part of the actuator mechanism 1 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, among other parts, the casing 8 of the base element 3 is omitted. As a result, among other parts, a first electric motor 5 of the actuator mechanism 1 is visible.

[0045] With the aid of the first electric motor 5 provided in the actuator mechanism 1, the mirror element 2 is rotatable relative to the base element 3 about at least the first pivoting axis A1.

[0046] As noted, the mirror element 2 may furthermore be rotatable also about a second pivoting axis A2, which is substantially transverse to the first pivoting axis A1. This can be done, for instance, with the aid of a second electric motor 7 provided in the actuator mechanism 1.

[0047] It is noted that the first pivoting axis A1, and that preferably also the second pivoting axis A2, at least in the neutral position of the supporting surface, can extend substantially transversely to the depth direction 9 of the thickness of the member comprising the mirror surface, and/or can extend substantially parallel to a plane extending in the width direction 10 and in the length direction 11 of the mirror support 4. Additionally or alternatively, the first pivoting axis A1, and preferably also the second pivoting axis A2, may be so placed as to extend, during use, substantially parallel to a flat mirror surface and/or substantially parallel to a flat plane which directionally approximates a possibly curved, for instance convex, mirror surface as well as possible. It is noted that in this paragraph ‘substantially’ can at least be understood to mean that the pivoting axis/axes and/or the plane in which the pivoting axes extend, includes a smallest angle with the mirror surface or with a flat plane which directionally approximates a possibly curved mirror surface as well as possible, that may be between 0° and 35°, 25°, 20°, 15° or 10°.

[0048] In the actuator mechanism 1 the first electric motor 5 extends in a first longitudinal direction D1 which is substantially transverse to the supporting surface 6. A second electric motor 7, if present, can most preferably extend in a second longitudinal direction D2 which is also substantially transverse to the supporting surface 6 of the mirror support 4. In embodiments, the first and second motors 5, 7, which may be housed, for instance, at least partly, in the base element 3, or in the mirror element 2, may be placed substantially parallel to each other, preferably substantially next to each other.

[0049] In advantageous embodiments, the base element 3 of the actuator mechanism 1 can have a length 16 and/or a width 15, which, as for instance in the example of FIG. 1, corresponds for instance to the length 14 and the width 13, respectively, of the supporting surface 6, while such length 16 and/or a width 15 of the base element 3 is substantially not greater, and is preferably less, than the height 17 of the actuator mechanism 1 extending substantially transversely to the supporting surface 6 of the mirror support 4 and/or the height of the base element 3 extending substantially transversely to the supporting surface 6 of the mirror support 4. This means that, in embodiments, the ‘footprint’ of the supporting surface, the length of the supporting surface and/or the width of the supporting surface can therefore be kept relatively small at the expense of the height of the height of the actuator mechanism 1.

[0050] Further, the mirror element 2 can comprise at least one spherically shaped hinge and/or bearing part 18, for instance a concavely shaped or cup-shaped part 18, with the aid of which the mirror element 2 may be hingedly connected with the base element 3 and/or may be bearing-mounted relative thereto. The base element 3 can then comprise at least one spherically shaped hinge and/or bearing part, for instance a convexly shaped part, to cooperate with the at least one spherically shaped hinge and/or bearing part 18 of the mirror element 2. Alternatively, for instance, the mirror element can comprise a convex hinge and/or bearing surface which, together with a cup-shaped hinge and/or bearing surface of the base part, can form a kind of ball hinge and/or ball bearing.

[0051] FIGS. 3 and 4 show further schematic perspective views of the actuator mechanism 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, in which also the mirror support 4 has been omitted for the purpose of a relatively good visualization of the drive trains 50, 70 via which the electric motors 5, 7 can move the mirror support 4 relative to the base element 3.

[0052] In the following, with reference to the example of the drive trains 50, 70 of the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, it will be described how a possible drive train, via which the respective electric motor 5, 7 can rotate the mirror support 4 to a certain extent about the respective pivoting axis A1, A2, can be made up, by way of example. It is noted that in the example shown the first and second drive train 50, 70 are of comparable design and are substantially mirrored relative to each other, but that this need not be the case in alternative embodiments.

[0053] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the output shaft 51, 71 of the motor 5, 7 is provided with a first gearwheel 52, 72, implemented as a worm wheel 52, 72, which engages a second gearwheel 53a, 73a having relatively many teeth, which is substantially non-rotatably coupled with a third gearwheel 53b, 73b having relatively few teeth, which can have, for instance, an evoloid toothing, for example as known from international patent publication WO 02/068 242. The toothing of the third gearwheel 53b, 73b engages a fourth gearwheel 54a, 74a which during use is substantially non-rotatably coupled with a fifth gearwheel 54b, 74b (see FIG. 3), for instance with the aid of a slip coupling. The fifth gearwheel 54b, 74b cooperates with an inner toothing of a non-straight, here a circular arc segment-forming, drive rod 55, 75.

[0054] The drive rod 55, 75, coupled to the respective electric motor 5, 7 here via the gearwheels mentioned but in other embodiments via other drive means, is bearing-mounted relative to the base element 3, for instance with the aid of a bearing slot 56, 76.

