Slim folding apparatus of rear mirror for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror with improved durability, comprising: a lower housing; a driving motor seated inside the lower housing and having a driving worm formed on a driving shaft; a first reduction gear that rotates by meshing with the driving worm; a second reduction gear that is arranged parallel to the first reduction gear and rotates by meshing with the first reduction gear; a clutch gear that rotates by meshing with the second reduction gear; a shaft coupled to the clutch gear to rotate the side mirror; a fixing part disposed above the first reduction gear and the second reduction gear and coupled to the lower housing to press and fix the first reduction gear and the second reduction gear; and an upper housing coupled to the upper part of the lower housing.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding device for a vehicle side mirror, and more specifically, to a slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror that can prevent the gear from shaking by fixing the gear of a drive motor. Background Technology

[0003] Generally, side mirrors are essential components of automobiles to ensure the driver's visibility. While the angle of these side mirrors is typically adjustable within a certain range, the adoption of electric side mirrors—which allow the angle to be adjusted from inside the vehicle by controlling a switch located near the driver's seat for the driver's convenience—is becoming increasingly widespread recently.

[0004] Recently, side mirrors equipped with cameras instead of traditional mirrors have been appearing. Since the inclusion of cameras reduces the overall size of the side mirror, the folding mechanism also needs to be miniaturized.

[0005] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2012-0052808 has been presented as a technology regarding an electric folding device for a vehicle side mirror.

[0006] However, in the case of such conventional technology, the folding device is thick and has a large overall volume, making it unsuitable for use in side mirrors equipped with cameras.

[0007] To solve these problems, Korean registered patent No. 10-2135950 discloses a slim folding device with minimized parts.

[0008] However, according to this conventional technology, the housing becomes twisted or spreads due to the movement of the gears during motor operation, resulting in reduced durability. Prior art literature

[0009] (Patent Document 0001) KR 10-2135950 B1(Patent Document 0002) KR 10-1485252 B1 The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror that can prevent the housing from twisting due to the movement of reduction gears and improve the operating force, noise, and noise prevention effects during driving. means of solving the problem

[0012] A slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises: a lower housing; a driving motor seated inside the lower housing and having a driving worm formed on a driving shaft; a first reduction gear that rotates by meshing with the driving worm; a second reduction gear that is arranged parallel to the first reduction gear and rotates by meshing with the first reduction gear; a clutch gear that rotates by meshing with the second reduction gear; a shaft coupled to the clutch gear to rotate the side mirror; a fixing part disposed above the first rotation axis of the first reduction gear and the second rotation axis of the second reduction gear, coupled to the lower housing to fix the first reduction gear and the second reduction gear; and an upper housing coupled to the upper part of the lower housing.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lower housing comprises a first support wall formed adjacent to the drive motor and protruding vertically in an upward direction, a second support wall formed adjacent to the clutch gear and spaced apart from the first support wall by a predetermined distance, and a second support wall formed adjacent to the gear. Between the first support wall and the second support wall, a first groove in which a first rotational axis of a first reduction gear is seated and a second groove in which a second rotational axis of a second reduction gear is seated are respectively formed, and the fixing part is positioned on the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, a seating portion is formed protrudingly between the first groove and the second groove, on which the fixing portion is seated.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing part is positioned on the seating part and one side is supported by being in close contact with the first support wall, wherein the first support wall is formed to be narrower than the width of the fixing part and a rotation-preventing protrusion is formed at the end of the fixing part to contact the inner surface of the first support wall and prevent the fixing part from detaching.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the seating portion is characterized by having a fixing projection protruding therefrom for fixing the fixing portion, and the fixing portion is characterized by having a through hole formed therein through which the fixing projection can pass.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the invention is characterized by comprising: a first guide protruding on both sides centered on a first rotation axis to form a concave portion in surface contact with the first rotation axis; and a second guide protruding on both sides centered on a second rotation axis to form a concave portion in surface contact with the second rotation axis.

[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing member comprises: an oil storage groove capable of receiving oil, having a discharge hole formed on its bottom surface; an oil supply tip formed with a curved surface, inserted into the oil storage groove, with its end exposed through the discharge hole and in contact with the first or second rotational shaft; and a cover formed with an air hole that blocks the upper part of the oil storage groove to prevent oil leakage, while allowing air to flow into the oil storage groove. Effects of the invention

[0020] The slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to the present invention can prevent the housing from twisting due to the movement of reduction gears during driving, thereby improving durability.

[0021] In addition, according to the present invention, the housing can be prevented from opening.

