Vehicle viewing device with electrically operated storage unit

Abstract

To provide a vehicular visual recognition device comprising an electric storage unit, in which force in a radial direction applied to a sun gear case does not act locally, while restricting positional variation by supporting a sun gear in a drive mechanism of the electric storage unit by using a case supporting a worm drive and the like, and which prevents the occurrence of abnormal sound due to a change in tooth contact of a toothed gear, without causing positional deviation to the sun gear, in the case that rotational force is applied from the electric motor.SOLUTION: In a vehicular visual recognition device, a sun gear 62 and a worm drive 71 are positioned and supported with a case 20, and a positioning position of the sun gear 62 with respect to the case 20 is set to an outer peripheral surface 62b1 of the sun gear 62.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle visualization device equipped with an electric storage unit such as a vehicle side mirror, which can reduce variation in the position of each component of the drive mechanism of the electric storage unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, it has been known that vehicle visual confirmation devices installed on the side of a vehicle, such as side mirrors, are configured to rotate using an electric storage unit and be folded on the side of the vehicle when not in use.

[0003] This electric storage unit is configured to rotate the rotational force of an electric motor installed inside around the shaft on the vehicle side using a drive mechanism, specifically, a worm, a worm wheel, a drive worm, and a sun gear fixed to the shaft on the vehicle body side, which are installed on the motor shaft.

[0004] Incidentally, these drive mechanisms - the worm, worm wheel, drive worm, and sun gear - transmit rotational force by meshing their respective gears, but if the positional relationship of each component is not constant, there will be variation in position and abnormal noise will be generated.

[0005] Therefore, the following Patent Document 1 proposes supporting a sun gear (limiting gear) on a case (rotating member) that supports the worm wheel and drive worm, thereby stabilizing the tooth contact of these gears without changing the support positions of these drive mechanisms. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6662565 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the electric storage unit, the rotational force of the electric motor is transmitted from a worm provided on the motor shaft to a worm wheel, and then to a sun gear via a drive worm that rotates integrally with the worm wheel.

[0008] At this time, a rotational force (circumferential force of the sun gear) and a radial force (radial force of the sun gear) act on the sun gear from the drive worm. Since the radial force changes the position of the sun gear, in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the sun gear is configured to be supported in the radial direction by a case (rotating member).

[0009] However, looking closely at the support structure for the sun gear in Patent Document 1, a support tube (28) is provided in the case (26), and the radially inner portion (inner circumferential surface) of the gear plate (limiting gear, sun gear) (48) is supported against this support tube (28) (see FIG. 1, paragraphs

[0051] and

[0056] ).

[0010] However, when the inner surface of the sun gear is supported by the support tube of the case in this manner, a radial force acts on the portion of the sun gear that is smaller in diameter than the gear diameter, causing a local load to act on the support tube of the case, causing deformation of the support tube and, as a result, causing a displacement of the sun gear and a change in the tooth contact of the gears.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle visualization device equipped with an electric storage unit, in which the sun gear of the drive mechanism of the electric storage unit is supported by a case that supports a drive worm, etc., thereby suppressing positional variation while preventing radial forces from acting locally on the sun gear case, so that when a rotational force is applied from the electric motor, the sun gear does not displace in position and the gear tooth contact does not change, preventing abnormal noise, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve this objective, the present invention provides a vehicle visualization device that is installed on the side of a vehicle and equipped with an electric storage unit, in which a sun gear, whose rotation is restricted relative to a shaft on the vehicle body side, is supported by a case that supports a drive worm, etc., and is positioned relative to the case by the outer surface of the sun gear.

[0013] Specifically, a first invention is a visual confirmation device for a vehicle that includes an electric storage unit that is installed on the side of a vehicle and configured to rotate between an unfolded position and a folded position, the electric storage unit includes an electric motor installed inside a case, and a drive mechanism that transmits the rotational force of the electric motor so that the case rotates around a shaft installed on the vehicle side, the drive mechanism includes a sun gear installed in a state in which rotation is restricted around the shaft, and a drive worm that transmits the rotational force from the electric motor to the sun gear, the sun gear and the drive worm are positioned and supported by the case, A smooth surface having no gears is set on the outer peripheral surface of the sun gear, and the smooth surface is set as the outer peripheral surface of the sun gear, The positioning position of the sun gear in the case is set on the outer circumferential surface of the sun gear.

