Door mirror structure

Abstract

To provide door mirror structure which enables both effective suppression of vibration of a mirror during travelling of a vehicle and improvement in visibility from a vehicle compartment to be made compatible with each other.SOLUTION: A door mirror structure comprises: a door mirror main body portion 11; a mirror base 12 with the door mirror main body portion fixed to the distal end portion 12b of the mirror base 12; and a drive unit 13 which moves the door mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 between a mirror use position and a mirror storage position. The drive unit 13 is arranged in a side door 1. A housing 15 of the door mirror main body portion 11 has such a shape that the door mirror main body portion 11 is not position in a region R between a first virtual line L1 joining a middle point Im between both eyes of a driver to an inside end portion 11a, in a vehicle width direction, of a rear surface 11c of the door mirror main body portion 11 and a second virtual line L2 joining the middle point Im to a door glass front end portion 6a, in the mirror use position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a door mirror structure.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional door mirror structure, in order to automatically move the door mirror between a position where it can be used and a stored position, as described in Patent Document 1, a door mirror structure provided with an electric rotation unit is known.

[0003] This door mirror structure includes a door mirror main body having a mirror, a mirror base protruding in the vehicle width direction from a side door, and an electric rotation unit housed in the door mirror main body. The mirror base is a portion that extends in the vehicle width direction having a base end portion and a tip end portion and constitutes an arm portion of the door mirror. While the base end portion of the mirror base is fixed to the side door, the door mirror main body is rotatably attached to the tip end portion of the mirror base about a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction.

[0004] The door mirror main body can move between a mirror use position and a stored position by turning at the tip end portion of the mirror base by the rotational driving force of the electric rotation unit housed therein. The mirror use position is a position where the door mirror main body protrudes outward in the vehicle width direction from the tip end portion of the mirror base and the mirror can be visually recognized from inside the vehicle cabin. On the other hand, the stored position is a position where the door mirror main body extends substantially parallel to the side door.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the above door mirror structure, since the electric storage unit is housed inside the door mirror main body, the vertical moment generated at the position of the electric rotation unit increases in proportion to the length of the mirror base, resulting in a problem that the vibration of the mirror during vehicle travel becomes large.

[0007] In addition, since the electric rotation unit is housed in the door mirror main body, the front-rear width of the door mirror main body (i.e., the width in the vehicle front-rear direction) increases, and there is a concern that the visibility from the vehicle interior may be obstructed by the door mirror main body.

[0008] On the other hand, if the electric rotation unit is removed from the door mirror, the above problems can be solved. However, in that case, the door mirror main body has to be manually stored, resulting in a decrease in convenience.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a door mirror structure provided with an electric rotation unit capable of satisfactorily achieving both suppression of mirror vibration during vehicle travel and improvement of visibility from the vehicle interior.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to solve the above problems, the door mirror structure of the present invention is a door mirror structure on a side door of a vehicle, and includes a door mirror main body having a mirror for obtaining a rear view of the vehicle and a housing for holding the mirror, a tip portion fixed to the door mirror main body, and a mirror base having a base end portion spaced apart from the tip portion, wherein the base end portion movably attaches the door mirror main body and the mirror base to the side door between a mirror use position where the mirror is visible from the vehicle interior and a storage position located inward in the vehicle width direction from the mirror use position, and a drive unit for moving the door mirror main body and the mirror base between the mirror use position and the storage position. The drive unit is disposed on the side door, and the housing of the door mirror main body has a shape such that the door mirror main body is not located in a region between a first virtual line connecting the midpoint of both eyes of the driver and the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the rear surface of the door mirror main body and a second virtual line connecting the midpoint and the front end portion of the door glass at the mirror use position.

[0011] According to such a configuration, since the drive unit, which is a heavy object, is disposed on the side door, the vertical moment generated in the door mirror due to the road surface input during vehicle travel (that is, the vibration and external force mainly in the vertical direction caused by the unevenness of the road surface) is reduced, and it is possible to suppress the vibration of the mirror.

[0012] Furthermore, since the drive unit is disposed on the side door, compared with the conventional door mirror structure in which the drive unit is housed in the door mirror main body, it is possible to reduce the front-rear width of the door mirror main body and make it smaller (or thinner). Therefore, with this door mirror structure, while retaining the automatic storage function of the door mirror, it is possible to reduce the shape of the housing of the door mirror main body by reducing the space occupied by the door mirror main body in the conventional drive unit to improve visibility. That is, as described above, the housing of the door mirror main body has a shape in which the door mirror main body is not located in the region between the first virtual line connecting the midpoint of the driver's both eyes and the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction of the rear surface of the door mirror main body and the second virtual line connecting the midpoint and the front end portion of the door glass at the mirror use position, so that visibility can be improved. As a result, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of the door mirror main body into the region between the inner end portion of the mirror and the front end portion of the glass in the driver's view. As a result, it is possible to improve the visibility from the interior of the vehicle.