[0022] In addition, according to the present invention, an oil storage groove is formed in the fixed part and oil is supplied to the rotating shaft to prevent the fixed part from wearing out due to friction. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0024] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the upper housing of a slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the upper housing and lower housing of a slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the upper housing of the slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to the present invention with the upper housing removed. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to the present invention with the first and second reduction gears removed. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the upper housing and lower housing of a slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the fixed part (700) of Figure 5. Figure 7 shows the state in which the fixed part (700) of Figure 5 is coupled to the rotation axis. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to the present invention with the upper housing removed. FIG. 9 shows a fixed part and a reduction gear according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 shows the fixed part of Figure 9 disassembled. Figure 11 shows a cross-section of the fixed part of Figure 9. Figure 12 shows an enlarged view of the main configuration of the fixed part of Figure 9. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0025] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that various embodiments of the invention are different but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in relation to one embodiment. It should also be understood that the location or arrangement of individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not intended to be limiting, and the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims, including all equivalents to those claimed therein, provided appropriately described. Similar reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same or similar functions across various aspects.

[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0028] A slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to the present invention may include: a lower housing (100); a driving motor (200) seated inside the lower housing and having a driving worm formed on a driving shaft; a first reduction gear (300) positioned vertically on the driving shaft and rotating by meshing with the driving worm; a second reduction gear (400) positioned parallel to the first reduction gear and rotating by meshing with the first reduction gear; a clutch gear (500) rotating by meshing with the second reduction gear; a shaft (600) coupled to the clutch gear to rotate the side mirror; a fixing part (700) positioned above the first rotation axis of the first reduction gear and the second rotation axis of the second reduction gear, coupled to the lower housing to fix the first reduction gear and the second reduction gear; and an upper housing (900) coupled by engaging with the upper part of the lower housing.

[0029] The lower housing (100) includes a first support wall (110) formed adjacent to the drive motor (200) and protruding vertically in the upward direction, and a second support wall (120) formed adjacent to the clutch gear and spaced apart from the first support wall by a predetermined distance.

[0030] Between the first support wall (110) and the second support wall (120), a first groove (130) and a second groove (140) are formed, on which the rotational axes (310, 410) of the first reduction gear (300) and the second reduction gear (400) are respectively seated, and the fixed part (700) can be positioned on the rotational axes of the first reduction gear and the second reduction gear.

[0031] The first reduction gear (300) and the second reduction gear (400) are positioned between the first support wall (110) and the second support wall (120), and the fixed part (700) is positioned on the first reduction gear (300) and the second reduction gear (400).

[0032] The first reduction gear (300) has a first helical gear (301) formed at the center of the outer surface of the rotation shaft (310) that meshes with the drive worm (210), and first spur gears (302) formed on both sides of the rotation shaft (310). The ends of the rotation shaft (310) are supported by being caught in the first groove (130) formed in the lower housing. At this time, the first reduction gear (300) can be formed by making the first rotation shaft (310) into a cylindrical metal tube and by insert injection molding a synthetic resin on the outer surface of the first shaft (320) to integrally form the first helical gear (301) and the first spur gear (302), or by assembling them. Of course, the first reduction gear (300) can be formed by injection molding a synthetic resin to integrally form the first helical gear (301) and the first spur gear (302) on the rotation shaft (310).

[0033] The second reduction gear (400) is installed parallel to the first reduction gear (300), and a second spur gear (402) that meshes with the first spur gear (302) is formed on both sides of the outer surface of the second rotation shaft (410), and a second helical gear (401) is formed in the center of the rotation shaft (410). The ends of the second shaft are supported by being caught in the second groove (140) formed in the lower housing (100).

[0034] The second helical gear (401) is formed with a predetermined length only in the central portion so as to correspond to the first helical gear (301) of the rotation shaft (410). Therefore, there exists a portion between the second helical gear (401) and the second spur gear (402) where the second helical gear (401) is not formed, and the fixed portion (700) is positioned on the upper part of the rotation shaft (410) where the second helical gear (401) is not formed.

[0035] A helical gear may be used instead of the above spur gear (302, 402).

[0036] It is preferable that the first groove (130) and the second groove (140) be formed at the same height as the first rotation axis (310) of the first reduction gear (300) and the second rotation axis (410) of the second reduction gear.

[0037] Between the first groove (130) and the second groove (140), a seating portion (150) on which the fixing portion (700) is seated may be formed protrudingly.

[0038] A fixing projection (151) for fixing the fixing part (700) is formed protrudingly on the above-mentioned seating part (150).

