JP2005119561A - Attached unit and rearview mirror for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rearview mirror having good appearance, wiring protection, and preventing dirt from entering. <P>SOLUTION: A second exciting member (arrangement member) 41A which is disposed from around a base 31 of a windshield F to a mirror housing 34 along the base 31 and a stay 33A is a member for supplying power to an power driving portion 43. A boot 52A of the rearview mirror 1A covers the base 31, the stay 33A, and the second exciting member 41A, and a portion along the base 31 and the stay 33A of the second exciting member 41A are invisible from the outside and the inside of the vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular accessory unit and an inner mirror attached to a vehicle.

  Some vehicle inner mirrors include a power drive unit such as an anti-glare mirror using an EC element (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the rearview mirror assembly described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. A rearview mirror assembly 101 (hereinafter simply referred to as “rearviewer 101”) attached to the windshield F ′ mainly includes an attachment support portion 102, a mirror stem 103, a bezel 104, a mirror 105, and a connector line 106. It has. A power drive unit is provided in the bezel 104, and power is supplied from a power source (battery or the like) outside the rearview mirror 101 to the power drive unit via the connector line 106.
JP 2002-537173 A (paragraph 0023, FIG. 2A)

However, the rearview mirror 101 described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems.
(1) The connector line 106 is disposed along the mirror stem 103. Since the connector wire 106 is exposed, it can be seen by the driver and passengers in the front passenger seat, looks bad, and the design of the rearview mirror 101 is damaged.
(2) Moreover, since the connector wire 106 can be seen from the outside of the vehicle, it does not look good and damages the appearance design of the vehicle.
(3) Further, if an object comes into contact with the connector wire 106, the connector wire 106 may be damaged.
(4) A hole for introducing the connector wire 106 into the bezel 104 is necessary, and dust or the like may enter the bezel 104 through a gap between the hole and the connector wire 106, and the power drive unit may be adversely affected. is there.

  The same problem occurs when a monitor or the like (collectively these and the inner mirror is referred to as “vehicle accessory unit”) is mounted on the side of the vehicle compartment.

  The present invention has been developed to solve the above-described problems, and provides a vehicular accessory unit and an inner mirror that have good appearance, can protect wiring, and can prevent dust from entering. Is an issue.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the vehicular accessory unit according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a base attached to the vehicle main body, a stay extending from the base, and a unit main body portion attached to the stay. The vehicle attachment unit includes a disposing member disposed along the stay and a covering member covering the stay and the disposing member.

  Examples of the “vehicle accessory unit” in the present invention include an inner mirror, a camera, a monitor, an ETC transceiver, and the like that are attached to the side surface of the vehicle body. Examples of the “cabinet side surface” include windshield, roof, and dashboard. The attachment position is not limited to the side surface of the passenger compartment, and may be the outer side surface of the vehicle body.

  The “unit main body” in the present invention refers to a main body portion of the vehicle accessory unit described above. In the case of the inner mirror, the mirror housing or a member built in the mirror housing corresponds to the inner mirror. In the case of a monitor, the monitor body corresponds to it.

  Examples of the “arrangement member” in the present invention include a current-carrying member (harness or the like), an optical fiber cable, or the like that is provided to supply power to a member in the unit main body.

  With this configuration, a portion along the stay of the arrangement member cannot be seen from the inside and outside of the vehicle, and the appearance is improved. Further, the arrangement member can be protected by the covering member.

  A vehicle accessory unit according to claim 2 is the vehicle accessory unit according to claim 1, wherein the covering member is formed so as to cover the base.

  With such a configuration, the appearance is further improved, and the attachment portion of the base to the vehicle body can be protected.

  The vehicle accessory unit according to claim 3 is the vehicle accessory unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the covering member is inserted into the unit main body portion of the arrangement member. It was set as the structure formed so that a part might be covered.

  With this configuration, the appearance can be further improved, and dust and the like can be prevented from entering the unit main body from the portion where the arrangement member is inserted into the unit main body.

  Moreover, the vehicle accessory unit according to claim 4 is the vehicle accessory unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the covering member has a movable portion. It was.

  Examples of the “movable part” in the present invention include bellows formed around the circumference of the covering member.

  With this configuration, the shape of the covering member is variable, and it is possible to suitably cope with the adjustment of the orientation of the vehicle accessory unit.