[0013] Also, in the above configuration, in a door mirror structure including a door mirror main body having a mirror and a mirror base to which the door mirror main body is fixed at the tip, the drive unit moves the mirror base together with the door mirror main body from the mirror use position to the storage position. For this reason, in the state where the door mirror main body and the mirror base are moved to the storage position, the amount of protrusion of the door mirror main body and the mirror base in the vehicle width direction from the side surface of the side door can be reduced, so that the vehicle width dimension can be minimized.

[0014] In the above door mirror structure, it is preferable that the drive unit is disposed inside the side door. Thereby, it is possible to protect the drive unit from foreign objects outside the vehicle by the outer surface of the side door.

[0015] In the above-described door mirror structure, a rotation support shaft is further provided, which is connected to the base end portion of the mirror base and rotatably supports the door mirror main body portion and the mirror base between the mirror use position and the storage position. The rotation support shaft preferably extends from the base end portion into the side door and is rotated by the drive unit.

[0016] According to such a configuration, since a rotation support shaft for rotatably supporting the door mirror main body portion and the mirror base is further provided, by rotating the rotation support shaft by a drive unit in the side door, the door mirror main body portion and the mirror base can be moved between the mirror use position and the storage position while rotating about the rotation support shaft as the rotation center. Therefore, it is possible to realize the movement between the mirror use position and the storage position of the door mirror main body portion and the mirror base with a simple configuration.

[0017] In the above-described door mirror structure, the drive unit is preferably arranged on the axis of the rotation support shaft.

[0018] According to such a configuration, since the drive unit is arranged on the axis of the rotation support shaft, it is possible to make the configuration of the power transmission system from the drive unit to the rotation support shaft simple and compact. Thereby, it becomes possible to install the drive unit in the limited space inside the side door.

[0019] In the above-described door mirror structure, a through hole through which the rotation support shaft passes is preferably formed in a door panel that constitutes the outer surface of the side door, and a cover member for covering the gap between the through hole and the rotation support shaft from the outside of the vehicle is further provided.

[0020] According to such a configuration, since the cover member covers the gap between the through hole of the door panel and the rotation support shaft from the outside of the vehicle, the appearance of the vehicle is improved and it is possible to prevent water from entering the door panel through the gap.

[0021] In the above door mirror structure, it is preferable that the drive unit is fixed to a skeleton member that is provided inside the side door and constitutes the skeleton of the side door.

[0022] According to such a configuration, since the drive unit is fixed to the skeleton member that constitutes the skeleton of the side door, the support rigidity of the drive unit is improved.

[0023] In the above door mirror structure, it is preferable that the skeleton member is a belt line rain that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction along the belt line at the lower edge of the window of the side door.

[0024] According to such a configuration, by fixing the drive unit to the belt line rain that is generally used in the conventional door structure, the above door mirror structure can be widely adopted in the conventional door structure.

[0025] In the above door mirror structure, the side door has a door opening having a door opening end on the vehicle front side of the mirror, and the housing has a shape such that the ratio of the area occupied by the housing in the region between the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the mirror and the door opening end is 10% or less as viewed by the driver.

[0026] According to such a configuration, the ratio of the area occupied by the housing in the region between the inner end in the vehicle width direction of the mirror and the door opening end on the vehicle front side of the mirror can be reduced to 10% or less. As a result, it is possible to further improve the visibility from the vehicle interior.

[0027] In the above door mirror structure, it is preferable that the housing has a shape in which the angle formed by the rear surface of the door mirror main body and the inner surface facing the side door is an acute angle in plan view.

[0028] According to such a configuration, since the inner surface of the door mirror main body does not block the view from the vehicle interior, it is possible to surely improve the visibility from the vehicle interior.

[0029] In the above door mirror structure, in a state where the door mirror main body is in the mirror use position, in a plan view, it is preferable that the thickness of the door mirror main body in the front-rear direction becomes smaller as it goes from the intermediate position in the vehicle width direction to the inner end in the vehicle width direction in the door mirror main body.

[0030] With such a configuration, in a state where the door mirror main body is in the mirror use position, since the thickness of the door mirror main body in the front-rear direction becomes smaller as it goes from the intermediate position in the vehicle width direction to the inner end in the vehicle width direction, the inner surface of the door mirror main body does not block the view from the interior of the vehicle. As a result, it becomes possible to maximize the visibility from the interior of the vehicle and further improve the visibility.

