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 front of the vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0002] In the past, as described in Patent Literature 1, 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.

[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 the up-down direction.

[0004] The rearview mirror body portion is moved between the mirror use position and the storage position by the rotational driving force of the electric rotating unit housed in the interior thereof and by the swiveling of the front end portion of the mirror stand. The mirror use position refers to a position in which the rearview mirror body portion protrudes from the front end portion of the mirror stand to the outside in the vehicle width direction 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: Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-179680. SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, the electric storage 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 an increase in mirror vibration during vehicle travel arises.

[0009] Furthermore, because 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.

[0010] Also, 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 swivels through 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 rearview mirror body portion is moved to the storage position upon storage of the mirror, and thus the requirement for a reduction in the width of the vehicle upon storage of the mirror cannot be sufficiently satisfied.

[0011] And, even in the stowed state of the mirror, the mirror body portion protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the side door, so it is difficult to improve the aesthetic appearance, and the mirror can come into contact with an object outside the vehicle.

[0012] The present application was made in view of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a mirror structure which can suppress mirror vibration during vehicle travel, improve visibility when viewed from the cabin, reduce the vehicle width when the mirror is stowed, improve the aesthetic appearance, and avoid contact with an object outside the vehicle.

[0013] Technical means for solving the technical problem

[0014] The mirror structure of the present application is a mirror structure for a side door of a vehicle having an outer panel, characterized by comprising: a mirror 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 mirror body portion, and a base end portion distanced from the front end portion; a rotation shaft connected to the base end portion of the mirror base, supporting the mirror body portion and the mirror base so as to be revolvable between a mirror use position and a stowed position, wherein the mirror use position is a position in which the mirror can be visually observed from the cabin, and the stowed position is a position located inward in the vehicle width direction from the mirror use position; and an electric rotation unit which rotates the mirror body portion and the mirror base about an axis of the rotation shaft so as to move between the mirror use position and the stowed position, wherein the electric rotation unit is provided to the side door, and the rotation shaft is configured to be inclined toward the front of the vehicle as it extends upward.

[0015] 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 that is generated in the 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.

[0016] Further, since the electric rotation unit is provided to the side door, the front-rear width of the mirror body portion can be reduced compared to a mirror structure in which the electric rotation unit is housed in the mirror body portion, and visibility when viewed from the cabin can be improved.

[0017] In addition, in the above technical solution, in a mirror structure including a mirror body portion having a mirror, and a mirror base having the mirror body portion fixed to a front end portion, an electric rotation unit moves the mirror base together with the mirror body portion from a mirror use position to a stowed position. Therefore, in a state in which the mirror body portion and the mirror base are moved to the stowed position, the protruding amount of the mirror body portion and the mirror base from the side door in the vehicle width direction can be reduced, so the vehicle width dimension can be minimized.

[0018] Furthermore, in the aforementioned structure, the rotating support shaft is configured to tilt towards the front of the vehicle as it extends upwards. Therefore, with the rearview mirror body in its retracted position, it can be stored close to the upper side of the outer panel of the side door and inwards in the vehicle width direction, without the rearview mirror body contacting the outer panel. This improves the vehicle's aesthetics when the rearview mirror is retracted and also prevents the rearview mirror from contacting objects outside the vehicle when retracted.

[0019] In the aforementioned rearview mirror structure, the electrically driven rotating unit is preferably housed within the side door. This protects the electrically driven rotating unit from external objects by the outer surface of the side door.

[0020] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, preferably, a through hole is formed in the outer plate for the rotating support shaft to pass through, and a cover member is also provided to cover the gap between the through hole and the rotating support shaft from the outside of the vehicle.

[0021] According to the above technical solution, the cover component covers the gap between the through hole and the rotating support shaft of the outer panel from the outside of the vehicle, thus improving the vehicle's aesthetics and preventing water from seeping into the outer panel through the gap.

[0022] In the above-described rearview mirror structure, preferably, it further includes a support member for fixing the electric rotating unit to the side door, wherein the electric rotating unit is fixed by the support member to a waistline reinforcement member extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the waistline of the lower edge of the window of the side door.

[0023] According to the above technical solution, the electric rotation unit is fixed to the waistline reinforcement of the frame that constitutes the side door, thus improving the support rigidity of the electric rotation unit.

