Visual recognition device for vehicle

Abstract

To suppress intrusion of foreign matters to a restriction mechanism.SOLUTION: In a camera device for a vehicle, a regulation sliding surface 18E of a stand 18 regulates a movement in a rotation radial direction of a rotation sliding surface 26D of a case body 26, the case body 26 is rotated, and the rotation sliding surface 26D is slid to the regulation sliding surface 18E. The end face of the click peak 26E of the case body 26 is brought into contact with the end face of the click groove 18F of the stand 18, and the rotation of the case body 26 is restricted. The click groove 18F and the click peak 26E are provided at the inside in the rotation diameter direction of the rotation sliding surface 26D. Therefore, intrusion of foreign matters into the click groove 18F and the click peak 26E can be suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a viewing device for a vehicle in which a viewing mechanism is rotated. [Background technology]

[0002] In the door mirror described in Patent Document 1 below, the frame rotates integrally with the mirror plate. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the shaft axial portion restricts the radial movement of the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder of the frame, and when the frame rotates, the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder of the frame slides against the outer peripheral surface of the shaft axial portion. Furthermore, a fitting structure is provided between the upper surface of the shaft base and the lower surface of the bottom plate of the frame, and the fitting structure restricts the rotation of the frame.

[0003] Here, in this door mirror, the fitting structure is disposed on the outer side in the rotational diameter direction of the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder of the frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-45120 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a visual confirmation device for a vehicle that can prevent foreign objects from entering a limiting mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle visualization device comprising: a visualization mechanism for assisting the visualization of a vehicle occupant; a rotating body provided with a rotating sliding surface and rotating integrally with the visualization mechanism; a regulating sliding surface provided on the vehicle body side for regulating radial movement of the rotating sliding surface and against which the rotating sliding surface slides as the rotating body rotates; and a limiting mechanism provided radially inward of the rotating sliding surface for limiting rotation of the rotating body.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein when the restriction on rotation of the rotating body by the restriction mechanism is released, the restriction on the movement of the rotating sliding surface in the rotational radial direction by the restriction sliding surface is maintained.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a visualizing device for a vehicle, and further relates to the visualizing device for a vehicle of the first or second aspect of the present invention, and further includes a restricting portion that is provided with the rotating sliding surface or the restricting sliding surface and that constitutes the restricting mechanism.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, further comprising a permitting mechanism that constitutes the limiting mechanism and permits rotation of the rotating body.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, wherein at least one of the rotating sliding surface and the regulating sliding surface is provided over the entire rotational direction of the rotating body.

[0011] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a vehicle visualizing device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, which is provided with a communication passage that connects the outside of the rotating body to the rotating sliding surface, with the communication direction toward the rotating sliding surface being upward. Effect of the Invention

[0012] In the vehicle visual confirmation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the visual confirmation mechanism assists the visual confirmation of a vehicle occupant. The rotating body rotates integrally with the visual confirmation mechanism. A restrictive sliding surface on the vehicle body restricts the movement of the rotating sliding surface of the rotating body in the rotational radial direction, and the rotating body rotates so that the rotating sliding surface slides against the restrictive sliding surface. A limiting mechanism restricts the rotation of the rotating body.

[0013] Here, the limiting mechanism is provided on the inner side in the rotational radial direction of the rotating sliding surface, and therefore the rotating sliding surface and the restricting sliding surface can prevent foreign matter from entering the limiting mechanism from the outside of the rotor through the rotating sliding surface and the restricting sliding surface, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the limiting mechanism.

[0014] In the vehicle visual confirmation device according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the restriction on the rotation of the rotating body by the restriction mechanism is released, the restriction on the movement of the rotating sliding surface in the rotation radial direction by the restriction sliding surface is maintained, so that the rotating sliding surface and the restriction sliding surface can appropriately prevent foreign matter from entering the limit mechanism from the outside of the rotating body through the rotating sliding surface and the restriction sliding surface.

