Rearview mirror structure

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of rearview mirror structure that can simultaneously achieve the vehicle width when mirror is stored, inhibit mirror vibration when vehicle is running, improve the visibility when looking from cabin.The rearview mirror structure includes: rearview mirror body part (11);Mirror seat (12), with the front end portion (12b) fixed to rearview mirror body part and the base end portion (12a) away from the front end portion (12b), and the base end portion (12a) is installed to side door (1) so that rearview mirror body part (11) and mirror seat (12) can be moved between mirror using position and storage position located in the vehicle width direction inside mirror using position, which can be observed by naked eye from cabin;Drive unit (13) moves rearview mirror body part (11) and mirror seat (12) between mirror using position and storage position;Drive unit (13) is provided in side door (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a rearview mirror structure. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, a rearview mirror structure having an electric rotating unit that automatically moves a rearview mirror between a use position and a stowed position is known as described in Patent Literature 1.

[0003] The rearview mirror structure includes a rearview mirror body portion having a mirror, a mirror stand that protrudes in a vehicle width direction from a side door, and an electric rotating unit housed in the rearview mirror body portion. The mirror stand is a portion having a base end portion and a front end portion and extending in the vehicle width direction and constituting an arm portion of the rearview mirror. The base end portion of the mirror stand is fixed to the side door, and the rearview mirror body portion is installed to the front end portion of the mirror stand in a manner that rotates around a rotating shaft that extends in an up-down direction.

[0004] The rearview mirror body portion is moved between a mirror use position and a stowed position by a rotational driving force of the electric rotating unit housed in the rearview mirror body portion and by the mirror stand front end portion swinging. The mirror use position refers to a position in which the rearview mirror body portion protrudes from the mirror stand front end portion to the outside in the vehicle width direction and in which the mirror can be visually observed from the cabin. The stowed position refers to a position in which the rearview mirror body portion extends substantially parallel to the side door.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-179680 SUMMARY

[0008] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] The above-described rearview mirror structure is a structure in which the base end portion of the mirror stand is fixed to the side door and the rearview mirror body portion swings around the mirror stand front end portion. Therefore, if the vehicle design requires the mirror stand to be long in the width direction, the mirror stand remains protruding from the door panel even when the mirror is stowed, and thus the requirement for the vehicle width to be reduced when the mirror is stowed cannot be sufficiently satisfied.

[0010] Further, in the above-described structure, the electric stowing unit is housed in the interior of the rearview mirror body portion, and thus the moment in the up-down direction generated at the position of the electric rotating unit increases in proportion to the length of the mirror stand, and thus the problem of the mirror vibrating more when the vehicle is running arises.

[0011] Furthermore, since the electric rotating unit is housed in the rearview mirror body portion, the front-rear width of the rearview mirror body portion (i.e., the vehicle front-rear direction width) is large, and the rearview mirror body portion can obstruct the visibility when viewed from the cabin.

[0012] The present application has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a rearview mirror structure capable of simultaneously achieving a reduction in the vehicle width when the mirror is stored, suppression of mirror vibration during vehicle travel, and improved visibility when viewed from the cabin.

[0013] Technical means for solving the technical problem

[0014] To solve the above-described problems, the present application provides a rearview mirror structure for a side door of a vehicle, characterized by comprising: a rearview mirror main body portion having a mirror for obtaining a rear field of view of the vehicle; a mirror housing having a front end portion fixed to the rearview mirror main body portion and a base end portion distanced from the front end portion, and being attached to the side door such that the rearview mirror main body portion and the mirror housing are movable between a mirror use position in which the mirror is visible to the naked eye from the cabin, and a storage position located inward of the vehicle width direction from the mirror use position; and a drive unit that moves the rearview mirror main body portion and the mirror housing between the mirror use position and the storage position, wherein the drive unit is provided to the side door.

[0015] According to the above-described arrangement, in a rearview mirror structure including a rearview mirror main body portion having a mirror, and a mirror housing having a front end portion to which the rearview mirror main body portion is fixed, a drive unit moves the mirror housing together with the rearview mirror main body portion from the mirror use position to the storage position. Therefore, in a state in which the rearview mirror main body portion and the mirror housing are moved to the storage position, the amount by which the rearview mirror main body portion and the mirror housing protrude toward the vehicle width direction from the side door side can be reduced, and thus the vehicle width dimension can be minimized.

