Vehicle side mirror device and inspection method for vehicle side mirror device

Abstract

This allows for inspection of the clutch mechanism of the side mirror device while preventing damage to each component, and also ensures that each component of the clutch mechanism is properly broken in. [Solution] The vehicle side mirror device comprises a mirror head, a mirror base fixed to the side of the vehicle and extending upward, having a pivot shaft that rotatably supports the frame, and a clutch mechanism that allows rotation of the mirror head around the pivot shaft when an external force greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the mirror head around the pivot shaft, while preventing rotation of the mirror head around the pivot shaft when an external force less than a predetermined amount is applied. The lower part of the mirror base is provided with a plurality of insertion holes into which a plurality of pins 101 and 103 of the inspection jig 100 are respectively inserted, spaced radially from the center line of the pivot shaft.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle side mirror device attached to the side of, for example, an automobile, and a method for inspecting the vehicle side mirror device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a side mirror device for rearward visibility is attached to the side of an automobile. The side mirror device includes a mirror base fixed to the vehicle, a mirror head holding the mirror, and an electric storage unit for pivotally connecting the mirror head to the mirror base to switch the mirror head between a use state and a stored state.

[0003] The electric storage unit includes, for example, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a support shaft fixed to the mirror base, and a case fixed to the mirror head and housing a motor or the like. A support shaft insertion hole through which the support shaft is inserted is formed in the bottom wall portion of the case. A plurality of case ridges are formed on two concentric circles centered on the axis of the support shaft around the support shaft insertion hole in the bottom wall portion. On the other hand, at the lower end portion of the support shaft, at a portion facing the bottom wall portion of the case, an outer valley engaging with an outer case ridge located on the outer circle and an inner valley engaging with an inner case ridge located on the inner circle are formed. The case is biased by a spring, and when the mirror head is in the stored state and in the use state, the outer case ridge and the outer valley engage with each other, and the inner case ridge and the inner valley engage with each other. When the mirror head is forcibly rotated by hand, for example, from this engaged state, the outer case ridge disengages from the outer valley against the biasing force of the spring, and the inner case ridge disengages from the inner valley, thereby enabling the rotation of the mirror head.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0005] As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, by providing a clutch mechanism in the side mirror device that can forcibly rotate the mirror head when it is in the retracted position and when it is in the operating position, damage to the side mirror device when a large external force is applied to the mirror head can be suppressed.

[0006] However, when a side mirror unit is forcibly rotated for the first time after manufacturing, the parts have not yet settled in, so the force required to rotate it will be greater than the force required for subsequent rotations. Therefore, if a side mirror unit that has never been forcibly rotated is shipped and used, there is a concern that when it is forcibly rotated for the first time, it will not rotate unless a greater force than expected is applied, causing excessive force to be applied to various parts and potentially damaging them.

[0007] Therefore, one possible approach is to force the side mirror unit to rotate before shipment to allow the components to settle in, ensuring that subsequent forced rotations operate with the designed force.

[0008] However, as mentioned above, forcing the mirror head to rotate for the first time requires a large force, and applying such a large force to the side mirror device presents a problem. In other words, since the side mirror device is not yet installed on the vehicle as it is not yet shipped, it is inherently unstable. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the problem lies in how and where to apply the large rotational force while minimizing damage to each component.

[0009] Furthermore, it is necessary to inspect whether the mirror head can be forcibly rotated and whether the clutch mechanism operates correctly before shipping the side mirror unit. However, for the reasons mentioned above, how to perform this inspection was a problem.

[0010] This disclosure is made in view of the above points, and its purpose is to enable inspection of the clutch mechanism of the side mirror device while preventing damage to each component, and to ensure that each component of the clutch mechanism is properly broken in. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above objective, one aspect of this disclosure may be based on a vehicle side mirror device disposed on the side of a vehicle and equipped with an electrically retractable device. The vehicle side mirror device includes a mirror head having a mirror for rearward viewing and a frame supporting the mirror; a mirror base fixed to the side of the vehicle and extending upward, having a pivot shaft that rotatably supports the frame; and a clutch mechanism that allows the mirror head to rotate around the pivot shaft when an external force greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the mirror head around the pivot shaft, while preventing the mirror head from rotating around the pivot shaft when an external force less than the predetermined amount is applied. The lower part of the mirror base is provided with a plurality of insertion holes into which a plurality of pins of an inspection jig are each inserted, spaced radially from the center line of the pivot shaft.

[0012] In this configuration, the mirror base is fixed to the side of the vehicle, and the frame of the mirror head is rotatably supported on the pivot axis of the mirror base. In this vehicle-mounted state, under normal circumstances, the rotation of the mirror head is prevented by the clutch mechanism. On the other hand, if an external force exceeding a predetermined amount is applied to the mirror head around the pivot axis, the clutch mechanism causes the mirror head to rotate around the pivot axis, preventing excessive force from being applied to each component and suppressing damage.

[0013] In the case of a vehicle side mirror device equipped with such a clutch mechanism, it is necessary to inspect whether the clutch mechanism is functioning correctly before shipment, and also to allow the components constituting the clutch mechanism to settle in. In this embodiment, since an insertion hole for inserting the pin of the inspection jig is formed in the lower part of the mirror base, it is sufficient to insert the pin of the inspection jig into the insertion hole and then forcibly rotate the components on the mirror head side (frame, etc.) relative to it. By using the inspection jig, the accuracy of the inspection is increased, and the process of settling in the components becomes easier.

[0014] In this configuration, multiple insertion holes are spaced radially apart from the centerline of the support shaft, so the force from the inspection jig's pins, or the reaction force to the pins, is distributed to multiple points on the mirror base that are far apart from each other. This prevents damage to the mirror base during inspection or when settling in parts.

[0015] The multiple insertion holes may each open downwards. This allows multiple pins of the inspection jig to be inserted simultaneously from below the mirror base, improving work efficiency during inspection and when fitting parts.

[0016] The depth of one of the insertion holes may differ from the depth of the other insertion holes. For example, if the inspection jig has multiple pins, including long and short pins, the long pins can be inserted into the deeper insertion holes and the short pins into the shallower insertion holes. This allows the inspection to be performed or the parts to settle in while maintaining a constant relative angle around the pivot axis between the inspection jig and the mirror base.

[0017] The bottom surface of the insertion hole may be formed to abut against the tip surface of the pin of the inspection jig. That is, when the pin of the inspection jig is inserted into the insertion hole of the mirror base, the tip surface of the pin abuts against the bottom surface of the insertion hole, so that the insertion depth can always be the same.

[0018] The frame may have an insertion hole through which the support shaft is inserted and may be supported so as to be displaceable upward relative to the support shaft. In this case, the clutch mechanism may have a configuration comprising a projection formed around the support shaft and projecting upward, a recess formed around the insertion hole on the lower surface of the frame into which the projection fits, and a biasing member that biases the frame downward.

[0019] In this configuration, when an external force exceeding a predetermined level is applied to the frame, the frame attempts to rotate in the direction that the protrusion exits the recess, and at that time, the frame is displaced upward against the biasing force of the biasing member. This allows for forced rotation of the member on the mirror head side. By forcing rotation before shipment, the protrusion and recess can be allowed to settle in, and subsequent forced rotations can be performed with the force as designed.

[0020] In another aspect of this disclosure, a method for inspecting a vehicle side mirror device may be provided, comprising: a mirror head having a rearward-viewing mirror and a frame supporting the mirror; a mirror base fixed to the side of a vehicle and extending upward, having a pivot shaft that rotatably supports the frame; and a clutch mechanism that allows the mirror head to rotate around the pivot shaft when an external force greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the mirror head around the pivot shaft, while preventing the mirror head from rotating around the pivot shaft when an external force less than the predetermined amount is applied. In the method for inspecting a vehicle side mirror device, first, an inspection jig having a plurality of pins is prepared. Then, the plurality of pins of the inspection jig are inserted into a plurality of insertion holes provided at the lower part of the mirror base at radial intervals from the center line of the pivot shaft. After that, the operation of the clutch mechanism can be confirmed by rotating the inspection jig and the mirror head relative to each other around the pivot shaft. In addition, the components of the clutch mechanism can be broken in by rotating the inspection jig and the mirror head relative to each other around the pivot shaft. The purpose of the inspection is to check the clutch mechanism, but this inspection also allows for the break-in of the clutch mechanism's components. Since these can be done simultaneously in a single process, time can be saved.

[0021] The inspection jig used in the inspection method of the vehicle side mirror device may have a base portion. In this case, the plurality of pins can project in the same direction from one surface of the base portion. Thereby, the plurality of pins can be inserted into the insertion holes of the mirror base at one time. Further, the present disclosure may include the inspection jig.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] As described above, it is possible to inspect the clutch mechanism of the side mirror device while preventing damage to each component, and it is possible to surely fit each component of the clutch mechanism.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle side mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle side mirror device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a base body, an electric retraction device, and a frame along the vehicle width direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a frame and an electric retraction device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a base body, an electric retraction device, and a frame. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 with a lid member removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a base body. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an inspection jig. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side view of an inspection jig. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state where an inspection jig is set. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a state where an inspection jig is set. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The following description of preferred embodiments is essentially illustrative and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a vehicle side mirror device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This vehicle side mirror device 1 is a so-called door mirror that is fixed to the front end of a door (part of the vehicle) located on the side of a vehicle such as an automobile and is mainly used for rearward visibility. In this embodiment, the vehicle side mirror device 1 provided on the right side of the vehicle will be described, but the vehicle side mirror device provided on the left side (not shown) will not be described as it has a symmetrical structure to the one on the right side.

[0026] The vehicle side mirror device 1 comprises a mirror base 10 and a mirror head 30. The mirror head 30 is rotatable relative to the mirror base 10. In this description of the embodiment, as shown in each figure, the front of the vehicle will be simply referred to as "front," the rear of the vehicle as simply "rear," the left side of the vehicle as simply "left," and the right side of the vehicle as simply "right." These definitions are for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the present invention. The left-right direction is the vehicle width direction.

[0027] (Configuration of Mirror Base 10) The mirror base 10 is fixed to the outer panel P of the door (shown as a dashed line only in Figure 1), which is part of the vehicle, and supports the mirror head 30. As shown in Figure 2 and other figures, the mirror base 10 comprises a base body 11, a base-side upper cover member 12, a base-side lower cover member 13, and a sealing material 14 made of an elastic material. The base body 11 is made of, for example, a resin material, but may also be made of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

[0028] The base body 11 has a fixed portion 15 that is fixed to the outer panel P of the door, and a support shaft 16 that is integrally molded with the fixed portion 15, extends upward, and rotatably supports the inner portion in the vehicle width direction of the frame (described later) of the mirror head 30. A sealing material 14 is interposed between the fixed portion 15 and the outer panel P of the door. The fixed portion 15 is fixed to the outer panel P of the door or a reinforcement (not shown) by fastening members such as screws, although these are not shown.

[0029] Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken by cutting through the center line A of the support shaft 16 and extending in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 3, the support shaft 16 is integrally molded with the right side portion (outer portion in the vehicle width direction) of the fixed portion 15, and the support shaft 16 and the fixed portion 15 constitute a single component. The center line A of the support shaft 16 extends in the vertical direction and may extend vertically or be inclined with respect to the vertical line. The mirror head 30 can be retracted by rotating the mirror head 30 around the center line A of the support shaft 16.

