Electric storage unit for vehicle peripheral visibility device, vehicle peripheral visibility device

Abstract

To provide an electric storage unit of a vehicle periphery viewing device which enables improvement of motor holding performance achieved by a holding member, and to provide the vehicle periphery viewing device.SOLUTION: The electric storage unit includes a shaft 20, a casing 60, a motor 6M, a holding member 6H, and a rotational force transmission mechanism. The holding member 6H has a storage part 60H, a fitting holding protrusion part 61H, and a deformation volume averaging part 62H. As a result, the invention enables improvement of holding performance of the motor 6M achieved by the holding member 6H.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric storage unit for a vehicle peripheral visibility device, and also to a vehicle peripheral visibility device including an electric storage unit. [Background technology]

[0002] An electric storage unit for a vehicle peripheral visibility device, and a vehicle peripheral visibility device equipped with an electric storage unit, are shown, for example, in Patent Document 1. The electric retractable vehicle visibility device of Patent Document 1 will be described below.

[0003] The electrically retractable visibility device (door mirror) for a vehicle in Patent Document 1 comprises a mirror base, a mirror rotation section, and an electrically retractable unit. The electrically retractable unit has a shaft, a rotating body, a motor, and a power transmission mechanism. The rotating body has a motor holding member that holds the motor. The motor holding member has a tubular section and a claw engagement piece. The tubular section houses the motor. The claw engagement piece engages with the rear end surface of the motor (the upper part of the motor) to lock the movement of the motor. In this way, the motor is held by the motor holding member.

[0004] The electrically retractable vehicle visibility device (door mirror) of Patent Document 1 prevents the claw engagement pieces from being deformed when the motor is attached to the cylindrical portion, thereby improving the motor holding performance of the claw engagement pieces. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-190549 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In such an electric storage unit for a vehicle peripheral visibility device, and in a vehicle peripheral visibility device equipped with an electric storage unit, it is important to improve the motor holding performance of the holding member.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electric storage unit for a vehicle peripheral visibility device, and a vehicle peripheral visibility device, which can improve the holding performance of the motor by the holding member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The electric storage unit of a vehicle peripheral visibility device of this invention is an electric storage unit for a vehicle peripheral visibility device that is mounted on the outside of the vehicle, and comprises: a shaft fixed to the vehicle body via a fixing member; a rotating member attached to the shaft so as to be rotatable around the axis of the shaft; a motor; a holding member that holds the motor and is arranged within the rotating member together with the motor; and a rotational force transmission mechanism that is arranged within the rotating member and transmits the rotational force of the motor to the rotating member, causing the rotating member to rotate around the axis of the shaft, wherein the holding member has a cylindrical side wall that is open at one end and closed at the other end, and has a storage section in which the motor is stored; a plurality of fitting and holding protrusions that are provided on the inner surface of the side wall of the storage section and that fit and hold the motor; and a deformation averaging section that is provided on the other end of the storage section and that averages out the deformation of multiple parts of the storage section that include the fitting and holding protrusions.

[0009] In the electric storage unit of the vehicle periphery visualization device of the present invention, it is preferable that the deformation amount averaging portion has through holes provided corresponding to the plurality of fitting and holding protrusions, respectively.

[0010] In the electric storage unit of the vehicle peripheral visibility device of this invention, it is preferable that the cylindrical shape of the side wall is polygonal, and that the fitting and retaining protrusions are provided on each side of the side wall, and that multiple fitting and retaining protrusions are provided on at least one side of the side wall.

[0011] In the electric storage unit of the vehicle peripheral visibility device of this invention, it is preferable that the multiple fitting and retaining protrusions are arranged linearly on the inner surface of the side wall, at least halfway from the other end to the one end, along the direction in which the motor is stored in the storage section.

