Extendable mirror assembly for a vehicle, a vehicle and a method for mounting an extendable mirror assembly

Abstract

Extendable mirror assembly (10) configured to be attached to a vehicle (20), the extendable mirror assembly (10) comprising: a drive arrangement (50); a mirror movable between a retracted position and an extended position (190); a support arm (160) with a first end (165) opposite a second end (170), wherein the second end (170) of the support arm (160) is connected to the mirror (190); a flange (175) connected to the first end (165) of the support arm (160); and a support body (90) which is connected to the support arm (160) by the flange (175), wherein the support body (90) is configured to move translationally along an axis (65) in response to the actuation of the drive arrangement (50) in order to move the mirror (190) between the retracted position and the extended position, wherein the flange (175) is attached to the support body (90) by fastening elements (260), wherein the fastening elements (260) have a fastening thread and extend parallel to the axis (65).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an extendable mirror assembly for a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] FR 2574726 A1 discloses an exterior mirror for an automobile. An outer tube is attached to the exterior of the automobile, within which an inner tube is slidably received. The vehicle mirror is attached to the outer end of the inner tube. A nut is attached to the inner tube, which engages a threaded rod. The threaded rod is connected to an electric motor. By rotating the threaded rod using the electric motor, the inner tube and the exterior mirror can be moved back and forth along the outer tube.

[0003] Furthermore, an exterior mirror assembly for motor vehicles is known from DE 10 2011 002 295 B3. The exterior mirror assembly comprises a vehicle-mounted bracket, a housing attached thereto, and a retaining bracket for a vehicle exterior mirror slidably received in the housing.

[0004] US Pat. No. 7,261,428 B1 discloses a vehicle mirror assembly. It includes a base, a mirror housing, and an actuator. The mirror housing is coupled to the base for movement between a retracted and extended position by the actuator.

[0005] Furthermore, WO 2003 / 022635A1 discloses a vehicle exterior mirror assembly with an extension and retraction mechanism for a telescopic arm support connecting a mirror head to a mirror mount.

[0006] US 6 871 970 B2 discloses an exterior rearview mirror of a motor vehicle with a housing for supporting and accommodating a rearview mirror, a mounting arrangement for the housing on a door or on a body element and an adjustment device for the housing by means of at least one electric motor.

[0007] DE 39 38 961 A1 discloses a continuously variable adjustment of a telescope mirror. This adjustment is achieved via an inner tube driven by a threaded rod extending outward through an outer tube via a nut attached to the tube. The rod is driven by a motor via a crown gear, thus enabling remote positioning of the mirror. SUMMARY

[0008] In one aspect according to claim 1, an extendable mirror assembly is configured to be mounted on a vehicle, the extendable mirror assembly comprising: a drive assembly; a mirror movable between a retracted position and an extended position; and a support arm having a first end opposite a second end. The second end of the support arm is connected to the mirror, and a flange is connected to the first end of the support arm. A support body is connected to the support arm through the flange, the support body configured to move along an axis in response to actuation of the drive assembly to move the mirror between the retracted position and the extended position, the flange being attached to the support body by fasteners, the fasteners having a fastening thread and extending parallel to the axis.

[0009] In another aspect according to claim 8, a vehicle includes a cab for an operator of the vehicle and an extendable mirror assembly. The mirror assembly includes a mirror base connected to the vehicle adjacent the cab. A drive assembly is connected to the mirror base and controllable to move a mirror between a retracted position and an extended position. A support arm has a first end and a second end, the second end being connected to the mirror. A flange is fixedly attached to the first end of the support arm.A support body is connected to the support arm through the flange, the support body cooperatively engaging the drive assembly to move along an axis defined by the drive assembly for moving the mirror between the retracted position and the extended position, the flange being secured to the support body by fasteners, the fasteners having a fastening thread and extending parallel to the axis.

[0010] In yet another aspect according to claim 13, a method of assembling an extendable mirror assembly, the extendable mirror assembly configured to be mounted to a vehicle, comprises attaching a support body to a rotatable drive assembly. The method also comprises attaching a support arm to the support body via a flange at a first end of the support arm such that the support arm and the support body are configured to move along an axis defined by the drive assembly in response to actuation of the drive assembly, the flange being attached to the support body by fasteners, the fasteners having a fastening thread and extending parallel to the axis. The method further comprises attaching a mirror to a second end of the support arm.

