Rearview mirror structure

Abstract

Rearview mirror structure, which is a structure of each of the rearview mirrors (10L and 10R), comprising: a mirror body (11) which forms a mirror surface (11a), a mirror holder (12) which holds the mirror body (11); a front cover (16) which covers the mirror holder (12) from a side opposite the mirror body (11); and a mirror support (27) which holds a mirror assembly (19) comprising the mirror body (11), the mirror holder (12) and the front cover (16) to a vehicle body, wherein a ball stud (28) which is positioned on a tip end section of the mirror support (27) is inserted in a space (A1) between the mirror holder (12) and the front cover (16), wherein a spherical body (28a) of the ball pin (28) is rotatably held within the space (A1) by a support (21) which is attached to the mirror holder (12), wherein the mirror holder (12) comprises a holder side recess (13) into which the spherical body (28a) is inserted, wherein the holder (21) comprises a holder side recess (22) which faces the holder side recess (13) and into which the spherical body (28a) is inserted, wherein the spherical body (28a) is clamped between the holder side recess (13) and the holder side recess (22), and the holder (21) and the mirror holder (12) are fastened to each other with a bolt (B1) and a nut (N1), and therefore the spherical body (28a) is held between the holder side recess (13) and the holder side recess (22), and wherein the bolt (B1) and the nut (N1) which fasten the bracket (21) and the mirror holder (12) to each other are tightened together via a collar (K1) through which the bolt (B1) is inserted.

Description

Reference to a related application

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-036134, filed on March 8, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background of the inventionTechnical field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a rearview mirror structure. Description of the state of the art

[0003] For example, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application First Publication No. S59-85747 and Japanese Utility Model Publication (Registered) No. 3217217 disclose a rearview mirror structure in which an outer peripheral edge of a mirror body is held at an outer peripheral portion of a mirror holder, a spherical body of a ball stud is provided at a tip end portion of a mirror post, and the spherical body is clamped and held at one side of the mirror holder, and therefore it is possible to tilt the mirror holder and adjust the angle of a mirror surface. Summary of the invention

[0004] In Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application, First Publication No. S59-85747, a clamping portion is provided that is fixed to the mirror holder at one side of the left and right sides of the spherical body. However, the clamping portion is cantilevered, requiring time and effort to adjust the holding force of the spherical body during rearview mirror assembly. In Japanese Utility Model Publication (Reg.) No. 3217217, a clamping portion is provided that is fixed to the mirror holder at three points around the spherical body, and this also requires a large number of steps for rearview mirror assembly.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a rearview mirror structure with which the attachment of a spherical body to a tilting mirror can be facilitated.

[0006] To achieve the above-described objective, a rearview mirror structure according to one aspect of the present invention employs the following configurations. (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a rearview mirror structure is provided, which is a structure of each of rearview mirrors (10L and 10R), comprising: a mirror body (11) forming a mirror surface (11a), a mirror holder (12) holding the mirror body (11); a front cover (16) covering the mirror holder (12) from a side opposite to the mirror body (11); and a mirror support (27) supporting a mirror assembly (19) comprising the mirror body (11), the mirror holder (12), and the front cover (16) on a vehicle body. A ball stud (28) positioned at a tip end portion of the mirror support (27) is inserted into a space (A1) between the mirror holder (12) and the front cover (16).wherein a spherical body (28a) of the ball stud (28) is rotatably held within the space (A1) by a holder (21) which is fastened to the mirror holder (12), wherein the mirror holder (12) comprises a holder-side recess (13) into which the spherical body (28a) is inserted, wherein the holder (21) comprises a holder-side recess (22) which faces the holder-side recess (13) and into which the spherical body (28a) is inserted, wherein the spherical body (28a) is clamped between the holder-side recess (13) and the holder-side recess (22), and the holder (21) and the mirror holder (12) are fastened to one another with a bolt (B1) and a nut (N1), and therefore the spherical body (28a) is clamped between the holder-side recess (13) and the Bracket side recess (22), and wherein the bolt (B1) and the nut (N1) which fasten the bracket (21) and the mirror holder (12) to each other,are tightened together by a collar (K1) through which the bolt (B1) is inserted.

[0007] According to the above aspect (1), the bolt and nut that clamp the spherical body of the ball stud of the mirror support are tightened together via the collar, and therefore, it is possible to absorb the fastening force of the bolt and nut with the collar, and it is possible to adjust a relative position (spacing) between the holder side recess and the bracket side recess to a specified value. That is, it is possible to clamp the spherical body with a specified force simply by tightening the bolt and nut. For this reason, it is possible to simplify the fastening work of the bracket and facilitate the manufacturing and maintenance of the rearview mirrors.

