Vehicle viewing device with electrically operated storage unit

Abstract

To provide a visual recognition device for vehicle that comprises an electric storage unit and that is free of decrease of grease between a lower tip part of a worm transmitting torque of an electric motor of the electric storage unit and a bearing part of a case even if the grease scatters radially outward through rotation of the worm, and also free of burning of a lower tip part of the worm and the bearing part of the case so that the electric storage unit does not get out of order.SOLUTION: A cone-shaped bearing part 28 is provided below a worm storage space 27. The cone-shaped bearing part 28 is provided with a flat receiving face 28a that an end face of a lower tip part 72e of a worm 72 abuts on to be supported at its center bottom part, and also provided with a grease reservoir face 28b capable of reserving grease at its outer peripheral edge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle visualizing device equipped with an electric storage unit such as a vehicle side mirror, which reduces the frictional resistance of a worm driven by an electric motor 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, the worm and motor shaft of these drive mechanisms have a certain radial gap between the center hole of the worm and the motor shaft so that the electric motor can smoothly switch between forward and reverse drive.

[0005] For this reason, if the lower tip of the worm is firmly supported by a support part on the case side, there is a possibility that abnormal noise will occur between the lower tip of the worm and the support part of the case.

[0006] Therefore, in the electric storage unit of Patent Document 1 below, it is proposed to form a gap g3 between the (lower) tip 80a of the worm and the bearing recess 93 of the case, and to gently support the (lower) tip 80a of the worm in the bearing recess 93 of the case.

[0007] In this way, by loosely supporting the (lower) tip 80a of the worm in the bearing recess 93 of the case, no contact occurs between the outer peripheral surface of the lower tip of the worm and the inner peripheral surface of the bearing recess of the case, thereby suppressing the generation of abnormal noise. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6604733 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] However, since the worm of this drive mechanism is configured to transmit the rotational force of the electric motor to the worm wheel, rotational friction occurs between the worm and the case. For this reason, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the inside of the bearing recess 93 of the case is filled with grease to reduce the frictional resistance with the (lower) tip 80a of the worm (see paragraph number

[0021] ).

[0010] Indeed, by filling the bearing recess 93 of the case with grease, the grease is supplied to the (lower) tip 80a of the worm housed in the bearing recess 93. However, when the worm 80 rotates in response to the rotation of the electric motor, the grease is scattered radially outward by the worm 80.

[0011] In this case, in the case of the structure of Patent Document 1, there is a step between the bearing recess 93 of the case and the bottom 113b of the worm accommodating space 113. Therefore, once grease splashes onto the bottom 113b side of the worm accommodating space 113, which is the radially outer side of the worm 80, this, combined with the high viscosity of the grease, makes it difficult for the grease to return to the bearing recess 93 of the case.

[0012] In this way, if it is difficult for grease to return to the bearing recess 93 of the case, the grease in the bearing recess 93 of the case will decrease, and in the worst case scenario, the lower tip of the worm will become seized between the case, causing the worm to stop rotating and resulting in breakdown of the electric storage unit.

[0013] 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 grease between the lower tip of the worm that transmits the rotational force of the electric motor of the electric storage unit and the bearing part of the case does not decrease even if it is scattered radially outward due to rotation of the worm, and there is no seizure between the lower tip of the worm and the bearing part of the case, thereby preventing breakdown of the electric storage unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve this objective, the present invention provides a vehicle visualization device that is installed on the side of a vehicle and has an electric storage unit, and is characterized in that it comprises a worm that transmits the rotational force of an electric motor, and a worm accommodating space on the case side that is provided around the worm, and a bowl-shaped bearing portion is formed at the bottom of the worm accommodating space, and the lower tip of the worm is supported in contact with the bowl-shaped bearing portion.

[0015] Specifically, in a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual confirmation device for a vehicle, which 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 that is installed inside a case and generates a rotational force, a worm that is fixed to a motor shaft of the electric motor and transmits the rotational force of the electric motor, and a worm accommodating space that is provided on the case side around the worm, and a bowl-shaped bearing portion is formed in the lower portion of the worm accommodating space, and a lower tip portion of the worm is abutted against and supported by the bowl-shaped bearing portion. A grease reservoir hole is formed at the lower end of the worm, the grease reservoir hole being connected to the center hole of the worm and capable of accumulating therein. It is characterized by the above.

[0016] According to this configuration, a bowl-shaped bearing portion is formed at the bottom of the worm accommodating space, and the lower tip of the worm is abutted and supported against this bowl-shaped bearing portion.Even if grease is scattered radially outward due to the rotation of the worm, the bowl-shaped bearing portion formed at the bottom of the worm accommodating space will return the grease to the lower tip of the worm.

