WO2003051673A1

WO2003051673A1 - Actuator by outside rear view mirror

Info

Publication number: WO2003051673A1
Application number: PCT/KR2002/000345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyuk-Joon Ro
Original assignee: Pro Quip International Korea Co Ltd
Current assignee: Pro Quip International Korea Co Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-17
Filing date: 2002-02-28
Publication date: 2003-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2004-06-17
Also published as: KR100522947B1; KR20030049649A; AU2002236330A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for adjusting angle of outside rear view mirror for automobile. This invention comprises moving part, base and adjusting part and is characterized by making motor, decelerating unit and roller plunger modulated drive unit and making it possible adjust angle of the outside rear view mirror by driving said modulated drive unit. And the invention is characterized by that being provided with spindle link and preventing rotation in other direction except the direction around crossing axis due to up-down moving of roller plunger by said spindle link. According to this invention, it is possible to eliminate backlash and noise and absorb and eliminate impulse when being overloaded.

Description

ACTUATOR BY OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to an outside rearview mirror of a vehicle, and in particular, to an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle, wherein the actuator comprises a modulated driving unit inclusive of a motor, a decelerating unit, and a roller plunger in a manner that angle of the outside rearview mirror is controlled by driving of the actuator, and the actuator further comprises a spindle link in a manner that all rotations in directions other than those generated by up/down movements of the roller plunger formed at the orthogonal axis are prevented.

Background Art

An actuator of an outside rearview mirror for vehicle is generally installed in the housing of the rearview mirror and controls by electric operations the angle of outside rearview mirror by moving the reflecting mirror of the outside rearview mirror on X and/or Y axis to provide a driver with a satisfactory rear view, so that the driver can recognize conditions for driving such as the road conditions, the vehicles behind him, etc. and take necessary steps for safe driving. In such a motorized actuator, the angle of mirror is controlled by manipulation of a remote controller in the vehicle, converting the rotating movements of a motor into vertical up/down movements, in contrast to a manual type outside rearview mirror, where angle of the outside rearview mirror needs to be adjusted by the driver manually prior to a driving.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional actuator for outside rearview of a vehicle. As shown in the drawing, a lower housing 1 houses motors 2, a worm 3 being fixed at the axis of the motor 2 in a fashion that it is geared with worm gear 5 formed at outer edge of a toothed deceleration wheel 4 which is installed at the front ends of the motor 2, while in the toothed deceleration wheel 4 an operator 7 with a male thread formed on the outer surface thereof is provided for tightly sealing the upper surface of the lower case with the cover 8.

In center of the upper part of the cover 8, a circular fixed rotation axis 9 is formed to be combined with the rotation axis 11 formed protruded downward at center of the bottom surface of the operation plate 10, and the cover 8 comprises guide holes 13 at outer edges thereof to accept the inwardly curved operation guides 12 formed downward at the corresponding outer edges of the operation plate 10 so that proper operation of the operation guides 12 are enabled. Further, an elastic nut 14 is protruded downward from bottom of the operation plate 10 to be geared with the male thread 6 of the operator 7 formed on the inside of the toothed deceleration wheel 4 through the combination hole 15 formed at the cover 8.

The operation proceeds in this state as follows: If the motor 2 rotates with the driving switch switched on, the toothed deceleration wheel 4 rotates, whereupon the operator 7 formed on the inside of the toothed deceleration wheel rotates. Then, the elastic nut 14 geared with the operator 7 performs up/down movements, effecting the operating plate 10 to move on X and/or Y axis, so that angle of the reflecting glass is adjusted.

Here, since the operation plate 10 is combined with the cover 8 which covers upper part of the lower case 1 through the fixed rotation axis 9 and the rotation axis 11, movements of the operation plate 10 are not hampered, while the operation guides 12 formed at outer edges of the operation plate 10 make up/down movements within the guide holes 13 formed at outer edges of the cover 8, so that angle of the reflecting mirror of an outside rearview mirror which is fixed on the mirror fixing plate can be adjusted due to the mirror fixing plate's fixation on the operation plate 10. However, problems with the above conventional arts are: inaccurate angle control as well as decrease of transmitted power due to gear backlash. A further problem with this technology is that size of the device needs to be increased to increase the reduction ratio.