[0014] According to this configuration, the sun gear and drive worm are positioned and supported by the case, and the positioning position of the sun gear in the case is set on the outer peripheral surface of the sun gear, so that the radial force of the sun gear on the case acts on the outer peripheral surface which is approximately the same as the gear diameter of the sun gear.

[0015] As a result, the radial force of the sun gear does not act locally on the case, but is dispersed over a wide area, so that the support position of the case does not deform and the sun gear does not displace.

[0016] As long as the position where the sun gear is positioned on the case is the outer circumferential surface of the sun gear, the specific support position may be anywhere. 。

[0017] The vehicle visual confirmation device may be a mirror or a camera as long as it has a structure that allows the rear of the vehicle to be viewed.

[0018] The second invention is characterized in that the outer peripheral surface, which is the position for positioning the sun gear in the case, is the outer surface of a cylindrical support portion protruding downward from the sun gear.

[0019] According to this configuration, the positioning position of the sun gear relative to the case is the outer surface of the cylindrical support portion that protrudes downward from the sun gear, so that the sun gear is positioned relative to the case at a lower position.

[0020] This makes it possible to visually observe the meshing position of the sun gear with the drive worm from above without it being hidden by the case.

[0021] Therefore, the meshing state between the sun gear and the drive worm can be confirmed after assembly into the case, and the tooth contact of these gears can be reliably secured at the correct position.

[0022] A third invention is characterized in that a washer member for reducing frictional resistance is interposed between the outer circumferential surface of the sun gear and a support position of the case.

[0023] According to this configuration, since the washer member is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the sun gear and the support position of the case, the frictional resistance between the outer peripheral surface of the sun gear and the support position of the case can be reduced.

[0024] Therefore, even if relative displacement occurs between the sun gear and the case when the case rotates and friction occurs between the two, the rotational resistance does not become large, and the case rotates smoothly.

[0025] Therefore, by supporting the sun gear on the case, relative displacement occurs between the two when the case rotates, but since the rotational resistance can be reduced, the increase in the load on the electric motor can be suppressed, and breakdown of the electric motor can be prevented.

[0026] A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the washer member is configured as an annular member having a substantially L-shaped cross section and including a peripheral surface portion and a bottom surface portion.

[0027] According to this configuration, the washer member is an annular member having a generally L-shaped cross section and consisting of a peripheral surface portion and a bottom surface portion, thereby reducing frictional resistance between the outer peripheral surface and the bottom surface of the sun gear and the case.

[0028] As a result, the washer member acts against the radial forces and thrust forces (axial forces of the sun gear) that arise between the sun gear and the case when the case rotates, reducing the frictional resistance between the two.

[0029] Therefore, the rotational resistance between the sun gear and the case can be more reliably reduced, and the vehicle visualizing device can be rotated more smoothly. Effect of the Invention

[0030] As described above, according to the present invention, the radial force of the sun gear does not act locally on the case, but is distributed over a wide area, so that the support position of the case is not deformed and the sun gear is not displaced.

[0031] Therefore, in a vehicle visualization device equipped with an electric storage unit, the sun gear of the drive mechanism of the electric storage unit is supported by a case that also supports a drive worm, etc., thereby suppressing variation in position while preventing radial forces from acting locally on the sun gear case.This means that even if a rotational force is applied from the electric motor, the sun gear will not displace in position, and the gear teeth will not change in contact, causing abnormal noise, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall plan view illustrating a deployed state and a folded state of a vehicle visual confirmation device equipped with an electric storage unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a plan view of an electric storage unit built into the vehicle visual confirmation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a rear view of an electric storage unit built into the vehicle visual confirmation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is an exploded perspective view of an electric storage unit built into the vehicle visual confirmation device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electric storage unit with the cover and holder removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a drive mechanism of the electric storage unit. [Figure 8] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its application, or its uses.

[0034] (Embodiment 1) First, the structure of a vehicle visual confirmation device equipped with an electric storage unit according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Note that the directions of the arrows shown in each figure indicate the respective directions.

[0035] The vehicle visual confirmation device 1 of this embodiment is, for example, a side mirror device 1 erected on a side door 2 of a vehicle as shown in Fig. 1, and this side mirror device 1 is provided so as to protrude from the vehicle to the side (right side) of the vehicle. This side mirror device 1 includes a side mirror body 4 provided with a mirror surface 3, and a mirror base 5, and is erected on the side door 2 by fixing the mirror base 5 to the side door 2 with a fixing bolt 6. Although not shown, a side mirror device 1 is also erected on the side door on the opposite side of the vehicle so as to protrude from the vehicle to the side (left side).

