GB2116923A

GB2116923A - Exterior rear-view mirror unit

Info

Publication number: GB2116923A
Application number: GB08306840A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Jean James Desforges
Original assignee: Britax Geco SA
Current assignee: SMR Automotive Systems France SA
Priority date: 1982-03-19
Filing date: 1983-03-11
Publication date: 1983-10-05
Also published as: ES270990Y; GB8306840D0; IT8320074A1; JPH045569B2; JPS58211935A; IT8320074A0; IT1161918B; FR2523529B1; KR910008162B1; KR840004002A; GB2116923B; MY8600333A; ES270990U; FR2523529A1

Abstract

A rear-view mirror unit (20) incorporates a part-spherical coupling member (6) which has a ramp (6a) provided with a recess (6b) positioned to interact, when the mirror unit (20) is folded back against the vehicle body, with a corresponding formation (1a) of the housing (1), whilst a recess (1b) in the housing receives an edge (21), in the coupling member (6). The mirror unit (20) is restored to its normal position by releasing formation (1a) and the edge (21) from the recesses (6b) and (1b) against the action of a spring (5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exterior rear-view mirror The present invention relates to an exterior rearview mirror unit for a motor vehicle.

Various types of exterior rear-view mirrors are known, some being adjustable from the interior of the vehicle. Modern rear-view mirror units may be located very close to the vehicle body, thus making it difficult for the mirror unit to be folded back after a collision.

Since exterior rear-view mirrors project beyond the main outline of the vehicle, it must be possible to bring them into a folded-back position to make transport on pallets or trailers easier.

There are very many known devices suitable for use when the housing is relatively distant from the vehicle body. This is not so when the housing is close to the vehicle body and, furthermore, when the thickness of the housing is substantial. In fact, the problem is then complex.

Proposals have already been made for devices using two hinge pins, one of which permits folding towards the front of the vehicle and the other of which permits folding towards the rear of the vehicle. Such devices must ensure good stability of the mirror unit when it is located in the normal operating position, so as to prevent vibrations generated by the vehicle or aerodynamic effects.

These devices are complicated to produce and are awkward and therefore costly to manufacture.

According to the present invention, an exterior rear-view mirror unit for a motor vehicle comprising an external housing in which a mirror is mounted, the housing being connected by means of a partspherical coupling member to a base which is adapted to be secured to the vehicle body, an actuating lever fixed to the coupling member, resilient means connecting the lever and the coupling member to the housing, the coupling member having a ramp provided with latching means positioned to interact, when the housing is folded back against the vehicle body, with a corresponding formation on the housing, the mirror unit being restored to its normal position by releasing the said surface from the latching means against the action of the resilient means.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa sectional elevation of a rear-view mirror unit in accordance with the present invention; Figure2 is a partial section taken along the line A Ain Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section along the line B - B of Figure 1, with the mirror unit in its position of normal use; Figure 4 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 3, but with the mirror unit in its stable folded-back position.

Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a rear-view mirror unit 20 in its normal position of use. The mirror unit 20 comprises a housing 1 made of plastic, the example polypropylene. The walls of the housing 1 can be thick and can, therefore, be made of a number of synthetic materials. A mirror 2 is mounted in the housing 1 and is retained in place by glue or cement 3 which connects the said mirror 2 to supports 17.

The housing 1 is connected by means of a partspherical coupling member 6 to a base 9 fastened to the body work of the motor vehicle. The base 9 has a portion 9a with a shape complementary to that of the abutting part of the coupling member 6. A block 11 is resiliently urged into engagement with the base 9 by a compression spring washer 13 which abuts against a cover 14. The base 9 can be fastened to the bodywork of a vehicle by means of fastening inserts 12.

The base of a U-shaped yoke 4 is supported within the housing 1 by a cage 16. The ends of the limbs of the yoke 4 abut against the portion 19 of the housing 1 which bears against the edge 21 of the coupling member 6. One end of a tension spring 5 is fastened to the base of the yoke 4, whilst the other end is fastened to a U-shaped link 7 secured to the coupling member 6 between the ramps 6a of the latter. The yoke 4 thus transmits the force of the spring 5 to the housing 1, urging it into abutment with the coupling member 6.

A lever 8, which is located inside the motor vehicle and which passes through the base 9 so as to be fitted into the coupling member 6, permits adjustment of the orientation of the housing 1. The lever 8 is fixed to the coupling member 6, the block 11, the compression spring washer 13 and the cover 14 by means of two fastening pins 10 and 15. Alternatively, the coupling member 6 and the lever 8 could be made in one piece.

In accordance with the present invention, the coupling member 6 has two ramps 6a each of which is provided with latching means consisting of a notch or serration 6b.

In the folded-back position of the housing 1 (Figure 4), the abutting surface la of the housing 1 is locked in the serration 6b.

Similarly, a recess 1b in the housing 1 constitutes a second latching means which receives the edge 6c of the coupling member 6 when the housing 1 is in said folded-back position.

To restore the housing 1 to its normal position as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the abutting surface 1a and the recess 1b in the housing 1 must be disengaged from the serration 6b and the recess 1b respectively against the action of the spring 5.

As illustrated in Figure 4, during a collision or imposition of a considerable force on the housing 1, the bearing surface la of the latter travels over the ramp 6a of the coupling member 6 so that this bearing surface 1a of the housing 1 engages in the serration or notch 6b. At the same time, the recess 1b in the housing 1 receives the edge 6c of the coupling member 6. The double latching at 6b and 6c, ensures a high degree of stability of the housing 1 in its folded-back position.

The housing 1 can also be folded forward, i.e. in the opposite direction to that illustrated in Figure 4.

This folding forwards can take place as a result of a collision. In this case, the end 1c of the housing 1 is displaced along a ramp 6d provided on the coupling member 6. If appropriate, this ramp 6dcould also be provided with a serration serving to lock the housing 1 in its folded-forward position, However, such an arrangement is not essential.

Claims

1. An exterior rear-view mirror unit for a motor vehicle, comprising an external housing in which a mirror is mounted, the housing being connected by means of a part-spherical coupling member to a base which is adapted to be secured to the vehicle body, an actuating lever fixed to the coupling member and resilient means connecting the lever and the coupling membertothe housing,the coupling member having a ramp provided with latching means positioned to interact, when the mirror unit is folded back against the vehicle body, with a corresponding formation on the housing, the mirror unit being restored to its normal position by releasing the said formation from the latching means against the action of the resilient means.

2. A mirror unit according to claim 1, wherein the latching means comprises a notch or serration in the ramp of the coupling member.

3. A mirror unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing incorporates second latching means with which an edge of the coupling member engages in the folded-back position.

4. A mirror unit according to claim 3, wherein the second latching means comprises a recess in the housing.

5. A mirror unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ramp of the coupling member has a curved shape.

6. A mirror unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the resilient means connecting the coupling member and its actuating lever to the housing comprises a U-shaped yoke, the base of which is fastened to the inside of the housing and the ends of the limbs of which abut against an edge of the coupling member, which engages with the corresponding abutment surfaces of the housing, and a tension spring, one end of which is fastened to the base of the yoke and the other end of which is fastened to an attachment means secured to the coupling member.

7. A mirror unit according to claim 6, wherein the means for attaching the spring to the coupling member is located between the ramps of the latter.

8. A mirror unit according to claim 7, wherein the means for attaching the spring to the coupling member is a U-shaped link.

9. A mirror unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the coupling member has two ramps.

10. A mirror unit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the coupling member incorporates a further ramp on which the end of the housing is folded towards the front of the vehicle.