Folding Device for an Exterior Mirror

Abstract

A folding device to move a mirror head relative to a mirror base of a motor vehicle exterior mirror, the folding device including a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror base, a motor arranged in the carrier, and which has a motor shaft, an output device operatively connected to one of the mirror base or the mirror head, and a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output device to the motor shaft. The motor shaft and the output device are located parallel with each other, and the motor, the output device, and the gear mechanism are positioned relative to each other via the carrier, such that the axial spacings of the motor shaft, the output device, and the gear mechanism located therebetween are determined via the carrier.

Claims

1. A folding device to move a mirror head relative to a mirror base of a motor vehicle exterior mirror, the folding device comprising: a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror base; a motor arranged in the carrier, and which has a motor shaft; an output device operatively connected to one of the mirror base or the mirror head; and a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output device to the motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft and the output device are located parallel with each other, and the motor, the output device, and the gear mechanism are positioned relative to each other via the carrier, such that the axial spacings of the motor shaft, the output device, and the gear mechanism located therebetween are determined via the carrier.

2. The folding device of claim 1, wherein the gear mechanism comprises at least one intermediate shaft.

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

4. The folding device of claim 1, wherein the motor shaft is axially supported directly on the carrier in a direction towards the motor.

5. The folding device of claim 1, further comprising a pressure device arranged on the carrier so as to engage and press the motor shaft against the motor.

6. The folding device of claim 5, wherein the pressure device is arranged between the motor shaft and a cover.

7. The folding device of claim 5, further comprising an adjustment device configured to adjust the pressure device substantially axially with respect to the motor shaft.

8. The folding device of claim 7, wherein the adjustment device comprises an adjustment screw.

9. The folding device of claim 8, wherein the adjustment screw is configured to engage an internal thread of the carrier.

10. The folding device of claim 9, wherein the pressure device is arranged relative to the carrier so as to pivot about a securing axle located at a side of the motor shaft opposite the adjustment screw.

11. An external mirror of a motor vehicle, the external mirror comprising: a mirror base; a mirror head; and a folding device to move the mirror head relative to the mirror base, the folding device including: a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror base; a motor arranged in the carrier, and which has a motor shaft; an output device operatively connected to one of the mirror base or the mirror head; a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output device to the motor shaft, wherein the motor shaft and the output device are located parallel with each other, and the motor, the output device, and the gear mechanism are positioned relative to each other via the carrier, such that the axial spacings of the motor shaft, the output device, and the gear mechanism located therebetween are determined via the carrier.

12. The external mirror of claim 11, further comprising a pressure spring configured to pretension the carrier with respect to the mirror base or the mirror head.

13. The external mirror of claim 12, wherein the pressure spring is operatively connected to the output.

14. The external mirror of claim 12, further comprising a locking disc which is rotationally secure with the pressure spring.

15. The external mirror of claim 11, wherein the gear mechanism comprises at least one intermediate shaft.

16. The external mirror of claim 15, wherein the gear mechanism comprises at least a first worm gear arranged on the motor shaft, and a second worm gear arranged on the at least one intermediate shaft.

17. The external mirror of claim 11, wherein the motor shaft is axially supported directly on the carrier in a direction towards the motor.

18. The external mirror of claim 11, further comprising a pressure device arranged on the carrier so as to engage and press the motor shaft against the motor.

19. The external mirror of claim 18, further comprising an adjustment device configured to adjust the pressure device substantially axially with respect to the motor shaft.

20. The folding device of claim 19, wherein the pressure device is arranged relative to the carrier so as to pivot about a securing axle located at a side of the motor shaft opposite the adjustment device.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0028] Embodiments will be illustrated by way of example in the drawings and explained in the description below.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a three-dimensional exploded illustration of a folding device with a mirror base and supporting portion of a mirror head, in accordance with embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a three-dimensional illustration of components which are supported in the carrier of a folding device, in accordance with embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectioned illustration of the folding device of section A-A of FIG. 4.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of a folding device, with the path of the section A-A.

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a partially sectioned view of a folding device, in accordance with embodiments.

DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a folding device with the surrounding components in an external mirror, in accordance with embodiments. Of a mirror head of the external mirror, only the supporting portion of the mirror head 20 is illustrated. Between this supporting portion of the mirror head 20 and the mirror base 18, there is arranged a folding device, of which in FIG. 1 the carrier 1 and the motor 2 which is supported in the carrier 1 via a motor clamping bracket 12 is illustrated.