[0012] The vehicle peripheral visibility device of the present invention comprises a fixed member fixed to the vehicle body and a visibility assembly mounted on the vehicle body via the fixed member, the visibility assembly comprising a visibility unit and an electric storage unit of the vehicle peripheral visibility device of the present invention arranged within the visibility unit, and the electric storage unit rotates the visibility unit in a direction around the axis of the shaft of the electric storage unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The electric storage unit for a vehicle periphery visualization device and the vehicle periphery visualization device of the present invention can improve the motor holding performance of the holding member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an electric storage unit for a vehicle peripheral visibility device according to the present invention, and is an explanatory plan view of the mirror assembly in the use position, rearward storage position, and forward storage position (forward tilted position). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the electric storage unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view (view taken along the arrow III in FIG. 2) showing the electric storage unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of the electric storage unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the holding member. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the holding member (view taken along arrow VI in FIG. 5). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a bottom view (view taken along arrow VII in FIG. 5) showing the holding member. [Figure 8]8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams (sectional explanatory diagrams taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 5) showing the deformation state of the storage section when the motor is stored in the storage section. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram showing the deformation state of the storage section when the present invention is not implemented. FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing the deformation state of the storage section when the present invention is implemented. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams showing enlarged simulated deformation of the storage section when a motor is stored in the storage section. Fig. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing the deformation of the storage section when the present invention is not implemented (an enlarged explanatory diagram of part A in Fig. 8A). Fig. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing the deformation of the storage section when the present invention is implemented (an enlarged explanatory diagram of part B in Fig. 8B). [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a computer simulation diagram showing the distribution of deformation of a housing section when a motor is housed in the housing section. Figure 10(A) is a diagram showing the distribution of deformation of a housing section not embodying the present invention. Figure 10(B) is a diagram showing the distribution of deformation of a housing section embodying the present invention. [Figure 11] Fig. 11, like Fig. 10, is an explanatory diagram based on a computer simulation, showing the distribution of deformation of a storage section when a motor is stored in the storage section. Fig. 11(A) is an explanatory diagram showing the distribution of deformation of a storage section not embodying the present invention. Fig. 11(B) is an explanatory diagram showing the distribution of deformation of a storage section embodying the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram based on the explanatory diagrams of deformation distribution of the storage section in Figures 10 and 11, and shows an outline of the distribution of deformation on the four side walls of the storage section when a motor is stored in the storage section. Figures 12(A1), (A2), (A3), and (A4) are explanatory diagrams showing an outline of the distribution of deformation on the four side walls of a storage section not embodying the present invention. Figures 12(B1), (B2), (B3), and (B4) are explanatory diagrams showing an outline of the distribution of deformation on the four side walls of a storage section embodying the present invention. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the relative relationship between the motor press-fit force (the force applied when the motor is inserted into the housing) and the deformation amount of the housing, and shows the difference between the motor press-fit force in a housing not incorporating the present invention and the motor press-fit force in a housing incorporating the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the relative relationship between the motor press-fit force (the force required when inserting the motor into the housing) and the deformation of the housing, and also shows the difference between the allowable range of variation in dimensional tolerance between a housing unit and a motor that does not incorporate this invention and the allowable range of variation in dimensional tolerance between a housing unit and a motor that incorporates this invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a holding member showing an example of a modified shape of the deformation amount averaging section. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15) showing an example of a modified shape of the deformation amount averaging section. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a holding member (a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 16) showing an example of a shape modification of the fitting and holding protrusion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An example of an embodiment (example) of an electrically operated storage unit for a vehicle periphery visualizing device and a vehicle periphery visualizing device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] In this specification, the terms front, rear, top, bottom, left and right refer to the front, rear, top, bottom, left and right when the vehicle peripheral visibility device according to the present invention is installed on the vehicle.

[0017] 10 and 11 are diagrams showing the electric storage unit of the vehicle peripheral visibility device and the vehicle peripheral visibility device according to the present invention, and therefore the detailed parts of the electric storage unit of the vehicle peripheral visibility device and the vehicle peripheral visibility device according to the present invention are omitted from the drawings. Also, Figs. 10 and 11 are shown in grayscale.

[0018] (Description of the configuration of the embodiment) The electric storage unit of the vehicle periphery visual recognition device according to this embodiment and the configuration of the vehicle periphery visual recognition device according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0019] In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle peripheral visibility device according to this embodiment, in this example, a vehicle outside mirror device (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-24387; hereinafter simply referred to as "door mirror device 1"). Also, in the drawings, reference numeral 6 denotes an electric storage unit of the vehicle peripheral visibility device according to this embodiment (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-20151 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-111445; hereinafter simply referred to as "electric storage unit 6").

[0020] (Description of door mirror device 1) The door mirror device 1 is mounted on each of the left and right doors D (vehicle body) of a vehicle (automobile) not shown. The door mirror device 1 in this example is mounted on the right door of the vehicle.

[0021] The right door mirror device 1 will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the left door mirror device is a left-right inverted version of the right door mirror device 1, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the right door mirror device 1, the outside of the vehicle is the right side, and the inside of the vehicle is the left side.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the door mirror device 1 includes a base 2 as a fixed member and a mirror assembly 3 as a visual assembly. The base 2 is fixed to the vehicle body (right door D). The mirror assembly 3 is mounted on the outside of the vehicle body (right door D) via the base 2.

[0023] (Explanation of mirror assembly 3) As shown in FIG. 1, the mirror assembly 3 includes a mirror unit 3U as a viewing unit, and an electric retractable unit 6.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1, the mirror assembly 3 is rotatable around a storage axis V0, which will be described later, relative to the base 2. That is, by operation of the electric storage unit 6, the mirror assembly 3 rotates around the storage axis V0 between a use position P1 (set position, shown by a solid line) and a rear storage position P2 (shown by a dashed line), and between the use position P1 and a front storage position P3 (forward tilted position, shown by a dashed two-dot line), as shown in Fig. 1.

[0025] (Explanation of Electric Storage Unit 6) 2 to 4, the electric storage unit 6 has a shaft 20, a casing 60 as a rotating member, a motor 6M, a holding member (plate) 6H, and a rotational force transmission mechanism. The rotational force transmission mechanism includes a clutch mechanism 6C, a gear mechanism 6G, and other mechanisms 6E and 6S.

[0026] The movable part of the electric storage unit 6 is attached to shaft 20 of the fixed part of the electric storage unit 6 so as to be rotatable around the axis of shaft 20, i.e., storage axis V0. The movable part of the electric storage unit 6 is made up of casing 60, motor 6M, holding member 6H, and rotational force transmission mechanism (clutch mechanism 6C, gear mechanism 6G, and other mechanisms 6E and 6S), excluding shaft 20 of the fixed part of the electric storage unit 6.

