Clutch assembly for breakaway mirror

• US 20050219722A1
• Filed: 01/13/2005
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Truck-Lite Company Incorporated (Truck-Lite)
• Original Assignee: Truck-Lite Company Incorporated (Truck-Lite)
• Inventors: Podgaietsky, Nicholas, Watrous, Craig, Schwab, Kurt, Cofer, Steve
• Application Number:
  US11/034,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20050219722A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/841
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0617 foldable along the vehicle, e.g. in case of external force applied thereon
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/076 yieldable to excessive external force and provided with an indexed use position B60R1/0617, B60R1/074 take precedence

Abstract

A device comprised of: a support arm; a mirror head functionally engaging the support arm along the support arm; a lower mounting assembly affixed to a vehicle and adapted to receive the support arm at a first end and comprised of a cup with a tapered inner surface; an upper mounting assembly, also affixed to the vehicle and engaging the support arm at a second end; and a mirror clutch assembly disposed substantially with the lower mounting assembly cup and comprised of: an upper cam with a plurality of detents on its lower surface; a lower cam located below and functionally engaging the upper cam and having a plurality recesses corresponding with the upper cam detents; a biasing member below the lower cam and exerting a biasing force on the lower cam; a taper compensation mechanism, to account for the tapered inner surface of the cup; and an upper cam locking mechanism for locking the upper cam in position relative to the support arm, such that upon exertion of an external force on the device, the support arm and upper cam axially rotate and the lower cam vertically translates to at least partially absorb the external force.

Claims

1. A device comprised of:

a support arm with a first end and a second end;

a mirror head adapted to functionally engage said support arm along said support arm;

a lower mounting assembly adapted to be affixed to a vehicle and to functionally engage said first end of said support arm, wherein said lower mounting assembly is comprised of a cup with a bottom surface and a tapered inner surface, said bottom surface adapted to receive said support arm;

an upper mounting assembly, adapted to be affixed to said vehicle and adapted to functionally engage said second end of said support arm;

a mirror clutch assembly disposed substantially with said cup of said lower mounting assembly and comprised of;

a generally cylindrical upper cam with an upper surface, a lower surface, a inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein said lower surface of said upper cam is comprised of a plurality of detents;

a generally cylindrical lower cam with an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface and an outer surface, located below and functionally engaging said upper cam, wherein said lower cam is further comprised of a plurality recesses for receiving said plurality of detents of said upper cam;

a biasing member functionally engaging said lower surface of said lower cam and for exerting a biasing force on said lower cam toward said upper cam; and

an upper cam locking mechanism for locking said upper cam in position relative to said support arm;

a taper compensation mechanism, to account for said tapered inner surface of said cup of said lower mounting assembly; and

a lower cam anti-rotation mechanism to restrict said lower cam to only vertical translation, such that upon exertion of an external force on said device, said support arm and said upper cam axially rotate and said lower cam vertically translates, compressing said biasing member to at least partially absorb said external force and prevent/minimize damage to said vehicle and said mirror head.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said support arm, said mirror head, said lower mounting assembly, said upper mounting assembly, said upper cam, said lower cam, and said clutch spring are each made of a material selected from a group comprised of zinc, aluminum, plastic, and combinations thereof.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said first end of said support arm is further comprised of an annular flange for supporting said lower mounting assembly.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said biasing member is selected from a group comprised of a clutch spring, a fluid, a hydraulic device, an elastomeric material, a rubber, and combinations thereof.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said mirror clutch assembly is further comprised of a tube washer disposed between said lower surface of said lower cam and said biasing member to provide a flat surface on top of said biasing member to evenly distribute said biasing force on said lower cam.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of detents of said upper cam and each of said plurality of recesses of said lower cam is constructed with an inclined flank to enable each of said plurality of detents and each of said plurality of recesses to slidingly engage one another.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said inclined flank has an angle of inclination of between approximately 40 degrees and approximately 50 degrees.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said support arm is further comprised of two pinholes on said first end, said upper cam is further comprised of an aperture therethrough, and said upper cam locking mechanism is comprised of a dowel disposed substantially through said aperture and said two pinholes.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said upper cam locking mechanism is further comprised of a plurality of retaining slots disposed on said first end of said support arm and a plurality of inner ears disposed on said inner surface of said upper cam, and said inner ears functionally engaging said retaining slots.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said upper cam locking mechanism is comprised of welding, an epoxy, a cotter pin, at least one spline, and combinations thereof.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is comprised of

said lower cam being constructed of a plurality of lower cam elements, wherein each of said plurality of recesses is further comprised of a first beveled surface;

