Rearview mirror assembly with cardan joint

Abstract

Rearview mirror assembly with universal joint, comprising: - a rearview mirror (10) having a housing (11); - a bulge (14) arranged on the housing (11) and having a round hole (15), the round hole (15) adjoining a concave curved surface (16) on the inside of the bulge (14) and a convex arc surface (17) on the outside of the bulge (14); - a mirror holder (20); - a shell (21) connected to the mirror holder (20), wherein a concave curved surface (11) is arranged on the inner side of the shell (21) and fits with the convex curved surface (17) such that the shell (21) receives the curvature (14) and is displaceable relative to the same; and - a fixing element (33) whose outer surface is a convex curved surface (36), the convex curved surface (36) mating with the concave curved surface (16), the fixing element (33) being inserted into the bulge (14) so ​​as to be displaceable relative to the bulge (14) so ​​that the bulge (14) is clamped to the shell (21) under the cooperation of the fixing element (33) so that the housing (11) remains fixed to the mirror holder (20).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of rearview mirrors, in particular to a rearview mirror arrangement with a cardan joint, in which arrangement the rearview mirror in combination with a mirror holder can be rotated at several angles by means of the cardan joint. State of the art

[0002] When riding a two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle, an electrically assisted bicycle, an electric bicycle, or a scooter, the rider looks forward. Before turning, the rider turns their head to the appropriate side and observes the traffic situation. To allow the rider to also observe the traffic behind them, one or more rearview mirrors are provided, allowing the rider to assess the reflected traffic behind them.

[0003] The two-wheeled bicycle has a chassis equipped with a handlebar on which certain accessories such as a brake lever, gear shifter, cell phone holder, and a light are mounted. These accessories are arranged on either side of the handlebar. If the rearview mirror is mounted in the center of the handlebar due to space constraints, the view behind the rider's body will be obscured, which could compromise riding safety.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned problem, a rearview mirror for bicycles was proposed in TW M485844 U. The rearview mirror comprises a rearview mirror bracket, a mirror holder, and a universal joint. One end of the rearview mirror bracket is mounted on the handlebar, and a recess is formed at the other end thereof, forming a first arcuate recess. A ball is provided on the outer surface of the mirror holder, which ball, together with the recess, a fastening element, and a clamping body, forms the universal joint. The clamping body is inserted into the recess and then screwed tight by the fastening element. A second arcuate recess is formed on the clamping body, which is located near the first arcuate recess, and the first and second arcuate recesses together clamp the ball on two sides, thereby fixing the mirror holder to the rearview mirror bracket.This allows the rearview mirror to avoid the user and reflect the traffic behind. Object of the invention

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a rearview mirror arrangement with a cardan joint, in which arrangement the rearview mirror is mechanically fixed by clamps and can reflect the traffic situation at many angles. Technical solution

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a rearview mirror assembly with a universal joint having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention provides a universal joint rearview mirror assembly comprising: a rearview mirror having a housing; a dome disposed on the housing and having a round hole, the round hole adjoining a concave curved surface on the inside of the dome and a convex arc surface on the outside of the dome; a mirror holder; a shell connected to the mirror holder, a concave arc surface disposed on the inside of the shell mate with the convex arc surface such that the shell receives the dome and is slidable relative to the dome;and a fixing member whose outer surface is a convex curved surface, the convex curved surface mating with the concave curved surface, the fixing member being inserted into the bulge so that it is slidable relative to the bulge, allowing the rearview mirror to rotate at multiple angles relative to the mirror holder. The bulge is clamped by the fixing member cooperating with the shell to keep the housing fixed to the mirror holder.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the universal joint rearview mirror assembly according to the invention further comprises: a bore extending through the shell and adjoining the concave curved surface; and a sleeve elevating the convex curved surface of the outer side of the fixing element, wherein the sleeve is inserted through the round hole and protrudes from the bulge, wherein the sleeve serves to limit the extent to which the fixing element can pivot relative to the bulge. The sleeve is inserted into the bore and can thus prevent the fixing element from rotating on the shell. The sleeve does not interfere with the rotational movement of the bulge relative to the shell.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment, the universal joint rearview mirror assembly according to the invention further comprises: a recess formed in a recess on one side of the fixing member, wherein a through hole is provided which extends from the recess to the sleeve; a fastening member extending from a head portion to an externally threaded portion, wherein the head portion is inserted into the recess and the externally threaded portion protrudes from the shell via the through hole and the bore; and a screw nut having an internally threaded hole, which hole is connectable to the externally threaded portion, wherein the screw nut is screwed and fastened to the fastening member such that the bulge is clamped by the fixing member and the shell. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a rearview mirror assembly with a universal joint according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the rearview mirror assembly with cardan joint according to the invention in Fig. 1 in assembled condition. Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the internal structure of the rearview mirror assembly with a universal joint according to the invention. Fig. 4 shows schematically the movement of the rearview mirror arrangement with cardan joint according to the invention in a sectional view. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0010] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the detailed description of an embodiment and the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the description of this embodiment and its illustration in the accompanying drawings.