[0027] The electric retracting unit 6 rotates the mirror unit 3U around the axis of the shaft 20, that is, the retracting axis V0.

[0028] The fixed portion 200 of the shaft 20, the casing 60, and the stopper member 6S of other mechanisms are provided with first stoppers 204, 603, second stoppers 205, 604, and third stoppers 206, 605, respectively. The first stoppers 204, 603 stop the mirror unit 3U, i.e., the mirror assembly 3 (the mirror assembly 3 excluding the shaft 20), at the use position (set position, shown by the solid line in FIG. 1) P1. The second stoppers 205, 604 stop the mirror unit 3U at the rear storage position (shown by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 1) P2. The third stoppers 206, 605 stop the mirror unit 3U at the front storage position (forward tilted position, shown by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 1) P3.

[0029] As a result, the electric storage unit 6 can rotate the mirror unit 3U, i.e., the mirror assembly 3 (the mirror assembly 3 excluding the shaft 20), between the use position P1 (set position; position shown by the solid line) and the rear storage position P2 (position shown by the dotted line), and between the use position P1 and the front storage position P3 (forward tilt position; position shown by the dotted line), as shown in Figure 1.

[0030] (Explanation of shaft 20) 2 to 4, the shaft 20 has a flange-shaped fixed portion (shaft holder) 200 and a cylindrical shaft portion 201. In this example, the fixed portion 200 and the shaft portion 201 are configured separately, with the lower surface of the shaft portion 201 being integrally fixed to the upper surface of the fixed portion 200. Note that the shaft 20 may also have the fixed portion 200 and the shaft portion 201 configured integrally.

[0031] The fixed portion 200 is provided with a boss portion 203. The boss portion 203 is provided with a screw hole. The fixed portion 200 and the shaft portion 201 are provided with a harness insertion hole 202. The center of the fixed portion 200, the center of the shaft portion 201, and the center of the harness insertion hole 202 are aligned. An electric harness 55 is inserted through the harness insertion hole 202. The fixed portion 200 is fixed to the base 2. As a result, the shaft 20 is fixed to the door (vehicle body) via the base 2.

[0032] (Explanation of casing 60) 6 to 9, the shaft portion 201 of the shaft 20, the motor 6M, the holding member 6H, and the rotational force transmission mechanism are housed within the casing 60. The rotational force transmission mechanism is interposed between the casing 60 and the shaft portion 201 of the shaft 20. As a result, the casing 60 is attached via the rotational force transmission mechanism so as to be rotatable around the shaft portion 201 of the shaft 20, i.e., the storage axis V0.

[0033] The casing 60 is made up of a gear case 60G and a cover 60C. In this example, the gear case 60G is made of a highly rigid resin (PA resin containing glass fiber). The gear case 60G is provided with a first fixing portion 601 and a second fixing portion 602.

[0034] The cover 60C is provided with a cylindrical portion 606. The shaft portion 201 of the shaft 20 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 606. The electrical harness 55 is wired into the electric storage unit 6 via the shaft 20.

[0035] The cover 60C is provided with a socket portion 607. The electrical connector 550 is detachably and electrically connected to the socket portion 607. The socket portion 607 is provided with a substrate 608. The substrate 608 is electrically connected to the motor 6M. A switch circuit that controls the driving and stopping of the motor 6M is mounted on the substrate 608. The switch circuit may be disposed on the vehicle side instead of on the electric storage unit 6 side.

[0036] (Motor 6M explanation) As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the motor 6M has a main body 60M, a drive shaft 61M, and an end cap 62M. The main body 60M is shaped like a substantially rectangular pillar and is held by a holding member 6H. The motor 6M is housed and disposed within the casing 60 via the holding member 6H. The motor 6M is electrically connected to a power source (battery) via a circuit board 608, a socket 607, an electrical connector 550, and an electrical harness 55.

[0037] (Description of rotational force transmission mechanism) The rotational force transmission mechanism (clutch mechanism 6C, gear mechanism 6G, and other mechanisms 6E and 6S) is housed and arranged inside casing 60. The rotational force transmission mechanism is interposed between shaft portion 201 of shaft 20 and drive shaft 61M of motor 6M.

[0038] That is, the clutch mechanism 6C and the stopper member 6S of the other mechanisms are fitted onto the shaft portion 201 of the shaft 20. The gear mechanism 6G is rotatably held within the gear case 60G. The clutch gear of the clutch mechanism 6C and the second worm gear of the gear mechanism 6G are meshed with each other. The joint 6E of the other mechanisms is connected to the drive shaft 61M of the motor 6M and the first worm gear (first stage gear) of the gear mechanism 6G. As a result, the rotational force transmission mechanism transmits the rotational force of the motor 6M to the casing 60 via the shaft 20, causing the casing 60 to rotate around the axis of the shaft 20 (storage axis V0).

[0039] (Explanation of holding member 6H) The holding member 6H is made of a material that is more flexible than the gear case 60G, in this example, POM resin. As shown in Figures 4 to 11, the holding member 6H holds the motor 6M and is disposed inside the casing 60 together with the motor 6M.

