Rearview mirror structure

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of mirror structure, which can inhibit mirror vibration when vehicle is running, improve visibility when looking from cabin, reduce vehicle width when mirror is stored, improve aesthetic, avoid contact with external objects, comprising rearview mirror main body part (11), mirror seat (12) with front end part (12b) fixed to rearview mirror main body part (11) and base end part (12a) away from the front end part (12b), rotating shaft (24) connected with base end part (12a) and supporting rearview mirror main body part (11) and mirror seat (12) to rotate freely between mirror use position and storage position, electric rotating unit (13) for rotating rearview mirror main body part (11) and mirror seat (12) around the axis of rotating shaft (24) to move between mirror use position and storage position.Electric rotating unit (13) is arranged on side door.Rotating shaft (24) is configured to extend upward and tilt towards the inside of vehicle width direction.

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 storage 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 the mirror use position and the storage position by the rearview mirror body portion being swung around the front end portion of the mirror stand by a rotational driving force of the electric rotating unit housed in the rearview mirror body portion. The mirror use position refers to a position in which the rearview mirror body portion protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the front end portion of the mirror stand and in which the mirror can be visually observed from the cabin. The storage 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] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, the electric storage unit is housed in the interior of the rearview mirror body portion, and thus a 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 there is a problem in that the mirror vibrates more when the vehicle is running.

[0010] Further, 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 width in the front-rear direction of the vehicle) is large, and the rearview mirror body portion can obstruct visibility when viewed from the cabin.

[0011] Further, in the above-described structure, the base end portion of the mirror stand is fixed to the side door and the rearview mirror body portion is swung around the front end portion of the mirror stand, and thus if the vehicle design requires the mirror stand to be long in the width direction, the mirror stand is in a state of protruding from the outer panel even when the mirror is stored, even if the rearview mirror body portion is moved to the storage position, and thus the requirement that the width of the vehicle be reduced when the mirror is stored cannot be sufficiently satisfied.

[0012] And, even in the housed state of the rearview mirror, the rearview mirror main body portion protrudes from the side door to the vehicle width direction outer side, so it is difficult to improve the aesthetic, and the rearview mirror can contact with the object outside the vehicle.

[0013] The present application is made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a rearview mirror structure capable of suppressing mirror vibration during vehicle running, improving visibility when viewed from the cabin, reducing the vehicle width when the mirror is housed, improving the aesthetic, and avoiding contact with the object outside the vehicle.

[0014] Technical means for solving the technical problem

[0015] The rearview mirror structure of the present application is a rearview mirror structure on a side door of a vehicle provided with an outer panel, characterized by comprising: a rearview mirror main body portion having a mirror for obtaining a rear field of view of the vehicle; a mirror base having a front end portion fixed to the rearview mirror main body portion, and a base end portion distanced from the front end portion; a rotation support shaft connected to the base end portion of the mirror base, supporting the rearview mirror main body portion and the mirror base so as to be revolvable between a mirror use position and a housed position, wherein the mirror use position refers to a position where the mirror can be visually observed from the cabin, and the housed position refers to a position located on the vehicle width direction inner side of the mirror use position; and an electric rotation unit rotating the rearview mirror main body portion and the mirror base around the axis of the rotation support shaft so as to move between the mirror use position and the housed position, wherein the electric rotation unit is provided to the side door, and the rotation support shaft is configured to be inclined toward the vehicle width direction inner side as it extends upward.

[0016] According to the above technical solution, the heavy electric rotation unit is provided to the side door, so the moment in the up-down direction generated in the rearview mirror due to input from the road surface (i.e., vibration or external force in the up-down direction mainly caused by road surface unevenness) during vehicle running is reduced, and mirror vibration can be suppressed.

[0017] And, since the electric rotation unit is provided to the side door, compared with the rearview mirror structure in which the electric rotation unit is housed in the rearview mirror main body portion in the past, the front-rear width of the rearview mirror main body portion can be reduced, and the visibility when viewed from the cabin can be improved.

[0018] Further, in the above technical solution, in the rearview mirror structure including the rearview mirror main body portion having a mirror, and the mirror base having the rearview mirror main body portion fixed to the front end portion, the electric rotation unit moves the mirror base together with the rearview mirror main body portion from the mirror use position to the housed position. Therefore, in the state where the rearview mirror main body portion and the mirror base are moved to the housed position, the protruding amount of the rearview mirror main body portion and the mirror base from the side door to the vehicle width direction can be reduced, so the vehicle width dimension can be minimized.

