Folding Device for an Exterior Mirror

Abstract

A folding device to move a mirror head relative to a mirror foot of a motor vehicle exterior mirror. The folding device includes a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot, a motor attached to the carrier, the motor having a motor shaft, an output drive operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot, a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output drive to the motor shaft, and a pressure device operatively connected to the carrier to engage and press the motor shaft against the motor.

Claims

1. A folding device to move a mirror head relative to a mirror foot of a motor vehicle exterior mirror, the folding device comprising: a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot; a motor attached to the carrier, the motor having a motor shaft; an output drive operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot; a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output drive to the motor shaft; and a pressure device operatively connected to the carrier to engage and press the motor shaft against the motor.

2. The folding device of claim 1, wherein the gear mechanism comprises at least one first worm gear mounted on the motor shaft, and a second worm gear wherein mounted on an intermediate shaft.

3. The folding device of claim 1, wherein the pressure device is arranged between the motor shaft and a cover.

4. The folding device of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment device to adjust the pressure device substantially axially relative to the motor shaft.

5. The folding device of claim 4, wherein the adjustment devices comprises an adjustment screw.

6. The folding device of claim 5, wherein the adjustment screw is configured to engage an internal thread of the carrier.

7. The folding device of claim 6, wherein the pressure device is operatively connected to the carrier so as to pivot about a fixing axis.

8. The folding device of claim 7, wherein the fixing axis lies on a side of the motor shaft opposite the adjustment screw.

9. An exterior mirror for a motor vehicle, the exterior mirror comprising: a mirror foot; a mirror head; and a folding device to move the mirror head relative to the mirror foot, the folding including: a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot; a motor attached to the carrier, the motor having a motor shaft; an output drive operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot; a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output drive to the motor shaft; and a pressure device operatively connected to the carrier to engage and press the motor shaft against the motor.

10. The exterior mirror of claim 9, wherein the gear mechanism comprises at least one first worm gear mounted on the motor shaft, and a second worm gear wherein mounted on an intermediate shaft.

11. The exterior mirror of claim 9, wherein the pressure device is arranged between the motor shaft and a cover.

12. The exterior mirror of claim 9, further comprising an adjustment device to adjust the pressure device substantially axially relative to the motor shaft.

13. The exterior mirror of claim 12, wherein the adjustment devices comprises an adjustment screw.

14. The exterior mirror of claim 13, wherein the adjustment screw is configured to engage an internal thread of the carrier.

15. The exterior mirror of claim 14, wherein the pressure device is operatively connected to the carrier so as to pivot about a fixing axis.

16. The exterior mirror of claim 15, wherein the fixing axis lies on a side of the motor shaft opposite the adjustment screw.

17. A method for setting a folding device to move a mirror head relative to a mirror foot of a motor vehicle exterior mirror, the method comprising: supplying a motor of the folding device with a constant voltage; measuring a current intensity of a motor power supply; and establishing an operating current by adjusting a pressure of a pressure device of the folding device on a motor shaft.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein when the operating current is established, the pressure piece is fixed to the carrier.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0026] Embodiments will be illustrated by way of example in the drawings and explained in the description below.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a section view of a folding device, in accordance with embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a three-dimensional exploded depiction of the folding device of FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a section view of the fitted pressure piece and the adjustment screw in a folding device, in accordance with embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a diagrammatic depiction of a method for setting the folding device via an adjustment screw, in accordance with embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a diagrammatic depiction of a method for setting a folding device via welding, in accordance with embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a folding device, in accordance with embodiments. The drive of the folding device, in particular the motor 2, is connected to a mirror head (not illustrated) of an exterior mirror via a carrier 1.

[0033] The output drive gear 4 is connected by form fit to the locking plate 17. The locking contour on the underside of the locking plate 17, together with a corresponding counter-contour on the mirror foot, forms a rotationally fixed connection which can be overcome on overload. The locking pin 14 loaded by a locking pin compression spring 15, together with a stop contour on the top side of the locking plate 17, predefines the driving position.

[0034] A gear mechanism between the motor 2 and the output drive gear 4 is configured as a two-stage worm gear mechanism. On a folding movement, an intermediate shaft 8 rotates about the stationary output drive gear 4. The intermediate shaft 8 has a worm gear made of steel, namely a second worm gear 7, which engages the output drive gear 4 and has a spray-moulded spur gear made of plastic. This spur gear is driven by the first worm gear 6, namely the motor worm gear, in which the motor worm gear is firmly pressed onto the motor shaft 3. The axial forces acting on the motor worm gear 6 are absorbed internally in the motor 2 in one direction, and in the other direction a pressure piece 5 supports a distal end of the motor shaft 3.

[0035] The pressure piece 5 is arranged between the motor shaft 3 and a cover 9. FIG. 3 shows a more detailed section through the pressure piece 5 and the adjustment screw 10. The electric motor 2 is fixedly clamped in the carrier 1 via a motor fixing clamp 12. The motor shaft 3 in a front region thereof is guided radially in the carrier 1, but axially protrudes therefrom and is in contact with the pressure piece 5. The pressure piece 5 is configured for insertion in a slot of the carrier 1 so that the pressure piece 5 lies on the carrier 1 at a fixing point 11 or a fixing axis. The pressure piece 5 is adjustable in a direction towards the carrier 1 via an adjustment screw 10 which lies opposite the fixing point 11 relative to the motor shaft 3, so that the motor shaft 3 is arranged between the fixing point 11 and the adjustment screw 10, and thus, engages the motor shaft 3.

[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of axial setting the motor shaft 3 using an adjustment screw 10. The pressure piece 5 is insertable in the carrier 1 and is pivotable about a fixing point 11. The motor 2 is powered via a connection to a direct voltage source U. The operating current of the motor 2, i.e., the current intensity, is measured via an ammeter A. When the adjustment screw 10 is manipulated via rotation, the pressure piece 5 rests on the carrier 1 and exerts a pressure on the motor shaft 3. The adjustment screw 10 is now manipulated via rotation until an established operating current is detected by the ammeter A. In this way a defined pretension (=negative axial play) of the motor shaft 3 may be set/established.

[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative method for setting a folding device, and an alternative embodiment of a pressure piece 5, in accordance with embodiments. During assembly, the pressure piece 5 is to engage the carrier 1 via a screw, spindle or cylinder, with increasing force F until an established operating current is reached and displayed at the ammeter A. In this position, the pressure piece 5 is operatively connected to the carrier 1 by welding 18, for example, via laser welding.

[0038] The term “coupled” or “connected” may be used herein to refer to any type of relationship, direct or indirect, between the components in question, and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, electromechanical or other connections. In addition, the terms “first,” “second, etc. are used herein only to facilitate discussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronological significance unless otherwise indicated.

[0039] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the preferred embodiments, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of embodiments is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. Aspects from the various embodiments described, as well as other known equivalents for each such aspects, may be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in the art to construct additional embodiments and techniques in accordance with principles of this application.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0040] 1 Carrier

[0041] 2 Motor

[0042] 3 Motor shaft

[0043] 4 Output drive

[0044] 5 Pressure piece

[0045] 6 First worm gear

[0046] 7 Second worm gear

[0047] 8 Intermediate shaft

[0048] 9 Cover

[0049] 10 Adjustment screw

[0050] 11 Fixing point

[0051] 12 Motor fixing clamp

[0052] 13 Isolation cap

[0053] 14 Locking pin

[0054] 15 Locking pin compression spring

[0055] 16 Axial ball bearing

[0056] 17 Locking plate

[0057] 18 Welding

[0058] U Power source

[0059] A Ammeter

[0060] F Force