[0011] Further aspects of the disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with extendable mirror assemblies in a retracted position according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle of Fig. 1 with the extendable mirror assembly in an extended position. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of an extendable mirror assembly of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of a portion of an extendable mirror assembly of Fig. 1 with a support arm attached to a support body. Fig. 5 is a perspective view from below of the section of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of an extendable mirror assembly of Fig. 1 illustrates a threaded bolt extending through the support body and received in a housing. Fig. Figure 7 is a bottom cross-sectional view of an extendable mirror assembly taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 1 in the retracted position. Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view from below of an extendable Mirror arrangement along 8-8 of Fig. 1 in the extended position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components as set forth in the following description and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and may be embodied or practiced in various ways.

[0013] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 illustrate extendable mirror assemblies 10 connected to a cab 15 of a vehicle 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 20 is an agricultural tractor; however, in other embodiments, the extendable mirror assemblies 10 may be connected to various types of vehicles (e.g., construction vehicles, forestry vehicles, mining vehicles, etc.). The illustrated extendable mirror assemblies 10 are adjustably movable between a retracted position ( Fig. 1) and an extended position ( Fig. 2). In any of the retracted or extended positions, the extendable mirror assemblies 10 are configured to provide a rear view 25 behind the vehicle 20 for an operator of the vehicle 20 while the operator is looking forward 30 in the cab 15. The extendable mirror assemblies 10 are movable to the retracted position when the vehicle 20 is not pulling another piece of equipment behind the vehicle 20 (e.g., a trailer, an agricultural baler, etc.) and are movable to the extended position when the vehicle 20 is pulling such equipment to enable the operator to see behind the towed equipment.

[0014] With reference to Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of an extendable mirror assembly 10. The extendable mirror assembly 10 comprises a mirror base 35 fixedly attached to the cabin 15 and an articulated foot 40 connected to the mirror base 35 and rotatable about a pivot axis 45 ( Fig. 1-3). The articulated foot 40 supports a drive assembly 50 with an electric motor 55, connected to a threaded bolt or a power screw 60 for rotating the threaded bolt 60 about a rotation axis 65 in a first rotation direction 70 and a second rotation direction 75 ( Fig. 6). In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded bolt 60 engages a threaded nut 80, and a stop 85 is attached to the threaded bolt 60 adjacent to the electric motor 55 ( Fig. 8).

[0015] With reference to Fig. 3-6, a support body 90 defines a substantially cuboid-shaped element having a bottom surface 95, a top surface 100, a rear surface 105, a front or contact surface 110, a first side surface 115, and a second side surface 120. The front surface 110 defines a plane oriented substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 65. The support body 90 also includes a central opening 125 extending therethrough and adapted to receive the threaded bolt 60 ( Fig. 6). The front surface 110 has projections 130 in a first recess 135 located on opposite sides of the central opening 125 and extending away from the rear surface 105. The bottom surface 95 has a slot 140 in communication with the central opening 125 ( Fig. 5). The illustrated slot 140 is sized and configured to receive the nut 80 such that the nut 80 is substantially fixed relative to the support body 90 (e.g., the nut 80 is locked against axial or rotational movement relative to the support body 90). Extending between the front surface 110 and the rear surface 105 are four openings or through-holes 145, oriented substantially parallel to the rotation axis 65. The first side surface 115 and the second side surface 120 each have an outer channel 150 extending between the front surface 110 and the rear surface 105. The rear surface 105 has a second recess 155, concentric with and in communication with the central opening 125 ( Fig. 5) and dimensioned to accommodate the stop 85.