[0008] (2) In the above aspect (1), bolt fastening portions (25a and 25b) obtained by the bolt (B1) and the nut (N1) are provided on both sides of the spherical body (28a) which is clamped therebetween in a first direction (a vehicle width direction) when viewed in a fastening direction, wherein, in a first fastening portion (25b) provided on one side of the spherical body (28a) in the first direction, the bolt (B1) and the nut (N1) are tightened to each other via the collar (K1), and the bracket (21) is brought into contact with the mirror holder (12), and wherein, in a second fastening portion (25a) provided on the other side of the spherical body (28a) in the first direction, the bolt (B1) and the nut (N1) are tightened to each other without the collar (K1), and a gap (S1) between the mirror holder (12) and the bracket (21) is provided.

[0009] According to the above aspect (2), in one of the two fastening portions with the spherical body clamped therebetween, the bolt and the nut are tightened to each other via the collar and the mirror holder and the bracket are brought into contact with each other, and therefore, it is possible to fix the holder side recess and the bracket side recess at a specified relative position (spacing) while avoiding the application of excessive fastening force to the mirror holder and the bracket.In the other of the pair of fastening portions, the bolt and the nut are tightened to each other without the collar, but the mirror holder and the bracket are spaced apart from each other, and therefore, it is possible to adjust a force for clamping the spherical body simply by increasing or decreasing the amount of tightening between the bolt and the nut, while avoiding the generation of excessive fastening force due to the tightening between the bolt and the nut.

[0010] (3) In the above aspect (2), the first direction is a vehicle width direction, and the first fixing portion (25b) is provided on an outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the second fixing portion (25a) is provided on an inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] According to the above aspect (3), the fixing portion, which is tightly tightened via the collar, is arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and therefore, a fixing force of the mirror assembly on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is increased. For this reason, the mirror assembly is less likely to tilt or rotate even if an inadvertent external force is applied to the outer side of the mirror assembly in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, the fixing portion, which is fixed with the gap and without the collar, is arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and therefore, it is easy to move the mirror assembly with a force from the inside in the vehicle width direction. For this reason, it is easy for the user to adjust the angle or the like by operating the mirror assembly from the inside in the vehicle width direction.That is, it is possible for the user to easily perform an operation such as adjusting the angle of the mirror assembly while suppressing the movement of the mirror assembly due to external forces in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] (4) The above aspect (3) is applied to each of bridge-end type rearview mirrors (10L and 10R) attached to an outer side end portion (2b) of each of left and right grip portions (2aL and 2aR) of a handlebar (2) of a saddle-riding type vehicle (1).

[0013] According to the above aspect (4), when applied to each of the rod end type rearview mirrors, the mirror assembly which tends to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction is less likely to tilt or rotate in a case where an external force is applied to the outer side of the mirror assembly in the vehicle width direction, and it is possible to easily perform the angle adjustment or the like by an operation from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] According to aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a rearview mirror structure with which a fixing work for holding a spherical body for tilting a mirror can be facilitated. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a front view of a semi-ride vehicle in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a handle portion and a rearview mirror on the right side of a vehicle body of the above-described semi-riding vehicle. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a front view of the rearview mirror on the right side of the vehicle body as seen from a front side in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the grip portion. Fig. 5 is a side view of the rearview mirror on the right side of the vehicle body as seen from the right in the axial direction of the handle portion. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a rear view of a mirror holder of the above-described rearview mirror as viewed from the rear in the normal direction. Fig. 10 is a front view of the mirror holder described above, as seen from a front side in the normal direction. Fig. 11 is a rear view of a front cover of the above-described rearview mirror as seen from the rear in the normal direction. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the mirror holder described above, as seen from behind. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the mirror holder described above, as seen from a front side. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the above-described front cover as seen from below. Description of the embodiments

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The directions "forward," "backward," "left," and "right" in the following description correspond to the directions in a vehicle described below unless otherwise specified. Further, in the drawings used in the following description, an arrow FR indicating a forward direction with respect to the vehicle, an arrow LH indicating a left direction with respect to the vehicle, an arrow UP indicating an upward direction with respect to the vehicle, and a line CL indicating a center in a left-right direction of a vehicle body are shown at the corresponding positions.

[0016] In the following description, it is assumed that the ride-on semi-trailer vehicle is in an upright, stationary state, with the vehicle body not tilted left or right and a steering angle of 0 degrees, and is also in an empty 1G state on a horizontal plane. The term "center" used in this embodiment refers not only to the center between both ends of an object, but also to an inner area between both ends of the object.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a front view of a semi-ride vehicle 1 (for example, a motorcycle) in one embodiment. As shown in Fig. As shown in FIG. 1, the saddle-riding vehicle 1 is provided with a rod-type handlebar 2 for steering a front wheel (a steered wheel). Each of the rod-end type rearview mirrors 10L and 10R is attached to an outer side end portion 2b of one of the left and right grip portions 2aL and 2aR of the handlebar 2 in a vehicle width direction (vehicle left-right direction).

[0018] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the handle portion 2aR and the rearview mirror 10R on the right side of a vehicle body. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a front view of the rearview mirror 10R on the right side of the vehicle body as seen from a front side in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the grip portion 2aR. Fig. 5 is a side view of the rearview mirror 10R on the right side of the vehicle body, as seen from the right in the axial direction of the handle portion 2aR.

[0019] The following description will be given with reference to the rearview mirror 10R on the right side of the vehicle body, but the rearview mirror 10L on the left side of the vehicle body has a symmetrical configuration therewith. In the figure, line C1 indicates the central axis of the grip portion 2aR, and reference numeral 2c indicates a throttle sleeve attached to the grip portion 2aR on the right side of the vehicle body.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 2 to 5, the rearview mirror 10R is a rod-end mirror that can be attached to a rod end 2b (an outer side end portion in the vehicle width direction) of the grip portion 2aR of the handlebar 2 of a saddle-type ride-on vehicle 1. The rearview mirror 10R includes a mirror main body (a mirror body) 11 that forms a mirror surface 11a, a mirror holder 12 that has a frame portion 12a that supports an outer peripheral edge 11b of the mirror body 11, a mirror stay 27 that supports a mirror assembly 19 including the mirror body 11 and the mirror holder 12 at a front end portion thereof, and a mirror fixing device 31 that supports a base end portion 27b of the mirror stay 27 and is fixed within the grip portion 2aR.

[0021] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6.

[0022] With reference to the Fig. 6 to 8 together, the base end portion 27b of the mirror stay 27 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom coaxial with the grip portion 2aR. A bolt insertion hole through which a stay fixing bolt 33 is inserted from the outside in the vehicle width direction is formed in the center of a bottom portion of the base end portion 27b. The mirror stay 27 includes the base end portion 27b, an arm portion 27c formed at an upper portion of the base end portion 27b so as to be integral with the base end portion 27b and extend upward, and a ball stud 28 fixed to an upper end portion of the arm portion 27c by screwing and tightening a threaded shaft 28c into the upper end portion of the arm portion 27c.

[0023] A cylindrical handlebar weight 32 included in the mirror fixing device 31 is fixed to the inner side of the grip portion 2aR on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, for example, by welding. The mirror fixing device 31 includes an adapter 34, which is fixed by screwing a threaded shaft 34a into a threaded hole 32a formed on the inner periphery of the handlebar weight 32. The adapter 34 is in the shape of a bolt having an enlarged diameter portion (a head portion) 34b with a hexagonal cross section. The adapter 34 is fixed by tightening the threaded shaft 34a, which is a sub-head portion, into the handlebar weight 32 via a cylindrical spacer unit (a collar) 35.

[0024] A cylindrical nut portion 34c is formed on the outer side of the enlarged diameter portion 34b of the adapter 34 in the vehicle width direction so as to be integral with the enlarged diameter portion 34b. A pocket-shaped nut hole 34d, which opens outward in the vehicle width direction, is formed coaxially with the nut portion 34c in the region from the nut portion 34c to the enlarged diameter portion 34b. The stay fixing bolt 33, which passes through the base end portion 27b of the mirror stay 27, is screwed and fixed into this nut hole 34d from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] The threaded shaft 34a of the adapter 34 is a right-hand thread that is tightened by rotating clockwise, and a lower head portion of the stay fixing bolt 33 is a left-hand thread (a reverse thread) that is tightened by rotating counterclockwise. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the mirror assembly 19 in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle and a torque is applied from the center of the grip portion 2aR to the mirror stay 27, this torque acts to loosen the fastening of either the threaded shaft 34a of the adapter 34 or the stay fixing bolt 33.

[0026] For this reason, regardless of whether a rotational direction of the torque applied to the mirror support 27 is clockwise or counterclockwise, the fastening of either the threaded shaft 34a of the adapter 34 or the support fixing bolt 33 is loosened, thereby allowing the mirror support 27 to rotate, thereby suppressing the action of an excessive load on the mirror assembly 19 or the mirror support 27.

