Actuator for rear view device of vehicle, rear view device and vehicle

Abstract

An actuator for a vehicle rear view device has a body, an actuator housing, and a drive assembly. The body defines a coincidence axis, and the actuator housing is rotatably and axially displaceably supported by the body. A clutch gear of the drive assembly is rotatably and axially displaceably supported by the body and has at least one housing snap that axially couples the clutch gear to the actuator housing while allowing relative rotation of the clutch gear and the actuator housing. The shaft section extends along a superimposed axis and includes at least one groove circumferentially surrounding a top surface of the shaft section. The interior of the upper portion of the actuator housing includes at least one slot having at least one pin secured in the at least one slot and engaging at least one of the grooves on the top surface of the shaft section.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an actuator for a rearview device of a vehicle, and in particular to an actuator providing a folding and lifting function. The present invention also relates to a rearview device comprising such an actuator and to a vehicle comprising at least one such rearview device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Rearview devices of vehicles are often mounted to a base frame which is arranged on the outside of a door or a body of the vehicle and which allows a rearview of the driver of the vehicle. Some rearview devices have a so-called power folding actuator for automatically folding and unfolding the rearview device. In some instances, the power folding actuator has an actuator base which is mounted to the base frame, a brake housing which supports a mirror housing which is rotatably coupled to the actuator base, and a drive assembly which is configured to automatically pivot the brake housing relative to the actuator base about a folding axis between a first angular position and a second angular position, and the second angular position is an unfolded position of the rearview device.

[0003] In the unfolded position, the rearview device protrudes from the door and extends substantially transversely with respect to the forward driving direction of the vehicle. The unfolded position is often referred to as a driving position when the rearview device is in the unfolded position during driving of the vehicle.

[0004] In the folded position, the rearview device is aligned with the door and extends opposite to the forward driving direction of the vehicle. Since the rearview device is in the folded position during parking of the vehicle, the folded position is often referred to as a parking position.

[0005] The power folding actuator enables automatic unfolding and folding of the rearview device, the power folding actuator should also allow manual pivoting of the rearview device between the first angular position and the second angular position, for example in case of a defect or a failure of the power folding actuator.

[0006] Furthermore, the power folding actuator often needs to allow manual overfolding of the rearview device, for example, manual pivoting of the rearview device into a third angular position which is a so-called overfolded position of the rearview device.

[0007] In the overfolded position, the rearview device is substantially aligned with the door as it is in the folded position. However, in the overfolded position, the rearview device extends in the forward driving direction of the vehicle, i.e. the orientation of the rearview device in the overfolded position is substantially opposite to the orientation of the rearview device in the folded position. By pivoting from the unfolded position to the overfolded position, the unfolded rearview device can yield to a moment acting in the forward driving direction of the vehicle in order to avoid breaking of the rearview device or the power folding actuator due to this moment.

[0008] Another requirement that rearview devices have to meet is to cause as little wind noise during driving of the vehicle, i.e. at the deployed position of the rearview device, and to pivot very easily, thereby causing as little wear as possible. Although pivoting the rearview device is very easy and causes as little wear as possible in case of a gap between the actuator housing and the actuator base, it is exactly the gap between the actuator housing and the actuator base that causes noise when wind is applied to the rearview device. In addition, wear is also prevented if the pin is located in an inner portion of the upper actuator housing, which has at least one bore slot configured to receive the pin. The pin interfaces with an upper portion of a shaft, which has at least one groove and a flat top surface. The pin takes up some of the stress between the actuator housing and the base, which results in minimal wear on both components.

[0009] To overcome these contradictory problems, the power stack actuator can have a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is configured to axially displace the actuator housing relative to the actuator base along the stack axis between a first axial position, at which the actuator housing abuts the actuator base so that there is no gap between the actuator housing and the actuator base, and a second axial position, at which the actuator housing is at a distance from the actuator base and a gap is formed between the actuator housing and the actuator base. The lifting mechanism can lower the actuator housing in the driving position of the rearview device, as well as lift the actuator housing for any pivoting. The gap formed allows the pin to disengage from one of the grooves and then re-engage with the next groove when the actuator housing is rotated around the actuator base.

