U.S. patent application number 11/438895 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-07 for double pivot vehicle mirror assembly.
Invention is credited to Werner Lang, Albrecht Popp, Richard Reimchen.
Application Number | 20060273232 11/438895 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36699365 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060273232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lang; Werner ; et
al. |
December 7, 2006 |
Double pivot vehicle mirror assembly
Abstract
A mirror assembly especially designed for commercial vehicles
including a support arm, a mirror head pivotally affixed to the
support arm by first and second hinges having a pivot axis. The
axes extend horizontally and transverse to the direction of vehicle
travel. The first hinge allows a pivoting of the mirror head about
its pivot axis only in a first direction A and the second hinge
permits a pivoting of the mirror head only in a second direction B
which is opposite to the direction A. By this means, it is possible
that the two hinges can be simple and rugged in construction.
Inventors: |
Lang; Werner; (Ergersheim,
DE) ; Popp; Albrecht; (Weihenzell, DE) ;
Reimchen; Richard; (Ansbach, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCNAIR LAW FIRM, P.A.
P.O. BOX 10827
GREENVILLE
SC
29603-0827
US
|
Family ID: |
36699365 |
Appl. No.: |
11/438895 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/479 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 1/06 20130101; B60R
1/0617 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/479 |
International
Class: |
A47G 1/24 20060101
A47G001/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 23, 2005 |
DE |
102005023711.8 |
Claims
1. A mirror assembly, especially for commercial vehicles,
comprising: a support arm, a mirror head pivotally carried by said
support arm; a first hinge and a second hinge for pivotally
carrying said mirror head; a first axle of rotation provided by
said first hinge extending generally horizontal and transverse to
the direction of travel, a second axle of rotation provided by said
second hinge displaced from and extending generally parallel to
said first axle of said first hinge, said mirror head pivoting
about said first axle only in a first direction, and said mirror
head pivoting about said second axle only in a second direction
which is opposite to said first direction.
2. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1 including a carrier arm
carried by said support arm said carrier arm being pivotally
carried by said first and second hinges.
3. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said mirror head
includes a first mirror, a second mirror, and a third mirror.
4. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and
second hinges include a spring for resisting rotation about said
first and second swivel axes in said first and second directions,
respectively.
5. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and
second hinges include a detent which limits rotation about said
first axle.
6. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 5 wherein said detent of
said first and second hinges include the axle of the respective
other hinge.
7. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 6 wherein the fit of one of
said first and second hinge is released upon a pivoting of the
mirror head about the axle of the respective other hinge axle.
8. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said support arm
includes a first arm and a second arm wherein between the first and
the second support arm a third hinge is disposed, and said third
hinge having a third swivel axle of rotation extending generally
vertically in the vehicle mirror general assembly.
9. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 6 wherein the mirror head
has a first end pointing towards the vehicle, a second end pointing
away from the vehicle, and one of said first and second hinges is
disposed between said first and second ends of the mirror head.
10. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 9 wherein the other of
said first and second hinges is disposed at said first end of the
mirror head pointing towards the vehicle.
11. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1 in combination with a
commercial vehicle wherein the mirror assembly is mounted on the
vehicle so that the mirror head has an operational position,
wherein said mirror head projects at least partially into a safety
zone which extends from the ground to above said projection, and
said mirror head can be pivoted about one of said first and second
axes to a generally non-operational position above the safety zone.
Description
[0001] The present invention concerns a mirror assembly for a
vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle.
[0002] The support arm of rearview mirrors in commercial vehicles,
like a city bus, is commonly extended forward from the chassis at
an essentially horizontal level when the mirror head hangs downward
from the forward end of a support arm, they are known as
"horn-mirrors," especially when applied to buses. Horn-mirrors
provide better aerodynamics and simple fabrication as well as an
advantageous field of view which encompasses a wide arc.
[0003] If, as in the case of "low-floor" buses, a part of the
support arm and/or the mirror extend into a safety zone, this zone
normally covers a span from the ground level to about 2 meters
above, the mirror must be adjusted as to height for the protection
of both mirror and persons as may be waiting within a said safety
zone.