In addition, the size and construction of an outside rearview mirror of a vehicle are required to be changed in line with developments of automobiles. However, the conventional arts fail to provide a rapid adaptation to such developments, but rather require the whole device to be redesigned and reconstructed, thus lead to ineffective production processes and increase in manufacture costs.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention, being conceived to solve the above problems, aims to provide an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle, wherein the actuator comprises modulated driving units inclusive of motors, a reducer unit, and a roller plunger in a manner that angle of the outside rearview mirror is controlled by driving of the actuator,

and the actuator further comprises a spindle link in a manner that all rotations in directions other than those generated by up/down driving of the roller plunger formed at the orthogonal axis are prevented.

In order to achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle, comprising a driving part, a base, and a control part, wherein the above driving part includes a motor, a deceleration unit which uses toothed cycloid, and a roller plunger equipped with a plunger that performs up/down movements via a cable, in a manner that these components are modulated in driving unit while the roller plunge and the motor are contained in a roller case and in a motor case; the above base includes two driving unit settlement parts shaped to correspond to the upper parts of the above driving units, formed at its bottom surface to face orthogonal to each other, terminals for operation and power supply for a control device, and a cylinder shape mounting part formed in the center of the upper part; and the above control part includes a spindle link, damping springs, and an adaptor, wherein the above spindle link, being formed in "Y" shape, includes a first link and a second link combined with one another in a foldable manner through a folding axis in the middle part thereof, the first link being equipped with two combination holes formed at both ends thereof, the second link being equipped with a ball joint formed protruded at one end thereof, the above spindle link being equipped with elastic damping springs on iζ while the above adapter comprises a semi glove form rotation part that corresponds to the above mounting part formed on the bottom center thereof, two combination slots formed at appropriate places on the outer edges of its bottom, and a semi glove form pivot to be combined with the upper part of the adaptor. Furthermore, the present invention provides motor cases with power input holes formed on appropriate places of the upper part thereof, and a base with power input protrusions corresponding to the above power input holes formed at its driving unit settlement parts. Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the construction of an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a reducer to which an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention applies. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a driving unit in accordance with the present invention in module form.

Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a base to which an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention applies.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a spindle to which an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention applies.

Fig. 7 is a bottom perspective view of an adaptor to which an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention applies.

Fig. 8 is a drawing showing operation of a spindle link to which an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention applies. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional actuator for outside rearview of a vehicle. Preferred Embodiments of the invention

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in detail making reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the construction of an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention, while Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in the above drawing, an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is installed in the mirror housing 12 which includes a reflecting glass 11 therein and which constitutes the main body of the outside rearview mirror.

An actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention comprises a driving part, a base, and a control part.

The above driving part includes a motor 84, a deceleration unit 83 which is combined with the axis of the above motor 84, and a roller plunger which is combined with the above deceleration unit 83, a roller case 81 which houses the above motor 84, the deceleration unit 83 and the roller plunger 82 as well as a motor case 85.

A plurality of insertion through holes 91 are formed at appropriate places of the above roller case 81 to be combined with the insertion lugs 94 formed on the motor case 85 by fitting, such that the roller case 81, with the above motor 84, the deceleration unit 83, and the roller plunger 84 installed in it, is combined with the motor case 85. In addition, the above motor case 85 comprises power input holes 95 formed on appropriate places of its upper part, for applying power to the motor after the assembly has been completed. Fig. 3, being an exploded perspective view of a decelerator to which an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention applies, as described in the prior Korean Patent Application No. 10-2001-63595 by the inventor of the present invention, the above deceleration unit 83 comprises a motor axis hole on its upper part, a deceleration unit axis 102 at its bottom, a unit housing 101 with an eccentric cap 106 formed in the latitudinal section of the high speed rotation axis, a cycloid plate 104 with toothed profile having a through hole piercing the center thereof, and a plurality of output holes piercing through the plate with a certain diameter from its center, an outer ring gear 105 with toothed profile on the inside of the ring corresponding to that of the above cycloid plate 104, a clutch plate 108 in a ring plate shape, a clutch spring 103, a low speed rotation axis in circular plate form which protrudes outward from the center of the bottom, a circular low speed rotation plate with deceleration pins consisting of a plurality of small lugs protruded outward within the cylinder at the upper part, a unit cover 107 in cylinder form with its one end closed and the other end open, with a female thread formed on the inner surface of the cylinder, having a through hole formed in the center of its closed end, and the unit housing 101 is combined via a screw with the unit cover 107 containing the above components are combined in layers in it.