[0010] The lifting mechanism can have one or more pairs of circular cam rails. Each pair of cam rails is arranged to face each other and is configured to more or less engage each other depending on their relative angular position. Rotating a pair of cam rails relative to each other thus results in a change in axial distance between the cam rails, which provides the desired axial displacement effect to the actuator housing.

[0011] The drive assembly can integrate the lifting mechanism and provide a combined stack and lifting function for the power stack actuator. However, providing a lifting mechanism for the power stack actuator generally results in a high mass and high mechanical complexity of the power stack actuator.

[0012] According to EP 2 574 504 A1, a known automotive exterior mirror assembly includes a shaft, a transmission housing, a set of motors, a reduction gear and a clutch mechanism, an electrically driven rotation range limiting mechanism, and a retaining mechanism. The retaining mechanism is disposed between the shaft and the housing. When the housing is in the rotational region between the use position and the storage position of the mirror assembly, the retaining mechanism is arranged in a non-contact state relative to the shaft and the housing; when the mirror assembly is in the use position, the retaining mechanism holds the mirror assembly in the use position relative to the shaft and the housing. Therefore, the present invention is compatible with preventing load from being applied to the electrically driven storage unit and retaining the mirror assembly in a vibration-free manner.

[0013] US 2013 / 0321941 A1 teaches an adjustment tool for an exterior mirror unit of a vehicle. The adjustment tool includes a housing that is pivotally adjustable relative to a base between a parked position, a driven position, and a flipped position. The adjustment tool also includes an electric drive unit and a drive ring, wherein the electric drive unit is disposed within the housing, and the electric drive ring is used for coupling to the electric drive unit.

[0014] According to DE 698 22 701 T2, an exterior rearview mirror with a mirror head is known, which is rotatably mounted on a pivot attached to a mounting bracket. A latch holds the mirror head in a desired position relative to the bracket. A spring acts between the mounting bracket and the mirror head to hold a latch in its locked position. An actuator, driven by an electric motor, causes a force to be applied to the spring during initial operation, when the latch is engaged against rotation of the mirror head, resulting in movement of the mirror head to release the latch. During subsequent operation, the actuator rotates the mirror head about a journal.

[0015] US 2007 / 0084707 A1 teaches a hinge actuator including a first component and an electric actuator, the first component being pivotally connected to a second component, the electric actuator being used to pivot the components relative to each other. The first and second components include a stop that cooperates in a first pivoting direction to define the position of the actuator component. A coupling is disposed between the first and second components such that, in a first position, the first and second components are connected by and driven by the actuator, and can pivot relative to each other; and in a second position, the first and second components are not connected by the actuator and can be manually pivoted relative to each other. Summary of the Invention

[0016] It is desirable to provide an actuator for a vehicle's rearview device that allows manual pivoting and supports over-overlapping, and that has a lifting mechanism while also being low in mass and low in complexity.

[0017] In the example, a rear-view device actuator with automatic overlapping and lifting capabilities is provided, which is low in mass and low in complexity.

[0018] In the example, an actuator for a rearview device for a vehicle includes a body, an actuator housing, and a drive assembly. The body defines a coupling axis of the rearview device relative to the vehicle; the actuator housing is rotatably and axially displaced by the body; the drive assembly is supported by the actuator housing and configured to rotate the actuator housing relative to the body about the coupling axis between a first angular position and a second angular position, and to axially displace the actuator housing relative to the body along the coupling axis between a first axial position and a second axial position. The drive assembly has a clutch gear and a housing latch. The clutch gear is rotatably and axially displaced by the body; the housing latch axially engages the clutch gear with the actuator housing while allowing relative rotation between the clutch gear and the actuator housing. The shaft section extends along the overlapping axis and includes at least one groove that extends circumferentially around the top surface of the shaft section, and the upper interior of the actuator housing includes at least one slot having at least one pin that is fixed in the at least one slot and engages at least one of the grooves on the top surface of the shaft section.