[0024] In the above-mentioned rearview mirror structure, preferably, the supporting member includes a front fixing part and a rear fixing part, the front fixing part and the rear fixing part are respectively fixed to the waistline reinforcement at the positions on both sides of the electric rotating unit in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and in the vehicle longitudinal direction, the width of the front fixing part is larger than the width of the rear fixing part.

[0025] When a vehicle is in motion, the load input to the rotating shaft due to the vibration of the rearview mirror body and mount is transmitted through the rotating shaft tilted (forward tilt) towards the front of the vehicle and through the two fixed parts of the support member, namely the front fixed part and the rear fixed part, to the waistline reinforcement. In particular, a large amount of load is transmitted from the forward tilting rotating shaft to the front fixed part. In the above technical solution, the width of the front fixed part is designed to be larger than the width of the rear fixed part in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, thus improving the support rigidity of the rearview mirror.

[0026] In the above-mentioned rearview mirror structure, it is preferable that the waistline reinforcement has a ridge portion extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the rotation support is configured to be inclined towards the front of the vehicle as it goes higher relative to the ridge portion.

[0027] According to the above technical solution, when the vehicle is in motion, the load on the rotating support shaft, which is tilted forward due to the vibration of the rearview mirror body and the mirror mount, includes not only the vertical component but also the longitudinal component of the vehicle. In the above technical solution, the rotating support shaft is configured to tilt further upwards towards the front of the vehicle relative to the edge portion, thus distributing the load in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle extending from the edge portion, thereby further improving the support rigidity of the rearview mirror.

[0028] In the aforementioned rearview mirror structure, it is preferable that the electric rotating unit is fixed to the position of the ridge portion via the supporting member. According to this technical solution, since the electric rotating unit is fixed to the position of the ridge portion of the waistline reinforcement, the load transmitted to the electric rotating unit during vehicle travel can be distributed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle extending from the ridge portion, further improving the supporting rigidity of the rearview mirror.

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

[0035] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top view showing the rearview mirror in its intended position for use;

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

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

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

[0039] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A diagram showing the side door with the outer panel removed, revealing the waistline reinforcement inside the side door;

[0040] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Enlarged view of the rearview mirror and its electric rotating unit fixed to the waistline reinforcement;

[0041] Figure 9 Is Figure 8 A diagram of the cover component has been added to the XX-line cross-sectional view;

[0042] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 XX-line cross-sectional diagram;

[0043] Figure 11 yes Figure 8 XI-XI line cross-sectional view;

[0044] Figure 12 Is Figure 8 A diagram of the cover component has been added to the XII-XII line cross-sectional view;

[0045] 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 surface of the mirror.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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, thereby obstructing the visibility when looking from the cockpit.

[0048] Figure 16 Looking from the front of the vehicle Figure 1 The diagram shows the rearview mirror in its stowed position, and also illustrates how the main body of the rearview mirror approaches the door opening without contacting the outer panel due to the forward tilt of the rotation pivot.

[0049] Figure 17 This is an explanatory diagram showing, as a comparative example of the present invention, that when the rotating support shaft is upright instead of tilting forward, the main body of the rearview mirror will contact the outer panel in the storage position, thus preventing it from approaching the door opening. Detailed Implementation

[0050] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figures 1-2 A side door 1 of a vehicle using 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. In this side door 1, as... Figure 16 As shown, the door opening 5 is located on the upper side Z1 of the outer panel 3 and on the inner side Y1 in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] like Figures 1-7 As shown, the rearview mirror structure in the vehicle side door 1 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] The following sections will explain each component of the rearview mirror structure.

[0055] 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 of the rear view of the vehicle). Figure 3the mirror 14 toward the rear side (the surface of the mirror 14 in the state of the mirror use position P1). 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 vertical direction Z and the lateral direction Y or a defroster unit of the mirror 14 (refer to Figure 12 ).

[0056] The mirror base 12 is a portion constituting 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12 is attached to the side door 1, and the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 are movable 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 lateral direction Y.

[0059] 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 ).

[0060] 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.

[0061] Specifically, as shown in Figures 9-12 , a through hole 26 is formed in the outer panel 3 constituting the outer side surface of the side door 1. 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 in the side door 1 through the through hole 26 of the outer panel 3.

[0062] The electric rotation unit 13 has a structure for moving the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] The preferred bearing 36 is a ball bearing or roller bearing that supports the rotating shaft 24 with relatively low rotational resistance.

