Mechanism with torque-limiting device for controlling a rearview mirror

• US 5,007,725 A
• Filed: 10/27/1987
• Issued: 04/16/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Societe Manzoni-Bouchot
• Original Assignee: Societe Manzoni-Bouchot
• Inventors: Manzoni, Stephane
• Primary Examiner(s): Lindsey, Rodney M.
• Application Number:
  US07/115,655
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 74/501 M, 74/471 XY, 74/ 89.15, 74/424.8 R, 74/380, 350/625, 350/626, 350/627, 350/634, 350/636, 350/632, 350/633, 248/484, 248/487, 248/475.1, 248/481, 248/483, 248/479, 403/70, 403/76, 403/141, 403/122, 384/610, 384/206, 384/203
• US Class Current: 359/873
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44222 having flaccid gripping member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44274 having either discrete flaccid or thin, nonbiasing, integral, connecting hinge
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18616 Single input, plural outputs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18696 including means to selectively transmit power [e.g., clutch, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1872 Imperforate enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20432 for moving a mirror

Abstract

A torque-limiting device for a mechanism controlling a vehicle rearview mirror in which the mirror is fixed on a supporting member mounted for pivoting about two perpendicular axes, on a yoke integral with a baseplate mounted in the casing. The tubular extension with the threaded portion of the control members is produced from a deformable material and is provided with at least one axial slot issuing into one of the ends of the tubular extension in such a way that any force applied axially on the control member enables the threaded end portion to disengage from the threaded hole, and the pinions are mounted on the bottom of a casing by way of a ball joint which is resiliently held in position so that the control members are always in alignment with the axis of the driving pinions.

Claims

1. A torque-limiting mechanism for operating a rearview mirror of a vehicle, said torque-limiting mechanism comprising:

a casing having a cavity therein;

a cover member mounted to said casing, said cover member having at least one opening therein;

a support member attached to said mirror, said support member further being spaced a predetermined distance from said cover member of said casing;

rotation to translation means mounted in said cavity of said casing, said rotation to translation means comprising;

a pinion gear member located in said cavity, said pinion gear member having a bore with a threaded portion therein and a spherical member mounted thereto;

a selectively translatable control member having a central axis, said selectively translatable control member being translatable along said central axis and having an external threaded diameter portion mounted to said threaded portion of said bore of said pinion gear member said selectively translatable control member further having an end portion and an opposite end portion, said end portion being pivotally attached to said support member along said central axis to permit said mirror to pivot with respect to said selectively translatable control member about a pivot axis which extends perpendicularly through said central axis, the translation of said selectively translatable control member along said central axis causing a change in the operating position of said mirror about said pivot axis thereby pivoting said mirror with respect to said selectively translatable control member about said pivot axis, said selectively translatable control member being operatively connected to said pinion gear member, whereby rotation of said pinion gear member causes the translation of said selectively translatable control member along said central axis, the center of said spherical member of said pinion gear member lying along said central axis;

motor means mounted in said casing said motor means comprising screw means tangentially engaging said pinion gear member and adapted to impart rotational movement to said pinion gear member; and

a spherical bearing attached to said casing engaging said spherical member of said pinion gear member, whereby said pinion gear member is able to pivot within said spherical bearing as a result of non-axial loads which will be imparted to said selectively translatable control member when said selectively translatable control member is translated to cause a change in the operating position of said mirror.

2. The torque-limiting mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said spherical member of said pinion gear member is disposed substantially adjacent the location of operative connection of said selectively translatable control member to said pinion gear member.

3. A torque-limiting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said spherical bearing engages said spherical member without play therebetween.

4. A torque-limiting mechanism for operating a rearview mirror of a vehicle, said torque-limiting mechanism comprising:

a casing having a cavity therein;

a cover member mounted to said casing, said cover member having at least one opening therein;

a support member attached to said mirror, said support member further being spaced a predetermined distance from said cover member of said casing;

universal pivot joint means interposed said support member and said cover member of said casing said universal pivot joint means adapted to allow pivoting movement of said mirror about at least one axis;

rotation to translation means mounted in said cavity of said casing, said rotation to translation means comprising;

at least one pinion gear member mounted in said cavity of said casing, said at least one pinion gear member having a bore with a threaded portion therein;

at least one selectively movable control member having a central axis and an external threaded diameter portion, said at least one selectively movable control member being located in said threaded portion of said bore of said at least one pinion gear member for movement relative thereto, said at least one selectively movable control member further having one end portion and an opposite end portion;

second pivot joint means located at said one end portion of said at least one selectively movable control member, said second pivot joint means adapted to cooperate with said support member for pivot motion of said support member relative to said at least one selectively movable control member;

a first spherical ball joint member means adjoining said at least one pinion gear member, said first spherical ball joint member means being defined by a spherical radius having a center of curvature lying substantially along said central axis of said at least one selectively movable control member;

a spherical bearing attached to said casing engaging said first spherical ball joint member means; and

motor means mounted in said casing at a preselected location relative to said at least one pinion gear member, said motor means comprising screw means tangentially engaging said at least one pinion gear member and adapted to rotate said at least one pinion gear member.

5. A torque-limiting mechanism according to claim 4 wherein said spherical bearing engages said first spherical ball joint member means without play therebetween.