[0015] In the vehicle visual confirmation device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the rotating sliding surface or the restricting sliding surface is provided in the limiting portion, and the limiting portion constitutes the limiting mechanism, which allows the configuration to be simplified.

[0016] In the visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the allowing mechanism allows the rotation of the rotating body and also constitutes the limiting mechanism, which allows for a simple configuration.

[0017] In the vehicle visual confirmation device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the rotating sliding surface and the restricting sliding surface is provided over the entire rotating direction of the rotating body, and therefore the rotating sliding surface and the restricting sliding surface can effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the limiting mechanism from the outside of the rotating body through the rotating sliding surface and the restricting sliding surface.

[0018] In the sixth aspect of the present invention, the communication passage communicates with the rotating sliding surface from the outside of the rotating body, and the communication passage is directed upward toward the rotating sliding surface side, which further prevents foreign matter from entering the limiting mechanism from the outside of the rotating body through the rotating sliding surface and the regulating sliding surface. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle and from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. [Diagram 2]1 is a top view showing an inside of a vehicle camera device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a storage mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a perspective view seen from the rear side of the vehicle, and 1B is a top view seen from above. [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a storage mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front side of the vehicle and from the outer side in the vehicle width direction. [Diagram 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing the inside of a storage mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a top view seen from above, and 1B is a cross-sectional view seen from the rear of the vehicle. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a stand of a storage mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention, where 1A is a perspective view seen from above, and 1B is a top view seen from above. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a storage mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention, where 7A is a bottom view seen from below, and 7B is a cross-sectional view seen from the rear of the vehicle (cross-sectional view taken along line 7B-7B in 7A). [Figure 8] 7A to 7C are diagrams showing a storage mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a cross-sectional view seen from the front of the vehicle and the inside in the vehicle width direction (cross-sectional view taken along line 8A-8A in FIG. 7A), (B) is a cross-sectional view seen from the front of the vehicle and the outside in the vehicle width direction (cross-sectional view taken along line 8B-8B in FIG. 7A), and (C) is a cross-sectional view seen from the outside in the vehicle width direction (cross-sectional view taken along line 8C-8C in FIG. 7A). [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing a moderation mechanism of the retraction mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a vehicle camera device 10 as a vehicle visual recognition device according to an embodiment of the present invention, seen from the rear side of the vehicle and from the outside in the vehicle width direction (left side of the vehicle), and Fig. 2 shows a top view of the inside of the vehicle camera device 10. In the drawings, the front of the vehicle is indicated by an arrow FR, the outside in the vehicle width direction (left side of the vehicle) is indicated by an arrow OUT, and the upward direction is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0021] The vehicle camera device 10 according to the present embodiment is provided at the vertical intermediate portion of a side door (particularly a front side door) serving as a vehicle door and at the front end of the vehicle, and is disposed outside the vehicle.

[0022] 1 and 2, the vehicle camera device 10 includes a base 12 as an installation body, and the vehicle camera device 10 is installed on the side door by fixing an inner end of the base 12 in the vehicle width direction to the side door. The base 12 is provided with a substantially rectangular base plate 12A, which protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction. The base plate 12A is disposed vertically in the up-down direction, and a circular fixing hole 12B is formed through the base plate 12A.

[0023] A storage mechanism 16 (retractor, see FIGS. 3A and 3B, 4, and 5A and 5B) is supported on the upper side of the base plate 12A of the base 12.

[0024] The storage mechanism 16 is provided with a stand 18 (see Fig. 6, Fig. 8 (A) and (B)) as a vehicle body side (support) constituting the allowing mechanism. A substantially disk-shaped base plate 18A is provided at the lower end of the stand 18, and the base plate 18A is disposed vertically in the up-down direction.