[0016] Further, in this rearview mirror structure, a heavy drive unit is provided to the side door, and thus the moment in the up-down direction that is generated in the rearview mirror due to input from the road surface (i.e., vibration or external force in the up-down direction caused by road surface irregularities) during vehicle travel is reduced, and mirror vibration can be suppressed.

[0017] Further, since the drive unit is provided to the side door, the front-rear width of the rearview mirror main body portion can be reduced compared to a conventional rearview mirror structure in which the drive unit is housed in the rearview mirror main body portion, and thus the visibility when viewed from the cabin can be improved.

[0018] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, it is preferable that the drive unit be provided inside the side door. By doing so, the drive unit can be protected from external objects and the like by the outer surface of the side door.

[0019] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, it is preferable that a rotation support shaft be further included, the rotation support shaft being coupled to the base end portion of the mirror housing and supporting the rearview mirror main body portion and the mirror housing so as to be freely revolvable between the mirror use position and the storage position, wherein the rotation support shaft extends from the base end portion into the side door and is rotated by the drive unit.

[0020] According to the above solution, since it also includes a rotating support shaft that supports the rearview mirror body and mirror mount, allowing them to rotate freely, the rotating support shaft can be rotated by a drive unit inside the side door. This allows the rearview mirror body and mirror mount to move between the mirror usage position and the storage position while rotating around the rotating support shaft. Therefore, the movement of the rearview mirror body and mirror mount between the mirror usage position and the storage position can be achieved with a simple structure.

[0021] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, preferably, the drive unit is disposed on the axis of the rotating support shaft.

[0022] According to the above scheme, the drive unit is positioned on the axis of the rotating support shaft, thus enabling a simple and compact structure for transmitting power from the drive unit to the rotating support shaft. This allows the drive unit to be installed within the limited space of the side door.

[0023] In the above-mentioned rearview mirror structure, preferably, a through hole is formed in the door panel constituting the outer side of the side door for the rotation pivot to pass through, and a cover member is also provided to cover the gap between the through hole and the rotation pivot from the outside of the vehicle.

[0024] According to the above solution, the cover component covers the gap between the through hole and the rotating support shaft of the door panel from the outside of the vehicle, thus improving the vehicle's aesthetics and preventing water from seeping into the door panel through the gap.

[0025] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, preferably, the drive unit is fixed to a skeleton member that constitutes the side door skeleton and is provided inside the side door.

[0026] According to the above scheme, since the drive unit is fixed to the frame component that constitutes the side door frame, the support rigidity of the drive unit is improved.

[0027] In the above-mentioned rearview mirror structure, preferably, the frame member is a waistline reinforcement member that extends along the waistline of the lower edge of the window of the side door in the vehicle front-rear direction.

[0028] According to the above solution, by fixing the drive unit to the waistline reinforcement commonly used in conventional door structures, the aforementioned rearview mirror structure can be widely applied to conventional door structures.

[0029] In the above-mentioned rearview mirror structure, preferably, the waistline reinforcement is made of extruded aluminum material.

[0030] According to the above solution, since the waistline reinforcement is made of extruded aluminum material, it can simultaneously ensure the support rigidity of the drive unit and the lightweighting of the vehicle.

[0031] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, preferably, in the state where the rearview mirror body is in the mirror usage position, in a top view, the inner side of the rearview mirror body facing the side door is inclined outward relative to an imaginary line that is orthogonal to the mirror surface and passes through the inner end of the rearview mirror body.

[0032] According to the above solution, when the rearview mirror body is in its usage position, in a top view, the inner side of the rearview mirror body facing the side door is tilted outward relative to an imaginary line orthogonal to the mirror surface. This prevents the inner side of the rearview mirror body from obstructing the view from inside the cabin. This maximizes visibility from inside the cabin, further improving visibility.

[0033] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, preferably, when the rearview mirror body is in the mirror usage position, in a top view, the thickness of the rearview mirror body in the front-rear direction decreases from the middle position in the vehicle width direction toward the inner end in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] According to the above solution, when the rearview mirror body is in the mirror usage position, the thickness of the rearview mirror body in the front-rear direction decreases from the middle position in the vehicle width direction towards the inner end in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the inner side of the rearview mirror body no longer obstructs the view from inside the cabin. This maximizes visibility from inside the cabin, further improving visibility.

