Mirror arrangement for a vehicle as well as vehicle

Abstract

Mirror arrangement for a vehicle (100), comprising: - a mirror unit (2), - a first retaining arm (4) which is connected to the mirror unit (2) at a first attachment point (40), and - a second retaining arm (5) which is connected to the mirror unit (2) at a second attachment point (50), - wherein the mirror unit (2) is rotatable about a first axis of rotation (45), on which the first mounting point (40) and the second mounting point (50) are located, relative to the two support arms (4, 5), and - wherein the first retaining arm (4) is movable relative to the second retaining arm (5), so that the mirror unit (2) is pivotable relative to the second retaining arm (5) about a second axis of rotation (55) perpendicular to the first axis of rotation (45), on which the second mounting point (50) is located.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mirror arrangement for a vehicle and to a vehicle comprising the mirror arrangement.

[0002] Mirror arrangements for vehicles are known in a wide variety of configurations from the prior art. To individually adapt to different drivers, and in particular to ensure an optimal field of vision at all times, the mirrors in such arrangements are typically pivotable around both a horizontal and a vertical axis. Often, this adjustment is achieved by pivoting the mirror relative to a housing in which it is located. To enable this pivoting motion, sufficient clearance and complex kinematics are required, resulting in comparatively large mirror arrangements.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mirror arrangement for a vehicle which allows a compact and simple construction with flexible adjustability.

[0004] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. The dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0005] The problem is thus solved by a mirror arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a mirror unit, a first support arm connected to the mirror unit at a first mounting point, and a second support arm connected to the mirror unit at a second mounting point. The mirror unit is rotatable about a first axis of rotation relative to the two support arms. The two mounting points lie on the first axis of rotation. Furthermore, the first support arm is movable relative to the second support arm, so that the mirror unit is pivotable about a second axis of rotation, on which the second mounting point lies, relative to the second support arm. The first and second axes of rotation are perpendicular to each other. In particular, the first and second axes of rotation intersect at the second mounting point.

[0006] The two mounting arms allow for a particularly lightweight and compact mirror unit with a maximum reflective surface area, while the swivel function of the mirror unit enables full adjustability. In other words, the special design of the mirror assembly incorporates an adjustment mechanism outside the unit itself, allowing it to swivel around its two axes. This keeps the mirror unit as compact as possible and results in a particularly low weight. Furthermore, this design frees up more installation space for the two mounting arms, allowing them to be attached to the vehicle body at a distance from each other, thus providing exceptional rigidity and robustness to the mirror assembly.

[0007] Preferably, the mirror unit includes a mirror. For example, the mirror can be embedded in a frame or a housing.

[0008] In particular, the mirror arrangement is a side mirror arrangement, which can be provided on the side of a vehicle, for example on the body or on a vehicle door. Specifically, the first axis of rotation is arranged vertically, and the second axis of rotation is arranged horizontally.

[0009] Preferably, the first support arm is designed in two parts, comprising a support arm and a pivot arm that can be swivelled relative to the support arm. The first attachment point is located on the pivot arm. In particular, the movement of the first support arm relative to the second support arm, which causes the mirror unit to pivot about the second axis of rotation, is achieved by pivoting the swivel arm relative to the support arm. For example, the support arm can be fixed to the vehicle body and, in particular, immovable relative to the second support arm. The two-part design of the first support arm offers a particularly simple and cost-effective way to implement the desired adjustability of the mirror unit.

[0010] Preferably, the swivel arm and the support arm are pivotably connected to each other about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is located between the first axis of rotation and an end of the first support arm opposite the first mounting point. In particular, the pivot axis and the first axis of rotation are thus arranged at a predefined distance from each other. This arrangement is especially advantageous when the support arm and the second mounting arm are fixed in position. By pivoting the swivel arm about the pivot axis relative to the support arm, the mirror unit is pivoted about the second axis of rotation. In particular, the pivotability of the mirror unit is limited by this design, for example, to a maximum pivot angle of up to 30°. Specifically, this pivot angle depends on the ratio of the first distance of the first mounting point from the pivot axis to the second distance between the two mounting points.Preferably, the first distance is at least 50% of the second distance to allow optimal swiveling of the mirror unit.