[0030] The base end (lower end) of the support shaft 16 is provided with a large-diameter portion 16a, which has a larger diameter than the tip end (upper portion) of the base end. The upper surface 16b of the large-diameter portion 16a extends in a direction intersecting the center line A and also extends in an annular shape around the center line A. An annular groove 16c is formed on the upper surface 16b of the large-diameter portion 16a, extending in an annular shape around the center line A. The tip end portion of the support shaft 16, which is closer to the tip than the large-diameter portion 16a, is a small-diameter portion 16d. A recessed portion 16e is formed on the upper part of the outer circumferential surface of the small-diameter portion 16d, extending continuously in the circumferential direction.

[0031] The support shaft 16 is cylindrical and hollow inside. Specifically, openings are formed at the upper and lower ends of the support shaft 16, respectively, to open up the internal space. The internal space communicates with the outside through the opening at the upper end, and the internal space communicates with the outside through the opening at the lower end. By making the inside of the support shaft 16 hollow, it is possible to reduce weight while ensuring high rigidity. For example, a harness can be passed through the inside of the support shaft 16.

[0032] (Configuration of mirror head 30) As shown in Figure 2, the mirror head 30 includes a rearward-looking mirror 31, a frame 32 that supports the mirror 31, an angle adjustment device 33 for adjusting the angle of the mirror 31, an electric retraction device 34, and a visor 35. In this embodiment, the mirror 31 has a horizontally elongated shape in which the dimension in the vehicle width direction is longer than the dimension in the vertical direction, but it is not limited to this, and the dimensions in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction may be the same, or it may have a vertically elongated shape in which the dimension in the vehicle width direction is shorter than the dimension in the vertical direction, and its shape is not particularly limited.

[0033] The visor 35 is a resin part made by, for example, injection molding a resin material. The visor 35 has a frame portion 35a in which the mirror 31 is housed, a vertical plate portion 35b integrally molded with the front part of the frame portion 35a, and an extension portion 35c extending forward from the left side portion (inner portion in the vehicle width direction) at the lower part of the frame portion 35a. Since the frame portion 35a is formed to surround the mirror 31, it has a long shape in the vehicle width direction.

[0034] The frame portion 35a and the extension portion 35c of the visor 35 constitute the design portion of the mirror head 30. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the frame portion 35a is located on the rear side of the mirror head 30 and forms the design surface of the rear portion of the mirror head 30, making it visible from the outside. The extension portion 35c is formed to extend from the rear to the front of the lower inner side of the mirror head 30 in the vehicle width direction, forming the design surface of the lower inner side of the mirror head 30 in the vehicle width direction, making it visible from the outside. Thus, the frame portion 35a and the extension portion 35c constitute a part of the outer shape of the mirror head 30, and the visor 35, which includes this part of the outer shape, is an exterior component. The surfaces of the frame portion 35a and the extension portion 35c of the visor 35 may be painted surfaces with paint or the like, or they may be bare resin surfaces.

[0035] As shown in Figure 2, the vertical plate portion 35b of the visor 35 is located on the rear side of the frame 32. This vertical plate portion 35b has an opening 35d formed to penetrate the vertical plate portion 35b in the front-rear direction. The rear portion of the angle adjustment device 33 fits into the opening 35d. The back surface (front surface) of the mirror 31 is attached to the rear portion of the angle adjustment device 33. The front portion of the angle adjustment device 33 is attached from the rear to the outer portion of the frame 32 in the vehicle width direction. The mirror 31 is supported by the frame 32 via the angle adjustment device 33.

[0036] The angle adjustment device 33 contains, although not shown in the diagram, a motor and rotation mechanism for rotating the mirror 31 around a vertical line, and a motor and rotation mechanism for rotating the mirror 31 around a horizontal line. The angle adjustment device 33 can be operated from inside the vehicle, and the angle of the mirror 31 can be adjusted by rotating the mirror 31 around a vertical line or a horizontal line. The structure of the angle adjustment device 33 is not particularly limited. The angle adjustment device 33 may be provided as needed.

[0037] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the frame 32 is a resin part made by injection molding of a resin material, for example, and has a shape that is long in the vehicle width direction to correspond to the shape of the mirror 31. A mirror retaining plate portion 40 for holding the mirror 31 is formed on the outer part of the frame 32 in the vehicle width direction. The mirror retaining plate portion 40 extends in the vertical direction and in the vehicle width direction. The mirror retaining plate portion 40 is integrally molded with the outer part in the vehicle width direction of the motor housing portion 41 provided on the frame 32. By integrally molding the mirror retaining plate portion 40 and the motor housing portion 41, the number of parts can be reduced and the rigidity of the frame 32 can be increased. An angle adjustment device 33 is also attached to the mirror retaining plate portion 40.

[0038] An electric retraction device 34 is provided on the inner portion of the frame 32 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the electric retraction device 34 includes an electric retraction device motor 34a that generates power to switch the mirror head 30 from the operational state (shown in Figure 1) to the retracted state (not shown) and from the retracted state to the operational state by rotating the frame 32 around the pivot shaft 16, and a drive mechanism 34b that converts the rotational force of the electric retraction device motor 34a into rotational force of the mirror head 30. The drive mechanism 34b includes a drive gear 34d fixed to the output shaft 34c of the electric retraction device motor 34a, an intermediate gear unit 34e, and a ring gear 34f. The intermediate gear unit 34e is a gear unit for transmitting the rotational force input from the drive gear 34d to the ring gear 34f.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the narrow-diameter portion 16d of the support shaft 16 is inserted into the ring gear 34f, and in this state, the ring gear 34f is positioned near the lower end of the narrow-diameter portion 16d. The axis of the ring gear 34f coincides with the center line A of the narrow-diameter portion 16d. The inner circumferential surface of the ring gear 34f and the outer circumferential surface of the narrow-diameter portion 16d are engaged with each other, preventing relative rotation in the circumferential direction.

[0040] The vehicle side mirror device 1 is equipped with a clutch mechanism 80 (shown only in Figure 3). The clutch mechanism 80 is configured to allow rotation of the mirror head 30 around the pivot shaft 16 when an external force greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the mirror head 30 around the pivot shaft 16, while preventing rotation of the mirror head 30 around the pivot shaft 16 when an external force less than the predetermined amount is applied. The clutch mechanism 80 itself is conventionally well known. An external force less than the predetermined amount is, for example, wind pressure received during normal driving or force received during acceleration. When such an external force is applied, the mirror head 30 is held in the operating position as shown in Figure 1. On the other hand, an external force greater than the predetermined amount is, for example, an external force applied when strongly pushed by hand or an external force applied when hitting an obstacle, and is an external force that is too large to be applied during normal driving.

[0041] An insertion hole 32a is formed in the inner portion of the frame 32 in the vehicle width direction, through which the narrow-diameter portion 16d of the support shaft 16 is inserted, extending vertically. The diameter of the insertion hole 32a is smaller than the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 16a of the support shaft 16. The frame 32 supports the support shaft 16 so that it can rotate around the support shaft 16 with the narrow-diameter portion 16d inserted through the insertion hole 32a. In this state, the frame 32 is able to be displaced upward relative to the support shaft 16.

[0042] The clutch mechanism 80 includes a projection 16f that protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the annular groove 16c around the support shaft 16, a recess 32b that is formed around the insertion hole 32a on the lower surface of the frame 32 into which the projection 16f fits, a spring 34g as a biasing member that biases the frame 32 downward, and a retaining ring 34h.

[0043] The spring 34g is a coil spring, and the narrow-diameter portion 16d of the support shaft 16 is inserted through the spring 34g. The lower end of the spring 34g abuts against the upper end surface of the ring gear 34f. The lower end surface of the ring gear 34f abuts from above against the periphery of the portion of the frame 32 in which the insertion hole 32a is formed. The ring gear 34f is supported so as to be displaceable upward relative to the narrow-diameter portion 16d of the support shaft 16. For example, a ridge (not shown) extending in the vertical direction is formed on the lower part of the outer circumferential surface of the narrow-diameter portion 16d of the support shaft 16. On the other hand, an engagement groove (not shown) extending in the vertical direction is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the ring gear 34f to engage with the ridge of the narrow-diameter portion 16d. The range of the ridge is set so that it engages with the engagement groove only when the ring gear 34f is positioned downward, and moves upward away from the engagement groove when the ring gear 34f moves upward.

[0044] The retaining ring 34h engages with a recess 16e formed in the narrow-diameter portion 16d of the support shaft 16. The lower surface of the retaining ring 34h abuts against the upper end of the spring 34g, and the retaining ring 34h applies a downward compressive force to the spring 34g. Therefore, the spring 34g constantly applies a downward biasing force to the ring gear 34f, maintaining the engagement between the engagement groove on the inner circumferential surface of the ring gear 34f and the protrusion on the outer circumferential surface of the narrow-diameter portion 16d. This is the normal state.

[0045] When an external force greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the mirror head 30 around the pivot shaft 16, the frame 32 is forced to rotate, causing the frame 32 to rotate in the direction that the protruding portion 16f exits the recess 32b. At that time, the frame 32 is displaced upward against the biasing force of the spring 34g, and consequently the ring gear 34f is displaced upward, moving upward away from the protrusion on the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 16d. As a result, the engagement between the engagement groove on the inner circumferential surface of the ring gear 34f and the protrusion on the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 16d is released, making it possible to forcibly rotate the components on the mirror head 30 side (frame 32, etc.). Note that the specific structure of the clutch mechanism 80 is not limited to the structure described above, and any structure that can rotate the components on the mirror head 30 side with an external force greater than a predetermined amount is acceptable.

[0046] The motor 34a for the electric retraction device can be rotated in one direction while the engagement groove on the inner circumferential surface of the ring gear 34f and the protrusion on the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 16d are maintained. When the motor 34a for the electric retraction device is rotated in one direction, the rotational force of the motor 34a is transmitted to the ring gear 34f via the drive gear 34d and the intermediate gear unit 34e. Since the ring gear 34f is engaged with the support shaft 16 and cannot rotate relative to it, the motor 34a for the electric retraction device, the drive gear 34d and the intermediate gear unit 34e rotate around the ring gear 34f. This one-way rotation of the motor 34a for the electric retraction device can switch the mirror head 30 from the deployed state to the retracted state.

[0047] On the other hand, when the motor 34a for the electric retraction device is rotated in the other direction, the motor 34a, the drive gear 34d, and the intermediate gear unit 34e rotate in the opposite direction around the ring gear 34f. This rotation of the motor 34a in the other direction allows the mirror head 30 to be switched from the retracted state to the operational state.

[0048] In this embodiment, the motor 34a for the electric retractable device is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the support shaft 16. Specifically, a motor housing section 41 for housing the motor 34a for the electric retractable device inward in the vehicle width direction from the support shaft 16 is integrally molded with the frame 32. The motor housing section 41 has a concave shape that opens upward, allowing the motor 34a for the electric retractable device, the drive mechanism 34b, etc., to be housed in the motor housing section 41 from above. Therefore, the motor housing section 41 can also be referred to as a motor case, a case for housing the drive mechanism 34b, etc.

[0049] In this embodiment, the widthwise dimension of the motor housing 41 is longer than the lengthwise dimension, but this is not limited to this. The widthwise dimension of the motor housing 41 and the lengthwise dimension may be approximately the same, or the widthwise dimension of the motor housing 41 may be shorter than the lengthwise dimension.

