U.S. patent application number 11/842528 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-31 for twin-arm vehicle mirror system with support bracket bearings.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAGNA DONNELLY MIRRORS NORTH AMERICA L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Keith D. Foote, Kenneth C. Peterson, James A. Ruse.
Application Number | 20080024892 11/842528 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38433079 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080024892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ruse; James A. ; et
al. |
January 31, 2008 |
Twin-Arm Vehicle Mirror System with Support Bracket Bearings
Abstract
A vehicular external rearview mirror system comprises a twin-arm
assembly comprising a pair of parallel support arms connected at
one end to a base attached to the vehicle and movably connected at
another end to a reflective element assembly through a movable
support bracket. The support bracket supports a reflective element
assembly and is attached to the twin-arm assembly through a pair of
integral bearings which translate along the arms to extend or
retract the reflective element assembly. In one embodiment, the
bearing imparts a friction force to the arm to enable the bracket
to be moved along the arm under the influence of an
extension/retraction force, but to maintain the bracket at a
selected position along the arm when the force is removed. In
another embodiment, the bearing is adapted for frictionless
translation of the bracket along the arms under the influence of a
powerextend actuator. In yet another embodiment, the bearing is
integrated into the movable support bracket for frictional support
of the bracket on the arms.
Inventors: |
Ruse; James A.; (Allegan,
MI) ; Foote; Keith D.; (Kentwood, MI) ;
Peterson; Kenneth C.; (Comstock Park, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGARRY BAIR PC
32 Market Ave. SW
SUITE 500
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503
US
|
Assignee: |
MAGNA DONNELLY MIRRORS NORTH
AMERICA L.L.C.
5085 Kraft Ave.
Kentwood
MI
49512
|
Family ID: |
38433079 |
Appl. No.: |
11/842528 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10906427 |
Feb 18, 2005 |
7261427 |
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11842528 |
Aug 21, 2007 |
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60521095 |
Feb 20, 2004 |
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60521677 |
Jun 16, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
359/881 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 1/0605 20130101;
B60R 1/076 20130101; B60R 1/078 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/881 |
International
Class: |
B60R 1/06 20060101
B60R001/06 |
Claims
1. A mirror assembly for use on a motor vehicle, comprising: a
reflective element assembly for providing an operator of the motor
vehicle with a rearward view; a base adapted for attachment to the
motor vehicle; an arm assembly comprising at least one elongated
member attached to the base; a movable bracket in slidable registry
with the arm assembly and adapted to support the reflective element
assembly; at least one bearing assembly in registry with the at
least one elongated member and integral with the movable bracket to
influence movement of the movable bracket relative to the at least
one arm assembly.
2. The mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least
one bearing assembly comprises an annular wall adapted to encircle
at least a portion of the at least one elongated member.
3. The mirror assembly according to claim 2, and further comprising
at least one spring circumcincting the annular wall to urge the
annular wall in contact with the at least one elongated member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser.
No. 10/906,427, filed Feb. 18, 2005, which claims the benefit of
U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/521,095, filed Feb. 20,
2004 and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/521,677, filed
Jun. 16, 2004, which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to a rearview mirror
assembly for a motor vehicle and more particularly to a twin-arm
rearview mirror assembly having modular bearings between the arms
and a mirror support bracket. In another embodiment, the mirror
support bracket is provided with integral bearings. In yet another
embodiment, a spring-biased friction wedge assembly controls the
movement of the mirror support bracket relative to the arms.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Motor vehicles typically include at least one external
rearview mirror system for providing the operator with a rearward
view. The mirror system typically comprises a base attached to the
motor vehicle, a reflective element assembly comprising a mirror
and a supporting bracket, and an arm assembly interconnecting the
reflective element assembly and the base. With large mirrors, such
as those found on trucks, the arm assembly will frequently comprise
a twin-arm assembly.
[0006] The reflective element assembly can be adapted for selective
extension away from, or retraction toward, the vehicle to adjust
the rearward field of view. This extension and retraction can be
accomplished manually by pushing or pulling the reflective element
assembly to move the supporting bracket along the twin arms, or by
a remotely controlled, motorized powerextend mechanism mounted to
the base or the arm assembly and adapted to move the mirror bracket
along the arms.