[0004] EP 0 895 897 B1 proposes a single hinge attachment so that
the mirror can be swiveled about a single horizontal axis,
transverse to the direction of vehicle travel to move from its
operational position in which the mirror is at least partially
within the limits of the safety zone. Following the swiveling, the
mirror would find itself in a position of no harm, and above the
safety zone limits.
[0005] Since the mirror presents a danger of impact, both in
forward and reverse travel, it becomes necessary, that the hinge of
EP 0 895 897 B1 be capable of swinging in two directions of
rotation, in order to protect persons in the safety zone from
severe mirror impact. For example, upon a bus start-up from a
bus-stop or during a backward maneuver. Likewise, the mirror must
remain fixed in position of operation during normal travel, even
when subjected at times to shaking and to strong wind forces. In
such a case, EP 0 895 897 B1 proposes the use of friction
fittings.
[0006] Hinges which permit swinging in both directions, and enable
a simultaneous attainment of a fixed position are expensive.
[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to enable
a stable securement of a vehicle mirror in its operational position
and, at the same time, to assure a pivoting about an axis allowing
two directions of rotation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The construction designed to carry out the invention will
hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof.
[0009] The above objective is accomplished in accordance with the
present invention by providing a mirror assembly having a support
arm, a mirror head, and two hinges connecting the support arm and
the mirror head. The first hinge allows a pivoting of the mirror
head about its axle of rotation only in one direction, and the
second hinge permits a pivoting of the mirror head about its axle
of rotation only in a second direction of rotation, which is
opposite to the first. Preferably, each hinge pivots only in one
direction. In this way, the construction of both hinges is less
complex. The first and/or second hinge may incorporate a detent
which limits rotation in either the first or the second direction.
Such a detent can, for example, be made mechanically or be provided
with a friction fit. Thus, a desired second detent can also be the
detent inherent in the other hinge arrangement. The large lever
arms, which result therefrom, assure, with relatively small support
forces, sufficiently high resistance torques. In this way,
completion of a pivoting opposite to the allowable direction of
turning is provided. By means of limiting the turning motion to
only one direction, it is advantageously possible to fix the mirror
head satisfactorily in its operational position, since in these two
hinges, in the respective direction, high forces are accepted.
[0010] The first and/or second hinge can include a torsion spring.
The springs, in a constructive, simple, and economical manner
provide a pivoting in the allowable direction and otherwise affix
the mirror head securely in its operational position. Further, the
springs allow the mirror head to return accurately to its
operational position following a safety displacement.
[0011] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, upon a pivoting
of the mirror head about the axis of one hinge, the hinge
connection between the mirror head and the carrier arm is released.
In this way, for example, the axis of the first hinge prevents a
further pivoting about the axis of the second hinge counter to the
second rotational direction beyond the limited operational
positioning. In the case of a pivoting in the second rotational
direction, to the contrary, the connection of the first hinge
releases itself.
[0012] In a preferable manner, the support arm and/or the head of
the mirror can be enhanced with a bearing structure, preferably of
metal construction. If this is coated, for example, with a
material, such as plastic, and the coating can be applied by
spraying, the result is a light, aerodynamically favorable, and
uniformly stable assembly of the mirror, and vibration of the
mirror is reduced. Particularly preferable, the first and/or the
second hinge can be hingedly and reliably attached to this
structure.
[0013] In another advantageous embodiment, the support arm
comprises a first and a second part. Between the said first and
second support arm part, a third hinge is present, the axis of
rotation of which extends itself vertically during the mounting of
the mirror. This allows an additional pivot direction of the mirror
assembly to the side or to the front of the vehicle. The overall
dimensioning allows an advantageous reduction of length for, as an
example, loading on a ship, parking, or the like. This extra
pivoting can be effected by a motor, or may be manual.
[0014] The mirror head is usually an elongated structure having a
first end of the mirror head pointing towards the vehicle and a
second end pointing away from the vehicle. According to a preferred
embodiment of the invention either the first or second hinge is
attached to the mirror head at a position between the first end of
the mirror head and the second end of the mirror head. This
arrangement reduces the space required for the mirror head upon
pivoting. Due to this placement of the hinges, the mirror head
acts, in the case of a pivoting in the first direction of rotation,
a weight compensation and generates an inherent torque about the
first axle of rotation because of gravity. In this manner a
pivoting in the first direction of rotation at the constructively
identical first and second hinges requires a lesser release torque.