[0050] The motor housing 41 houses not only the motor 34a for the electric retraction device but also the drive mechanism 34b. The motor 34a for the electric retraction device is located further outward in the vehicle width direction than the ring gear 34f, spring 34g, and retaining ring 34h of the drive mechanism 34b. To accommodate this, the dimensions of the motor housing 41 in the vehicle width direction are longer than its dimensions in the front-rear direction. The drive gear 34d of the drive mechanism 34b is located directly below the motor 34a for the electric retraction device.

[0051] The portion of the frame 32 in which the through-hole 32a is formed is the bottom wall portion 41a of the motor housing 41. Therefore, the motor housing 41 also accommodates the portion of the support shaft 16 above the through-hole 32a (the narrow-diameter portion 16d). Thus, the motor housing 41 accommodates not only the motor 34a and drive mechanism 34b for the electric retraction device, but also the narrow-diameter portion 16d of the support shaft 16, making it larger than a housing that only accommodates the motor 34a for the electric retraction device. The inner portion of the motor housing 41 in the vehicle width direction is the portion that accommodates the motor 34a for the electric retraction device, and this inner portion in the vehicle width direction is positioned further inward than the support shaft 16. In other words, at least a portion of the motor housing 41 is integrally molded with the portion of the frame 32 further inward than the support shaft 16 in the vehicle width direction. The motor housing 41 accommodates the motor 34a for the electric retraction device and the portion of the support shaft 16 above the through-hole 32a, aligned in the vehicle width direction.

[0052] The motor 34a for the electric retraction device is housed in the motor housing 41 with its output shaft 34c extending vertically and protruding downwards. Therefore, the drive gear 34d, intermediate gear unit 34e, and ring gear 34f of the drive mechanism 34b are housed in the lower part of the motor housing 41. The spring 34g and retaining ring 34h are housed in the motor housing 41 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the motor 34a for the electric retraction device and above the ring gear 34f.

[0053] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the frame 32 has a cover member 42 that covers the open portion of the motor housing 41 from above. The cover member 42 is separate from the motor housing 41 and extends in the vehicle width direction so as to cover the above of the motor 34a for the electric storage device, the above of the narrow diameter portion 16d of the support shaft 16, and the above of the retaining ring 34h. A bulging portion 42a that bulges upward is formed on the inner portion of the cover member 42 in the vehicle width direction. As shown in Figure 4, a plurality of locking pieces 42b are formed on the periphery of the cover member 42, extending downward along the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 41b of the motor housing 41, spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. A locking hole 42c is formed in each locking piece 42b. On the other hand, a protrusion 41c is formed on the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 41b of the motor housing 41 in the portion corresponding to the locking hole 42c. When the motor housing 41 is completely covered with the cover member 42, the protrusions 41c of each locking piece 42b engage with the locking holes 42c, locking them in place and preventing the cover member 42 from detaching from the motor housing 41.

[0054] An intermediate member 43 is provided inside the motor housing 41, to which the motor 34a for the electric retraction device is assembled. On the outer side of the intermediate member 43 in the vehicle width direction, a motor holding recess 43a is formed that opens upward, holding the main body of the motor 34a for the electric retraction device in a housed state. A circuit board 44 is positioned on top of the motor 34a for the electric retraction device held in the motor holding recess 43a. The circuit board 44 is housed within the bulge 42a of the lid member 42.

[0055] An insertion hole 43b is formed in the inner portion of the intermediate member 43 in the vehicle width direction, through which the upper end of the narrow-diameter portion 16d of the support shaft 16 is inserted. The intermediate member 43 is fastened and fixed by screws B to a screw hole 41d formed inside the motor housing 41.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle side mirror device 1 includes an under cover 50 that covers the inner portion of the frame 32 in the vehicle width direction from below, an under panel 51 that covers at least the portion of the frame 32 that is wider than the under cover 50 in the vehicle width direction from below, and a front cover 60 that covers the frame 32 from the front. The under cover 50, under panel 51, and front cover 60 are made of, for example, resin material that has been injection molded. The front cover 60 is formed to open to the rear and downward. The rear edge of the front cover 60 is positioned to contact the frame portion 35a of the visor 35 from the front.

[0057] The under cover 50 and the under panel 51 constitute the lower design portion of the mirror head 30, and therefore the lower design portion of the mirror head 30 has a two-part structure. Specifically, the under cover 50 is provided at the bottom of the mirror head 30 and is a design surface at the bottom of the inner portion of the mirror head 30 in the vehicle width direction, and is a part that is visible from the outside. The under panel 51 is provided at the bottom of the mirror head 30 and extends from the outer portion to the inner portion of the mirror head 30 in the vehicle width direction, and is a design surface at the bottom of the outer portion to the inner portion of the mirror head 30 in the vehicle width direction, and is a part that is visible from the outside. In this way, the under cover 50 and the under panel 51 constitute a part of the external shape of the mirror head 30 and are exterior components. The surface of the under cover 50 and the under panel 51 may be a painted surface with paint or the like, or it may be a bare resin surface.

[0058] The under cover 50 has a cover portion 50a that extends in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction so as to cover at least the inner portion of the frame 32 in the vehicle width direction from below. As shown in Figure 2, a support shaft insertion hole 50b is formed in the middle portion of the cover portion 50a in the vehicle width direction through which the support shaft 16 is inserted. The support shaft insertion hole 50b is circular in plan view and has an inner diameter that allows the large diameter portion 16a of the support shaft 16 to be inserted. The center of the support shaft insertion hole 50b is located on the center line A of the support shaft 16.