[0016] With further reference to Fig. 3, a support arm 160 generally defines a hollow J-shaped member having a first end 165 opposite a second end 170. The first end 165 is connected to a flange, plate, or mounting connector 175. The illustrated flange 175 includes a contact surface 180 facing the front surface 110 of the support body 90 ( Fig. 5) such that the contact surface 180, which defines a plane, is oriented generally perpendicular to the rotation axis 65 (e.g., the front surface 110 and the contact surface 180 define parallel planes). The flange 175 also includes four openings 185, each aligned with one of the through-holes 145 of the support body 90. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange 175 is fixedly welded to the support arm 160. In other embodiments, the flange 175 may be fixedly connected to the support arm 160 by a soldering process, an interference fit, an adhesive process, etc. In further embodiments, the flange 175 and the support arm 160 may be constructed as a single piece. The second end 170 of the support arm 160 is connected to a mirror assembly 190 (e.g., a mirror housing that supports a mirror).In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror assembly 190 is non-rotatably mounted to the support arm 160; however, in other embodiments, the mirror assembly 190 may be rotatably connected to the support arm 160.

[0017] A housing 195, formed as a tubular member, includes a first end 200 connected to the articulating base 40 and a second end 205 connected to an end cap assembly 210. The illustrated housing 195 defines a cavity 215 having a first region 218 between lower support bars 220 and upper support bars 225 and a second region 228 below the lower support bars 220. The illustrated lower and upper support bars 220, 225 extend between the first and second ends 200, 205 of the housing 195. A channel 230 extends the entire length of the housing 195 in a side wall thereof between the two pairs of lower and upper support bars 220, 225.The illustrated end cap assembly 210 includes a stop member 235 fixedly attached to the second end 205 by fasteners 240, and engaging the upper and lower support bars 220, 225 and a cover 245 connected to the stop member 235 by, for example, a snap-in connection. The stop member 235 includes projections 236 extending toward the flange 175 and a central opening 238 between the projections 238. The cover 245 includes a central opening 250 with both central openings 238, 250 slidably receiving a portion of the support arm 160.

[0018] During assembly of the extendable mirror assemblies 10, a guard 255 is fixedly connected to the projections 130, for example, by a press fit. In other embodiments, the guard 255 may be welded, brazed, glued, molded, etc., over the projections 130. The illustrated guard 255 is generally aligned with the central opening 125 such that the rotation axis 65 extends through the guard 255 ( Fig. 6). The protective device 255 is insertable into the first end 165 of the support arm 160.

[0019] The support arm 160 and the flange 175 are connected to the support body 90 by four fasteners 260 which are inserted through a corresponding opening 185 of the flange 175 and then through the corresponding through hole 145 of the support body 90, after which nuts 265 engage each of the fasteners 260 adjacent to the back surface 105. Thus, the surface 180 of the flange 175 substantially abuts and is in direct contact with the front surface 110 of the support body 90. In other words, the surface 180 of the flange 175 faces away from the mirror assembly 190 in a first direction along the rotation axis 65 and the front surface 110 of the support body 90 faces toward the mirror assembly 190 in a second direction along the rotation axis 65. The flange 175 is defined as a flat plate that extends radially from the first end 165 of the support arm 160 about the rotation axis 65.In another embodiment, the through-holes 145 may be internally threaded so that the flange 175 is connected to the support body 90 by the fasteners 260 engaging the internal threads of the through-holes 145 without the use of the nuts 265. In this embodiment, the holes 145 extend only partially into the support body 90 from the front surface 110, so that the holes 145 are not defined as through-holes. In other embodiments, the four fasteners 260 may extend through the through-holes 145 from the rear surface 105 and then through the openings 185 of the flange 175 so that the nuts 265 engage the corresponding fastener 260 adjacent to the flange 175. In other embodiments, the fasteners 260 may be fixedly attached to the support body 90 or the flange 175 (e.g., fastening bolts).In other embodiments, the flange 175 may partially encapsulate the support body 90 (e.g., the flange 175 may be configured to abut the bottom, top, front, first lateral, and / or second lateral surfaces 95, 100, 110, 115, 120). In this embodiment, the fasteners 260 may be oriented perpendicular to the rotation axis 65 to connect the flange 175 to the support body 90, or the fasteners 260 may be omitted and the support body 90 may be press-fitted, glued, brazed, or welded to the flange 175. In other embodiments, the support arm 160, the flange 175, and the support body 90 may be integrally formed.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the nut 80 is insertable into the slot 140 so that the drive assembly 50 can be connected to the support body 90 and the support arm 160. In particular, the threaded bolt 60 is insertable through the second recess 155 and the central opening 125 to engage the nut 80 in the slot 140. Because the threaded pin 60 rotates about the rotation axis 65 and the support body 90 remains fixed relative to the threaded pin 60, the support body 90 and the support arm 160 move relative to the threaded pin 60 along the rotation axis 65. In particular, because the nut 80 is fixed within the slot 140, the engagement between the threaded pin 60 and the nut 80 and the relative movement thereof enables the movement of the support body 90. The threaded pin 60 extends through the support body 90 and into the guard 255, which is configured to prevent contact between the support arm 160 and the threaded pin 60.In other embodiments, the protective device 255 may be omitted and the threaded pin 60 may extend into the support arm 160.

