Adjusting instrument for electrically adjusting the interior mirror of a motor vehicle about two mutually perpendicular axes

• US 4,895,337 A
• Filed: 04/12/1988
• Issued: 01/23/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IKU Holding Montfoort BV
• Original Assignee: IKU Holding Montfoort BV
• Inventors: Oskam, Aane A., Koot, Hermanus M. I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ramon O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olson, Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US07/180,782
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 248/476, 248/479, 248/487, 248/495, 350/632, 350/633, 350/634, 350/636, 350/637
• US Class Current: 248/487
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

An adjusting instrument for electrically adjusting the interior mirror of a motor vehicle about two mutually perpendicular axes. The device comprises a vehicle-connectable suspension device and a mirror mounting plate connected thereto. The plate is adjustable about two mutually perpendicular axes and supports a rearview mirror. The suspension device comprises a housing accommodating two drive units whose output shafts are perpendicular to one another and geared to drive the mirror mounting plate. The drive units are arranged to exert a torque on the point of suspension of the suspension device, that is equal but opposite to the torque exerted on the point of suspension by the mirror mounting plate and mirror.

Claims

1. Electrically adjustable interior mirror structure of a motor vehicle, said structure comprising:

a suspension device suspendable at a point of suspension from a motor vehicle interior, said suspension device including a housing;

a mirror mounting plate connected to said suspension device and adjustable about two mutually perpendicular axes;

a mirror mounted to said plate; and

two electrically operable drive units accommodated in said housing, said drive units having respective output shafts extending perpendicular to one another and connected to said mirror mounting plate for adjusting said mirror mounting plate about said axes thereof, respectively,

said drive units and said mirror mounting plate having the mirror mounted thereto being so disposed relative to the point of suspension of said suspension device that when the suspension device is suspended, the torque exerted by said drive units at the point of suspension is equal but opposite to the torque exerted at the point of suspension by said mirror mounting plate and said mirror.

2. Electrically adjustable interior mirror structure as claimed in claim 1,

wherein a first one of said drive units has a pinion integral with the drive shaft thereof, the drive shaft of said first one of said drive units extending horizontally when the suspension device is suspended, and said mirror mounting plate has a front side to which said mirror is mounted and a rear side having a toothed arcuate segment engaging said pinion.

3. Electrically adjustable interior mirror structure as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said suspension device comprises a suspension member fixedly connectable to the motor vehicle interior, and a retaining clamp connected to said housing and said suspension member for rotatably mounting said housing to said suspension member, said suspension member including a toothed arcuate segment lying in a horizontal plane when the suspension device is suspended, and wherein a second one of said drive units has a pinion integral with the drive shaft thereof and engaging said toothed arcuate segment of said suspension member, the drive shaft of said second one of said drive units extending vertically when the suspension device is suspended.

4. Electrically adjustable interior mirror structure as claimed in claim 2,

wherein said suspension device comprises a suspension member fixedly connectable to the motor vehicle interior, and a retaining clamp connected to said housing and said suspension member for rotatably mounting said housing to said suspension member, said suspension member including a toothed arcuate segment lying in a horizontal plane when the suspension device is suspended, and wherein a second one of said drive units has a pinion integral with the drive shaft thereof and engaging said toothed arcuate segment of said suspension member, the drive shaft of said second one of said drive units extending vertically when the suspension device is suspended.

5. Electrically adjustable interior mirror structure as claimed in claim 3,

wherein said suspension device has two diametrically opposite recesses extending therein capable of serving as a portion of a bayonet coupling.

6. Electrically adjustable interior mirror structure as claimed in claim 4,

wherein said suspension device has two diametrically opposite recesses extending therein capable of serving as a portion of a bayonet coupling.