[0019] Rearview devices may include one or more mirror elements or one or more cameras that provide a view of traffic behind.

[0020] In another example, the actuator further includes a stacked cam guide extending peripherally and interacting with the body and actuator housing, the stacked cam guide being configured to move the body and actuator housing to a second angular position, the stacked cam guide of the body having a stacked stop latch with a shoulder, and the stacked cam guide of the actuator housing having a stacked stop pawl; and wherein the body and clutch gear each have a lifting cam guide extending peripherally and interacting with each other to define a lifting stop and a lifting stroke, the lifting cam guide of the body having a lifting stop latch, and the lifting cam guide of the clutch gear having a lifting stop pawl.

[0021] In a further example, the upper portion of the housing has an interior and an exterior, and the interior of the upper portion includes at least one slot spaced apart from each other circumferentially around the overlap axis and engaging the top surface of the shaft section, and the upper portion of the actuator housing is configured to rotate axially about the shaft section.

[0022] In yet another example, at least one slot inside the upper housing includes at least one pin, and the at least one pin comprises metal, plastic, or a combination thereof.

[0023] In a further example, the body and actuator housing rotate relative to each other, and at least one pin inside the upper part of the actuator housing is raised and disengaged from at least one of the grooves. As the body and actuator housing continue to rotate, at least one pin travels along the flat top surface of the shaft section and engages with at least one of the grooves.

[0024] In another example, the actuator includes a body having a base section and a shaft section arranged axially adjacent to the base section. The base section has at least one base fastening device for connecting the body to a base frame of at least one of a vehicle door and a shaft section extending through a through-hole in the actuator housing. The base section and shaft section are either integrally formed, or the body is configured as two parts, and the base section and shaft section are separately formed and connected by a bayonet lock; the base section has a bayonet mount and the shaft section has a bayonet latch, and vice versa.

[0025] In yet another example, the drive assembly has a transmission system for rotating the actuator housing about the overlap axis and displacing the actuator housing along the overlap axis; wherein at least one slot inside the upper portion of the actuator housing is axially displaced, and a metal pin is axially displaced synchronously from at least one groove on the top surface of the shaft section.

[0026] In the example, the transmission system includes an electric motor, a printed circuit board, a first worm gear, a second worm gear, and a spur gear. The printed circuit board is mounted to and electrically connected to the electric motor, and is used to rotatably connect a clutch gear to the electric motor; the first worm gear is anti-torsionally secured to the drive shaft of the electric motor; the second worm gear engages with the clutch gear; and the spur gear engages with the first worm gear and is anti-torsionally secured to the second worm gear.

[0027] In another example, the first angular difference between the first angular position and the second angular position is in the range of 20° to 90°.

[0028] In another example, the drive assembly has a retainer ring, a clutch ring, and a spring, and the spring supported between the retainer ring and the clutch ring is a wave spring.

[0029] In a further example, the actuator housing has a through-hole and at least one mirror fastening device, the through-hole being penetrated by the body, and the at least one mirror fastening device for detachably attaching the mirror housing of the rearview device thereto.

[0030] A rear-view device including the actuator described in any of the foregoing examples.

[0031] A vehicle including at least one of the rearview devices in any of the preceding examples. Attached Figure Description

[0032] The foregoing description of the invention and the subsequent detailed embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Specific examples of this specification are shown in the drawings for illustrative purposes. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and tools shown. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of systems, devices, and methods consistent with this specification and, together with the specification, serve to explain the advantages and principles consistent with the invention. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same numbers used in the drawings denote the same parts. However, it will be understood that the use of numbers to refer to parts in a given drawing is not intended to limit the parts to those labeled with the same numbers in another drawing.

[0033] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the front of the vehicle;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the actuator;

[0035] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of the actuator shown, with the cover removed;

[0036] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 The diagram shows a top view of the actuator at the first angular position, the second angular position, and the third angular position.