[0027] The mirror assembly 19 includes the mirror holder 12 having the frame portion 12a holding the outer peripheral edge 11b of the disc-shaped mirror body 11, a front cover 16 covering a vehicle front side of the mirror holder 12 (a side opposite to the mirror body 11) while leaving a certain width of an outer peripheral portion 12b, and a bracket 21 fixed between the mirror holder 12 and the front cover 16.

[0028] The mirror assembly 19 has a circular shape slightly larger than the mirror body 11 when viewed in a normal direction of the mirror surface 11a of the mirror body 11, and is formed in a flat shape with a reduced thickness in the normal direction as a whole. The mirror assembly 19 forms a generally spherical reference front surface 19a by a front surface of each outer peripheral portion 12b of the mirror holder 12 and the front cover 16. A front lower protruding portion 17, in which an inner peripheral region near a lower portion protrudes forward with respect to the reference front surface 19a, is formed on a vehicle front side of the mirror assembly 19.The front lower protruding portion 17 forms an inner space A1 between itself and the mirror holder 12, into which the tip end portion (an upper end portion, the ball stud 28) of the mirror support 27 can be inserted from below.

[0029] The front lower protruding portion 17 forms a lower end surface portion 17a, which is substantially horizontal in the rearview mirror 10R mounted on the vehicle body. The lower end surface portion 17a has an opening 17b through which a shaft portion 28b of the ball stud 28 is inserted. The ball stud 28 includes a pivot ball (a spherical body 28a) positioned at the upper end portion of the mirror post 27, the shaft portion 28b continuous with a lower portion of the spherical body 28a, and the threaded shaft 28c projecting downward from a lower end of the shaft portion 28b and screwed into and fixed to the upper end portion of the arm portion 27c. Although the ball stud 28 is separate from the mirror support 27, it is also possible to integrate the ball stud 28 into the support main body 27a as part of the mirror support 27.

[0030] When the rearview mirror 10R is in the normal use state, the normal direction of the mirror surface 11a of the mirror body 11 is tilted rearward and upward, and the axial direction of the shaft portion 28b of the ball stud 28 (a stud axial direction) is tilted so that the lower side is positioned further forward. The lower end surface portion 17a is tilted downward toward the front side in a side view of the vehicle. As a result, the lower end surface portion 17a is not exposed to a front side of the vehicle, the opening 17b and a ball joint are not visible from the front side of the vehicle, and rainwater and dust from a front side of the vehicle are less likely to enter the interior of the mirror assembly 19. The following description will be given assuming that the stud axial direction is in the tilted state (standard state) described above.

[0031] Fig. 9 is a rear view of the mirror holder 12 as seen from the rear in the normal direction. Fig. 10 is a front view of the mirror holder 12 as seen from the front in the normal direction. Fig. 11 is a rear view of the front cover 16 as seen from the rear in the normal direction. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the mirror holder 12 as seen from the rear. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the mirror holder 12 as seen from a front side. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a lower portion of the front cover 16 as seen from below.

[0032] With reference to the Fig.9 to 14 together, the mirror holder 12 covers the back of the mirror body 11 on a side opposite to the mirror surface 11a (a vehicle front side) and forms various structures. On the inner peripheral side of the mirror holder 12, at a portion facing the ball stud 28 from above in the stud axial direction, a holder-side recess 13 is provided, which forms a concave spherical surface that coincides with the upper outer surface of the spherical body 28a. A pair of widening portions 14a and 14b, which widen the left and right widths of the holder-side recess 13, are provided on both the left and right sides of the holder-side recess 13. The pair of widening portions 14a and 14b are respectively aligned on the inside and outside of the holder-side recess 13 in the vehicle width direction.Each of the widening portions 14a and 14b has a bolt insertion hole 14c through which a bracket fixing bolt B1 is inserted for fixing the bracket 21.

[0033] The following description assumes that the bracket fixing bolt B1 is arranged with its axial direction parallel to the above-described pin axial direction. The axial directions of a nut N1 and the insertion hole 14c for the bracket fixing bolt B1 are also parallel to the above-described pin axial direction.

[0034] A pair of nuts N1, into which a pair of bracket fixing bolts B1 are screwed, are arranged on the upper surface side of a wall portion (bracket fixing portion) 13a having a laterally long length including the bracket-side recess 13 and the pair of widened portions 14a and 14b. Each of the pair of nuts N1 is, for example, a weld nut connected to a steel plate having a laterally long length overlapping the upper surface side of the bracket fixing portion 13a. The pair of nuts N1 and the steel plate constitute an integrated nut plate NP1.