[0036] In addition, the side mirror body 4 is mounted on a mirror base 5 via an electric storage unit U built into the side mirror body 4, and is configured to rotate between an unfolded state shown by a solid line and a folded state shown by a dashed dotted line by operation of the electric storage unit U.

[0037] 2 is a plan view of the electric storage unit U as seen from above, FIG. 3 is a rear view of the electric storage unit U as seen from the rear of the vehicle, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electric storage unit U.

[0038] The aforementioned electric storage unit U comprises a shaft 10 fixed to the mirror base 5, a case 20 that rotates around the shaft 10, a cover 30 that covers the internal space of the case 20 at the top of the case 20, and a holder 40 inside the case 20 that divides the internal space into upper and lower sections.

[0039] The aforementioned shaft 10 has a fastening fixing portion 11 at its lower portion which is bolted to the mirror base 5, a support receiving portion 12 at its middle portion which supports the case 20 etc., and a shaft main body portion 13 at its upper portion which extends upward and serves as the center of rotation of the case 20 etc.

[0040] The aforementioned case 20 comprises a case body 21 which is an irregular box-shaped body with a hollow interior and is open at the top, three lower casing fixing portions 22... provided respectively at the lower front, lower rear and lower lateral portions of the case body 21, two side casing fixing portions 23, 23 provided at the upper and lower positions on the vehicle sides of the case body 21, and a number of cover engagement portions 24... provided around the upper part of the case body 21.

[0041] The cover 30 is made up of a cover body 31 that is substantially lid-shaped and located on the upper side of the case 20. The cover body 30 has a circular opening-shaped shaft receiving portion 32 that supports the upper end of the shaft 10 on the vehicle inner side of the cover body 21, a connection port 33 on the vehicle lateral side (right side) of the cover body 30 for connecting a power harness (not shown), and a plurality of case engagement portions 34... that engage with the cover locking portions 24... of the case 20 around the periphery of the cover body 30.

[0042] The holder 40 is disposed in the internal space of the case 20 and includes a substantially rectangular motor holding portion 41 that surrounds and holds the electric motor M, and a horizontally extending flat plate-like partition portion 42 that divides the internal space of the case 20 into upper and lower portions. The holder 40 is also provided with a board support portion 43 that supports a circuit board B that controls the rotational drive state of the electric motor M. The partition portion 42 is also provided with a circular opening-shaped shaft holding portion 44 that holds the upper end of the shaft 10. The holder 40 is fixed to the case 20 from above by three screw members 45... at its periphery.

[0043] Meanwhile, a plate shaft 51, a shaft washer 52, and a plate case 53 are attached to the shaft 10, in that order from below, above the support receiving portion 12. Of these, the plate shaft 51 is fixed to the support receiving portion 12 of the shaft 10, and the plate case 53 is fixed to the bottom surface of the case 20, and the plate shaft 51 and the plate case 53 are configured to define the rotation range of the case 20, i.e., the electric storage unit U. In addition, the shaft washer 52 reduces frictional resistance between the case 20 and the shaft 10.

[0044] Furthermore, after being assembled into the case 20, the shaft 10 is assembled with a case washer 61, a sun gear 62, an upper clutch 63, a spring 64, and a spring stopper 65 in this order from the bottom up. The case washer 61 is located between the sun gear 62 and the case 20 to reduce frictional resistance between the sun gear 62 and the case 20.

[0045] The sun gear 62 described above is configured to mesh with a drive worm 71 described below and receive a rotational driving force from the electric motor M, causing the case 20 to rotate around the shaft 10. However, the sun gear 62 is not fixed to the shaft 10, and is loosely fitted relative to the shaft 10.

[0046] The aforementioned upper clutch 63 has a plurality of clutch receiving portions 63a... on its underside that engage with a plurality of clutch protrusions 62a... provided on the inner circumference of the sun gear 62, and has a plurality of convex ridge portions 63b... on its inner surface that engage with a plurality of concave groove portions 13a... provided in the shaft main body portion 13 of the shaft 10.

[0047] The spring 64 described above is made up of a spiral coil spring member, and applies a downward biasing force to the lower upper clutch 63.

[0048] The aforementioned spring stopper 65 is fixed to the shaft body 13 by fitting the engagement portion 65a provided on the inner circumference into an annular locking recess 13b formed in the shaft body 13 of the shaft 10, thereby preventing the spring 64 from falling out of the shaft body 13.