Therefore, the first hinge is already released upon small torques,
while the second hinge is only released at higher torques, and thus
withstands torques induced by wind forces, for example.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention will be more readily understood from a reading
of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying
drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the
invention is shown and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevation illustrating a commercial vehicle
with a mirror assembly in accordance with the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side elevation illustrating a mirror assembly in
accord with an embodiment of the present invention illustrating the
operational position (solid line) and two deviate positions (dotted
line);
[0018] FIGS. 3A to 3C are side views illustrating the carrier arm
of the mirror assembly in the position indicated in FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view illustrating a hinge and detent
according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring now in more detail to the drawings, the invention
will now be described in more detail.
[0021] As is shown in FIG. 1, a mirror assembly, designated
generally as A, in accord with the present invention is illustrated
installed on a vehicle. The mirror assembly includes a support arm
1 and a mirror head 2. Mirror head 2 of the assembly, is
illustrated in a position which has not been pivoted, and at least
partially extends into safety zone 6 above the ground. Since mirror
head 2, in accordance with the invention, is pivotal in alternate
positions above the safety zone, damage is avoided even in the case
of an impact against an obstruction within the safety zone.
Especially traumatic damage to persons, who are within the said
safety zone, such as, bus passengers, can be avoided.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates, in a side profile view, a mirror
assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
in an operating condition (solid lines) and two alternate positions
(dotted lines). The mirror head comprises a first hinge 3 having a
first axle 31 of rotation and a second hinge 4 having a second axle
41 of rotation. The mirror head 2 is pivotal about the first axle
31 of rotation in a first direction A and about the second axle 41
of rotation in a second direction B.
[0023] The support arm 1 encompasses a bearing structure 14,
preferably made of metal and an aerodynamic coating 13, preferably
of plastic. The support arm, as can best be seen in FIG. 3, is
designed in two parts. A first part 11 and a second part 12 are
connected by means of a hinge 5 having an axle 51 of rotation which
extends vertically when the mirror head is mounted. In this way, a
pivoting of the mirror assembly laterally or to the front of the
vehicle is provided.
[0024] The mirror head 2 includes a carrier arm 24 (FIG. 3A),
preferably made of metal, and an aerodynamic coating 25, such as a
plastic. A first mirror 21 can be adjusted by manual or motorized
means in the mirror head 2. Further, a second mirror 22 and a third
mirror 23 are provided, which function as a main mirror, as a
wide-scope mirror, i.e., for blind-spot surveillance.
[0025] As can best be seen in FIGS. 3A to 3C, the support arm 14
and the mirror head are attached together by means of the first and
second hinge 3 and 4. For the sake of clarity, in these
illustrations, only carrier arm 24 of support arm and carrier arm
24 attached to mirror head 2 is presented.
[0026] FIG. 3A shows the mirror assembly in its operational
position. In FIG. 3A the carrier arm 24 holds by friction to the
rotational axles 31, 41 of the first and second hinges 3, 4 by
frictional engagement. In this way, an operational position is
reliably maintained. The connection can be carried out by means of
friction mating or flexibly projected parts, and the like.
Advantageously, axles 31, 41 of rotation are snapped into or onto
respective hinge 3 and 4, i. e. carrier arm 24 of mirror head 2
frictionally grips axles 31, 41 of rotation.
[0027] Hinges 3, 4 include, respectively, a torsion spring, for
example, possibly a characteristically shaped steel spring. The end
of the spring is rigidly fixed to the carrier arm and its second
end attached at frictionally engaged mirror head 2 on carrier arm
24. In this way, a resistance to the pivoting is provided. In a
similar manner, the spring can be fixed rigidly with the carrier
arm 24 of the mirror head 2 and support itself in snapped-in mirror
head 2 on carrier arm 24 of the support arm 14.
[0028] A detent 44 provides a mechanism by which carrier arm 24
temporarily stays in place relative to the hinge until it is
released by force. For this purpose, hinge slot 46 narrows to a
throat 48 reduced in comparison to axles 31, 41, so that the axles
snap in and out of the throat. While snapped in the throat, the
axles are frictionally gripped and held in place until released by
snapping out.