Advantages of the Invention

[0031] According to the door mirror structure of the present invention, it is possible to achieve good compatibility between suppressing mirror vibration during vehicle travel and improving visibility from the interior of the vehicle.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0032]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0033] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] In FIGS. 1 to 2, a side door 1 of a vehicle to which the door mirror structure of the present invention is applied is shown. In this side door 1, the door mirror 2 is disposed near the belt line BL at the upper end 3a of the door panel 3 and on the vehicle rear side of the A pillar 4. A door glass 6 is disposed in a door opening 5 surrounded by the A pillar 4 and the belt line BL.

[0035] The door mirror structure in the side door 1 of the vehicle according to the present embodiment is a structure in which an electrically retractable door mirror 2 is attached to the side door 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. Specifically, the door mirror structure mainly includes a door mirror main body portion 11 and a mirror base 12 that constitute the door mirror 2, and an electric rotation unit 13 as a drive unit for moving the door mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror base 12. The electric rotation unit 13 is disposed inside the side door 1.

[0036] Furthermore, the door mirror structure of the present embodiment further includes a rotation support shaft 24 (see FIGS. 11 to 12) that rotatably supports the door mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12, a belt line rain 21 that is a skeletal member inside the side door 1, a support member 22 that fixes the electric rotation unit 13 to the belt line rain 21, and a cover member 27 provided on the outside of the side door 1.

[0037] Hereinafter, each component of the door mirror structure will be sequentially described.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, the door mirror main body 11 has a mirror 14 for obtaining a rear view of the vehicle and a housing 15. The mirror 14 is an optical mirror that reflects light, and is held on the rear surface of the housing 15 (specifically, the surface facing the rear side in the state of the mirror use position P1 in FIG. 3, that is, the rear surface 11c of the door mirror main body 11 shown in FIGS. 13 to 14 described later). Further, inside the housing 15 of the door mirror main body 11, internal devices 37 (see FIG. 12) such as a mirror adjustment unit for adjusting the angles of the mirror 14 in the vertical direction Z and the vehicle width direction Y or a defrosting unit for the mirror 14 are housed.

[0039] The mirror base 12 is a part that constitutes the arm portion of the door mirror 2. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, it has a tip portion 12b fixed to the door mirror main body 11 and a base end portion 12a spaced apart from the tip portion 12b.

[0040] More specifically, the door mirror main body 11 is fixed to the tip portion 12b of the mirror base 12 such that the mirror 14 and the mirror base 12 extend substantially parallel.

[0041] The base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12 is attached to the side door 1 so as to be movable between a mirror use position P1 where the door mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 are located and the mirror 14 can be visually recognized from the passenger compartment, and a storage position P2 located inside the vehicle width direction Y from the mirror use position P1.

[0042] In this embodiment, a pivot shaft 24 shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 is connected to a proximal end portion 12a of a mirror base 12, and the door mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 are pivotally supported between a mirror use position P1 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) and a storage position P2 (see FIGS. 4 and 6) by the pivot shaft 24.

[0043] The pivot shaft 24 extends from the proximal end portion 12a into the side door 1 and is rotated by an electric rotation unit 13.

[0044] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, a through hole 26 is formed in a door panel 3 (outer panel) that constitutes an outer surface of the side door 1. The pivot shaft 24 is coaxially connected to an output shaft 35 (see FIG. 12) of an electric rotation unit 13 disposed in a space portion 20 within the side door 1 through the through hole 26 of the door panel 3.

[0045] The electric rotation unit 13 is configured to move the door mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the electric rotation unit 13 includes a casing 31, a motor 32, a speed reducer 33 that reduces the torque generated by the motor 32, a torque limiter 34, and an output shaft 35 that outputs a rotational driving force. The above-described motor 32, speed reducer 33, torque limiter 34, and output shaft 35 are housed in the casing 31. Further, the pivot shaft 24 and a bearing 36 that rotatably supports the pivot shaft 24 are also housed in the casing 31. Therefore, the motor 32, speed reducer 33, torque limiter 34, and output shaft 35, which are main components of the electric rotation unit 13, are arranged on the axis of the pivot shaft 24. The output shaft 35 is rotatably connected integrally with the pivot shaft 24.

[0046] When excessive torque is generated in the pivot shaft 24 during operation of the motor 31, the torque limiter 34 can block the transmission of torque to suppress the load on the motor 32.

[0047] As the bearing 36, a ball bearing or a roller bearing that supports the rotating support shaft 24 with low rotational resistance is preferable.

[0048] The electric rotating unit 13 is fixed to the belt line rain 21 by the support member 22.