[0049] With the upper clutch 63, spring 64, and spring stopper 65 configured in this manner, a force is applied to the upper clutch 63 to push the sun gear 62 downward, and the sun gear 62 is fixed so as to be integral with the shaft 10 via the upper clutch 63.

[0050] Therefore, as described later, under normal circumstances, the sun gear 62 and the shaft 10 are integral with each other. When the sun gear 62 receives the rotational driving force from the electric motor M, the case 20 etc. rotate around the shaft 10, and the door mirror body 4 rotates between the unfolded state and the folded state. However, in the event of an abnormality such as when the side mirror body 4 receives an impact, the clutch protrusion 62a of the sun gear 62 pushes up the upper clutch 63, releasing the clutch, so that the sun gear 62 and the shaft 10 are separated, and the case 20 etc. rotate around the shaft 10, causing the door mirror body 4 to rotate.

[0051] In this way, in the event of an abnormality such as an impact on the side mirror body 4, the sun gear 62 and the shaft 10 can be separated, thereby preventing failure or damage to the electric motor M and the drive mechanism K described below.

[0052] Next, the structure of the drive mechanism K of the electric storage unit U of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 5, the electric motor M held by the motor holding portion 41 of the holder 40 is disposed so that the motor shaft Ma extends downward. A cylindrical worm 72 is fitted into the motor shaft Ma, and a disk-shaped worm wheel 73 meshes with the worm 72 as shown in Fig. 7. The aforementioned drive worm 71 is provided coaxially with the worm wheel 73 and is configured to rotate integrally with the worm wheel 73. The drive worm 71 is configured to mesh with the aforementioned sun gear 62.

[0054] That is, as shown in Figure 6, the drive mechanism K is configured to transmit the rotational driving force of the motor shaft Ma of the electric motor M, which extends in the vertical direction, to the sun gear 62 via the shaft of the drive worm 71, which is arranged in the horizontal direction and diagonally forward.

[0055] The shaft of this drive worm 71 has shaft portions 71a, 71a at both ends both of which are supported by bearing portions 25, 25 provided in the case 20, and is firmly supported by the case 20 in a double-supported manner.

[0056] Since the drive mechanism K of the electric storage unit U is configured in this manner, the drive worm 71 and the like rotate around the sun gear 62 in accordance with the rotation direction of the electric motor M, thereby rotating the case 20. As the case 20 rotates in this manner, the side mirror body 4 fixed to the case 20 rotates between the unfolded position and the folded position.

[0057] Next, the relationship between the sun gear 62, the upper clutch 63, the case washer 61, the shaft 10, and the case 20 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0058] As described above, the shaft 10 and the upper clutch 63 are configured to be integrated in the rotational direction because the concave grooves 13a... (see FIG. 4) of the shaft body 13 are fitted with the convex ribs 63b... of the upper clutch 63. The sun gear 62 and the upper clutch 63 are also configured to be integrated unless the clutch is released because the clutch protrusions 62a... and the clutch receiving portions 63a... are fitted with each other. For this reason, the sun gear 62 is integrated with the shaft 10 via the upper clutch 63, and because the shaft 10 is fixed to the mirror base 5 (see FIG. 1), the sun gear 62 is also fixed in the rotational direction.

[0059] However, as shown in FIG. 8, the sun gear 62 is provided with a small gap s between it and the shaft 10, and is not supported by the shaft 10. This is because the sun gear 62 is not supported by the shaft 10, which is a separate member from the case 20 that supports the drive worm 71 of the drive mechanism K (see FIG. 6). If the drive worm 71 and the sun gear 62 are supported, the positional relationship between the drive worm 71 and the sun gear 62 changes, causing a change in tooth contact and generating abnormal noise.

[0060] For this reason, in this embodiment, the sun gear 62 is supported on the case 20 side via the case washer 61. By supporting the sun gear 62 on the case 20 side in this manner, it can be supported by the same member (20) as the drive worm 71, so that the positional relationship between them does not change and it is possible to prevent changes in tooth contact.

[0061] Further, to explain in detail the support structure of the sun gear 62, a cylindrical support portion 62b is provided to protrude from the lower part of the sun gear 62, and a case washer 61 having an L-shaped cross section is arranged on the outer circumferential position of the cylindrical support portion 62b, and further, a receiving wall portion 26 protruding upward is provided on the case 20 at the outer circumferential position.