[0029] Besides the friction engagement of the mirror head 2, the
two springs also fix the mirror head in its operating position.
Since the axle rotation of the respective other hinge, acting as
part of the detent, prevents a pivoting counter to the desired
direction of rotation, it is possible that the hinge can be
constructed very simply and robustly by means of the springs. As a
whole, the coaction of the two hinges 3, 4, the torsion springs,
which provide resistance to undesired pivoting, the axles 31,41 of
rotation, which function as a detent, and the self-engaged locking
of the axle 31, 41 of rotation, enables a constructively simple and
secure fixation of the mirror head 2 in its operational position.
Nevertheless the mirror head 2 can be released from this position
by an impact due to collision, after which the mirror head assumes
one of its alternate positions.
[0030] If a collision with an obstruction (for example in a case of
maneuvering in reverse gear) exerts a sufficiently large directed
force against the mirror head 2, (FIGS. 3A-3C) to the left, i.e.,
in the forward direction, then the friction grip in second hinge 4
releases. Upon release, mirror head 2 swings about first axle 31 of
rotation in the first direction of rotation A against the
resistance of the wire spring in first hinge 3, as shown in FIG.
3B. The torsion spring in first hinge 3 obstructs a swinging
because of too little force and supports in such a manner the
friction grip holding the operational position. Simultaneously, it
initiates a retraction torque about first axle 31 of rotation,
which returns mirror head 2, after its alternate movement, at least
partially back into its proper operational position.
[0031] If the above action is reversed and a collision with an
obstruction upon a forward moving of the bus (for instance upon the
startup from a bus station) exerts a substantial rearward directed
force against the mirror head 2 (FIGS. 3A to 3C) to the right, that
is, counter to the forward driving direction, then the frictional
grip in first hinge 3 is released. When released, the mirror head
pivots around second axle 41 of rotation in the second turning
direction B against the resistance of the torsion spring in second
hinge 4, as shown in FIG. 3C. The torsion spring in second hinge 4
obstructs a pivoting under forces which are too small and provides
reliability of the frictional grip and maintenance in the
operational position. At the same time, the spring initiates a
retraction torque about first axle of rotation 41, which returns
the mirror head 2, after its deviate movement, at least partially,
into the proper operational position.
[0032] In the described embodiments of the invention mirror head 2
is an elongated structure and in operational position of the mirror
assembly has a first end 15a pointing towards the vehicle and a
second end 15b pointing away from the vehicle. First hinge 3 is
attached to a mirror head 2 between first and second ends 15a, 15b
of the mirror head. The second hinge 4 is attached to first end of
the mirror head 2. Due to this placement of the hinges 3, 4, mirror
head 2 and carrier arm 24, respectively, acts as a weight
compensation and generate inherent torque about the first axle 31
of rotation, in the case of a pivoting in the first direction of
rotation A. In this manner, pivoting in first direction of rotation
A at constructively equal first and second hinge 3, 4, requires a
lesser release torque. It is possible that first and second hinges
3, 4 can advantageously be built like one another, so that first
hinge 3 is already released upon small torques, while second hinge
4 only releases at higher torques, and thus withstands, e. g.,
torques induced by wind forces.
[0033] The design of releasable fastenings in hinges 3, 4,
themselves, is very simple due to the shape-fit and the one-way
releasing support of the springs, which is kinematical and design
wise very simple. Alternately, however, even mirror head 2 can be
built as a two-piece structure, wherein the both parts can commonly
be pivoted around second hinge 4 and only a forward part can rotate
about first hinge 3. If one examines FIG. 3C, in such a case,
reference number 2 designates the forward mirror head part, and
reference number 24 another mirror head part. Both parts being
capable in common of pivoting about, in this case, the
non-releasable second hinge 4 in rotation direction B. The forward
part is capable of pivoting about an non-releasable rotational
hinge designated with 3'. Also, the kinematical turning, i.e.
common pivoting in first direction A and separate pivoting of the
forward part in the second rotational direction is possible
[0034] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *