ACTUATOR FOR A VEHICLE'S REARVIEW DEVICE, REARVIEW DEVICE AND VEHICLE

Abstract

An actuator for a vehicle's rear-view device, comprising a body defining a folding axis and an actuator housing rotatably and axially displaceably supported by the body and a drive assembly. A coupling wheel of the drive assembly is rotatably and axially displaceably mounted through the body and has at least one housing locking mechanism that axially couples the coupling wheel to the actuator housing while allowing relative rotation of the coupling wheel and the actuator housing. A shaft section extends along the folding axis and includes at least one circumferential groove around a top surface of the shaft section. An interior space of an upper section of the actuator housing includes at least one slot with at least one pin secured in at least one slot and engaging in at least one of the grooves on the upper surface of the shaft section.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an actuator for a rearview device of a vehicle and in particular to an actuator that provides a folding and lifting function. The present disclosure also relates to a rearview device comprising such an actuator and to a vehicle comprising at least one such rearview device. background

[0002] A vehicle's rearview mirror is typically mounted on a base frame located on the outside of a vehicle door or body and allows the driver to see behind the vehicle's propulsion system. Some rearview mirrors incorporate a powerfold actuator for automatically folding the mirror in and out. In some cases, the powerfold actuator comprises an actuator base that mounts to a base frame, an actuator housing that supports a mirror housing rotatably coupled to the actuator base, and a drive assembly configured to automatically pivot the actuator housing relative to the actuator base around a folding axis between a first angular position and a second angular position, which is the extended position of the rearview mirror.

[0003] In its extended position, the rearview camera protrudes from the vehicle door and extends essentially perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel. Since the rearview camera is in the extended position while the vehicle is in motion, this position is often referred to as the driving position.

[0004] In the folded position, the rearview camera is aligned with the vehicle door and extends in the opposite direction of travel. Since the rearview camera is in the folded position when the vehicle is parked, this position is often referred to as the parking position.

[0005] The Powerfold actuator enables automatic opening and closing of the rearview device, but the Powerfold actuator should also allow manual swiveling of the rearview device between the first and second angular positions, e.g. in case of a defect or malfunction of the Powerfold actuator.

[0006] Additionally, the Powerfold actuator is usually required to enable manual folding of the rearview device, e.g. to manually pivot the rearview device into a third angular position, a so-called folded position of the rearview device.

[0007] In the folded position, the rearview camera is essentially aligned with the vehicle door as it is in the folded position. However, in the folded position, the rearview camera extends in the forward direction of travel of the vehicle; that is, the orientation of the rearview camera in the folded position is essentially opposite to the orientation of the rearview camera in the folded position. By pivoting from the extended position to the folded position, the extended rearview camera can yield to a torque acting in the forward direction of travel of the vehicle, thus preventing the rearview camera or the Powerfold actuator from breaking due to the torque.

[0008] Another requirement for a rear-view camera is that it generates as little wind noise as possible while driving, i.e., in the extended position, and that it pivots very easily, thus minimizing wear. While pivoting the rear-view camera is very easy and causes little wear if there is a gap between the actuator housing and the actuator base, it is precisely this gap that generates noise when exposed to wind. Wear is further prevented if a pin is located in an inner part of an upper actuator housing, which has at least one slot to receive the pin. The pin is connected to an upper part of a shaft that has at least one groove and a flat top surface.The pin absorbs some of the tension between the actuator housing and the base, so that wear on both components is minimal.

[0009] To overcome these problems, the Powerfold actuator can incorporate a lifting mechanism. This lifting mechanism is designed to axially displace the actuator housing relative to the actuator base along the folding axis between a first axial position, in which the actuator housing rests flush against the actuator base without any gap, and a second axial position, in which the actuator housing is spaced from the actuator base, creating a gap between the two. The lifting mechanism can lower the actuator housing in the drive position of the retraction device and raise it for any pivoting movement. The resulting gap allows the pin to disengage from one of the slots and then re-engage in the next slot as the actuator housing rotates around the actuator base.

[0010] The lifting mechanism can have one or more pairs of circular cam tracks. The cam tracks of each pair are arranged so that they face each other and are configured to interlock to a greater or lesser degree depending on their relative angular position. Thus, rotating the cam tracks of a pair relative to each other causes a change in the axial distance between the cam tracks, with this change in axial distance imparting the desired axial displacement effect to the actuator housing.

[0011] The drive assembly can integrate the lifting mechanism and provide a combined folding and lifting function for the powerfold actuator. However, equipping a powerfold actuator with a lifting mechanism typically results in high mass and high mechanical complexity.

[0012] From EP 2 574 504 A1, a motor vehicle exterior mirror device is known, comprising a shaft, a gearbox housing, a motor assembly, a deceleration mechanism and a clutch mechanism, an electrically driven rotation limiting mechanism, and a holding mechanism. The holding mechanism is provided between a shaft and a housing. This holding mechanism is arranged in a non-contact state with respect to the shaft and the housing in an area where a mirror assembly rotates between a point of use and a bearing point, and is arranged in a contact state with respect to the shaft and the housing to hold the mirror assembly at the point of use when the mirror assembly is positioned there.Consequently, the present invention is suitable for preventing the application of a load to an electrically driven storage unit and for keeping the mirror assembly vibration-free.

[0013] US 2013 / 0321941 A1 teaches an adjustment tool for an exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle. The adjustment tool comprises a housing that pivots relative to a base between a park position, a drive position, and a flip position. The adjustment tool further comprises an electric drive unit provided within the housing and a drive ring for coupling with the electric drive unit.

[0014] From DE 698 22 701 T2, an external rearview mirror is known with a mirror head rotatably mounted on a pivot pin attached to a mounting rod. A bracket holds the mirror head in a desired position relative to the mounting rod. A spring acts between the mounting rod and the mirror head to hold the bracket in its locked position. An actuator is driven by an electric motor so that, during initial startup, while the lock is engaged to prevent rotation of the mirror head, a force is exerted on the spring, causing the mirror head to move and release the lock. During subsequent operation, the actuator rotates the mirror head around the pivot pin.

[0015] US Patent 2007 / 0084707 A1 discloses a hinge actuator comprising a first part pivotally connected to a second part and an electric drive for pivoting the parts relative to each other. The first and second parts have stops that interact in a first pivoting direction to define a position of the actuator parts. A coupling is provided between the first and second parts, such that in a first position the first and second parts are connected via the drive and can be pivoted relative to each other by the drive, and in a second position the first and second parts are not connected via the drive and can be pivoted manually relative to each other.

[0016] DE 10 2019 122 105 B3 relates to an actuator for a vehicle's rear-view device, a rear-view device and a vehicle with such an actuator, which has a body that defines a folding axis for a vehicle's rear-view device, wherein an actuator housing is rotatably and axially displaceably supported by the body and a drive unit is supported by the actuator housing and is configured to automatically rotate the actuator housing relative to the body about the folding axis between a first angular position and a second angular position and to axially displace the actuator housing relative to the body along the folding axis between a first axial position and a second axial position.

[0017] German patent DE 11 2022 002 308 T5 describes an external rearview mirror assembly for vehicles, comprising an electrically folding actuator and a mirror head. The Powerfold actuator includes an electrically driven motor that rotates a gear which engages with an output gear to pivot the housing section relative to the output gear and a pivot pin. The Powerfold actuator comprises a base section, which is fixed relative to the pivot post and the mounting arm, a first gear, a housing section, a lifting element non-rotatably mounted on the base section, and a spring element that pushes the first gear towards the base section. In the driven position of the mirror head, the spring element acts on the base section via the output gear and the housing section.When the housing part is swivelled relative to the swivel column by motor, the spring element acts on the base part via the output gear and not via the housing part or the lifting element.

[0018] The objective of JP 2022-184040A is to provide a visual detection device for a vehicle equipped with an electrical storage unit, configured to prevent the formation of a gap in a moving section between a housing and a shaft, even when the housing or the like is lifted by a clutch mechanism. This prevents deterioration caused by rust or the like by diverting water or the like to the outside, even if water or the like penetrates the moving section. Summary of Disclosure

[0019] It is desirable to provide an actuator for a vehicle's rear-view device that allows manual swiveling, supports folding, has a lifting mechanism, and at the same time has low mass and low complexity.

[0020] One example provides an actuator for a rear-view device with automatic folding and lifting function, which has low mass and low complexity.

[0021] In one example, an actuator for a vehicle's reversing device comprises a body defining a folding axis for the reversing device relative to the vehicle, an actuator housing rotatably and axially displaceably supported by the body, and a drive assembly supported by the actuator housing configured to rotate the actuator housing relative to the body about the folding axis between a first angular position and a second angular position, and to axially displace the actuator housing relative to the body along the folding axis between a first axial position and a second axial position. The drive assembly includes a clutch wheel rotatably and axially displaceably supported by the body and has at least one housing lock axially coupling the clutch wheel to the actuator housing while allowing relative rotation of the clutch wheel and the actuator housing.wherein a shaft section extends along the folding axis and has at least one groove in the circumferential direction around a top surface of the shaft section, and wherein an interior of an upper part of the actuator housing has at least one slot with at least one pin which is secured in at least one slot and engages in at least one of the grooves on the top surface of the shaft section.

[0022] A rearview device can consist of one or more mirror elements or one or more cameras that allow a view of the traffic behind.

[0023] In another example, the actuator further comprises a cam track extending circumferentially and interacting with the body and the actuator housing, wherein the cam track is configured to move the body and the actuator housing into the second angular position, wherein the cam track of the body has a cam stop with a shoulder and the cam track of the actuator housing has a cam stop; and wherein the body and the clutch wheel each have a cam track extending circumferentially and interacting to define a lift stop and lift movement, wherein the lift track of the body has a lift stop detent and the lift track of the clutch wheel has a lift stop detent.

[0024] In another example, the upper part of the housing has an inner and outer section, wherein the interior of the upper part comprises the at least one slot spaced apart circumferentially about the hinge axis and interacting with the upper top of the shaft section, and the upper part of the actuator housing is configured to rotate axially about the shaft section.

[0025] In another example, the at least one slot inside the upper part of the housing includes at least one pin, and the at least one pin is made of metal, plastic, and combinations thereof.

[0026] In another example, the body and the actuator housing rotate relative to each other, and the at least one pin inside the upper part of the actuator housing lifts upwards and out of at least one of the slots. As the body and the actuator housing continue to rotate, the at least one pin moves along a flat upper surface of the shaft section and engages in at least one of the slots.

[0027] In another example, the actuator comprises the body with a base section, wherein the shaft section is arranged axially adjacent to the base section, the base section has at least one base fastening for connecting the body to a base frame of at least one door of a vehicle, and the shaft section extends through a through-hole in the actuator housing. The base part and the shaft part are formed in one piece, or the body is formed in two parts, with the base part and the shaft part being formed separately and connected by a bayonet fitting, wherein the base part has the bayonet receptacle and the shaft part the bayonet fitting, or vice versa.

[0028] In another example, the drive assembly has a drive train for rotating the actuator housing about a hinge axis and for moving the actuator housing along the hinge axis; wherein the at least one slot inside the upper part of the actuator housing is axially displaced and the metal pin is simultaneously axially displaced from the at least one of the grooves on the upper surface of the shaft section.

[0029] In one example, the drive train comprises an electric motor, a circuit board mounted on and electrically connected to the electric motor, and, in order to rotatably couple the clutch wheel to the electric motor, a first worm wheel non-rotatably connected to a drive shaft of the electric motor, a second worm wheel that interacts with the clutch wheel, and a spur gear that interacts with the first worm wheel and is non-rotatably connected to the second worm wheel.