[0011] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a rearview mirror assembly with a universal joint according to the invention, in which assembly a rearview mirror 10 is assembled with a mirror holder 20. The rearview mirror 10 has a back side 13. A screw nut 40 is arranged below the mirror holder 20. An anti-slip part 42 is formed from a plurality of consecutive ribs (not shown) and a plurality of grooves (not shown). The anti-slip part 42 is formed on the outer surface of the screw nut 40 and ensures that the fingers do not slip when unscrewing the screw nut 40.

[0012] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the screw nut 40 has a hole 41 with an internal thread. After unscrewing, the hole 41 with an internal thread of the unscrewed screw nut 40 detaches from a fastening element 30 of the rearview mirror 10. This allows the mirror holder 20 to be removed from the back 13 of the rearview mirror 10.

[0013] Furthermore, the mirror holder 20 comprises a shell 21 which adjoins one end of the mirror holder 20, wherein the surface of the inner side of the shell 21 is a concave arcuate surface 22, e.g., a hemispherical surface. The mirror holder 20 further comprises a bore 23, a connecting element 24, and a connecting part 25, wherein the bore 23 passes through the shell 21 and adjoins the center of the concave arcuate surface 22, wherein the connecting element 24 is connected to the other end of the mirror holder 20, wherein the connecting part 25 extends from one side of the connecting element 24. In the preferred embodiment, the connecting part 25 is a threaded pin by means of which one end of a handlebar (not shown) is screwed tight.In further embodiments, the connecting part 25 is designed as a convex cone that is plugged into the end of the handlebar together with a conical hole pin. For the combination of a convex cone with a conical hole pin, see TW M485844 U.

[0014] Furthermore, the rearview mirror 10 has a housing 11. A mirror disc 12 is fixed to the front side of the housing 11 by embedding or gluing (see Fig. 2). A bulge 14 protrudes from the rear side 13 of the housing 11, in which a round hole 15 is formed.

[0015] As in Fig. 3, a convex arcuate surface 17 is formed on the outer surface of the bulge 14, which adjoins a concave curved surface 16 of the bulge 14 via the round hole 15. In the preferred embodiment, the concave curved surface 16 represents the inner surface of the bulge 14. Preferably, the concave curved surface 16 and the convex arcuate surface 17 are formed as hemispherical surfaces.

[0016] A fixing element 33 is inserted into the concave curved surface 16. The outer surface of the fixing element 33 is a convex curved surface 36, e.g., a hemispherical surface. The convex curved surface 36 and the concave curved surface 16 have the same radius, so that the fixing element 33 and the curvature 14 are displaceable relative to each other. A sleeve 37 is arranged protruding from the outer surface of the fixing element 33, the sleeve 37 being quadrangular in shape (see Fig. 1) and is located exactly in the center of the convex curved surface 36. When the fixing element 33 is received in the concave curved surface 16, the sleeve 37 protrudes from the bulge 14 via the round hole 15. The diagonal distance of the sleeve 37 is smaller than the diameter of the round hole 15, thereby limiting the extent of pivoting of the fixing element 33 relative to the bulge 14.

[0017] Furthermore, a recess 34 is formed on one side of the fixing element 33, with a through hole 35 extending from the recess 34 to the sleeve 37. The inner surface of the recess 34 has several edges, e.g., six edges. The diameter of the through hole 35 is smaller than the diagonal distance of the recess 34.

[0018] Furthermore, the fastening element 30 is a threaded bolt having a head portion 31, from the side of which extends a section 32 with an external thread. The outer surface of the head portion 31 has several edges, e.g., six edges. The diameter of the section 32 with an external thread is smaller than the diagonal distance of the head portion 31.

[0019] When the fastening element 30 is assembled with the fixing element 33, the head part 31 is received in the recess 34, with the externally threaded portion 32 inserted through the through hole 35 and partially protruding from the sleeve 37. The fact that the recess 34 mates with the head part 31 prevents rotation of the externally threaded portion 32 relative to the sleeve 37.

[0020] When the bulge 14 is received in the shell 21, the radius of the convex arc surface 17 and the radius of the concave arc surface 22 are identical, so that the bulge 14 and the shell 21 are movable relative to one another. The sleeve 37 is inserted into the bore 23 such that the outer surface of the sleeve 37 is constrained by the quadrilateral walls of the bore 23 to prevent rotation of the fixing element 33 relative to the shell 21. This ensures that the sleeve 37 does not interfere with the rotation of the bulge 14 relative to the shell 21. The externally threaded portion 32 is then inserted through the bore 35, and the part of the externally threaded portion 32 protruding from the shell 21 is inserted through the internally threaded hole 41 of the nut 40. The screw nut 40 is screwed onto the externally threaded portion 32 until it causes the head part 31 to press against the fixing element 33.The fixing element 33, in cooperation with the shell 21, clamps the curvature 14 so that the housing 11 does not move on the mirror holder 20.

