Side-view mirrors

• US 6,416,193 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2001
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Omi, Kyozo, Hirano, Yoshihisa
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US09/858,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20010019460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 418 Days
• Field of Search: 359/877, 359/871, 359/872, 359/850, 359/855, 359/856, 359/862, 248/476, 248/484, 248/485, 745/01.M
• US Class Current: 359/877
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/062 with remote control for adjusting position B60R1/0607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/068 using cables
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/07 by electrically powered actuators

Abstract

Side-view mirrors are provided in which, without adversely affecting operations of retracting side-view mirrors and adjusting mirror surfaces, mechanisms are greatly simplified and a waterproofing/dustproofing mechanism can be omitted, thereby resulting in much lower manufacturing costs. In a switching driving section of the control device which adjusts the mirror surfaces of a pair of left-side and right-side side-view mirrors, a motor is selectively meshed with gears or gears by a switching operation by a plunger. The mirror surfaces of the side-view mirrors can thereby be adjusted to an arbitrary mounting angle. Namely, driving mechanisms provided for each of a left-side and a right-side as in conventional structures are combined into the single switching driving section, and thus the manufacturing costs are greatly reduced.

Claims

1. A pair of left-side and right-side side-view mirrors for a vehicle having an interior, comprising:

mirror surfaces;

mirror visors covering the mirror surfaces;

mirror stays supporting the mirror visors; and

a control device by which the side-view mirrors are retractable, the control device including;

separate connecting members mechanically connected to the pair of left-side and right-side side-view mirrors, respectively;

said connecting members subjecting the side-view mirrors to a retracting operating by transferring to the side-view mirrors a mechanical driving force which is applied to said connecting members;

a single drive source located within the vehicle interior which applies said mechanical driving force to said connecting members by being mechanically connected to said connecting members; and

an operation portion which carries out an operation for driving of said drive source.

2. The side-view mirrors of claim 1, wherein said connecting members are coaxial wires, the coaxial wires have outer sheath tube portions and inner wires, the outer sheath tube portions are fixed to the mirror stays, and the inner wires are connected to the mirror visors.

3. The side-view mirrors of claim 2, wherein driving force from the drive source is transferred to the side-view mirrors by the inner wires.

4. The side-view mirrors of claim 3, wherein said retracting operation is carried out by the inner wires being pulled by driving force from the drive source.

5. The side-view mirrors of claim 1, wherein driving force is applied from the drive source to said connecting member by meshing of a pinion provided at the drive source and a gear connected to said connecting member.

6. The side-view mirror of claim 1, wherein said drive source includes at least one electric motor for generating said mechanical drive force.

7. The side-view mirror of claim 1, wherein said single drive source simultaneously applies said mechanical driving force to both said connecting members.