[0007] Typically, different mirror brackets will be utilized
depending upon whether the mirror system is manually extendable or
powerextended. The manually extended mirror system will typically
utilize a supporting bracket which comprises a frictional bearing
assembly which will enable the bracket to be moved along the twin
arms but remain in a selected position. The powerextend mirror
system will typically utilize a different support bracket
comprising a roller bearing assembly to enable the powerextend
mechanism to easily move the support bracket along the twin arms.
The support bracket will be held in the selected position by the
power extend mechanism.
[0008] It may be desirable to select an extension assembly which is
different than that installed by the manufacturer. Thus, the owner
of the vehicle may at some point desire powerextend functionality
for a mirror system which was originally installed for manual
extension. While this selectivity can be currently accommodated, it
typically will involve either replacement of the entire mirror
system, or disassembly of the mirror system and replacement of the
support bracket. Moreover, if one bearing must be replaced due to
wear or damage, regardless of the type of extension assembly
involved, it will be necessary to replace the entire support
bracket. Either situation will involve the expenditure of time, the
removal of the vehicle from service, and cost. Finally, it may be
necessary to modify the performance characteristics of the bearing
assembly to accommodate changes in the fit and performance of the
bearings due to wear, temperature, driving conditions, and the
like. Conventional brackets do not readily accommodate such
modifications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one aspect, the invention relates to a mirror assembly
for use on a motor vehicle, comprising: a reflective element
assembly for providing an operator of the motor vehicle with a
rearward view; a base adapted for attachment to the motor vehicle;
an arm assembly comprising at least one elongated member attached
to the base; a movable bracket in slidable registry with the arm
assembly and adapted to support the reflective element assembly;
and a friction wedge assembly mounted in a chamber in the movable
bracket and comprising at least one wedge in registry with the at
least one elongated member, the friction wedge assembly adapted to
develop friction between the at least one wedge and the at least
one elongated member to influence movement of the movable bracket
relative to the at least one elongated member.
[0010] In another aspect, the invention relates to a mirror
assembly for use on a motor vehicle, comprising: a reflective
element assembly for providing an operator of the motor vehicle
with a rearward view; a base adapted for attachment to the motor
vehicle; an arm assembly comprising at least one elongated member
attached to the base; a movable bracket in slidable registry with
the arm assembly and adapted to support the reflective element
assembly; at least one modular bearing assembly in registry with
the at least one elongated member and the movable bracket adapted
to influence movement of the movable bracket relative to the at
least one arm assembly; wherein the at least one modular bearing
assembly is removable from the movable bracket to enable selective
replacement of the modular bearing assembly in the movable
bracket.
[0011] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a mirror
assembly for use on a motor vehicle, comprising: a reflective
element assembly for providing an operator of the motor vehicle
with a rearward view; a base adapted for attachment to the motor
vehicle; an arm assembly comprising at least one elongated member
attached to the base; a movable bracket in slidable registry with
the arm assembly and adapted to support the reflective element
assembly; at least one bearing assembly in registry with the at
least one elongated member and integral with the movable bracket to
influence movement of the movable bracket relative to the at least
one arm assembly.
[0012] Various embodiments of the invention are also contemplated.
A resilient member can be provided that is adapted to urge the at
least one friction wedge against the at least one elongated member.
The resilient member can comprise a helical spring.
[0013] The chamber can comprise at least one inclined wall
proximate the at least one elongated member. The at least one wedge
can comprise at least one inclined face adapted for registry with
the at least one inclined wall for urging the wedge laterally
against the at least one elongated member.
[0014] The at least one modular bearing assembly can comprise an
annular wall adapted to encircle at least a portion of the at least
one elongated member. At least one spring can circumcinct the
annular wall to urge the annular wall in contact with the at least
one elongated member. At least one ball raceway can be located in
the annular wall for receipt of a plurality of balls adapted to
contact the at least one elongated member. The at least one bearing
assembly can comprise an annular wall adapted to encircle at least
a portion of the at least one elongated member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] In the drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle rearview mirror
system according to the invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the rearview mirror
system of FIG. 1 with exterior housing elements removed for clarity
and illustrating a first embodiment of an integral bearing assembly
for mounting a mirror support bracket to a dual-arm assembly.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the rearview mirror
system of FIG. 2 illustrating a friction bearing assembly for use
with a manually extendable reflective element assembly.