[0035] Invention Effects

[0036] The rearview mirror structure of the present invention can simultaneously and effectively reduce the vehicle width when the mirror is folded up, suppress mirror vibration when the vehicle is in motion, and improve visibility from the cabin. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the overall structure of the side door with a rearview mirror having the rearview mirror structure according to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 Looking from the cockpit Figure 1 A picture of a rearview mirror;

[0039] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view of the rearview mirror in its intended position for use.

[0040] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top view of the rearview mirror in its stowed position;

[0041] Figure 5 yesFigure 1 The image seen from the front of the vehicle when the rearview mirror is in its designated use position;

[0042] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 The image shown from the front of the vehicle when the rearview mirror is in the stowed position;

[0043] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 The image shows the side door with the outer door panel removed, revealing the waistline reinforcement inside the side door.

[0044] Figure 8 Is Figure 7 An enlarged view of the waistline reinforcement fixing the rearview mirror and the electric rotating unit;

[0045] Figure 9 Is Figure 8 A diagram of the cover component has been added to the X-X cross-sectional view;

[0046] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 X-ray cross-sectional view;

[0047] Figure 11 yes Figure 8 XI-XI line cross-sectional view;

[0048] Figure 12 Is Figure 8 The cross-sectional view along line XII-XII has been expanded to include a diagram of the cover component;

[0049] Figure 13 Is Figure 3 An illustration of a rearview mirror in its designated position, showing the inner side of the main body of the rearview mirror tilted outward relative to an imaginary line perpendicular to the mirror surface.

[0050] Figure 14 Is Figure 3 An illustration showing a rearview mirror in a position where the inner side of the main body of the rearview mirror is not visible from the cockpit, thus improving visibility from the cockpit.

[0051] Figure 15 As a comparative example of the present invention, in conventional rearview mirrors, the rearview mirror body that houses the electric rotating unit has a large front-to-back width, so the inner side of the rearview mirror body can be seen from the cockpit, thus obstructing the visibility when looking from the cockpit.

[0052] Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a rearview mirror structure according to a variation of the present invention, wherein the base portion of the mirror mount has a bifurcated structure. Detailed Implementation

[0053] A preferred embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0054] Figures 1-2 A vehicle side door 1 to which the rearview mirror structure of the present application is applied is shown. In the side door 1, a rearview mirror 2 is disposed on the vehicle rear side of a pillar 4 in the vicinity of a beltline BL of an upper end 3a of a door panel 3. A door opening portion 5 surrounded by the pillar 4 and the beltline BL is provided with a door glass 6.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1-7 , the rearview mirror structure in the vehicle side door 1 according to the present embodiment is a structure in which a power and stowable rearview mirror 2 is attached to the side door 1. Specifically, the main part of the rearview mirror structure includes a rearview mirror main body portion 11 and a mirror stand 12 that constitute the rearview mirror 2, and a power rotating unit 13 that is a drive unit for moving the rearview mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror stand 12. The power rotating unit 13 is provided inside the side door 1.

[0056] Further, the rearview mirror structure according to the present embodiment includes a rotating shaft 24 (see Figures 11-12 ) that supports the rearview mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror stand 12 so as to be freely revolved, a beltline reinforcement 21 that is a skeletal member inside the side door 1, a support member 22 for fixing the power rotating unit 13 to the beltline reinforcement 21, and a cover member 27 that is provided on the vehicle outer side of the side door 1.

[0057] The components of the rearview mirror structure will be described in detail below.

[0058] As shown in Figure 2 , the rearview mirror main body portion 11 includes a mirror 14 for obtaining a rear field of view of the vehicle, and a housing 15. The mirror 14 is an optical mirror that reflects light, and is disposed on the rear side of the housing 15 (specifically, on the side that faces the rear side in a mirror use position P1 of the mirror). Further, the inside of the housing 15 of the rearview mirror main body portion 11 houses an internal machine 37 (see Figure 3 ) such as a mirror surface adjustment unit for adjusting the angle of the mirror 14 in the up-down direction Z and the vehicle width direction Y, or a defroster unit for the mirror 14. Figure 12

[0059] The mirror stand 12 is a portion that constitutes an arm portion of the rearview mirror 2, and as shown in Figures 3-6 , includes a base end portion 12a that is distal from a front end portion 12b, and the front end portion 12b that is fixed to the rearview mirror main body portion 11.