[0035] The mirror holder 12 is, for example, a molded product made of a synthetic resin 15 such as polypropylene. The frame portion 12a of the mirror holder 12 has a retaining groove open toward the inner peripheral side. The outer peripheral edge 11b of the mirror body 11 is fitted into the retaining groove of the frame portion 12a, and thus, the mirror body 11 is retained by the mirror holder 12. The outer peripheral portion 12b is continuous with the vehicle front side of the frame portion 12a. A flat portion 12d is formed on the inner peripheral side with respect to the outer peripheral portion 12b, the flat portion 12d being offset rearward (one side of the mirror body 11) via a stepped portion 12c extending rearward of the vehicle. The flat portion 12d has a plate shape substantially parallel to the mirror body 11.The outer peripheral portion of the front cover 16 is attached to the inner peripheral side of the stepped portion 12c to be fixed therein.

[0036] The bracket 21 is arranged below the holder-side recess 13 so as to face the journal axial direction of the holder-side recess 13. The bracket 21 includes a bracket-side recess 22 forming a concave spherical surface that conforms to the lower outer surface of the spherical body 28a, and a shaft insertion hole 22a extending through the central portion of the bracket-side recess 22 to allow insertion of the shaft portion 28b of the ball stud 28 therein. In the bracket 21, a pair of widening portions 23a and 23b are provided on both the left and right sides of the bracket-side recess 22, which widen the left and right widths of the bracket 21. The pair of widening portions 23a and 23b are respectively aligned on the inside and outside of the recess on one side of the bracket 21 in the vehicle width direction.Each of the widened portions 23a and 23b has a bolt insertion hole 23c through which the bracket fixing bolt B1 is inserted. A pair of washers W1, through each of which the bracket fixing bolt B1 is inserted, are connected to each other to form a washer WP1 with a large lateral length.

[0037] The bracket 21 is fixed to the mirror holder 12 by the pair of bracket fixing bolts B1 in a state where the shaft portion 28b of the ball stud 28 is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 22a, and the spherical body 28a of the ball stud 28 is clamped between the bracket side recess 22 and the holder side recess 13. At this time, the spherical body 28a of the ball stud 28 is held between the bracket side recess 22 and the holder side recess 13 with a predetermined holding force due to a fastening force of the pair of bracket fixing bolts B1. An inner peripheral surface 22b of the shaft insertion hole 22a is a tapered surface that widens downward, so that the shaft portion 28b can swing around the spherical body 28a.

[0038] A bolt fastening portion 25b, which is formed by one of the two bracket fixing bolts B1 (the left side in the figure, the outer side in the vehicle width direction), is provided with a metal collar (a spacer) K1 fitted around a lower head portion of the bracket fixing bolt B1. In this bolt fastening portion 25b, the bracket fixing bolt B1 is tightened to the nut N1 via the collar K1 and the washer W1. In this bolt fastening portion 25b, the widened portion 14b of the mirror holder 12 and the widened portion 23b of the bracket 21 are fixed to each other in a state of being in contact with each other in the axial direction.Each of the widened portions 14b and 23b is made of a resin, and these widened portions 14b and 23b are fixed to each other via the collar K1, and therefore it is possible to avoid the application of an excessive fixing force to each of the widened portions 14b and 23b and to adjust the axial position of the bracket 21 to a specified position.

[0039] In a bolt fixing portion 25a formed by the other of the pair of bracket fixing bolts B1 (the right side, the inner side in the vehicle width direction in the figure), a predetermined gap S1 is formed between the axially opposite surfaces of the widened portion 14a of the mirror holder 12 and the widened portion 23a of the bracket 21. A cylindrical extending portion 23d is integrally formed on the upper surface of the widened portion 23a of the bracket 21 (on one side of the widened portion 14a of the mirror holder 12) to extend upward coaxially with the bolt insertion hole 23c. The extending portion 23d is fitted into the bolt insertion hole 14c of the widened portion 14a of the mirror holder 12 to be movable in the axial direction.By adjusting the tightening force of the bracket fixing bolt B1 at this bolt fixing portion 25a, the force for clamping the spherical body 28a between the mirror holder 12 and the bracket 21 can be increased or decreased, and therefore, it is possible to adjust a balance between the strength of fixation and the smoothness of movement of a mirror position.

