Pivot support for adjustable rearview mirror

• US 6,168,279 B1
• Filed: 03/25/1998
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schnell, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US09/047,846
• Time in Patent Office: 1,014 Days
• Field of Search: 359/872, 359/877, 248/477, 248/478, 248/481, 248/483, 745/005, 745/021
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20432 for moving a mirror

Abstract

An adjustable support for a reflective mirror element in a housing of a rearview mirror assembly provides improved control and more uniform movement of the reflective element. The adjustable support includes an adapter member, which supports the reflective element, a fixed member, and at least one member urging the adapter member into bearing contact with the fixed member. One of the adapter member and the fixed member includes an arcuate bearing surface, for example a semi-spherical bearing surface, and the other of the adapter member and the fixed member includes an annular line bearing surface which engages on the arcuate surface forming an annular line bearing contact between the adapter member and the fixed member to permit adjustment of a reflective mirror element in the housing. The adjustable support may comprise a handset with adjustable support, a remotely manual adjustable support, or an electrically actuated electrical adjustable support. Preferably, the line bearing contact is provided by a cylindrical member which extends from one of the adapter member and the fixed member with a line bearing surface being defined by the distal or free end of the cylindrical member.

Claims

1. An adjustable support for a reflective element of a rearview mirror assembly, the adjustable support comprising:

an adapter member adapted to support the reflective element;

a fixed member, and

at least one connecting member urging said adapter member into bearing contact with said fixed member, one of said adapter member and said fixed member having an arcuate bearing surface and the other of said adapter member and said fixed member having a peripheral edge defining a non-spherical surface, said non-spherical surface engaging said arcuate bearing surface only at said edge to form an annular line bearing contact between said adapter member and said fixed member to permit multi-axis adjustment of the position of the reflective element and enhanced uniform movement between said adapter member and said fixed member and enhanced control over said movement.

2. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein said other of said adapter member and said fixed member includes a cylindrical member extending therefrom, said cylindrical member including a distal end, and said distal end including said peripheral edge.

3. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein one of said adapter member and said fixed member includes at least one projecting member and the other of said adapter member and said fixed member includes a corresponding recess, said projecting member cooperating with said corresponding recess to limit relative rotation of said adapter member about a first axis of said fixed member but to permit said adapter member to rotate about a second axis of said fixed member, and said first axis being generally orthogonal to said second axis.

4. The adjustable support according to claim 3, wherein said projecting member comprises a rib.

5. The adjustable support according to claim 4, wherein one of said adapter member and said fixed member includes a plurality of projecting members and the other of said adapter member and said fixed member includes a plurality of corresponding recesses.

6. The adjustable support according to claim 5, wherein said projecting members are arranged in a spaced apart radial arrangement on said one of said adapter member and said fixed member.

7. The adjustable support according to claim 5, wherein said adapter member includes a first side facing said fixed member, said projecting members being arranged on said first side of said adapter member, said recesses being formed on said fixed member, and at least one of said projecting members engaging a respective cooperating recess to limit movement between said adapter member and said fixed member.

8. The adjustable support according to claim 5, wherein said fixed member includes a cylindrical member extending toward said adapter member, said cylindrical member defining said arcuate bearing surface and including said corresponding recesses.

9. The adjustable support according to claim 8, wherein said cylindrical member includes an annular wall, said corresponding recesses being formed in said annular wall.

10. The adjustable support according to claim 9, wherein said annular wall includes a free end, said corresponding recesses being formed in said free end of said annular wall.

11. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein said adapter member comprises a plate member.

12. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein said fixed member comprises an electrical actuator housing.

13. The adjustable support according to claim 12, wherein the electrical actuator housing includes a cylindrical wall defining said non-spherical surface, said adapter member having said arcuate bearing surface, and said non-spherical surface engaging said arcuate bearing surface to form said annular line bearing contact permit to multi-axis adjustment of the position of the reflective element.

14. The adjustable support according to claim 13, wherein said electrical actuator housing further includes a projecting member extending between said cylindrical wall, said adapter member being secured to said electrical actuator housing by a fastener, and said fastener extending into said projecting member.

15. The adjustable support according to claim 14, further comprising a locking cap, said fastener extending through said locking cap to secure said adapter member to said electrical actuator housing, and said locking cap having a non-spherical surface engaging said adapter member.

16. The adjustable support according to claim 1, wherein said adapter member is biased toward said fixed member by at least one spring.

17. The adjustable support according to claim 16, wherein said adapter member is secured to said fixed member by a coupler, said coupler having an enlarged end having an arcuate bearing surface, and said adapter member engaging said arcuate bearing surface of said coupler.

