Movement actuator

• US 5,823,054 A
• Filed: 11/12/1995
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IKU Holding Montfoort BV
• Original Assignee: IKU Holding Montfoort BV
• Inventors: Brouwer, Stefan Frits
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonck, Rodney H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRABOW, TROY E
• Application Number:
  US08/687,375
• Time in Patent Office: 1,073 Days
• Field of Search: 74/427, 74/425, 74/89.14, 359/872, 359/876, 359/877, 248/479, 248/549, 248/900
• US Class Current: 74/425
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/076 by electrical means including means to transmit the movements, e.g. shafts or joints
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 1/225 with two or more worm and worm-wheel gearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/90 Movable or disengageable on impact or overload
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19828 Worm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings

Abstract

A movement actuator includes first and second modules that are constructed to fit together in different manners. The first module includes first and second actuator parts mounted for rotation relative to one another, a gear wheel rotatable arranged in the second actuator part, and a transmission system including a coupler coupled to the gear wheel and a worm wheel. The second module includes a motor housing and an electromotor mounted in the housing and having a drive shaft having mounted thereon a worm. When the two modules are coupled together, in any of the different manners, the worm engages the worm wheel, thereby coupling the electromotor through the transmission system and gear wheel to the actuator parts. As a result, the electromotor is operable to rotate the actuator parts relative to each other.

Claims

1. A movement actuator comprising:

a first module including;

first and second actuator parts mounted for rotation relative to one another;

a gear wheel rotatably arranged in said second actuator part; and

a transmission system including a coupler coupled to said gear wheel, and a worm wheel;

a second module including;

a motor housing; and

an electromotor mounted in said housing, said electromotor including a drive shaft having mounted thereon a worm; and

said first module and said second module being constructed to fit together in different manners of fixed orientation of said motor housing and said electromotor relative to said second actuator part in each of which said worm engages said worm wheel, thereby coupling said electromotor through said transmission system and said gear wheel to said actuator parts, such that said electromotor is operable to rotate said actuator parts relative to each other.

2. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a friction coupling which couples said gear wheel to said first actuator part, said friction coupling including at least an annular plate associated with said gear wheel and at least an annular friction plate associated with said first actuator part.

3. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 2, wherein said friction coupling further includes a part associated with said gear wheel and that rests against an annular supporting wall of said second actuator part, and further comprising a compression spring acting between said first actuator part and said friction coupling to compress said friction coupling.

4. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first actuator part includes a hollow cylinder, and further comprising a check spring pressed against said hollow cylinder by and end of said compression spring opposite said friction coupling.

5. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 4, wherein said compression spring comprises a helical spring coaxially disposed around said hollow cylinder.

6. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 3, wherein said compression spring presses said annular supporting wall against said first actuator part.

7. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a cam disc arranged between said annular supporting wall and said first actuator part, said cam disc being secured against rotation relative to said first actuator part.

8. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a cam-shaped protuberance defining a cam and formed on one of said first actuator part and said cam disc.

9. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a spring element associated with said second actuator part and cooperable with said cam to define an operational position.

10. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 8, wherein, at least in the area of said spring element, said cam has an outer circumference in the shape of a circular arc.

11. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 9, wherein said spring element comprises a leaf spring having a first end cooperating with said cam and a second end retained in said second actuator part.

12. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 11, wherein said leaf spring includes a third end symmetrical to said first end and cooperating with said cam to define an operational position.

13. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 12, wherein said leaf spring is U-shaped including legs joined by a central bend, said first and third ends are formed by ends of said legs and are loaded for bending outwardly only, and said second end is formed by said central bend.

14. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmission system further includes worms on opposite sides of said worm wheel, said coupler comprises intermediate gear wheels engaged with respective said worms and with said gear wheel, and further comprising switches operable by said gear wheel for switching off said electromotor, said switches being positioned within said second actuator part above said worms and said intermediate gear wheels.

15. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a control device for controlling said electromotor, and a load detector coupled to an input of said control device and included in a supply line of said electromotor, said control device being operable to interrupt, in response to detection by said load detector of a load increase, a connection from a supply source to said electromotor and to remove such interruption only when said control device detects a polarity reversal at an input thereof.

16. A movement actuator as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a temperature detector coupled to said control device and disposed in the proximity of said electromotor.

17. A wing mirror system for a vehicle, said system comprising a mirror housing, a rear view mirror disposed in said mirror housing, and a movement actuator as claimed in claim 1 arranged in said mirror housing.

18. A wing mirror system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a control device for controlling said electromotor, and a load detector coupled to an input of said control device and included in a supply line of said electromotor, said control device and said load detector being arranged in said mirror housing.