U.S. patent application number 10/485435 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-13 for housing for a mirror actuator.
Invention is credited to Brouwer, Stefan Frits, Hamming, Peter Alexander, Kleissen, Werner John Peter, Van Stiphout, Paulus Gerardus Maria, Van Zuijlen, Marinus Jacobus Maria.
Application Number | 20050006553 10/485435 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19773824 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050006553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Van Stiphout, Paulus Gerardus Maria
; et al. |
January 13, 2005 |
Housing for a mirror actuator
Abstract
A housing for a mirror actuator, comprising a first housing
member (10), provided with at least one first mounting opening
(14',15',16',17'), and a second housing member (50), provided with
at least one second mounting opening (74,77), while in a mounted
condition of the first and second housing member (10,50) the
respective mounting openings (14',15',16'17',74',77), are in line,
and in the mounted condition a connecting means (80) is arranged
through the two mounting openings (14',15',16',17',74',77), the
first housing member (10) being provided with a first edge (11),
and the second housing member (50) being provided with a second
edge (51), while the first and second edge (11, 51) in mounted
condition link up with each other, further provided with a sealing
edge (60) which in mounted condition is arranged between the two
edges (11,51).
Inventors: |
Van Stiphout, Paulus Gerardus
Maria; (Woerden, NL) ; Brouwer, Stefan Frits;
(Den Haag, NL) ; Kleissen, Werner John Peter;
(Deurningen, NL) ; Hamming, Peter Alexander;
(Steenwijk, NL) ; Van Zuijlen, Marinus Jacobus Maria;
(Jaarsveld, NL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Eaton Corporation
Patent Law Department
Eaton Center
1111 Superior Avenue
Cleveland
OH
44114-2584
US
|
Family ID: |
19773824 |
Appl. No.: |
10/485435 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
August 1, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL02/00521 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/475.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 1/074 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/475.1 |
International
Class: |
A47G 001/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 2, 2001 |
NL |
1018689 |
Claims
1. A housing for a mirror actuator, comprising a first housing
member (10), provided with at least one first mounting opening
(14', 15', 16', 17'), and a second housing member (50), provided
with at least one second 6 mounting opening (74, 77), while in a
mounted condition of the first and second housing member (10, 50)
the respective mounting openings (14', 15', 16', 17', 74, 77) are
in line, and in the mounted condition a connecting means (80) is
arranged through the two mounting openings (14', 15', 16', 17', 74,
77), characterized in that the first housing member (10) is
provided with a first edge (11), that the second housing member
(50) is provided with a second edge (51), while the first and
second edge (11, 51) in mounted condition line up with each other
and cooperate to surround an adjusting mechanism to be placed in
the housing, and in that the housing is further provided with a
sealing edge (60) of elastic design which in mounted condition is
arranged between the two edges (11, 51), such that in mounted
condition the two housing members (10, 50) are mounted under a
mutual bias through the sealing edge (60).
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing edge (60) is
provided on one of the two edges (11).
3. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the connecting means (80) in mounted condition exerts a spring
force directed in a radial sense on the mounting openings (14',
15', 16', 17').
4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the connecting means (80) is a tubular rivet.
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the tubular rivet (80) in
an outwardly sprung condition has an outside diameter greater than
an inside diameter of the mounting openings (14', 15', 16', 17',
74, 77).
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, further
comprising a driving mechanism mounted in a frame (40), the frame
being provided with at least one through opening (41, 42, 43, 44),
which through opening (41, 42, 43, 44) is in line with the
respective mounting openings (14', 15', 16', 17', 74, 77), while in
the mounted condition the connecting means (80) extends through the
through opening (41, 42, 43, 44) of the frame (46).
7. A wing mirror unit for a motor vehicle, provided with a housing
(1) for a mirror actuator according to any one of the preceding
claims.