18. The adjustable support according to claim 17, wherein said adapter member includes a second non-spherical surface, said second non-spherical surface engaging said arcuate bearing surface of said coupler to permit multi-axis adjustment of the position of said adapter member and the reflective element supported thereon.

19. The adjustable support according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cables, said adapter member being urged toward said fixed member by said plurality of cables, said cables being secured at one end to said adapter member and extending through said fixed member to a remote manual actuator, said cables being tensioned between said fixed member and said actuator by a spring, said spring being positioned in said remote manual actuator, said remote manual actuator permitting remote manual adjustment of the position of said reflective mirror element in said housing.

20. The adjustable support according to claim 19, wherein said cables support elongate cable housings extending between said fixed member and said actuator.

21. The adjustable support according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of cables comprise coaxial cables.

22. The adjustable support according the claim 1, wherein said arcuate bearing surface comprises a semi-spherical bearing surface.

23. A rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a housing;

a reflective element;

an adapter member supporting said reflective element in said housing; and

a fixed member supported in said housing, said adapter member being urged into bearing contact with said fixed member, one of said adapter member and said fixed member having an arcuate bearing surface and the other of said adapter member and said fixed member having a distal end, said distal end having an outer perimeter at an outer edge defining an outermost non-spherical surface, and said non-spherical surface being urged against and contacting said arcuate bearing surface only at said edge thereby forming an annular line bearing contact between said adapter member and said fixed member to permit multi-axis adjustment of the position of said reflective element in said housing and enhanced uniform movement between said adapter member and said fixed member and enhanced control over said movement.

24. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein said adapter member includes a forward mounting surface, a rearward surface, and a cylindrical member extending from said rearward surface, said cylindrical member including said distal edge defining said outer edge.

25. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein said adapter member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projecting members and said fixed member includes a plurality of corresponding recesses, said projecting members cooperating with said corresponding recesses to limit relative rotation of said adapter member about a first axis of said fixed member but to permit said adapter member to rotate about a second axis of said fixed member, and said first axis being generally orthogonal to said second axis.

26. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 25, wherein said projecting members comprise radially extending ribs.

27. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 25, wherein said fixed member includes a cylindrical member, said corresponding recesses being formed in said cylindrical member.

28. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein said adapter member comprises a plate member.

29. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein said fixed member comprises an electrical actuator housing.

30. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 29, wherein said electrical actuator housing includes a pivot structure, said pivot structure including said non-spherical surface, said adapter member including said arcuate bearing surface and being coupled to said electrical actuator housing by a fastener, and said fastener extending into said pivot structure to thereby urge said non-spherical surface of said actuator housing into contact with said arcuate bearing surface of said adapter member.

31. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 30, further comprising a locking cap having a second non-spherical surface, said adapter member including a socket member having an outer surface defining said arcuate bearing surface and having an inner surface defining a second arcuate bearing surface, said fastener securing said locking cap to said adapter member whereby said second non-spherical surface engages said second arcuate bearing surface to reduce vibrational movement between said adapter member and said electrical actuator housing.

32. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein said adapter member is biased toward said fixed member by at least one spring.

33. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 32, wherein said spring comprises a locking cap.

34. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, further comprising a plurality of cables, said adapter member being urged toward said fixed member by said plurality of cables, said cables being secured at one end to said adapter member and extending through said fixed member to a remote manual actuator, said cables being tensioned between said fixed member and said actuator by a spring, said spring being positioned in said remote manual actuator, said remote manual actuator permitting remote manual adjustment of the position of said reflective mirror element in said housing.

35. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 34, wherein said cables support elongate cable housings extending between said fixed member and said actuator.

36. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 34, wherein said plurality of cables comprise coaxial cables.

37. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein said adapter member is secured to said fixed member by a coupler, said adapter member including a second non-spherical surface, and said coupler including a second arcuate bearing surface engaging said second non-spherical surface of said adapter member to reduce vibrational movement between said adapter member and said fixed member.

38. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 37, wherein said adapter member is urged toward said fixed member by a spring.

39. The rearview mirror assembly according to claim 38, wherein said spring comprises a locking cap, said locking cap engaging said coupler to urge said second arcuate bearing surface into contact with said second non-spherical surface and said adapter member into contact with said fixed member.