[0040] The holding member 6H has a storage portion 60H, a plurality of (five in this example) fitting and holding protrusions 61H, a deformation amount averaging portion 62H, and a gear holding portion 63H. The holding member 6H is attached to the gear case 60G with screws 609.

[0041] The storage section 60H has a cylindrical sidewall 64H that is open at one end (top end) and closed at the other end (bottom end). One end of the sidewall 64H forms an opening 640H. The other closed end of the storage section 60H is a bottom wall 65H.

[0042] The motor 6M is housed in the storage compartment 60H from one end to the other. The storage compartment 60H has a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape to match the substantially rectangular prism shape of the main body 60M of the motor 6M. As a result, the storage compartment 60H has four side walls 64H in this example. In addition, the four corners of the storage compartment 60H are chamfered, and chamfered walls are provided between the four side walls 64H.

[0043] A circular through-hole 650H is provided in the center of the bottom wall 65H. A drive shaft 61M of a motor 6M is inserted through the through-hole 650H.

[0044] The fitting and holding protrusion 61H is provided on the inner surface of the side wall 64H of the storage portion 60H and fits into and abuts against the main body 60M of the motor 6M to fit and hold the motor 6M. That is, when the motor 6M is press-fitted into the storage portion 60H, the fitting and holding protrusion 61H and the main body 60M of the motor 6M are lap-fitted. As a result, the fitting and holding protrusion 61H elastically deforms and fits and holds the motor 6M with zero clearance. At this time, the fitting and holding protrusion 61H fits and holds the motor 6M with an appropriate fitting and holding force (holding load). This maintains the quality of the product. The fitting and holding force is proportional to the motor press-fit force when the motor 6M is press-fitted into the storage portion 60H.

[0045] In this example, the fitting and holding protrusion 61H is formed of a bead. The bead fitting and holding protrusion 61H is linearly and integrally provided on the inner surface of the side wall 64H at least partway (in this example, the middle) from the other end to one end, along the direction in which the motor 6M is stored in the storage section 60H (the direction of the solid arrow in FIG. 13; the direction of the drive shaft 61M of the motor 6M). The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the bead fitting and holding protrusion 61H is triangular, semicircular, semi-oval, or semi-elliptical.

[0046] At least one fitting and holding protrusion 61H is provided on each side of the substantially rectangular side wall 64H, and in this example, two fitting and holding protrusions 61H are provided on one side of the substantially rectangular side wall 64H. The side of the substantially rectangular side wall 64H on which the two fitting and holding protrusions 61H are provided faces, parallel or nearly parallel, one side of the substantially rectangular side wall 64H on which the gear holding portion 63H is provided.

[0047] The deformation amount averaging portion 62H is provided in the storage portion 60H and averages the amount of deformation of multiple portions of the storage portion 60H, including the fitting and holding protrusions 61H. The deformation amount averaging portion 62H has through holes 66H provided at five locations on the other end side of the five fitting and holding protrusions 61H of the storage portion 60H. The through holes 66H of the deformation amount averaging portion 62H are provided at corners between the side wall 64H and the bottom wall 65H of the storage portion 60H, i.e., on both the side wall 64H and the bottom wall 65H.

[0048] As a result, the lower ends of the five fitting and retaining protrusions 61H and the bottom wall 65H of the storage section 60H are in a disconnected state, separated from each other by the through holes 66H of the deformation amount averaging section 62H, and are in a state in which they can deform without being restricted by each other.

[0049] (Explanation of the operation of the embodiment) The electric storage unit 6 and the door mirror device 1 according to this embodiment are configured as described above, and their operation will be described below.

[0050] (Explanation of storing and returning mirror assembly 3) The storage and return of the mirror assembly 3 will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. The motor 6M of the electric storage unit 6 is driven, for example, in the forward rotation direction. The rotational force of the motor 6M is then transmitted to the shaft 20 via the rotational force transmission mechanism, and the movable parts of the electric storage unit 6, including the casing 60, rotate around the storage axis V0 relative to the shaft 20 of the fixed part of the electric storage unit 6. As a result, the mirror assembly 3, which is located at the use position P1, rotates clockwise, as viewed from above, about the storage axis V0 relative to the base 2, and stops at the rear storage position P2. This causes the mirror assembly 3 to be stored.

[0051] Furthermore, the motor 6M of the electric storage unit 6 is driven in the direction opposite to the forward rotation direction. As a result, the casing 60 rotates around the storage axis V0 relative to the shaft 20, as described above. Accordingly, the mirror assembly 3, which is located at the rear storage position P2, rotates counterclockwise around the storage axis V0 relative to the base 2 as viewed from above, and stops at the use position P1. This causes the mirror assembly 3 to return to its original position.

[0052] Furthermore, by applying a manual force greater than the clutch force of the clutch mechanism 6C of the electric retraction unit 6, the mirror assembly 3 located at the use position P1 is rotated counterclockwise around the retraction axis V0 relative to the base 2 as viewed from above. This disengages the clutch mechanism 6C of the electric retraction unit 6, and the mirror assembly 3 rotates and is retracted at the forward retraction position P3.