[0037] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the side view of the actuator shown;

[0038] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of the gear train of the actuator shown;

[0039] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a partial perspective view of the drive assembly of the actuator shown.

[0040] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the actuator;

[0041] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An enlarged view of circle D in the image;

[0042] Figure 10 This is a diagram of a pin detaching from a groove;

[0043] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the internal parts of the actuator cover component; and

[0044] Figure 12This is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of an actuator according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The following detailed embodiments are provided to help the reader gain a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatus, and / or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems, apparatus, and / or methods described herein will be suggested to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity and brevity, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted.

[0046] It should be understood that the wording and technical terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive. For example, the use of singular terms (such as "a") is not intended to limit the quantity of articles. Furthermore, the use of relational terms (such as, but not limited to, "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "upper," "lower," "below," "above," "side") is for clarity in the description and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the appended claims. Moreover, it should be understood that any of the features may be used alone or in combination with other features. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of this Detailed Description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages are intended to be included within this Detailed Description, within the scope of the invention, and protected by the appended claims.

[0047] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the front of vehicle 302. The vehicle may include at least one rearview device 300. Figure 1 As shown, vehicle 302 includes two rearview devices 300: a driver-side or right rearview device 300 and a passenger-side or left rearview device 300.

[0048] Figure 2 A perspective view of an actuator 100 according to an embodiment is shown. The actuator 100 can be used to mount a rearview device 300 to a base frame (not shown) of a door of a vehicle 302. The actuator 100 has a body 102 that defines a superimposed axis 104 for the rearview device 300 of the vehicle 302, and the actuator 100 is configured to be mounted on the right-hand side of the vehicle 302.

[0049] The body 102 has a base section 152 with three base fastening devices 154 for connecting the body 102 to the base frame of the door of the vehicle 302. The body further defines an axle section 122 arranged axially adjacent to the base section 152. Both the base section 152 and the axle section 122 are integrally formed of plastic or metal and have a substantially cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the base section 152 and the axle section 122 differ in the diameter of the cylinder, with the diameter of the base section 152 being larger than the diameter of the axle section 122.

[0050] The actuator 100 also has an actuator housing 106, which is rotatably and axially displaceable by a body 102. The actuator housing 106 has a through-hole 160 penetrated by the body 102. For example, a shaft segment 122 extends through the through-hole 160 and the mirror fastening device 162 of the actuator housing 106 for detachably attaching a mirror housing of the rearview device 300 thereto. The actuator housing 106 is configured to have two parts and includes a base component 156 and a cover component 158, which are detachably connected to each other and form the actuator housing 106.

[0051] The base component 156 and the cover component 158 ​​each have corresponding fastening devices, wherein a through hole 160 and a mirror fastening device 162 are formed in the base component 156. The cover component 158 ​​of the actuator housing 106 has a cylindrical section that accommodates the shaft section 122 of the body and has a diameter in the range of 15 mm to 20 mm for different embodiments.

[0052] The retainer ring 188 is axially fastened to the shaft section 122 by pressure fitting. The shaft section 122 has a peripheral channel 206, and the retainer ring 188 has a plurality of snaps 208 that engage the peripheral channel 206. A spring 192 is supported between the retainer ring 188 and the clutch ring 190, thus biasing the clutch ring 190, the clutch gear 118, and the shaft cam ring 176 toward the base section 152 of the body 102.

[0053] In different embodiments, the actuator housing 106 may have a height ranging from 60 mm to 90 mm, measured in the axial direction. In different embodiments, the actuator housing 106 may have a width ranging from 40 mm to 70 mm, measured in the first radial direction. In different embodiments, the actuator housing 106 may have a length or depth ranging from 60 mm to 100 mm, measured in a second radial direction perpendicular to the first radial direction.