[0019] FIG. 4 is an enlarged exploded view of the friction bearing
assembly and mirror support bracket of FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded view of the friction bearing
assembly of FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the rearview mirror
system of FIG. 1 with exterior housing elements removed for clarity
and illustrating a second embodiment of an integral bearing
assembly for mounting a mirror support bracket to a dual-arm
assembly.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded view of the rearview mirror
system of FIG. 6 illustrating a ball bearing assembly for use with
a powerextend reflective element assembly.
[0023] FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded view of the ball bearing
assembly and mirror support bracket of FIG. 7.
[0024] FIG. 9 is an enlarged exploded view of the ball bearing
assembly of FIG. 8.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
mirror support bracket mounted to a dual-arm assembly through an
integral friction bearing assembly.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mirror support bracket
illustrated in FIG. 10.
[0027] FIGS. 12A-C are close-up views of a portion of the mirror
support bracket, dual-arm tube assembly, and integral friction
bearing assembly illustrated in FIG. 10, showing steps in the
assembly of the mirror support bracket to the dual-arm tube
assembly.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a reverse side of a fourth
embodiment of a mirror support bracket and a dual-arm tube assembly
comprising a spring-biased friction wedge assembly, with exterior
housing elements removed for clarity.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the mirror support bracket
and dual-arm tube assembly taken along view line 14-14 of FIG.
13.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an obverse side of the
mirror support bracket and dual-arm tube assembly illustrated in
FIG. 13, showing the spring-biased friction wedge assembly.
[0031] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the spring-biased friction
wedge assembly mounted in the mirror support bracket illustrated in
FIG. 15.
[0032] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the mirror support bracket,
dual arm tube assembly, and spring-biased friction wedge assembly
illustrated in FIG. 15.
[0033] FIG. 18 is a first enlarged perspective view of a friction
wedge comprising a portion of the friction wedge assembly
illustrated in FIG. 17.
[0034] FIG. 19 is a second enlarged perspective view of a friction
wedge comprising a portion of the friction wedge assembly
illustrated in FIG. 17.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0035] Referring to the Figures, and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2,
and 6, a vehicle mirror system 10 according to the invention is
adapted for attachment to the exterior of a motor vehicle (not
shown). The vehicle mirror system 10 comprises a base assembly 14
adapted for fixed mounting to the motor vehicle, a support assembly
16 that can be pivotably attached to the base assembly 14, with the
support assembly 16 supporting a reflective element assembly 18 for
providing the operator of the motor vehicle with a reflective
rearward view. An example of such a mirror system is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,730 to Foote et al., which is incorporated
herein in its entirety.
[0036] The reflective element assembly 18 shares several elements
of a well-known vehicle rearview mirror assembly, including a tilt
actuator 24, a bezel and a reflective element carrier (not shown),
and a reflective element 30. The reflective element assembly 18 is
also illustrated comprising a shell 20 housing the aforementioned
elements. A well-known wire harness (not shown) can also be
provided for supplying power to the tilt actuator 24 and other
electric powered elements, such as a heating element, an
electrochromic dimming element, a powerfold actuator, and a
powerextend actuator.
[0037] The support assembly 16 comprises a generally well-known
dual-arm assembly 32 comprising an elongated upper arm 34 and an
elongated lower arm 36 in parallel, spaced-apart juxtaposition. An
example of such an arm assembly is described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,483,385 to Boddy, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
Preferably, the arm assembly 32 comprises a rigid assembly of
light-weight steel or aluminum tubing having sufficient size and
strength for the purposes described herein.
