U.S. patent application number 11/763033 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for vehicle pivot mirror.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAGNA DONNELLY MIRRORS NORTH AMERICA, LLC. Invention is credited to Ian Boddy, Keith D. Foote, Kenneth C. Peterson.
Application Number | 20080030885 11/763033 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39028887 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080030885 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peterson; Kenneth C. ; et
al. |
February 7, 2008 |
VEHICLE PIVOT MIRROR
Abstract
A vehicular pivot mirror assembly comprises a reflective element
assembly pivotably attached to a support arm to enable rotation of
the reflective element assembly relative to the support arm about a
pivot connection. A positioning assembly enables rotation of the
reflective element assembly in response to a rotational force
applied to the reflective element assembly and prevents rotation of
the reflective element assembly when the rotational force is
removed.
Inventors: |
Peterson; Kenneth C.;
(Comstock Park, MI) ; Boddy; Ian; (Ada, MI)
; Foote; Keith D.; (Kentwood, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCGARRY BAIR PC
32 Market Ave. SW
SUITE 500
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503
US
|
Assignee: |
MAGNA DONNELLY MIRRORS NORTH
AMERICA, LLC
Grand Rapids
MI
|
Family ID: |
39028887 |
Appl. No.: |
11/763033 |
Filed: |
June 14, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11160615 |
Jun 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
11763033 |
Jun 14, 2007 |
|
|
|
60521763 |
Jun 30, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/877 ;
359/872 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 1/078 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
359/877 ;
359/872 |
International
Class: |
G02B 7/198 20060101
G02B007/198 |
Claims
1. A vehicular mirror assembly, comprising: a reflective element
assembly; a support arm for supporting the reflective element
assembly; a pivot connection connecting the reflective element
assembly to the support arm and enabling the reflective element
assembly to be rotated between a first position and a second
position relative to the support arm, the pivot connection
including a retainer which prevents axial movement of the
reflective element assembly relative to the support arm; and a
clutch assembly interposed between the reflective element assembly
and the support arm for maintaining the reflective element assembly
in one of the first position and the second position and permitting
rotation of the reflective element assembly relative to the support
arm between the first and second positions; wherein said clutch
assembly comprises a clutch cylinder and a pinion.
2. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivot
connection comprises a pair of juxtaposed bearing sleeves
associated with a respective one of the support arm and the
reflective element assembly.
3. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein the pair of
juxtaposed bearing sleeves is made from a low-friction
material.
4. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 3 wherein the retainer
comprises a press-fit ring received on one of the support arm and
the reflective element assembly and encapsulating the pair of
juxtaposed bearing sleeves between the retainer and the other of
the support arm and the reflective element assembly.
5. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 3 wherein the pinion is
associated with one of the reflective element assembly and the
support arm and a rack is associated with the other of the
reflective element assembly and the support arm, wherein the pinion
engages the rack during pivoting of the reflective element assembly
between the first and second positions.
6. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 5 wherein the pinion
comprises a shaft mounted to the pinion and a shaft retainer
mounted to the one of the reflective element assembly and the
support arm, wherein the shaft retainer axially receives the pinion
shaft and is adapted to prevent rotation of the pinion shaft with
respect to the shaft retainer until a preselected level of friction
between the pinion shaft and the shaft retainer is overcome,
whereby the preselected friction level prevents unintended rotation
of the reflective element assembly with respect to the support
arm.
7. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 6 wherein the shaft
retainer further comprises a plurality of radially spaced fingers
which axially receive the pinion shaft and a spring encircling the
plurality of fingers to apply the desired friction level to the
pinion shaft when the pinion shaft is received within the plurality
of fingers.
8. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 3 and further comprising
a threaded shaft associated with one of the reflective element
assembly and the support arm and a follower nut received on the
threaded shaft and associated with the other of the reflective
element assembly and the support arm, wherein linear movement of
the follower nut along the threaded shaft is translated into
pivotal movement of the reflective element assembly with respect to
the support arm.
9. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 8 and further comprising
a motive-producing element connected to the threaded shaft for
introducing rotation to the threaded shaft, and causing the nut
follower to travel along the threaded shaft.
10. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 9 and further comprising
a slip clutch located between the threaded shaft and the
motive-producing element.
11. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the retainer
comprises a press-fit ring received on one of the support arm and
the reflective element assembly and encapsulating a bearing sleeve
between the retainer and the other of the support arm and the
reflective element assembly.
12. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the pinion is
associated with one of the reflective element assembly and the
support arm and a rack is associated with the other of the
reflective element assembly and the support arm, wherein the pinion
engages the rack during pivoting of the reflective element assembly
between the first and second positions.
13. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 12 wherein the pinion
comprises a shaft mounted to the pinion and a shaft retainer
mounted to the one of the reflective element assembly and the
support arm, wherein the shaft retainer axially receives the pinion
shaft and is adapted to prevent rotation of the pinion shaft with
respect to the shaft retainer until a preselected level of friction
between the pinion shaft and the shaft retainer is overcome whereby
the preselected friction level prevents unintended rotation of the
reflective element assembly with respect to the support arm.
14. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 13 wherein the shaft
retainer further comprises a plurality of radially spaced fingers
which axially receive the pinion shaft and a spring encircling the
plurality of fingers to apply the desired friction level to the
pinion shaft when the pinion shaft is received within the plurality
of fingers.
15. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 1 and further comprising
a threaded shaft associated with one of the reflective element
assembly and the support arm and a follower nut received on the
threaded shaft and associated with the other of the reflective
element assembly and the support arm, wherein linear movement of
the follower nut along the threaded shaft is translated into
pivotal movement of the reflective element assembly with respect to
the support arm.
16. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 15 and further
comprising a motive-producing element connected to the threaded
shaft for introducing rotation to the threaded shaft, and causing
the nut follower to travel along the threaded shaft.
17. The vehicular mirror assembly of claim 16 and further
comprising a slip clutch located between the threaded shaft and the
motive-producing element.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 60/521,763, filed Jun. 30, 2004, and is a
divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/160,615, filed Jun. 30,
2005, which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to rearview mirrors for
motor vehicles and more particularly to a vehicular rearview mirror
which can be pivoted from a horizontal inboard position to a
vertical outboard position.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] External rearview mirrors are ubiquitous for conventional
motor vehicles. Such mirrors are frequently adapted to be adjusted
by the vehicle operator at preselected positions. For example,
external rearview mirrors can be selectively folded against the
vehicle when not in use, and folded away from the vehicle for use,
or extended laterally away from the vehicle (the "outboard"
position) to adjust the rearward view during towing of a trailer,
and retracted toward the vehicle (the "inboard" position) during
non-towing operation. Mirrors can also be extended and retracted
between the inboard and outboard positions by rotating the mirror
about an axis which is offset from the center point of the
reflective element and perpendicular thereto. Examples of prior art
rotatable mirrors include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,546,239, 6,024,459,
6,505,944, and 6,648,481 to Lewis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A vehicular mirror assembly comprises a reflective element
assembly, a support arm for supporting the reflective element
assembly, a pivot connection connecting the reflective element
assembly to the support arm, and a clutch assembly interposed
between the reflective element assembly and the support arm. The
pivot connection enables the reflective element assembly to be
rotated between a first position and a second position relative to
the support arm, and includes a retainer which prevents axial
movement of the reflective element assembly relative to the support
arm. The clutch assembly maintains the reflective element assembly
in one of the first position and the second position and permits
rotation of the reflective element assembly relative to the support
arm between the first and second positions. The clutch assembly
comprises a clutch cylinder and a pinion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a vehicular pivot
mirror assembly according to the invention in a first, inboard
position.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the vehicular pivot
mirror assembly illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a first perspective view of the vehicular pivot
mirror assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 in a second, outboard
position.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the vehicular pivot
mirror assembly illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the vehicular pivot mirror
assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a first embodiment
thereof.