The vehicle accessory unit according to claim 5 is the vehicle accessory unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the covering member is formed of a stretchable material. It was set as the composition.

  Examples of the “stretchable material” in the present invention include thermoplastic elastomer and EPDM.

  With this configuration, the shape of the covering member is variable, and it is possible to suitably cope with the adjustment of the orientation of the vehicle accessory unit.

  The inner mirror according to claim 6 is an inner mirror including a base attached to a vehicle body, a stay extending from the base, and a mirror housing attached to the stay and housing the mirror, An arrangement member arranged along the stay and a covering member covering the stay and the arrangement member are provided.

  An inner mirror according to a seventh aspect is the inner mirror according to the sixth aspect, wherein the covering member is formed so as to cover the base.

  The inner mirror according to claim 8 is the inner mirror according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the covering member covers a portion where the arrangement member is inserted into the mirror housing. It was set as the structure formed.

  An inner mirror according to a ninth aspect is the inner mirror according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the covering member has a movable portion.

  The inner mirror according to claim 10 is the inner mirror according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the covering member is formed of a stretchable material. .

  The inventions according to claims 6 to 10 are the inventions according to the inventions according to claims 1 to 5 in which the vehicle accessory unit is an inner mirror. In the case where a power drive unit (EC element or the like) is provided in the inner mirror, a disposing member (conduction line) is disposed along the stay, and the above-described problem is likely to occur. Therefore, the present invention can be suitably applied to the inner mirror.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicular accessory unit and an inner mirror that have good appearance, can protect wiring, and can prevent dust from entering.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate, taking as an example the case where the vehicle accessory unit is an inner mirror. Similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Unless otherwise specified, expressions related to position and direction (up and down, front and rear, etc.) are based on the state where the inner mirror is attached to the vehicle.

(First embodiment)
First, an electrical connection structure of an inner mirror according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an inner mirror according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner mirror of FIG. 1 viewed from the front through the windshield. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the inner mirror of FIG. 1, and is a view before mounting. FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the inner mirror of FIG.

  The inner mirror 1A according to the first embodiment is configured to be detachable from the windshield F of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the windshield F is provided with a button 11, a first energizing member 21A, and a sealing material 22A. The inner mirror 1A mainly includes a base 31, a spring 32, a stay 33A, a mirror housing 34, a bracket 35, a mirror 36, a second energizing member 41A, a third energizing member 42, a power drive unit 43, a base cover 51A, A boot 52A is provided.

  First, each member on the windshield F side will be described with reference to FIG. The button 11 is a metal member and has an upper surface 11a, side surfaces 11b and 11c, and a lower surface 11d. The button 11 is fixed and installed at the center upper part of the side surface of the passenger compartment of the windshield F. The installation method can use a well-known thing, and is adhere | attached here with the adhesive agent.

  21 A of 1st electricity supply members consist of four printed wirings affixed on the vehicle compartment side surface of the windshield F. As shown in FIG. One end thereof is located at the upper end of the windshield F, and is connected to a current-carrying member (not shown) disposed on the roof of the vehicle and connected to a power source (battery or the like). The other end is a connection portion 21Aa located in the vicinity of the button 11.

  An example of a method for forming the first energizing member 21A on the surface of the windshield F will be described. First, a black paint is applied to the side surface of the passenger compartment of the windshield F. Next, silver which becomes a printed wiring is apply | coated on black coating. Furthermore, black paint is applied from above. Finally, the first energizing member 21A is formed by firing.

  The sealing material 22A is a member attached to the side surface of the windshield F in order to cover the portion other than the connecting portion 21Aa of the first energizing member 21A. The first energizing member 21A (part other than the connecting portion 21Aa) is not visible from the inside of the vehicle by the sealing material 22A. Moreover, deterioration, damage, etc. of the first energizing member 21A (parts other than the connecting portion 21Aa) can be prevented.

  Subsequently, each member of the inner mirror 1A will be described with reference to FIG. 1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3 as appropriate). The base 31 is a hard resin member and includes an inner upper surface 31a, a pair of left and right claws 31b and 31c, and a lower protrusion 31d on the button 11 side (see FIG. 2). Further, a spherical seat 31e is provided on the stay 33A side.

  The spring 32 is fitted into the claws 31b and 31c of the base 31 (see FIG. 2).