[0025] A fixed cylinder 18B, which is a substantially cylindrical fixed part with a bottom, is provided coaxially and integrally with the center of the substrate 18A, and the fixed cylinder 18B extends upward and has an interior that is open below the substrate 18A. A leg 20A (threaded part) of a fixing screw 20 (see FIG. 1) serving as a fixing member is screwed into the fixed cylinder 18B from below, and the leg 20A of the fixing screw 20 penetrates a fixing hole 12B of the base 12 (base plate 12A) from below. The base plate 12A is sandwiched between the substrate 18A and the head 20B of the fixing screw 20, whereby the stand 18 is fixed (fastened) to the base plate 12A, and the storage mechanism 16 is supported by the base plate 12A.

[0026] A cylindrical outer tube 18C is provided coaxially and integrally with the outer periphery of the base plate 18A as an additional part. The outer tube 18C protrudes upward with a protruding dimension smaller than the extending dimension of the fixed tube 18B.

[0027] A substantially cylindrical regulating tube 18D is provided coaxially and integrally with the substrate 18A between the fixed tube 18B and the outer tube 18C as a limiting part (supporting part) constituting the limiting mechanism, and the regulating tube 18D protrudes upward. The protruding dimension of the regulating tube 18D is smaller than the extending dimension of the fixed tube 18B and larger than the protruding dimension of the outer tube 18C. The outer peripheral surface of the regulating tube 18D is a cylindrical regulating sliding surface 18E, and the inner peripheral surface of the regulating tube 18D is formed with unevenness. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) moderation grooves 18F (see Figs. 8(C) and 9) are formed on the upper surface of the regulating tube 18D as limiting parts, and the plurality of moderation grooves 18F are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the regulating tube 18D. The detent groove 18F extends in the circumferential direction of the regulating tube 18D, and one end face and the other end face (both end faces in the extending direction) of the detent groove 18F are inclined upward as they move outward in the extending direction of the detent groove 18F.

[0028] A roughly rectangular box-shaped case body 26 is supported on the stand 18 as a rotating body that constitutes the tolerance mechanism, and the case body 26 is constructed by assembling a lower case 26A and an upper cover 26B in the vertical direction.

[0029] A substantially cylindrical sliding tube 26C (see FIGS. 8A and 8B) is formed on the lower wall of the vehicle width direction inner portion of the case body 26 as a limiting portion (supported portion) constituting the limiting mechanism, and the axial direction of the sliding tube 26C is vertical, and the sliding tube 26C protrudes on both vertical sides of the lower wall of the case body 26. The inside of the sliding tube 26C opens downward into the case body 26, and the fixed tube 18B and the regulating tube 18D of the stand 18 are inserted into the sliding tube 26C from below. The inner peripheral surface of the sliding tube 26C is a cylindrical rotating sliding surface 26D, and the regulating tube 18D (regulating sliding surface 18E) is fitted into the rotating sliding surface 26D, whereby the sliding tube 26C is rotatably supported by the regulating tube 18D, and the case body 26 is rotatably supported by the regulating tube 18D.

[0030] The upper end of the sliding tube 26C protrudes radially inward of the sliding tube 26C around the entire circumference, and the upper end of the sliding tube 26C abuts against the upper surface of the regulating tube 18D. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) detent ridges 26E (see Figs. 8(C) and 9) are formed as restricted portions on the lower surface of the upper end of the sliding tube 26C, and the plurality of detent ridges 26E are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the sliding tube 26C. The detent ridges 26E extend in the circumferential direction of the sliding tube 26C, and one end face and the other end face (both end faces in the extending direction) of the detent ridges 26E are inclined downward as they move inward in the extending direction of the detent ridges 26E. The extension dimension of the detent ridge 26E is smaller than the extension dimension of the detent groove 18F of the regulating tube 18D, and the detent ridge 26E is inserted into the detent groove 18F, with one end face of the detent ridge 26E abutting (engaging) with one end face of the detent groove 18F.

