FOLDING ACTUATOR COVER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A folding actuator cover assembly (100) comprises at least a first cover component (110) in a first plane (P1) and having a first receiving portion (120) for receiving a first driving mechanism for rotating the first cover component (110) with respect to a vehicle body portion (10), and a second cover component (130) in a second plane (P2) for attaching a mirror pane (190) of a rear-view system (150). The first plane (P1) is at an angle of 70-110° with respect to the second plane (P2). The second cover component (130) is configured as an extension of the first cover component (110).

Claims

1. A folding actuator cover assembly (100) comprising: at least a first cover component (110) arranged in a first plane (P1) and having a first receiving portion (120) for receiving a first driving mechanism for rotating the first cover component (110) with respect to a vehicle body portion (10); and a second cover component (130) arranged in a second plane (P2) for attaching a mirror pane (190) of a rear-view system (150), wherein the first plane (P1) is positioned at an angle of 70-110° with respect to the second plane (P2) and wherein the second cover component (130) is configured as an extension of the first cover component (110).

2. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plane (P1) is inclined at an angle of ±20° to the ground.

3. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover component (110) and the second cover component (130) are formed integrally with each other.

4. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover component (110) is removably attached to the second cover component (130).

5. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover component (110) comprises an upper actuator cover (110a) and a bottom actuator cover (110b) and wherein the upper actuator cover (110a) and the second cover component (130) are formed integrally with each other.

6. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first cover component (110) comprises an upper actuator cover (110a) and a bottom actuator cover (110b), and wherein the second cover component (130) is removably attached to the upper actuator cover (110a).

7. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the upper actuator cover (110a) is arranged extending from a central portion of the second cover component (130).

8. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upper actuator cover (110a) is arranged extending less than 30 mm from the central portion of the second cover component (130).

9. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second cover component (130) has a second receiving portion (140) for receiving a second driving mechanism for driving the mirror pane (190) of the rear-view system (150).

10. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first plane (P1) is perpendicular to the second plane (P2).

11. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a relationship between the vertical dimension of second cover component (130) and the upper actuator cover (110a) is higher than 150%, and more preferably between 150% and 500%.

12. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein a longitudinal dimension of the upper actuator cover (110a) along a transverse direction (x) of the vehicle is larger than a longitudinal dimension of the actuator bottom cover (110b) along a transverse direction (x) of the vehicle towards the outside of the vehicle.

13. The folding actuator cover assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second cover component (130) is substantially circular in shape.

14. A rear-view mirror system (150) for motor vehicles, comprising: a foot (155) projecting from a vehicle body portion (10); a rear-view mirror head (160) attached to the foot (155) including the mirror pane (190); and the folding actuator cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first cover component (110) and the second cover component (130) is attached to the mirror head (160) for rotating the mirror head (160) relative to the foot (155), and the mirror pane (190) is attached to the second cover component (130).

15. The rear-view mirror system (150) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism are configured to operate independently of each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Particular examples of the folding actuator cover assembly and the rear-view mirror system for motor vehicles will be described in the following by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0030] In the drawings:

[0031] FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings show one example of a rear-view mirror system for motor vehicles as viewed from different angles provided with a folding actuator cover assembly, and

[0032] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rear-view mirror system for motor vehicles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The rear-view mirror system 150 in the example shown comprises a foot 155. The foot 155 is arranged projecting from a portion 10 of the vehicle, in this example, from a door of the vehicle. The rear-view mirror system 150 further comprises a rear-view mirror head 160 that is attached to said foot 155. The rear-view mirror head 160 in turn includes a mirror pane 190, shown in FIG. 3, that is attached to a second cover component 130 of a folding actuator cover assembly 100 that will be described in detail below, and a mirror housing 200.

[0034] The rear-view mirror system 150 also comprises the above mentioned folding actuator cover assembly 100. In the example shown, the folding actuator cover assembly 100 comprises a first cover component 110 and a second cover component 130. The first cover component 110 and the second cover component 130 may be removably attached to each other.

[0035] The first cover component 110 comprises an upper actuator cover 110a and a bottom actuator cover 110b and is also attached to the second cover component 130. One of the second cover component 130 and the first cover component 110 is attached to the mirror head 160 for rotating the mirror head 160 relative to the foot 155. In the example of the figures, the first cover component 110 comprises an upper actuator cover 110a and a bottom actuator cover 110b. It may be envisaged that the upper actuator cover 110a and the second cover component 130 are formed integrally with each other depending on requirements.

[0036] The upper actuator cover 110a is arranged in a first plane P1 diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The upper actuator cover 110a has a first receiving portion 120. The first receiving portion 120 of the first cover component 110 is configured for receiving a first driving mechanism, such as for example an electric motor, shown in FIG. 3, for rotating the first cover component 110 with respect to a vehicle body portion 10. The second cover component 130 is arranged in a second plane P2 diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The second cover component 130 is configured for attaching the mirror pane 190 directly or indirectly through an intermediate element as a mirror pane back plate 196 or a mirror pane regulator actuator 197 of the rear-view system 150.