[0021] From the above description, it can be seen that a universal joint consists of the bulge 14, the shell 21, and the fixing element 33. In the preferred embodiment, the universal joint is firmly assembled by means of the fastening element 30 and the screw nut 40. When the screw nut is removed, the fixing element 30 no longer presses against the universal joint, thereby freeing the bulge 14 from the clamping force of the fixing element 33 and the shell 21. Thus, the housing 11 can be pivoted downward in the direction of an arrow 43 to adjust the reflection angle of the mirror plate 12 of the rearview mirror 10 so that the traffic behind can be clearly observed.

[0022] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 4, the housing 11 can be pivoted upward in the direction of another arrow 44 to adjust the reflection angle of the mirror plate 12 of the rearview mirror 10 so that the traffic behind can be clearly observed. Once the desired angle of the rearview mirror is set, the screw nut 40 is tightened so that the rearview mirror 10 remains fixed to the mirror holder 20 at the desired angle.

[0023] To install the rearview mirror assembly with universal joint, the connecting part 25 is connected to a handlebar (not shown) of a bicycle in order to attach the rearview mirror 10 to the bicycle.

[0024] Although the present invention has been described in detail using an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to this exemplary embodiment. Rather, modifications are possible such that individual features can be omitted or other combinations of features can be implemented, as long as the scope of the appended claims is not exceeded. The disclosure of the present invention includes all combinations of the individual features presented. List of reference symbols 10 rearview mirrors 11 housings 12 mirror pane 13 Back 14 Curvature 15 round holes 16 concave curved surface 17 convex arched surface 20 mirror holders 21 bowl 22 concave arched surface 23 holes 24 connecting element 25 connecting part 30 Fastening element 31 headboard 32 section with external thread 33 Fixing element 34 recess 35 through hole 36 convex curved surface 37 sleeve 40 screw nut 41 hole with internal thread 42 Anti-slip part 43, 44 arrows 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] TW M485844 U [0004, 0013]

Claims

[1] Rearview mirror assembly with universal joint, comprising: - a rearview mirror (10) having a housing (11); - a bulge (14) arranged on the housing (11) and having a round hole (15), the round hole (15) adjoining a concave curved surface (16) on the inside of the bulge (14) and a convex arc surface (17) on the outside of the bulge (14); - a mirror holder (20); - a shell (21) connected to the mirror holder (20), wherein a concave curved surface (11) is arranged on the inner side of the shell (21) and fits with the convex curved surface (17) such that the shell (21) receives the curvature (14) and is displaceable relative to the same; and - a fixing element (33) whose outer surface is a convex curved surface (36), the convex curved surface (36) mating with the concave curved surface (16), the fixing element (33) being inserted into the bulge (14) so ​​as to be displaceable relative to the bulge (14) so ​​that the bulge (14) is clamped to the shell (21) under the cooperation of the fixing element (33) so that the housing (11) remains fixed to the mirror holder (20). [2] Rearview mirror arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the rearview mirror assembly further comprises: - a bore (23) passing through the shell (21) and adjoining the concave arc surface (22); and - a sleeve (37) which raises the convex curved surface (36) of the outer side of the fixing element (33), wherein the sleeve (37) is inserted through the round hole (15) and protrudes from the bulge (14), wherein the sleeve (37) serves to limit the extent to which the fixing element (33) can pivot relative to the bulge (14), wherein the sleeve (37) is inserted into the bore (23) and can thus prevent the fixing element (33) from rotating on the shell (21), wherein the sleeve (37) does not interfere with the rotational movement of the bulge (14) relative to the shell (21). [3] Rearview mirror arrangement according to claim 2, characterized by that the rearview mirror assembly further comprises: - a recess (34) formed in a recessed manner on one side of the fixing element (33), wherein a through hole (35) is provided which extends from the recess (34) to the sleeve (37); - a fastening element (30) extending from a head part (31) to a section (32) with an external thread, wherein the head part (31) is inserted into the recess (34) and the section (32) with an external thread protrudes from the shell (21) via the through hole (35) and the bore (23); and - a screw nut (40) having a hole (41) with an internal thread, which hole can be connected to the section (32) with an external thread, wherein the screw nut (40) is screwed and fastened to the fastening element (30) in such a way that the curvature (14) is clamped by the fixing element (33) and the shell (21).

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