[0040] The front cover 16 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The front cover 16 has a circular shape along the stepped portion 12c of the mirror holder 12 when viewed in the normal direction of the mirror surface 11a. The front cover 16 has a convex curved shape on a side opposite to the mirror body 11 (on the vehicle front side) in the normal direction. The front cover 16 has the front lower protruding portion 17 formed below the center position when viewed in the normal direction. The front cover 16 covers the vehicle front side of the mirror holder 12 (a side opposite to the mirror body 11 in the normal direction).

[0041] A pair of left and right fastening bosses 16a for coupling with the mirror holder 12 are integrally formed on an inner surface side (a rear surface side, a side of the mirror holder 12) of the front cover 16. The pair of fastening bosses 16a are arranged so that an axial direction of each of them is aligned in the normal direction. On the inner peripheral side of the mirror holder 12, a fastening wall portion 12e is provided, which faces a front end of each of the left and right fastening bosses 16a from the rear of the vehicle. A cover fixing bolt B2 is inserted into each of two bolt insertion holes formed in the fastening wall portion 12e, and the two cover fixing bolts B2 are screwed into the two fastening bosses 16a and tightened, and thus the front cover 16 is fixed to a front side of the mirror holder 12.For example, a washer WP2 having a laterally long length is arranged over the pair of bolt insertion holes on a back side (one side of the mirror body 11) of the fixing wall portion 12e.

[0042] The attachment and detachment of the front cover 16 to and from the mirror holder 12 is performed in a state before the mirror body 11 is attached to the mirror holder 12. That is, the attachment and detachment of the cover fixing bolt B2 is performed through an opening on the inside of the frame part 12a of the mirror holder 12, and after completion of the work, the mirror body 11 is fitted into the frame part 12a and fixed. As a result, a fastening device such as the cover fixing bolt B2 is not visible after the mirror assembly.

[0043] The opening 17b formed in a lower end surface portion 17a of the front-lower protruding portion 17 has an elliptical shape that is long in the front-back direction to allow the shaft portion 28b of the ball stud 28 to swing widely, particularly in the front-back direction. A pair of working holes 17c are formed on both the left and right sides of the opening 17b at the lower end portion of the protruding portion, each hole allowing a tool to access a head of the bracket fixing bolt B1. As a result, it is possible to adjust the tightening force of the bracket fixing bolt B1 even after the mirror assembly 19 is assembled.

[0044] The bolt fastening portion 25b on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is a fastening portion that is firmly fastened using the collar K1, and the bolt fastening portion 25a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is a fastening portion with the gap S1. For this reason, adjustment of the tightening force of the bracket fixing bolt B1 can be performed without making a mistake in tightening the bolt. By making the bolt fastening portion 25b on the outer side in the vehicle width direction a fastening portion that is firmly fastened using the collar K1, rather than adjusting, it becomes easier to withstand an external force from the outside in the vehicle width direction.Particularly in the rearview mirror 10R protruding in the vehicle width direction like a rod-end mirror, an object or a body frequently comes into contact with the outer side of the mirror in the vehicle width direction, and the above-described arrangement of the bolt fastening portions 25a and 25b is suitable for this purpose. The bolt fastening portion 25a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is a fastening portion in which the tightening force of the bracket fixing bolt B1 can be adjusted, making it easy to adjust the mirror angle by operating it from the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0045] As described above, the rearview mirror structure in the above embodiment is a structure of each of the rearview mirrors 10L and 10R, comprising: a mirror body 11 forming a mirror surface 11a; a mirror holder 12 holding the mirror body 11; a front cover 16 covering the mirror holder 12 from a side opposite to the mirror body 11; and a mirror support 27 supporting a mirror assembly 19 comprising the mirror body 11, the mirror holder 12, and the front cover 16 on a vehicle body. A ball stud 28 positioned at a tip end portion of the mirror support 27 is inserted into a space A1 between the mirror holder 12 and the front cover 16. A spherical body 28a of the ball stud 28 is rotatably supported in the space A1 by a bracket 21 fixed to the mirror holder 12.wherein a bracket fastening section 13a of the mirror holder 12 comprises a holder-side recess 13 into which the spherical body 28a is fitted, wherein the bracket 21 comprises a bracket-side recess 22 which faces the holder-side recess 13 and into which the spherical body 28a is fitted, wherein the spherical body 28a is clamped between the holder-side recess 13 and the bracket-side recess 22 and the bracket 21 is fastened to the bracket fastening section 13a with a bolt B1 and a nut N1 and thus the spherical body 28a is held between the holder-side recess 13 and the bracket-side recess 22, and wherein the bolt B1 and the nut N1, which fasten the bracket 21 to the bracket fastening section 13a, are connected to one another via a collar K1 through which the bolt B1 is inserted tightened.,

[0046] According to this configuration, the bolt B1 and the nut N1, which clamp the spherical body 28a of the ball stud 28 of the mirror support 27, are tightened together via the collar K1. Thus, it is possible to absorb the fastening force of the bolt B1 and the nut N1 with the collar K1, and it is possible to adjust a relative position (spacing) between the holder-side recess 13 and the bracket-side recess 22 to a specified value. That is, it is possible to clamp the spherical body 28a with a specified force simply by tightening the bolt B1 and the nut N1. For this reason, it is possible to simplify the fastening work of the bracket 21 and facilitate the manufacturing and maintenance of the rearview mirrors 10L and 10R.