[0019] Also, in the above structure, the rotation shaft is inclined more toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction as it extends upward, so that the mirror body portion can be stored while being inclined toward the surface of the outer panel of the side door and without contacting the outer panel when the mirror body portion is in the stored position. Thus, the vehicle appearance in the mirror stored state is improved, and contact of the mirror in the stored state with an object outside the vehicle is prevented.

[0020] In the above mirror structure, it is preferable that the electric rotation unit be provided in the side door. Thus, the electric rotation unit can be protected from foreign matter and the like outside the vehicle by the outer side surface of the side door.

[0021] In the above mirror structure, it is preferable that the outer panel have a through-hole through which the rotation shaft passes, and further have a cover member that covers a gap between the through-hole and the rotation shaft from the outside of the vehicle.

[0022] According to the above technical solution, the cover member covers the gap between the through-hole of the outer panel and the rotation shaft from the outside of the vehicle, so that the vehicle appearance is improved, and water is prevented from entering the outer panel through the gap.

[0023] In the above mirror structure, it is preferable that the electric rotation unit be fixed to the side door by a support member, and the electric rotation unit be fixed to a beltline reinforcement extending in the vehicle front-rear direction along a beltline of a lower end edge of a window of the side door via the support member.

[0024] According to the above technical solution, the electric rotation unit is fixed to the beltline reinforcement that constitutes a skeleton of the side door, so that the support rigidity of the electric rotation unit is improved.

[0025] In the above mirror structure, it is preferable that the rotation shaft be inclined more toward the front of the vehicle as it extends upward.

[0026] According to the above technical solution, the rotation shaft is inclined not only toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction but also more toward the front of the vehicle as it extends upward. Thus, the mirror body portion can be stored while being inclined toward the upper side of the outer panel of the side door and toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the mirror body portion does not contact the outer panel. Thus, the vehicle appearance in the mirror stored state is further improved, and contact of the mirror in the stored state with an object outside the vehicle is further prevented.

[0027] In the above mirror structure, it is preferable that the side door further include a door glass provided on the upper side of the outer panel, and the door glass be inclined more toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction as it extends upward.

[0028] According to the above technical solution, the door glass is configured to tilt inwards towards the width of the vehicle as it extends upwards. Therefore, when the main body of the rearview mirror is in the retracted position, the main body of the rearview mirror tilts towards the door glass, making the main body of the rearview mirror parallel or nearly parallel to the door glass. Thus, the aesthetics of the vehicle in the retracted rearview mirror position are further improved.

[0029] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, preferably the rotating support shaft is fixed to the base end of the mirror mount, and after being subjected to the rotational driving force from the electric rotating unit, it can rotate together with the mirror mount around the axis of the rotating support shaft.

[0030] According to the above technical solution, the rotating support shaft can be rotated by an electric rotating unit, thereby allowing the rearview mirror body and mirror mount to move between the mirror's usage position and its storage position while rotating around the rotating support shaft. Therefore, the movement of the rearview mirror body and mirror mount between the mirror's usage position and its storage position can be achieved through a simple structure.

[0031] Invention Effects

[0032] The rearview mirror structure of this invention can suppress mirror vibration during vehicle movement and improve visibility from the cabin. Furthermore, it reduces the vehicle's width when the mirror is stowed, improving aesthetics and preventing contact with objects outside the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the overall structure of the side door, which has a rearview mirror with the rearview mirror structure described in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 To see from the cockpit Figure 1 The image shown in the rearview mirror;

[0035] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A top view of the rearview mirror in its intended position for use.

[0036] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A top view of the rearview mirror in its stowed position;

[0037] Figure 5 To see from the front of the vehicle Figure 1 A diagram showing the rearview mirror in its designated position for use.

[0038] Figure 6 To see from the front of the vehicle Figure 1 A diagram showing the rearview mirror in its stowed position;

[0039] Figure 7 for Figure 1Fig. 1 is a view showing the state in which the outer panel of the side door is removed to expose the beltline reinforcement inside the side door;

[0040] Figure 8 Fig. 1 is a view showing the state in which the outer panel of the side door is removed to expose the beltline reinforcement inside the side door; Figure 7 Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the state in which the center mirror and the electric rotating unit are fixed to the beltline reinforcement;

[0041] Figure 9 Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the state in which the center mirror and the electric rotating unit are fixed to the beltline reinforcement; Figure 8 Fig. 3 is a view showing the state in which the cover member is added to the X-X line cross-sectional view of Fig. 1;

[0042] Figure 10 Fig. 3 is a view showing the state in which the cover member is added to the X-X line cross-sectional view of Fig. 1; Figure 8 Fig. 4 is an X-X line cross-sectional view of Fig. 1;