[0065] The electric rotation unit 13 is fixed to the waistline reinforcement member 21 via the support member 22. In this embodiment, as... Figures 7-8 As shown, the electric rotation unit 13 is fixed to the waistline reinforcement 21 with an upward Z1 extension that is increasingly inclined toward the front X1 of the vehicle. Thus, the rotation support shaft 24 (see reference) extends on the same axis as the electric rotation unit 13. Figure 8 It is also configured such that the Z1 extends upwards and tilts towards the front of the vehicle X1.

[0066] 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.

[0067] like Figures 8-9 As shown, the waistline reinforcement 21 of this embodiment has a first ridge portion 211, a second ridge portion 212, and a third ridge portion 213 that are located on the outer side Y2 of the waistline reinforcement 21 in the vehicle width direction and extend parallel to each other in the vehicle longitudinal direction X. The first ridge portion 211 is located between the second ridge portion 212 and the third ridge portion 213, closest to the outer side Y2 in the vehicle width direction. That is, the first ridge portion 211 constitutes the ridge portion that protrudes outward the most on the surface of the waistline reinforcement 21 facing the outer side Y2 in the vehicle width direction, and is the part with the highest rigidity and the strongest resistance to impact during a side collision of the vehicle.

[0068] Further, as shown in Figure 8 the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 24 is inclined upward toward the vehicle front Xl side with respect to the first ridge line portion 211. The electric rotation unit 13 is fixed to the position of the first ridge line portion 211 by the support member 22.

[0069] Specifically, as shown in Figures 8-12 the support member 22 includes a semi-cylindrical shaped housing portion 22a, and a front side fixing portion 22bl and a rear side fixing portion 22b2 provided on both sides of the vehicle front and rear direction X of the housing portion 22a. The housing portion 22a is used to house the sleeve 31 in which the electric rotation unit 13 and the rotation shaft 24 are accommodated. The front side fixing portion 22bl and the rear side fixing portion 22b2 are fastened to the beltline reinforcement 21 by the bolts 28. Specifically, the front side fixing portion 22bl and the rear side fixing portion 22b2 are fixed to the portion 21b on the upper side of the first ridge line portion 211 and the flange portion 21c on the lower side of the first ridge line portion 211 of the outer side surface of the beltline reinforcement 21 by the bolts 28.

[0070] As shown in Figure 8 and Figure 11 in the vehicle front and rear direction X, the width Wl of the front side fixing portion 22bl is larger than the width W2 of the rear side fixing portion 22b2.

[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 (mirror surface adjustment unit, etc.) 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 rotation unit 13 is formed with a second opening 31a at a position opposite to the above-mentioned first opening 21a. Further, the rotation 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 to the above-mentioned second opening 31a. Therefore, 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 rotation shaft 24 to the inside of the rotation shaft 24 (refer to Figure 11 the portion 25a of the wire harness 25 extending upward inside the rotation shaft 24). Further, the wire harness 25 extends through the inside of the rotation 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 rearview mirror structure of the present embodiment, the housing portion 22a of the support member 22 is a semi-cylindrical shape, and thus the wire harness 25 can be inserted into the housing portion 22a of the support member from above without 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 the housing portion 22a of the support member 22 that covers the wire harness 31 of the electric rotation unit 13 that accommodates the rotation shaft 24 are exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the through-hole 26 of the outer panel 3. On the lower side of the base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12, the cover member 27 covers the wire harness 31 that accommodates the rotation shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle and the housing portion 22a from the outside, and covers the gap between the through-hole 26 and the housing portion 22a.

[0075] Further, as shown in Figure 13 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 with respect to the imaginary line L1 that is orthogonal to the surface of the mirror 14 and passes through the inner side end portion 11a of the side door 1 side in the state where the mirror is used at the mirror use position PI in the top view. That is, the inner side surface 11b of the rearview mirror main body 11 extends along the line L2 that is inclined outward of the vehicle with the inner side end portion 11a of the rearview mirror main body 11 as the starting point with respect to the imaginary line L1. In other words, Figure 13 In the state where the mirror is used at the mirror use position PI, the thickness of the rearview mirror main body 11 in the front-rear direction X decreases (tapers) toward the inner side end portion 11a of the side door 1 side from the middle position in the vehicle width direction Y of the rearview mirror main body 11 in the top view.

