Car rearview mirror

Abstract

A vehicle rearview device (10) comprises a support arm (20) adapted to be securely mounted on the vehicle and a housing (30) rotatably mounted on the support arm (20), wherein the rearview device (10) comprises a mirror (40) securely mounted on the housing (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle rearview mirror. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, a rear-view mirror for a motor vehicle or a motorcycle is known. The known rear-view mirror comprises an arm for attachment to a motor vehicle, a housing rotatably mounted to the attachment arm, a mirror rotatably mounted to the housing, a first motor firmly mounted to the attachment arm, the motor allowing the housing to rotate about a vertical geometric axis of rotation so as to switch the housing of the rear-view mirror from an operating position to a flip position in which the housing is folded toward the frame of the motor vehicle so as to occupy a smaller overall size, and a second motor firmly mounted to the housing allowing the mirror to rotate about two geometric axes of rotation in order to adjust the rear view field of the motor vehicle driver. The mirror is rotatably mounted to the housing, and the housing is rotatably mounted to the arm of the vehicle rear-view mirror.

[0003] Disadvantageously, known rear view mirrors have a relatively large overall bulk size due to the need to ensure that the mirror is large enough to provide the full field of view required by traffic regulations.

[0004] Disadvantageously, the relatively large overall size of the rearview mirror negatively affects the aerodynamic shape of the motor vehicle, reducing the performance of the motor vehicle and consuming more fuel.

[0005] Disadvantageously, the mirror's rotational mechanism on two axes is exposed to shocks and tampering, making the mirror fragile. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a more compact, safe, robust, better protected, less breakable rearview mirror which allows the driver of a motor vehicle to have a complete field of vision, which allows the motor vehicle to have better aerodynamic properties and therefore allows lower fuel consumption or better vehicle performance, solving the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a rearview mirror for a vehicle according to claim 1 .

[0008] Further characteristics are envisaged in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, which is to be understood as illustrative and not restrictive, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a front plan view of a vehicle rearview mirror according to the present invention, the vehicle rearview mirror comprising an arm for attachment to a vehicle, a housing and a mirror;

[0011] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the rear view mirror showing three different angular positions of the housing relative to an arm for attachment to a vehicle as the housing is rotated about a first geometric axis of rotation;

[0012] Figure 3 is along Figure 1 Sectional view along line III-III showing: a first angular position of the housing; a first electric motor, firmly mounted on a base support of an arm for attachment to a vehicle, the first electric motor comprising a spindle on which a support frame is mounted, the support frame rotating about a first geometric axis perpendicular to the base support; a second electric motor, mounted on the support frame, the second electric motor comprising an actuator mounted to the housing support, the actuator allowing the housing support to be moved about two geometric axes perpendicular to each other, the mirror firmly mounted on the housing;

[0013] Figure 4 is along Figure 1 A sectional view along line II-III showing a second angular position of the housing with the mirror oriented downward;

[0014] Figure 5 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line II-III showing the third position of the housing with the mirror oriented upward;

[0015] Figure 6 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1 and showing a fourth angular position of the housing with the mirror oriented toward the rear side of the vehicle;

[0016] Figure 7 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. 1 and showing a fifth angular position of the housing so that the mirror is oriented in an outward direction relative to the frame of the vehicle;

[0017] Figure 8 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of the vehicle and showing a sixth angular position of the housing so that the mirror is oriented in an interior direction relative to the frame of the vehicle;

[0018] Fig. 9 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 1 and showing a first motor and a hollow passage inside the support arm of the support frame, the hollow passage being used for passing cables between the vehicle and the rearview mirror to operate the two motors;

[0019] Fig.10An axonometric perspective view is shown, which specifically shows a rotation mechanism on three axes of the housing, including a first motor, a support frame, a second motor, the second motor including an actuator and a housing support mounted on the housing;

[0020] Fig.11 An exploded isometric perspective view showing the rotating mechanism on three axes of the housing;

[0021] Fig.12 Another rearview mirror is shown along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line III-III, wherein the housing support is mounted on the mirror, and the mirror is securely mounted on the housing;

[0022] Fig.13 Another rearview mirror is shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along line IX-IX is also shown, which also shows a camera mounted inside the housing at a portion of the semi-transparent mirror. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Referring to the aforementioned drawings, a vehicle rearview device 10 is shown, which includes a support arm 20 , a housing 30 , and a mirror 40 . The support arm is suitable for being securely mounted on the vehicle, the housing is rotatably mounted on the support arm 20 , and the mirror is securely mounted on the housing 30 .