  Here, attachment of the button 11 and the base 31 will be described with reference to FIG. The claws 31 b and 31 c of the base 31 are fitted by sliding along the side surfaces 11 b and 11 c of the button 11 from above the button 11. When the sliding is completed, the inner upper surface 31 a of the base 31 comes into contact with the upper surface 11 a of the button 11. Then, the protrusion 31d contacts the lower surface 11d. The spring 32 is spread by the side surfaces 11b and 11c. The unfolded spring 32 urges in a direction to sandwich the side surfaces 11b and 11c of the button 11 to enhance the attachment force. When the button 11 is removed, the reverse operation is performed. In this manner, the base 31 can be easily attached and detached by sliding the button 31.

  Returning to FIG. 1, each member of the inner mirror 1A will be described (see FIGS. 2 and 3 as appropriate). The stay 33A is a hollow hard resin member, and includes a pivot 33Aa, a stay body 33Ab, and a pivot 33Ac.

  The pivot 33Aa is formed in a substantially spherical shape and is slidably fitted in the spherical seat 31e of the base 31.

  The stay main body 33Ab is a columnar part between the pivots 33Aa and 33Ac, and is bent into a "<" shape at a substantially central part.

  The pivot 33Ac is formed in a substantially spherical shape and is slidably fitted in the spherical seat 35b of the bracket 35.

  The mirror housing 34 is a hard resin member that houses the bracket 35, the mirror 36, and the like, and includes holes 34a and 34b. The mirror housing 34 and the members incorporated therein correspond to the “unit body” in the claims.

  The hole 34a is provided in the front surface of the mirror housing 34, and the pivot 33Ac of the stay 33A and the second energizing member 41A are inserted therethrough. Further, the end 52Ab of the boot 52A is fitted. This hole 34a corresponds to “a portion where the arrangement member is inserted into the unit main body” and “a portion where the arrangement member is inserted into the mirror housing” in the claims.

  The hole 34b is provided in the lower surface of the mirror housing 34, and the lever 35a of the bracket 35 projects therefrom.

  The bracket 35 is a member that supports the mirror 36, and includes a lever 35a, a spherical seat 35b, and a connector 35c.

  The lever 35a is a member that changes the angle of the mirror 36 to turn on / off the anti-glare effect by the prism, and protrudes from the hole 34b of the mirror housing 34 to the outside.

  The spherical seat 35b slidably supports the pivot 33Ac.

  The connector 35c is provided on the front surface of the bracket 35, and electrically connects the second energizing member 41A and the third energizing member 42.

  The mirror 36 is a prism mirror. Moreover, the electric power drive part 43 is incorporated.

  The second energizing member 41A is a metal wire disposed along the base 31 and the stay 33A, and is covered with a harness. One end thereof is a connection portion 41 </ b> Aa fixed to the base 31. The connecting portion 41Aa is provided at a position corresponding to the connecting portion 21Aa. These connections 21Aa and 41Aa are detachable because of contact. The other end is connected to the third energizing member 42 at the connector 35c. A portion of the second energizing member 41A along the stay 33A corresponds to an “arrangement member” in the claims.

  The third energization member 42 is a member that connects the second energization member 41 </ b> A and the power drive unit 43. The third energizing member 42 is provided to facilitate the assembly of each member in the mirror housing 34, and is configured to directly connect the second energizing member 41A and the power drive unit 43. May be.

  The power drive unit 43 is a member that is driven by power. Here, it is a liquid crystal element incorporated in the mirror 36 for displaying letters and numbers. In addition, as the power driving unit 43, an EC element, an ETC sensor incorporated in the mirror housing 34, or the like is preferably used.

  The base cover 51A is a hard resin member, and is a member that covers the base 31 and the pivot 33Aa. The base cover 51A includes a convex portion 51Aa and a hole 51Ab.

  The convex portion 51Aa is a portion protruding from the main body of the base cover 51A and covers the connection portion 41Aa.

  The stay 33A and the second energizing member 41A are inserted through the hole 51Ab.

  The boot 52A is a cylindrical member made of a stretchable material, and includes end portions 52Aa and 52Ab and a movable portion 52Ac. Examples of the stretchable material here include thermoplastic elastomers, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and the like. Since the boot 52A is formed of a stretchable material, it can follow the movement of the stay 33A accompanying the mirror surface angle adjustment of the inner mirror 1A and change its shape. This boot 52A corresponds to a “cover member” in the claims. The base cover 51A also corresponds to a part of the “cover member”.