[0030] In another example, the first angular difference between the first angular position and the second angular position lies in a range of 20° to 90°.

[0031] In another example, the drive assembly has a retaining ring, a clutch ring and a spring, where the spring, which is mounted between the retaining ring and the clutch ring, is a wave spring.

[0032] In another example, the actuator housing has a through-hole penetrated by the body and at least one mirror fastening means for detachably connecting a mirror housing to a backview device.

[0033] Retrospective device with the actuator described in one of the previous examples.

[0034] A vehicle with at least one rearview camera as described in one of the preceding examples. Brief description of the drawings

[0035] The preceding summary and the following detailed description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For illustrative purposes, certain examples of the present description are shown in the drawings. However, it should be clear that the disclosure is not limited to the exact arrangements and instruments shown. The accompanying drawings, which form part of this description, illustrate an implementation of systems, devices, and procedures consistent with the present description and, together with the description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the disclosure. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Identical numbers in the figures refer to identical components.However, it goes without saying that using a number to designate a component in a particular figure does not serve to restrict the component in another figure designated with the same number. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the front of a vehicle; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of an actuator; Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the in Fig. 2 actuators shown with the cover removed; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a top view of the in Fig. 2 actuators shown in a first angular position, a second angular position and a third angular position Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a side view of the in Fig. 2 actuators shown; Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the gear train of the in Fig. 2 actuators shown; Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a perspective partial view of a drive assembly of the in Fig. 2 actuators shown. Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the actuator made of Fig. 2; Fig. 9 is a close-up of circle D from Fig. 8; Fig. Figure 10 shows how a pin comes out of a groove; Fig. Figure 11 is a schematic representation of an inner section of the actuator cover part; and Fig. Figure 12 is a schematic representation of an exploded view of an actuator according to another embodiment. Detailed description

[0036] The following detailed description is intended to help the reader gain a comprehensive understanding of the methods, devices, and / or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems, devices, and / or methods described herein are suggested to those skilled in the art. Descriptions of known functions and designs may also be omitted to improve clarity and conciseness.

[0037] It goes without saying that the phraseology and terminology used here serve the purpose of description and should not be considered restrictive. For example, the use of a singular term, such as "a / an," is not intended to limit the number of elements. Similarly, the use of relational terms, such as "above," "below," "left," "right," "above," "below," "below," "above," "next to," is employed in the description for the sake of clarity and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or the attached claims. Furthermore, each of the features may be used individually or in combination with other features. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be, or will become, obvious to a person skilled in the art upon examination of the detailed description.It is intended that all these additional systems, methods, features and advantages are included in this description, fall within the scope of the present disclosure and are protected by the accompanying claims.

[0038] Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front of a vehicle 302. The vehicle may include at least one rearview camera 300. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle 302 comprises two rearview devices 300. A driver's side or right rearview device 300 and a passenger's side or left rearview device 300.

[0039] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an actuator 100 according to an embodiment that can be used to attach 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 folding axis 104 for the rearview device 300 of the vehicle 302 and is configured to be mounted on a right-hand side of the vehicle 302.

[0040] The body 102 has a base section 152 with three base fasteners 154 for connecting the body 102 to the base frame of the vehicle door 302. The body further defines a shaft section 122, which is arranged axially adjacent to the base section 152. The base section 152 and the shaft section 122 are formed in one piece from a plastic or metal and have a substantially cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the base section 152 and the shaft section 122 differ in the diameter of the cylinder, with the base section 152 having a larger diameter than the shaft section 122.

[0041] The actuator 100 also has an actuator housing 106, which is rotatably and axially displaceably supported by the body 102. The actuator housing 106 has a through-bore 160 that is penetrated by the body 102. For example, the shaft section 122 extends through the through-bore 160 of the actuator housing 106, as does the mirror mounting element 162 for the detachable connection of a mirror housing of the backview device 300 to the body 102. The actuator housing 106 is designed in two parts and comprises a base part 156 and a cover part 158, which are detachably connected to each other and form the actuator housing 106.