8. A method for assembling a housing according to any one of claims
1-6, comprising the steps of aligning respective mounting openings
(14', 15', 16', 17', 74, 77) in a first and a second housing member
(10, 50), and arranging a connecting means (80) in the aligned
mounting openings (14', 15', 16', 17', 74, 77) to join the two
housing members (10, 50) relative to each other.
9. A method according to claim 9, wherein arranging the connecting
means (80) comprises introducing a tubular rivet (80) into the
aligned mounting openings (14', 15', 16', 17', 74, 77), which
tubular rivet (80) in outwardly sprung condition has an outside
diameter greater than an inside diameter of the mounting openings
(14', 15', 16', 17', 74, 77), while the tubular rivet (80) in
mounted condition exerts a spring force directed in a radial sense
on the respective mounting openings (14', 15', 16', 17', 74, 77).
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a housing for a mirror actuator,
and to a method for assembling such housing.
[0002] Such a housing is generally known and is used to protect a
hinge actuator. With such an actuator, a mirror housing of a wing
mirror is pivotally connected with the body of a car. The mirror
housing is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis between an
operating position in which the mirror housing projects
substantially sideward relative to the body of the car, and an
extreme fold-in position, in which the mirror housing extends
substantially rearwards along the body of the car. Accordingly, for
instance during parking, the mirror housing can be folded in from
the operating position, so that the free end of the mirror housing
comes to lie closer to the body of the car and the chance of damage
can be reduced.
[0003] The actuator mechanism comprises fine-mechanical parts and
may easily be damaged through contaminants such as, for instance,
water and dust. Because the actuator mechanism view of its function
is located close to the mirror and hence outside the protective
environment of the body of the vehicle, the actuator mechanism is
surrounded by a housing. This housing is to protect the mechanism
from contaminants from outside.
[0004] From practice, such housings are known. A drawback of these
housings, however, is that they must be made of rather complex, and
hence costly, construction to obtain the desired sealing. Further,
the complex makeup of the housing has as a consequence that
assembly and fitting are time-consuming and hence costly.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
housing for an actuator mechanism, with which a proper sealing for
the actuator mechanism can be obtained at lower cost.
[0006] To that end, the invention provides a housing according to
claim 1. The housing has a first and a second housing member, each
provided with mounting openings. In mounted condition, the housing
members are located relative to each other in such a manner that
the respective mounting openings are in line, and a connecting
means is arranged through the two mounting openings. Preferably,
the connecting means is arranged such that it exerts a spring force
directed in a radial sense on the mounting openings, so that the
housing members are locked relative to each other and the
connecting means is confined in axial direction within the housing.
As a result, a good sealing of the housing is obtained, while
assembly is simple through application of the resilient connecting
means.
[0007] In a variant embodiment according to the invention, between
the housing members a flexible sealing edge is provided. It
provides for an extra reliable sealing, in particular if the two
housing members are assembled under a bias.
[0008] In another variant embodiment according to the invention,
the connecting means is arranged such that a driving mechanism
located within the housing is fixed within the housing in that the
connecting means engages in openings in the frame in which the
mechanism is received. What is thereby achieved is that no extra
parts are needed for the fixation of the frame of the mechanism;
further, space within the housing is saved.
[0009] The invention further relates to a method for assembling a
housing for a mirror actuator mechanism according to claim 10.
Through the assembly of the two housing members by means of a
connecting means, such as, for instance, a tubular rivet, a fast
and reliable connection is realized. Preferably, the two housing
members are assembled under a bias, so that a proper sealing is
obtained, in particular if a flexible sealing edge is applied. The
invention further relates to a wing mirror unit for a motor vehicle
with a mirror provided with a housing.
[0010] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set
forth in the subclaims. The invention will be further elucidated on
the basis of a detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of
the invention, with reference to the drawing. In the drawing.
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an assembly according to
the invention,
[0012] FIG. 2 shows the assembly of FIG. 1 in mounted
condition,
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a connecting means,
[0014] FIG. 4 schematically shows a top plan view of a vehicle with
a wing mirror in an operating position, and
[0015] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a frame for an adjusting
mechanism.