[0013] FIGS. 6A-B are exploded views of a base assembly comprising
a portion of the vehicular pivot mirror assembly illustrated in
FIG. 5.
[0014] FIGS. 7 A-B are perspective views of a reflective element
assembly cover comprising a portion of the vehicular pivot mirror
assembly illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a pivot actuator assembly
comprising a portion of the vehicular pivot mirror assembly
illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0016] FIGS. 9A-B are perspective views of a support arm frame
comprising a portion of the vehicular pivot mirror assembly
illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0017] FIGS. 10A-B are perspective views of a pivot frame
comprising a portion of the vehicular pivot mirror assembly
illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of a support arm
shell comprising a portion of the vehicular pivot mirror assembly
illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the assembled vehicular
pivot mirror assembly illustrated in FIG. 5 with parts removed for
clarity.
[0020] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the assembled vehicular
pivot mirror assembly illustrated in FIG. 12 in a first, inboard
position.
[0021] FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the pivot frame
illustrated in FIGS. 10A-B illustrating the assembly of pivot
bearing components comprising a portion of the vehicular pivot
mirror assembly.
[0022] FIG. 14A is a sectional view taken along view line 14A-14A
of FIG. 14.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the pivot frame
illustrated in FIGS. 10A-B connected to the support arm frame
illustrated in FIGS. 9A-B.
[0024] FIG. 15A is a sectional view taken along view line 15A-15A
of FIG. 15.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of the assembled vehicular
pivot mirror assembly illustrated in FIG. 12 in a second, outboard
position.
[0026] FIG. 17 is an exploded view of a portion of the vehicular
pivot mirror assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a second
embodiment thereof.
[0027] FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a portion of the vehicular
pivot mirror assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 showing a third
embodiment thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0028] Referring now to the Figures, and in particular to FIGS. 1
and 2, a first embodiment of an external vehicular pivot mirror
assembly 10 according to the invention is illustrated comprising a
somewhat triangular-shaped base 12, and an elongated, somewhat
irregularly shaped support arm 14, and a generally polyhedral
reflective element assembly 16. The base 12 is adapted for
attachment to a motor vehicle in a well-known manner. The
reflective element assembly 16 encloses a primary reflective
element 18, and may also enclose a secondary reflective element 20
such as a convex blind zone mirror. The base 12 comprises a base
cover 22 enclosing a base frame (not shown). The support arm 14
comprises a support arm cover 24, and the reflective element
assembly 16 comprises a reflective element assembly cover 26.
[0029] The vehicular pivot mirror assembly 10 can also be provided
with enhanced functionality, such as an automatic dimming
reflective element, a reflective element defogging/defrosting
element, turn indicators, area lights, powered extension, power
folding, and the like.
[0030] The pivot mirror assembly 10 can be pivoted between a first,
inboard position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a second, outboard
position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 5, the support arm 14 comprises a
support arm frame 38, which is enclosed within the support arm
cover 24 comprising a front support arm shell 34 and a rear support
arm shell 36. The base 12 comprises a base frame 44 enclosed within
the base cover 22. The reflective element assembly 16 comprises the
reflective elements 18, 20 supported by a generally conventional
glass case 52, attached to a tilt actuator plate 50 and a tilt
actuator assembly 48 for adjusting the tilt of the reflective
elements 18, 20 in a well-known manner. The tilt actuator assembly
48 is attached to a pivot frame 46 which is, in turn, attached to
the reflective element assembly cover 26. A positioning assembly as
hereinafter described comprises a pivot actuator assembly 54
mounted to the support arm frame 38 and attached to the pivot frame
46 for pivotal movement of the reflective element assembly 16
relative to the support arm 14.
[0032] FIGS. 6A-B illustrated the base frame 44 and the base cover
22. The base frame 44 is an irregularly-shaped body having a
generally well-known configuration comprising a base plate 82, from
which a cantilever arm 72 extends laterally to terminate in a
mirror fold pedestal assembly 74. The base plate 82 is adapted for
attachment to a side portion of the vehicle in a generally
well-known manner, and is shown having a generally triangular shape
for purposes of illustration. The mirror fold pedestal assembly 74
is adapted for pivotal attachment of the support arm 14 in a
generally well-known manner, which can comprise either a manual or
power fold functionality.