The above roller plunger 82, takes up the connected cable 92 by rotation of the axial connection hole 82-1 formed at the center thereof, the above cable 92, being equipped with a plunger 93 formed at one end of it, enabling up/down movements

dependant on the winding/rewinding of the cable. Since the above axial connection hole 82-1 is axially connected with the high speed rotation axis 102 of the above deceleration unit 83, the axial connection hole 82-1 rotates as the high speed rotation axis 102 rotates. Fig. 4, is a perspective view of a driving unit in accordance with the present invention in module form, wherein the driving part for adjustment of the angle of outside rearview mirror is integrated to a module, thus allowing simple fitting thereof in the bottom part of the base 70, a description of which follows herein below. Fig. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a base to which an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention applies. As shown in the drawing, bottom part of the above base 70 comprises driving unit settlement parts

73 formed to correspond to the upper shape of the above driving unit 80 to enable a stable combination with the above driving part, whereby two driving unit settlement parts 73 are formed orthogonal to each other, so that horizontal as well as vertical movements are possible. Further, in each driving unit settlement part, power input protrusions 72 are formed corresponding to the power input holes 95 formed on the upper part of the motor case 85 of the above driving units 80.

The above base 70 further comprises at appropriate places in the bottom thereof terminals 71 for operation and power supply for a remote control device of the outside rearview mirror installed in the vehicle, which terminals 71 are connected to the above power input protrusions 72.

In addition, the above base comprises in the inside upper center a mounting part 75 for receiving a cylinder form adapter 40, a description of which follows below. A control part is installed on the top of the above base 70, the control part comprising a spindle link 60, damping springs 50, and an adaptor.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a spindle to which an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention applies. As shown in the drawing, the spindle link 60 in accordance with the present invention, is formed in "Y" shape, including a first link 62 and a second link 61 combined with one another in a foldable manner through a folding axis 63 in the middle part thereof, the first link 62 being the branched end and the second link 61 being the other end. The both ends of the first link comprise combination holes 61 which are combined with the bottom part of the adaptor 40, a description of which follows herein below.

The second link 61 is equipped with a ball joint formed protruded at one end thereof, for transmission of the movements by folding of the spindle link 60 to the adaptor 40.

The above spindle link 60 is equipped with elastic damping springs 50 on it, whereby the above damping spring 50 shall preferably be two in number to cover both the right and left ends of the spindle link 60.

An adaptor 40 is installed on the above damping springs 50. Fig. 7 is a bottom perspective view of an adaptor to which an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention applies. As shown in the drawing, the adaptor 40 has a circular plate form the outer edges of which are protruded downward, the downward protrusion tightly covers the upper part of the above base 70. Combination thread holes 42 can be provided for at appropriate places of the above adaptor 40 to enable a firm combination of the adaptor 40 with the above base 70.

Further, the above adaptor 40 comprises a semi glove form rotation part 43 that corresponds to the above mounting part 75 formed on the bottom center thereof, two combination slots 41 formed at appropriate places on the outer edges of its bottom, whereby the above combination slots 41 are formed at places and in shape corresponding to the combination holes of the above spindle link 60.

The upper part of the above adaptor 40 is combined with a semi glove form pivot 30 having a form corresponding to the above rotation part 43 using a screw with a spring 20 inserted between them.

An explanation of the combination structure of an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention is given below.

Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the construction of an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention, while Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention. Figs. 1 and 2 show that two driving units 80, each of which comprises the motors 84, the deceleration unit 83, and the roller plunger 81 as assembled to a module housed in the roller case 81 and the motor case 85, are installed orthogonal to each other by insertion at the bottom of the base 70. Here, an electric connection is enabled by combination of the power input holes of each driving unit 80 with the corresponding power input protrusions at the bottom of the base 70.

After that, the combination holes 65 of the spindle link 60 are combined with the combination slots 41 of the adaptor 40 by fitting while the damping springs 50 are inserted between them, and the pivot 30 is combined with the upper part of the adaptor

40 by a screw 19 with a spring 20 inserted between them. Then, the assembling procedure is completed when the combined body of the spindle link 60 with the adaptor 40 is further combined with the above base 70.