[0037] As shown in the Figures, the first plane P1 is perpendicular to the second plane P2. In general, the first plane P1 may be positioned at an angle of 70-110° with respect to the second plane P2. The first plane P1 is parallel to the ground when the mirror assembly is operatively attached to the vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 although it may be inclined at an angle of ±20° to the ground.

[0038] A first dimension L of the upper actuator cover 110a extends along a transverse direction x of the vehicle. The first dimension L of the upper actuator cover 110a may be 60-100 mm, preferably 80 mm.

[0039] A width T1 of the upper actuator cover 110a along a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is 60-100 mm, preferably 80 mm. A second dimension H1 or thickness of the upper actuator cover 110a extends 20-40 mm, with 30 mm being preferred, along a vertical direction y of the vehicle when in use as shown in FIG. 2.

[0040] A longitudinal direction refers to a direction of travel z of the vehicle. A transverse direction x of the vehicle refers to a direction x extending perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel z, and a vertical direction y of the vehicle refers to a direction y extending perpendicular to the ground. As a result, the rear-view system 150 is small in size, in particular, in the dimension along vertical axis y. A highly compact assembly is obtained.

[0041] The second cover component 130 in the example shown in the Figures is substantially circular in shape and 60-100 mm in diameter H2, with 80 mm being preferred. Other shapes and sizes are possible, therefore, the maximum length in a vertical direction y should be 60-100 mm, with 80 mm being preferred. In any case, the second cover component 130 is configured as an extension of the upper actuator cover 110a. That is, the second cover component 130 is formed extending from the upper actuator cover 110a. The purpose of the second cover component 130 is supporting a functional element such as an electrical device, for example, a mirror pane (shown in FIG. 3), a camera, a light, a blinker, a radar, a sensor, etc.

[0042] Therefore, the relationship between the vertical dimension of second actuator cover 130 and the upper actuator cover 110a should be higher than 150%, and more preferably between 150% and 500%.

[0043] In the non-limiting example illustrated in the Figures of the drawings, the upper actuator cover 110a is arranged extending less than 30 mm from the central portion of the second cover component 130.

[0044] A second receiving portion 140 is formed in the second cover component 130. The second receiving portion is configured for receiving a second driving mechanism or mirror pane regulator 197, such as an electric motor, shown in FIG. 3, for driving the mirror pane 190 of the rear-view system 150. Other types of driving mechanisms are possible. In any case, the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism may be configured to operate independently of each other or synchronously.

[0045] A longitudinal dimension of the upper actuator cover 110a and the second cover component 130 along the transverse direction x of the vehicle is in this example larger than a longitudinal dimension of the bottom actuator cover 110b along said transverse direction x of the vehicle towards the outside of the vehicle. The longitudinal dimension of the upper or bottom actuator covers 110a, 110b refers to the length of that parts.

[0046] The longitudinal dimension of the upper actuator cover 110a and the second cover component 130 along this transverse direction is at least 30%, more preferably 45%, optimally 60% the length of the bottom actuator cover 110b.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the folding actuator cover assembly 100 has a coupling arrangement 180, for attachment of the upper actuator cover 110a and the bottom actuator cover 110b to each other.

[0048] Shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3 of the drawings is an example of the present rear-view mirror system 150. The rear-view mirror system 150 in the example shown comprises the mirror pane 190 as mentioned above and a mirror heating 195 adhesively attaching the mirror pane 190 to the mirror back plate 196. The mirror back plate 196 is in turn intended be attached to the mirror pane regulator 197 associated with the second driving mechanism. A mirror frame 198 is arranged to be attached to the above-mentioned mirror housing 200. A foot cover 199 is also provided which may comprise a folding actuator cover. The above-mentioned coupling arrangement 180 is also shown in this Figure comprising screw holes in upper and bottom actuator covers 110a, 110b for attachment thereof to each other through any attachment means as screws. A drive arrangement 210 comprising a motor, gearing and other components of the first driving mechanism is also provided.

[0049] Radially stiffening elements 170 are provided in the second cover component 130 as shown in Figure.

[0050] At least one of the first cover component 110 and the second cover component 130 may be made of plastic or metal such as aluminium or any suitable aluminium alloy.

[0051] Although only a particular example of the present actuator cover assembly and rear-view mirror system for motor vehicles has been disclosed herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other alternative examples and/or uses and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof are also possible. The present disclosure covers all possible combinations of the particular examples described. Reference signs related to drawings and placed in parentheses in a claim, are solely for attempting to increase the intelligibility of the claim and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claim. The scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by particular examples but should be determined only by a fair reading of the following claims.