[0038] Although not germane to the inventive concepts described
herein, it should be noted that the arm assembly 32 can be
pivotably attached to the base assembly 14 through a pivot assembly
(not shown) adapted for selective folding of the mirror system 10
against the vehicle and unfolding of the mirror system 10 away from
the vehicle. Alternatively, the arm assembly 32 can be fixedly
attached to the base assembly 14. The folding/unfolding operation
can be manually controlled or controlled by a motorized powerfold
assembly as illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,730 to
Foote et al.
[0039] A movable support bracket 22 is an irregularly-shaped,
somewhat flattened body adapted to span the distance between the
upper arm 34 and the lower arm 36, comprising an arcuate upper arm
channel 80 and an arcuate lower arm channel 82 (FIGS. 3 and 7) in
parallel, spaced-apart juxtaposition adapted for slidable register
with the upper arm 34 and the lower arm 36, respectively, for
slidable translation therealong, and for mounting the tilt actuator
24 and reflective element 30 thereto.
[0040] FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8 illustrate the upper arm channel 80 and
the lower arm channel 82, a portion of which is adapted to receive
a pair of integral bearing assemblies 38, illustrated in FIG. 2. As
hereinafter described, the bearing assemblies 38 can comprise a
pair of friction bearings 40 (FIGS. 2-5), a pair of ball bearings
110 (FIGS. 6-9), or a pair of bracket bearings (FIGS. 10-12).
[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, a friction bearing 40 comprises
a sleeve 42 circumcincted by a helical spring 44. The friction
bearing 40 comprises an arm portion 46 terminating at one end in a
flange portion 48. The arm portion 46 comprises a generally
tube-shaped body having a circular wall 50. The inner surface of
the wall 50 is provided with a plurality of regularly-spaced
friction ribs 52 extending longitudinally therealong. The wall 50
is also intersected by a plurality of slots 56 extending
longitudinally therealong. As shown in FIG. 5, a preferred
embodiment comprises three slots 56 at a 120.degree. spacing.
[0042] The flange portion 48 comprises an annular flange 58
extending radially outwardly from the wall 50 generally orthogonal
thereto. The flange 58 is provided with a pair of plate-like ears
60 extending radially outwardly therefrom, each ear 60 being
provided with an aperture 62 extending therethrough. Opposite the
flange portion 48, the wall 50 terminates in an annular seat face
72 at a distal end 54 thereof. The wall 50 and the flange portion
48 define a arm aperture 70 extending coaxially therethrough having
an inner diameter adapted for slidable insertion of a arm 34,
36.
[0043] The spring 44 comprises a well-known helical spring having a
distal portion 64 and a proximal portion 66 separated by a middle
portion 68. The pitch of the windings comprising the distal portion
64 and a proximal portion 66 is shallow so that the windings are in
contact. The pitch of the windings comprising the middle portion 68
is relatively steep so that the windings are not in contact and
comprise a transition zone between the distal portion 64 and the
proximal portion 66. The shallow pitch of the windings comprising
the distal portion 64 and the proximal portion 66 provides a wider
distribution of the spring load over the arm portion 46 of the
friction bearing 40. This results in improved constraint of the
movable bracket 22 relative to the dual-arm assembly 22, which
improves the vibration performance of the reflective element
assembly 18. The arm portion 46 is inserted into the spring 44,
which is adapted for compression of the wall 50 radially inwardly.
The slots 56 facilitate the radially inward deflection of the wall
50 under the influence of the spring 44.
[0044] Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper arm channel 80
and the lower arm channel 82 extend the length of the movable
bracket 22 and comprise a distal end 84 and a proximal end 86. The
proximal end 86 of each channel 80, 82 comprises a bearing seat 88
adapted for seating of the friction bearing 40. Each bearing seat
88 comprises a ring 90 intermediate the proximal end 86 and the
distal end 84 in coaxial alignment with the arm channel 80, 82. The
ring 90 defines a arm aperture 94 therethrough having a diameter
equal to the diameter of the distal end 84. The inner circumference
of the ring 90 is provided with a sleeve seat 96 facing the
proximal end 86.