[0016] In FIG. 1, by way of exemplary embodiment according to the
invention, a housing 1 is shown. The housing comprises a lower
member 10 and an upper member 50. The lower member 10 has a
circumferential wall 12 which extends upwards from a floor part 13
(not visible in FIG. 1), thereby defining an inner space. The
height of the circumfrential wall 12 varies along the
circumference. The upper edge 11 of the wall 12 is provided with an
elastic sealing ring 60 along the length of the wall. The lower
member 10 can be manufactured, or instance, by injection molding
from plastic; advantageously, the sealing ring 60 can then be
provided on the edge of the lower member 10 by injection molding as
well. The lower member 10 is further provided with four coupling
parts 14, 15, 16, 17. These coupling parts are arranged in pairs,
viz. 14 and 15; 16 and 17, within the circumference of the wall 12,
while the coupling parts extend above the edge 11. In the portion
of the coupling parts 14, 15, 16, 17 that projects above the edge
11, a respective opening 14', 15', 16', 17' is provided.
[0017] The upper member 50 has a circumferential wall 52 extending
from a cap portion 53, thereby defining an inner space. The height
of the circumferential wall 52 varies along the circumference, such
that the shape of the edge of the wall 52 corresponds to the shape
of the wall 12. This provides the effect that in assembled
condition the respective edges of the walls 12, 52 link up with
each other. Further, the wall 52 is provided with holes which in
mounted condition are in line with the respective openings 14',
15', 16', 17' in the coupling parts 14, 15, 16, 17 of the lower
member 10. Of these, the holes 74 and 77 (respectively
corresponding with the openings 14' and 17') are shown in FIG.
1.
[0018] The walls of the upper and lower member 10, 50 form a
rounding in the area located remote from the coupling parts and the
corresponding openings. In mounted condition, these roundings bound
a substantially cylinder-shaped space. In this space, a bearing can
be accommodated. Via this bearing a mounting part 90 shown in FIGS.
1 and 2 can be included. This mounting part 90 is provided with a
flange 91 with mounting holes 92 and a journal 93. The journal 93
in mounted condition is connected with the bearing arranged in the
housing. By means of screws through the holes 92, the flange 91 is
fixedly connected with a vehicle, such as, for instance, a
passenger car or a multipurpose vehicle (MPV). Thus, the housing
can be pivoted relative to the flange 91 (and hence the vehicle) in
the direction indicated with the arrow A, for instance to adjust
the position of a mirror housing connected with the housing.
[0019] When fitting the parts 10 and 50 together, resulting in the
assembled condition as shown in FIG. 2, the coupling parts 14, 15,
16, 17 engage the inside of the wall 52. Preferably, the fit
between the coupling parts and the inner wall 52 is such as to be
slightly clamped. This provides the advantage that the two members
10 and 50 form a coherent whole immediately upon assembly.
Preferably, the distance from the openings 14', 15', 16', 17' to
the edge 11, and hence, in conjunction, the distance between the
edge 51 and the openings 74 and 77 in the wall 52, is selected such
that aligning the respective members 10 and 50 some measure of a
biasing force must be exerted. This can be achieved, for instance,
through compression of the elastic sealing ring 60. For fixing the
members 10 and 50 in the condition where the above-decribed
openings have been brought into line, a connecting means is phased
through the openings. Thereupon, the biasing force can be removed,
and the two parts are mutually fixed, under a bias.
[0020] In the exemplary embodiment shown, use is made of a tubular
rivet 80 as connecting means. In FIG. 3 an example of a tubular
rivet 80 is shown. The tubular rivet 80 is formed by a strip of
steel 81 which has been bent round, with a space 85 left open
between the edges. The axial ends of the cylinder are provided with
locating edges in the form of bevels 82 and 83. Through this
construction, the tubular rivet can spring inwards and outwards in
a radial sense. The outer diameter of the tubular rivet is
preferably slightly larger than the inner diameter of the openings
in which the tubular rivet is to be fitted. For that matter,
according to the invention, a tubular rivet with a fully closed
circumferential surface can be used.