[0059] The under cover 50 has a protruding plate portion 50c that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the cover portion 50a so as to surround the large-diameter portion 16a of the support shaft 16. The protruding plate portion 50c is provided in a portion that is radially outward from the peripheral edge of the support shaft insertion hole 50b, and is provided along the peripheral edge of the support shaft insertion hole 50b. There may be one or more protruding plate portions 50c. If there is one protruding plate portion 50c, it may be provided to form a continuous annular shape in the circumferential direction of the support shaft insertion hole 50b, or it may be provided only in a part of the circumferential direction. If there are multiple protruding plate portions 50c, the multiple protruding plate portions 50c may be provided intermittently in the circumferential direction of the support shaft insertion hole 50b. In this embodiment, two protruding plate portions 50c are provided intermittently in the circumferential direction of the support shaft insertion hole 50b. One protruding plate portion 50c is provided along the peripheral edge of the inner portion of the support shaft insertion hole 50b in the vehicle width direction, and the other protruding plate portion 50c is provided along the peripheral edge of the outer portion of the support shaft insertion hole 50b in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] The protruding plate portion 50c corresponds to the shape of the support shaft insertion hole 50b and therefore has an arc shape in plan view. Specifically, each protruding plate portion 50c has an arc shape with the center of the support shaft insertion hole 50b as the center of the arc. By providing the protruding plate portion 50c around the support shaft insertion hole 50b in this way, the protruding plate portion 50c functions like a rib, thereby increasing the rigidity of the cover portion 50a having the support shaft insertion hole 50b. In addition, because the protruding plate portion 50c has an arc shape, it is less likely to tip over compared to, for example, a flat plate.

[0061] The under panel 51 is positioned below the front cover 60 and has an elongated shape in the vehicle width direction. It is assembled to the frame 32 by engaging claws (not shown) and screws (not shown). The upper edge of the under panel 51 abuts against the lower edge of the front cover 60. The inner portion of the under panel 51 in the vehicle width direction extends in the vehicle width direction along the front portion of the under cover 50. On the other hand, the extension portion 35c of the visor 35 extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the inner portion of the under cover 50 in the vehicle width direction. The under cover 50 is positioned between the under panel 51 and the extension portion 35c of the visor 35, and is sandwiched between the under panel 51 and the extension portion 35c of the visor 35. The inner portion of the under panel 51 in the vehicle width direction is also bent towards the rear. The front end of this inner portion of the under panel 51 in the vehicle width direction and the tip of the inner portion of the extension portion 35c of the visor 35 in the vehicle width direction are in contact. Therefore, the under cover 50 is provided in the area enclosed by the under panel 51 and the visor 35. The rear edge of the under cover 50 is in contact with the lower part of the frame portion 35a of the visor 35 from the front.

[0062] With the vehicle side mirror device 1 mounted on the side of the vehicle, the motor 34a for the electric folding device can be operated to switch the mirror head 30 from the open state to the folded state, and from the folded state to the open state. When it rains or when washing the car, water may adhere to the lower part of the vehicle side mirror device 1 or be sprayed onto the vehicle side mirror device 1 from below. In such cases, in this embodiment, the under cover 50 is provided to suppress the ingress of water into the mirror head 30, and even if water enters the interior through the support shaft insertion hole 50b, the protruding plate portion 50c is positioned to surround the support shaft 16, so the flow of water toward the support shaft 16 is suppressed. As a result, water is less likely to come into contact with the operating part of the electric folding device 34, and malfunctions of the electric folding device 34 are less likely to occur.

[0063] Furthermore, by bringing the protruding plate portion 50c, which protrudes upward from the inner surface of the under cover 50, into contact with the lower surface of the frame 32, the vertical positioning of the under cover 50 can be easily performed. In this way, the vertical positioning of the under cover 50 can be accurately performed by a simple structure and method of bringing the protruding plate portion 50c into contact with the lower surface of the frame 32.

[0064] Furthermore, since the support shaft 16 is integrally molded with the fixed portion 15 of the mirror base 10, the number of parts of the mirror base 10 is reduced, and the overall rigidity of the base body 11 of the mirror base 10 is increased. When the support shaft 16 is integrally molded with the fixed portion 15 in this way, assembly of the exterior components may be problematic, but in this embodiment, the exterior components are divided into an under cover 50 and an under panel 51, so that each of the under cover 50 and the under panel 51 can be made smaller, and assembly to the mirror head 30 can be made easier.

[0065] Furthermore, by separating the under cover 50 from the under panel 51, the support shaft insertion hole 50b and the protruding plate portion 50c can be easily molded into the under cover 50.

[0066] Furthermore, since the motor 34a for the electric retraction device is positioned inward in the vehicle width direction from the support shaft 16, the center of gravity of the mirror head 30 can be brought closer to the support shaft 16. As a result, the mirror head 30 vibrates less than when the center of gravity of the mirror head 30 is farther from the support shaft 16, and consequently, the vibration of the mirror 31 during driving can be reduced.

[0067] Since the motor housing section 41, which houses the motor 34a for the electric retraction device, is integrally molded with the frame 32, the frame 32 becomes more compact compared to when a separate motor bracket or the like is provided. Furthermore, the integral molding of the motor housing section 41 with the frame 32 makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the frame 32.

[0068] (Inspection fixture and structure for vehicle side mirror devices) As shown in Figure 7, the lower part of the base body 11 of the mirror base 10 has multiple insertion holes 91, 92, and 93 into which the multiple pins 101, 102, and 103 of the inspection jig 100 shown in Figures 8 and 9 are inserted, respectively, and these holes are spaced radially apart from the center line A of the support shaft 16. The inspection jig 100 is a jig for inspecting the operation of the clutch mechanism 80 before the vehicle side mirror device 1 is shipped. By using this inspection jig 100, not only can the operation of the clutch mechanism 80 be inspected, but the components constituting the clutch mechanism 80 can also be broken in.