[0055] When the output shaft 50, 70 of the motor 5, 7 is driven, it will cause the drive rod 55, 75, preferably with a strong reduction, to move. The actuator mechanism 1 may for instance be so configured that the drive rod 55, 75 can locally push up the mirror element 4 and/or pull it down. This may for instance be taken care of with the aid of a driving part 57, 77, which may for instance be mounted rotatably about the respective pivoting axis A2, A1, for instance in a recess 58, 78 in the mirror element 4. The driving part 57, 77 can thus form, for instance, a pivoting point of the pivoting axis A2, A1 about which the other driving part 77, 57, when driven with the aid of respective drive train 70, 50, can rotate the mirror element 2.

[0056] By locally, adjacent the respective driving part 57, 77, pushing up and/or, by contrast, pulling down the mirror element 4 provided rotatably relative to the base element 3, the mirror element 4 can rotate about the pivoting axis A1, A2, which can hence preferably pass through the other driving part 77, 57.

[0057] Since in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 the two rotatable drive rods 55, 75 are not located in a plane that is transverse to the pivoting axis A1, A2 around which the respective drive rods 55, 75 can rotate the mirror element 4, but in this case, for instance, include an angle of about 45° therewith, it may be advantageous in this embodiment to mount the driving parts 57, 77 with some play between the respective drive rod 55, 75 and the mirror element 4.

[0058] As can be seen in FIG. 4, in embodiments, a sensor, for instance a potentiometer 58, 78 may be provided, which, for instance with the aid of one or more gearwheels 59, 79 may be coupled to one 54, 74 of the elements of the drive train 50, 70 in order to enable monitoring of the displacement of mirror element 4 about the respective pivoting axis A1, A2. For this purpose, also a different sensor, such as, for instance, a Hall sensor or a pressure sensor could be used.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an alternative actuator mechanism 1. Here, the supporting surface 6 of the mirror element 4 is of substantially ring-shaped design. Here also, the mirror element 4 is rotatable about pivoting axes relative to the base element 3 in which the electric motors 5, 7 extend substantially transversely to the supporting surface 6 to be rotated to some extent.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a drive train 80 which forms a detail of the actuator mechanism 1 of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a detail thereof. Here also, the actuator mechanism 1 comprises a first electric motor 5 with an output shaft 81 which by means of a first drive train 80 drives a first drive rod 86 to thereby cause the mirror element 2, at a position laterally remote from the first pivoting axis A1, to locally move up and/or down relative to the base element 3 in order to rotate the mirror element 2 about the first pivoting axis A1 relative to the base element 3.

[0061] As can be seen in FIGS. 5-7, in this exemplary embodiment, on a driven shaft 81 of the motor 5 a first gearwheel 82 is mounted substantially non-rotatably. The first gearwheel 82 drives a second gearwheel 83a which is substantially non-rotatably coupled with a third gearwheel 83b which drives a fourth gearwheel 84a. Substantially non-rotatably connected with said gearwheel 84a, a fifth gearwheel 84h having for instance an evoloid toothing is provided which engages an inner toothing 85a of an outer toothing 85b substantially non-rotatably provided therewith, here in the form of a worm 85b, which engages a drive rod 86, which is here implemented as a worm wheel segment with inner toothing. By rotating the drive rod 86 with the aid of the first electric motor 5 and the first drive train 80 up or down about pivoting axis A1, the mirror element 2, provided hingeably relative to the base element 3 about the two mutually transverse pivoting axes or hinge axes A1, A2, is rotated about the first pivoting axis A1.

[0062] A second electric motor 6 (not shown here) can, with the aid of a second drive train 90 (not shown here), drive a second drive rod 96 to enable rotation of the mirror element 2 about a second pivoting axis A2 as well.

[0063] For instance as in the example shown here, the first drive rod 86 can also form a hinge for the pivoting axis A2 about which the mirror element can be rotated when the second drive rod 96 is driven. In order to be able to serve as hinges, the drive rods 86, 96 may be rotatably suspended in the mirror element 2.

[0064] As has been visualized with reference to FIG. 7, a first gearwheel 82, such as, for instance, an involute gearwheel or a worm wheel, may be substantially at least substantially non-rotatably mounted on an output shaft 81 of a first electric motor 5 of an actuator mechanism 1, while at least one other gearwheel 84a, 84b, such as for instance an involute gearwheel, a hypoid gearwheel or a worm wheel, which is preferably part of the same drive train 80 as the first gearwheel 82, is provided rotationally, and preferably bearing-mounted, on said output shaft of the first electric motor and is preferably substantially fixed in axial direction. As a result, an actuator mechanism 1 can be made, for instance, of relatively compact and/or robust design. Since bearing axes, which are usually made of steel, are relatively costly, cost price reductions can be realized by mounting another gearwheel on a motor shaft already on hand.

[0065] Just like the first gearwheel 82, the other gearwheel 84a, 84b can, during use, preferably rotate in the same rotational direction as the output shaft 81 of the first electric motor 5, more preferably with a lesser speed of revolution than the output shaft 81.

[0066] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments given here. Many implementation variants are possible.

[0067] Such 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.