[0054] Figure 3 A perspective view of actuator 100 is shown, with the cover member 158 of actuator 100 removed to access the internal structure of actuator 100. Actuator 100 has a drive assembly 108 that is fully disposed within and supported by actuator housing 106; that is, actuator 100 is a so-called power-overlapping actuator. Drive assembly 108 is configured to rotate actuator housing 106 relative to body 102 along overlap axis 104 between a first angular position 110 and a third angular position 113 (e.g., ...). Figure 3 (as shown), and the actuator housing 106 is axially displaced relative to the body 102 along the overlap axis 104 between a first axial position 114 and a second axial position 116 (as shown). Figure 5 (As shown).

[0055] Figure 4 A top view of the actuator 100 in a first angular position 110 (i.e., the overlapping position of the rearview device 300), a second angular position 112 (i.e., the unfolded position of the rearview device 300), and a third angular position 113 (i.e., the transitional overlapping position of the rearview device 300) is shown. The first angular difference 164 between the first angular position 110 and the second angular position 112 can be 75°, and may also range from 20° to 90° for different embodiments. The second angular difference 166 between the first angular position 110 and the third angular position 113 can be 165°, and may also be as high as 240° for different embodiments.

[0056] Figure 5 A side view of the actuator 100 is shown. The actuator housing 106, in a second axial position 116, forms a gap 168 between its base component 156 and the base component 152 of the body 102. In a first axial position 114, the base component 156 of the actuator housing 106 abuts against the base component 152 of the body 102 substantially without any gap 168.

[0057] Figure 6 A partial perspective view of the drivetrain of actuator 100 is shown. The drivetrain for rotatably coupling clutch gear 118 to electric motor 186 has a first worm gear 178, a second worm gear 182, and a spur gear 180. The first worm gear 178 is anti-torsively fastened to electric motor 186, the second worm gear 182 engages with clutch gear 118, and the spur gear 180 engages with the first worm gear 178 and is anti-torsively fastened to the second worm gear 182. The first worm gear 178 is made of or contains plastic. The spur gear 180 is made of or contains plastic. The second worm gear 182 is made of or contains metal. The second worm gear 182 and the spur gear 180 are rotatable about an axis that extends perpendicular to both the drive shaft and the coupling axis 104.

[0058] Figure 7 A partial perspective view of the drive assembly 108 of the actuator 100 is shown.

[0059] Main body 102 (in Figure 7 Not shown in the image, see [link / reference]. Figure 2 The clutch gear 118 and the clutch gear 118 each have lifting cam guides 138 and 170 (see...) Figure 12 The lifting cam guide 138 extends peripherally around the body 102 and interacts with each other to define the lifting stop and lifting stroke. The lifting stroke determines the width of the clearance 168. The lifting cam guide 138 of the body 102 has a lifting stop latch 144, and the lifting cam guide 138 of the clutch gear 108 has a lifting stop pawl 146.

[0060] The lifting cam guides 138 and 170 are radially arranged within the overlapping cam guides 132 and 172 of the actuator housing and the main body 102, respectively (see...). Figure 12 The lifting cam guides 138 and 170 and the overlapping cam guides 132 and 172 are also axially arranged in the same position. The lifting cam guide 138 of the clutch gear 118 fully engages the lifting cam guide 170 of the body 102, that is, the lifting stop latch 144 engages the lifting stop pawl 146, which corresponds to the first axial position 114 of the actuator housing 106.

[0061] The overlapping cam guide 172 of the main body 102 and the lifting cam guide 170 of the main body are formed on the shaft cam ring 176 of the drive assembly 108. Multiple angular positioning pawls of the shaft cam ring 176 (see...) Figure 12 The shaft cam ring 176 is anti-torsionally connected to the body 102 by means of multiple matching angular positioning snaps that engage with the body 102.

[0062] Both the clutch ring 190 and the clutch gear 118 have clutch cam rails that extend circumferentially and interact with each other to control angular engagement between the clutch ring 190 and the clutch gear 118. The clutch cam rail of the clutch ring 190 has a plurality of angular locating latches 198, and the clutch cam rail of the clutch gear 118 has a plurality of clutch pawls 174 for engaging the angular locating latches 198 of the clutch ring 190. Alternatively, in different embodiments, the clutch pawls and angular locating latches may be associated in reverse.