[0017] Therefore, even if grease is scattered radially outward as the worm rotates, the bowl-shaped bearing portion can prevent the amount of grease at the lower tip of the worm from becoming reduced.

[0018] The bowl-shaped bearing portion may have any inclined surface as long as the grease can easily return to the center of the bearing portion. Also, the bearing portion may have a surface curved like a spherical surface.

[0019] Furthermore, it is sufficient for this bowl-shaped bearing portion to abut and support the end face of the lower tip portion of the worm, and it is not necessary for it to support the outer circumferential surface of the lower tip portion of the worm.

[0020] In particular, with this configuration, a grease reservoir hole is formed in the lower tip of the worm, which is connected to the central hole of the worm and in which grease accumulates, so that grease can be supplied from the grease reservoir hole between the lower tip of the worm and the bearing portion of the case.

[0021] As a result, in addition to being supplied to the bowl-shaped bearing portion, grease is also supplied from the grease reservoir hole, so that grease can be reliably supplied between the lower tip of the worm and the bearing portion of the case, thereby reliably preventing seizure between the lower tip of the worm and the bearing portion of the case.

[0022] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent seizure between the lower tip of the worm and the bearing portion of the case, thereby preventing breakdown of the electric storage unit.

[0023] In the second invention, a flat receiving surface is formed at the center bottom of the bowl-shaped bearing portion, and the lower tip of the worm is supported by the receiving surface, and grease is applied to the outer periphery of the receiving surface. The grease collecting surface is formed.

[0024] According to this configuration, a grease pool surface is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the flat receiving surface that abuts and supports the lower tip portion of the worm, so that grease is reliably positioned on this grease pool surface.

[0025] This allows a large amount of grease to be present between the lower tip of the worm and the bowl-shaped bearing portion, reliably preventing the grease from running out.

[0026] This makes it possible to more reliably prevent seizure between the lower tip of the worm and the bearing portion of the case, thereby preventing breakdown of the electric storage unit.

[0027] The third invention is characterized in that a smooth shaft portion without a gear is provided at the lower part of the worm, and a bowl-shaped inclined surface of the bowl-shaped bearing portion is formed at a position corresponding to the position of the smooth shaft portion.

[0028] With this configuration, the bowl-shaped inclined surface of the bearing part is formed at a position corresponding to the smooth shaft portion of the worm, thereby increasing the design freedom of the bowl-shaped inclined surface without having to take into account the gear diameter of the worm.

[0029] Therefore, the inclination angle and size of the bowl-shaped inclined surface can be freely determined according to the number of rotations and frequency of the worm, as well as the type and viscosity of the grease.

[0030] Therefore, for any electric storage unit, it is possible to prevent seizure between the lower tip of the worm and the bearing part of the case, and to reliably prevent failure of the electric storage unit. Effect of the Invention

[0031] Below As described above, according to the present invention, even if grease is scattered radially outward as the worm rotates, the bowl-shaped bearing portion can prevent the amount of grease at the lower tip of the worm from becoming reduced.

[0032] Therefore, in a vehicle visualization device equipped with an electric storage unit, even if the grease between the lower tip of the worm, which transmits the rotational force of the electric motor of the electric storage unit, and the bearing part of the case is scattered radially outward due to the rotation of the worm, it does not decrease, and there is no seizure between the lower tip of the worm and the bearing part of the case, preventing failure of the electric storage unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [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 removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a drive mechanism of the electric storage unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of part A in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] 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.

[0035] (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.

[0036] 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).

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] The shaft 10 has a fastening portion 11 at its lower portion, which is fastened to the mirror base 5 by a bolt. A support receiving portion 12 for supporting the case 20 and the like is provided in the middle portion, and a shaft main body portion 13 is provided above the support receiving portion 12 and extends upward to become the center of rotation of the case 20 and the like.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The aforementioned cover 30 comprises a roughly lid-shaped cover main body 31 located above the case 20, a circular opening-shaped shaft receiving portion 32 supporting the upper end of the shaft 10 on the vehicle inner side of the cover main body 21, a connection port 33 for connecting a power harness (not shown) on the vehicle lateral side (right side) of the cover main body 30, and a plurality of case engagement portions 34... that engage with cover locking portions 24... of the case 20 around the periphery of the cover main body 30.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 that it becomes integral with the shaft 10 via the upper clutch 63.