[0060] More specifically, the rearview mirror main body portion 11 is fixed to the front end portion 12b of the mirror stand 12, and the mirror 14 extends substantially in parallel with the mirror stand 12.

[0061] ​The base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12 is attached to the side door 1, so that the mirror body 11 and the mirror base 12 are movable between a mirror use position Pl, at which the mirror 14 is visible from the inside of the vehicle cabin, and a storage position P2, which is inward of the vehicle width direction Y from the mirror use position Pl.

[0062] In the present embodiment, Figures 9-12 The rotation shaft 24 is connected to the base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12, and the mirror body 11 and the mirror base 12 are supported by the rotation shaft 24 so as to be rotatable between the mirror use position Pl (refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 ) and the storage position P2 (refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6 ).

[0063] The rotation shaft 24 extends from the base end portion 12a into the side door 1, and is rotated by the electric rotation unit 13.

[0064] Specifically, as shown in Figures 9-12 , a through hole 26 is formed in the door panel 3 (outer panel) that constitutes the outer side surface of the side door 1. The rotation shaft 24 is connected coaxially to the output shaft 35 (refer to Figure 12 ) of the electric rotation unit 13 provided in the space portion 20 in the side door 1, via the through hole 26 of the door panel 3.

[0065] The electric rotation unit 13 has a structure that moves the mirror body 11 and the mirror base 12 between the mirror use position Pl and the storage position P2. Specifically, as shown in Figure 12 , the electric rotation unit 13 includes a sleeve 31, a motor 32, a reducer 33 that reduces the torque generated by the motor 32, a torque limiter 34, and an output shaft 35 that outputs a rotational drive force. The motor 32, the reducer 33, the torque limiter 34, and the output shaft 35 are housed in the sleeve 31. In addition, the rotation shaft 24 and a bearing 36 that rotatably supports the rotation shaft 24 are also housed in the sleeve 31. Thus, the main components of the electric rotation unit 13, i.e., the motor 32, the reducer 33, the torque limiter 34, and the output shaft 35 are arranged on the axis of the rotation shaft 24. The output shaft 35 is connected to the rotation shaft 24 and is integrally rotatable.

[0066] In addition, when the motor 32 is operating, if excessive torque is generated in the rotation shaft 24, the torque limiter 34 can block the transmission of torque to suppress the load on the motor 32.

[0067] Preferably, the bearing 36 is a ball bearing or a roller bearing that supports the rotation shaft 24 with a small rotational resistance.

[0068] The electric rotating unit 13 is fixed to the beltline reinforcement 21 by the support member 22.

[0069] The beltline reinforcement 21 is provided in the side door 1 and is a skeletal member that constitutes the skeleton of the side door 1. As shown in Figure 7 , the beltline reinforcement 21 is fixed to the inner door panel 7 (see Figure 7 and Figure 12 ) inside the side door 1 and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction X along the beltline BL of the lower end edge of the window of the side door 1, that is, the lower end edge of the door opening portion 5 in which the door glass 6 is disposed. The beltline reinforcement 21 of the present embodiment is composed of an aluminum extruded material.

[0070] The support member 22 includes a semi-cylindrical shaped housing portion 22a and a pair of fixing portions 22b provided on both sides of the housing portion 22a in the vehicle front-rear direction X, as shown in Figures 8-12 . The housing portion 22a is used to house the sleeve 31 in which the electric rotating unit 13 and the rotating shaft 24 are accommodated. The pair of fixing portions 22b are fastened to the beltline reinforcement 21 by bolts 28.

[0071] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figures 9-12 , the wire harness 25 extends from the space portion 20 inside the side door 1 to the mirror main body portion 11 and is electrically connected to the internal machine 37 (a mirror surface adjusting unit or the like) inside the mirror main body portion 11.