[0043] Figure 11 Fig. 4 is an X-X line cross-sectional view of Fig. 1; Figure 8 Fig. 5 is an XI-XI line cross-sectional view of Fig. 1;

[0044] Figure 12 Fig. 5 is an XI-XI line cross-sectional view of Fig. 1; Figure 8 Fig. 6 is a view showing the state in which the cover member is added to the XII-XII line cross-sectional view of Fig. 1;

[0045] Figure 13 Fig. 6 is a view showing the state in which the cover member is added to the XII-XII line cross-sectional view of Fig. 1; Figure 3 Fig. 7 is an explanatory view of the state in which the inner side surface of the mirror main body portion is inclined outward of the vehicle with respect to an imaginary line orthogonal to the surface of the mirror in the rearview mirror in the mirror use position of Fig. 1;

[0046] Figure 14 Fig. 7 is an explanatory view of the state in which the inner side surface of the mirror main body portion is inclined outward of the vehicle with respect to an imaginary line orthogonal to the surface of the mirror in the rearview mirror in the mirror use position of Fig. 1; Figure 3 Fig. 8 is an explanatory view of the state in which the inner side surface of the mirror main body portion is not visible from the cabin in the rearview mirror in the mirror use position of Fig. 1, and thus the visibility when viewed from the cabin is improved;

[0047] Figure 15 Fig. 8 is an explanatory view of the state in which the inner side surface of the mirror main body portion is not visible from the cabin in the rearview mirror in the mirror use position of Fig. 1, and thus the visibility when viewed from the cabin is improved;

[0048] Figure 16 Fig. 9 is a view of the state in which the rearview mirror of Fig. 1 is in the stowed position, and is an explanatory view showing that the rearview mirror main body portion is inclined inward of the vehicle due to the rotation shaft, and thus the rearview mirror main body portion is inclined outward of the vehicle due to the rotation shaft; Figure 1

[0049] Fig. 9 is a view of the state in which the rearview mirror of Fig. 1 is in the stowed position, and is an explanatory view showing that the rearview mirror main body portion is inclined inward of the vehicle due to the rotation shaft, and thus the rearview mirror main body portion is inclined outward of the vehicle due to the rotation shaft; Figure 17

[0050] Fig. 10 is an explanatory view of the state in which the rearview mirror main body portion is in contact with the outer panel in the stowed position in the case where the rotation shaft is not inclined but is upright, and thus the rearview mirror main body portion cannot be inclined outward of the vehicle, and thus an explanatory view is shown; Figure 18Explanatory diagram to illustrate the technical solution of the rearview mirror structure according to a modified example of the present invention, in which the rotating support shaft is not only tilted inward but also tilted forward.

[0051] Figure 19 for Figure 18 The diagram illustrates how the central pivot axis tilts inward and forward, causing the main body of the rearview mirror to lean towards the outer panel while simultaneously moving closer to it. Detailed Implementation

[0052] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figures 1-2 A side door 1 of a vehicle in which the rearview mirror structure of the present invention is shown. In this side door 1, a rearview mirror 2 is disposed on the rear side of the A pillar 4 near the waistline BL at the upper end 3a of the outer panel 3. The door opening 5 formed by the A pillar 4 and the waistline BL is provided with a door glass 6.

[0054] In this side door 1, such as Figure 16 As shown, the door opening 5 is located on the upper Z1 side of the outer panel 3 and on the inner Y1 side in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, on the upper side of the outer panel 3, the door glass 6 is configured to slope towards the inner Y1 side in the vehicle width direction as it extends upward Z1.

[0055] like Figures 1-7 As shown, the rearview mirror structure in the side door 1 of the vehicle according to this embodiment is a structure in which an electrically retractable rearview mirror 2 is installed in the side door 1. Specifically, the main parts of the rearview mirror structure include: a rearview mirror body 11 and a mirror base 12, which constitute the rearview mirror 2; and an electrically rotating unit 13 for moving the rearview mirror body 11 and the mirror base 12. The electrically rotating unit 13 is disposed inside the side door 1.

[0056] Furthermore, the rearview mirror structure of this embodiment also includes: a rotating support shaft 24 (see reference). Figures 11-12 The rearview mirror body 11 and the mirror base 12 are supported and allowed to rotate freely; the waistline reinforcement 21 serves as the skeleton component inside the side door 1; the support component 22 fixes the electric rotating unit 13 to the waistline reinforcement 21; and the cover component 27 is located on the outside of the side door 1.