[0033] The base cover 22 is adapted to fit over the base frame 44
in conformity therewith, and comprises a base plate shell 76, a
cantilever arm shell 78 defining therein a cantilever arm cavity
80, and having an access opening 84 therethrough for facilitating
the attachment of the support arm 14 to the mirror fold pedestal
assembly 74.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 7A-B, the reflective element assembly
cover 26 is a somewhat polyhedral-shaped, shell-like member
defining a reflective element assembly cavity 92 therein. The
reflective element assembly cover 26 is adapted to enclose the
reflective elements 18, 20, the glass case 52, the tilt actuator
plate 50, the tilt actuator assembly 48, and the pivot frame 46. An
elongated recess 30 is formed in the reflective element assembly
cover 26 and adapted for complementary register with the support
arm 14. The recess 30 terminates at one end in a circular pivot
housing 32 defining a pivot opening 90 therethrough.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the pivot actuator assembly 54
comprises motor/gear housing 55 comprising a pair of cooperatively
engaging pivot actuator shells 56, 58 having a motor cavity 100 and
a transmission cavity 102 for enclosing a motor and a transmission
(neither shown), respectively. An actuator shaft 60 comprises a
gear/clutch portion 104 at a first end adapted for operable
communication with the transmission for rotation of the actuator
shaft 60 with operation of the motor, and a threaded portion 106
extending away from the gear/clutch portion 104 toward a second end
terminating in a cylindrical stub shaft 122. The threaded portion
106 is provided with helical threads 108.
[0036] An actuator nut 62 is a somewhat prismatic-shaped body
comprising a nut housing 110 having a shaft orifice 112 extending
longitudinally therethrough provided with threads 114 adapted for
threadable engagement with the threaded portion 106 of the actuator
shaft 60. Extending radially outwardly from the nut housing 110 is
a cylindrical link post 116. As the actuator shaft 60 rotates, the
actuator nut 62 will be translated linearly along the actuator
shaft 60 in a longitudinal direction dependent upon the direction
of rotation of the actuator shaft 60. The structure and operation
of the pivot actuator assembly 54 are as generally described
further in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0176591
A1, published Aug. 10, 2006, entitled "Vehicle Mirror with Powered
Extension Incorporating Slip Clutch", which is hereby incorporated
by reference as though set forth fully herein.
[0037] The pivot actuator assembly is described in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. US 2006/0176591 A1 as comprising a
toothed cogwheel portion 78, a shaft bearing portion 94, and a
clutch portion 80. These can also be referred to as a pinion and a
clutch cylinder.
[0038] Preferably, the pitch of the thread 108 and the threads 114
are adapted so that, if sufficient force is applied to the actuator
nut 62 longitudinally along the actuator shaft, the actuator shaft
60 will be urged to rotate.
[0039] A pivot link 64 is an elongated, generally strap-like member
comprising a circular nut orifice 118 extending therethrough at a
first end, and a circular pivot frame orifice 120 extending
therethrough at a second end. The nut orifice 118 is adapted for
slidable communication with the link post 116.
[0040] The support arm frame 38 is illustrated in FIGS. 9A-B. The
support arm frame 38 is an elongated, irregularly-shaped member
comprising a mirror fold bearing sleeve 40 at a first end and a
pivot bearing sleeve 42 at an opposed, second end. The mirror fold
bearing sleeve 40 is adapted for rotational communication with the
mirror fold pedestal assembly 74 for selective movement of the
support arm 14 alternately against and away from the motor vehicle.
A bridge portion 130 extends between the mirror fold bearing sleeve
40 and the pivot bearing sleeve 42. An elongated, rectilinear nut
housing 132 extends from the bridge portion 130 to the pivot
bearing sleeve 42, and comprises a top wall 134 and a bottom wall
136 in parallel juxtaposition, joined by a side wall 138, to define
a nut channel 142. The nut housing 132 terminates in a shaft end
bearing 140 adjacent the pivot bearing sleeve 42 adapted for
slidable receipt of the stub shaft 122 therein. The nut housing 132
is adapted for slidable receipt of the actuator nut 62 therein,
with the link post 116 extending away from the sidewall 138.