[0049] The belt line rain 21 is provided inside the side door 1 and is a skeletal member that constitutes the skeleton of the side door 1. As shown in FIG. 7, the belt line rain 21 extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction X along the belt line BL at the lower edge of the window of the side door 1 (that is, the lower edge of the door opening 5 where the door glass 6 is arranged), and is fixed to the door inner 7 (see FIGS. 7 and 12) inside the side door 1. The belt line rain 21 of the present embodiment is composed of an aluminum extrusion material.

[0050] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 12, the support member 22 has a semi-cylindrical holding portion 22a and a pair of fixing portions 22b provided on both sides of the holding portion 22a in the vehicle longitudinal direction X. The holding portion 22a holds the casing 31 in which the electric rotating unit 13 and the rotating support shaft 24 are housed. The pair of fixing portions 22b are fastened to the belt line rain 21 by bolts 28.

[0051] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the harness 25 extends from the space portion 20 inside the side door 1 to the door mirror main body portion 11 and is electrically connected to internal equipment 37 (such as a mirror adjustment unit) inside the door mirror main body portion 11.

[0052] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11 to 12, the belt line rain 21 has a first opening 21a formed at a position facing the holding portion 22a of the support member 22. Further, a second opening 31a is formed in the casing 31 of the electric rotation unit 13 at a position facing the first opening 21a. Furthermore, the rotation support shaft 24 of the present embodiment is in a hollow cylindrical shape, and a third opening 24a is formed at a position on the peripheral surface thereof facing the second opening 31a. Therefore, the harness 25 extends from the inside of the side door 1 through the first opening 21a of the belt line rain 21, the second opening 31a of the casing 31, and the third opening 24a of the rotation support shaft 24 into the rotation support shaft 24 (see the portion 25a where the harness 25 in FIG. 11 extends upward through the inside of the rotation support shaft 24). Furthermore, the harness 25 extends through the rotation support shaft 24 and the inside of the mirror base 12 to the internal device 37 inside the door mirror main body 11 and is electrically connected to the internal device 37.

[0053] In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, since the holding portion 22a of the support member 22 has a semi-cylindrical shape, even in a state where the harness 25 is routed as described above, the harness 25 does not interfere with the holding portion 22a, and it is possible to insert the casing 31 into the holding portion 22a of the support member from above.

[0054] The cover member 27 is configured to cover the gap between the through hole 26 and the rotation support shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the casing 31 of the electric rotation unit 13 in which the rotation support shaft 24 is housed and the holding portion 22a of the support member 22 that covers the casing 31 are exposed to the outside of the vehicle through the through hole 26 of the door panel 3. The cover member 27 covers the casing 31 and the holding portion 22a that house the rotation support shaft 24 from the outside and covers the gap between the through hole 26 and the holding portion 22a below the base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12.

[0055] In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, in order to improve the visibility from the interior of the vehicle, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 14, in either the door mirror 2 (see FIG. 13) on the side closer to the driver's seat or the door mirror 2 (see FIG. 14) on the side farther from the driver's seat, the housing 15 of the door mirror main body 11 is located in the region R between the first virtual line L1 connecting the midpoint Im of the driver's both eyes and the inner end 11a in the vehicle width direction Y of the rear surface 11c of the door mirror main body 11 (that is, the end on the inner side Y1 in the vehicle axle direction) and the second virtual line L2 connecting the midpoint Im and the front end 6a of the door glass 6 at the mirror use position P1. It has a shape where the door mirror main body 11 is not located. Thereby, the intrusion of the door mirror main body 11 into the region R is suppressed, and the visibility is improved. The midpoint Im of both eyes refers to the intermediate point between the driver's left eye Il and right eye Ir.

[0056] That is, the region R shown in FIGS. 13 to 14 is a region that can be seen with both the driver's left eye Il and right eye Ir. If the shape of the housing 15 is such that the housing 15 of the door mirror main body 11 does not enter this region R, it is possible to improve the visibility.

[0057] Note that in the conventional door mirror main body 51 shown by the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 13 to 14 as compared with the above casing 15, since the housing 55 that houses the electric rotation unit has a large front-rear width, it can be seen that the housing 55 enters the above region R, which is a factor inhibiting the improvement of visibility.

[0058] Next, a more preferable configuration of the door mirror main body 11 and the housing 15 for realizing the improvement of visibility will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 15 to 19.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 15(a) to (b), in this embodiment, in the configuration where the side door 1 has a door opening 5 having a door opening end portion 5a on the vehicle front side X2 of the mirror 14, the housing 15 of the door mirror main body portion 11, as viewed by the driver, is in the region S11 between the inner end portion 14c in the vehicle width direction Y of the mirror 14 (that is, the end portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction) and the door opening end portion 5a on the vehicle front side X2 of the mirror 14. The shape is such that the area ratio occupied by the region S12 of the housing 15 is 10% or less.