[0031] An insertion groove 26F (see FIG. 7(A), FIG. 8(A) and FIG. 8(B)) having a rectangular cross section is formed on the lower surface of the inner part of the case body 26 in the vehicle width direction, and the insertion groove 26F is annular when viewed from below and is arranged coaxially with the sliding tube 26C. The outer tube 18C of the stand 18 is inserted into the insertion groove 26F, and the inner surface of the insertion groove 26F is spaced from the outer tube 18C. A communication passage 22 is formed from the outside of the case body 26 to the rotating sliding surface 26D, and the communication passage 22 has an inlet at its lower end between the radially outer surface of the insertion groove 26F and the outer tube 18C, and opens downward, and passes between the inner surface of the insertion groove 26F and the outer tube 18C and between the sliding tube 26C and the base plate 18A of the stand 18.

[0032] A motor 28 serving as a drive mechanism is fixed inside the vehicle width direction outer portion of the case body 26, and an output shaft 28A of the motor 28 extends inward in the vehicle width direction. A first-stage gear 30 (worm) is coaxially supported on the output shaft 28A, and the first-stage gear 30 rotates integrally with the output shaft 28A.

[0033] A twin gear 32 serving as a first gear is supported within a vehicle width direction intermediate portion of the case body 26, and the axial direction of the twin gear 32 is in the up-down direction. A first helical gear 32A (worm wheel) is coaxially provided on an upper portion of the twin gear 32, and the first helical gear 32A is meshed with the initial stage gear 30. A second helical gear 32B is coaxially provided on a lower portion of the twin gear 32, and the second helical gear 32B rotates integrally with the first helical gear 32A.

[0034] A drive gear 34 serving as a second gear is supported within a vehicle width direction intermediate portion of the case body 26, and the axial direction of the drive gear 34 is set to be substantially in the vehicle front-rear direction. A third helical gear 34A is coaxially provided on a vehicle front side portion of the drive gear 34, and the third helical gear 34A is meshed with the second helical gear 32B. A worm 34B is coaxially provided on a vehicle rear side portion of the drive gear 34, and the worm 34B rotates integrally with the third helical gear 34A.

[0035] A substantially annular plate-shaped final gear 36 (worm wheel) is disposed in the vehicle widthwise inner portion of the case body 26 as an allowable member constituting the allowable mechanism, and the final gear 36 is meshed with the worm 34B. The fixed cylinder 18B and the regulating cylinder 18D of the stand 18 are inserted into the final gear 36 from below, and the final gear 36 is supported by the sliding cylinder 26C of the case body 26 from below and is rotatably supported by the sliding cylinder 26C.

[0036] A plurality of (four in this embodiment) generally rectangular plate-shaped tolerance protrusions 36A are integrally provided on the top surface of the final gear 36 as tolerance-restricted portions, and the tolerance protrusions 36A protrude upward. The tolerance protrusions 36A extend along the circumferential direction of the final gear 36, and the plurality of tolerance protrusions 36A are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the final gear 36. Furthermore, the end faces on both sides in the extending direction of the tolerance protrusions 36A are inclined inward in the extending direction of the tolerance protrusions 36A as they extend upward.

[0037] A generally cylindrical clutch 38 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B) with a bottom is provided coaxially inside the final gear 36 as an allowable member constituting the allowable mechanism, and the inside of the clutch 38 is open upward. A cylindrical fitting tube 38A is provided coaxially integrally with the lower wall (bottom wall) of the clutch 38, and the fitting tube 38A protrudes upward. The inside of the fitting tube 38A is open downward, and the fixed tube 18B of the stand 18 is fitted into the fitting tube 38A from below.

[0038] A plurality of (four in this embodiment) substantially rectangular blocking holes 38B serving as blocked portions are formed penetrating the peripheral wall of the clutch 38, and the multiple blocking holes 38B are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the clutch 38. The peripheral wall of the clutch 38 is inserted into the regulating tube 18D of the stand 18 from below, and the peripheral wall of the clutch 38 (including the blocking holes 38B) is fitted into the unevenness of the inner peripheral surface of the regulating tube 18D in the circumferential direction of the clutch 38, making the clutch 38 unrotatable in the circumferential direction and movable in the up-down direction (axial direction).