[0041] The approximate midpoint of the bridge portion 130 is
provided with an actuator chamber 128 adapted to fixedly enclose
the pivot actuator assembly 54 so that the actuator shaft 60 with
the actuator nut 62 threaded thereon extends through the nut
channel 142 with the stub shaft 122 journaled into the shaft end
bearing 140.
[0042] The pivot bearing sleeve 42 comprises an annular outer wall
144 and an annular inner wall 146 separated by an annulus 148. The
outer wall 144, the inner wall 146, and the annulus 148 are coaxial
about an axis 156 which is generally parallel to the support
surface for the motor vehicle when the mirror assembly 10 is
operably attached to the motor vehicle.
[0043] FIGS. 10A-B illustrate the pivot frame 46. The pivot frame
46 is a generally irregularly-shaped body comprising a plurality of
mounting arms 150, 152, 154, shown for illustrative purposes as
numbering three, extending somewhat radially away from a somewhat
cup-like pivot bearing 158. The pivot bearing 158 comprises an
inner annular wall 160 and an outer annular wall 161 separated by
an annulus 168. The pivot bearing 158 is provided with a circular
opening 178 coaxial with the inner annular wall 160 and fluidly
communicating with a generally cylindrical chamber 162 defined by
the inner annular wall 160. The inner annular wall 160, the outer
annular wall 161, the annulus 168, the opening 178, and the chamber
162, are coaxial with an axis 188 extending generally perpendicular
to the mounting arms 150, 152, 154. The mounting arms 150, 152, 154
are adapted for attachment to the reflective element assembly cover
26 through suitable fasteners, such as threaded fasteners or
rivets, extending through apertures in the ends of the mounting
arms 150, 152, 154. The pivot frame 46 is also provided with a
plurality of tilt actuator mounting posts 166 for attaching the
tilt actuator assembly 48 to the pivot frame 46.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 11, the rear support arm shell 36 is
an elongated member adapted for partial enclosure of the support
arm frame 38. The rear support arm shell 36 terminates in a pivot
ring 170 at a first end thereof defining a pivot opening 172
adapted for cooperative register with the pivot opening 90 of the
reflective element assembly cover 26 to enable slidable relative
rotation of the pivot ring 170 with the pivot housing 32. Extending
tangentially away from the pivot ring 170 is an elongated pivot
actuator housing 174 having a slot 176 extending longitudinally
therealong. The pivot actuator housing 174 is adapted for
cooperative register with the nut housing 132 so that the link post
116 can extend through the slot 176 and translate along the slot
176 as the actuator nut 62 translates along the nut channel
142.
[0045] The rear support arm shell 36 is also adapted with an
elongated recess 28 adapted for cooperative register with the
recess 30 in the reflective element assembly cover 26 when the
reflective element assembly cover 26 is rotated toward the support
arm 14.
[0046] Referring again to FIG. 5, an annular inner bearing sleeve
66 is illustrated comprising an annular bearing sleeve wall 180
transitioning at one end to an annular bearing sleeve flange 182
extending circumferentially outwardly from the sleeve wall 180. An
annular outer bearing sleeve 68 is illustrated comprising an
annular bearing sleeve wall 184 transitioning at one end to an
annular bearing sleeve flange 186 extending circumferentially
outwardly from the sleeve wall 184. The bearing sleeves 66, 68 are
preferably fabricated of an extremely low friction material
enabling relatively unimpeded relative rotation of the sleeves 66,
68.