  The end 52Aa covers the base cover 51A.

  The end 52Ab is fitted in the hole 34a of the mirror housing 34.

  The movable part 52Ac is a bellows part formed near the end part 52Ab. Since the movable portion 52Ac is formed so as to surround the pivot 33Ac of the stay 33A, it can follow the movement of the pivot 33Ac and change its shape.

  The shape of the boot 52A can be changed by the softness / stretchability of the material itself and the movable portion 52Ac. Further, since the second energizing member 41A is covered, the appearance of the inner mirror 1A is improved. Moreover, since the mounting part of the button 11 and the base 31 is covered, it looks good and can prevent damage to the mounting part. Furthermore, since it is fitted in the hole 34a of the mirror housing 34, dust and the like can be prevented from entering from the hole 34a.

  Next, the electrical connection associated with the attachment of the inner mirror 1A will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, when the base 31 of the inner mirror 1A is slid onto the button 11, the connecting portion 21Aa of the first energizing member 21A and the connecting portion 41Aa of the second energizing member 41A come into contact with each other and are electrically connected. The Therefore, power is supplied to the power driving unit 43 from the power source outside the inner mirror 1A via the first energizing member 21A, the second energizing member 41A, and the third energizing member 42. At this time, since the first energizing member 21A and the second energizing member 41A are in direct contact, the power loss can be suppressed. Further, since the first energizing member 21A is disposed on the side surface of the windshield F on the passenger compartment, it is easy to dispose. Further, when the inner mirror 1A is removed, the connection between the first energizing member 21A and the second energizing member 41A is released, so that the removal of the inner mirror 1A is not obstructed.

  Next, the appearance of the inner mirror 1A in use will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 (see FIG. 3 as appropriate). FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a use state of the inner mirror of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 5A is a perspective view seen from the outside of the vehicle, and FIG. 5B is a side view seen from the inside of the vehicle.

  The boot 52A of the inner mirror 1A covers the base 31, the stay 33A and the second energizing member 41A (see FIG. 3), and the portion of the second energizing member 41A along the base 31 and the stay 33A is outside the vehicle. It is not visible from inside or inside the car. Therefore, the appearance of the inner mirror 1A is improved. Further, the second energizing member 41A is protected by the boot 52A.

  Further, the end 52Aa of the boot 52A covers the base 31, so that it looks good and can protect the attachment portion of the base 31 to the vehicle body.

  Further, the end 52Ab of the boot 52Aa is fitted in the hole 34a of the mirror housing 34, and covers the insertion portion of the second energizing member 41A into the mirror housing 34. Intrusion of dust or the like into the mirror housing 34 can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an adverse effect on the members in the mirror housing 34 such as the power driving unit 43 due to dust or the like.

  Further, since the boot 52A is formed of a stretchable material, the shape thereof is variable, and it is possible to suitably cope with the mirror surface angle adjustment of the inner mirror 1A.

  Further, since the boot 52A has the movable portion 52Ac, the shape of the boot 52A is variable, and it is possible to suitably cope with the mirror surface angle adjustment of the inner mirror 1A.

(Second embodiment)
Next, an inner mirror according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6 with a focus on differences from the inner mirror 1A according to the first embodiment. FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing a usage state of the inner mirror according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A is a perspective view seen from the outside of the vehicle, and FIG. 6B is a side view seen from the inside of the vehicle.

  The inner mirror 1B according to the second embodiment includes a boot 52B instead of the boot 52A (see FIG. 5). The boot 52B includes a movable portion 52Bd in addition to the movable portion 52Ac. The movable portion 52Bd is formed at a position corresponding to the pivot 33Aa (see FIG. 3) of the stay 33A.

  Thus, by having movable part 52Bd, the change of the shape of boot 52B accompanying mirror surface angle adjustment is performed more suitably.

(Third embodiment)
Subsequently, an inner mirror according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described focusing on differences from the inner mirror 1B according to the second embodiment. FIGS. 7A and 7B are views showing the usage state of the inner mirror according to the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 7A is a perspective view seen from the outside of the vehicle, and FIG. 7B is a side view seen from the inside of the vehicle.

  The inner mirror 1C according to the third embodiment includes a boot 52C instead of the boot 52B. The boot 52C is configured to fit its end 52Ca into the hole 52b of the base cover 51A.