[0045] The bearing seat 88 comprises a curved wall 92 extending
from the ring 90 to the proximal end 86 and having a diameter
somewhat greater than the diameter of the distal end 84. Extending
longitudinally along the outer surface of the curved wall 92 are
tubes 98 having an aperture 100 therethrough. The tubes 98 are
adapted for coaxial alignment with the ears 60 so that a fastener,
such as a screw, can be inserted through the apertures 62 into the
apertures 100 to secure the friction bearing 40 to the bearing seat
88. The sleeve seat 96 is adapted for cooperative register with the
seat face 72. The diameter of the arm aperture 70 is equal to the
diameter of the arm aperture 94 and the arm channels 80, 82.
[0046] The friction bearing 40 is inserted into the bearing seat 88
so that the sleeve seat 96 engages the seat face 72. Fasteners are
inserted through the apertures 62 into the apertures 100 to secure
the friction bearing 40 to the bearing seat 88. The engagement of
the sleeve seat 96 with the seat face 72 insurers that the friction
bearing 40 is immovably retained in the bearing seat 88. The upper
arm 34 can be inserted through the friction bearing 40 and the arm
aperture 94 to extend along the upper arm channel 80. Similarly,
the lower arm 36 can be inserted through the friction bearing 40
and the arm aperture 94 to extend along the lower arm channel 82.
The friction ribs 52 will contact a arm 34, 36 under the influence
of the spring 44 to impart a frictional force between the friction
bearing 40 and the arm 34, 36. Thus, the movable bracket 22 can be
manually translated along the arms 34, 36 to a selected position,
after which the movable bracket 22 will remain in place under the
influence of the frictional force between the friction bearings 40
and the arms 34, 36.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, a second embodiment of the
bearing assembly is shown comprising a pair of ball bearings 110.
The movable bracket 22 and the dual-arm assembly 32 are the same as
for the previously described embodiment utilizing the friction
bearings 40. The ball bearings 110 are adapted for use with a
powerextend mirror system to enable the essentially frictionless
movement of the bracket 22 along the arms 34, 36 under the
influence of a powerextend actuator (not shown).
[0048] Referring specifically to FIG. 9, the ball bearing 110
comprises a center portion 112, a flange portion 114, and an end
cap portion 116, assembled in cooperative register. The center
portion 112 is a generally annular body comprising a curved wall
118 to define a arm aperture 132. The embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 9 has a section removed from the curved wall 118 to facilitate
its seating in the bearing seat 88. However, the curved wall 118
can be closed to form a completely annular wall. The wall 118
terminates in a flange end 120 and an opposed cap end 122, and has
a curved inner surface 124.
[0049] A plurality of arcuate ball races 126 extend longitudinally
through the curved wall 118. As shown in FIG. 9, a preferred
embodiment comprises three races 126 at a 120.degree. spacing. Each
race 126 is open longitudinally along the inner surface 124 into
the arm aperture 132. Each race 126 is adapted for receipt of a
plurality of balls 128 which are adapted for rotational movement
within the race 126 in a well-known manner. The opening of the race
126 along the inner surface 124 enables the balls 128 to extend
somewhat into the arm aperture 132.
[0050] The wall 118 is also provided with a plurality of
spaced-apart apertures 130 extending longitudinally therethrough
and adapted for receipt of a fastener, such as a screw,
therethrough.
[0051] The flange portion 114 comprises a flattened annular flange
134, which is provided with a pair of plate-like ears 140 extending
radially outwardly therefrom, each ear 140 being provided with an
aperture 142 extending therethrough. A plurality of race inlets 136
is cut into the inner circumference of the flange 134 in
cooperative alignment with the ball races 126. The flange 134 is
also provided with a plurality of apertures 138 therethrough in
coaxial alignment with the apertures 130 and adapted for insertion
of a fastener therethrough.
[0052] The end cap portion 116 comprises a flattened annular ring
defining a wall 144. A plurality of race outlets 146 is cut into
the inner circumference of the wall 144 in cooperative alignment
with the ball races 126. The wall 144 is also provided with a
plurality of apertures 148 therethrough in coaxial alignment with
the apertures 130 and adapted for insertion of a fastener
therethrough. The wall 144 terminates in an annular seat face 150.
The inner diameters of the end cap portion 116, the flange portion
114, and the middle portion 112 are equal and adapted for slidable
insertion of a arm 34, 36.