[0057] The following sections will explain each component of the rearview mirror structure.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, the rearview mirror body 11 includes: a mirror 14 for obtaining a rear view of the vehicle; and a housing 15. The mirror 14 is an optical mirror that reflects light and is mounted on the rear side of the housing 15 (specifically, on the side where the mirror is located). Figure 3the mirror 14 toward the rear side (the surface of the mirror 14 in the mirror use position P1 faces the rear side). Further, the housing 15 of the mirror body portion 11 accommodates therein an internal mechanism 37 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 defrosting unit of the mirror 14 (refer to Figure 12 ).

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

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

[0061] The base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12 is attached to the side door 1, and enables the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 to move between a mirror use position P1 at which the mirror 14 can be visually observed from the inside of the cabin through the door opening portion 5 and a housing position P2 located inward of the mirror use position P1 in the vehicle width direction Y.

[0062] In the present embodiment, Figures 9-12 , a rotation support shaft 24 is connected to the base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12, and the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 are supported by the rotation support shaft 24 so as to be freely revolvable between the mirror use position P1 (refer to Figure 3 and Figure 5 ) and the housing position P2 (refer to Figure 4 and Figure 6 ).

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

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

[0065] The electric rotation unit 13 has a structure that enables the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 to move between the mirror use position P1 and the housing position P2. Specifically, as shown in Figure 12As shown, the electric rotation unit 13 includes a sleeve 31, a motor 32, a reducer 33 for reducing the torque generated by the motor 32, a torque limiter 34, and an output shaft 35 for outputting rotational driving force. The sleeve 31 houses the motor 32, reducer 33, torque limiter 34, and output shaft 35. Furthermore, the sleeve 31 also houses a rotating support shaft 24 and a bearing 36 that supports the rotating support shaft 24 to allow it to rotate freely. Therefore, the main components of the electric rotation unit 13—the motor 32, reducer 33, torque limiter 34, and output shaft 35—are arranged on the axis of the rotating support shaft 24. The output shaft 35 is connected to the rotating support shaft 24 and can rotate integrally with it.

[0066] Furthermore, when the motor 32 is working, if the rotating support shaft 24 generates excessive torque, the torque limiter 34 can block the transmission of torque, thereby suppressing the load on the motor 32.

[0067] The preferred bearing 36 is a ball bearing or roller bearing that supports the rotating shaft 24 with relatively low rotational resistance.

[0068] The electric rotation unit 13 is fixed to the waistline reinforcement member 21 via the support member 22. In this embodiment, as... Figures 9-10 As shown, the electric rotation unit 13 is fixed to the waistline reinforcement 21 in a state where it extends upward Z1 and tilts towards the inner side Y1 in the vehicle width direction. Consequently, the rotation support shaft 24, which extends on the same axis as the electric rotation unit 13, is also configured to tilt towards the inner side Y1 in the vehicle width direction as it extends upward Z1.

[0069] The waistline reinforcement 21 is located inside the side door 1 and is a skeletal component constituting the frame of the side door 1. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the waistline reinforcement 21 is fixed to the interior door panel 7 inside the side door 1 (see reference). Figure 7 and Figure 12 Furthermore, the waistline BL extends in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X along the lower edge of the side door 1 window (i.e., the lower edge of the door opening 5 where the door glass 6 is located). In this embodiment, the waistline reinforcement 21 is made of extruded aluminum material.

[0070] Specifically, such as Figures 8-12 As shown, the support member 22 includes a semi-cylindrical mounting portion 22a and a pair of fixing portions 22b located on both sides of the mounting portion 22a in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X. The mounting portion 22a is used to mount the sleeve 31, which houses the electric rotating unit 13 and the rotating support shaft 24. The pair of fixing portions 22b are fastened to the waistline reinforcement member 21 by bolts 28.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, such as Figures 9-12As shown, 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 adjustment unit, etc.) inside the mirror main body portion 11.

[0072] Specifically, as shown in Figures 11-12 the waistline reinforcement 21 is formed with a first opening 21a at a position opposite the seating portion 22a of the support member 22. Further, the sleeve 31 of the electric rotary unit 13 is formed with a second opening 31a at a position opposite the above-mentioned first opening 21a. Further, the rotary shaft 24 of the present embodiment is a hollow cylindrical shape, and a third opening 24a is formed in the circumferential surface thereof at a position opposite the above-mentioned second opening 31a. Thus, the wire harness 25 extends from the inside of the side door 1 through the first opening 21a of the waistline reinforcement 21, the second opening 31a of the sleeve 31, and the third opening 24a of the rotary shaft 24 to the inside of the rotary shaft 24 (see Figure 11 the portion 25a of the wire harness 25 extending upward inside the rotary shaft 24). Further, the wire harness 25 extends through the inside of the rotary 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 seating portion 22a of the support member 22 is a semi-cylindrical shape, and thus the sleeve 31 can be inserted into the seating portion 22a of the support member from above without the wire harness 25 interfering with the seating portion 22a even in the laid state as described above.