[0039] An annular tolerance frame 38C is provided coaxially and integrally with the upper end of the clutch 38, and the tolerance frame 38C protrudes radially outward from the clutch 38 and has a generally rectangular cross section. A plurality of (four in this embodiment) tolerance holes 38D with a rectangular cross section are formed as tolerance sections on the lower surface of the tolerance frame 38C, and the tolerance holes 38D are open downward. The tolerance holes 38D extend in the circumferential direction of the tolerance frame 38C, and the plurality of tolerance holes 38D are disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the tolerance frame 38C. The end faces on both sides in the extension direction of the tolerance hole 38D are inclined inward in the extension direction of the tolerance hole 38D as they go upward, and the tolerance protrusions 36A of the final gear 36 are inserted into the tolerance holes 38D and fitted in the circumferential direction of the final gear 36.

[0040] A spring 40 (coil spring) as a biasing member constituting the allowance mechanism is provided coaxially inside the clutch 38, and the fixed cylinder 18B of the stand 18 and the fitting cylinder 38A of the clutch 38 are inserted coaxially into the spring 40, and the lower end of the spring 40 abuts (locks) against the lower wall of the clutch 38. The upper end of the fixed cylinder 18B is inserted coaxially into a cam plate 42 having a substantially ring-like shape as a locking member, and the cam plate 42 is locked against moving upward by the upper end of the fixed cylinder 18B. The upper end of the spring 40 abuts (locks) against the cam plate 42 from below, and the spring 40 is compressed in the up-down direction (axial direction). The spring 40 biases the lower wall of the clutch 38 downward, thereby restricting the release of the allowance projection 36A of the final gear 36 from the allowance hole 38D of the clutch 38 (allowance frame 38C), thereby restricting the rotation of the final gear 36 (see FIG. 7B).

[0041] The case body 26 is fixed inside a visor 44 that is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box-like covering body, and the visor 44 covers the outer periphery of the case body 26 .

[0042] The visor 44 is configured by assembling an upper visor 44A on the upper side and a lower visor 44B on the lower side in the up-down direction, and the base plate 18A of the stand 18 penetrates the inner part of the lower wall of the visor 44 (lower visor 44B) in the vehicle width direction. A circular rear hole 44C is formed through the outer end of the vehicle width direction of the vehicle rear side wall of the visor 44 (upper visor 44A), and a circular lower hole 44D is formed through the middle part of the lower wall of the visor 44 (lower visor 44B) in the vehicle width direction.

[0043] A rear camera 46 serving as a visual recognition mechanism is fixed to the outer end of the visor 44 in the vehicle width direction, and a lens 46A of the rear camera 46 is exposed to the outside of the visor 44 from a rear hole 44C of the visor 44 and faces the rear of the vehicle. A lower camera 48 serving as a visual recognition mechanism is fixed to the middle part of the visor 44 in the vehicle width direction, and a lens (not shown) of the lower camera 48 is exposed to the outside of the visor 44 from a lower hole 44D of the visor 44 and faces downward.

[0044] The rear camera 46 and the lower camera 48 are electrically connected to a control device 50 of the vehicle, and the rear camera 46 captures an image of the rear side of the visor 44 through the rear hole 44C and the lens 46A of the visor 44 under the control of the control device 50, while the lower camera 48 captures an image of the lower side of the visor 44 through the lower hole 44D and the lens of the visor 44 under the control of the control device 50. A monitor 52 as a display mechanism is electrically connected to the control device 50, and the monitor 52 displays images captured by the rear camera 46 and the lower camera 48 under the control of the control device 50. The monitor 52 is installed in the passenger compartment, and the image displayed by the monitor 52 is visually viewed by the vehicle occupant (particularly the driver), so that the image captured by the rear camera 46 assists the occupant in viewing the rear side of the vehicle, and the image captured by the lower camera 48 assists the occupant in viewing the lower side. The motor 28 of the storage mechanism 16 is also electrically connected to the control device 50 (see FIG. 4).