[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, the nested relationship of
the bearing sleeves 66, 68 with the pivot frame 46 and the support
arm frame 38 is illustrated. The outer bearing sleeve 68 is
inserted into the chamber 162 in the pivot frame 46 so that the
bearing sleeve flange 186 extends away from the opening 178. As
shown in FIG. 14A, the chamber 162 is adapted for slidable
communication with the bearing sleeve flange 186. The inner bearing
sleeve 66 is inserted through the opening 178 so that the bearing
sleeve wall 180 of the inner bearing sleeve 66 is in slidable
communication with the bearing sleeve wall 184 of the outer bearing
sleeve 68. The bearing sleeve flange 182 will be in communication
with the inner annular wall 160. Referring also to FIG. 15A, the
pivot bearing sleeve 42 of the support arm frame 38 is brought into
operable communication with the pivot bearing 158 of the pivot
frame 46 so that the inner wall 146 is in slidable communication
with the bearing sleeve wall 180, the outer wall 144 is received
within the annulus 168, and the inner annular wall 160 is received
within the annulus 148. A push nut 70 is installed over the inner
wall 146 and is adapted to bear against the bearing sleeve flange
186 and the inner bearing sleeve wall 180 to pivotably secure the
pivot frame 46 to the support arm frame 38.
[0048] FIG. 12 illustrates the pivot actuator assembly 54 and the
pivot frame 46 in relative assembled position, with portions of the
pivot rear assembly 10, including the support arm frame 38 removed
for clarity. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the pivot link 64
interconnects the actuator nut 62 and the pivot frame 46 when the
link post 116 is inserted into the nut orifice 118 and the link pin
164 is inserted into the pivot frame orifice 120. As the actuator
nut 62 travels longitudinally along the threaded portion 106 of the
actuator shaft 60, the pivot link 64 will be translated to the
right (as viewed in FIGS. 12 and 13), thereby urging the pivot
frame 46 into rotation about an axis 156 passing coaxially through
the pivot bearing 158.
[0049] As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, with the actuator nut 62
adjacent the pivot actuator shell 56, 58, the reflective element
assembly 16 will be in an inboard position, as illustrated in FIGS.
1 and 2. As illustrated in FIG. 16, with the actuator nut 62
adjacent the stub shaft 122, the reflective element assembly 16
will be in an outboard position, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and
4.
[0050] The first embodiment of the vehicular pivot mirror assembly
10 has been illustrated and described as incorporating a
power-driven pivot actuator assembly 54 comprising an electric
motor and a transmission which operates, through the pivot link 64,
to rotate the reflective element assembly 16 between an inboard
position and an outboard position. The pivot actuator assembly 54
described herein enables the reflective element assembly 16 to be
manually pivoted between the inboard and outboard positions due to
the configuration of the threads 108, 114 and the clutch assembly.
All other elements of the pivot mirror assembly 10 remain the
same.
[0051] FIG. 17 illustrates a second embodiment of the pivot mirror
assembly for manual pivoting of the reflective element assembly 16
comprising an alternate positioning assembly. A support arm frame
190 is identical to the support arm frame 38 with the addition of a
chamber 196 in the support arm frame 190 adjacent the pivot bearing
sleeve 42. A circular opening 194 is provided into the chamber 196.
A pivot frame 192 is identical to the pivot frame 46 with the
addition of an arcuate toothed rack 198 extending partially along
the outer circumference of the pivot bearing sleeve 42. The pivot
actuator assembly 54 is omitted in this embodiment.
[0052] A clutch assembly 205 comprises a clutch cylinder 206 and a
pinion 200. The pinion 200 is a somewhat T-shaped body having a
smooth cylindrical shaft 202 transitioning coaxially at a first end
to a circular toothed portion 204. The clutch cylinder 206 is a
generally annular body having a shaft aperture 214 extending
axially therethrough and adapted for slidable communication with
the shaft 202. The clutch cylinder 206 comprises an annular base
208 and a plurality of coaxially-oriented elongated fingers 210
extending longitudinally therefrom, having an arcuate
cross-section. The fingers 210 are separated by elongated slots 212
which enable the fingers 210 to freely deflect inwardly. A helical
spring 216 is adapted to be retained circumferentially around the
fingers 210 to impart an inward compressive force on the fingers
210. When the shaft 202 is received in the shaft aperture 214, the
spring 216 will impart a force urging the fingers 210 into
frictional communication with the shaft 202.