[0053] Furthermore, the mirror assembly 3, which is located at the front storage position P3, is manually rotated clockwise around the storage axis V0 relative to the base 2 as viewed from above. As a result, the mirror assembly 3 rotates and returns to the use position P1. At this time, the clutch mechanism 6C, which was in the disengaged state, becomes engaged.

[0054] Furthermore, when an external force greater than the clutch force of the clutch mechanism 6C of the electric storage unit 6 is applied to the mirror assembly 3 positioned in the use position P1, the buffering action causes the mirror assembly 3 to rotate around the storage axis V0 from the use position P1 to the rear storage position P2.

[0055] When the mirror assembly 3 is located at the use position P1, the first stoppers 204, 603 come into contact, stopping the rotation of the mirror assembly 3 and positioning the mirror assembly 3 at the use position P1. When the mirror assembly 3 is located at the rear storage position P2, the second stoppers 205, 604 come into contact, stopping the rotation of the mirror assembly 3 and positioning the mirror assembly 3 at the rear storage position P2. When the mirror assembly 3 is located at the front storage position P3, the third stoppers 206, 605 come into contact, stopping the rotation of the mirror assembly 3 and positioning the mirror assembly 3 at the front storage position P3.

[0056] Here, in the electric retracting unit 6, the motor 6M is securely held by the holding member 6H, so the rotational force of the motor 6M is securely transmitted to the shaft 20 via the rotational force transmission mechanism. As a result, the mirror assembly 3 can smoothly rotate around the retracting axis V0. This maintains the product quality of the electric retracting unit 6 and the door mirror device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0057] (Explanation of Effects of the Embodiments) The electric storage unit 6 and the door mirror device 1 according to this embodiment have the above-described configuration and function, and the effects thereof will be described below.

[0058] The electric storage unit 6 according to this embodiment includes a holding member 6H that holds a motor 6M. The holding member 6H has a cylindrical sidewall 64H that is open at one end and closed at the other end, and includes a storage section 60H in which the motor 6M is stored, a plurality of (five in this example) fitting and holding protrusions 61H that are provided on the inner surface of the sidewall 64H of the storage section 60H and that fit and hold the motor 6M, and a deformation amount averaging section 62H that is provided on the other end of the storage section 60H and that averages the amount of deformation of a plurality of portions of the storage section 60H (four sidewalls 64H in this example) that include the fitting and holding protrusions 61H.

[0059] As a result, in this embodiment, when the motor 6M is stored in the storage section 60H and held by the fitting holding protrusion 61H, the deformation amount averaging section 62H equalizes the deformation amount of the four side walls 64H, so that the four side walls 64H deform almost uniformly.

[0060] As a result, the electric storage unit 6 according to this embodiment can hold the motor 6M in the storage section 60H in a substantially normal state, thereby improving the holding performance of the holding member 6H for the motor 6M. The normal state is a state in which the drive shaft 61M of the motor 6M and the central axis of the through-hole 650H of the holding member 6H are aligned.

[0061] (Explanation of the difference between the deformation of the storage portion 60HA of the holding member 6HA not embodying this invention and the deformation of the storage portion 60H of the holding member 6H embodying this invention) Hereinafter, the difference between the deformation of the storage section 60HA of the holding member 6HA not embodying the present invention and the deformation of the storage section 60H of the holding member 6H embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 12.

[0062] 8 to 11, the reference numerals of the components of the holding member 6HA that do not embody this invention are denoted by the reference numerals of the components of the holding member 6H that embody this invention, with the reference numeral "A" added. Also, in FIGS. 10 to 12, the reference numerals (A1) and (B1) denote first side walls of the four side walls 64HA and 64H, which are opposite the second side walls (A2) and (B2) on which the gear holding portion 63H is provided. Furthermore, in FIGS. 10 to 12, the reference numerals (A3), (B3), and (A4), (B4) denote third and fourth side walls between the first side walls (A1), (B1) and the second side walls (A2), (B2). Furthermore, the curves in Figure 12 are iso-deformation lines roughly drawn based on the explanatory diagrams of Figures 10 and 11 showing the distribution of deformation amounts of the storage section by computer simulation, and the quantities "0.09", "0.08", "0.07", "0.06", "0.05", "0.04", "0.03", "0.02", and "0.01" on these iso-deformation lines indicate the amounts of deformation.

[0063] (Description of Modification of Storage Portion 60HA of Holding Member 6HA Not Embedding the Invention) The storage section 60HA of the holding member 6HA not embodying the present invention does not have the deformation amount averaging section 62H of the present invention, as shown in Figures 8(A) and 9(A). On the other hand, the storage section 60H of the holding member 6H embodying the present invention has the deformation amount averaging section 62H, as described above, as shown in Figures 8(B) and 9(B).

[0064] The motor 6M is press-fitted into the storage section 60HA of the holding member 6HA, which does not embody the present invention, in the direction of the solid arrow in FIG. 8(A). As a result, the side wall 64HA of the storage section 60HA deforms from the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 14(A) to the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9(A). As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9(A), the deformation of the side wall 64HA increases from the bottom wall 65HA toward the opening 640HA. This deformation is most noticeable in the first side wall (A1).

