Rearview mirror assembly with anti-rotation protection

Abstract

The invention relates to a rearview mirror assembly (10) for a motorcycle, having a mirror holder (11) and a holding arm (12) which is configured for connecting the mirror holder (11) to a motorcycle, wherein an adjustment device (13) is arranged between the holding arm (12) and the mirror holder (11), which is configured to be able to rotate at least about a free axis of rotation (14) in order to adjust the relative position of the mirror holder (11) relative to the holding arm (12), wherein the adjustment device (13) comprises a limiting device (15) for limiting the rotational adjustment (D).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a rearview mirror assembly and a corresponding equipped motorcycle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Motorcycles, such as motorbikes or mopeds, generally have one or two rearview mirrors in order to enable the driver to monitor the area behind the driver while riding. Here, the mirror is held in a housing, which in turn is fixed to the structure of the vehicle by means of a holding arm. In most cases, the mirror is rigidly connected with the housing, so that the adjustability of the mirror is provided by the articulated connection with the holding arm.

[0003] With the increasing integration of assistance systems and comfort functions, in motorcycles, too, electrical components, such as lighting elements, turn signals or rearview mirror heaters, are increasingly introduced into the rearview mirror housing and are operated via electrical lines, which are guided from the vehicle structure inside the holding arm up to the rearview mirror housing. As a rule, the electrical lines are additionally guided through the interior of the articulation of the articulated connection.

[0004] In the case of such "electrified" rearview mirrors, the possibility cannot be ruled out that the electrical lines are twisted and damaged in this way or that the electrical contact is loosened as a result of repeatedly adjusting the mirror or the housing during the service life of the vehicle. SUMMARY

[0005] It is the task of the present invention to further improve a rearview mirror assembly in an advantageous manner, in particular to reduce the risk of damage to electrical lines integrated in the rearview mirror assembly.

[0006] Therefore, a rearview mirror assembly for a motorcycle is provided, which has a mirror holder and a holding arm, which is configured for connecting the mirror holder with the motorcycle, wherein an adjustment device is arranged between the holding arm and the mirror holder, which is configured to be able to rotate at least about a free axis of rotation in order to adjust the relative position of the mirror holder with respect to the holding arm by means of a rotational adjustment, also referred to as rotational movement. Furthermore, the adjustment device comprises a limiting device for limiting the rotational adjustment.

[0007] Therefore, the rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror holder, which can be configured, for example, as a mirror housing. For example, the mirror housing can be shell-shaped and accommodate a mirror element, such as a mirror glass, in the region of the cavity formed by the shell shape.

[0008] In any case, the mirror holder is connected with the first end portion of the holding arm, which is remote from the vehicle, by means of an adjustment device. The second end portion, which is arranged opposite the first end portion, can be configured to be connectable with the vehicle structure of the motorcycle or is connected with the vehicle structure of the motorcycle in the mounted state on the motorcycle. The vehicle structure can comprise, inter alia, a handlebar, a vehicle frame and / or a vehicle cover or vehicle body. The connection of the second end portion of the holding arm to the vehicle structure can be rigid or articulated.

[0009] The adjustment device is configured to provide an adjustability of the mirror holder relative to the holding arm. To this end, the adjustment device is rotatable at least about a free axis of rotation. It goes without saying that the adjustment device can also have further, additional degrees of freedom.

[0010] Furthermore, the adjustment device has a limiting device, which is provided for limiting the range of movement of the rotational adjustment about the free axis of rotation. Thus, the limiting device is configured to limit or block a rotation of the mirror holder relative to the holding arm beyond a defined range of movement. Thus, the limiting device constitutes an anti-rotation protection, which can prevent an excessive rotation of the mirror housing relative to the holding arm. This reduces the wear of movable components and connection points, which are affected by friction, so that in this way a particularly high service life of the adjustment device can be ensured.

[0011] Thus, the design of the rearview mirror assembly, in addition to the non-electrified rearview mirror assembly, is particularly suitable for an electrified rearview mirror assembly, which has one or more electrical lines extending between the holding arm and the mirror holder. The electrical lines can be guided inside the holding arm from the vehicle structure up to the mirror holder, wherein the electrical lines can be guided through the adjustment device. For example, the rearview mirror assembly can have electrical components, such as illumination elements, turn signals and / or heating elements, which are arranged in conjunction with the mirror housing and / or the mirror glass and are supplied with electrical current and / or electrical signals by means of the electrical lines.

[0012] In the case of an electrified rearview mirror assembly, the limiting device effectively prevents an excessive rotation or twisting of the electrical lines inside and thus prevents damage thereof, for example due to cable breakage or loosening of electrical contacts. Thus, in terms of electrical connections, too, a particularly high durability can be provided.