[0045] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0046] In the vehicle camera device 10 having the above-described configuration, in the storage mechanism 16, when the motor 28 is driven under the control of the control device 50, the output shaft 28A, the first stage gear 30, the twin gear 32 (first helical gear 32A and second helical gear 32B) and the drive gear 34 (third helical gear 34A and worm 34B) are rotated, and the driving force of the motor 28 is applied to the final gear 36, causing the drive gear 34 to rotate around the final gear 36, and the case body 26 is rotated together with the drive gear 34 around the regulating tube 18D of the stand 18.

[0047] Therefore, the visor 44 (including the rear camera 46 and the lower camera 48) is rotated integrally with the case body 26 toward the rear of the vehicle and inward in the vehicle width direction, and the visor 44 is stored. When the visor 44 is stored, the other end face of the detent ridge 26E of the case body 26 (sliding tube 26C) abuts (fits) against the other end face of the detent groove 18F of the stand 18 (regulating tube 18D), thereby restricting the rotation of the case body 26 and stopping the visor 44 at the stored position (see FIG. 9).

[0048] Furthermore, the visor 44 is rotated integrally with the case body 26 outward in the vehicle width direction and toward the front of the vehicle, and the visor 44 is raised (returned). When the visor 44 is raised, one end face of the detent ridge 26E of the case body 26 (sliding tube 26C) abuts (fits) against one end face of the detent groove 18F of the stand 18 (regulating tube 18D), thereby restricting the rotation of the case body 26 and stopping the visor 44 in the raised position (see FIG. 9).

[0049] In addition, when a load of a predetermined load or more acts on the visor 44 in the upright position toward the vehicle front side, in the storage mechanism 16, the clutch 38 is moved upward against the biasing force of the spring 40, and the permissible projection 36A of the final gear 36 is released from the permissible hole 38D of the clutch 38 (permissible frame 38C), and the case body 26 is moved upward, and the detent ridge 26E of the case body 26 is moved from the detent groove 18F of the stand 18 to the upper surface of the regulating tube 18D (the rotation restriction of the case body 26 by the detent groove 18F and the detent ridge 26E is released), thereby allowing the rotation of the final gear 36. Therefore, the case body 26 integrated with the rotation of the final gear 36 is allowed to rotate around the regulating tube 18D, and the visor 44 (including the rear camera 46 and the lower camera 48) integrated with the case body 26 is allowed to rotate toward the vehicle front side.

[0050] Meanwhile, the rotating sliding surface 26D of the sliding tube 26C of the case body 26 is fitted into the regulating sliding surface 18E of the regulating tube 18D of the stand 18, so that the regulating sliding surface 18E regulates the movement of the rotating sliding surface 26D in the rotational radial direction, and when the case body 26 is rotated, the rotating sliding surface 26D slides against the regulating sliding surface 18E.

[0051] Here, the detent groove 18F of the stand 18 and the detent peak 26E of the case body 26 are provided on the rotational radial inner side of the rotary sliding surface 26D. Therefore, the restricting tube 18D and the sliding tube 26C (the restricting sliding surface 18E and the rotary sliding surface 26D) can prevent foreign matter (water, dust, etc.) from entering the detent groove 18F and the detent peak 26E side from the outside of the case body 26 through the rotary sliding surface 26D and the restricting sliding surface 18E, and the intrusion of foreign matter into the detent groove 18F and the detent peak 26E can be prevented.

[0052] Moreover, the rotating sliding surface 26D and the restricting sliding surface 18E are provided on the entire circumference of the restricting tube 18D and the sliding tube 26C, and the rotating sliding surface 26D is fitted into the restricting sliding surface 18E on the entire circumference of the restricting tube 18D and the sliding tube 26C (the restricting sliding surface 18E restricts the movement of the rotating sliding surface 26D in the rotational radial direction). Therefore, the restricting tube 18D and the sliding tube 26C can effectively prevent foreign matter from entering the detent groove 18F and the detent ridge 26E side from the outside of the case body 26 through the rotating sliding surface 26D and the restricting sliding surface 18E.