[0011] Preferably, the pivot axis is parallel to the first axis of rotation. This allows the pivot arm to be designed, for example, simply and cost-effectively as a straight, plate-shaped lever that connects the support arm and the mirror unit. Preferably, the pivot arm and support arm can be connected to each other by means of a simple axial bearing.

[0012] The mirror unit preferably comprises a housing and a mirror. Preferably, the mirror is embedded in the housing. In particular, the special arrangement with the two support arms allows the housing to be kept minimally small, so that when viewed perpendicularly from a mirror surface, the housing edge surrounding the mirror can be kept particularly small. This has a particularly favorable effect on low air resistance and low weight of the mirror assembly.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the mirror arrangement further comprises a shaft extending along the first axis of rotation. The mirror unit is rotatable relative to the shaft. For example, a bearing arrangement can be provided between the mirror unit and the shaft, which enables the relative rotation of the mirror unit to the shaft.

[0014] Preferably, the shaft is connected to the second support arm in such a way that, on the one hand, the shaft can pivot about the second axis of rotation, and on the other hand, rotation of the shaft about the first axis of rotation is blocked. In other words, the shaft is fixed to the second support arm with respect to the first axis of rotation, while pivoting the shaft about the second axis of rotation, which is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation, is possible. In particular, this prevents the mirror unit from being unintentionally rotated by turning the shaft about the first axis of rotation, but rather ensures that the mirror unit can only be rotated intentionally by rotating it relative to the shaft about the first axis of rotation.

[0015] Preferably, the mirror arrangement further comprises a first drive device configured to rotate the mirror unit relative to the shaft. The first drive device thus causes the mirror unit to rotate about the first axis of rotation. Preferably, the first drive device is arranged within the mirror unit. For example, if the mirror unit comprises a housing, the first drive device is preferably arranged within the housing. In this case, the first drive device can be optimally protected. This allows for a particularly compact arrangement that enables automatic adjustment of the mirror unit with few components. Cables for supplying power to the first drive device can, for example, be integrated into the second support arm.

[0016] Advantageously, the first drive device comprises a first spindle assembly with a first motor and a first threaded spindle. The first threaded spindle engages with the shaft. In particular, the first threaded spindle engages eccentrically with the shaft, so that when the threaded spindle is rotated by the first motor, the shaft rotates, similar to a worm drive. Specifically, the threaded spindle extends along a spindle axis perpendicular to the first axis of rotation. The first spindle assembly thus enables very precise rotation of the mirror unit in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner and within a compact installation space.

[0017] The mirror arrangement preferably further comprises a sleeve extending along the first axis of rotation and rotatable relative to the shaft. The sleeve is non-rotatably connected to the first retaining arm. Preferably, the sleeve is pushed onto a portion of the shaft facing the first mounting point. The non-rotatable connection between the sleeve and the first retaining arm can be achieved, for example, by means of a square bolt. The sleeve is particularly advantageous in the case of a two-part first retaining arm, where the sleeve is non-rotatably connected to the pivot arm. In this case, rotating the sleeve relative to the shaft allows the pivot arm to be pivoted relative to the support arm, especially if the support arm and the second retaining arm are each fixed in position and immovable relative to each other.

[0018] Preferably, the mirror arrangement further comprises a second drive device configured to rotate the sleeve relative to the shaft. In particular, the sleeve is rotated about the first axis of rotation. Due to the specific kinematics of the mirror arrangement, the mirror unit is pivoted about the second axis of rotation by means of the second drive device. Similar to the first drive device, the second drive device is preferably located within the mirror arrangement, for example, within the housing. This also allows for simple automatic adjustment of the mirror unit about the second axis of rotation by means of the second drive device.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the second drive device comprises a second spindle device with a second motor and a second threaded spindle. The second threaded spindle engages with the sleeve. Preferably, the second threaded spindle engages with the sleeve eccentrically, so that, similar to the first spindle device, a rotation of the second threaded spindle driven by the second motor causes the sleeve to rotate about the first axis of rotation.