[0039] A through hole (710) through which a fixing projection can pass is formed in the above-mentioned fixing part (700). Accordingly, the fixing projection (151) can be inserted into the through hole (710) so that the fixing part (700) can be fixed without moving. In addition to the through hole (710) into which the fixing projection (151) is inserted, a through hole (not shown in the drawing) for screw connection may also be formed in the above-mentioned fixing part (700).

[0040] The above-mentioned seating portion (150) is positioned so that the fixed portion (700) contacts the top of the rotating shaft (310, 410), but can be formed at the same height as the top of the rotating shaft (310, 410) so as not to press the rotating shaft (310, 410).

[0041] Meanwhile, the above-mentioned fixing part (700) is positioned in the above-mentioned seating part and is supported with one side in close contact with the first support wall (110). Therefore, it can be supported more firmly. Since the end of the fixing part is in close contact with the first support wall and is fixed by the fixing projection, movement back and forth (in the longitudinal direction of the housing) can be prevented, but there is a risk of rotation around the fixing projection (151) as an axis. In addition, the above-mentioned fixing part (700) has a step formed so that the protruding part catches on the seating part and can be supported stably.

[0042] To prevent such problems, a rotation-preventing protrusion (720) is formed at the end of the fixed part. The rotation-preventing protrusion (720) contacts the inner surface of the first support wall (110) to prevent the fixed part from rotating or detaching. The first support wall (110) is formed to be narrower than the fixed part (700) so that the rotation-preventing protrusion (720) can contact the inner surface of the first support wall (110). Therefore, the fixed part (700) can be prevented from rotating.

[0043] With the structure described above, the fixed part can reduce vibration and noise when the first and second rotational axes rotate.

[0044] A receiving groove (910) of a predetermined depth is formed along the longitudinal direction of the housing on both sides of the first reduction gear (300) and the second reduction gear (400), and a metal plate (800) is inserted into the receiving groove (910) to prevent the housing from opening. When the motor is driven, the housing may open due to the movement of the gears, and a jam may occur during gear operation. However, the housing can be prevented from opening by vertically positioning a metal plate (800) on both sides of the first reduction gear and the second reduction gear.

[0045] FIGS. 5 to 7 show other embodiments of the present invention, in which the structure of the fixing part (700) is different.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixed part (700) may have a concave portion formed by a first guide (730) and a second guide (730) protruding from the lower part that is coupled to the first rotational shaft (310) and the second rotational shaft (410) to correspond to the circumference of the rotational shafts (310, 410). The guides (730, 740) protrude on both sides centered on the rotational shafts (310, 410) to form a concave portion, and the inner surface of the concave portion is formed with the same circumference as the rotational shafts (310, 410) so as to surround the rotational shafts (310, 410) and make surface contact with the rotational shafts (310, 410) to reduce friction during rotation and thus reduce wear. Therefore, there is an effect of increased durability.

[0047] Additionally, a rotation-preventing projection (750) may be formed at the end of the fixed part (700) to protrude and contact the inner wall of the second support wall (120) to prevent rotation of the fixed part. When the fixed part (700) is fixed to the housing with a screw, the fixed part may rotate, but the rotation-preventing projection (750) can contact the lower housing to prevent rotation.

[0048] The above anti-rotation protrusion (750) may be formed to face in opposite directions to the anti-rotation protrusion (720). Thus, the anti-rotation protrusion (720, 750) can prevent the fixed part (700) from rotating.

[0049] Meanwhile, since the first and second rotational axes (310, 410) rotate while the fixed part (700) is in contact with the first and second rotational axes, the fixed part (700) may be worn out due to friction with the rotational axes and may be deformed due to heat generation.

[0050] To resolve these problems, another embodiment of the present invention provides a configuration that reduces friction by forming an oil storage groove in the fixed part (700) to supply oil to the friction part.

[0051] FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate an embodiment in which an oil storage groove (760) is formed in a fixed part (700). In this embodiment, an example is shown in which an oil storage groove (760) is formed in a fixed part in which a protruding guide (730, 740) is formed, but the oil storage groove (760) can be formed independently of the protruding guide (730, 740).

[0052] Since the above oil storage grooves can be formed in the same shape on the upper part of the first rotating shaft and the upper part of the second rotating shaft, respectively, the drawing number is to be represented as one.

[0053] Referring to the drawing, the fixing part (700) according to the present embodiment may include: an oil storage groove (760) capable of storing oil, having a discharge hole (761) formed on its bottom surface; an oil supply tip (780) located in the oil storage groove, with its end exposed through the discharge hole (761) to contact the first rotation shaft (310) or the second rotation shaft (340), and having its end formed as a curved surface; and a cover (790) having an air hole (791) formed to block the upper part of the oil storage groove to prevent oil from leaking, while allowing air to flow into the oil storage groove.