[0024] The rearview device 10 comprises a first electric motor 50 fixedly mounted to the support arm 20. The first electric motor 50 comprises a spindle 51 adapted to rotate about a first geometrical axis R relative to the support arm 20.

[0025] The rearview device 10 comprises a support frame 60 fixedly mounted to the main shaft 51. The support frame rotates around the first geometric axis R and switches from at least a first angular position to at least a second angular position, as shown in FIG. Figure 6-8 shown.

[0026] The rear view device 10 includes an actuator 70 mounted on the support frame 60. The actuator 70 is electrically connected to the first motor 50, or alternatively, the actuator is electrically connected to a second motor not shown in the figure.

[0027] The actuator 70 is fixedly mounted on a portion of the housing 30 , and the actuator 70 is adapted to rotate around a second geometric axis S and a third geometric axis T, wherein the second geometric axis S is perpendicular to the third geometric axis T.

[0028] The actuator 70 moves together with the support frame 60 .

[0029] The housing 30 rotates around the first geometric axis R, the second geometric axis S and the third geometric axis T, thereby switching between a plurality of angular positions relative to the support arm 20, as shown in FIG. Figure 3-8 shown.

[0030] The housing 30 contains and protects the rotating mechanism including the first motor 50 and the actuator 70 .

[0031] The actuator 70 is securely mounted on the support member 37 of the housing 30 , wherein the support member 37 is securely mounted on the housing 30 .

[0032] The support member 37 of the housing 30 is installed inside the housing 30 in the direction in which the vehicle travels forward.

[0033] The support frame 60 comprises a support member 61. The actuator 70 is rotatably mounted on the support member 61 of the support frame 60 in a manner of rotating about the second geometric axis S and about the third geometric axis T.

[0034] Specifically, Fig.11 As shown, the support 61 for the actuator 70 comprises a hemispherical portion 62 and a base 63. The hemispherical portion 62 comprises at least one through hole adapted to allow engagement in a secure manner between the actuator 70 and the support 37 of the housing 30. The base 63 comprises a flat wall adapted to be securely mounted with a body 65 of the support frame 60, the support frame comprising a portion 68 having an element of a shape complementary to that of the base 63 of the support 61, so that the support frame and the support can be securely mounted together.

[0035] The base 63 and the complementary portion 68 of the body 65 of the support frame 60 face in the direction of travel of the vehicle, opposite to the direction of the mirror 40 .

[0036] The body 65 of the support frame 60 includes at least one through hole 64 to allow the main shaft 51 of the first motor 50 to enter. The through hole 64 includes at least one engagement element 66, the shape of which is complementary to the corresponding at least one engagement element 56 of the main shaft 51, so that the main shaft 51 and the support frame 60 rotate integrally relative to the support arm 20.

[0037] The body 65 of the support frame 60 includes a cavity 67 for accommodating the first motor 50 .

[0038] The support 61 of the support frame 60 is advantageously mounted in the opposite direction relative to the mirror 40 , ie in the direction of movement of the vehicle, so as to better protect it from vandalism or collision.

[0039] Specifically, Figure 3-6 As shown in FIG. 9 , the support arm 20 includes a base support member 26 . The first motor 50 is securely mounted above the base support member 26 . The first geometric axis R is perpendicular to the base support member 26 .

[0040] The support arm 20 comprises a base 25 suitable for assembling the housing 30 and a rod 27 comprising a lower portion fixedly mounted to the base 25 and an upper portion forming the base support 26. The base support 26 is flat to allow fixed engagement with the first motor 50.

[0041] Preferably, if Figure 3-5 As shown, the third geometric axis T is parallel to the first geometric axis R.

[0042] Alternatively, the third geometric axis T may be perpendicular to the ground and the first geometric axis R may be perpendicular to the base support 26, such as Fig. 9 shown.

[0043] Said housing 30 comprises a lower part including a through hole 32 allowing the rod 27 to enter and having a sufficient width to avoid interference with the rod 27 when the housing 30 rotates on said three geometric axes R, S, T.

[0044] Specifically, Figure 1 , 3 As shown in Figures 5 and 9, the support arm 20 includes a hollow cavity 21 in the body of the support arm 20, which allows the insertion of a cable electrically connected to the vehicle. The support base 25 includes a through hole communicating with the cavity 21 of the support arm 20 for passing the cable. The cable is electrically connected to the first motor 50 and the actuator 70.