[0062] The aforementioned cylindrical support portion 62b is configured so that its outer circumferential surface 62b1 has a diameter L that is slightly smaller than the gear diameter Ls of the sun gear 62, but is larger than the diameter Ln of the inner circumferential surface of the sun gear 62. The outer circumferential surface 62b1 of the cylindrical support portion 62b is formed as a smooth surface.

[0063] The above-mentioned case washer 61 is made of a ring-shaped hard plastic material, such as POM (polyoxymethylene), having an L-shaped cross section and consisting of a peripheral surface portion 61a and a bottom surface portion 61b. The peripheral surface portion 61a of this case washer 61 is configured to receive a radial load (diameter direction of the sun gear 62) applied from the cylindrical support portion 62b of the sun gear 62, and the bottom surface portion 61a of the case washer 61 is configured to receive a thrust load (axial direction of the sun gear 62) applied from the lower surface of the cylindrical support portion 62b of the sun gear 26.

[0064] The receiving wall portion 26 of the case 20 described above is formed at the same height as the peripheral surface portion 61a of the case washer 61, and is formed in an annular shape inside the case 20 so that the case washer 61 can be fitted inside.

[0065] Furthermore, by forming the receiving wall portion 26 of the case 20 in an annular shape, the sun gear 62 is reliably supported in the radial direction by the case 20 via the case washer 61 .

[0066] In this way, by supporting the cylindrical support portion 62b of the sun gear 62 on the annular receiving wall portion 26 of the case 20, the load acting on the case 20 from the sun gear 62 can be distributed and supported over a wider range than when the inner circumferential surface 62c of the sun gear 62 is supported by the case 20. This makes it possible to prevent the load from acting locally on the case 20.

[0067] That is, the sun gear 62 receives a rotational driving force from the drive worm 71 and transmits a load to the supported case 20, but the portion supported on the case 20 side is the outer circumferential surface 62b1 of the cylindrical support portion 62b of the sun gear 62, which is supported over a wider area than the inner circumferential surface 62c of the sun gear 62, so that the load can be transmitted over a wider area that receives the load. This makes it possible to prevent the load from acting locally on the case 20.

[0068] In addition, by interposing the case washer 61 between the cylindrical support portion 61b of the sun gear 62 and the receiving wall portion 26 of the case 20, it is possible to reduce frictional resistance when relative rotation occurs between the two. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the rotational resistance between the two.

[0069] In particular, since the case washer 61 is an annular member with an L-shaped cross section having a peripheral surface portion 61a and a bottom surface portion 61b, frictional resistance can be reduced not only against the radial load acting from the cylindrical support portion 62b of the sun gear 62, but also against the thrust load, thereby reliably reducing rotational resistance.

[0070] As described above, in this embodiment, the side mirror device 1 is equipped with an electric storage unit U that is installed on the side of the vehicle and configured to rotate between an unfolded position and a folded position, and the electric storage unit U is equipped with an electric motor M provided inside the case 20 and a drive mechanism K that transmits the rotational force of the electric motor M so that the case 20 rotates around a shaft 10 provided on the vehicle side, and the drive mechanism K is equipped with a sun gear 62 that is installed in a state where its rotation is restricted around the shaft 20, and a drive worm 71 that transmits the rotational force from the electric motor M to the sun gear 62, and the sun gear 62 and the drive worm 71 are configured to be positioned and supported by the case 20, and the positioning position of the sun gear 62 relative to the case 20 is set on the outer peripheral surface 62b1 of the sun gear 62.

[0071] As a result, the radial force of the sun gear 62 on the case 20 acts on the outer circumferential surface 62b1(L) of the sun gear 62, which has approximately the same diameter as the gear diameter Ls.

[0072] As a result, the radial force of the sun gear 62 does not act locally on the case 20, but is distributed over a wide area, so that the support position of the case 20 is not deformed and the sun gear 62 is not displaced.

[0073] Therefore, in a side mirror device 1 equipped with an electric storage unit U, the sun gear 62 of the drive mechanism K of the electric storage unit U is supported by a case 20 that also supports the drive worm 71, etc., thereby suppressing variation in position while preventing the radial force of the sun gear 62 from acting locally on the case 20. Even when a rotational force is applied from the electric motor M, the sun gear 62 does not displace in position, and the gear tooth contact does not change, preventing abnormal noise, etc.

[0074] In this embodiment, the sun gear 62 is positioned relative to the case 20 at an outer circumferential surface 62b1 of a cylindrical support portion 62b that protrudes downward from the sun gear 62.