[0076] By the shape of the rearview mirror main body 11 as described above, as shown in Figure 14 the inner side surface 11b of the rearview mirror main body 11 no longer blocks 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 portion 11a 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] Further, as a reference, in the comparative example of the present application, as shown in Figure 15In the rearview mirror 50 shown, the rearview mirror body 51 houses an electrically rotating unit (not shown). This increases the front-to-back width of the rearview mirror body 51. Consequently, as the front-to-back width increases, the inner side 51b of the rearview mirror body 51 appears in the field of view from inside the cockpit. Therefore, the field of view in the space S2 in front of the rearview mirror body 51, i.e., the space S2 enclosed by the inner end 51a of the rearview mirror body 51, the A-pillar 4, and the waistline BL, narrows, resulting in reduced visibility.

[0078] (Features of this embodiment) (1)

[0080] like Figure 1 and Figure 16 As shown, the rearview mirror structure of this embodiment is a rearview mirror structure on a vehicle side door 1 having an outer panel 3. Figures 1-8 As shown, the rearview mirror structure includes: a rearview mirror body 11 having a mirror 14 for obtaining a rear view of the vehicle; a mirror mount 12 having a front end portion 12b fixed to the rearview mirror body 11 and a base end portion 12a away from the front end portion 12b; a rotation support shaft 24 connected to the base end portion 12a of the mirror mount 12, supporting the rearview mirror body 11 and the mirror mount 12 so that they can freely rotate between a mirror use position P1 and a storage position P2, wherein the mirror use position P1 is the position where the mirror 14 can be seen with the naked eye from the cabin, and the storage position P2 is the position located inside the vehicle width direction Y1 of the mirror use position P1; and an electric rotation unit 13 that rotates the rearview mirror body 11 and the mirror mount 12 about the axis of the rotation support shaft 24 so that they can move between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2.

[0081] like Figures 7-12 As shown, the electric rotation unit 13 is installed on the side door 1. Figure 8 As shown, the rotating support shaft 24 is configured to tilt towards the front of the vehicle X1 as it extends upwards Z1.

[0082] According to the above technical solution, the heavy electric rotating unit 13 is installed in the side door 1. Therefore, when the vehicle is driving, the torque generated in the rearview mirror in the vertical direction due to the input from the road surface (i.e., the vibration or external force caused by the unevenness of the road surface) will be reduced, which can suppress the vibration of the mirror.

[0083] Furthermore, since the electric rotation unit 13 is provided in the side door 1, compared with the conventional rearview mirror structure in which the electric rotation unit 13 is housed in the rearview mirror body 11, the front and rear width of the rearview mirror body 11 can be reduced, thereby improving visibility from the cockpit.

[0084] Further, in the above-described technical solution, in the mirror structure including the mirror body portion 11 having the mirror 14, the mirror base 12 in which the front end portion 12b is fixed with the mirror body portion 11, the electric rotation unit 13 moves the mirror base 12 together with the mirror body portion 11 from the mirror use position PI to the storage position P2. Therefore, in the state where the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 are moved to the storage position P2, the protruding amount of the mirror body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 from the side door 1 side to the vehicle width direction Y can be reduced, and thus the vehicle width dimension can be minimized.

[0085] Further, in the above-described structure, as shown in Figure 8 , the rotation support shaft 24 is configured to be tilted toward the vehicle front direction XI as extending upward Z1. Therefore, as shown in Figure 16 , in the state where the mirror body portion 11 is located at the storage position P2, the mirror body portion 11 is distanced upward Z1 from the outer panel 3 of the side door 1, and thus the gap δ between the mirror body portion 11 and the outer panel 3 can be ensured. Therefore, the mirror body portion 11 can be stored at the storage position P2 in the state of being close to the upper side Z1 of the outer panel 3 and the inner side Y1 of the vehicle width direction (the door opening portion 5 in the present embodiment), and the mirror body portion 11 will not contact the outer panel 3. In this way, the vehicle appearance in the mirror storage state can be improved, and the contact of the mirror 2 with the external object in the storage state can be avoided. In addition, the same effect can be obtained in the side door of a two-door vehicle or a convertible vehicle which does not have the door opening portion 5.