[0065] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10(A), 11(A), and 12(A), the deformation of the four side walls 64HA (A1), (A2), (A3), and (A4) lacks uniformity. As a result, it is difficult for the storage section 60HA that does not embody this invention to hold the motor 6M in a substantially normal state, and the motor 6M tilts toward the opening 640HA of the first side wall (A1), and the drive shaft 61M of the motor 6M tilts relative to the central axis of the through hole 650HA of the holding member 6HA. This makes it difficult to improve the holding performance of the motor 6M by the holding member 6HA that does not embody this invention.

[0066] This is because the corner between the other end (lower end) of the side wall 64HA and the bottom wall 65HA has high rigidity, so the force (motor press-fitting force) that presses the motor 6M into the storage section 60HA is large. As described above, the motor press-fitting force is proportional to the force (fitting holding force) that the fitting-holding protrusion 61HA uses to fit and hold the motor 6M.

[0067] (Description of Modifications of Storage Section 60H of Holding Member 6H in Carrying Out the Invention) In contrast, the deformation of the side walls 64H of the storage section 60H of the holding member 6H embodying the present invention increases from the bottom wall 65H to the upper end of the fitting-holding protrusion 61H, and decreases from the upper end of the fitting-holding protrusion 61H to the opening 640H, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 8(B). This deformation appears in almost the same manner in the four side walls 64H (B1), (B2), (B3), and (B4).

[0068] Furthermore, the deformation of the four side walls 64H (B1), (B2), (B3), and (B4) embodying this invention is substantially uniform, as shown in Figures 10(B), 11(B), and 12(B). As a result, the storage section 60H embodying this invention can hold the motor 6M in a substantially normal state, and the drive shaft 61M of the motor 6M and the central axis of the through-hole 650H of the holding member 6H are aligned. This improves the holding performance of the holding member 6H embodying this invention for the motor 6M.

[0069] This is because the deformation amount averaging portion 62H provided at the other end (lower end) of the storage portion 60H reduces the rigidity of the corner between the other end (lower end) of the side wall 64H and the bottom wall 65H compared to the rigidity of a storage portion 60HA that does not implement this invention, and therefore the force (motor press-in force) pressing the motor 6M into the storage portion 60H is reduced.

[0070] (Explanation of the relative relationship between motor press-fit force and deformation of housing parts 60HA and 60H) The relative relationship between the motor press-fit force and the amount of deformation of housing portion 60HA not embodying the present invention and the amount of deformation of housing portion 60H embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. The dashed lines in FIGS. 13 and 14 indicate housing portion 60HA not embodying the present invention. On the other hand, the solid lines in FIGS. 13 and 14 indicate housing portion 60H embodying the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the relative relationship between the motor press-fit force and the amount of deformation of housing portions 60HA, 60H is proportional.

[0071] As described above, the motor press-fit force of the storage unit 60H embodying the present invention is smaller than the motor press-fit force of the storage unit 60HA not embodying the present invention. As a result, as shown in Fig. 13, for the storage unit deformation amounts "D1" and "D2", the motor press-fit forces "N11" and "N21" of the storage unit 60H embodying the present invention are smaller than the motor press-fit forces "N12" and "N22" of the storage unit 60HA not embodying the present invention by the difference between "N12" and "N11" and the difference between "N22" and "N21", respectively.

[0072] As a result, as shown in Figure 13, within the range of storage section deformation amount "D1" to "D2", the range of motor pressure input "N11" to "N21" of storage section 60H embodying this invention can be made smaller than the range of motor pressure input "N12" to "N22" of storage section 60HA not embodying this invention by the difference of ("N22" - "N12") - ("N21" - "N11") (see the white arrow in Figure 13).

[0073] Furthermore, as described above, in order to maintain product quality, the fitting and holding protrusions 61HA, 61H of the housing portions 60HA, 60H must fit and hold the motor 6M with an appropriate fitting and holding force (holding load).

[0074] Here, as shown in FIG. 14, the appropriate fitting retention force, i.e., the appropriate range of motor press-fitting force, is set to the range of "N1" to "N2." Then, the range of storage section deformation amount when this invention is not implemented is the range of "D12" to "D22." On the other hand, the range of storage section deformation amount when this invention is implemented is the range of "D11" to "D21." The range of storage section deformation amount when this invention is implemented, "D11" to "D21," is larger than the range of storage section deformation amount when this invention is not implemented, "D12" to "D22."

[0075] This is as follows. That is, since the storage unit 60H embodying the present invention has a smaller motor press-fit force than the storage unit 60HA not embodying the present invention, the range of the motor press-fit force can be narrowed and relaxed within the range "D1" to "D2" of the storage unit deformation amount. As a result, the storage unit 60H embodying the present invention can widen the range of the storage unit deformation amount within the set appropriate range "N1" to "N2" of the motor press-fit force compared to the storage unit 60HA not embodying the present invention.

[0076] Furthermore, when the range of storage section deformation is large, the range of allowable variation in dimensional tolerance between the storage sections 60HA, 60H and the motor 6M becomes larger. As a result, the storage section 60H embodying this invention can reliably hold the motor 6M compared to the storage section 60HA not embodying this invention, even if there is variation in dimensional tolerance between the motor 6M and the storage section 60H. As a result, the electric storage unit 6 according to this embodiment can improve the holding performance of the motor 6M by the holding member 6H.