[0072] Specifically, as shown in Figures 11-12 , the beltline reinforcement 21 is formed with a first opening 21a at a position opposite to the housing portion 22a of the support member 22. Further, the sleeve 31 of the electric rotating unit 13 is formed with a second opening 31a at a position opposite to the first opening 21a. Further, the rotating shaft 24 of the present embodiment is hollow and is formed with a third opening 24a in the circumferential surface thereof at a position opposite to the second opening 31a. Thus, the wire harness 25 extends from the inside of the side door 1 through the first opening 21a of the beltline reinforcement 21, the second opening 31a of the sleeve 31, and the third opening 24a of the rotating shaft 24 to the inside of the rotating shaft 24 (see the portion 25a of the wire harness 25 extending upward inside the rotating shaft 24). Figure 11 Further, the wire harness 25 extends through the inside of the rotating shaft 24 and the mirror base 12 to the internal machine 37 inside the mirror main body portion 11 and is electrically connected to the internal machine 37.

[0073] Further, in the mirror structure of the present embodiment, the housing portion 22a of the support member 22 is semi-cylindrical shaped, and thus the sleeve 31 can be inserted into the housing portion 22a of the support member from above without the wire harness 25 interfering with the housing portion 22a even in the laid state as described above.

[0074] The cover member 27 covers the gap between the through hole 26 and the rotation shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle. Specifically, as shown in Figures 9-12

[0075] Further, as shown in Figure 13 Figure 13

[0076] By the shape of the rearview mirror body portion 11 as above, as shown in Figure 14

[0077] Further, as a reference, in a comparative example of the present application, as shown in Figure 15

[0078] (Features of the present embodiment) (1) ​​​​​

[0080] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, the mirror structure on the side door 1 of the vehicle includes: a mirror main body portion 11 having a mirror 14 for obtaining a rear field of view of the vehicle; a mirror housing 12 having a front end portion 12b fixed to the mirror main body portion 11 and a base end portion 12a distanced from the front end portion 12b, and the base end portion 12a is attached to the side door 1 so that the mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror housing 12 are movable between a mirror use position Pl at which the mirror 14 is visible to the naked eye from the cabin and a storage position P2 located inward of the mirror use position Pl in the vehicle width direction Y; and an electric rotating unit 13, i.e., a drive unit, which moves the mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror housing 12 between the mirror use position Pl and the storage position P2. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the electric rotating unit 13 is disposed in a space portion 20 in the side door 1. Figures 7-10 and Figure 12 As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the electric rotating unit 13 is disposed in a space portion 20 in the side door 1.

[0081] According to the above-described arrangement, in the mirror structure including the mirror main body portion 11 having the mirror 14 attached thereto and the mirror housing 12 having the mirror main body portion 11 fixed to the front end portion 12b, the electric rotating unit 13 moves the mirror housing 12 together with the mirror main body portion 11 from the mirror use position Pl to the storage position P2. Therefore, in the state where the mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror housing 12 are moved to the storage position P2, the protruding amount of the mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror housing 12 from the side surface of the side door 1 in the vehicle width direction Y can be reduced, and thus the vehicle width dimension can be minimized.

[0082] Further, in the mirror structure, the heavy electric rotating unit 13 is disposed in the side door 1, and thus the input from the road surface, i.e., the vibration or external force in the upward and downward direction Z caused by the road surface unevenness, during the vehicle travel can reduce the moment in the upward and downward direction Z generated at the mirror, and the mirror vibration can be suppressed.

[0083] Further, since the electric rotating unit 13 is disposed in the side door 1, the front and rear width of the mirror main body portion 11 can be reduced compared to the conventional mirror structure in which the electric rotating unit 13 is housed in the mirror main body portion 11, and the visibility when viewed from the cabin can be improved. (2)

[0085] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, the electric rotating unit 13 is disposed in the side door 1, and thus the electric rotating unit 13 can be protected from the foreign matter or the like outside the vehicle by the door panel 3 constituting the outer side surface of the side door 1. Further, the electric rotating unit 13 can be disposed outside the side door 1, in which case a large cover member or the like is required to protect the electric rotating unit 13. (3)

[0087] The rearview mirror structure of this embodiment further includes a rotation support shaft 24 that is coupled to the base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12 and supports the rearview mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 so as to be freely pivotable between the mirror use position PI and the storage position P2. The rotation support shaft 24 extends from the base end portion 12a into the side door 1 and is rotated by the electric rotation unit 13.