[0086] In addition, for comparison with the above-described Figure 16 , as a comparative example of the present application, a comparative example in which the rotation support shaft 24 is not tilted toward the vehicle front direction (not tilted forward) but is upright in the state where the mirror body portion 11 is located at the storage position P2 is shown in Figure 17 . In the comparative example of Figure 17 , it is known that the mirror body portion 11 is horizontally moved from the mirror use position PI to the storage position P2 at the same height, and thus the mirror body portion 11 will contact the outer panel 3 at the storage position P2, and thus it is difficult to improve the appearance in the state of being close to the upper side Z1 of the outer panel 3 and the inner side Y1 of the vehicle width direction (specifically, the door opening portion 5). (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 the external foreign matter or the like by the outer panel 3 constituting the outer side surface of the side door 1. In addition, 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 rearview mirror structure of this embodiment, a through hole 26 is formed on the outer panel 3 constituting the outer side of the side door 1 for the rotation support shaft 24 to pass through. The rearview mirror structure also includes a cover member 27 that covers the gap between the through hole 26 and the rotation support shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle.

[0091] According to the above technical solution, the cover component 27 covers the gap between the through hole 26 of the outer panel 3 and the rotating support shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle, thereby improving the vehicle's aesthetics and preventing water from seeping into 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 by the support member 22 to the skeleton member, namely the waistline reinforcement member 21, which is provided inside the side door 1 and constitutes the skeleton of the side door 1.

[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, as Figure 8 and Figure 11 As shown, the support member 22 includes a front fixing part 22b1 and a rear fixing part 22b2, which are fixed to the waistline reinforcement member 21 at positions on both sides of the electric rotating unit 13 in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. In the vehicle's longitudinal direction X, the width W1 of the front fixing part 22b1 is larger than the width W2 of the rear fixing part 22b2.

[0099] When the vehicle is in motion, the load input to the rotating support shaft 24 due to the vibration of the rearview mirror body 11 and the mirror mount 12 is transmitted through the rotating support shaft 24, which is tilted (forward-leaning) towards the front X1 of the vehicle, and through the two fixing parts of the support member 22, that is, through the front fixing part 22b1 and the rear fixing part 22b2, to the waistline reinforcement member 21. In particular, a large amount of load is transmitted from the forward-leaning rotating support shaft 24 to the front fixing part 22b1. In the above technical solution, the width W1 of the front fixing part 22b1 in the longitudinal direction X of the vehicle is larger than the width W2 of the rear fixing part 22b2, thus improving the support rigidity of the rearview mirror. (7)

[0101] like Figures 8-9 As shown, in the rearview mirror structure of this embodiment, the waistline reinforcement 21 has a first ridge portion 211 extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction X. The rotation support shaft 24 is configured such that, relative to the first ridge portion 211, the higher Z1 it is, the more it tilts towards the vehicle's front X1 side.

[0102] According to the above technical solution, when the vehicle is in motion, the load input to the forward-tilting rotating shaft 24 due to the vibration of the rearview mirror body 11 and mirror mount 12 includes not only the vertical component but also the vehicle's longitudinal component X. In the above technical solution, the rotating shaft 24 is configured such that, relative to the first ridge 211, the higher Z1 it is, the more it tilts towards the vehicle's front X1 side. Therefore, the load can be distributed in the vehicle's longitudinal X direction extending from the first ridge 211, thereby further improving the support rigidity of the rearview mirror. (8)

[0104] In the rearview mirror structure of this embodiment, the electric rotating unit 13 is fixed to the position of the first ridge portion 211 by the support member 24. According to this technical solution, the electric rotating unit 13 is fixed to the position of the first ridge portion 211 of the waistline reinforcement member 21, so the load transmitted to the electric rotating unit 13 during vehicle travel can be distributed in the vehicle longitudinal direction X extending from the first ridge portion 211, thereby further improving the support rigidity of the rearview mirror. (9)

[0106] 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.

[0107] According to the above-described configuration, the electric rotation unit 13 is configured to rotate the rotation support shaft 24, and thereby the mirror main body 11 and the mirror housing 12 are moved between the mirror use position PI and the storage position P2 while being swung around the rotation support shaft 24 as a center. Thus, the mirror main body 11 and the mirror housing 12 are moved between the mirror use position PI and the storage position P2 by a simple configuration. (10)

[0109] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, the electric rotation 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 rotation support shaft 24.

[0110] According to the above-described configuration, the electric rotation unit 13 is disposed on the axis of the rotation support shaft 24, and thereby the power transmission system that transmits power from the electric rotation unit 13 to the rotation support shaft 24 is simple and compact. Thus, the electric rotation unit 13 can be disposed in the limited space in the side door 1. (11)

[0112] In the mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 13 the mirror main body 11 is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction Y at the inner side end portion 11a thereof when the mirror main body 11 is in the mirror use position PI.