[0042] The base part 156 and the cover part 158 ​​each have corresponding fastening means, with the through-hole 160 and the mirror fastening means 162 being formed in the base part 156. The cover part 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.

[0043] A retaining ring 188 is axially attached to the shaft section 122 by an interference fit, the shaft section 122 having a circumferential channel 206 and the retaining ring 188 having a plurality of locking elements 208 engaging in the circumferential channel 206. The spring 192 is supported between the retaining ring 188 and the coupling ring 190, thereby biasing the coupling ring 190, the coupling gear 118 and the shaft cam ring 176 against the base section 152 of the body 102.

[0044] The actuator housing 106 can have a height, measured axially, in a range of 60 mm to 90 mm for different embodiments. The actuator housing 106 can have a width, measured in a first radial direction, in a range of 40 mm to 70 mm for different embodiments. The actuator housing 106 can have a length or depth, measured in a second radial direction perpendicular to the first radial direction, in a range of 60 mm to 100 mm for different embodiments.

[0045] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the actuator 100 with the cover 158 removed to provide access to the internal structure of the actuator 100. The actuator 100 has a drive assembly 108 that is completely located within and supported by the actuator housing 106; that is, the actuator 100 is a so-called powerfold actuator. The drive assembly 108 is designed to rotate the actuator housing 106 relative to the body 102 along the folding axis 104 between a first angular position 110 and a third angular position 113 (as shown in Figure 3). Fig. 3 shown) and for axially displacing the actuator housing 106 relative to the body 102 along the hinge axis 104 between the first axial position 114 and the second axial position 116 (as shown in Fig. 5 shown) trained.

[0046] Fig. Figure 4 shows a top view of the actuator 100 in a first angular position 110, i.e., a folded-in position of the rear-view device 300, a second angular position 112, i.e., an unfolded position of the rear-view device 300, and a third angular position 113, i.e., a folded-over position of the rear-view device 300. A first angular difference 164 between the first angular position 110 and the second angular position 112 can be 75° and, in various embodiments, can also be in the range of 20° to 90°. A second angular difference 166 between the first angular position 110 and the third angular position 113 can be 165° and, in various embodiments, can also be up to 240°.

[0047] Fig. Figure 5 shows a side view of the actuator 100. The actuator housing 106 is in a second axial position 116, which forms a gap 168 between the base part 156 of the actuator housing 106 and the base section 152 of the body 102. In a first axial position 114, the base part 156 of the actuator housing 106 rests against the base section 152 of the body 102 essentially without a gap 168.

[0048] Fig. Figure 6 shows a perspective partial view of a drive train of the actuator 100. The drive train for the rotatable coupling of the clutch wheel 118 with the electric motor 186 comprises a first worm wheel 178, which is rotationally fixed to the drive shaft of the electric motor 186, a second worm wheel 182, which interacts with a clutch wheel 118, and a spur gear 180, which interacts with the first worm wheel 178 and is rotationally fixed to the second worm wheel 182. The first worm wheel 178 comprises or consists of a plastic. The spur gear 180 comprises or consists of a plastic. The second worm wheel 182 comprises or consists of a metal. The second worm wheel 182 and the spur gear 180 are rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to both the drive shaft and the hinge axis 104.

[0049] Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a perspective partial view of the drive assembly 108 of the actuator 100.

[0050] The body 102 (in Fig. 7 not shown, see Fig. 2) and the clutch wheel 118 each have a cam track 138, 170 (see Fig. 12), which extends around the circumference of the body 102 and interacts to define a stroke stop and a stroke movement. The stroke movement determines the width of a gap 168. The stroke cam track 138 of the body 102 has a stroke stop lock 144 and the stroke cam track 138 of the clutch wheel 118 has a stroke stop detent 146.