[0053] The end cap portion 116, the flange portion 114, and the
middle portion 112 are assembled by joining the flange portion 114
to the flange end 120 and the end cap portion 116 to the cap end
122 so that the apertures 130, 138, 148 are in coaxial alignment,
and the ball races 126, the race inlets 136, and the race outlets
146 are in cooperative alignment. The middle portion 112, the
flange portion 114, and the end cap portion 116 are secured
together by fasteners inserted through the apertures 130, 138, 148.
The balls 128 can then be installed in the races 126 to complete
the ball bearing 110.
[0054] The ball bearings 110 are inserted into the bearing seats 88
so that the seat face 150 is received in the sleeve seat 96 and the
apertures 142 are aligned with the apertures 100. Fasteners, such
as screws, can be inserted through the apertures 142 into the
apertures 100 to secure the ball bearings 110 into the bearing
seats 88. The arms 34, 36 can then be inserted through the arm
apertures 132. The balls 128 will contact the outer surface of the
arms 34, 36, which can translate freely through the bearings
110.
[0055] A powerextend actuator assembly (not shown) is utilized to
translate the movable bracket 22 along the upper and lower arms 34,
36 in a generally well-known manner. The bearings 110 provide
nearly frictionless support of the bracket along the arms 34, 36
and facilitate the movement of the bracket 22 by the powerextend
actuator assembly.
[0056] The bearing assembly 38 can be provided with functionality
in addition to the support and movement functionality described
herein. For example, a powerextend memory functionality can be
incorporated into the bearing assembly 38 comprising a transducer
for monitoring the position of the reflective element assembly 18
relative to the support assembly 16 and enabling the reflective
element assembly 18 to be repositioned to a preselected extended
position.
[0057] The overall configuration of the bearings 40, 110 is
effectively the same and enables the bearings 40, 110 to be
interchangeably attached to the bearing seats 88. This modular
concept provides several distinct advantages over the prior art.
During manufacture of the mirror system, the mirror system can be
easily configured for either manual extension or extension
utilizing a powerextend actuator simply by selecting and installing
the appropriate bearing. A mirror system originally supplied with a
particular bearing assembly can be readily modified to accept an
alternate bearing assembly, for example, if a vehicle owner wishes
to change the mirror system from a manual extension to a
powerextend system. Replacement of a bearing due to damage or wear
is easily accomplished by removing the old bearing and replacing it
with a new. This eliminates the need for replacement of the entire
mirror, or the mirror support bracket, with the complicated
disassembly and reassembly of the reflective element assembly, the
tilt actuator, and other mirror system components, thereby reducing
vehicle down time and maintenance costs. Finally, in a manual
extension mirror system, the frictional force can be readily
adjusted by utilizing a single ball-type bearing for one arm in
combination with a single spring-biased friction-type bearing for
the other arm.
[0058] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate a third embodiment 160 of the movable
bracket assembly and bearings adapted for manual extension and
retraction of a dual-arm mirror assembly. In this embodiment,
bracket bearings are integrated into the movable bracket 160 for
frictional engagement with the dual arm assembly 32.
[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the movable bracket 160 comprises
an upper arm channel 162 and a lower arm channel 164 joined in
parallel, spaced apart juxtaposition by a medial wall 166. The
upper and lower channels 162, 164 include both enclosed and
partially opened portions and comprise an upper sleeve portion 168
and a lower sleeve portion 170 at a common edge of the bracket 160.
The upper and lower channels 162, 164, and sleeve portions 168, 170
are circular or semicircular in cross-section with a curvature
adapted for slidable register with the upper arm 34 and the lower
arm 36 of the dual-arm arm assembly 32.
[0060] The upper arm channel 162 transitions at a medial section to
an upper spring cavity 172 comprising an opening extending through
the movable bracket 160. The lower arm channel 164 transitions at a
medial section to a lower spring cavity 174 comprising an opening
extending through the movable bracket 160. Extending longitudinally
into the upper spring cavity 172 from the upper sleeve portion 168
are a plurality of arcuate interior fingers 176 coaxial with the
upper sleeve portion 168 and having a curvature adapted for
slidable register with the upper arm 34. Extending longitudinally
into the lower spring cavity 174 from the lower sleeve portion 170
are a plurality of arcuate interior fingers 178 coaxial with the
lower sleeve portion 170 and having a curvature adapted for
slidable register with the lower arm 36.