[0013] In the context of the present description, a motorcycle is understood to mean, inter alia, a motorized motorcycle or a motor vehicle similar to a motorized motorcycle, such as a moped, in particular a tiltable two-, three- or four-wheeled moped, a scooter or the like, as well as a snowmobile or an all-terrain vehicle.

[0014] According to one preferred embodiment, the adjusting device comprises a ball joint having a ball socket and a ball head guided in the ball socket. The ball joint offers the possibility of easily adjusting the relative position of the mirror holder with respect to the holding arm, wherein a rotation about a free axis of rotation formed by the ball joint is achieved.

[0015] To this end, preferably the ball head can be associated with the mirror holder and the ball socket can be associated with the holding arm. Alternatively, the reverse association can also be implemented.

[0016] Furthermore, the ball head can be formed by a housing wall of the mirror holder. Thus, the ball head is an integral component of the mirror housing of the mirror holder. For example, the housing wall of the mirror holder can be manufactured by means of an injection molding solution or a die casting method, and here the ball head can be configured integrally and / or materially uniformly with the housing wall.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the limiting device can be arranged on a side of the housing wall facing away from the ball socket.

[0018] Furthermore, the limiting device can comprise a locking element having at least one protrusion provided for loading at least one stop of the limiting device in a respective end position of the rotational adjustment. Here, the at least one stop can be associated with the mirror holder or its housing wall, for example. In contrast thereto, the locking element can be coupled to the ball socket in a rotationally fixed manner, so that a rotational movement of the mirror holder causes a rotation of the housing wall and thus of the one or more stops with respect to the locking element. If the at least one stop reaches a respective protrusion of the locking element, a further rotational movement in this rotational direction beyond the protrusion is blocked. Thus, the at least one stop limits the freedom of movement in such a way that the mirror holder can only be rotated by a predetermined angle. In this way, an excessive rotation of possibly internal electrical lines can be prevented.

[0019] Of course, the at least one stop can be associated with the locking element and the at least one protrusion can be associated with the housing wall of the mirror holder, similarly in the same manner of action.

[0020] Preferably, the locking element can be arranged on a first side of the housing wall, while the ball socket can be arranged on a second side opposite the first side. Thus, the housing wall is positioned between the ball socket and the locking element.

[0021] To provide a non-rotatable arrangement of the locking element relative to the ball joint, the locking element and the ball joint can be connected by means of a connecting device, such as a threaded connection, or by a common arrangement in the end section of the retaining arm (in a first end region). For this purpose, the connecting device or end section can extend through a suitably designed clearance in the ball joint. When adjusting the mirror retainer, the housing wall with the ball joint can still move relative to the ball joint and the locking element.

[0022] Furthermore, the adjusting device may include a spring element for axial preload of the adjusting device, wherein the spring element preloads the locking element with a spring force toward the ball head and the socket. For example, the spring element may be arranged such that the preload force is oriented coaxially with the connecting device, the end section of the retaining arm, and / or the free axis of rotation. For example, the spring element may be constructed as a helical spring and may be arranged coaxially with the connecting device, the end section, and / or the free axis of rotation.

[0023] In addition, the adjustment device (besides rotational adjustment around a free axis of rotation) can be configured to tilt the mirror holder relative to the retaining arm.

[0024] As described above, the rearview mirror assembly may include at least one electrical line extending from the retaining arm through the adjustment device to the mirror retainer. For this purpose, the retaining arm may have a through-hole along its length for guiding the electrical line.

[0025] Furthermore, a motorcycle is provided having at least one rearview mirror assembly connected to the vehicle structure of the motorcycle, wherein the rearview mirror assembly is constructed as described. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and an embodiment. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 The rearview mirror assembly is shown according to the description.

[0028] Figure 2 Showing according to Figure 1 Detailed diagram of the adjustment mechanism for the rearview mirror assembly.

[0029] Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the regulating device, and

[0030] Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 3 A partial perspective view of the locking element of the regulating device. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1A partially cutaway side view of a rearview mirror assembly 10 of a motorcycle (not shown) is shown. The rearview mirror assembly 10 comprises a mirror holder 11 and a holding arm 12 which is configured for connecting the mirror holder 11 with the motorcycle, wherein an adjustment device 13 is arranged between the holding arm 12 and the mirror holder 11 which is configured to be at least rotatable (rotational adjustment D) about a free axis of rotation 14 in order to adjust the relative position of the mirror holder 11 with respect to the holding arm 12. Furthermore, the adjustment device 13 comprises a limiting device 15 for limiting the rotational adjustment D.