[0088] According to the above-described arrangement, since the rotation support shaft 24 that supports the rearview mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 so as to be freely pivotable is further included, the rotation support shaft 24 is rotated by the electric rotation unit 13 in the side door 1, and thus the rearview mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 are moved between the mirror use position PI and the storage position P2 while pivoting around the rotation support shaft 24. Therefore, the movement of the rearview mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 between the mirror use position PI and the storage position P2 can be achieved by a simple structure. (4)

[0090] In the rearview mirror structure of this embodiment, the electric rotation unit 13 (specifically, the motor 32, the speed reducer 33, the torque limiter 34, and the output shaft 35 that are main constituent elements) is disposed on the axis of the rotation support shaft 24.

[0091] According to the above-described arrangement, the electric rotation unit 13 is disposed on the axis of the rotation support shaft 24, and thus the structure of the power transmission system that transmits power from the electric rotation unit 13 to the rotation support shaft 24 can be constituted simply and compactly. Therefore, the electric rotation unit 13 can be disposed in a limited space in the side door 1. (5)

[0093] In the rearview mirror structure of this embodiment, a through-hole 26 through which the rotation support shaft 24 passes is formed in the door panel 3 that constitutes the outer side surface of the side door 1. The rearview mirror structure further includes a cover member 27 that covers a gap between the through-hole 26 of the door panel 3 and the rotation support shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle.

[0094] According to the above-described arrangement, the cover member 27 covers the gap between the through-hole 26 of the door panel 3 and the rotation support shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle, and thus the appearance of the vehicle is improved, and water can be prevented from entering the door panel 3 through the gap. (6)

[0096] In the rearview mirror structure of this embodiment, the electric rotation unit 13 is fixed to the rocker reinforcement 21 that is a skeletal member constituting the skeleton of the side door 1 and is provided in the side door 1.

[0097] According to the above-described arrangement, the electric rotation unit 13 is fixed to the rocker reinforcement 21 that is a skeletal member constituting the skeleton of the side door 1, and thus the support rigidity of the electric rotation unit 13 is improved. (7)

[0099] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, the skeleton member is a beltline reinforcement 21 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction X along the beltline BL of the lower end edge of the window of the side door 1.

[0100] According to the above-described arrangement, by fixing the electric rotating unit 13 to the beltline reinforcement 21 generally used in the conventional door structure, the above-described mirror structure can be widely applied to the conventional door structure. (8)

[0102] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, the beltline reinforcement 21 is composed of an aluminum extruded material.

[0103] According to the above-described arrangement, the beltline reinforcement 21 is composed of an aluminum extruded material, and thus it is possible to achieve both the support rigidity of the electric rotating unit 13 and the weight reduction of the vehicle. (9)

[0105] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 13 , the inner side surface lib of the mirror main body portion 11 toward the side door 1 side is inclined outward of the vehicle in a plan view in the state where the mirror is in the mirror use position PI with respect to an imaginary line LI orthogonal to the mirror surface and passing through the inner side end portion 11a of the mirror main body portion 11.

[0106] According to the above-described arrangement, the inner side surface lib of the mirror main body portion 11 is inclined outward of the vehicle with respect to the imaginary line LI orthogonal to the mirror surface in the state where the mirror is in the mirror use position PI, and thus the inner side surface lib of the mirror main body portion 11 no longer obstructs the field of view when viewed from the cabin. In this way, it is possible to maximize the visibility when viewed from the cabin, and further improve the visibility. (10)

[0108] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 13 , the thickness of the mirror main body portion 11 in the vehicle front-rear direction X is smaller toward the inner side end portion 11a of the side door 1 side from the middle position in the vehicle width direction Y in a plan view in the state where the mirror is in the mirror use position PI.

[0109] According to the above-described arrangement, the thickness of the mirror main body portion 11 in the vehicle front-rear direction X is smaller toward the inner side end portion 11a of the vehicle width direction Y from the middle position in the vehicle width direction Y in the state where the mirror is in the mirror use position PI, and thus the inner side surface lib of the mirror main body portion 11 no longer obstructs the field of view when viewed from the cabin. In this way, it is possible to maximize the visibility when viewed from the cabin, and further improve the visibility.

[0110] (Modified example)

[0111] (A)

[0112] The drive unit of the present invention only needs to be able to move the rearview mirror body 11 and the mirror base 12 between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2. It is not limited to the electric rotation unit described above, but can also be other drive units. For example, the drive unit of the present invention can also be a unit driven by other driving forces such as hydraulic pressure or air pressure.