[0021] In one embodiment, the housing 195 is assembled simultaneously with the support body 90, as the drive assembly 50 is assembled with the support body 90. The support body 90 is insertable into the first region 218 of the cavity 215 through the second end 205 of the housing 195. Thus, a portion of the upper surface 100 slidably engages the upper support ledges 225 and a portion of the lower surface 95 engages the lower support ledges 220, aligning the channels 150, 230. The engagement between the support body 90 and the housing 195 prevents relative rotation between the support body 90, the support arm 160, and the housing 195. In other embodiments, the support body 90 may be connected to the housing 195 prior to assembly of the drive assembly 50 and the support body 90. With reference to Fig. 3, the end cap assembly 210 is mounted to the support arm 160 by inserting the support arm 160 through the central openings 238, 250 of the end cap assembly 210 near the second end 170 of the support arm 160. The housing 195 is then connected to the articulating base 40 by fasteners 275 that engage the upper and lower support bars 220, 225, and the mirror assembly 190 is connected to the second end 170 of the support arm 160.

[0022] The assembly of the extendable mirror assemblies 10 as described above is one example of an embodiment of the disclosure. The order of the assembled or interconnected components as described above is not limited to this disclosure. For example, other assembly methods may change the order, when the components are connected to each other.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the extendable mirror assemblies 10 are connected to the cabin 15 of the vehicle 20 by the mirror base 35. The operator in the cabin 15 can then automatically move the extendable mirror assemblies 10 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 7) retract or extend ( Fig. 2 and Fig. 8) to the cabin 15. In one embodiment, the operator can retract or extend one of the extendable mirror assemblies 10 independently and / or the operator can retract or extend both extendable mirror assemblies 10 simultaneously. In particular, the operator actuates the drive assembly 50 for the threaded pin 60 to rotate in either the first rotational direction 70 or the second rotational direction 75.

[0024] When the threaded pin 60 rotates in the first direction 70, the support body 90 and the support arm 160 move towards the joint foot 40 into the retracted position ( Fig. 7), since the support body 90 is prevented from rotating with the threaded pin 60 (e.g., the support body 90 can only slide within the housing 195 along the rotation axis 65). Axial movement of the support body 90 is stopped by the stop 85, which is received in the second recess 155. In one embodiment, the engagement between the stop 85 and the support body 90 stops the electric motor 55 to stop rotational movement of the threaded pin 60. In the retracted position, the majority of the support arm 160 is within the housing 195, and the mirror assembly 190 is located substantially below the end cap assembly 210 at a first distance away from the connection between the articulating base 35 and the cab 15. Accordingly, the weight of the mirror assembly 190 creates a first moment 280 ( Fig. 1) acting on various components of the extendable mirror assemblies 10 (e.g., a portion of the first moment of force 280 acts on the connection between the support body 90, the flange 175, and the support arm 160).

[0025] On the other hand, when the threaded pin 60 rotates in the second direction 75, the support body 90 and the support arm 160 move away from the joint foot 40 into the extended position ( Fig. 8). The movement of the support body 90 is stopped by the flange 175, which stops the projections 236 of the stop element 235. In one embodiment, the engagement between the stop element 235 and the flange 175 stops the electric motor 55 to stop rotation of the threaded pin 60. In the extended position, the largest part of the support arm 160 extends from the housing 195 such that the

[0026] Weight of the mirror assembly 190 (at a second distance away from the connection between the hinge base 35 and the cabin 15 greater than the first distance) creates a second moment 285 ( Fig. 2) which is greater than the first moment of force 280 and acts on various components of the extendable mirror assemblies 10 (e.g., a portion of the second moment 285 acts on the connection between the support body 90, the flange 175, and the support arm 160).