The actuator as per the present invention thus combined is installed in the mirror housing 18 as shown in Fig. 1 , and the above pivot 30 tightly fixed to the rear surface

of the glass 17.

The functioning of the actuator as per the present invention having the above construction is explained below. If the motor 84 rotates by manipulation of the remote control device installed in a vehicle, the eccentric cam 106 of the deceleration unit 83 rotates, whereupon the cycloid plate 104 is eccentrated and rotates along the toothed profile of the outer ring gear 105 depending on the eccentration of the eccentric cam 106, to further rotate deceleration pins which are engaged with the cycloid plate at a reduced speed and rotate further the roller plunger 82 which is fixed through the axis of the deceleration unit 102 at this reduced speed.

The above rotation of the roller plunger 82 effects winding/rewinding of the cable 92 which is combined with the roller plunger 82 in an integrated manner, and further effects up/down movements of the plunger 93 which is formed at one end of the cable 92 in an integrated manner.

Subsequently, the up/down movements of the plunger 82 installed in the driving unit 80 effects rotation of the adaptor 40. Here, the direction of the movement is controlled by the spindle link 60, which is installed between the base 70 and the adaptor 40.

Fig. 8 is a drawing showing operation of a spindle link to which an actuator for

outside rearview mirror of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention applies. As shown in the drawing, rotation movements of the adaptor are performed on the basis of the fixed points PI and P3 by the spindle link 60 and through the repeated folding and unfolding of the first link (LI) and the second link (L2), so that the direction of the movements of the adaptor 40 can be adjusted.

The damping springs 50 placed between the adaptor 40 and the spindle link 60 rotates along the outer spherical surface of the base 70 and prevent vibration of the glass when the mirror is vibrated by the actuator. Although the present invention has been described above with respect to the preferred embodiments, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited thereto, but rather shall be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents, allowing various modifications, adaptations, etc. as those skilled in the art will understand.

Industrial Applicability

Since the plunger is firmly fixed to an adaptor rolled by a roller in the present invention, the present invention can fundamentally solve the problem of gear backlash that occurs with a conventional actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle. Since an actuator in accordance with the present invention can be used for outside rear view mirrors of different sizes and different constructions, by just changing the location of the base as well as the shape and the size of the adaptor, the present invention can enhance the productivity and reduce the manufacture costs.

The present invention can further enhance the productivity by designing the power terminals to be incorporated in the body of the base to allow direct power supply with completion of the assembly thereof with the driving unit without requiring any additional internal wiring, PCB, etc.

The present invention has solved the problem with the conventional arts that the tooth profile of a bolt can easily be damaged by a manual up/down driving, leading to noise generation, shortening of duration, etc., in a manner that a plate form clutch and a spring are provided for in the deceleration unit which step results in a reduction of noise, due to the sliding driving of the clutch plate caused by the spring. Further, the tensile strength of the roller plunger contributes to absorb certain shocks and to protect the driving units by the operation of the clutch.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle, comprising a driving part, a base, and a control part, wherein said driving part includes a motor, a deceleration unit which uses toothed cycloid, and a roller plunger equipped with a plunger that performs up/down movements via a cable, in a manner that said components are modulated to a driving unit while said components are contained in a roller case and in a motor case; said base includes two driving unit settlement parts shaped to correspond to the upper parts of said driving units, formed at bottom surface of said base to face orthogonal to each other, terminals for operation and power supply for a control device, and a cylinder shape mounting part formed in the center of said upper part; and said control part includes a spindle link, damping springs, and an adaptor, wherein said spindle link, being formed in "Y" shape, includes a first link and a second link combined with one another in a foldable manner through a folding axis in the middle part thereof, wherein said first link is equipped with combination holes formed at both ends thereof, said second link is equipped with a ball joint formed protruded at one end thereof, said spindle link is equipped with elastic damping springs thereon, and said adapter comprises a semi glove form rotation part that corresponds to said mounting part formed on the bottom center thereof, two combination slots formed at appropriate places on the outer edges of said bottom, and a semi glove form pivot to be combined with the upper part of said adaptor.

2. The actuator for outside rearview mirror of a vehicle, as set forth in Claim 1, wherein

3. said motor case comprises power input holes formed at appropriate places on the upper part thereof, and

4. said driving unit settlement parts comprises power input protrusions which 5 correspond to said power input holes.

10

15

20