Linkage arrangement for the adjustment of rearview mirrors

• US 20040227049A1
• Filed: 12/18/2002
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Centmayer, Stefan, Lang, Heinrich, Seiboth, Wolfgang
• Application Number:
  US10/323,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20040227049A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/476
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/066 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 11/06 Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints universal joints in which flexibility is produced by means of pivots or sliding or rolling connecting parts F16D3/16
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/14 with ball-joint ball-jointed hinges F16C11/06 ; adjustable mountings employing universal joints for lighting devices F21V21/26 - F21V21/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32286 Clamping screw traverses sliding complementary arcuate bearing surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32647 Plural concave surfaces with diverse curvature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32672 Swiveled ball parts or seat

Abstract

A linkage arrangement for a rearview mirror is provided. One aspect includes a sliding piece, a first linkage component with a ball socket and a second linkage component with a projection configured to fit into the ball socket. A connection assembly connects the foregoing elements together. A variety of convex and concave profilings are provided on various surfaces of the elements to pivot the rearview mirror.

Claims

1-19. -19. (Cancelled.)

20. A linkage arrangement for a rearview mirror comprising:

a first linkage component defining a ball socket;

a second linkage component defining a projection configured to fit into the ball socket;

a sliding piece; and

a connection assembly configured to connect the first linkage component, the sliding piece and the second linkage component together,

wherein at least one of the ball socket, the sliding piece and the projection defines a convex profiling and another of the ball socket, the sliding piece and the projection defines a concave profiling for reception of the convex profiling, the concave profiling defining a larger radius of curvature than the convex profiling, the convex profiling and the complementary profiling configured to pivot at least one of the ball socket, the sliding piece and the projection about an axis of rotation.

21. The linkage arrangement as in claim 20, wherein the convex profiling and the concave profiling define a plurality of parallel ridges and valleys.

22. The linkage arrangement as in claim 21, wherein the ridges and valleys have respective substantially uniform height and depth to define a uniform waveform.

23. The linkage arrangement as in claim 22, wherein the uniform wave form is sine wave shaped.

24. The linkage arrangement as in claim 20, wherein the convex profiling and the concave profiling are disposed on the ball socket, the sliding piece and the projection to define another axis of rotation disposed perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

25. The linkage arrangement as in claim 20, wherein the sliding piece (18) is hemispherical shaped.

26. The linkage arrangement as in claim 20, wherein the projection, the sliding part and the ball socket define openings therethrough and wherein the connection apparatus includes a rod configured for insertion through the openings to connect the ball socket, the sliding part and the projection together.

27. The linkage arrangement as in claim 20, wherein the sliding piece is disposed between the first and the second linkage components.

28. The linkage arrangement as in claim 27, wherein the ball socket defines a concave topside and the sliding part defines a convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside to define the axis of rotation.

29. The linkage arrangement as in claim 27, wherein the projection defines a convex underside and the sliding part defines a concave topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the concave topside complementary to the convex profiling of the convex underside to define a second axis of rotation transverse to the axis of rotation.

30. A linkage arrangement for a rearview mirror comprising:

a first linkage component defining a ball socket;

a second linkage component defining a spherical projection configured to fit into the ball socket;

a sliding piece; and

a connection assembly configured to clamp the first linkage component, the sliding piece and the second linkage component together,

wherein at least one of the ball socket, the sliding piece and the projection defines a convex profiling and another of the ball socket, the sliding piece and the projection defines a concave profiling for reception of the convex profiling, the concave profiling defining a larger radius of curvature than the convex profiling, the convex profiling and the concave profiling defining a plurality of parallel ridges and valleys and configured to pivot at least one of the ball socket, the sliding piece and the projection.

31. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the ridges and valleys have respective substantially uniform height and depth to define a uniform waveform.

32. The linkage arrangement as in claim 31, wherein the uniform wave form is a sine curve waveform.

33. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the convex profiling and the concave profiling are disposed on the ball socket, the sliding piece and the projection to define at least two axes of rotation disposed perpendicular to one another.

34. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the sliding piece is hemispherical shaped.

35. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the projection, the sliding part and the ball socket define openings therethrough and wherein the connection apparatus includes a rod configured for insertion through the openings to connect the ball socket, the sliding part and the projection together.

36. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the openings are configured to permit pivoting of the linkage components.

37. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the sliding piece is disposed between the first and the second linkage components.

38. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the ball socket defines a concave topside and the sliding part defines a convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside to define an axis of rotation.

39. The linkage arrangement as in claim 38, wherein the projection defines a convex underside and the sliding part defines a concave topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the concave topside complementary to the convex profiling of the convex underside to define another axis of rotation divergent from the axis of rotation.

40. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the ball socket defines a convex underside and the sliding part defines a concave topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the topside to define an axis of rotation.

41. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the projection defines a convex underside and the ball socket defines a concave topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the concave topside complementary to the convex profiling of the convex underside to define another axis of rotation divergent from the axis of rotation.

42. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the projection defines a concave topside and the sliding part defines a convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside to define an axis of rotation.

43. The linkage arrangement as in claim 42, wherein the projection defines a convex underside and the ball socket defines a concave topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the concave topside complementary to the convex profiling of the convex underside to define another axis of rotation divergent from the axis of rotation.

44. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, further comprising a pressure disk, the pressure disk and the connection assembly configured to position the sliding part adjacent one of the projection and the ball socket.

45. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, wherein the connection assembly further comprises a helical spring disposed about a connection rod.

46. The linkage arrangement as in claim 30, further comprising an electric motor positioning apparatus configured to engage the first and the second linkage components.

48. The linkage arrangement as in claim 45, wherein the ball socket defines a concave topside and the sliding part defines a convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside to define an axis of rotation.

49. The linkage arrangement as in claim 45, wherein the projection defines a convex underside and the sliding part defines a concave topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the concave topside complementary to the convex profiling of the convex underside to define an axis of rotation.

50. The linkage arrangement as in claim 45, wherein the ball socket defines a convex underside and the sliding part defines a concave topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the topside to define an axis of rotation.

51. The linkage arrangement as in claim 45, wherein the projection defines a convex underside and the ball socket defines a concave topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the concave topside complementary to the convex profiling of the convex underside to define an axis of rotation.

52. The linkage arrangement as in claim 45, wherein the projection defines a concave topside and the sliding part defines a convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside to define an axis of rotation.

53. The linkage arrangement as in claim 45, wherein the projection defines a convex underside and the ball socket defines a concave topside, the convex profiling disposed on the convex underside, the concave profiling disposed on the concave topside complementary to the convex profiling of the convex underside to define an axis of rotation.

54. The linkage arrangement as in claim 45, wherein the concave profiling defines a larger radius of curvature than the convex profiling.

55. The linkage arrangement as in claim 45, wherein the sliding piece is disposed between the first and the second linkage components.

56. The linkage arrangement as in claim 45, further comprising a pressure disk, the pressure disk and the connection assembly configured to position the sliding part adjacent one of the projection and the ball socket.

47. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle having a mirror carrier with a mirror pane and a linkage arrangement, the linkage arrangement comprising:

a first linkage component, a second linkage component, a sliding piece, and a connection assembly, the first linkage component and the second linkage component respectively defining one of a ball socket and a projection, the projection configured to fit into the ball socket, the connection assembly configured to connect the first linkage component, the second linkage component and the sliding piece together,

wherein at least one of the ball socket, the projection and the sliding piece defines a convex profiling and another of the ball socket, the sliding piece and the projection defines a concave profiling for reception of the convex profiling, the convex profiling and the concave profiling configured to pivot at least one of the ball socket, the sliding piece and the projection about an axis of rotation to adjust the mirror pane in relation to the mirror carrier.