[0054] A sponge-shaped oil absorbent (770) can be accommodated in the oil storage groove (760).

[0055] The above oil absorbent (770) may have a slit (771) formed so that it can be inserted into the oil supply tip (780).

[0056] The oil supply tip (770) is inserted into the slit (771), and its end is exposed outside the oil storage groove (760) through the discharge hole (761). The end of the oil supply tip (770) is formed as a curved surface with a convex shape.

[0057] The oil supply tip (780) has an oil guide groove (781) formed therein to guide the oil to flow down. The oil absorbed by the oil absorbent (770) can flow down along the oil guide groove (781) and be supplied to the rotating shaft through the end of the oil supply tip (780).

[0058] The above cover (790) has finely formed air holes (791) so that oil can flow down smoothly. Since oil may not be supplied when the air holes (791) are absent and the system is sealed, there is no pressure difference, so this problem can be solved through the air holes (791).

[0059] With the above structure, after inserting the oil absorbent (770) into the oil storage groove (760), injecting oil, closing the cover (790), and then attaching the fixing part (770) for use, oil can be supplied to the rotating shaft (310, 320) through the oil supply tip (780).

[0061] The scope of protection sought through this specification is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the detailed description above, and should be interpreted to include all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the concept of equivalents. Explanation of the symbols

[0063] 100 : Lower housing 110 : First supporting wall 120: Second support wall 130: First groove 140: Second groove 150: Seating part 151 : Fixed projection 200 : Driving motor 300: 1st reduction gear 301: 1st helical gear 302: Second spur gear 310: Rotating shaft 400: 2nd reduction gear 401: 2nd helical gear 402: Second spur gear 410: Rotating shaft 500: Clutch gear 600: Shaft 700 : Fixing part 710 : Through hole 720, 750: Anti-rotation protrusions 730, 740: 1st and 2nd guides 760: Oil storage groove 770: Oil absorbent 780: Oil supply tip 790: Cover 800 : Plate 900 : Upper housing

Claims

Claim 1 A lower housing; a drive motor seated inside the lower housing and having a drive worm formed on a drive shaft; a first reduction gear that rotates by meshing with the drive worm; a second reduction gear arranged parallel to the first reduction gear and rotating by meshing with the first reduction gear; a clutch gear that rotates by meshing with the second reduction gear; a shaft coupled to the clutch gear to rotate a side mirror; a fixing part positioned above the first rotation axis of the first reduction gear and the second rotation axis of the second reduction gear, coupled to the lower housing to fix the first reduction gear and the second reduction gear; and an upper housing coupled to the upper part of the lower housing, wherein the fixing part comprises: an oil storage groove capable of receiving oil with a discharge hole formed on its bottom surface; and an oil supply tip inserted into the oil storage groove, having an end exposed through the discharge hole and contacting the first rotation axis or the second rotation axis, and formed with a curved surface. A slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror, characterized by including a cover that blocks the upper part of the oil storage groove to prevent oil leakage, while having an air hole formed therein to allow air to flow into the oil storage groove. Claim 2 A slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to claim 1, wherein the lower housing comprises a first support wall formed adjacent to the drive motor side and protruding vertically in an upward direction, and a second support wall formed adjacent to the clutch gear side and spaced apart from the first support wall by a predetermined distance, wherein a first groove for seating the first rotational shaft and a second groove for seating the second rotational shaft are each formed, wherein the fixing part is arranged to contact the first rotational shaft and the second rotational shaft, and a seating part for seating the fixing part is protruded between the first groove and the second groove, wherein a fixing projection for fixing the fixing part is protruded from the seating part, and a through hole through which the fixing projection can pass is formed in the fixing part. Claim 3 A slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to claim 2, wherein the fixing part is located in the seating part and one side is supported by being in close contact with the first support wall, the first support wall is formed to be narrower than the width of the fixing part, and a rotation-preventing protrusion is formed at the end of the fixing part to contact the inner surface of the first support wall to prevent the fixing part from detaching. Claim 4 A slim folding device for a vehicle side mirror according to claim 1, wherein the fixed part comprises: a first guide formed protruding on both sides centered on the first rotation axis to form a concave portion in surface contact with the first rotation axis; and a second guide formed protruding on both sides centered on the second rotation axis to form a concave portion in surface contact with the second rotation axis. Claim 5 delete

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