[0060] Here, the region S11 is a region surrounded by the inner end portion 14c in the vehicle width direction Y of the mirror 14, the door opening end portion 5a, the belt line BL, the line LZ1 extending downward Z2 from the lower end 14a of the mirror 14, and the line LX1 extending in the vehicle front direction X2 from the upper end 14b of the mirror 14. The region S12 of the housing 15 is a region of the portion of the housing 15 that is visible on the vehicle front side X2 of the inner end portion 14c in the vehicle width direction Y of the mirror 14 as viewed by the driver.

[0061] In this embodiment, since the electric rotation unit 13 is not housed inside the door mirror main body portion 11, the front-rear width of the door mirror main body portion 11 is reduced, and the area ratio occupied by the region S12 in the region S11 can be reduced to 10% or less (for example, about 7% in FIG. 15(b)). Thereby, the intrusion into the region S11 of the door mirror main body portion 11 is suppressed, and the visibility is improved.

[0062] On the other hand, in the conventional door mirror main body 51 shown in FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b) as compared with the casing 15 in FIGS. 15(a) and 15(b) above, since the housing 55 houses the electric rotation unit, the front-to-rear width of the housing 55 becomes large. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 16(a) and 16(b), in the conventional housing 55, from the driver's view, the ratio of the area occupied by the area S22 of the housing 55 in the area S21 between the inner end 54c in the vehicle width direction Y of the mirror 54 and the door opening end 5a on the vehicle front side X2 of the mirror 54 is much larger than 10% (for example, about 67% in FIG. 16(b)). The area S21 is an area surrounded by the inner end 54c in the vehicle width direction of the mirror 54, the door opening end 5a, the belt line BL, the line LZ2 extending downward Z2 from the lower end 54a of the mirror 54, and the line LX2 extending in the vehicle front direction X2 from the upper end 54b of the mirror 54. In the comparative example shown in FIG. 16, since the ratio of the area occupied by the area S22 in the area S21 is larger than 10%, it can be seen that the amount of intrusion into the area S21 of the door mirror main body 51 is large, thus obstructing visibility.

[0063] Also, in order to further improve the visibility from the vehicle interior, as shown in FIG. 17, the housing 15 of the door mirror main body 11 of the present embodiment has a shape in which the angle θ formed by the rear surface 11c of the door mirror main body 11 and the inner surface 11b facing the side door 1 is an acute angle in plan view.

[0064] In other words, in the state where the door mirror main body 11 of the present embodiment is in the mirror use position P1, in plan view, the inner surface 11b facing the side door 1 of the door mirror main body 11 is orthogonal to the surface of the mirror 14 and is inclined outward of the vehicle with respect to the virtual line L1 passing through the inner end 11a on the side of the side door 1 of the door mirror main body 11 (that is, inclined in the direction away from the side door 1). That is, the inner surface 11b of the door mirror main body 11 extends along the line L2 that is inclined outward of the vehicle starting from the inner end 11a of the door mirror main body 11 with respect to the virtual line L1.

[0065] In other words, in a state where the door mirror main body 11 is in the mirror use position P1, in a plan view, the thickness of the door mirror main body 11 in the front-rear direction X becomes smaller (tapered) as it goes from the middle position in the vehicle width direction Y of the door mirror main body 11 toward the inner end portion 11a on the side door 1 side in the vehicle width direction Y.

[0066] By making the door mirror main body 11 have the shape shown in FIG. 17, as shown in FIG. 18, the inner surface 11b of the door mirror main body 11 does not block the view from the vehicle interior. As a result, it becomes possible to widely secure the view in the space S1 in front of the door mirror main body 11, that is, the space S1 surrounded by the inner end portion 11a of the door mirror main body 11, the A-pillar 4, and the belt line BL, and the visibility is improved.

[0067] On the other hand, as a comparative example of the present invention, in a structure in which an electric rotation unit (not shown) is housed in the door mirror main body 51 like the door mirror 50 shown in FIG. 19, since the front-rear width of the door mirror main body 51 becomes large, as the front-rear width increases, the inner surface 51b of the door mirror main body 51 becomes visible in the view from the vehicle interior. For this reason, it can be seen that the view in the space S2 in front of the door mirror main body 51, that is, the space S2 surrounded by the inner end portion 51a of the door mirror main body 51, the A-pillar 4, and the belt line BL becomes narrow, and thus the visibility is lowered.