[0063] In summary, the clutch gear 118 is the central component of the drive assembly 108, which has an external helical gear, a clutch cam guide, a lifting cam guide 170, and a housing latch 120. The external helical gear is used to interact with the transmission system and transmit torque. The clutch cam guide is used to interact with the clutch ring 190 and control the relative angular position of the clutch gear 118 and the body 102. The lifting cam guide 170 is used to interact with the body 102 and control the relative axial position of the clutch gear 118 and the body 102. The housing latch 120 is used to interact with the actuator housing 106 and control the relative axial position of the actuator housing 106 and the body 102. That is, the clutch gear 118 is configured for a total of four different interactions.

[0064] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of actuator 100. Figure 9 yes Figure 8 An enlarged view of the circle D shown. The actuator 100 includes a body 102, an actuator housing 106, and a shaft segment 122. The shaft segment 122 may extend along the overlap axis 104 in a substantially vertical direction. The shaft segment 122 may also include a top surface 126, and the top surface 126 may include at least one groove 124. The at least one groove 124 is circumferentially spaced around the top surface 126 of the shaft segment 122. Figure 8 and Figure 9 An inner portion 128 and an outer portion 129 of a cover member 158 are shown. The inner portion 128 of the cover member 158 may include at least one slot 130 circumferentially spaced around a lamination axis 104 on the upper surface 204 of the inner portion 128 of the cover member 158. The slot 130 is configured to retain at least one pin 131. The pin 131 may engage with at least one groove 124 on the top surface 126 of the shaft segment 122.

[0065] Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing the actuator 100 moving from a first angular position 110 to a second angular position 112. As the actuator 100 moves from the first angular position 110 to the second angular position 112, the actuator 100 simultaneously moves from a first axial position 114 to the second axial position 116. This causes the cover member 158 to lift vertically, allowing the pin 131, which engages with the groove 124 of the top surface 126 of the shaft section 122, to disengage from the groove 124 and contact the top surface 126 of the shaft section 122. The pin 131 absorbs some of the force and weight of the rearview device 300, resulting in less wear and stress on the drive assembly 108, thereby extending the life and function of the actuator 100.

[0066] Figure 11This is a schematic diagram of the internal portion 128 of the actuator 100 cover member 158. The cover member 158 of the actuator 100 may include at least one slot 130 configured to retain at least one pin 131. Although only one pin 131 is shown in the figure, it is contemplated that multiple pins 131 may be used in alternative embodiments.

[0067] Figure 12 An exploded view of an actuator 100 for a rearview device 300 in vehicle 302 is shown. The actuator 100 includes a cover member 158 fastened to a base member 156. The actuator 100 also includes a base section 152 and a retainer ring 188 having multiple snaps 208 to secure the retainer ring 188 to a peripheral channel 206 in a shaft section 122. The retainer ring 188 secures a spring 192 (particularly a wave spring), a clutch ring 190, a clutch gear 118, and a shaft cam ring 176 to the shaft section 122. The actuator 100 also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) for controlling an electric motor 186. The electric motor 186 can power the actuator and rotate it, thereby engaging a gear train (see...). Figure 6 The gear system includes a first worm gear 178, a spur gear 180, a second worm gear 182, and a clutch gear 118.

[0068] Unless otherwise specified, all figures used in the specification and claims to indicate characteristic dimensions, quantities, and physical properties shall be understood to be modified by the term “approximately.” Accordingly, unless otherwise specified, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and appended claims are approximate values ​​that may vary according to the desired characteristics sought by a person skilled in the art using the teachings disclosed herein.