40. An adjustable support for a reflective element in a rearview mirror assembly, the adjustable support comprising:

an adapter member having a first side and a second side, said first side being adapted to support the reflective element, said second side including an outwardly projecting cylindrical wall having an annular edge defining a non-spherical surface;

a fixed member adapted to be supported in the rearview mirror housing, said fixed member having an arcuate bearing surface; and

at least one coupler securing said adapter member to said fixed member and urging said non-spherical surface into contact with said arcuate bearing surface only at said edge to provide a line bearing contact between said adapter member and said fixed member, said arcuate bearing surface permitting multi-axis positioning of said adapter member with respect to said fixed member to provide adjustment of the reflective element and enhanced uniform movement between said adapter member and said fixed member and enhanced control over said movement.

41. The adjustable support according to claim 40, wherein said coupler comprises a locking pin, said locking pin extending through a central portion of said adapter member and through a central portion of said fixed member.

42. The adjustable support according to claim 40, wherein said adapter member includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced projecting ribs, said fixed member including a plurality of corresponding recesses, said projecting ribs cooperating with said corresponding recesses to limit relative movement between said adapter member and said fixed member but to permit said adapter member to rotate about an axis of said fixed member.

43. The adjustable support according to claim 40, wherein said fixed member includes a cylindrical member extending toward said adapter member, said cylindrical member including said edge defining said arcuate bearing surface and including said corresponding recesses.

44. The adjustable support according to claim 43, wherein said cylindrical member includes an annular wall, said corresponding recesses being formed in said annular wall.

45. The adjustable support according to claim 40, wherein said projecting member comprises an annular wall, said annular wall including an outer peripheral edge defining said annular edge.

46. The adjustable support according to claim 40, wherein said adapter member comprises a plate member.

47. The adjustable support according to claim 40, wherein said fixed member comprises an electrical actuator housing.

48. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 47, wherein said electrical actuator housing includes a pivot structure, said pivot structure including said non-spherical surface, said adapter member including said arcuate bearing surface and being coupled to said electrical actuator housing by a fastener, and said fastener extending into said pivot structure to thereby urge said non-spherical surface of said actuator housing into contact with said arcuate bearing surface of said adapter member.

49. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 48, further comprising a locking cap having second non-spherical surface, said adapter member including a socket member having an outer surface defining said arcuate bearing surface and having an inner surface defining a second arcuate bearing surface, said fastener securing said locking cap to said adapter member whereby said second non-spherical surface engages said second arcuate bearing surface to reduce vibrational movement between said adapter member and said electrical actuator housing.

50. The adjustable support according to claim 40, wherein said adapter member is biased toward said fixed member by at least one spring.

51. An adjustable support for a reflective element in a rearview mirror assembly, the adjustable support comprising:

an adapter member having a first side and a second side, said first side being adapted to support the reflective element, said second side including an outwardly projecting member having an annular line bearing surface;

a fixed member adapted to be supported in the rearview mirror housing, said fixed member having an arcuate bearing surface, and said adapter member including a plurality of circumferentialy spaced projecting ribs, said fixed member including a plurality of corresponding recesses, said projecting ribs cooperating with said corresponding recesses to limit relative movement between said adapter member and said fixed member but to permit said adapter member to rotate about an axis of said fixed member, and said fixed member including at least one pair of projecting tabs positioned on opposed sides of one of said recesses, said adapter member including a corresponding pair of apertures, said projecting tabs extending into said apertures when said adapter member is rotated with respect to said fixed member to further limit movement between said adapter member and said fixed member; and

at least one coupler securing said adapter member to said fixed member and urging said annular line bearing surface into contact with said arcuate bearing surface, said arcuate bearing surface permitting multi-axis positioning of said adapter member with respect to said fixed member to provide adjustment of the reflective element.

52. The adjustable support according to claim 51, wherein said fixed member includes a cylindrical member extending towards said adapter member when said adapter member is secured to said fixed member, said cylindrical member defining said arcuate bearing surface and including said corresponding recesses.

53. The adjustable support according to claim 52, wherein said cylindrical member includes an annular wall, said corresponding recesses being formed in said annular wall.

54. The adjustable support according to claim 51, wherein said projecting member comprises an annular wall, said annular wall including an outer peripheral edge defining said annular line bearing contact.

55. The adjustable support according to claim 51, wherein said fixed member includes an annular wall, said annular wall includes said annular line bearing surface.

56. The adjustable support according to claim 55, wherein said annular wall includes an inner peripheral edge, said inner peripheral edge defining said annular line bearing surface.

57. The adjustable support according to claim 56, wherein said electrical actuator housing includes a pivot structure, said pivot structure including said annular line bearing surface.

58. The adjustable support according to claim 51, wherein said fixed member comprises an electrical actuator housing.

59. The adjustable support according to claim 51, wherein said adapter member is biased toward said fixed member by at least one spring.