[0074] The cover member 27 covers the gap between the penetration hole 26 and the rotary shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle. Specifically, as shown in Figures 9-12 the sleeve 31 of the electric rotary unit 13 in which the rotary shaft 24 is accommodated and the seating portion 22a of the support member 22 covering the sleeve 31 are exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the penetration hole 26 of the outer panel 3. The cover member 27 covers the sleeve 31 in which the rotary shaft 24 is accommodated from the outside of the vehicle and the seating portion 22a from the outside of the penetration hole 26 and the seating portion 22a on the lower side of the base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12.

[0075] Further, as shown in Figure 13As shown, in order to improve the visibility when viewed from the cabin, the rearview mirror main body 11 of the present embodiment is inclined outward of the vehicle in the inner side surface 1 lb of the rearview mirror main body 11 toward the side door 1 side in a plan view when the mirror is in the mirror use position PI, that is, inclined in a direction away from the side door 1. That is, the inner side surface 1 lb of the rearview mirror main body 11 extends from the inner side end 1 la of the rearview mirror main body 11 as a starting point in a line L2 inclined outward of the vehicle. In other words, the inner side surface 1 lb of the rearview mirror main body 11 is inclined outward of the vehicle in a plan view when the mirror is in the mirror use position PI. Figure 13 As shown, the rearview mirror main body 11 is tapered in the thickness in the front-rear direction X of the rearview mirror main body 11 becomes smaller as it goes from the middle position in the vehicle width direction Y of the rearview mirror main body 11 toward the inner side end 1 la of the side door 1 side in the vehicle width direction Y when the mirror is in the mirror use position PI in a plan view.

[0076] By the shape of the rearview mirror main body 11 as above, as Figure 14 As shown, the inner side surface 1 lb of the rearview mirror main body 11 no longer obstructs the field of view when viewed from the cabin. Thus, the space SI in front of the rearview mirror main body 11, that is, the space SI surrounded by the inner side end 1 la of the rearview mirror main body 11, the A-pillar 4, and the beltline BL, has a wide field of view, and the visibility is improved.

[0077] In addition, as a reference, in a comparative example of the present application, as Figure 15 As shown, in the rearview mirror 50 in which the electric rotating unit (not shown) is housed in the rearview mirror main body 51, the front-rear width of the rearview mirror main body 51 is large, and thus the inner side surface 51b of the rearview mirror main body 51 appears in the field of view when viewed from the cabin as the front-rear width increases. Thus, the field of view in the space S2 in front of the rearview mirror main body 51, that is, the space S2 surrounded by the inner side end 51a of the rearview mirror main body 51, the A-pillar 4, and the beltline BL, is narrow, and the visibility is reduced.

[0078] (Features of the Present Embodiment) (1)

[0080] As Figures 1-10The rearview mirror structure of the present embodiment is a rearview mirror structure for a side door 1 of a vehicle provided with an outer panel 3. The rearview mirror structure includes a mirror 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 body portion 11 and a base end portion 12a distanced from the front end portion 12b; a rotation shaft 24 connected to the base end portion 12a of the mirror housing 12, supporting the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror housing 12 so as to be freely revolved between a mirror use position P1 at which the mirror 14 is visually observed from a cabin through a door opening portion 5 and a storage position P2 at which the mirror use position P1 is located on an inner side Y1 in a vehicle width direction; and an electric rotation unit 13 rotating the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror housing 12 about an axis of the rotation shaft 24 so as to move between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2.

[0081] As shown in Figures 7-12 , the electric rotation unit 13 is provided to the side door 1. As shown in Figures 9-10 and Figure 16 , the rotation shaft 24 is configured to be inclined toward the inner side Y1 in the vehicle width direction as it extends upward Z1.

[0082] According to the above technical solution, the heavy electric rotation unit 13 is provided to the side door 1, so that a moment in the up-down direction generated in the rearview mirror due to input from the road surface (i.e., vibration or external force in the up-down direction mainly caused by road surface unevenness) when the vehicle is running is reduced, and mirror vibration can be suppressed.

[0083] Furthermore, since the electric rotation unit 13 is provided to the side door 1, compared with a rearview mirror structure in which the electric rotation unit 13 is housed in the mirror body portion 11, the front-rear width of the mirror body portion 11 can be reduced, and visibility when viewed from the cabin can be improved.