and

each of said plurality of detents of said upper cam further comprised of a second beveled surface, such that each of said second beveled surfaces of said upper cam correspond with said first beveled surfaces of said lower cam, and exert a radial force on each of said plurality of said lower cam elements to maintain a constant engagement between each of said plurality of lower cam elements and said tapered inner surface of said cup of said lower mounting assembly.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said beveled surface of said lower cam and said beveled surface of said upper cam are each beveled between approximately five degrees and approximately forty degrees.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is comprised of:

a straightening piece disposed within said cup and comprised of a vertical inner surface and a tapered outer surface, wherein said tapered outer surface corresponds with said tapered inner surface of said cup;

a straightening piece anti-rotation mechanism; and

a lower cam anti-rotation mechanism.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said straightening piece anti-rotation mechanism is selected from a group comprised of welding, an epoxy, a cotter pin, a plurality of teeth, a plurality of splines, at least one set screw, a press fit, and combinations thereof.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is comprised of a generally cylindrical wedged cap with a beveled upper surface and a lower surface, said wedged cap disposed between said biasing member and said lower cam, wherein said beveled upper surface exerts a radial force on said lower cam.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is comprised of machining said cup of said lower mounting assembly so that said inner surface of said cup is substantially perpendicular to said lower surface.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein said lower cam anti-rotation mechanism is selected from a group comprised of:

a plurality of guide ribs on said tapered inner surface of said cup and a plurality of corresponding guide slots on said a plurality of guide slots on said tapered inner surface of said cup and a plurality of corresponding guide ribs on said outer surface of said lower cam; and

a combination thereof.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein said lower cam anti-rotation mechanism is comprised of said lower cam being constructed of a plurality of lower cam elements with a gap between each of said plurality of lower cam elements, each of said plurality of lower cam element having an outer surface and a first guide slot or a first guide rib on each outer surface of said plurality of lower cam elements, and said inner surface of said cup having a plurality of second guide ribs corresponding with each of said plurality of guide slots and said gaps of said lower cam element or a plurality of second guide slots corresponding with said plurality of first guide ribs of each of said plurality of lower cam elements and a plurality of third guide ribs each corresponding with said plurality of gaps.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein said upper cam is further comprised of a plurality of stops and said lower mounting assembly is comprised of a plurality of corresponding tabs to prevent said upper cam and said support arm from being rotated beyond a threshold point.

20. An assembly comprised of:

a support arm with a first end and a second end;

a mirror head adapted to functionally engage said support arm along said support arm;

a lower mounting assembly adapted to be affixed to a vehicle and to functionally engage said first end of said support arm, wherein said lower mounting assembly is comprised of a cup with a bottom surface and a tapered inner surface, said bottom surface further comprised of an entry hole adapted to receive said support arm, and said tapered inner surface is comprised of a plurality of guide ribs;

an upper mounting assembly, adapted to be affixed to said vehicle and adapted to functionally engage said second end of said support arm; and

a mirror clutch assembly disposed substantially with said cup of said lower mounting assembly and comprised of;

a generally cylindrical upper cam with an upper surface, a lower surface, a inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein said lower surface of said upper cam is comprised of a plurality of detents;

a generally cylindrical lower cam with an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface and an outer surface, located below and functionally engaging said upper cam, wherein said lower cam is comprised of a plurality of lower cam elements, a plurality recesses for receiving said plurality of detents of said upper cam, and a plurality of recesses functionally engaging said plurality of guide ribs of said tapered inner surface of said cup, wherein said plurality of lower cam elements each have a space therebetween to compensate for said tapered inner surface of said cup;

a biasing member disposed within said cup of said lower mounting assembly and functionally engaging said lower surface of said lower cam and for exerting a biasing force on said lower cam toward said upper cam;

a taper compensation mechanism to account for said tapered inner surface of said cup of said lower mounting assembly; and

an upper cam locking mechanism for locking said upper cam in position relative to said support arm; and

such that upon exertion of an external force on said device, said support arm and said upper cam axially rotate and said lower cam vertically translates to at least partially absorb said external force and substantially prevents damage to said vehicle and said mirror head.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said support arm, said mirror head, said lower mounting assembly, said upper mounting assembly, said upper cam, said lower cam, and said clutch spring are each made of a material selected from a group comprised of zinc, aluminum, plastic, and combinations thereof.

22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said biasing member is selected from a group comprised of a clutch spring, a fluid, a hydraulic device, an elastomeric material, a rubber, and combinations thereof.

23. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said mirror clutch assembly is further comprised of a tube washer disposed between said lower surface of said lower cam and said biasing member to provide a flat surface on top of said biasing member to evenly distribute said biasing force on said lower cam.

24. The assembly of claim 20, wherein each of said plurality of detents of said upper cam and each of said plurality of recesses of said lower cam is constructed with an inclined flank to enable each of said plurality of detents and each of said plurality of recesses to slidingly engage one another, said inclined flank having an angle of inclination of between approximately 40 degrees and approximately 50 degrees.

25. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said support arm is further comprised of two pinholes on said first end, said upper cam is further comprised of an aperture therethrough, and said upper cam locking mechanism is comprised of a dowel disposed substantially through said aperture and said two pinholes.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein said upper cam locking mechanism is further comprised of a plurality of retaining slots disposed on said first end of said support arm and a plurality of inner ears disposed on said inner surface of said upper cam, and said inner ears functionally engaging said retaining slots.

27. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said upper cam locking mechanism is comprised of welding, an epoxy, a cotter pin, at least one spline, and combinations thereof.

28. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is comprised of

said lower cam being constructed of a plurality of lower cam elements, wherein each of said plurality of recesses is further comprised of a first beveled surface;

and

each of said plurality of detents of said upper cam further comprised of a second beveled surface, such that each of said second beveled surfaces of said upper cam correspond with said first beveled surfaces of said lower cam, and exert a radial force on each of said plurality of said lower cam elements to maintain a constant engagement between each of said plurality of lower cam elements and said tapered inner surface of said cup of said lower mounting assembly, wherein said beveled surface of said lower cam and said beveled surface of said upper cam are each beveled between approximately five degrees and approximately forty degrees.

29. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is comprised of:

a straightening piece disposed within said cup and comprised of a vertical inner surface and a tapered outer surface, wherein said tapered outer surface corresponds with said tapered inner surface of said cup;

a straightening piece anti-rotation mechanism; and

a lower cam anti-rotation mechanism.

30. The assembly of claim 29, wherein said straightening piece anti-rotation mechanism is selected from a group comprised of welding, an epoxy, a cotter pin, a plurality of teeth, a plurality of splines, at least one set screw, a press fit, and combinations thereof.

31. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is comprised of a generally cylindrical wedged cap with a beveled upper surface and a lower surface, said wedged cap disposed between said biasing member and said lower cam, wherein said beveled upper surface exerts a radial force on said lower cam.

32. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is comprised of machining said cup of said lower mounting assembly so that said inner surface of said cup is substantially perpendicular to said lower surface.

33. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said upper cam is further comprised of a plurality of stops and said lower mounting assembly is comprised of a plurality of corresponding tabs to prevent said upper cam and said support arm from being rotated beyond a threshold point.

34. A mirror-operating device comprised of:

a support arm with a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is comprised of two pinholes and two retaining slots;

a mirror head adapted to functionally engage said support arm along said support arm;

a lower mounting assembly adapted to be affixed to a vehicle and to functionally engage said first end of said support arm, wherein said lower mounting assembly is comprised of a cup with a bottom surface and a tapered inner surface, said bottom surface further comprised of an entry hole adapted to receive said support arm, and said tapered inner surface is comprised of a plurality of guide ribs;

an upper mounting assembly, adapted to be affixed to said vehicle and adapted to functionally engage said second end of said support arm; and

a mirror clutch assembly disposed substantially with said cup of said lower mounting assembly and comprised of;

a generally cylindrical upper cam with an upper surface, a lower surface, a inner surface, an outer surface, and an aperture therethrough, wherein said lower surface of said upper cam is comprised of a plurality of detents and said inner surface is comprised of a first ear and a second ear, said first ear and said second ear adapted to fit within said two retaining slots of said first end of said support arm to lock said upper cam in position relative to said support arm;

a dowel disposed within said aperture of said upper cam, wherein said first ear and said second ear fit within said two retaining slots of said first end of said support arm and said dowel lock said upper cam in position relative to said support art;

a generally cylindrical lower cam with an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface and an outer surface, located below and functionally engaging said upper cam, wherein said lower cam is comprised of a plurality of lower cam elements, a plurality recesses for receiving said plurality of detents of said upper cam, and a plurality of recesses functionally engaging said plurality of guide ribs of said tapered inner surface of said cup, wherein said plurality of lower cam elements each have a space therebetween to compensate for said tapered inner surface of said cup;

a biasing member disposed within said cup of said lower mounting assembly and functionally engaging said lower surface of said lower cam and for exerting a biasing force on said lower cam toward said upper cam;

such that upon exertion of an external force on said device, said support arm and said upper cam axially rotate and said lower cam vertically translates to at least partially absorb said external force and prevent/minimize damage to said vehicle and said mirror head.

35. The mirror-operating device of claim 34, wherein said support arm, said mirror head, said lower mounting assembly, said upper mounting assembly, said upper cam, said lower cam, and said clutch spring are each made of a material selected from a group comprised of zinc, aluminum, plastic, and combinations thereof.

36. The mirror-operating device of claim 34, wherein said biasing member is selected from a group comprised of a clutch spring, a fluid, a hydraulic device, an elastomeric material, a rubber, and combinations thereof.

37. The mirror-operating device of claim 34, wherein said mirror clutch assembly is further comprised of a tube washer disposed between said lower surface of said lower cam and said biasing member to provide a flat surface on top of said biasing member to evenly distribute said biasing force on said lower cam.