[0021] What is achieved owing to the tubular rivet in mounted
condition pressing in a radial sense against the wall of the
opening, is that the tubular rivet is also fixed in an axial sense.
This provides the advantage that locking the connecting means
requires no supplemental measures to be taken. Further, in mounted
condition, the tubular rivet gives further strength to the
construction. If desired, the axial ends of the tubular rivet can
be provided with sealing means in order to prevent entry of any
undesired matter into the housing by way of the tubular rivets.
Also, in mounted condition, other fastening means can be passed
through the passage formed by the tubular rivet, such as, for
instance, a screw or bolt.
[0022] Although in this example use has been made of a tubular
rivet, according to the invention use can also be made of other
connecting means and preferably a connecting means capable of a
clamped self-lock in a radial sense in the respective mounting
opening.
[0023] In a favorable variant embodiment according to the
invention, the tubular through rivet is used to fix a part of the
adjusting mechanism to be placed in the housing. The adjusting
mechanism is arranged in a frame; an example of such a frame 40 is
shown in FIG. 5. In this example, the frame is manufactured from a
sheet of metal bent into a U-shape. Between the sidewalls of the
frame formed by the legs of the U, the adjusting mechanism is
arranged (not own in FIG. 5). In the sidewall, two pairs of
mutually aligned openings are provided, viz. pair 41 and 42, and
pair 43 and 44. The pair 41, 42 in mounted condition is in line
with the openings 16', 17', 77 of the members 10 and 50, while the
pair 43, 44 in mounted condition is in line with the openings 14',
15', 74 of the members 10, 50.
[0024] During assembly, these through openings 41-44 are aligned
with the respective mounting openings in the upper and the lower
member Thereafter, the tubular rivet is passed through the aligned
openings, thereby fig the fame of the adjusting mechanism in the
assembled housing. This provides the advantage that no additional
parts are needed for the fixation; further, space within the
housing is saved. In addition, forces from the adjusting mechanism
am efficiently transmitted to the housing via the frame and the
tubular rivet.
[0025] Although in the example use is made of a through fastener
which in each case passes through two openings of both the upper
and the lower member 10, 50, the invention is not so limited and,
according to the invention, it is possible to choose, for instance,
a connecting means which in each case connects a single hole of the
upper and lower members with each other. Preferably, this
connecting means is also designed so as to be capable of a clamped
self-lock in radial direction in the mounting opening, so that at
the same time axial fixation takes place.
[0026] Although in the example shown the housing consists of two
housing members, according to the invention more than two housing
members can be applied.
[0027] The invention further relates to a wing mirror unit for a
motor vehicle (such as, for instance, a passenger car or an MPV),
provided with a housing for a mirror actuator as shown in the
foregoing. FIG. 4 schematically shows a front view of a sidewall of
a vehicle 200, on which a substantially horizontally extending
support 202 is mounted. Attached to the support 202 is a mirror
housing 203, pivotable about the 204 extending substantially
vertically. Arranged in the mirror housing 203 is a mirror plate
with a mirror adjusting mechanism, known per se and not shown.
[0028] FIG. 4 further shows schematically that the mirror housing
208 comprises a hinge actuator 201. This mirror actuator comprises
a housing 1 with a mounting part 90, as shown in the foregoing
example. The flange 91 of the mounting part 90 is attached to the
support 202, while the housing 1 is attached to the mirror housing
208. The housing 1 with the mirror housing 203 is pivotable in the
direction A about the line 204, which coincides with the centerline
of the shaft 93. Thus, the or housing 203 can be pivoted between an
operating position and a fold-in position.
* * * * *