[0084] In addition, in the above technical solution, in the rearview mirror structure including the mirror body portion 11 having the mirror 14, the mirror housing 12 having the mirror body portion 11 fixed to the front end portion 12b, the electric rotation unit 13 moves the mirror housing 12 together with the mirror body portion 11 from the mirror use position P1 to the storage position P2. Therefore, in a state in which the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror housing 12 are moved to the storage position P2, the protruding amount of the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror housing 12 protruding from the side surface of the side door 1 toward the vehicle width direction Y can be reduced, and thus the vehicle width dimension can be minimized.

[0085] Furthermore, in the above structure, as shown in Figures 9-10 and Figure 16 , the rotation shaft 24 is configured to be inclined toward the inner side Y1 in the vehicle width direction as it extends upward Z1. Therefore, as shown in Figure 16As shown, the mirror body portion 11 can be stored while being inclined toward the surface of the outer panel 3 and approaching the outer panel 3, and the mirror body portion 11 does not contact the outer panel 3. In the stored state, the face 11d of the mirror body portion 11 toward the vehicle width direction outer side Y2 can be further retreated toward the vehicle width direction inner side Yl. In this way, the vehicle appearance in the mirror stored state is improved, and contact of the mirror 2 with an external object in the stored state can be avoided.

[0086] In addition, for comparison with the above Figure 16 Figure 17 In the comparative example of the mirror structure shown in the present embodiment, the mirror body portion 11 is stored in the stored position P2 while the rotation shaft 24 is not inclined toward the vehicle width direction inner side Yl (not inwardly inclined) but is upright. In the comparative example of the mirror structure Figure 17 In the comparative example of the mirror structure shown in the present embodiment, the mirror body portion 11 is stored in the stored position P2 while the rotation shaft 24 is not inclined toward the vehicle width direction inner side Yl (not inwardly inclined) but is upright. In the comparative example of the mirror structure Figure 16 In the comparative example of the mirror structure shown in the present embodiment, the mirror body portion 11 is stored in the stored position P2 while the rotation shaft 24 is not inclined toward the vehicle width direction inner side Yl (not inwardly inclined) but is upright. In the comparative example of the mirror structure Figure 17 In the comparative example of the mirror structure shown in the present embodiment, the mirror body portion 11 is stored in the stored position P2 while the rotation shaft 24 is not inclined toward the vehicle width direction inner side Yl (not inwardly inclined) but is upright. In the comparative example of the mirror structure (2)

[0088] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, the electric rotation unit 13 is provided in the side door 1, and thus the electric rotation unit 13 can be protected from foreign matters and the like outside the vehicle by the outer panel 3 constituting the outer side surface of the side door 1. Alternatively, the electric rotation unit 13 can be provided outside the side door 1, but in this case, a large cover member or the like is required to protect the electric rotation unit 13. (3)

[0090] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, the outer panel 3 constituting the outer side surface of the side door 1 is provided with a through-hole 26 through which the rotation shaft 24 passes. The mirror structure is further provided with a cover member 27 covering a gap between the through-hole 26 and the rotation shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle.

[0091] According to the above technical solution, the cover member 27 covers the gap between the through-hole 26 of the outer panel 3 and the rotation shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle, and thus the vehicle appearance is improved, and water can be prevented from entering the outer panel 3 through the gap. (4)​

[0093] The rearview mirror structure of this embodiment also includes a support member 22 for fixing the electric rotating unit 13 to the side door 1. The electric rotating unit 13 is fixed to the frame member, namely the waistline reinforcement member 21, which is located inside the side door 1 and constitutes the frame of the side door 1, via the support member 22.

[0094] According to the above technical solution, the electric rotating unit 13 is fixed to the waistline reinforcement member, which is a skeleton member constituting the side door 1 frame, thereby improving the support rigidity of the electric rotating unit 13. Furthermore, by fixing the electric rotating unit 13 to the waistline reinforcement member 21, which is commonly used in conventional door structures, the aforementioned rearview mirror structure can be widely applied to conventional door structures. (5)

[0096] In the rearview mirror structure of this embodiment, the waistline reinforcement 21 is made of extruded aluminum. According to the above technical solution, the waistline reinforcement 21 is made of extruded aluminum, thus ensuring the supporting rigidity of the electric rotation unit 13 while simultaneously achieving vehicle weight reduction. (6)

[0098] In the rearview mirror structure of this embodiment, such as Figure 16 As shown, the side door 1 also includes a door glass 6 disposed on the upper Z1 of the outer panel 3. The door glass 6 is configured to slope inward toward the vehicle width direction Y1 as it extends upward Z1.