[0032] In the shown embodiment, the mirror holder 11 is configured as a shell-shaped mirror housing. The shell shape forms a hollow space in which a mirror element 16 is arranged and which is surrounded by a surrounding edge section 11a of the mirror holder 11.

[0033] The mirror holder 11 is connected with a first, vehicle-remote end section 12a of the holding arm 12 by means of the adjustment device 13. A second, vehicle-adjacent end section 12b which is arranged opposite the first end section 12a is configured to be connectable with a vehicle structure (not shown) of the motorcycle. The connection of the second end section 12b of the holding arm 12 with the vehicle structure can be rigid or also articulated.

[0034] To this end, the holding arm 12 exemplarily comprises only a cylindrical holding section 12c which can be guided into a corresponding receptacle (not shown) provided on the vehicle structure on the vehicle side as a pin for insertion or provided with a thread for screwing in.

[0035] As already mentioned, the adjustment device 13 provides for an adjustability of the mirror holder 11 with respect to the holding arm 12. To this end, the adjustment device 13 is at least rotatable (rotational adjustment D) about a free axis of rotation 14. It goes without saying that the adjustment device 13 can also have further, additional degrees of freedom.

[0036] In order to limit the range of movement of the rotational adjustment D about the free axis of rotation 14, the adjustment device 13 has the mentioned limiting device 15. This limiting device 15 is configured for limiting the rotation of the mirror holder 11 with respect to the holding arm 12 beyond a defined range of movement.

[0037] The shown rearview mirror assembly 10 is configured as an electrified rearview mirror assembly and has an electrical line 17 which extends within the holding arm 12 up to the mirror holder 11. For example, the electrical line can be provided for supplying an electrical current and / or an electrical signal to electrical components 18, such as illumination elements and / or turn signals and / or heating elements, which are provided in conjunction with the mirror holder 11 and / or the mirror glass 16. An illumination element 18 of a blind spot warning system is exemplarily shown. Of course, instead of one electrical line 17, a plurality of electrical lines can be provided in the same manner. As Figure 1As shown, the electrical line 17 extends internally through the adjustment device 13.

[0038] In a detailed view of the adjustment device 13 according to Figure 2 In order to clarify, the electrical line 17 is hidden in the detailed view, so that the respective tubular shape of the holding arm 12 with a hollow space 12d extending along its length, which is provided for accommodating the electrical line 17, can be seen.

[0039] In the shown embodiment, the adjustment device 13 comprises a ball joint with a ball socket 13a and a ball head 13b guided in the ball socket 13a, wherein the ball head 13b is provided in conjunction with the mirror holder 11 and the ball socket 13a is provided in conjunction with the holding arm 12.

[0040] The ball joint provides the possibility of easily adjusting the mirror holder 11 in its relative position with respect to the holding arm 12, wherein a rotation around a free axis of rotation 14 formed by the ball joint is allowed. Additionally, as a design of the ball joint, a lateral tilting (tilting movement K) is realized (with respect to the axis of rotation 14), so that the ball head 13b and thus the mirror holder 11 can be tilted laterally with respect to the holding arm 12.

[0041] According to the shown embodiment, the ball head 13b is formed by a housing wall 1 lb of the mirror holder 11 and thus is an integral part of the mirror housing of the mirror holder 11.

[0042] The limiting device 15 is arranged on the side of the ball head 13b facing away from the ball socket 13a, i.e. either within the ball head 13b or within the housing wall 1 lb of the mirror holder 11.

[0043] As can be seen from Figure 2 and Figure 3 The limiting device 15 has a locking element 15a with two protrusions 15b, which are provided for loading two stop portions 15c of the limiting device 15 in two defined end positions of the rotational adjustment D. In the shown embodiment, the two stop portions 15c are provided in conjunction with the mirror holder 11 and are accordingly arranged on the inner side 1 lc of the housing wall 1 lb.

[0044] The locking element 15a is coupled to the ball socket 13a in a rotationally fixed manner, so that a rotational adjustment D of the mirror holder 11 causes a rotation of the housing wall 11b and thus of the two stop portions 15c relative to the locking element 15a. If one or both stop portions 15c reach the respective protrusion 15b of the locking element 15a, a further rotational adjustment D beyond this in this rotational direction is blocked by the protrusion 15b. The respective stop portion 15c thus limits the degree of freedom of movement, so that the mirror holder 11 can only be rotated by a predetermined angle, here up to approximately 180°. In this way, an over-rotation of the electrical lines inside can be prevented. It goes without saying that instead of two stop portions 15c and their 180° offset arrangement, only one stop portion or more than two stop portions can also be provided, and / or their (angular) spacing relative to one another can be selected as desired. The same applies to the number and position of the protrusions 15b of the locking element 15a. Only one protrusion or more than two protrusions can also be provided, and / or their (angular) spacing relative to one another can be selected as desired.