[0047] In the above rearview mirror structure, the bolt fastening portions 25a and 25b, which are obtained by the bolt B1 and the nut N1, are provided on both sides of the spherical body 28a sandwiched therebetween in a first direction (vehicle width direction) when viewed in a fastening direction, wherein, in a first fastening portion 25b provided on one side of the spherical body 28a in the first direction, the bolt B1 and the nut N1 are tightened together via the collar K1 and the bracket 21 is brought into contact with the bracket fastening portion 13a, and, in a second fastening portion 25a provided on the other side of the spherical body 28a in the first direction, the bolt B1 and the nut N1 are tightened together without the collar K1 and a gap S1 is provided between the bracket fastening portion 13a and the bracket 21.

[0048] According to this configuration, in one of the pair of fastening portions 25a and 25b with the spherical body 28a clamped therebetween, the bolt B1 and the nut N1 are tightened to each other via the collar K1, and the bracket fastening portion 13a and the bracket 21 are brought into contact with each other, and therefore, it is possible to fix the holder side recess 13 and the bracket side recess 22 in a specified relative position (spacing) while avoiding the application of excessive fastening force to the bracket fastening portion 13a and the bracket 21.In the other of the pair of fastening portions 25a and 25b, the bolt B1 and the nut N1 are tightened to each other without the collar K1, but the bracket fastening portion 13a and the bracket 21 are spaced apart from each other, and therefore, it is possible to adjust a force to clamp the spherical body 28a simply by increasing or decreasing the amount of tightening between the bolt B1 and the nut N1, while avoiding the generation of excessive fastening force due to the tightening between the bolt B1 and the nut N1.

[0049] In the above rearview mirror structure, the first direction is a vehicle width direction, and the first fixing portion 25b is provided on an outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the second fixing portion 25a is provided on an inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] According to this configuration, the fixing portion 25b, which is tightly tightened via the collar K1, is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and therefore, a fixing force of the mirror assembly 19 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is increased. For this reason, the mirror assembly 19 is less likely to tilt or rotate even if an inadvertent external force is applied to the outer side of the mirror assembly 19 in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, the fixing portion 25a, which is tightened with the gap S1 and without the collar K1, is located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and therefore, it is easy for the user to adjust the angle or the like by operating the mirror assembly 19 from the inner side in the vehicle width direction.That is, it is possible for the user to easily perform an operation such as adjusting the angle of the mirror assembly 19 while suppressing movement of the mirror assembly 19 due to external forces from the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0051] The above rearview mirror structure is applied to each of rod-end type rearview mirrors 10L and 10R which are attached to an outer side end portion 2b of each of left and right grip portions 2aL and 2aR of a handlebar 2 of a saddle-riding vehicle 1. According to this configuration, when applied to either of rod-end type rearview mirrors 10L and 10R, the mirror assembly 19, which tends to protrude outward in the vehicle width direction, is less likely to tilt or rotate in a case where an external force is applied to the outside of the mirror assembly 19 in the vehicle width direction, and it is possible to easily perform angle adjustment or the like with an operation from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the rearview mirror structure of the present embodiment can also be applied to saddle-type vehicles other than motorcycles. The saddle-type vehicle includes all vehicles in which a rider sits straddling the vehicle body, including a motorcycle (including a bicycle with a main drive or a scooter-type vehicle), a three-wheeled vehicle (including a vehicle with one front wheel and two rear wheels, and a vehicle with two front wheels and one rear wheel), or a four-wheeled vehicle (a four-wheeled buggy or the like). The saddle-type vehicle can be applied to a vehicle that includes an electric motor as the main drive.