[0051] The lifting cam tracks 138, 170 are radially within the folding cam tracks 132, 172 (see Fig. 12) of the actuator housing 106 or the body 102. The lifting cam tracks 138, 170 and the folding cam tracks 132, 172 are also arranged axially at the same location. The lifting cam track 138 of the clutch wheel 118 fully engages the lifting cam track 170 of the body 102, i.e., the lifting stop lock 144 engages the lifting stop detent 146, which corresponds to the first axial position 114 of the actuator housing 106.

[0052] The hinge cam track 172 of the body 102 and the lifting cam track 170 of the body are formed on a wave cam ring 176 of the drive assembly 108. The wave cam ring 176 is rotationally fixed to the body 102 by means of a plurality of angular positioning detents 196 (see Fig. 12) of the wave-curve ring 176 engages in a multitude of suitable angular positioning locks 198 of the body 102.

[0053] The coupling ring 190 and the coupling wheel 118 each have a coupling cam track extending circumferentially and interacting to control an angular coupling between the coupling ring 190 and the coupling wheel 118. The coupling cam track of the coupling ring 190 has a plurality of angular positioning latches 198, and the coupling cam track of the coupling wheel 118 has a plurality of coupling detents 174 for engaging with the angular positioning latches 198 of the coupling ring 190. Furthermore, the coupling detents and the angular positioning latches can be reversed in various embodiments.

[0054] In summary, the clutch wheel 118 is the central part of the drive assembly 108 and has an outer helical gear for interacting with the drive train and transmitting a torque, a clutch cam track for interacting with the clutch ring 190 and controlling a relative angular position of the clutch wheel 118 and the body 102, a cam track 170 for interacting with the body 102 and controlling a relative axial position of the clutch wheel 118 and the body 102, and a housing lock 120 for interacting with the actuator housing 106 and controlling a relative axial position of the actuator housing 106 and the body 102; i.e., the clutch wheel 118 is configured for a total of four different interactions.

[0055] Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of actuator 100. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of the in Fig. Figure 8, circle D, is shown. The actuator 100 comprises the body 102, the actuator housing 106, and the shaft section 122. The shaft section 122 can extend along the hinge axis 104 in a substantially vertical direction. The shaft section 122 can further have a top surface 126, and the top surface 126 can have at least one groove 124. The at least one groove 124 is spaced circumferentially around the top surface 126 of the shaft section 122. Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 9 shows an inner section 128 and an outer section 129 of the cover part 158. The inner section 128 of the cover part 158 ​​can have at least one slot 130 spaced circumferentially around the hinge axis 104 on an upper surface 204 of the inner section 128 of the cover part 158. The slots 130 are configured to hold at least one pin 131. The pin 131 can engage in at least one groove 124 of the upper surface 126 of the shaft section 122.

[0056] Fig. Figure 10 shows a perspective view as the actuator 100 moves from the first angular position 110 to the second angular position 112. While the actuator 100 moves from the first angular position 110 to the second angular position 112, it simultaneously moves from the first axial position 114 to the second axial position 116. This causes the cover part 158 ​​to lift vertically, allowing the pin 131, which engages in the groove 124 of the top surface 126 of the shaft section 122, to disengage from the groove 124 and make contact with the top surface 126 of the shaft section 122. The pin 131 absorbs some of the force and weight of the rearward device 300, thereby reducing wear and stress on the drive assembly 108, which in turn extends the service life and function of the actuator 100.

[0057] Fig. Figure 11 is a schematic representation of the inner section 128 of the cover part 158 ​​of the actuator 100. The cover part 158 ​​of the actuator 100 can have at least one slot 130 configured to accommodate at least one pin 131. Although the figure shows only one pin 131, it is conceivable that alternative embodiments could use multiple pins 131.