[0099] According to the above technical solution, since the door glass 6 is tilted towards the inside Y1 of the vehicle width direction as it goes up Z1, when the rearview mirror body 11 is in the storage position P2, the rearview mirror body 11 tilts towards the door glass 6, so that the rearview mirror body 11 is configured to be parallel or nearly parallel to the door glass 6, thus further improving the vehicle's aesthetics in the storage state. (7)

[0101] In the rearview mirror structure of this embodiment, the rotating support shaft 24 is fixed to the base end 12a of the mirror base 12. After being driven by the rotational force from the electric rotating unit 13, it can rotate together with the mirror base 12 around the axis of the rotating support shaft 24.

[0102] According to the above technical solution, the rotating support shaft 24 can be rotated by the electric rotating unit 13, thereby allowing the rearview mirror body 11 and mirror base 12 to move between the mirror usage position P1 and the storage position P2 while rotating around the rotating support shaft 24 as the center of rotation. Therefore, the movement of the rearview mirror body 11 and mirror base 12 between the mirror usage position P1 and the storage position P2 can be achieved with a simple structure. (8)

[0104] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, the electric rotating unit 13 (specifically, the main components, i.e., the motor 32, the speed reducer 33, the torque limiter 34, and the output shaft 35) is disposed on the axis of the rotating support shaft 24.

[0105] According to the above-described technical solution, the electric rotating unit 13 is disposed on the axis of the rotating support shaft 24, so that the power transmission system structure for transmitting power from the electric rotating unit 13 to the rotating support shaft 24 is simple and compact. Thus, the electric rotating unit 13 can be disposed in the limited space in the side door 1. (9)

[0107] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 13 , in the state where the mirror main body portion 11 is located at the mirror use position PI, the inner side surface lib of the mirror main body portion 11 is inclined outward of the vehicle in a top view with respect to an imaginary line LI orthogonal to the surface of the mirror 14 and passing through the inner side end portion 11a of the mirror main body portion 11.

[0108] In the above-described technical solution, in the state where the mirror main body portion 11 is located at the mirror use position PI, 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 surface of the mirror, so that the inner side surface lib of the mirror main body portion 11 no longer blocks the field of view when viewed from the cabin. In this way, the visibility when viewed from the cabin can be maximally ensured, and the visibility is further improved. (10)

[0110] As shown in Figure 13 , in the mirror structure of the present embodiment, in the state where the mirror main body portion 11 is located at the mirror use position PI, in a top view, the thickness of the mirror main body portion 11 in the front-rear direction X decreases as it goes from the middle position in the vehicle width direction Y to the inner side end portion 11a on the side of the side door 1 in the vehicle width direction Y.

[0111] In the above-described technical solution, in the state where the mirror main body portion 11 is located at the mirror use position PI, the thickness of the mirror main body portion 11 in the front-rear direction X decreases as it goes from the middle position in the vehicle width direction Y to the inner side end portion 11a in the vehicle width direction Y, so that the inner side surface lib of the mirror main body portion 11 no longer blocks the field of view when viewed from the cabin. In this way, the visibility when viewed from the cabin can be maximally ensured, and the visibility is further improved.

[0112] (Variation)

[0113] (A)

[0114] In the mirror structure of the above embodiment, the rotation shaft 24 is inclined only to the inner side Y1 in the vehicle width direction (inwardly inclined), and is not inclined to the front and rear direction X of the vehicle, but the present application is not limited to this. As a modification of the present application, in order to make the mirror main body 11 approach the door opening 5 and be further housed, as shown in Figure 18 , the rotation shaft 24 can be designed to be inclined not only to the inner side Y1 in the vehicle width direction, but also to be inclined to the front direction X1 of the vehicle as it extends upward Z1.

[0115] Figures 18-19 In the modification shown in , the electric rotation unit 13 is fixed to the beltline reinforcement 21 in a state of being inclined to the front direction X1 of the vehicle as it extends upward Z1. Thus, the rotation shaft 24, which extends on the same axis as the electric rotation unit 13, is also configured to be inclined to the front direction X1 of the vehicle as it extends upward Z1.