[0020] Preferably, the mirror arrangement further comprises at least one bearing by means of which the mirror unit is connected to the first support arm and / or to the second support arm. Particularly preferably, one bearing is provided at each mounting point. The bearing can be a swivel bearing, a self-aligning ball bearing, or a rubber bearing. Preferably, different bearing types can be provided at each mounting point. The bearing is preferably arranged such that one bearing axis corresponds to the first axis of rotation in order to allow particularly smooth rotation about the first axis of rotation and to enable stable mounting of the mirror element. Furthermore, the bearing, especially if it is provided at the second mounting point, allows the first axis of rotation to tilt, thereby enabling the mirror element to pivot about the second axis of rotation.Such a bearing at the first mounting point also offers the advantage of preventing tension on the components, for example through slight tilting of the first axis of rotation at the first mounting point, in order to always enable smooth and precise adjustment of the mirror element.

[0021] Furthermore, the invention leads to a vehicle comprising the described mirror arrangement. Preferably, the vehicle comprises two such mirror arrangements, which are preferably arranged on opposite sides of the vehicle, and in particular each form a side mirror.

[0022] Preferably, the first and second support arms are rigidly, i.e., immovably, connected to the vehicle body. In the case of a two-part first support arm, the support arm is preferably rigidly, i.e., immovably, connected to the vehicle body. This allows for a mirror assembly with a particularly stable design, low weight, and a compact footprint.

[0023] Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. These show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a mirror arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 an alternative view of the mirror arrangement of the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a sectional view of the mirror arrangement of the Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 another sectional view of the mirror arrangement of the Fig. 1.

[0024] The Fig. Figures 1 to 4 show different views of a mirror arrangement 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Identical or functionally equivalent components are always provided with the same reference numerals.

[0025] The mirror assembly 1 comprises a mirror unit 2 with a mirror 20, which is housed in a casing 3. The mirror unit 2 forms a side mirror of a vehicle. The mirror unit 2 is attached to a body 100 of the vehicle by means of a first retaining arm 4 and a second retaining arm 5. For example, the mirror assembly can be attached to an A-pillar of the vehicle.

[0026] The housing 3 of the mirror unit 2 is connected to the first mounting arm 4 at a first mounting point 40. The housing 3 is also connected to the second mounting arm 5 at a second mounting point 50 opposite the first mounting point 40. The first mounting point 40 and the second mounting point 50 lie on a common first axis of rotation 45. The housing 2 is connected to both mounting arms 4 and 5 by means of a bearing 27, which can, for example, be a rubber bearing. This allows the mirror unit 2 to rotate about the first axis of rotation 45 relative to the two mounting arms 4 and 5, and thus also relative to the vehicle body 100.

[0027] The first retaining arm 4 is designed in two parts and comprises a support arm 41 and a pivot arm 42. The support arm 41 forms the body-side part of the first retaining arm 4 and is fixedly connected to the body 100 at an end 47 of the first retaining arm 4 opposite the first mounting point 40. The pivot arm 41 is arranged parallel to the second retaining arm 5 and forms the housing-side part of the first retaining arm 4 and is pivotable relative to the support arm 42. In detail, the pivot arm 42 and the support arm 41 are pivotably connected to each other about a pivot axis 43, which is parallel to the first axis of rotation 45. The pivot axis 43 lies between the first mounting point 40 and the end 47 of the first retaining arm 4.

[0028] By pivoting the swivel arm 42 about the pivot axis 43, the first mounting point 40 is moved relative to the second support arm 5, thus tilting the mirror unit 2. In doing so, the first axis of rotation 45 is pivoted about the second mounting point 50, as shown in the Fig. 2 is indicated by the two dashed lines 45a. By tilting the first axis of rotation 45, the mirror unit 2 can be pivoted forwards or backwards by an angle 25 from the exemplary, precisely vertical arrangement of the axis of rotation 45 with respect to a direction of travel A. The mirror unit 2 is pivotable about a second axis of rotation 55, on which the second mounting point 50 is located and which is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation 45, relative to the second support arm 5.