[0058] Fig. Figure 12 shows an exploded view of the actuator 100 for the rear-view device 300 for the vehicle 302. The actuator 100 comprises the cover part 158, which is attached to the base part 156. The actuator 100 further comprises the base section 152, a retaining ring 188 with a plurality of locking elements 208 for securing the retaining ring 188 to the circumferential channel 206 in the shaft section 122. The retaining ring 188 secures the spring 192, in particular a wave spring, the coupling ring 190, the coupling gear 118, and the cam ring 176 to the shaft section 122. The actuator 100 further comprises the printed circuit board (PCB) for controlling the electric motor 186. The electric motor 186 can drive and rotate the actuator, thereby engaging in the gear train (see Figure 12). Fig. 6), comprising the first worm gear 178, the spur gear 180, the second worm gear 182 and the coupling gear 118.

[0059] Unless otherwise stated, all numbers used in the description and claims that express characteristic sizes, quantities, and physical properties are to be understood as being modified by the term "approximately." Accordingly, unless otherwise stated, the numerical parameters given in the foregoing description and the accompanying claims are approximate values ​​that may vary depending on the desired properties to be achieved by persons skilled in the art using the teachings disclosed herein.

[0060] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the specific embodiments shown and described can be replaced by a multitude of alternative and / or equivalent implementations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The present application is intended to cover all adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments described herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure is limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0061] Furthermore, the features of the disclosure revealed in this description, the claims, and the drawings can be used individually or in any possible combination to carry out the disclosure in its various exemplary embodiments. In particular, all combinations of features of the claims, irrespective of the claim dependencies, are covered by this application. REFERENCE MARK LIST 100 actuators 102 bodies 104 Folding axle 106 actuator housings 108 Drive assembly 110 first angle position 112 second angular position 113 third angle position 114 first axial position 116 second axial position 118 Clutch wheel 120 Housing lock 122 Wave section 124 grooves 126 Top side (wave) 128 Interior [of the upper] section of the BODY 129 Outer surface [of the upper] section of the BODY 130 slots 131 pen 132 Folding curve track (coupling wheel) 134 Folding stop lock 136 Folding stop detent 138 Hub curve track (clutch wheel) 140 stroke stop 142 lifting movements 144 Lifting stop lock 146 Stroke stop detent 148 Shoulder 150 flat upper surface (upper part of the shaft) 152 Base section (body) 154 Basic fasteners 156 Base part (actuator housing) 158 Cover part (actuator housing) 160 Through hole (body) 162 Mirror mounting hardware 164 first angle difference 166 second angle difference 168 gap 170 Lift curve track (body) 172 Folding Curve Track (Body) 174 Clutch detent 176 wave curve ring 178 first worm gear 180 Spur gear 182 second worm gear 184 integrated plastic structure (pin) 186 Electric motor 188 retaining ring 190 Clutch ring 192 feathers 194 Printed circuit board (PCB) 196 angular positioning detents 198 Angle Positioning Locks 204 upper surface (slots inside the cover part) 206 Circumferential channel 208 locks 300 rearview device 302 Vehicle