[0116] Figure 19 In the technical solution of the modification shown in Figure 12 , the rotation shaft 24 is configured to be inclined not only to the inner side Y1 in the vehicle width direction, but also to be inclined to the front direction X1 of the vehicle as it extends upward Z1. Thus, as shown in , in a state where the mirror main body 11 is located at the housing position P2, the mirror main body 11 can be distanced upward Z1 from the outer panel 3 of the side door 1, thereby ensuring the gap δ between the mirror main body 11 and the outer panel 3. Therefore, the mirror main body 11 can be housed in a state of approaching the upper side Z1 and the inner side Y1 (specifically, the door opening 5) of the outer panel 3 of the side door 1 in a state where the mirror main body 11 is located at the housing position P2, and the mirror main body 11 will not contact the outer panel 3. In this way, the vehicle aesthetics in the mirror housing state is further improved, and the contact between the mirror 2 in the housing state and the external object of the vehicle can be further avoided.

[0117] (B)

[0118] ​ In the above embodiment, the rotation shaft 24 is fixed to the base end portion 12a of the mirror holder 12, and can rotate with the mirror holder 12 around the axis S of the rotation shaft 24 (see ) under the rotational driving force from the electric rotation unit 13, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. The present application is designed such that the rotation shaft 24 is connected to the base end portion 12a of the mirror holder 12, and the electric rotation unit 13 rotates the mirror main body 11 and the mirror holder 12 around the axis S of the rotation shaft 24. Therefore, a modification of the present application can be designed such that the rotation shaft 24 is a non-rotating shaft, the base end portion 12a of the mirror holder 12 is mounted to the rotation shaft 24 and relatively rotatable with respect to the rotation shaft 24, and the electric rotation unit 13 directly rotates the mirror holder 12 without passing through the rotation shaft 24.

[0119] (C)

[0120] The mirror of the present application includes various methods as long as it is used for obtaining the rear field of view of the vehicle. For example, in addition to the optical mirror 14 which obtains the rear field of view by reflecting light from the rear of the vehicle as in the above-described embodiment, the concept of the mirror of the present application also includes a so-called electronic mirror in which the rearview mirror main body 11 has a television camera and the rear field of view can be obtained using the television camera.

[0121] Number Explanation

[0122] 1 side door

[0123] 2 rearview mirror

[0124] 3 outer panel

[0125] 5 door opening portion

[0126] 11 rearview mirror main body

[0127] 11b inner side surface

[0128] 12 mirror housing

[0129] 12a base end portion

[0130] 12b front end portion

[0131] 13 electric rotating unit

[0132] 14 mirror

[0133] 21 beltline reinforcement

[0134] 22 support member

[0135] 24 rotating shaft

[0136] 26 through hole

[0137] 27 cover member

[0138] 31 sleeve

[0139] 32 motor

[0140] 33 speed reducer

[0141] 34 torque limiter

[0142] 35 output shaft

[0143] 36 bearing

[0144] BL beltline

[0145] P1 mirror use position

[0146] P2 storage position

Claims

1. A rearview mirror structure which is a rearview mirror structure on a side door of a vehicle provided with an outer panel, characterized by An outside mirror structure for a vehicle having a side door, comprising: an outside 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 outside mirror main body portion and a base end portion distanced from the front end portion; a rotation support shaft connected to the base end portion of the mirror housing and supporting the outside mirror main body portion and the mirror housing so as to be pivotable between a mirror use position in which the mirror is visible from inside the vehicle cabin and a storage position located inward in a vehicle width direction from the mirror use position; an electric rotation unit that rotates the outside mirror main body portion and the mirror housing about an axis of the rotation support shaft so as to move them between the mirror use position and the storage position; wherein the electric rotation unit is disposed inside the side door, and an output shaft of the electric rotation unit is coaxially connected to the rotation support shaft inside the side door; the rotation support shaft is configured to be inclined more toward the inward side in the vehicle width direction as it extends upward and to be inclined more toward the front of the vehicle as it extends upward, and an inner surface of the outside mirror main body portion toward the side door side is inclined outward in a top view when the outside mirror main body portion is in the mirror use position.

2. The outside mirror structure according to claim 1, wherein: a through hole is formed in the outer panel through which the rotation support shaft passes; a cover member covers a gap between the through hole and the rotation support shaft from the outside of the vehicle.

3. The outside mirror structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a support member that fixes the electric rotation unit to the side door; the electric rotation unit is fixed to a beltline reinforcement extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along a beltline of the lower end of the window of the side door via the support member.

4. The outside mirror structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the side door further includes a door glass disposed on an upper side of the outer panel; the door glass is configured to be inclined more toward the inward side in the vehicle width direction as it extends upward.

5. The outside mirror structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: the rotation support shaft is fixed to the base end portion of the mirror housing and is rotatable about the axis of the rotation support shaft together with the mirror housing when a rotational driving force is applied from the electric rotation unit.

Images