[0053] The configuration in the embodiment described above is an example of the present invention, and various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, such as replacing the components of the embodiment with known components. Description of reference symbols 1 ride-on semi-trailer vehicle 2 handlebar 2aL, 2aR handle section 2b Outside end section 10L, 10R rearview mirror 11 mirror bodies 11a Mirror surface 12 mirror holders 13 Holder side recess 13a Bracket mounting section 16 Front cover 19 Mirror arrangement 21 Bracket 22 Bracket side recess 25a Bolt fastening section, second fastening section 25b Bolt fastening section, first fastening section 27 Mirror support 28 ball studs 28a Spherical body A1 Room B1 bolt K1 collar N1 mother S1 gap

[0054] This rearview mirror structure, which is a structure of each of rearview mirrors (10L and 10R), comprising: a mirror body (11) forming a mirror surface (11a); a mirror holder (12) holding the mirror body (11); a front cover (16) covering the mirror holder (12) from a side opposite to the mirror body (11); and a mirror support (27) which supports a mirror assembly (19) comprising the mirror body (11), the mirror holder (12) and the front cover (16) on a vehicle body, wherein a ball stud (28) positioned at a tip end portion of the mirror support (27) is inserted into a space (A1) between the mirror holder (12) and the front cover (16), wherein a spherical body (28a) of the ball stud (28) is rotatably held within the space (A1) by a bracket (21) which is fixed to the mirror holder (12),wherein the mirror holder (12) comprises a holder-side recess (13) into which the spherical body (28a) is inserted, wherein the holder (21) comprises a holder-side recess (22) which faces the holder-side recess (13) and into which the spherical body (28a) is inserted, wherein the spherical body (28a) is clamped between the holder-side recess (13) and the holder-side recess (22), and the holder (21) and the mirror holder (12) are fastened to one another with a bolt (B1) and a nut (N1), and therefore the spherical body (28a) is held between the holder-side recess (13) and the holder-side recess (22), and wherein the bolt (B1) and the nut (N1), which fasten the holder (21) and the mirror holder (12) to one another, are tightened to one another via a collar (K1). through which the bolt (B1) is inserted., QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2024-036134

[0001] JP 59-85747 [0003, 0004] JP 3217217 [0003, 0004]

Claims

[1] A rearview mirror structure which is a structure of each of rearview mirrors (10L and 10R) comprising: a mirror body (11) which forms a mirror surface (11a), a mirror holder (12) which holds the mirror body (11); a front cover (16) covering the mirror holder (12) from a side opposite the mirror body (11); and a mirror support (27) which supports a mirror assembly (19) comprising the mirror body (11), the mirror holder (12) and the front cover (16) on a vehicle body, wherein a ball stud (28) positioned at a tip end portion of the mirror support (27) is inserted in a space (A1) between the mirror holder (12) and the front cover (16), wherein a spherical body (28a) of the ball stud (28) is rotatably held within the space (A1) by a holder (21) which is attached to the mirror holder (12), wherein the mirror holder (12) comprises a holder side recess (13) into which the spherical body (28a) is inserted, wherein the holder (21) comprises a holder side recess (22) which faces the holder side recess (13) and into which the spherical body (28a) is inserted, wherein the spherical body (28a) is clamped between the holder side recess (13) and the support side recess (22), and the support (21) and the mirror holder (12) are fastened to each other with a bolt (B1) and a nut (N1), and therefore the spherical body (28a) is held between the holder side recess (13) and the support side recess (22), and wherein the bolt (B1) and the nut (N1) which fasten the bracket (21) and the mirror holder (12) to each other are tightened together via a collar (K1) through which the bolt (B1) is inserted. [2] Rearview mirror structure according to claim 1, wherein bolt fastening portions (25a and 25b) obtained by the bolt (B1) and the nut (N1) are provided on both sides of the spherical body (28a) which is clamped therebetween in a first direction (a vehicle width direction) when viewed in a fastening direction, wherein, in a first fastening portion (25b) provided on one side of the spherical body (28a) in the first direction, the bolt (B1) and the nut (N1) are tightened to each other via the collar (K1), and the bracket (21) is brought into contact with the mirror holder (12), and wherein, in a second fastening portion (25a) provided on the other side of the spherical body (28a) in the first direction, the bolt (B1) and the nut (N1) are tightened together without the collar (K1), and a gap (S1) is provided between the mirror holder (12) and the bracket (21). [3] Rearview mirror structure according to claim 2, wherein the first direction is a vehicle width direction, and wherein the first fixing portion (25b) is provided on an outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the second fixing portion (25a) is provided on an inner side in the vehicle width direction. [4] A rearview mirror structure according to claim 3, which is applied to each of bar-end type rearview mirrors (10L and 10R) attached to an outer side end portion (2b) of each of left and right grip portions (2aL and 2aR) of a handlebar (2) of a saddle-riding type vehicle (1).

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