[0051] In this manner, the clutch mechanism of the electric storage unit U is configured. Since the clutch mechanism is configured in this manner, under normal circumstances, the sun gear 62 and the shaft 10 are integrated, and when the sun gear 62 receives a rotational driving force from the electric motor M, the case 20 and the like rotate about the shaft 10, and the door mirror body 4 rotates between the unfolded state and the folded state, but in an abnormal situation in which the side mirror body 4 receives an impact or the like, the clutch protrusion 62a of the sun gear 62 pushes up the upper clutch 63, and the clutch is released, so that the sun gear 62 and the shaft 10 are separated, and the case 20 and the like rotate about the shaft 10, and the door mirror body 4 rotates.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] Next, the motor shaft Ma, the worm 72, and the surrounding structure of the electric motor M of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0059] As described above, the motor shaft Ma of the electric motor M is disposed so as to extend downward. A cylindrical worm 72 is fitted onto the motor shaft Ma. A central hole 72a extending in the axial direction is formed in the worm 72, and although not shown, a certain gap is formed in the radial direction between the worm 72 and the motor shaft Ma. By providing such a gap between the worm 72 and the motor shaft Ma, forward and reverse rotation of the electric motor M can be smoothly switched.

[0060] The worm 72 has a cylindrical portion 72b at its upper portion, a spiral gear portion 72c at its middle portion, and a smooth shaft portion 72d at its lower portion. Of these, the spiral gear portion 72c is configured to mesh with the worm wheel 73 described above.

[0061] Furthermore, a grease reservoir hole 72f capable of storing grease therein is formed in the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72, the grease reservoir hole 72f communicating with the above-mentioned central hole 72a.

[0062] Furthermore, a cylindrical worm tube portion 26 is provided on the case 20 side around the worm 72, and the inside of the worm tube portion 26 is formed as a worm storage space 27. This worm storage space 27 is formed to extend in the vertical direction, and the motor cylindrical portion 46 provided on the holder 40 described above is configured to be fitted into the upper portion, thereby positioning the electric motor M and the worm 72.

[0063] Furthermore, a bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 is provided at the bottom of the worm storage space 27. This bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 is provided at its central bottom with a flat receiving surface 28a that abuts and supports the end face of the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72, and is provided on its outer circumferential edge with a grease pooling surface 28b that can pool grease.

[0064] In addition, a bowl-shaped inclined surface 28c is provided on the outer circumferential side of the grease pool surface 28b. The inclination angle θ of the bowl-shaped inclined surface 28c is approximately 60°. The amount and speed of the grease returning can be adjusted by setting the inclination angle θ. The bowl-shaped inclined surface 28c is formed at a position (range) corresponding to the height position h of the smooth shaft portion 72d of the worm 72. This increases the degree of freedom in designing the bowl-shaped inclined surface 28c without having to consider the gear diameter of the gear portion 72c of the worm 72.

[0065] The bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 thus configured is filled with grease in order to reduce frictional resistance between the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 on the case 20 side and the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72.

[0066] However, when the worm 72 is rotated by the rotational drive of the electric motor M, the rotation of the worm 72 causes this grease to be scattered radially outward.

[0067] At this time, the grease adheres to the inner circumferential surface of the worm cylinder portion 26, etc., but since a bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 is provided at the bottom of the worm storage space 27, the grease that drips downward is guided by the bowl-shaped inclined surface 28c and returns to the grease pool surface 28b.

[0068] In this way, by providing the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 at the bottom of the worm storage space 27, grease that has scattered radially outward is reliably returned to the grease pool surface 28b, preventing the grease between the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 and the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 from disappearing, which could lead to seizure between the two.

[0069] As described above, in this embodiment, the side mirror device 1 is provided 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. The electric storage unit U is installed inside the case 20, and is fixed to the motor shaft Ma of the electric motor M to transmit the rotational force of the electric motor M. The worm 72 has a worm accommodating space 27 provided around the worm 72 on the case 20 side, and a bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 is formed at the bottom of the worm accommodating space 27, and a lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 is supported in contact with the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28.

[0070] As a result, even if grease is scattered radially outward due to the rotation of the worm 72, the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 formed at the bottom of the worm accommodating space 27 will return the grease to the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72.

[0071] Therefore, even if the rotation of the worm 72 causes grease to scatter radially outward, the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 can prevent the amount of grease at the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 from becoming reduced.