[0045] It can be seen from Figure 2 that the locking element 15a is arranged on a first side of the housing wall 11b, while the ball socket 13a is arranged on a second side opposite the first side, so that the housing wall 11b with the ball head 13b is positioned between the ball socket 13a and the locking element 15a.

[0046] The rotationally fixed arrangement of the locking element 15a relative to the ball socket 13a is exemplarily provided by an end section 12e of the holding arm 12, which is arranged on the first end 12a and extends through a clearance 11c of the respective design dimension of the ball head 13b, and the locking element 15a is inserted on this end section in a rotationally fixed manner. The clearance 11c is so coordinated that the housing wall 11b with the ball head 13b can nevertheless move relative to the ball socket 13a and the locking element 15a when the mirror holder 11 is adjusted.

[0047] Furthermore, the adjustment device 13 comprises a spring element configured as a coil spring 13c, which serves for the axial pretensioning of the adjustment device 13, wherein the spring element 13c pretensions the locking element 15a in the direction of the ball head 13b and the ball socket 13a with a spring force. For this purpose, the tensioning force is oriented in a direction coaxial with the end section 12e and with the axis of rotation 14.

[0048] As can be seen in particular from Figure 2As can be seen, the locking element 15a according to the first embodiment can comprise two elements 15a1, 15a2: a truncated spherical portion 15a1, the spherical surface of which lies in the region of the ball head 13b on the inner surface 11c of the housing wall 11b in a plane manner even when the mirror holder 11 is turned and / or tilted. The two protrusions 15b are configured on a separate, disc-shaped element 15a2.

[0049] Figure 4 A second alternative embodiment of the locking element 15a is shown, wherein the locking element 15a is configured in one piece. Here, the two protrusions 15b are configured in one piece and materially uniformly on the truncated spherical portion 15a1. The locking element 15a can be used in the first embodiment of the rearview mirror assembly 10 (according to Figures 1 to 3 ) without further change requirements and instead of the two-piece locking element 15a there.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror assembly (10) for a motorcycle, the rearview mirror assembly having a mirror holder (11) and a retaining arm (12), the retaining arm being configured to connect the mirror holder (11) to the motorcycle, wherein, An adjustment device (13) is arranged between the retaining arm (12) and the mirror retainer (11), the adjustment device being configured to rotate at least about a free axis of rotation (14) to adjust the relative position of the mirror retainer (11) with respect to the retaining arm (12), characterized in that the adjustment device (13) includes a limiting device (15) for limiting the rotation adjustment (D), wherein the limiting device (15) is configured to limit the range of motion of the rotation adjustment (D) about the free axis of rotation, and the rearview mirror assembly (10) includes at least one electrical line (17) extending from the retaining arm (12) through the adjustment device (13) to the mirror retainer (11).

2. The rearview mirror assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusting device (13) includes a ball joint having a ball socket (13a) and a ball head (13b) guided in the ball socket (13a).

3. The rearview mirror assembly (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ball head (13b) is coupled to the mirror holder (11), and the ball socket (13a) is coupled to the retaining arm (12).

4. The rearview mirror assembly (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The ball head (13b) is formed by the housing wall (11b) of the mirror holder (11).

5. The rearview mirror assembly (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting device (15) is arranged on the side of the housing wall (11b) opposite to the ball socket (13a).

6. The rearview mirror assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting device (15) includes a locking element (15a) having at least one protrusion (15b) configured to load at least one stop (15c) of the limiting device (15) in a corresponding end position of the rotation adjustment (D).

7. The rearview mirror assembly (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The limiting device (15) includes a locking element (15a) having at least one protrusion (15b) configured to load at least one stop (15c) of the limiting device (15) in a corresponding end position of the rotation adjustment (D).

8. The rearview mirror assembly (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The adjusting device (13) includes a spring element (13c) for axial preload of the adjusting device (13), wherein the spring element (13c) loads the locking element (15a) with spring force toward the ball head (13b) and the ball socket (13a).

9. The rearview mirror assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The adjustment device (13) is configured to tilt the mirror holder (11) relative to the holder arm (12).

10. A motorcycle having at least one rearview mirror assembly (10) connected to a vehicle structure, characterized in that, The rearview mirror assembly (10) is constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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