[0069] Although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, those skilled in the art will understand that various alternative and / or equivalent embodiments may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the invention. This application is intended to cover any modifications or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, the invention is intended to be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0070] Furthermore, the features of the invention disclosed in this specification, claims, and accompanying drawings can be used individually and in any possible combination to practice the invention in its various exemplary embodiments. In particular, all combinations of features of the claims are covered by this application, regardless of claim dependencies.

Claims

1. An actuator (100) for a rearview device (300) of a vehicle (302), the actuator (100) comprising: The main body (102) defines the overlapping axis (104) of the rearview device (300) relative to the vehicle (302). The actuator housing (106) includes a base component (156) and a cover component (158), and the actuator housing (106) is rotatably and axially displaceable by the body (102); A drive assembly (108), supported by the actuator housing (106) and configured to rotate the actuator housing (106) relative to the body (102) about the overlap axis (104) between a first angular position (110) and a second angular position (112), and to axially displace the actuator housing (106) relative to the body (102) along the overlap axis (104) between a first axial position (114) and a second axial position (116); and The clutch gear (118) of the drive assembly (108) is rotatably and axially displaceable by the body (102), and the clutch gear (118) of the drive assembly (108) has at least one housing latch (120) that axially connects the clutch gear (118) to the actuator housing (106) while allowing relative rotation of the clutch gear (118) and the actuator housing (106); and The shaft section (122) extends along the overlapping axis (104) and includes at least one groove (124) that circumferentially surrounds the top surface (126) of the shaft section (122), and the inner portion (128) of the cover member (158) includes at least one slot (130) having at least one pin (131) that is fixed in the at least one slot (130) and engages the at least one groove (124) on the top surface (126) of the shaft section (122).

2. The actuator (100) of claim 1 further includes a superimposed cam guide (132) extending peripherally and interacting with the body (102) and the actuator housing (106), the superimposed cam guide (132) being configured to move the body (102) and the actuator housing (106) to a second angular position (112), the superimposed cam guide (132) of the body (102) having a superimposed stop latch (134) having a shoulder (148), and the actuator... The overlapping cam guide (132) of the housing (106) has overlapping stop pawl (136); and wherein the body (102) and the clutch gear (118) each have lifting cam guide (138) that extend along the outer periphery and interact with each other to define a lifting stop (140) and a lifting stroke (142), the lifting cam guide (138) of the body (102) has a lifting stop latch (144), and the lifting cam guide (138) of the clutch gear (118) has a lifting stop pawl (146).

3. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the cover member (158) of the actuator (100) has the inner portion (128) and the outer portion (129); wherein the inner portion (128) includes at least one slot (130) circumferentially spaced apart from each other about the overlapping axis (104), and the inner portion (128) engages with the top surface (126) of the shaft segment (122); and the cover member (158) is configured to rotate axially about the shaft segment (122).

4. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the at least one slot (130) of the inner portion (128) of the cover member (158) includes at least one pin (131), and the at least one pin (131) comprises metal, plastic and combinations thereof.

5. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the inner portion (128) of the cover member (158) comprises an integral plastic structure (184) that engages with at least one of the grooves (124) on the top surface (126) of the shaft section (122).

6. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the body (102) and the actuator housing (106) rotate relative to each other, and at least one pin (131) of the inner portion (128) of the cover member (158) is raised and disengaged from at least one of the grooves (124); and as the body (102) and the actuator housing (106) continue to rotate, the at least one pin (131) travels along the flat surface (150) of the top surface (126) of the shaft section (122) and engages with at least one of the grooves (124).

7. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the body (102) has a base section (152) and the shaft section (122) is arranged axially adjacent to the base section (152), the base section (152) having at least one base fastening device (154) for connecting the body (102) to a door of a vehicle and a base frame (156) of the shaft section (122) extending through a through hole in the actuator housing (106).

8. The actuator of claim 7, wherein the base section (152) and the shaft section (122) are integrally formed, or the body (102) is configured in two parts, and the base section (152) and the shaft section (122) are separately formed and connected by pressure fitting, the shaft section (122) having a peripheral channel (206) and a retainer ring (188) having a plurality of snaps (208) engaging the peripheral channel (206).

9. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly (108) has a transmission system for rotating the actuator housing (106) about a superimposed axis (104); and for displacing the actuator housing (106) along the superimposed axis (104); wherein at least one slot (130) of the inner portion (128) of the cover member (158) is axially displaced; and the pin (131) is axially displaced synchronously from at least one of the grooves (124) on the top surface (126) of the shaft section (122).

10. The actuator of claim 9, wherein the transmission system comprises: Electric motor (186); A printed circuit board (194) is mounted to and electrically connected to the electric motor (186) and is used to rotatably connect the clutch gear (118) to the electric motor (186). The first worm gear (178) is anti-torsively fastened to the drive shaft of the electric motor (186); The second worm gear (182) meshes with the clutch gear (118); as well as A spur gear (180) meshes with the first worm gear (178) and is anti-torsively fastened to the second worm gear (182).

11. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the first angle difference between the first angular position (110) and the second angular position (112) is in the range of 20° to 90°.

12. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly (108) has a retainer ring (188), a clutch ring (190) and a spring (192), and the spring supported between the retainer ring and the clutch ring is a wave spring.

13. The actuator of claim 1, wherein the actuator housing (106) has a through hole and at least one mirror fastening device (162) through which the body (102) penetrates, and the at least one mirror fastening device (162) is used to detachably connect the mirror housing of the rearview device (300) thereto.

14. A rearview device including an actuator for a rearview device (300) for a vehicle (302), said actuator comprising: The main body (102) defines the overlapping axis (104) of the rearview device (300) relative to the vehicle (302). The actuator housing (106) includes a base component (156) and a cover component (158), and the actuator housing (106) is rotatably and axially displaceable by the body (102); A drive assembly (108), supported by the actuator housing (106) and configured to rotate the actuator housing (106) relative to the body (102) about the overlap axis (104) between a first angular position (110) and a second angular position (112), and to axially displace the actuator housing (106) relative to the body (102) along the overlap axis (104) between a first axial position (114) and a second axial position (116); and The clutch gear (118) of the drive assembly (108) is rotatably and axially displaceable by the body (102), and the clutch gear (118) of the drive assembly (108) has at least one housing latch (120) that axially connects the clutch gear (118) to the actuator housing (106) while allowing relative rotation of the clutch gear (118) and the actuator housing (106); and The shaft section (122) extends along the overlapping axis (104) and includes at least one groove (124) that circumferentially surrounds the top surface (126) of the shaft section (122), and the inner portion (128) of the cover member (158) includes at least one slot (130) having at least one pin (131) that is fixed in the at least one slot (130) and engages the at least one groove (124) on the top surface (126) of the shaft section (122).

15. A vehicle including at least one rearview device, said at least one rearview device having an actuator, said actuator comprising: The main body (102) defines the overlapping axis (104) of the rearview device (300) relative to the vehicle (302). The actuator housing (106) includes a base component (156) and a cover component (158), and the actuator housing (106) is rotatably and axially displaceable by the body (102); A drive assembly (108), supported by the actuator housing (106) and configured to rotate the actuator housing (106) relative to the body (102) about the overlap axis (104) between a first angular position (110) and a second angular position (112), and to axially displace the actuator housing (106) relative to the body (102) along the overlap axis (104) between a first axial position (114) and a second axial position (116); and The clutch gear (118) of the drive assembly (108) is rotatably and axially displaceable by the body (102), and the clutch gear (118) of the drive assembly (108) has at least one housing latch (120) that axially connects the clutch gear (118) to the actuator housing (106) while allowing relative rotation of the clutch gear (118) and the actuator housing (106); and The shaft section (122) extends along the overlapping axis (104) and includes at least one groove (124) that circumferentially surrounds the top surface (126) of the shaft section (122), and the inner portion (128) of the cover member (158) includes at least one slot (130) having at least one pin (131) that is fixed in the at least one slot (130) and engages the at least one groove (124) on the top surface (126) of the shaft section (122).

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