[0068] (Features of the present embodiment) (1) In the door mirror structure of this embodiment, the door mirror structure on the side door 1 of the vehicle includes a door mirror main body 11 having a mirror 14 for obtaining a rear view of the vehicle, a tip portion 12b fixed to the door mirror main body 11, and a mirror base 12 having a base end portion 12a spaced apart from the tip portion 12b. The base end portion 12a movably attaches the door mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 to the side door 1 between a mirror use position P1 where the mirror 14 can be visually recognized from the vehicle interior and a storage position P2 located inside the vehicle width direction Y from the mirror use position P1. The door mirror structure further includes an electric rotation unit 13 which is a drive unit for moving the door mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 and FIG. 12, the electric rotation unit 13 is disposed in a space portion 20 inside the side door 1.

[0069] Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 14, in either the door mirror 2 on the side closer to the driver's seat (see FIG. 13) or the door mirror 2 on the side farther from the driver's seat (see FIG. 14), the housing 15 of the door mirror main body 11 has a shape such that the door mirror main body 11 is not located in a region R between a first virtual line L1 connecting the midpoint Im of the driver's both eyes and the inner end portion 11a of the rear surface 11c of the door mirror main body 11 in the vehicle width direction Y and a second virtual line L2 connecting the midpoint Im and the front end portion of the door glass 6 at the mirror use position P1.

[0070] According to such a configuration, since the heavy electric rotation unit 13 is disposed inside the side door 1, the moment in the vertical direction Z generated in the door mirror 2 due to the road surface input during vehicle travel (that is, the vibration and external force mainly in the vertical direction Z caused by the unevenness of the road surface) is reduced, and the vibration of the mirror 14 can be suppressed.

[0071] Furthermore, since the electric rotating unit 13 is disposed on the side door 1, it is possible to reduce the front-to-rear width of the door mirror main body 11 and make it smaller (or thinner) compared to the conventional door mirror structure in which the electric rotating unit 13 is housed in the door mirror main body 11. Therefore, in this door mirror structure, while maintaining the automatic storage function of the door mirror 2, it is possible to reduce the space occupied by the door mirror main body 11 in the conventional electric rotating unit 13 and change the shape of the housing 15 of the door mirror main body 11 to a shape with improved visibility. That is, as described above, the housing 15 of the door mirror main body 11 has a shape in which the door mirror main body 11 is not located in the region R between the first virtual line L1 connecting the midpoint Im of the driver's both eyes and the inner end 11a in the vehicle width direction Y of the rear surface 11c of the door mirror main body 11 and the second virtual line L2 connecting the midpoint Im and the front end of the door glass 6 at the mirror use position P1, so that the visibility can be improved. As a result, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of the door mirror main body 11 into the region R between the inner end 14c of the mirror 14 and the front end 6a of the door glass from the driver's view. As a result, the visibility from the vehicle interior can be improved.

[0072] Also, in the above configuration, in the door mirror structure including the door mirror main body 11 having the mirror 14 and the mirror base 12 to which the door mirror main body 11 is fixed to the tip portion 12b, the electric rotating unit 13 moves the mirror base 12 together with the door mirror main body 11 from the mirror use position P1 to the storage position P2. For this reason, in the state where the door mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 are moved to the storage position P2, the protruding amount of the door mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 protruding in the vehicle width direction Y from the side surface of the side door 1 can be reduced, so that the vehicle width dimension can be minimized.

[0073] (2) In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, since the electric rotation unit 13 is disposed inside the side door 1, the electric rotation unit 13 can be protected from foreign objects outside the vehicle by the door panel 3 that constitutes the outer surface of the side door 1. Note that the electric rotation unit 13 may be disposed outside the side door 1, but in that case, a large cover member or the like for protecting the electric rotation unit 13 is required.

[0074] (3) The door mirror structure of the present embodiment further includes a rotation support shaft 24 that is connected to the base end portion 12a of the mirror base 12 and rotatably supports the door mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2. The rotation support shaft 24 extends from the base end portion 12a into the side door 1 and is rotated by the electric rotation unit 13.

[0075] According to such a configuration, since the rotation support shaft 24 that rotatably supports the door mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 is further provided, by rotating the rotation support shaft 24 by the electric rotation unit 13 in the side door 1, the door mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 can be moved between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2 while rotating about the rotation support shaft 24 as the rotation center. Therefore, it is possible to realize the movement between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2 of the door mirror main body portion 11 and the mirror base 12 with a simple configuration.

[0076] (4) In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, the electric rotation unit 13 (specifically, the motor 32, the speed reducer 33, the torque limiter 34, and the output shaft 35 which are main components) is disposed on the axis of the rotation support shaft 24.