[0072] Therefore, in a side mirror device 1 equipped with an electric storage unit U, even if the grease between the lower tip 72e of the worm 72, which transmits the rotational force of the electric motor M of the electric storage unit U, and the bearing portion 28 of the case 20 is scattered radially outward due to the rotation of the worm 72, it does not decrease, and there is no seizure between the lower tip 72e of the worm 72 and the bearing portion 28 of the case 20, and the electric storage unit U does not break down.

[0073] In addition, in this embodiment, a flat receiving surface 28a is formed at the central bottom of the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28, and the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 is abutted against and supported by the receiving surface 28a, and a grease pooling surface 28b in which grease pools is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the receiving surface 28a.

[0074] This ensures that the grease is located on the grease pool surface 28b.

[0075] Therefore, a large amount of grease can be present between the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 and the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28, and the grease can be reliably prevented from running out.

[0076] This more reliably prevents seizure between the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 and the bearing portion 28 of the case 20, thereby preventing the electric storage unit U from breaking down.

[0077] In addition, in this embodiment, a smooth shaft portion 72d without a gear is provided at the lower part of the worm 72, and a bowl-shaped inclined surface 28c of the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 is formed at a position (range) corresponding to the height position h of the smooth shaft portion 72d.

[0078] This makes it possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing the bowl-shaped inclined surface 28c without having to take into consideration the gear diameter of the worm 72.

[0079] Therefore, the inclination angle and size of the bowl-shaped inclined surface 28c can be freely determined according to the number of rotations and frequency of rotation of the worm 72, and the type and viscosity of the grease.

[0080] Therefore, for any electric storage unit U, it is possible to prevent seizure between the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 and the bearing portion 28 of the case 20, and it is possible to reliably prevent failure of the electric storage unit U.

[0081] In this embodiment, the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 is formed with a grease reservoir hole 72f in which grease is retained.

[0082] As a result, a gap is formed between the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 and the bearing portion 28 of the case 20. Grease can be supplied from the grease reservoir hole 72f.

[0083] As a result, in addition to being supplied to the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28, grease is also supplied from the grease reservoir hole 72f, so that grease can be reliably supplied between the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 and the bearing portion 28 of the case 20, and seizure between the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 and the bearing portion 28 of the case 20 can be reliably prevented.

[0084] Therefore, seizure between the lower tip portion 72e of the worm 72 and the bearing portion 28 of the case 20 can be more reliably prevented, and breakdowns in the electric storage unit U can be reliably prevented.

[0085] (Other embodiments) Next, other embodiments will be described.

[0086] First, in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the bowl-shaped bearing portion 28 is configured with a bowl-shaped inclined surface 28c with an inclination angle θ of about 60°, but the present invention is not limited to this structure, and any shape may be used as long as the shape allows grease to easily return to the center side. For example, a gentle inclination with an inclination angle of about 30° may be used. Also, a spherically curved surface shape such as a concave hemisphere may be used.

[0087] Furthermore, the bowl-shaped bearing portion need only abut and support the end face of the lower tip portion of the worm, and does not necessarily need to support the outer circumferential surface of the lower tip portion of the worm.

[0088] Furthermore, the visual confirmation structure of the vehicle visual confirmation device is not limited to the mirror of the first embodiment described above, and may be a camera or the like as long as it allows the rear of the vehicle to be confirmed. [Industrial Applicability]

[0089] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present invention is useful in a vehicle visualization device equipped with an electric storage unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1...Side mirror device (vehicle visibility device) U…Electric storage unit M: Electric motor Ma…Motor shaft 20…Case 27…Warm storage space 28...Bowl-shaped bearing 72…Warm 72e…Bottom tip of 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 is provided with an electric motor installed inside the case and configured to generate a rotational force; a worm fixed to a motor shaft of the electric motor and configured to transmit a rotational force of the electric motor; A worm accommodating space is provided on the case side around the worm, A bowl-shaped bearing portion is formed at the bottom of the worm accommodating space, The lower tip of the worm is supported in contact with the bowl-shaped bearing portion, A grease reservoir hole is formed at the lower end of the worm, communicating with the center hole of the worm and allowing grease to accumulate therein. A visual confirmation device for a vehicle equipped with an electrically operated storage unit.

2. A flat receiving surface is formed at the center bottom of the bowl-shaped bearing portion, The lower tip of the worm is supported in contact with the receiving surface, and a grease pooling surface where grease pools is formed on the outer circumferential edge of the receiving surface.

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

3. A smooth shaft portion without a gear is provided at the lower portion of the worm, The bowl-shaped inclined surface of the bowl-shaped bearing portion is formed at a position corresponding to the position of the smooth shaft portion.

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

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