[0035] The folding device may be screwed into the mirror head 20 via, for example, screws 19. In addition, the supporting portion of the mirror head 20 may be pressed via a tubular rivet 22 and a powerful pressure spring 23 which acts on or otherwise engages a sliding disc 21 against the mirror base 18. The pressure spring 23 may, for example, apply a force of approximately 650 N. The pressure spring 23 is part of a safety coupling which permits torsion between the mirror head 20 and the mirror base 18 in the event of excess external application of force to the mirror head 20. The pressure spring 23 may also be integrated in the folding drive itself, in particular, inside the carrier 1. The external construction of the pressure spring 23, as illustrated in FIG. 1 has the advantage that, if the securing screws 19 of the folding device become loose, the pressure spring 23 continues to press the mirror head against the folding device and the mirror base 18.

[0036] FIGS. 2-4 respectively illustrate a folding device in accordance with embodiments. The folding device comprises the carrier 1 operatively connected to the mirror head 20, and a motor 2 which is secured to the carrier 1, and which has a motor shaft 3. The folding device further comprises an output gear 4 operatively connected to the mirror base 18, the output gear 4 is operatively connected to the motor shaft 3 via a gear mechanism. The motor shaft 3 and an axle of the output gear 4 are parallel with each other. The motor 2, output 4 and the gear mechanism comprising an intermediate shaft 8 are positioned relative to each other via a single component, e.g., the carrier 1, so that the axial spacings of the motor shaft 3, the axle of the output 4, and the axle of the intermediate shaft 8 which is located therebetween are determined by the carrier 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the components mentioned are supported directly in the carrier 1.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a sectioned illustration of the bearing of the motor 2 and output gear 4 in the carrier 1. The output gear 4 is connected to the locking disc 17 in a positive-locking manner. Together with the pressure spring 23 which is provided in the mirror assembly, the locking contour forms on the lower side of the locking disc 17 with the mirror base 18 a rotationally secure connection which can be overcome in the event of an overload. The locking pin 14 which is loaded with a locking pin pressure spring 15 predetermines the travel position together with a contour at the upper side of the locking disc 17. The locking pin pressure spring 15 is a weak spring with a force of, for example, approximately 10 N.

[0038] The gear mechanism between the motor 2 and the output gear 4 is constructed as a two-stage worm gear mechanism, wherein, in the event of a folding movement, the intermediate shaft 8 turns around the upright output gear 4. The intermediate shaft 8 has a worm gear of steel, that is to say, the second worm gear 7, which is in engagement with the output gear 4 and has an injection-moulded spur gear of plastics material. This spur gear is driven via the first worm gear 6, that is to say, the motor worm gear, wherein the motor worm gear is securely pressed onto the motor shaft 3. The axial forces which act on the motor worm gear 6 are absorbed internally in the motor 2 in one direction, in the other direction according to FIG. 3 the carrier 1 supports the motor shaft end.

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a pressure piece or device 5 which is fixed in the carrier 1 supports the motor shaft end axially in the direction towards the motor 2. The motor shaft 3 is thereby radially directly positioned by the carrier 1 and axially indirectly via the elements pressure piece 5 and motor 2 which are fixed in the carrier 1. The pressure piece 5 is arranged between the motor shaft 3 and the cover 9. FIG. 5 is a cross-section through the pressure piece 5 and the adjustment screw 10. The electric motor 2 is securely clamped in the carrier 1 via the motor clamping bracket 12, wherein the motor shaft 3 in the front region is guided radially in the carrier 1, but protrudes axially therefrom and is in contact with the pressure piece 5. The pressure piece 5 is in this instance suspended in a slot in the carrier 1 so that the pressure piece 5 is positioned with a securing location 11 or a securing axle on the carrier 1. The pressure piece 5 can be adjusted in the direction towards the carrier 1 via the adjustment screw 10 which is opposite the securing location 11 with respect to the motor shaft 3 so that the motor shaft 3 is arranged between the securing location 11 and adjustment screw 10, and presses in this instance on the motor shaft 3.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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

[0042] 1 Carrier [0043] 2 Motor [0044] 3 Motor shaft [0045] 4 Output [0046] 5 Pressure piece [0047] 6 First worm gear [0048] 7 Second worm gear [0049] 8 Intermediate shaft [0050] 9 Cover [0051] 10 Adjustment screw [0052] 11 Securing location [0053] 12 Motor clamping bracket [0054] 13 Insulation cap [0055] 14 Locking pin [0056] 15 Locking pin pressure spring [0057] 16 Axial ball bearing [0058] 17 Locking disc [0059] 18 Mirror base [0060] 19 Screws [0061] 20 Supporting portion of the mirror head [0062] 21 Sliding disc [0063] 22 Tubular rivet [0064] 23 Pressure spring