  In the present embodiment, the base cover 51A and the boot 52C correspond to the “cover member” in the claims.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed in design without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in 1st and 2nd embodiment, the structure which does not have 51 A of base covers may be sufficient.

  The boots 52A, 52B, 52C are made of a stretchable material. However, the movable portions 52Ac, 52Bd, 52Ac and the end portions 52Ab, 52Ca are made of a stretchable material. The part may be formed of a hard resin (for example, polypropylene (PP) or the like).

  The boots 52A, 52B, and 52C are preferably non-translucent, but may be transparent boots depending on the preference of the vehicle owner. Furthermore, the shape of the boot is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be any shape that improves the appearance and can protect the second energizing member 41A.

  The structure of the button 11 and the base 31 is not limited to the illustrated slide mounting type, and a known mounting structure (rotation fitting type, magnet type, etc.) can be applied. Further, the button 11 may not be made of metal.

  Moreover, although it was set as the structure which has a liquid crystal element as the electric power drive part 43, what is necessary is just the member driven with other electric power.

  The second energizing member 41A is inserted through the hole 34a (see FIG. 1) of the mirror housing 34, but may be provided with a separate hole and inserted therethrough. In this case, it is preferable that the covering member covers the hole provided separately.

  Further, the shapes of the base, the stay, and the mirror housing are not limited to those illustrated. For example, a configuration in which the base and the stay are integrally formed, or a configuration in which the base, the stay, and the mirror housing are integrally formed may be employed.

  In addition, the inner mirrors 1A, 1B, and 1C are configured to be attached to the windshield F, but may be configured to be attached to the roof of the vehicle.

  The present invention is also applicable to various vehicle accessory units other than the inner mirror. The vehicle accessory unit may be any unit provided with a power drive unit that requires a disposition member (such as a conducting wire) in the unit main body. For example, a camera for photographing a vehicle interior or the exterior of the vehicle, the vehicle exterior A monitor that displays an image obtained by photographing the vehicle, a monitor for car navigation, and the like. Also, the mounting position is not limited to the windshield, and may be the side of the passenger compartment (roof, dashboard, etc.), the outer surface of the vehicle, or the like.

It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the inner mirror which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the inner mirror of Drawing 1 through the windshield from the front. It is a sectional side view which shows the inner mirror of FIG. 1, and is a figure before attachment. It is a sectional side view which shows the inner mirror of FIG. 1, and is a figure after attachment. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the inner mirror of FIG. 1, (a) is the perspective view seen from the vehicle exterior, (b) is the side view seen from the vehicle interior. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the inner mirror which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention, (a) is the perspective view seen from the vehicle exterior, (b) is the side view seen from the vehicle interior. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the inner mirror which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention, (a) is the perspective view seen from the vehicle exterior, (b) is the side view seen from the vehicle interior. FIG. 10 is a side view showing a rearview mirror assembly described in Patent Document 1.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B, 1C Inner mirror (vehicle accessory unit)
11 Button 21A First energizing member 21Aa Connection 22A Sealing material 31 Base 32 Spring 33A Stay 34 Mirror housing (unit main body)
34a hole (insertion part)
35 Bracket 36 Mirror 41A Second energizing member (arrangement member)
41Aa connection part 43 power drive part 51A base cover (covering member)
52A, 52B Boot 52C Boot (Coating member)
F windshield

Claims (10)

A base attached to the vehicle body,
A stay extending from the base;
A unit body attached to the stay;
A vehicle accessory unit equipped with
An arrangement member arranged along the stay;
A vehicular accessory unit comprising a covering member that covers the stay and the arrangement member.   The vehicular accessory unit according to claim 1, wherein the covering member is formed to cover the base.   The vehicular accessory unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the covering member is formed so as to cover an insertion portion of the arrangement member into the unit main body.   The vehicular accessory unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the covering member has a movable portion.   The vehicular accessory unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the covering member is formed of a stretchable material. A base attached to the vehicle body,
A stay extending from the base;
A mirror housing that is attached to the stay and houses a mirror;
An inner mirror with
An arrangement member arranged along the stay;
An inner mirror comprising a covering member that covers the stay and the disposing member.   The inner mirror according to claim 6, wherein the covering member is formed so as to cover the base.   The inner mirror according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the covering member is formed so as to cover an insertion portion of the arrangement member into the mirror housing.   The inner mirror according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the covering member has a movable portion.   The inner mirror according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the covering member is made of a stretchable material.

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