[0077] (Revised explanation of the effects of the embodiment) In the electric storage unit 6 according to this embodiment, the deformation amount averaging portion 62H has through holes 66H provided corresponding to the five fitting and holding protrusions 61H, and the through holes 66H of the deformation amount averaging portion 62H are provided at the corners of the side walls 64H and the bottom wall 65H of the storage portion 60H. As a result, in the electric storage unit 6 according to this embodiment, the lower ends of the five fitting and holding protrusions 61H at the bottom ends of the side walls 64H and the bottom wall 65H of the storage portion 60H are separated from each other and are in a disconnected state, allowing them to deform without being restricted by each other.

[0078] As a result, the electric storage unit 6 according to this embodiment can improve the holding performance of the motor 6M by the holding member 6H, as described above.

[0079] In the electric storage unit 6 according to this embodiment, the cylindrical shape of the side wall 64H is approximately rectangular, and at least one fitting retaining protrusion 61H is provided on each side of the approximately rectangular side wall 64H, and two fitting retaining protrusions 61H are provided on one side of the approximately rectangular side wall 64H, i.e., on the first side wall (B1) of the four side walls 64H.

[0080] As a result, in the electric storage unit 6 of this embodiment, the motor 6M stored in the storage section 60H of the approximately rectangular side wall 64H is fitted and held by five fitting and holding protrusions 61H, and is also fitted and held by two fitting and holding protrusions 61H on one side of the approximately rectangular side wall 64H.

[0081] As a result, the electric storage unit 6 of this embodiment can prevent the motor 6M from rotating around the drive shaft 61M of the motor 6M within the storage section 60H, so that the motor 6M can be securely held in the storage section 60H, and as described above, the holding performance of the motor 6M by the holding member 6H can be improved.

[0082] In the electric storage unit 6 of this embodiment, the five engaging and retaining protrusions 61H are arranged linearly on the inner surface of the side wall 64H, at least partway (almost to the middle) from the other end to one end, along the direction in which the motor 6M is stored in the storage section 60H (the direction of the solid arrow in Figure 13 (B)).

[0083] As a result, since the electric storage unit 6 according to this embodiment has a simple structure of the fitting and holding protrusion 61H, the structure of the molding die for the holding member 6H having the fitting and holding protrusion 61H can be simplified, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0084] Furthermore, the electric storage unit 6 of this embodiment can securely hold the motor 6M in the storage section 60H using the simply structured fitting holding protrusion 61H, thereby improving the holding performance of the motor 6M by the holding member 6H, as described above.

[0085] The door mirror device 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with the electric retracting unit 6 according to this embodiment, and therefore can achieve the same effects as those of the electric retracting unit 6 according to this embodiment.

[0086] (Explanation of an example of a shape change of the deformation amount averaging unit 62H) 15 and 16 show examples of modifications to the shape of the deformation amount averaging section 62H. In the figures, the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 14 denote the same components.

[0087] The deformation amount averaging portion 62H in the above-described embodiment has a through hole 66H. The deformation amount averaging portion 62H in this modified example is configured with a thin portion 67H. The thin portion 67H of the deformation amount averaging portion 62H in this modified example can achieve the same effects as the through hole 66H of the deformation amount averaging portion 62H in the above-described embodiment.

[0088] (Explanation of modified shape of fitting retention protrusion 68H) 17 shows an example of a modified shape of the fitting and holding protrusion 61H. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 16 indicate the same parts.

[0089] The fitting and holding protrusion 61H in the above embodiment is composed of a linear bead. The fitting and holding protrusion 68H in this modified example is composed of a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of protrusions of the fitting and holding protrusion 68H in this modified example can achieve the same effects as the linear bead of the fitting and holding protrusion 61H in the above embodiment.

[0090] (Description of embodiments and examples other than shape modifications) In the above-described embodiments and shape modification examples, a door mirror device 1 (a vehicle outside mirror device; see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-24387) is described as a vehicle peripheral visibility device. However, the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle peripheral visibility device other than the door mirror device 1, such as an electrically retractable vehicle peripheral visibility device (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-107214), or other vehicle peripheral visibility devices. In other words, the present invention can be applied to any vehicle peripheral visibility device that includes an electrically retractable unit 6.

[0091] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments and shape modification examples, the mirror assembly 3 is described as the viewing assembly. However, the present invention can also be applied to a viewing assembly other than the mirror assembly 3, such as a viewing assembly for an electrically retractable vehicle peripheral visibility device (see JP 2021-107214 A), or other viewing assemblies. In other words, the present invention can be applied to any viewing assembly that includes an electrically retractable unit 6.