[0077] According to such a configuration, since the electric rotation unit 13 is disposed on the axis of the rotation support shaft 24, it is possible to make the configuration of the power transmission system from the electric rotation unit 13 to the rotation support shaft 24 simple and compact. Thereby, it becomes possible to install the electric rotation unit 13 in the limited space inside the side door 1.

[0078] (5) In the door mirror structure of this embodiment, a through hole 26 through which the rotation support shaft 24 passes is formed in the door panel 3 that constitutes the outer surface of the side door 1. The door mirror structure further includes a cover member 27 that covers the gap between the through hole 26 and the rotation support shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle.

[0079] According to such a configuration, since the cover member 27 covers the gap between the through hole 26 of the door panel 3 and the rotation support shaft 24 from the outside of the vehicle, the appearance of the vehicle is improved, and it becomes possible to prevent water from entering the door panel 3 through the gap.

[0080] (6) In the door mirror structure of this embodiment, the electric rotation unit 13 is fixed to the belt line rain 21, which is a skeletal member that constitutes the skeleton of the side door 1 and is provided inside the side door 1.

[0081] According to such a configuration, since the electric rotation unit 13 is fixed to the belt line rain 21 as a skeletal member that constitutes the skeleton of the side door 1, the support rigidity of the electric rotation unit 13 is improved.

[0082] (7) In the door mirror structure of this embodiment, as the skeletal member, a belt line rain 21 that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction X along the belt line BL at the lower edge of the window of the side door 1 is adopted.

[0083] According to such a configuration, by fixing the electric rotation unit 13 to the belt line rain 21 that is generally used in the conventional door structure, it becomes possible to widely adopt the above door mirror structure in the conventional door structure.

[0084] (8) In the door mirror structure of this embodiment, the belt line rain 21 is composed of an aluminum extrusion material.

[0085] According to such a configuration, since the belt line rain gutter 21 is made of an extruded aluminum material, it is possible to achieve both ensuring the support rigidity of the electric rotating unit 13 and reducing the weight of the vehicle.

[0086] (9) In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15(a) and (b), the side door 1 has a door opening 5 having a door opening end 5a on the vehicle front side X2 with respect to the mirror 14. The housing 15 of the door mirror main body 11 has a shape such that the ratio of the area occupied by the area S12 of the housing 15 in the region S11 between the inner end 11a in the vehicle width direction Y of the mirror 14 and the door opening end 5a is 10% or less in the driver's view.

[0087] According to such a configuration, the ratio of the area occupied by the area S12 of the housing 15 in the region S11 between the inner end 11a in the vehicle width direction Y of the mirror 14 and the door opening end 5a on the vehicle front side X2 with respect to the mirror 14 can be reduced to 10% or less. As a result, it becomes possible to further improve the visibility from the vehicle interior.

[0088] (10) In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the housing 15 of the door mirror main body 11 has a shape in which the angle θ formed by the rear surface 11cc of the door mirror main body 11 and the inner surface 11b facing the side door 1 is an acute angle in a plan view.

[0089] According to such a configuration, since the inner surface 11b of the door mirror main body 11 does not block the view from the vehicle interior, it becomes possible to surely improve the visibility from the vehicle interior.

[0090] (11) In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, in a state where the door mirror main body 11 is in the mirror use position P1, in a plan view, the thickness of the door mirror main body 11 in the front-rear direction X becomes smaller as it goes from the intermediate position in the vehicle width direction Y of the door mirror main body 11 toward the inner end portion 11a on the side door 1 side in the vehicle width direction Y.

[0091] In such a configuration, in a state where the door mirror main body 11 is in the mirror use position P1, since the thickness of the door mirror main body 11 in the front-rear direction X becomes smaller as it goes from the intermediate position in the vehicle width direction Y toward the inner end portion 11a in the vehicle width direction Y, the inner surface 11b of the door mirror main body 11 does not block the view from the vehicle interior. As a result, it becomes possible to maximize the visibility from the vehicle interior and further improve the visibility.

[0092] (12) In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, in a state where the door mirror main body 11 is in the mirror use position P1, in a plan view, the inner surface 11b of the door mirror main body 11 facing the side door 1 side is configured to be inclined outward of the vehicle with respect to a virtual line L1 that is orthogonal to the surface of the mirror 14 and passes through the inner end portion 11a of the door mirror main body 11.