[0075] As a result, the sun gear 62 is positioned in the case 20 at a lower position.

[0076] Therefore, the worker installing the assembly can visually check the meshing position of the sun gear 62 with the drive worm 71 from above without it being hidden by the case 20.

[0077] Therefore, the meshing state between the sun gear 62 and the drive worm 71 can be confirmed after assembly into the case 20, and the tooth contact of these gears can be reliably secured at the correct position.

[0078] In this embodiment, a case washer 61 is interposed between the outer circumferential surface 62b1 of the sun gear 62 and the support position (26) of the case 20 to reduce frictional resistance.

[0079] This makes it possible to reduce the frictional resistance between the outer circumferential surface 62b1 of the sun gear 62 and the support position (26) of the case 20.

[0080] Therefore, when the case 20 rotates, a relative displacement occurs between the sun gear 62 and the case 20. Therefore, even if friction occurs between the two, the rotational resistance does not become large, and the case 20 can rotate smoothly.

[0081] Therefore, by supporting the sun gear 62 on the case 20, relative displacement occurs between the two when the case 20 rotates, but since the rotational resistance can be reduced, the increase in the load on the electric motor M can be suppressed, and breakdown of the electric motor M can be prevented.

[0082] In this embodiment, the case washer 61 is configured as an annular member having a substantially L-shaped cross section and including a peripheral surface portion 61a and a bottom surface portion 61b.

[0083] As a result, frictional resistance between the outer circumferential surface 62b1 and the lower surface of the sun gear 62 and the case 20 is reduced.

[0084] Therefore, the case washer 61 acts against the radial and thrust forces that occur between the sun gear 62 and the case 20 when the case 20 rotates, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the two.

[0085] Therefore, the rotational resistance between the sun gear 62 and the case 20 can be more reliably reduced, and the side mirror device 1 can be rotated more smoothly.

[0086] (Other embodiments) Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0087] First, in the above embodiment, the position of the sun gear 62 relative to the case 20 is determined by the outer circumferential surface 62b1 of the cylindrical support portion 62b on the lower side of the sun gear 62, but this is not limited thereto, and the sun gear 62 may be positioned and supported relative to the case 20 by providing a smooth surface on the outer circumferential surface thereof that does not have a gear. For example, such a smooth surface may be provided on the upper side of the sun gear 62.

[0088] Also, a cylindrical portion larger than the gear diameter Ls of the sun gear 62 may be provided, and the sun gear 62 may be positioned relative to the case 20 by this cylindrical portion.

[0089] Furthermore, the visual structure of the vehicle visual confirmation device is not limited to the mirror of the above-described embodiment, and may be a camera or the like as long as it allows the rear of the vehicle to be confirmed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0090] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present invention is useful in a vehicle visualization device equipped with an electric storage unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1...Side mirror device (vehicle visibility device) U…Electric storage unit M: Electric motor K...Drive mechanism 10…Shaft 20…Case 62…Sun Gear 62b1…Outer surface 71…Drive worm

Claims

1. A visual confirmation device for a vehicle, comprising an electric storage unit that is installed on a side of a vehicle and configured to rotate between an unfolded position and a folded position, The electric storage unit includes an electric motor provided inside a case, a drive mechanism that transmits the rotational force of the electric motor so that the case rotates around a shaft provided on the vehicle side, the drive mechanism includes a sun gear that is installed around the shaft in a state in which its rotation is restricted, and a drive worm that transmits a rotational force from the electric motor to the sun gear, The sun gear and the drive worm are positioned and supported by the case, A smooth surface having no gears is set on the outer peripheral surface of the sun gear, and the smooth surface is set as the outer peripheral surface of the sun gear, The positioning position of the sun gear in the case is set on the outer circumferential surface of the sun gear. A visual confirmation device for a vehicle equipped with an electrically operated storage unit.

2. The outer peripheral surface, which is the position where the sun gear is positioned in the case, is the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical support portion protruding downward from the sun gear.

2. A visual confirmation device for a vehicle comprising the electric storage unit according to claim 1.

3. A washer member for reducing frictional resistance is interposed between the outer circumferential surface of the sun gear and the support position of the case.

3. A visual confirmation device for a vehicle, comprising the electric storage unit according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The washer member is an annular member having a substantially L-shaped cross section and consisting of a peripheral surface portion and a bottom surface portion.

4. A visual confirmation device for a vehicle, comprising the electric storage unit according to claim 3.

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