[0053] Furthermore, when the visor 44 in the upright position is permitted to rotate toward the front of the vehicle, the detent ridge 26E of the case body 26 is moved from the detent groove 18F of the stand 18 to the upper surface of the regulating tube 18D, and even if the case body 26 is moved upward, the engagement of the rotational sliding surface 26D with the regulating sliding surface 18E is maintained (the restriction of the movement of the rotational sliding surface 26D in the radial direction of rotation by the regulating sliding surface 18E is maintained). Therefore, the regulating tube 18D and the sliding tube 26C can appropriately prevent foreign matter from entering the detent groove 18F and the detent ridge 26E side from the outside of the case body 26 through the rotational sliding surface 26D and the regulating sliding surface 18E.

[0054] Moreover, when the visor 44 in the upright position is permitted to rotate toward the front of the vehicle and the case body 26 is moved upward, the fitting of the rotary sliding surface 26D with the restricting sliding surface 18E is maintained over the entire circumference of the restricting tube 18D and the sliding tube 26C (the restriction of the movement of the rotary sliding surface 26D in the rotational radial direction by the restricting sliding surface 18E is maintained). Therefore, the restricting tube 18D and the sliding tube 26C can more appropriately prevent foreign matter from entering the detent groove 18F and the detent ridge 26E side from the outside of the case body 26 through the rotary sliding surface 26D and the restricting sliding surface 18E.

[0055] Further, the outer cylinder 18C of the stand 18 is inserted into the insertion groove 26F of the case body 26, and the communication passage 22 communicates with the rotary sliding surface 26D from the outside of the case body 26 through the inner surface of the insertion groove 26F and the outer cylinder 18C, and the communication direction of the communication passage 22 between the radially outer surface of the insertion groove 26F and the outer cylinder 18C toward the rotary sliding surface 26D side is set to the upward side. Therefore, the insertion groove 26F and the outer cylinder 18C can prevent foreign matter (especially water) from entering the side of the detent groove 18F and the detent ridge 26E from the outside of the case body 26 through the rotary sliding surface 26D and the regulating sliding surface 18E.

[0056] Moreover, the outer cylinder 18C is inserted into the insertion groove 26F around the entire circumference of the outer cylinder 18C and the insertion groove 26F, and the communication direction of the communication passage 22 between the radial outer surface of the insertion groove 26F and the outer cylinder 18C toward the rotation sliding surface 26D side is set to the upper side. Therefore, the insertion groove 26F and the outer cylinder 18C can further prevent foreign matter from entering from the outside of the case body 26 toward the side of the detent groove 18F and the detent ridge 26E from the rotation sliding surface 26D and the regulating sliding surface 18E.

[0057] In addition, the inlet of the communication passage 22 (the lower end between the radially outer surface of the insertion groove 26F and the outer cylinder 18C) is open downward. Therefore, the insertion groove 26F and the outer cylinder 18C can effectively prevent foreign matter from entering from the outside of the case body 26 toward the detent groove 18F and the detent ridge 26E side from the rotation sliding surface 26D and the regulating sliding surface 18E.

[0058] Furthermore, when the visor 44 in the upright position is permitted to rotate toward the front of the vehicle and the case body 26 is moved upward, the insertion of the outer cylinder 18C into the insertion groove 26F is maintained. Therefore, the insertion groove 26F and the outer cylinder 18C can appropriately prevent foreign matter from entering from the outside of the case body 26 toward the detent groove 18F and the detent ridge 26E side through the rotation sliding surface 26D and the regulating sliding surface 18E.