[0061] Extending from the upper sleeve portion 168 longitudinally
away from the movable bracket 160 are a plurality of arcuate
exterior fingers 180 coaxial with the upper sleeve portion 168 and
having a curvature adapted for slidable register with the upper arm
34. Extending from the lower sleeve portion 170 longitudinally away
from the movable bracket 160 are a plurality of arcuate exterior
fingers 182 coaxial with the lower sleeve portion 170 and having a
curvature adapted for slidable register with the lower arm 36.
[0062] The arcuate fingers 176, 178, 180, 182 are adapted to have a
flexibility so that a circumferential compressive force will urge
the fingers 176-182 radially inwardly. An interior spring 184
comprises a helical spring adapted for circumferential frictional
register with the interior fingers 176, 178. An exterior spring 186
comprises a helical spring adapted for circumferential frictional
register with the exterior fingers 180, 182. The springs 184, 186
will impart a circumferential compressive force to the fingers
176-182, urging the fingers 176-182 against the arms 34, 36 for
frictional register of the fingers 176-182 with the arms 34,
36.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 12A-C, the arm assembly 32 is
attached to the movable bracket 160 by inserting the exterior
springs 186 over the arms 34, 36 and inserting the arms 34, 36
through the upper sleeve portion 168 and the lower sleeve portion
170, respectively, into the spring cavities 172, 174, as
illustrated in FIG. 12A. As illustrated in FIG. 12B, the arms 34,
36 extend somewhat into the spring cavities 172, 174, respectively,
and the interior springs 184 are inserted into the spring cavities
172, 174 and installed over the arms 34, 36 and the interior
fingers 176, 178, respectively. The arms 34, 36 are then extended
fully along the upper arm channel 162 and the lower arm channel
164, respectively, to extend beyond the movable bracket 160, as
illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 12C its. The movable bracket 160 can be
manually translated along the arms 34, 36 by applying a force to
the mirror assembly sufficient to overcome the frictional force
developed between the fingers 176-182 and the arms 34, 36. When the
force is removed, the mirror assembly will remain in the selected
position under the influence of the frictional force developed
between the fingers 176-182 and the arms 34, 36.
[0064] The bearing assembly illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 provides a
manually extendable and retractable mirror assembly which has the
bearings integrated into the movable bracket 160, thus eliminating
the necessity for separate bearing components. The bearing assembly
comprises a simple spring-biased friction bearing, which can be
readily and economically manufactured and assembled into the mirror
assembly. Should one of the springs 184, 186 fail, or should one of
the fingers 176-182 fail, the remaining spring or fingers should
continue to exert a frictional force against the arm 34, 36, thus
continuing to retain the mirror assembly in the selected
position.
[0065] FIGS. 13-19 illustrate a fourth embodiment of a movable
bracket assembly 200 comprising a friction assembly having a pair
of friction wedges 204, 206 intercommunicating through a helical
spring 208.
[0066] The movable bracket assembly 200 is adapted for slidable
registry with a dual-arm assembly similar to the previously
described dual-arm assembly 32. However, the dual arm assembly
comprises an upper arm 214 and a lower arm 216 that are rectilinear
in cross-section, rather than circular. The upper arm 214 and the
lower arm 216 are rigidly connected by a circular pivot member
218.
[0067] The movable bracket assembly 200 comprises an
irregularly-shaped, somewhat flattened body adapted to span the
distance between the upper arm 214 and the lower arm 216, having an
obverse side 220 and a reverse side 222. The reverse side 222 is
provided with a horizontally disposed, rectilinear upper channelway
224 and a horizontally disposed, rectilinear lower channelway 226
adapted for insertion of the upper arm 214 and the lower arm 216,
respectively, therein. The upper channelway 224 comprises an outer
wall 230 and an inner wall 232 in parallel, spaced-apart
juxtaposition, extending laterally away from the reverse side 222
and adapted to slidably engage the upper and lower sides of the
upper arm 214. The lower channelway 226 comprises an outer wall 234
and an inner wall 236 in parallel, spaced-apart juxtaposition,
extending laterally away from the reverse side 222 and adapted to
slidably engage the upper and lower sides of the lower arm 216.