[0029] The mirror unit 2 can thus be pivoted about the two axes of rotation 45 and 55, allowing for adjustment of the mirror 20's width and height to individually adapt the field of vision for different drivers of the vehicle. Furthermore, the mirror unit 2 can be folded in by rotating it about the first axis of rotation 45, for example, when parking.

[0030] The bearings 27, which are preferably designed as rubber bearings or swivel bearings, allow not only rotation about the first axis of rotation 45 but also pivoting of the mirror unit 2 about the second axis of rotation 55 relative to the second support arm 5. By pivoting the mirror unit 2 about the second axis of rotation 55, the mirror unit 2 is also inclined relative to the swivel arm 42, whereby the design of the corresponding bearing 27 at the first mounting point 40 as a rubber bearing or swivel bearing prevents jamming or the like from occurring.

[0031] The special design allows for a particularly compact and lightweight mirror assembly 1 while simultaneously providing a maximum mirror surface area and full adjustability. This is made possible by the fact that the adjustment kinematics, which enable the mirror unit 1 to be adjusted around the two axes of rotation 45 and 55, are located outside the mirror unit 2, allowing the mirror unit 2 itself to be kept very compact and lightweight.

[0032] The following refers to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. A drive mechanism is described by means of which the movement of the mirror unit 2 can be motorized. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 each shows a sectional view of the mirror arrangement 1 of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

[0033] As in the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the mirror arrangement 1 comprises a shaft 6, which is designed as a hollow shaft and is arranged inside the housing 3. The shaft 6 extends along the first axis of rotation 45. The shaft 6 is connected to the second retaining arm 5 in such a way that the shaft 6 can pivot about the second axis of rotation 55, while rotation of the shaft 6 about the first axis of rotation 45 is blocked.

[0034] Several flanges 26, 73, 83 are arranged on the outer circumference of the shaft 6. Two of the flanges 26 are rigidly connected to the housing 3 via housing webs 31 (see figure). Fig. 4), and serve to vertically support the housing 3 on the shaft 6. These two flanges 26 are arranged on the shaft 6 in such a way that a relative rotation of the flanges 26 and the shaft 6 is possible, so that the housing 3 can be rotated relative to the shaft 6 about the first axis of rotation 45.

[0035] To actuate the rotation of the housing 3 relative to the shaft 6, the mirror arrangement 1 comprises a first spindle device 70 with a first motor 71 and a first threaded spindle 31. The first motor 71 is located inside the housing 3 and is fixedly connected to it. The first motor 71 can drive the rotation of the first threaded spindle 31. The first threaded spindle 31 engages eccentrically with a flange 73 fixed to the shaft 6. The rotation of the first threaded spindle 31 thus causes the shaft 6 to rotate about the first axis of rotation 45, similar to a worm drive.

[0036] Furthermore, the mirror arrangement 1 comprises a sleeve 9 which extends along the first axis of rotation 45 and which is pushed onto a shaft section 61 with a reduced diameter at an upper area of ​​the shaft 6 (cf. Fig.3) The sleeve 9 and the shaft 6 have an identical outer diameter. The sleeve 9 and the shaft 6 are rotatable relative to each other about the first axis of rotation 45. In addition, the sleeve 9 is rotatable relative to the housing 3.

[0037] The sleeve 9 is rotationally fixed to the swivel arm 42 of the first retaining arm 4. A further flange 83 is fixed to the outer circumference of the sleeve 9.

[0038] The mirror arrangement 1 also includes a second spindle device 80 with a second motor 81 and a second threaded spindle 82. The second spindle device 80 is arranged and designed similarly to the first spindle device 70. That is, the second motor 81 is fixedly connected to the housing 3 and can drive a rotation of the threaded spindle 82, which engages eccentrically with the flange 83.