[0069] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the inspection jig 100 is an inspection jig for a vehicle side mirror device and has a first pin 101, a second pin 102, and a third pin 103, and a base 110. The material of the inspection jig 100 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, metal, a highly rigid hard resin, or a combination thereof. The base 110 includes, for example, plate-shaped, columnar, or block-shaped parts. The base 110 is fixed to an inspection device or inspection table, etc., although not shown.

[0070] The first pin 101, the second pin 102, and the third pin 103 are provided on one surface of the base 110 and protrude in the same direction from the surface 110a of the base 110. The first pin 101, the second pin 102, and the third pin 103 are cylindrical and have the same diameter. Furthermore, the first pin 101, the second pin 102, and the third pin 103 are parallel to each other and extend perpendicularly to the surface 110a of the base 110.

[0071] As shown in Figure 8, assuming that the center line of one surface 110a of the base 110 is at the position indicated by symbol B, the center of the first pin 101 is a predetermined radial distance from the center line B. The center of the second pin 102 is also a predetermined radial distance from the center line B, and the center of the third pin 103 is also a predetermined radial distance from the center line B. The distance between the center of the first pin 101 and the center line B, the distance between the center of the second pin 102 and the center line B, and the distance between the center of the third pin 103 and the center line B are all the same. Therefore, the first pin 101, the second pin 102, and the third pin 103 are located on the same circumference centered on the center line B. Also, the circumferential spacing between the first pin 101, the second pin 102, and the third pin 103 is equal.

[0072] The lengths of the first pin 101 and the second pin 102 are the same. On the other hand, the length of the third pin 103 is set to be shorter than the lengths of the first pin 101 and the second pin 102. For example, the length of the third pin 103 is made about 20 mm shorter than the length of the first pin 101, so that the shorter length of the third pin 103 can be easily seen by sight.

[0073] As shown in Figure 7, the lower part of the base body 11 is provided with a first insertion hole 91, a second insertion hole 92, and a third insertion hole 93, corresponding to the first pin 101, second pin 102, and third pin 103 of the inspection jig 100. The first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93 each open downwards on the lower surface of the base body 11, and the first pin 101, the second pin 102, and the third pin 103 are inserted into them from below. The first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93 extend upwards from the openings on the lower surface of the base body 11. The upper portions of the first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93 reach inside the large diameter portion 16a of the support shaft 16.

[0074] The cross-sectional shapes of the first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93 are circular, similar to the cross-sectional shapes of the first pin 101, the second pin 102, and the third pin 103. The inner diameters of the first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93 are set to be slightly larger than the outer diameters of the first pin 101, the second pin 102, and the third pin 103, allowing the first pin 101, the second pin 102, and the third pin 103 to be smoothly inserted into the first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93. Although not shown in the figures, guide surfaces may be provided at the tips of the first pin 101, the second pin 102, and the third pin 103 to serve as guides during insertion.

[0075] Since the first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93 open downwards, the bottom surfaces of the first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93 are located upwards. The depth of the first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93 is a vertical dimension, specifically the distance from the lower opening to the upper bottom surface. In this embodiment, the first pin 101 and the second pin 102 are long and the third pin 103 is short, so the first insertion hole 91 and the second insertion hole 92 are deep and the third insertion hole 93 is shallow. In other words, the depth of one insertion hole 93 is different from the depths of the other insertion holes 91 and 92. This prevents the inspection jig 100 from being incorrectly assembled to the base body 11.

[0076] As shown in Figure 7, the first insertion hole 91 is located a predetermined radial distance from the centerline A of the support shaft 16. The second insertion hole 92 is also located a predetermined radial distance from the centerline A of the support shaft 16, and the third insertion hole 93 is also located a predetermined radial distance from the centerline A of the support shaft 16. The distance between the center of the first insertion hole 91 and the centerline A of the support shaft 16, the distance between the center of the second insertion hole 92 and the centerline A of the support shaft 16, and the distance between the center of the third insertion hole 93 and the centerline A of the support shaft 16 are all the same. This distance between centers is the same as the distance between the centers of each pin 101, 102, and 103 of the inspection jig 100 and the centerline B. Therefore, the first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93 are located on the same circumference centered on the centerline A of the support shaft 16. Furthermore, the spacing between the first insertion hole 91, the second insertion hole 92, and the third insertion hole 93 in the circumferential direction (circumferential direction of the support shaft 16) is equal.

[0077] Figure 10 shows the state in which the first pin 101, second pin 102, and third pin 103 of the inspection jig 100 are inserted into the first insertion hole 91, second insertion hole 92, and third insertion hole 93 of the base body 11, respectively. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the base body 11 where the first insertion hole 91 is formed. As shown in this figure, the bottom surface of the first insertion hole 91 is formed to abut against the tip surface (upper end surface) of the first pin 101 of the inspection jig 100. This ensures that the insertion amount of the first pin 101 is always a predetermined amount. Although not shown, the bottom surface of the second insertion hole 92 abuts against the tip surface of the second pin 102 of the inspection jig 100, and the bottom surface of the third insertion hole 93 abuts against the tip surface of the third pin 103 of the inspection jig 100.

[0078] In this embodiment, the case in which the inspection jig 100 has three pins 101, 102, and 103 has been described, but it is not limited to this, and it may have two pins, or four or more pins. Furthermore, the outer diameters of all the pins may be different, the cross-sectional shapes of all the pins may be different, and the lengths of all the pins may be different. Alternatively, all the pins may be the same length. The insertion holes are also not limited to those described above, and for example, the number, shape, depth, diameter, etc., may be changed to match those of the pins.

