Powered vehicle mirror

• US 5,268,796 A
• Filed: 09/22/1992
• Issued: 12/07/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward A. Chambers, Tomerlin, Reg
• Original Assignee: Edward A. Chambers, Tomerlin, Reg
• Inventors: Tomerlin, Reg, Chambers, Edward A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lerner, Martin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Juba, Jr., John
• Application Number:
  US07/949,406
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/843, 359/872, 359/873, 359/874, 359/876, 359/877, 359/371, 248/479, 248/480, 248/482, 248/486
• US Class Current: 359/871
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0612 by electrically actuated means

Abstract

A powered vehicle mirror includes a support shaft securable to a pair of support brackets in a fixed attachment. A mirror housing supports a mirror and defines an interior cavity through which the support shaft extends. A bidirectional motor and speed reduction gear mechanism is coupled to a rotatable threaded shaft having a pair of threaded shuttles supported thereby. A multiple arm linkage mechanism is coupled between the threaded shuttles and the support shaft such that rotation of the threaded shaft during motor energizing causes the threaded shuttles to be drawn closer together or spread farther apart and produce a rotational force against the support shaft which operates to pivot the mirror. A solenoid brake mechanism is operative to captivate a brake plate and prevents run-on or overshoot during mirror angular changes. In an alternate embodiment, a threaded shaft is driven by the motor and speed reduction unit and receives a single threaded shuttle which is coupled to a stationary support shaft to provide rotational motion of the powered mirror. In an still further alternate embodiment, a frictional brake mechanism is continuously operative to minimize overshoot and run-on of the powered mirror during rotation.

Claims

1. A powered vehicle mirror comprising:

a housing supporting a mirrored element and defining an interior cavity;

a support shaft extending through said interior cavity and having end portions attachable to a vehicle;

brake means for imparting a braking force between said housing and said support shaft to resist pivotal motion of said housing;

a drive motor supported within said interior cavity; and

drive coupling means including a threaded shaft rotated by said drive motor, a first threaded shuttle received upon said threaded shaft and linkage means coupled between said first threaded shuttle and said support shaft pivoting said housing in response to operation of said drive motor.

2. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 1 wherein said linkage means includes a first arm extending from said support shaft and a second arm having a first end pivotally coupled to said first arm and a second end pivotally coupled said first threaded shuttle.

3. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 2 wherein said threaded shaft defines first and second oppositely threaded portions and wherein said first threaded shuttle is received upon said first threaded portion.

4. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 3 further including a second threaded shuttle received upon said second threaded portion of said threaded shaft and a third arm having a third end pivotally coupled to said first arm and a fourth end pivotally coupled to said second threaded shuttle.

5. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 4 wherein said brake means includes:

a brake plate extending outwardly from said support shaft;

a pair of brake pads supported on opposite sides of said brake plate; and

means for captivating said brake plate between said brake pads.

6. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for captivating includes:

a pivotal arm supporting one of said brake pads;

a spring urging said pivotal arm toward closure of said brake pads; and

a solenoid operative when energized to pivot said pivotal arm away from closure of said brake pads.

7. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 5 wherein said means for captivating includes spring means coupled between said brake pads to force said brake pads against said brake plate.

8. A powered vehicle mirror comprising:

a housing supporting a mirrored element and defining an interior cavity;

a support shaft extending through said interior cavity and having end portions attachable to a vehicle;

a drive motor supported within said interior cavity; and

drive coupling means having a threaded shaft defining first and second oppositely threaded portions, first and second threaded shuttles received upon said first and second threaded portions respectively and linkage means coupled between said first and second threaded shuttles and said support shaft pivoting said housing in response to operation of said drive motor.

9. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 8 wherein said linkage means includes a first arm extending from said support shaft and second and third arms pivotally coupled between said first arm and said first and second threaded shuttles respectively.

10. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 9 further including brake means for imparting a braking force between said housing and said support shaft to resist pivotal motion of said housing.

11. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 10 wherein said brake means includes:

a brake plate extending outwardly from said support shaft;

a pair of brake pads supported on opposite sides of said brake plate; and

means for captivating said brake plate between said brake pads.

12. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for captivating includes:

a pivotal arm supporting one of said brake pads;

a spring urging said pivotal arm toward closure of said brake pads; and

a solenoid operative when energized to pivot said pivotal arm away from closure of said brake pads.

13. A powered vehicle mirror as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for captivating includes spring means coupled between said brake pads to force said brake pads against said brake plate.