[0093] In such a configuration, in a state where the door mirror main body 11 is in the mirror use position P1, since the inner surface 11b of the door mirror main body 11 is configured to be inclined outward of the vehicle with respect to the virtual line L1 that is orthogonal to the surface of the mirror, the inner surface 11b of the door mirror main body 11 does not block the view from the vehicle interior. As a result, it becomes possible to maximize the visibility from the vehicle interior and further improve the visibility.

[0094] (Modification example) (A) The drive unit of the present invention only needs to be able to move the door mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2, and it may be not only the above-mentioned electric rotation unit but also other drive units. For example, as the drive unit of the present invention, a unit driven by other driving forces such as hydraulic pressure or pneumatic pressure may be used.

[0095] (B) Further, in the above embodiment, the door mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 are rotated about the rotation support shaft 24 as the center of rotation to move between the mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2. However, other movements other than rotation, for example, a combined movement of rotation and linear movement of the door mirror main body 11 and the mirror base 12 may be used to achieve the movement between the above-mentioned mirror use position P1 and the storage position P2.

[0096] (C) The mirror in the present invention includes various means as long as it is a means for obtaining a rear view of the vehicle. For example, in addition to the optical mirror 14 that obtains a rear view by reflecting light from the rear of the vehicle as in the above embodiment, a so-called digital mirror in which a television camera is provided on the door mirror main body 11 and a rear view can be obtained by the television camera is also included in the concept of the mirror of the present invention.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0097] 1 Side door 2 Door mirror 3 Door panel 6 Door glass 6a Front end 11 Door mirror main body 11a Inner end 11b Inner surface 12 Mirror base 12a Base end 12b Tip end 13 Electric rotation unit (drive unit) 14 Mirror 14c Inner end 15 Housing 21 Belt line rain (skeletal member) 22 Support member 24 Rotating support shaft 26 Through hole 27 Cover member 31 Casing 32 Motor 33 Reducer 34 Torque limiter 35 Output shaft 36 Bearing BL Belt line Im Midpoint between both eyes L1 First virtual line L2 Second virtual line P1 Mirror use position P2 Storage position R Region

Claims

1. A door mirror structure for a side door of a vehicle, comprising: a door mirror main body having a mirror for obtaining a rear view of the vehicle and a housing for holding the mirror; a mirror base having a tip fixed to the door mirror main body and a base end spaced from the tip, the base end being attached to the side door so that the door mirror main body and the mirror base are movable between a mirror use position where the mirror is visible from the vehicle interior and a storage position located inside the vehicle width direction from the mirror use position; a drive unit for moving the door mirror main body and the mirror base between the mirror use position and the storage position; characterized in that: the drive unit is disposed in the side door; the housing of the door mirror main body has a shape in which the door mirror main body is not located in a region between a first virtual line connecting the midpoint of both eyes of the driver and the inner end of the rear surface of the door mirror main body in the vehicle width direction and a second virtual line connecting the midpoint and the front end of the door glass at the mirror use position; a door mirror structure.

2. The door mirror structure according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit is disposed inside the side door. characterized in that:

3. The door mirror structure according to claim 1, further comprising a pivot shaft connected to the base end of the mirror base and rotatably supporting the door mirror main body and the mirror base between the mirror use position and the storage position, the pivot shaft extending from the base end into the side door and being rotated by the drive unit. characterized in that:

4. The door mirror structure according to claim 3, wherein the drive unit is disposed on the axis of the pivot shaft. characterized in that:

5. The door mirror structure according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a through hole through which the pivot shaft passes is formed in a door panel constituting an outer surface of the side door, further comprising a cover member covering a gap between the through hole and the pivot shaft from the outside of the vehicle. characterized in that:

6. The door mirror structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the drive unit is fixed to a skeleton member provided inside the side door and constituting a skeleton of the side door. A door mirror structure characterized by this.

7. In the door mirror structure according to Claim 6, the skeletal member is a belt line extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction along the belt line at the lower edge of the window of the side door. A door mirror structure characterized by this.

8. In the door mirror structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, the side door has a door opening having a door opening end portion on the vehicle front side of the mirror, the housing has a shape in which the ratio of the area occupied by the housing in the region between the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction in the mirror and the door opening end portion is 10% or less as viewed by the driver. A door mirror structure characterized by this.

9. In the door mirror structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, the housing has a shape in which the angle formed between the rear surface of the door mirror main body portion and the inner surface facing the side door is an acute angle in plan view. A door mirror structure characterized by this.

10. In the door mirror structure according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, the door mirror main body portion is configured such that in a state where it is in the mirror use position, in plan view, the thickness in the longitudinal direction of the door mirror main body portion decreases from the intermediate position in the vehicle width direction in the door mirror main body portion toward the inner end portion in the vehicle width direction. A door mirror structure characterized by this.

Images