[0039] The second spindle device 80 allows the sleeve 9 to be rotated relative to the housing 3 about the first axis of rotation 45. Depending on the first spindle device 70, for example, when the second spindle device 70 holds the housing 3 and shaft 6 relative to each other, the sleeve 9 can be rotated relative to the shaft 6. Since the shaft 6 is non-rotatably connected to the second retaining arm 5, and since the second retaining arm 5 and the support arm 41 are each fixed to the body 100, the second spindle device 80 thus drives the pivoting of the swivel arm 42 about the pivot axis 43 and thereby the pivoting of the mirror unit 2 about the second axis of rotation 55. Reference symbol list: 1 Mirror arrangement 2 mirror units 3 cases 4 first support arm 5 second support arm 6 wave 9 sleeve 20 mirrors 25 angles 26 flange 27 warehouses 31 Bridge 40 first attachment point 41 Support arm 42 Swivel arm 43 Swivel axis 45 first axis of rotation 45a pivoted positions of the first axis of rotation 47 End of the first support arm 50 second attachment point 55 second axis of rotation 57 End of the second support arm 61 Wave section 70 first spindle device 71 first engine 72 first threaded spindle 73 Flange 80 second spindle device 81 second engine 82 second threaded spindle 83 Flange 100 bodywork A direction of travel

Claims

[1] Mirror arrangement for a vehicle (100), comprising: - a mirror unit (2), - a first retaining arm (4) which is connected to the mirror unit (2) at a first attachment point (40), and - a second retaining arm (5) which is connected to the mirror unit (2) at a second attachment point (50), - wherein the mirror unit (2) is rotatable about a first axis of rotation (45), on which the first mounting point (40) and the second mounting point (50) are located, relative to the two support arms (4, 5), and - wherein the first retaining arm (4) is movable relative to the second retaining arm (5), so that the mirror unit (2) is pivotable relative to the second retaining arm (5) about a second axis of rotation (55) perpendicular to the first axis of rotation (45), on which the second mounting point (50) is located. [2] Mirror arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first retaining arm (4) is formed in two parts with a support arm (41) and a pivoting arm (42) which is pivotable relative to the support arm (41) and on which the first attachment point (40) is located. [3] Mirror arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the pivot arm (42) and the support arm (41) are pivotably connected to each other about a pivot axis (43), and wherein the pivot axis (43) is arranged between the first axis of rotation (45) and an end (47) of the first support arm (4) opposite the first attachment point (40). [4] Mirror arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the pivot axis (43) is parallel to the first rotation axis (45). [5] Mirror arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mirror unit comprises a housing (3) and a mirror (20). [6] Mirror arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a shaft (6) which extends along the first axis of rotation (45), wherein the mirror unit (2) is rotatable relative to the shaft (6). [7] Mirror arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the shaft (6) is connected to the second retaining arm (5) such that: - the shaft (6) is pivotable about the second axis of rotation (55), and - a rotation of the shaft (6) about the first axis of rotation (45) is blocked. [8] Mirror arrangement according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a first drive device (7) which is configured to rotate the mirror unit (2) relative to the shaft (6) for rotating the mirror unit (2) about the first axis of rotation (45). [9] Mirror arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the first drive device (7) comprises a first spindle device (70) with a first motor (71) and a first threaded spindle (72), and wherein the first threaded spindle (72) engages with the shaft (6). [10] Mirror arrangement according to one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising a sleeve (9) which extends along the first axis of rotation (45) and which is rotatable relative to the shaft (6), wherein the sleeve (9) is connected to the first retaining arm (4) in a rotationally fixed manner. [11] Mirror arrangement according to claim 10, further comprising a second drive device (8) which is configured to rotate the sleeve (9) relative to the shaft (6) for pivoting the mirror unit (2) about the second axis of rotation (55). [12] Mirror arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the second drive device (8) comprises a second spindle device (80) with a second motor (81) and a second threaded spindle (82), wherein the second threaded spindle (82) engages with the sleeve (9). [13] Mirror arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one bearing by means of which the mirror unit (2) is connected to the first retaining arm (4) and / or to the second retaining arm (5), wherein the bearing is a pivot bearing or a self-aligning ball bearing or a rubber bearing. [14] Vehicle comprising a mirror arrangement (1) according to any of the preceding claims. [15] Vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the first retaining arm (4) and the second retaining arm (5) are rigidly connected to a body of the vehicle (100).

Images