[0113] (B)

[0114] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rearview mirror body 11 and mirror base 12 are rotated around the rotation pivot 24 to move between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2. However, other movements besides rotation can also be made, such as a combination of rotation and linear movement between the rearview mirror body 11 and mirror base 12, thereby achieving the movement between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2.

[0115] (C)

[0116] In this embodiment, the mirror mount 12, as part of the arm of the rearview mirror 2, is composed of a single arm, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As a variation of the present invention, such as... Figure 16 As shown, the mirror mount 12 can also have a structure with two branches (upper part 121 and lower part 122) on one side of the base end 12a. In this structure, the upper part 121 and the lower part 122 of the mirror mount 12 are connected to the rotating support shaft 24 at positions that are separated in the vertical direction Z, thereby improving the support rigidity of the rearview mirror body 11 and making the mirror mount 12 lighter.

[0117] (D)

[0118] The mirror of the present invention encompasses various methods, as long as they are used to obtain a rear view of a vehicle. For example, in addition to the optical mirror 14 in the above embodiments that reflects light from behind the vehicle to obtain a rear view, the concept of the mirror of the present invention also includes a so-called electronic mirror that has a television camera in the rearview mirror body 11 and can obtain a rear view through the television camera.

[0119] Numbering Explanation

[0120] 1. Side door

[0121] 2 rearview mirrors

[0122] 3 door panels

[0123] 11. Rearview mirror body

[0124] 11b inner surface

[0125] 12 mirror base

[0126] 12a base end portion

[0127] 12b front end portion

[0128] 13 electric rotating unit (drive unit)

[0129] 14 mirror

[0130] 21 beltline reinforcement (skeleton member)

[0131] 22 support member

[0132] 24 rotating shaft

[0133] 26 through hole

[0134] 27 cover member

[0135] 31 sleeve

[0136] 32 motor

[0137] 33 speed reducer

[0138] 34 torque limiter

[0139] 35 output shaft

[0140] 36 bearing

[0141] BL beltline

[0142] P1 mirror use position

[0143] P2 storage position

Claims

1. A rearview mirror structure on a vehicle side door, characterized in that... include: The rearview mirror body has a mirror for obtaining the rear view of the vehicle; The mirror mount has a front end fixed to the rearview mirror body and a base end away from the front end, and the base end is mounted on the side door so that the rearview mirror body and the mirror mount can move between a mirror use position and a storage position. The mirror use position is a position in which the mirror can be seen by the naked eye from the cabin, and the storage position is a position located inside the vehicle width direction of the mirror use position. A drive unit moves the rearview mirror body and the mirror mount between the mirror's use position and its storage position. Rotate the support shaft to connect with the base end of the mirror mount and support the rearview mirror body and the mirror mount so that it can freely rotate between the mirror's use position and its storage position; The drive unit is disposed in the side door; The mirror mount extends substantially parallel to the main body of the rearview mirror, the rotating support shaft extends from the base end to the inside of the side door, the drive unit is disposed on the axis of the rotating support shaft, and the rotating support shaft rotates by means of the drive unit; In a top view, when the rearview mirror body is in the mirror usage position, the inner side of the rearview mirror body facing the side door is inclined outward relative to an imaginary line perpendicular to the mirror surface and passing through the inner end of the rearview mirror body on the side door side.

2. The rearview mirror structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive unit is located inside the side door.

3. The rearview mirror structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A through hole is formed in the door panel that forms the outer side of the side door for the rotation support shaft to pass through; It also includes a cover component that covers the gap between the through hole and the rotating support shaft from the outside of the vehicle.

4. The rearview mirror structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The drive unit is fixed to the skeleton component that forms the side door frame, which is located inside the side door.

5. The rearview mirror structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The frame component is a waistline reinforcement extending along the waistline of the lower edge of the side door window in the forward and backward direction of the vehicle.

6. The rearview mirror structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The waistline reinforcement is made of extruded aluminum material.

7. The rearview mirror structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: In a top view, when the rearview mirror body is in the mirror usage position, the thickness of the rearview mirror body in the front-rear direction decreases from the middle position in the vehicle width direction toward the inner end in the vehicle width direction.

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