[0053] The magnitude of the force can be adjusted by adjusting the
compressive force exerted by the spring 216. The pinion 200 will be
prevented from moving relative to the clutch cylinder 206 as a
result of the frictional force between the fingers 210 and the
shaft 202. However, if sufficient rotational force is applied to
the pinion 200 to overcome the frictional force between the fingers
210 and the shaft 202, the pinion 200 will rotate relative to the
clutch cylinder 206.
[0054] The clutch assembly 205 is received within the chamber 196
with the clutch cylinder 206 fixedly retained in the chamber 196 to
prevent rotation of the clutch cylinder 206 relative to the support
arm frame 190. The pinion 200 extends from the clutch cylinder 206
through the opening 194 for toothed engagement with the rack 198.
As so assembled, the pinion 200 will be held against rotation
relative to the clutch cylinder 216, thereby maintaining the
reflective element assembly 16 in a preselected position. With
sufficient pivoting force applied to the reflective element
assembly 16 to rotate the reflective element assembly 16 relative
to the support arm frame 190, the frictional force between the
clutch cylinder 206 and the pinion 200 will be overcome and the
reflective element assembly 16 will be repositioned.
[0055] FIG. 18 illustrates a third embodiment of the pivot mirror
assembly for manual pivoting of the reflective element assembly 16
comprising yet another alternate positioning assembly. A support
arm frame 220 is identical to the support arm frame 38 with the
addition of a stop pin chamber 224 in the support arm frame 220
adjacent the pivot bearing sleeve 42. A pivot frame 222 is
identical to the pivot frame 46 with the addition of an arcuate
flange 240 extending partially along the outer circumference of the
pivot bearing sleeve 42. The pivot actuator assembly 54 is omitted
in this embodiment.
[0056] A stop pin assembly 226 is adapted for slidable insertion
into the stop pin receptacle 224, and comprises a spring 228 and a
stop pin 230. The stop pin 230 comprises a cylindrical shaft 232
transitioning coaxially at a first end to a circular housing 236
having a semi-spherical receptacle 238 in opposed coaxial
juxtaposition with the shaft 232. The spring 228 is adapted for
slidable receipt over the shaft 232 and communication with the
housing 236. A sphere 232 is adapted for rotational seating in the
receptacle 238 for rotation of the sphere 232 relative to the
housing 236.
[0057] The arcuate flange 240 is provided with a stop 242 adapted
for seating of the sphere 232 therein. A single stop 242 is
illustrated in FIG. 18. However, a plurality of stops can be
positioned along the arcuate flange 240 to correspond to desired
rotated positions of the pivot frame 222. The stop pin assembly 226
is received in the stop pin chamber 224 with the spring 228 bearing
against the housing 236 to urge the stop pin assembly 226 away from
the stop pin chamber 224. As so assembled, the sphere 232 will be
urged into contact with the arcuate flange 240, thereby applying a
force tending to restrict rotation of the pivot frame 222 relative
to the support arm frame 220. Rotation of the sphere 232 will
enable the pivot frame 222 to be rotated relative to the support
arm frame 220. However, the force of the sphere 232 against the
arcuate flange 240 can be adjusted based upon the force exerted by
the spring 228 against the housing 236. Precise positioning of the
pivot frame 222 relative to the support arm frame 220 can be
provided by seating the sphere 232 in the stop 242.
[0058] The vehicular pivot mirror assembly 10 described herein is
an improvement over the prior art in that bearing surfaces between
the pivot frame and the support arm frame remain planar. Wear
between the bearing surfaces is reduced, and the connection of the
pivot frame to the support arm frame remains unchanged overtime.
Consequently, vibration of the reflective element assembly is
reduced. Furthermore, the vehicular pivot mirror assembly 10 can be
operated as either a manual mirror or a power-driven mirror with
the addition of a well known electrical motor drive assembly.
[0059] 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.
* * * * *