Claims

[1] An actuator (100) for a rearview device (300) of a vehicle (302) comprising the following: a body (102) that defines a folding axis (104) for the rearview device (300) in relation to the vehicle (302); an actuator housing (106) with a base part (156) and a cover part (158), wherein the actuator housing (106) is rotatably and axially displaceably supported by the body (102); a drive assembly (108) which is supported by the actuator housing (106) and is designed to rotate the actuator housing (106) relative to the body (102) about the hinge 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 hinge axis (104) between a first axial position (114) and a second axial position (116); and wherein a coupling wheel (118) of the drive assembly (108) is rotatably and axially displaceably supported by the body (102) and has at least one housing locking mechanism (120) that axially couples the coupling wheel (118) to the actuator housing (106) while allowing relative rotation of the coupling wheel (118) and the actuator housing (106); and wherein a shaft section (122) extends along the hinge axis (104) and has at least one groove (124) circumferentially around a top surface (126) of the shaft section (122) and wherein an inner section (128) of the cover part (158) has at least one slot (130) with at least one pin (131) which is secured in at least one slot (130) and engages in at least one groove (124) on the top surface (126) of the shaft section (122). [2] Actuator (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a folding cam track extending circumferentially and interacting with the body (102) and the actuator housing (106), wherein the folding cam track is configured to move the body (102) and the actuator housing (106) into the second angular position (112), wherein a folding cam track (172) of the body (102) has a folding stop lock with a shoulder and a folding cam track (132) of the actuator housing (106) has a folding stop detent (136); and wherein the body (102) and the clutch wheel (118) each have a lifting cam track (138) extending in the circumferential direction and interacting with each other to define a lifting stop and a lifting movement, wherein the lifting cam track (138) of the body (102) has a lifting stop lock (144) and the lifting cam track (138) of the clutch wheel (118) has a lifting stop detent (146). [3] Actuator (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover part (158) of the actuator (100) has an inner section (128) and an outer section (129); wherein the inner section (128) has a slot (130) that interacts with the top (126) of the shaft section (122); and the cover part (158) is configured to rotate axially about the shaft section (122). [4] Actuator (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover part (158) of the actuator (100) has an inner section (128) and an outer section (129); wherein the inner section (128) has at least two slots (130) spaced apart from each other circumferentially around the hinge axis (104) and interacting with the top (126) of the shaft section (122); and the cover part (158) is configured to rotate axially around the shaft section (122). [5] Actuator (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one pin (131) comprises metal, plastic and combinations thereof. [6] Actuator (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner section (128) of the cover part (158) has an integrated plastic structure which engages in at least one of the grooves (124) on the top (126) of the shaft section (122). [7] Actuator (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (102) and the actuator housing (106) rotate relative to each other and the at least one pin (131) of the inner section (128) of the cover part (158) is lifted upwards and out of 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) moves along a flat upper surface of the top (126) of the shaft section (122) and engages in at least one of the grooves (124). [8] Actuator (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (102) has a base section (152) and the shaft section (122) is arranged axially adjacent to the base section (152), wherein the base section (152) has at least one base fastening means (154) for connecting the body (102) to a base part (156) of at least one door of a vehicle and the shaft section (122) extends through a through-hole of the actuator housing (106). [9] Actuator (100) according to claim 8, wherein the base section (152) and the shaft section (122) are formed in one piece or the body (102) is formed in two parts and the base section (152) and the shaft section (122) are formed separately and are connected by a press fit, wherein the shaft section (122) has a circumferential channel (206) and a retaining ring (188) with several locking elements (208) engaging in the circumferential channel (206). [10] Actuator (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive assembly (108) has a drive train for rotating the actuator housing (106) about a hinge axis (104) and for moving the actuator housing (106) along the hinge axis (104), wherein the at least one slot (130) of the inner section (128) of the cover part (158) is axially displaced and the pin (131) is simultaneously axially displaced from the at least one of the grooves (124) on the top (126) of the shaft section (122). [11] Actuator (100) according to claim 10, wherein the drive train comprises an electric motor (186), a circuit board (194) mounted on and electrically connected to the electric motor (186), and the following for rotatable coupling of the clutch wheel (118) to the electric motor (186): a first worm wheel (178) which is non-rotatably connected to a drive shaft of the electric motor (186), a second worm wheel (182) which interacts with the clutch wheel (118), and a spur gear (180) which interacts with the first worm wheel (178) and is non-rotatably connected to the second worm wheel (182). [12] Actuator (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first angular difference between the first angular position (110) and the second angular position (112) is in a range of 20° to 90°. [13] Actuator (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive assembly (108) comprises a retaining ring (188), a coupling ring (190) and a spring (192) and the spring supported between the retaining ring and the coupling ring is a wave spring. [14] Actuator (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator housing (106) has a through-hole penetrated by the body (102) and at least one mirror fastening means (162) for detachably connecting a mirror housing of a backview device (300) to it. [15] Retrospective device (300) with an actuator (100) according to one of the preceding claims. [16] Vehicle (302) with at least one rearview device (300) according to claim 15.

Images