[0113] In the above-described configuration, the inner side surface 11b of the mirror main body 11 is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction Y with respect to the imaginary line L1 orthogonal to the surface of the mirror 14 when the mirror main body 11 is in the mirror use position PI, and thereby the inner side surface 11b of the mirror main body 11 does not obstruct the field of view when viewed from the cabin. Thus, the visibility when viewed from the cabin can be maximized, and the visibility is further improved. (12)

[0115] As shown in Figure 13 the mirror main body 11 is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction Y at the inner side end portion 11a thereof when the mirror main body 11 is in the mirror use position PI.

[0116] In the above-described technical solution, when the mirror main body portion 11 is in the mirror use position Pl, the thickness of the mirror main body portion 11 in the front-rear direction X decreases from the middle position in the vehicle width direction Y toward the inner side end portion 11a in the vehicle width direction Y, so the inner side surface 11b 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 maximized, thereby further improving the visibility.

[0117] (Variation)

[0118] (A)

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, the rotation shaft 24 is fixed to the base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12, and can rotate together with the mirror base 12 about the axis S (see FIG. 1) of the rotation shaft 24 under the rotational driving force from the electric rotation unit 13, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto. The present application is designed such that the rotation shaft 24 is connected to the base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12, and the electric rotation unit 13 rotates the mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 about the axis S of the rotation shaft 24. Therefore, a variation of the present application can be designed such that the rotation shaft 24 is a non-rotating stationary shaft, the base end portion 12a of the mirror base 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 base 12 without passing through the rotation shaft 24. Figure 12

[0120] (B)

[0121] The mirror of the present application includes various methods as long as it is used to obtain the rear field of view of the vehicle. For example, in addition to the optical mirror 14 that 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 mirror main body portion 11 has a television camera and the rear field of view can be obtained using the television camera.

[0122] Number Description

[0123] 1 Side door

[0124] 2 Rearview mirror

[0125] 3 Outer panel

[0126] 5 Door opening portion

[0127] 11 Mirror main body portion

[0128] 11b Inner side surface

[0129] 12 Mirror base

[0130] 12a Base end portion

[0131] 12b Front end portion ​

[0132] 13 electric rotating unit

[0133] 14 mirror

[0134] 21 beltline reinforcement

[0135] 22 support member

[0136] 24 rotating shaft

[0137] 26 through hole

[0138] 27 cover member

[0139] 31 sleeve

[0140] 32 motor

[0141] 33 speed reducer

[0142] 34 torque limiter

[0143] 35 output shaft

[0144] 36 bearing

[0145] 211 first ridge portion

[0146] 212 second ridge portion

[0147] 213 third ridge portion

[0148] BL beltline

[0149] P1 mirror use position

[0150] P2 storage position

Claims

1. A rearview mirror structure, which is a rearview mirror structure on a vehicle side door having an outer panel, 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 main body of the rearview mirror and a base end away from the front end; 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 rotate freely between the mirror use position and the storage position. The mirror use position refers to the position where the mirror can be seen with the naked eye from the cabin, and the storage position refers to the position located inside the vehicle width direction of the mirror use position. An electric rotating unit causes the rearview mirror body and the mirror mount to rotate about the axis of the rotating support shaft, thereby moving them between the mirror's use position and its storage position; wherein, The electric rotation unit is installed in the side door. The rotating support shaft is configured to tilt more towards the front of the vehicle as it extends upwards. It also includes a support member for fixing the electric rotating unit to the side door. The electric rotating unit is fixed by the support member to a waistline reinforcement extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the waistline of the lower edge of the window of the side door; The supporting member includes a front fixing part and a rear fixing part, which are respectively fixed to the waistline reinforcement member at positions on both sides of the electric rotating unit in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the width of the front fixing part is greater than the width of the rear fixing part; The waistline reinforcement has a ridge portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The rotating support shaft is configured to tilt towards the front of the vehicle as it rises relative to the ridge portion. The main components of the electric rotating unit are arranged on the axis of the rotating support shaft.

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

3. The rearview mirror structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: A through hole is formed on the outer plate for the rotating 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 claim 1, characterized in that: The electric rotating unit is fixed to the position of the ridge section by the supporting member.

5. The rearview mirror structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The rotating support shaft is fixed to the base end of the mirror mount. When 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.

Images