Claims

[1] An extendable mirror assembly (10) configured to be mounted on a vehicle (20), the extendable mirror assembly (10) comprising: a drive arrangement (50); a mirror (190) movable between a retracted position and an extended position; a support arm (160) having a first end (165) opposite a second end (170), the second end (170) of the support arm (160) being connected to the mirror (190); a flange (175) connected to the first end (165) of the support arm (160); and a support body (90) connected to the support arm (160) by the flange (175), the support body (90) being configured to translate along an axis (65) in response to actuation of the drive assembly (50) to move the mirror (190) between the retracted position and the extended position, the flange (175) being secured to the support body (90) by fasteners (260), the fasteners (260) having a fastening thread and extending parallel to the axis (65). [2] The extendable mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange (175) presents a first surface (180) facing away from the mirror (190) in a first direction along the axis (65), and wherein the support body (90) presents a second surface (110) toward the mirror (190) facing in a second direction along the axis (65). [3] An extendable mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first and second surfaces (180, 110) each define a plane perpendicular to the axis (65). [4] The extendable mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange (175) is welded to the support arm (160). [5] The extendable mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange (175) is in the form of a plate member extending radially from the support arm (160) from the axis (65). [6] The extendable mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the flange (175) is configured to connect to the support body (90) at four spaced apart attachment locations. [7] An extendable mirror assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the support body (90) includes a plurality of openings (145) parallel to the axis (65), and wherein the flange (175) includes a plurality of openings (185), each of which is aligned with one of the plurality of openings (145) of the support body (90), and the flange (175) receives one of the fastening elements (260). [8] Vehicle (20) comprising: a cabin (15) for an operator of the vehicle (20); and an extendable Mirror arrangement (10) with a mirror base (35) connected to the vehicle (20) next to the cabin (15), a drive assembly (50) connected to the mirror base (35) and controllable to move a mirror (190) between a retracted position and an extended position. a support arm (160) having a first end (165) and a second end (170), the second end (170) being connected to the mirror (190), a flange (175) fixedly attached to the first end of the support arm (160), and a support body (90) connected to the support arm (160) by the flange (175), the support body (90) cooperatively engaging the drive assembly (50) to move along an axis (65) defined by the drive assembly (50) to move the mirror (190) between the retracted position and the extended position, the flange (175) being secured to the support body (90) by fasteners (260), the fasteners (260) having a fastening thread and extending parallel to the axis (65). [9] The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the flange (175) includes a first surface (180) facing away from the mirror (190) in a first direction along the axis (65) and wherein the support body (90) includes a second surface (110) facing the mirror (190) in a second direction along the axis (65), and wherein the surfaces (180, 110) of the flange (175) and the support body (90) abut during operation of the drive assembly (50). [10] The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the flange (175) includes a first surface (180) defining a first plane coincident therewith, and wherein the support body (90) includes a second surface (110) defining a second plane coincident therewith, and wherein the first and second planes are parallel and perpendicular to the axis (65). [11] The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the flange (175) is a plate member extending radially relative to the axis (65). [12] The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the support body (90) includes a plurality of openings (145) parallel to the axis (65), and wherein the flange (175) includes a plurality of openings (185) each aligning with one of the plurality of openings (145) of the support body (90) during operation of the drive assembly (50). [13] A method of assembling an extendable mirror assembly, the extendable mirror assembly (10) being configured to be attached to a vehicle (20), the method comprising: Attaching a support body (90) to a rotatable drive arrangement (50); Attaching a support arm (160) to the support body (90) via a flange (175) at a first end (165) of the support arm (160) such that the support arm (160) and the support body (90) are configured to move along an axis (65) defined by the drive assembly (50) in response to actuation of the drive assembly (50), wherein the flange (175) is secured to the support body (90) by fastening elements (260), wherein the fastening elements (260) have a fastening thread and extend parallel to the axis (65); and Attaching a mirror (190) to a second end (170) of the support arm (160). [14] The method of claim 13, further comprising connecting the flange (175) to the support body (90) at four spaced apart attachment points. [15] The method of claim 14, further comprising abutting a first surface (180) defined by the flange (175) with a second surface (110) defined by the support body (90), the first and second surfaces (180, 110) being perpendicular to the axis (65).

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