Device that electrically and rotationally adjusts an indirect visual system of a vehicle

• US 9,610,896 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Issued: 04/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Mekra Lang GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Lang, Werner, Finkenberger, Elmar, Popp, Albrecht, Centmayer, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ismail, Shawki S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Islam, Muhammad S
• Application Number:
  US14/165,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20140211333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 359870, 359841, 359871, 359877, 359872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 11/14 with clutching members movable only axially F16D11/02, F16D11/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 28/00 Electrically-actuated clutches arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 7/04 of the ratchet type similar gearings based on repeated accumulation and delivery of inertia-energy F16H33/08; overload clutches of the ratchet type F16D43/202
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/14 Structural association with mechanical loads, e.g. with hand-held machine tools or fans with fan or impeller for cooling the machine H02K9/06

Abstract

A adjusting device for a vehicular mirror directly transmits any forces exerted on the mirror between a base member and a rotating member when the mirror is not being adjusted. This permits a small electric motor to be used that can withstand only comparatively small forces exerted on the mirror while the mirror is being adjusted. The device includes the motor, a cylindrical base, a rotating member and a driven member. The mirror is adjusted when the motor drives the rotating member, and the rotating member is uncoupled from the base member. When the motor rotates the driven member, the rotating member is forced axially apart from the base member as a decoupling element on the rotating member slides up an inclined portion on the driven member. When the motor is not driving the rotating member, the rotating member is uncoupled from the motor and couples to the base member.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a cylindrical base member with first coupling elements;

a rotating member with second coupling elements, wherein the cylindrical base member and the rotating member are coaxially aligned;

an elastic element that exerts a spring force that presses the rotating member axially towards the cylindrical base member; and

an electric motor adapted to drive the rotating member, wherein the first coupling members mesh into the second coupling members and couple the cylindrical base member to the rotating member in a rotationally fixed manner when the electric motor is not driving the rotating member, and wherein the first coupling members become uncoupled from the second coupling members when the electric motor rotates the rotating member such that the rotating member is pushed against the spring force axially away from the cylindrical base member.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an external mirror of a vehicle, wherein the external mirror of the vehicle moves when the electric motor is driving the rotating member.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the rotating member is uncoupled from the electric motor when the electric motor is not rotating the rotating member.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first coupling members point in an axial direction, and wherein the second coupling members point in a direction opposite to the axial direction in which the first coupling members point.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a cylindrical driven member coaxially aligned with the cylindrical base member and the rotating member, wherein the cylindrical driven member includes a driving element that points in an axial direction, wherein the rotating member includes a decoupling element that points in a direction opposite to the axial direction in which the driving element points, and wherein the rotating member is forced axially apart from the cylindrical base member by the decoupling element when the cylindrical driven member is rotated.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a cylindrical driven member coaxially aligned with the cylindrical base member and the rotating member, wherein the cylindrical driven member includes an inclined portion, wherein the rotating member includes a decoupling element that points in an axial direction, and wherein the rotating member is forced axially apart from the cylindrical base member and the first coupling members are uncoupled from the second coupling members as the cylindrical driven member is rotated and the decoupling element slides along the inclined portion.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the elastic element is a spring, further comprising:

a cylindrical driven member coaxially aligned with the cylindrical base member and the rotating member, wherein the cylindrical driven member includes a rim with an inclined portion, wherein the rotating member includes a decoupling element that points in an axial direction, and wherein when the electric motor stops rotating the rotating member, the decoupling element slides downwards along the inclined portion assisted by the spring, and the first coupling members recouple to the second coupling members.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a mechanical stop;

a driven member coaxially aligned with the cylindrical base member and the rotating member; and

a sensor and control device that senses an increased current through the electric motor when the driven member reaches a mechanical stop after being rotated by the electric motor.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a driven member disposed inside the cylindrical base member, wherein the cylindrical driven member has a rim that includes an inclined portion, wherein the rotating member includes a decoupling element, and wherein the rotating member is forced axially apart from the cylindrical base member as the cylindrical driven member is rotated and the decoupling element slides along the inclined portion.

10. The device of claim 5, wherein the rotating member is forced axially apart from the cylindrical base member by the decoupling element when the cylindrical driven member is rotated up to a decoupling angle φ

.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the driving element engages the decoupling element and rotates the rotating member when the cylindrical driven member is rotated past the decoupling angle φ

.

12. A device comprising:

a cylindrical base member with first coupling elements;

a rotating member with second coupling elements, wherein the cylindrical base member and the rotating member are coaxially aligned;

an electric motor adapted to drive the rotating member, wherein the first coupling members mesh into the second coupling members and couple the cylindrical base member to the rotating member in a rotationally fixed manner when the electric motor is not rotating the rotating member, and wherein the first coupling members are uncoupled from the second coupling members when the electric motor is rotating the rotating member; and

a cylindrical driven member that includes an inclined portion and a driving element, wherein the driving element and the inclined portion are formed on a rim of the cylindrical driven member, wherein the rotating member includes a decoupling element, and wherein the rotating member is forced axially apart from the cylindrical base member as the decoupling element slides up the inclined portion when the cylindrical driven member is rotated by the electric motor.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising:

Wolfrom planetary gears, wherein the electric motor rotates the cylindrical driven member using the Wolfrom planetary gears.

14. A device comprising:

a cylindrical base member;

a driven member;

a rotating member that includes a decoupling element, wherein the cylindrical base member, the driven member and the rotating member are all coaxially aligned; and

an electric motor, wherein the rotating member is forced axially apart from the cylindrical base member by the decoupling element when the electric motor rotates the driven member.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the rotating member is forced axially apart from the cylindrical base member by the decoupling element when the electric motor rotates the driven member up to a decoupling angle φ

.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the rotating member is coupled to the cylindrical base member in a rotationally fixed manner when the electric motor is not rotating the driven member.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein an inclined portion is formed on a rim of the driven member, and wherein the rotating member is forced axially apart from the cylindrical base member as the decoupling element slides up the inclined portion when the electric motor rotates the driven member.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the driven member includes a driving element, wherein the rotating member is forced axially apart from the cylindrical base member by the decoupling element when the driven member is rotated up to a decoupling angle φ

, and wherein the driving element engages the decoupling element and rotates the rotating member when the driven member is rotated past the decoupling angle φ

.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the driven member includes a driving element that engages the decoupling element and rotates the rotating member when the driven member is rotated past the decoupling angle φ

.

20. The device of claim 19, further comprising:

an external mirror of a vehicle, wherein the external mirror of the vehicle moves when the driven member is rotated past the decoupling angle φ

.