[0045] Advantageously, the rear view device 10 of the present invention is more compact, safer, more robust, more protected, less prone to breakage, allows a complete field of vision for the driver of the motor vehicle, allows the shape of the support arm 20 and the housing 30 to be chosen, thereby allowing the vehicle to have better aerodynamic properties and therefore lower fuel consumption and / or better vehicle performance, thus addressing the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0046] Advantageously, the housing 30 can be smaller because the mirror 40 is fixed to the housing 30 and the rotation mechanism 50 , 70 of the housing 30 on the three axes R, S, T is smaller.

[0047] Advantageously, the entire rotating mechanism 50 , 70 is inside the housing 30 and the only through hole 32 faces downwards to allow the passage of the rod 27 of the support arm 20 .

[0048] Advantageously, the entire rotating mechanism 50 , 70 is internal to the housing 30 and prevents tampering with screwdrivers and / or levers to separate the housing 30 .

[0049] Advantageously, the fact that the mirror 40 is engaged with the housing 30 and not directly with the rotation mechanism 50 , 70 allows a more robust, safe and durable rear-view device 10 to be obtained.

[0050] Alternatively, the actuator 70 may be mounted in the direction of the mirror 40, such as Fig.12 and 13 In this alternative, the support member 61 of the support frame 60 includes a mounting cavity for mounting the actuator 70. In this alternative, the third rotation axis T rotates relative to the first rotation axis R, as shown in FIG. Fig.12 shown.

[0051] Alternatively, the mirror 40 includes at least the translucent portion 45 and the housing 30 includes a camera 90 mounted inside the housing 30, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 The translucent portion 45 of the mirror 40 allows the exterior of the mirror 40 to be seen from the interior of the mirror 40. The camera 90 may also be mounted on Figure 1 In the rearview device 10. Advantageously, the camera 90 is firmly mounted on the housing 30, thanks to the fact that it is the housing 30 that rotates on three axes of rotation R, S, T, and not the mirror 40 as in the prior art.

[0052] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the same inventive concept; moreover, all details can be replaced with equivalent technical elements. In practice, the materials used and their dimensions can adopt any type according to the technical requirements.

Claims

1. A rear-view device (10) for a vehicle, comprising a support arm (20) and a housing (30), wherein the support arm is adapted to be securely mounted on the vehicle, and the housing is rotatably mounted on the support arm (20), wherein: The rear-view device (10) comprises a mirror (40) securely mounted on the housing (30), The rear-view device (10) comprises: a first motor (50) which is securely mounted on the support arm (20), the first motor (50) comprising a spindle (51) adapted to rotate relative to the support arm (20) about a first geometric axis (R), a support frame (60) firmly mounted on the spindle (51), the support frame rotating about the first geometric axis (R) and switching from at least a first angular position to at least a second angular position, an actuator (70) mounted on the support frame (60) and moving with the support frame, the actuator (70) being firmly mounted on the housing (30), the actuator (70) being adapted to rotate about a second geometric axis (S) and a third geometric axis (T), wherein the second geometric axis (S) is perpendicular to the third geometric axis (T), The housing (30) rotates around the first geometric axis (R), the second geometric axis (S) and the third geometric axis (T) to switch between a plurality of angular positions relative to the support arm (20).

2. The rearview device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuator (70) is securely mounted on a support (37) of the housing (30), wherein the support (37) is securely mounted on the housing (30).

3. The rearview device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The support frame (60) comprises a support member (61), and the actuator (70) is rotatably mounted on the support member (61) of the support frame (60) in a manner of rotating around both the second geometric axis (S) and the third geometric axis (T).

4. The rearview device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support (61) for the actuator (70) comprises a hemispherical portion (62) comprising at least one through hole adapted to allow engagement between the actuator (70) and the housing (30), and a base (63) comprising a wall adapted to be securely mounted to the support frame (60).

5. The rearview device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support member (61) of the support frame (60) is installed in an opposite direction relative to the mirror (40).

6. The rearview device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support arm (20) comprises a base support (26), and the first motor (50) is firmly mounted above the base support (26), and the first geometric axis (R) is perpendicular to the base support (26).

7. The rearview device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The support arm (20) comprises a base (25) and a rod (27) comprising a lower portion fixedly mounted to the base (25) and an upper portion forming the base support (26).

8. The rearview device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third geometric axis (T) is parallel to the first geometric axis (R).

9. The rearview device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (30) comprises a lower portion, and the lower portion comprises a through hole (32).

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