[0059] Moreover, when the visor 44 in the upright position is permitted to rotate toward the front of the vehicle and the case body 26 is moved upward, the insertion of the outer cylinder 18C into the insertion groove 26F is maintained over the entire circumference of the outer cylinder 18C and the insertion groove 26F. Therefore, the insertion groove 26F and the outer cylinder 18C can more appropriately prevent foreign matter from entering from the outside of the case body 26 toward the detent groove 18F and the detent ridge 26E side from the rotation sliding surface 26D and the regulating sliding surface 18E.

[0060] Also, the regulating sliding surface 18E is provided on the regulating tube 18D of the stand 18, and the regulating tube 18D is provided with a detent groove 18F. Furthermore, the rotating sliding surface 26D is provided on the sliding tube 26C of the case body 26, and the sliding tube 26C is provided with a detent ridge 26E. Therefore, the detent groove 18F and the detent ridge 26E can be provided with a simple configuration, and the configuration of the storage mechanism 16 can be simplified.

[0061] Furthermore, the detent groove 18F of the stand 18 and the detent ridge 26E of the case body 26 limit the rotation of the visor 44 (case body 26) in the storage direction and the standing direction, while allowing the rotation of the visor 44 (case body 26) in the standing position toward the front of the vehicle. Therefore, the configuration for limiting the rotation of the visor 44 and the configuration for allowing the rotation of the visor 44 can be shared, and the configuration of the storage mechanism 16 can be simplified.

[0062] In this embodiment, the regulating sliding surface 18E is provided on the entire circumference of the regulating tube 18D, and the rotating sliding surface 26D is provided on the entire circumference of the sliding tube 26C. However, the regulating sliding surface 18E may be provided on a portion of the circumferential direction of the regulating tube 18D, and the rotating sliding surface 26D may be provided on a portion of the circumferential direction of the sliding tube 26C.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the outer cylinder 18C is provided on the entire circumference of the stand 18, and the insertion groove 26F is provided on the entire rotational direction of the case body 26. However, the outer cylinder 18C may be provided on a portion of the circumference of the stand 18, and the insertion groove 26F may be provided on a portion of the rotational direction of the case body 26.

[0064] In this embodiment, the viewing mechanism is a camera (the rear camera 46 and the lower camera 48). However, the viewing mechanism may be a mirror. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10...vehicle camera device (vehicle visual recognition device), 18...stand (vehicle body side, permissive mechanism), 18D...regulating tube (restriction mechanism, restriction portion), 18E...regulating sliding surface, 22...communication passage, 26...case body (rotating body, permissive mechanism), 26C...sliding tube (restriction mechanism, restriction portion), 26D...rotating sliding surface, 36...final gear (permissive mechanism), 38...clutch (permissive mechanism), 40...spring (permissive mechanism), 46...rear camera (visual recognition mechanism), 48...lower camera (visual recognition mechanism)

Claims

1. A visual recognition mechanism for assisting the visual recognition of a vehicle occupant; A rotating body having a rotating sliding surface and rotated together with the visual confirmation mechanism; a restricting sliding surface provided on a vehicle body side to restrict movement of the rotating sliding surface in a rotational radial direction, and along which the rotating sliding surface slides as the rotating body rotates; a limiting mechanism provided on the inner side in the rotation radial direction of the rotating sliding surface to limit rotation of the rotating body; A vehicle visual confirmation device comprising:

2. 2. The visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the restriction of the movement of the rotating sliding surface in the rotational radial direction by the restriction sliding surface is maintained when the restriction of the rotation of the rotating body by the restriction mechanism is released.

3. The visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising a limiting portion that is provided with the rotating sliding surface or the restricting sliding surface and that constitutes the limiting mechanism.

4. 2. The visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a permitting mechanism which constitutes the limiting mechanism and permits rotation of the rotating body.

5. 2. The visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the rotating sliding surface and the regulating sliding surface is provided over the entire rotational direction of the rotating body.

6. 2. The visual confirmation device for a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a communication passage that connects the outside of the rotor to the rotating sliding surface and that has an upward direction of communication with the rotating sliding surface.

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