Open vehicle rear view system

• US 20080080074A1
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Honda Lock
• Inventors: Sakamoto, Hiroshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,837,339 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/842
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 29/00 Adaptations or arrangements of mirrors for use on cycles

Abstract

An open vehicle rear view system includes left and right mirror housings. A mirror holder for holding a mirror is supported in each mirror housing so as to pivot between a normal view position for obtaining a normal rear view and a changed view position which is changed from the normal view position. An actuator is provided between the mirror housing and the mirror holder. The actuator includes an electric motor rotatable in forward and reverse directions and a reduction mechanism for reducing output of the electric motor. A drive control circuit controls operation of the electric motors so as to simultaneously pivot both the mirror holders according to operation of an operating member operated by a driver in order to select the normal view position or the changed view position of the mirror holders. Thus, it is possible to easily change a rear view when necessary, while eliminating the need for the driver to change his posture and reducing electric power consumption.

Claims

1. An open vehicle rear view system comprising:

a pair of mirrors for obtaining a rear view, the mirrors being disposed on left and right portions of a vehicle body or a handlebar in front of a driver;

wherein the system further comprises;

mirror housings mounted on the left and right portions of the vehicle body or the handlebar;

mirror holders each holding the mirror, and being supported on the mirror housing so that the mirror holder can pivot between a normal view position for obtaining a normal rear view and a changed view position which is changed from the normal view position;

actuators each including an electric motor rotatable in forward and reverse directions and a reduction mechanism for reducing output of the electric motor, each actuator being provided between the mirror housing and the mirror holder so as to exert power for pivoting the mirror holder;

an operating member operated by the driver in order to select the normal view position or the changed view position of the mirror holders; and

a drive control circuit including two pairs of position detection switches which are disposed at fixed positions within the two mirror housings in order to detect the normal view position and the changed view position of the mirror holders and determine a timing for terminating operation of the electric motors, and controlling operation of the electric motors so as to pivot the two mirror holders simultaneously according to operation of the operating member.

2. The open vehicle rear view system according to claim 1, wherein each actuator comprises a drive arm which has a base end connected to the reduction mechanism so as to be pivoted by the reduction mechanism and a leading end connected to the mirror holder.

3. The open vehicle rear view system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pivot axis of each mirror holder is set in a vertical direction when the open vehicle is in an upright state, in order to change a direction of the mirror to be more outward in the changed view position than in the normal view position.

4. The open vehicle rear view system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pivot axis of each mirror holder is set so that the pivot axis is inclined inward to the vehicle body in going upward when the open vehicle is in an upright state, in order to change a direction of the mirror to be lower and more inward to the vehicle body in the changed view position than in the normal view position.

5. The open vehicle rear view system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a pivot axis of each mirror holder is set to be substantially horizontal when an open vehicle is in an upright state, in order to change a direction of the mirror to be more upward in the changed view position than in the normal view position.

6. The open vehicle rear view system according to claim 1, wherein the drive control circuit comprises a switch circuit which switches the direction of rotation of the electric motors according to operation and non-operation of the operating member so that the electric motors cause the mirror holders to pivot to the changed view position in response to operation where the operating member urged to a side selecting the normal view position is operated to a side selecting the changed view position, and so that the electric motors cause the mirror holders to pivot to the normal view position in response to release of an operating force applied to the operating member.

7. The open vehicle rear view system according to claim 1, wherein the operating member is disposed on the handlebar so as to be operated by the driver grabbing the handlebar.

8. The open vehicle rear view system according to claim 1, wherein the reduction mechanism is arranged so as to transmit a pivoting drive force to the mirror holder after an operation amount of the electric motor has reached a predetermined operation amount.

9. The open vehicle rear view system according to claim 1, wherein the system further comprises click mechanisms each provided between the mirror housing and the mirror holder, each click mechanism causes the mirror holder to pivot stepwise between the normal view position and the changed view position.