[0068] Extending orthogonally between the upper channelway 224 and
the lower channelway 226 is a rectilinear friction chamber 228
defined, in part, by a back wall 242, an upper inclined wall 244,
and a lower inclined wall 246. The friction chamber 228 opens
toward the obverse side 220. The upper inclined wall 244 is partly
joined to the upper channelway 224 to define an upper opening 238
extending between the upper inclined wall 244 and the back wall
242. The lower inclined wall 246 is partly joined to the lower
channelway 226 to define a lower opening 240 extending between the
lower inclined wall 246 and the back wall 242.
[0069] As illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the friction wedges 204,
206 are irregularly-shaped solid bodies comprising an obverse
inclined face 248 transitioning to a reverse inclined face 250,
which in turn transitions to a reverse vertical face 252. An inner
face 254 is provided with a cylindrical spring boss 256 extending
generally orthogonally therefrom. Referring also to FIGS. 14, 16
and 17, the friction assembly 202 is adapted for slidable receipt
in the friction chamber 228 so that the obverse inclined face 248
of the upper wedge 204 is in slidable registry with the upper
inclined wall 244, and the obverse inclined face 248 of the lower
wedge 206 is in slidable registry with the lower inclined wall 246.
The spring 208 engages the inner face 254 of each friction wedge
204, 206 and is held in place by the spring bosses 256.
[0070] The spring 208 urges the friction wedges 204, 206 against
the inclined walls 244, 246, respectively, so that the friction
wedges 204, 206 are urged laterally toward the upper opening 238
and the lower opening 240, respectively. As the friction wedges
204, 206 are urged laterally toward the openings 238, 240, the
reverse inclined face 250 and the reverse vertical face 252 are
brought into contact with the upper arm 214 and the lower arm 216.
This contact generates frictional resistance to movement between
the arms 214, 216 and the friction wedges 204, 206, and restricts
the movement of the movable bracket assembly 200 relative to the
arms 214, 216. The frictional force generated between the arms 214,
216 and the friction wedges 204, 206 is a function of the spring
constant and compression of the spring 208, the surface texture of
the faces 248-252, the angle of inclination of the inclined walls
244, 246, and the surface texture of the arms 214, 216. Each of
these can be varied in order to vary the friction between the arms
214, 216 and the friction wedges 204, 206.
[0071] The bearing assembly illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 provides a
manually extendable and retractable mirror assembly which has the
bearings integrated into the movable bracket 160, thus eliminating
the necessity for separate bearing components. The bearing assembly
comprises a simple spring-biased friction bearing, which can be
readily and economically manufactured and assembled into the mirror
assembly. Should one of the springs 184, 186 fail, or should one of
the fingers 176-182 fail, the remaining spring or fingers should
continue to exert a frictional force against the arm 34, 36, thus
continuing to retain the mirror assembly in the selected
position.
[0072] Each of the bearing assemblies described herein enables
simple, yet effective, control of the movement of the reflective
element assembly relative to the dual-arm assembly. The magnitude
of the frictional force between the bearing assemblies and the dual
arms can be selectively adjusted based upon adjusting the spring
properties of the biasing springs, the surface texture of sliding
surfaces, and the interchanging of low friction bearings and high
friction bearings. The mirror system can also be selectively
adapted for both manual extension and powerextend functionality
through the simple expedient of changing the bearings from a high
friction type to a low friction type.
[0073] It will be understood that the tube making up a support
structure for the reflective element assembly can be circular,
ovoid, rectangular, square or any other shape without departing
from the scope of this invention.
[0074] While the invention has been specifically described in
connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be
understood that this is by way of illustration and not of
limitation. Reasonable variation and modification are possible
within the scope of the forgoing disclosure and drawings without
departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined in the
appended claims.
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