[0092] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and modified shape examples, the through-hole 66H and the thin-walled portion 67H serving as the deformation amount averaging portion 62H are provided at the corner between the side wall 64H and the bottom wall 65H of the storage portion 60H. However, in the present invention, the through-hole 66H and the thin-walled portion 67H serving as the deformation amount averaging portion 62H may be provided in either the side wall 64H or the bottom wall 65H. That is, in the present invention, it is sufficient that the through-hole 66H and the thin-walled portion 67H serving as the deformation amount averaging portion 62H are provided in a portion of the storage portion 60H on the bottom wall 65H side relative to the fitting-and-holding protrusion 61H, i.e., in a portion on the other end side (lower side) of the fitting-and-holding protrusion 61H. Moreover, both the through-hole 66H and the thin-walled portion 67H may be provided as the deformation amount averaging portion 62H.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment and modified shape examples, the deformation amount averaging portion 62H is provided in the form of through holes 66H and thin-walled portions 67H at multiple locations in the storage portion 60H. However, in the present invention, the deformation amount averaging portion 62H may be provided in the form of, in addition to the through holes 66H and thin-walled portions 67H, a lightening portion (through hole), a thin-walled portion, or a thick-walled portion (built-up portion) at multiple locations in the storage portion 60H. In other words, any feature that can suppress distortion of the deformation amount at multiple locations in the storage portion 60H is applicable. Moreover, the deformation amount averaging portion 62H may be provided in the form of a combination of the through holes 66H and thin-walled portions 67H, a lightening portion (through hole), a thin-walled portion, or a thick-walled portion (built-up portion) at multiple locations in the storage portion 60H.

[0094] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 Door mirror device (vehicle outside mirror device, vehicle peripheral visibility device) 2 Base (fixing member) 20 shaft 200 Fixed part 201 Shaft 202 Harness insertion hole 203 Boss Department 204 First stopper 205 Second stopper 206 Third Stopper 3 Mirror assembly (visibility assembly) 3U mirror unit (visual unit) 55 Electrical harness 550 Electrical Connector 6 Electric storage unit 60 Casing (rotating member) 60C cover 60G gear case 601 1st fixed part 602 Second fixed part 603 First stopper 604 Second stopper 605 Third stopper 606 Cylinder part 607 Socket part 608 Substrate 609 Screw 6C Clutch mechanism (rotational force transmission mechanism) 6E Joints of other mechanisms (rotational force transmission mechanisms) 6G gear mechanism (rotational force transmission mechanism) 6H holding member 6S Stopper members of other mechanisms (rotational force transmission mechanisms) 60H storage section 61H Fitting retention convex part (linear bead) 62H Deformation Averaging Section 63H Gear holder 64H side wall (B1) First side wall (B2) Second side wall (B3) Third side wall (B4) Fourth side wall 640H opening 65H bottom wall 650H through hole 66H through hole 67H Thin section 68H Mating retention protrusions (multiple protrusions) 6HA Retaining member 60HA storage area 61HA Mating retention protrusion 64HA side wall (A1) First side wall (A2) Second side wall (A3) Third side wall (A4) 4th side wall 640HA opening 65HA bottom wall 650HA through hole 6M motor 60M Main body 61M drive shaft 62M End cap D Door (body) D1 Storage compartment deformation D2 Storage compartment deformation D11 Storage compartment deformation D12 Storage compartment deformation D21 Storage compartment deformation D22 Storage compartment deformation N1 Motor press-in force N2 Motor press-in force N11 Motor press-in force N12 Motor press-in force N21 Motor press-in force N22 Motor press-in force P1 Usage position P2 Rear storage position P3 Front storage position V0 Storage axis

Claims

1. An electric storage unit for a vehicle peripheral visibility device that is mounted on the exterior of a vehicle, a shaft fixed to a vehicle body via a fixing member; a rotating member attached to the shaft so as to be rotatable around the axis of the shaft; A motor; a holding member that holds the motor and is disposed within the rotating member together with the motor; a rotational force transmission mechanism disposed within the rotating member, which transmits a rotational force of the motor to the rotating member and rotates the rotating member in a direction around the axis of the shaft; Equipped with The holding member is a storage section having a cylindrical side wall with one end open and the other end closed, in which the motor is stored; a plurality of fitting and holding protrusions provided on an inner surface of the side wall of the storage portion, the fitting and holding protrusions fitting and holding the motor; a deformation leveling portion provided on the other end side of the storage portion and leveling the deformation of a plurality of portions of the storage portion including the fitting and holding protrusion; and the deformation amount averaging portion has through holes or thin portions provided corresponding to the plurality of fitting and holding protrusions, respectively; An electrically operated storage unit for a vehicle peripheral visibility device.

2. The cylindrical shape of the side wall is polygonal, The fitting and holding protrusions are provided on each side of the side wall, and a plurality of the fitting and holding protrusions are provided on at least one side of the side wall.

2. The electric storage unit for a vehicle peripheral visibility device according to claim 1.

3. The plurality of fitting and holding protrusions are linearly provided on the inner surface of the side wall at least partway from the other end toward the one end along a direction in which the motor is accommodated in the accommodation section.

3. The electric storage unit for a vehicle peripheral visibility device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a fixing member fixed to a vehicle body; a visual assembly mounted to the vehicle body via the fixed member; Equipped with The viewing assembly includes: A visual unit; The electric storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is disposed within the viewing unit; Equipped with The electric storage unit rotates the visual confirmation unit in a direction around the axis of the shaft of the electric storage unit. A vehicle peripheral visibility device.

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