Airmotor powered remote adjustable mirror

• US 5,406,419 A
• Filed: 10/06/1993
• Issued: 04/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Commercial Vehicle Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Moto Mirror, Inc. (Dana, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mackey, Gary T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robbins, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US08/132,757
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 359/508, 359/871, 359/872, 359/876, 359/877, 359/878, 359/525
• US Class Current: 359/878
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0615 by hydraulically or pneumatically actuated means

Abstract

An air powered motor 10, mounted inside an outer cover 11 to effect the movement of a mirror 12 in one or more axis 35. The pneumatic motor is coaxial with a threaded and pivoted rod 13 and contains a rotor or ring gear 14 with vanes 15 arrayed around the exterior of the gear. Pressurized air is introduced into the motor, against the vanes 15, causing a center piece or gear 16 to rotate about the operating rod 13 attached to a mirror mounting plate 17. As a result, the mirror rotates on its hinge 18. The direction of air flow from the fluid source can be reversed with a control valve, causing the mirror to rotate in the opposite direction. The mirror'"'"'s rotation about its axis is controlled from a remote location, such as the cab of a large truck, by moving the air control valve.

Claims

1. A remotely adjustable mirror for use on a vehicle comprising:

a housing;

a mirror on a mount having a hinged connection with the housing;

a threaded shaft with one end rotatably connected with the mount;

a gear reducer with a threaded opening coaxially attached to the threaded shaft and supported in the body of a pneumatic motor;

intake and exhaust ports to introduce pressurized air into the body of the motor to rotate the gear reducer and move the mirror about the hinge.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which the gear reducer comprises:

a central gear with exterior teeth, including a threaded opening, the central gear being attached to the threaded shaft and supported in the body of the pneumatic motor;

a ring gear with exterior vanes and interior teeth, the ring gear being rotatable in the body of the motor;

plural pinion gears carried between the interior teeth of the ring gear and the teeth of the central gear.

3. The invention defined by claim 2 wherein the central gear includes an inner part and at least one resiliently mounted plunger inserted into a radial hole to releasably engage the threads of the threaded shaft.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the threaded shaft is pivotally connected to the mirror mount.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the motor is enclosed in an aerodynamic shell.

6. The invention of claim 3 wherein the central gear is constructed of a polymer.

7. The invention of claim 6 wherein the central gear is constructed of a polymer and engages the threads of the threaded shaft with zero clearance to minimize vibration.

8. A remotely adjustable mirror for use on a vehicle comprising:

a housing;

a minor on a mount having a hinged connection with the housing;

a threaded shaft with one end rotatably connected with the mount;

a rotating member with a threaded opening coaxially attached to the threaded shaft and supported in the body of a pneumatic motor;

intake and exhaust ports to introduce pressurized air into the body of the motor to rotate the rotating member and move the mirror about the hinge.

9. The invention of claim 8 in which the rotating member comprises:

a central gear with exterior teeth, including a threaded opening, the central gear being attached to the threaded shaft and supported in the body of the pneumatic motor;

a ring gear with exterior vanes and interior teeth, the ring gear being rotatable in the body of the motor;

plural pinion gears carried between the interior teeth of the ring gear and the teeth of the central gear.

10. The invention defined by claim 9 wherein the central gear includes an inner part and at least one resiliently mounted plunger inserted into a radial hole to releasably engage the threads of the threaded shaft.

11. The invention of claim 9 wherein the central gear is constructed of a polymer.

12. The invention of claim 9 wherein the central gear is constructed of a polymer and engages the threads of the threaded shaft with zero clearance to minimize vibration.

13. The invention of claim 8 wherein the threaded shaft is pivotally connected to the mirror mount.

14. The invention of claim 8 wherein the motor is enclosed in an aerodynamic shell.

15. A remotely adjustable mirror for use on a vehicle comprising:

a housing;

a mirror on a mount having a hinged connection with the housing;

a threaded shaft with one end rotatably connected with the mount;

a gear reducer with a threaded opening coaxially attached to the threaded shaft and supported in the body of a pneumatic motor, the gear reducer including;

a central gear with exterior teeth, including a threaded opening, the central gear being attached to the threaded shaft and supported in the body of the pneumatic motor;

a ring gear with exterior vanes and interior teeth, the ring gear being rotatable in the body of the motor;

plural pinion gears carried between the interior teeth of the ring gear and the teeth of the central gear;

intake and exhaust ports to introduce pressurized air into the body of the motor to rotate the gear reducer and move the mirror about the hinge.

16. The invention defined by claim 15 wherein the central gear includes an inner part and at least one resiliently mounted plunger inserted into a radial hole to releasably engage the threads of the threaded shaft.

17. The invention of claim 15 wherein the threaded shaft is pivotally connected to the mirror mount.

18. The invention of claim 15 wherein the motor is enclosed in an aerodynamic shell.

19. The invention of claim 15 wherein the central gear is constructed of a polymer.

20. The invention of claim 15 wherein the central gear is constructed of a polymer and engages the threads of the threaded shaft with zero clearance to minimize vibration.