38. The mirror-operating device of claim 34, wherein each of said plurality of detents of said upper cam and each of said plurality of recesses is constructed with an inclined flank to enable each of said plurality of detents and each of said plurality of recesses to slidingly engage one another, said inclined flank having an angle of inclination of between approximately 40 degrees and approximately 50 degrees.

39. The mirror-operating device of claim 34, wherein said upper cam is further comprised of a plurality of stops and said lower mounting assembly is comprised of a plurality of corresponding tabs to prevent said upper cam and said support arm from being rotated beyond a threshold point.

40. A clutch assembly capable of functionally engaging a vehicle mirror support arm and being located within a tapered and generally cylindrical cup, wherein said cup is adapted to receive said support arm, said clutch assembly comprised of:

a generally cylindrical upper cam with an upper surface, a lower surface, a inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein said lower surface of said upper cam is comprised of a plurality of detents;

a generally cylindrical lower cam with an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface and an outer surface, located below and functionally engaging said upper cam, wherein said lower cam is further comprised of a plurality recesses for receiving said plurality of detents of said upper cam;

a biasing member functionally engaging said lower surface of said lower cam and for exerting a biasing force on said lower cam toward said upper cam;

an upper cam locking mechanism for locking said upper cam in position relative to said support arm; and

a taper compensation mechanism, to account for said tapered inner surface of said cup;

such that upon exertion of an external force on said support arm, said support arm and said upper cam axially rotate and said lower cam vertically translates to at least partially absorb said external force.

41. The clutch assembly of claim 40, wherein said biasing member is selected from a group comprised of a clutch spring, a fluid, a hydraulic device, an elastomeric material, a rubber, and combinations thereof.

42. The clutch assembly of claim 40, wherein said mirror clutch assembly is further comprised of a tube washer disposed between said lower surface of said lower cam and said biasing member to provide a flat surface on top of said biasing member to evenly distribute said biasing force on said lower cam.

43. The clutch assembly of claim 40, wherein each of said plurality of detents of said upper cam and each of said plurality of recesses of said lower cam is constructed with an inclined flank to enable each of said plurality of detents and each of said plurality of recesses to slidingly engage one another, said inclined flank having an angle of inclination of between approximately 40 degrees and approximately 50 degrees.

44. The clutch assembly of claim 40, wherein said vehicle mirror support arm is further comprised of two pinholes on said first end, said upper cam is further comprised of an aperture therethrough, and said upper cam locking mechanism is comprised of a dowel disposed substantially through said aperture and said two pinholes.

45. The clutch assembly of claim 44, wherein said upper cam locking mechanism is further comprised of a plurality of retaining slots disposed on said first end of said support arm and a plurality of inner ears disposed on said inner surface of said upper cam, and said inner ears functionally engaging said retaining slots.

46. The clutch assembly of claim 40, wherein said upper cam locking mechanism is comprised of welding, an epoxy, a cotter pin, at least one spline, and combinations thereof.

47. The clutch assembly of claim 40, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is comprised of

said lower cam being constructed of a plurality of lower cam elements, wherein each of said plurality of recesses is further comprised of a first beveled surface;

and

each of said plurality of detents of said upper cam further comprised of a second beveled surface, such that each of said second beveled surfaces of said upper cam correspond with said first beveled surfaces of said lower cam, and exert a radial force on each of said plurality of said lower cam elements to maintain a constant engagement between each of said plurality of lower cam elements and said tapered inner surface of said cup of said lower mounting assembly, wherein said beveled surface of said lower cam and said beveled surface of said upper cam are each beveled between approximately five degrees and approximately forty degrees.

48. The clutch assembly of claim 40, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is comprised of:

a straightening piece disposed within said cup and comprised of a vertical inner surface and a tapered outer surface, wherein said tapered outer surface corresponds with said tapered inner surface of said cup;

a straightening piece anti-rotation mechanism; and

a lower cam anti-rotation mechanism.

49. The clutch assembly of claim 48, wherein said straightening piece anti-rotation mechanism is selected from a group comprised of welding, an epoxy, a cotter pin, a plurality of teeth, a plurality of splines, at least one set screw, a press fit, and combinations thereof.

50. The clutch assembly of claim 40, wherein said taper compensation mechanism is from a group comprised of:

a generally cylindrical wedged cap with a beveled upper surface and a lower surface, said wedged cap disposed between said biasing member and said lower cam, wherein said beveled upper surface exerts a radial force on said lower cam;

machining said cup of said lower mounting assembly so that said inner surface of said cup is substantially perpendicular to said lower surface; and

a plurality of stops and said lower mounting assembly is comprised of a plurality of corresponding tabs to prevent said upper cam and said support arm from being rotated beyond a threshold point