[0079] (Inspection method for vehicle side mirror devices) Next, the inspection method for the vehicle side mirror device 1 before factory shipment (before installation on a vehicle) will be described. First, the vehicle side mirror device 1 and the inspection jig 100 are prepared. Then, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the pins 101, 102, and 103 of the inspection jig 100 are inserted into the insertion holes 91, 92, and 93, which are provided at the lower part of the base body 11 at radial intervals from the center line A of the support shaft 16. Since the pins 101, 102, and 103 are fixed to a single base 110, all the pins 101, 102, and 103 can be inserted into the insertion holes 91, 92, and 93 in a single insertion operation.

[0080] Subsequently, the inspection jig 100 and the mirror head 30 are rotated relative to each other around the pivot shaft 16. At this time, the inspection jig 100 may be fixed and an external force greater than a predetermined value may be applied to the mirror head 30 around the pivot shaft 16, or the mirror head 30 may be fixed and an external force greater than a predetermined value may be applied to the inspection jig 100 around the pivot shaft 16. When rotating the inspection jig 100 or the mirror head 30, the operator may apply the external force by hand, or an external force may be applied by an electric actuator (not shown).

[0081] During the inspection of the vehicle side mirror device 1, the mirror head 30 is forcibly rotated for the first time after the vehicle side mirror device 1 is manufactured. In particular, the components constituting the clutch mechanism 80 have not yet settled in, and the force required to forcibly rotate it must be greater than the force required for subsequent forced rotations. However, by distributing the external force in a way that prevents damage to each part, damage to each part during inspection is suppressed. In particular, since the multiple insertion holes 91, 92, and 93 are provided at radial intervals from the center line A of the support shaft 16, the force from the pins 101, 102, and 103 of the inspection jig 100, or the reaction force to the pins 101, 102, and 103, is distributed to multiple points on the mirror base 10 that are far apart from each other. As a result, the mirror base 10 is not damaged during inspection or when the parts are being settled in. If there is a malfunction in the clutch mechanism 80, it may not be possible to force the mirror head 30 to rotate even if a considerably large external force is applied, or the mirror head 30 may rotate with an external force less than the specified amount. Therefore, by going through this process, it is possible to check whether the clutch mechanism 80 is functioning normally while allowing the components of the clutch mechanism 80 to settle in. The rotation speed of the mirror head 30 during the inspection process can be set arbitrarily.

[0082] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. Furthermore, any modifications or changes that fall within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention. The structure of the inspection jig 100 is not limited to the structure described above, and may have pins arranged irregularly. [Industrial applicability]

[0083] As described above, the vehicle side mirror device and inspection method for the vehicle side mirror device relating to this disclosure can be used, for example, as a mirror device attached to the side of an automobile. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1. Vehicle side mirror device 10 Mirror Base 16 Spindle 16f protrusion 30 Mirror Head 32 frames 32a Through hole 32b Recess 34g spring (biasing component) 80 Clutch mechanism 91, 92, 93 1st to 3rd insertion holes 100 Inspection jigs 101, 102, 103 Pins 1-3 110 Base

Claims

1. A vehicle side mirror device that is mounted on the side of a vehicle and equipped with an electric retraction device, A mirror head having a rearward-looking mirror and a frame that supports the mirror, A mirror base fixed to the side of the vehicle and extending upward, having a support shaft that rotatably supports the frame, The mirror head is provided with a clutch mechanism that allows rotation of the mirror head around the pivot shaft when an external force greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the mirror head around the pivot shaft, while preventing rotation of the mirror head around the pivot shaft when an external force less than the predetermined amount is applied. A vehicle side mirror device, wherein the lower part of the mirror base has multiple insertion holes into which multiple pins of an inspection jig are each inserted, spaced radially apart from the center line of the support shaft.

2. In the vehicle side mirror device according to claim 1, A vehicle side mirror device comprising a plurality of insertion holes, each opening downward on the lower surface of the mirror base.

3. In the vehicle side mirror device according to claim 2, A vehicle side mirror device in which, among a plurality of insertion holes, the depth of one insertion hole is different from the depth of the other insertion holes.

4. In the vehicle side mirror device according to claim 2, A vehicle side mirror device wherein the bottom surface of the insertion hole is formed to contact the tip surface of the pin of the inspection jig.

5. In the vehicle side mirror device according to claim 2, A vehicle side mirror device in which the plurality of insertion holes include a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole located circumferentially away from the first insertion hole in the direction of the support shaft.

6. In the vehicle side mirror device according to claim 2, The frame has an insertion hole through which the support shaft is inserted and is supported so as to be displaceable upward relative to the support shaft. The clutch mechanism comprises a projection formed around the support shaft and projecting upward, a recess formed around the insertion hole on the lower surface of the frame into which the projection fits, and a biasing member that biases the frame downward, in a vehicle side mirror device.

7. A method for inspecting a vehicle side mirror device comprising: a mirror head having a mirror for rearward viewing and a frame supporting the mirror; a mirror base fixed to the side of a vehicle and extending upward, having a pivot shaft that rotatably supports the frame; and a clutch mechanism that allows rotation of the mirror head around the pivot shaft when an external force greater than a predetermined amount is applied to the mirror head around the pivot shaft, while preventing rotation of the mirror head around the pivot shaft when an external force less than the predetermined amount is applied, Prepare an inspection jig with multiple pins, The multiple pins of the inspection jig are inserted into the multiple insertion holes provided at the lower part of the mirror base, spaced radially apart from the center line of the support shaft. A method for inspecting a vehicle side mirror device, comprising the following steps: rotating the inspection jig and the mirror head relative to each other around the pivot shaft.

8. In the inspection method for a vehicle side mirror device according to claim 7, The inspection jig has a base, A method for inspecting a vehicle side mirror device, wherein multiple pins protrude in the same direction from one surface of the base.

Images