Remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles

A power unit is attached on one end of a stay as an angle adjustment mechanism, with a mirror holder that has a configuration of housing mounted on the power unit to be capable of tilting, while the mirror holder holds the mirror body and the power unit is housed in a chamber defined by the mirror body and the mirror holder, so that the mirror body and the mirror holder are tilted with respect to the stay and the power unit by the power unit, thereby adjusting the angle. Thus a mirror housing, that contains the power unit, of the prior art located on the fixed side together with the power unit and the stay is eliminated and, instead, the mirror holder having a configuration of housing is installed together with the mirror body on the tilting side. As a consequence, when the mirror body is tilted with respect to the power unit and the stay, the mirror holder is also tilted along with the mirror body with respect to the power unit and the stay, and therefore such a problem does not occur as the edge of the mirror body comes inside the opening edge of the mirror housing on the fixed side as in the case of the prior art. As a result, it is made possible to secure a wide field of view without the possibility of causing an obstacle to the field of view when adjusting the angle of the mirror body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 a) Field of the Invention
 The present invention relates to a remote-controlled mirror apparatus for
 vehicles that, when attached to a vehicle such as one-box car or
 recreational vehicle, allows it to view and perceive in a predetermined
 field around a desired direction by means of the reflection of a mirror
 body, and makes it possible to change the direction of view by changing
 the angle of the mirror body through remote control, and particularly to a
 remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles that is free from
 obstacles to the view associated with the adjustment of the mirror body
 angle and is capable of ensuring wider field of view.
 b) Description of the Prior Art
 A remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles of the prior art
 comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, a stay 100 one end of which is attached to
 a vehicle body, a mirror housing 102 fastened on the other end of the stay
 100, a power unit 103 mounted as an angle adjusting mechanism in the
 mirror housing 102, a mirror holder (back board) 104 attached, to be
 capable of adjusting the angle thereof, to the power unit 103 via a pivot
 mechanism 105 and an advance-retract rod 106, and a mirror body 101 held
 on the mirror holder 104.
 An example of the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles described
 above is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H8-26031.
 The remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles disclosed in this
 publication is used as side mirrors for heavy duty vehicles such as truck
 and bus, and is attached to the vehicle body via a cylindrical support arm
 instead of the stay 100.
 The mirror body 101 is limited in size so as not to obstruct the field of
 view when a driver looks back directly. But even when the mirror body 101
 is limited in size, a wide field of view can be ensured by decreasing the
 radius of curvature of the reflecting surface.
 The above mentioned power unit 103 is provided with, in addition to the
 advance-retract rod 106 for vertical adjustment shown in the drawings, an
 advance-retract rod for horizontal adjustment, for example, not shown.
 An example of application of the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for
 vehicles of the prior art mentioned above will now be described below with
 reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 4.
 In this application, the remote-controlled mirror apparatus is used as an
 electrically powered and remote-controlled rear under mirror apparatus for
 automobiles, being mounted by attaching an end of the stay 100 on the rear
 top of a vehicle body such as one-box car or recreational vehicle C.
 The remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles enables it to view a
 range indicated by dashed line in a lower portion at the back of vehicle C
 such as one-box car or recreational vehicle, from the eye point E.P. of
 the driver via the mirror body 101. Namely, it becomes possible to view
 and perceive within a predetermined field around a desired direction by
 means of the reflection of the mirror body 101.
 When the advance-retract rod 106 for vertical adjustment is moved forward
 by the power unit 103, the mirror body 101 is driven via the mirror holder
 104 to tilt down (position indicated by alternate dot and dash line in
 FIG. 1) about a horizontal axis (line connecting the center of the pivot
 mechanism 105 and the center of the advance-retract rod for horizontal
 adjustment). This changes the field of view (range which can be viewed and
 perceived) in a lower portion at the back of vehicle C such as one-box car
 or recreational vehicle from that indicated by dashed line in FIG. 2 to
 that indicated by alternate dot and dash line in FIG. 2. That is, viewing
 direction is changed to backward.
 When the advance-retract rod 106 for vertical adjustment is moved backward,
 the mirror body 101 tilts upward (position indicated by alternate
 double-dot and dash line in FIG. 1) about the horizontal axis and the
 field of view changes from that indicated by dashed line in FIG. 2 to that
 indicated by alternate double-dot and dash line in FIG. 2, and the viewing
 direction changes to forward.
 Further, when the advance-retract rod for horizontal adjustment is moved
 forward (or backward), the mirror body 101 tilts to the left about a
 vertical axis (line connecting the center of the pivot mechanism 105 and
 the center of the advance-retract rod 106 for vertical adjustment), and
 the field of view changes from that indicated by dashed line in FIG. 3 and
 FIG. 4 to that indicated by alternate dot and dash line in FIG. 3 and FIG.
 4, so that the viewing direction changes to the left.
 Also when the advance-retract rod for horizontal adjustment is moved
 backward (or forward), the mirror body 101 tilts to the right about the
 vertical axis, and the field of view changes from that indicated by dashed
 line in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 to that indicated by alternate double-dot and
 dash line in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, so that the viewing direction changes to
 the right.
 However, in the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles of the
 prior art described above, the mirror housing 102 that houses the power
 unit 103 is located along with the power unit 103 and the stay 100 on the
 fixed side, while the mirror body 101 is located along with the mirror
 holder 104 on the tilting side that tilts with respect to the fixed side,
 as shown in FIG. 1. As a result, when the mirror body 101 is tilted with
 respect to the mirror housing 102, edge of the mirror body 101 may come
 inside the opening edge of the mirror housing 102. For example, when the
 mirror body 101 is tilted downward as indicated by alternate dot and dash
 line in FIG. 1, lower edge of the mirror body 101 comes inside the lower
 opening edge of the mirror housing 102. When the mirror body 101 is tilted
 upward as indicated by alternate double-dot and dash line in FIG. 1, upper
 edge of the mirror body 101 comes inside the upper opening edge of the
 mirror housing 102. In case the edge of the mirror body 101 comes inside
 the opening edge of the mirror housing 102, the opening edge of the mirror
 housing 102 may be reflected on the mirror body 101 and make an obstacle
 to the view. Obstruction to the view when adjusting the angle of the
 mirror body 101 becomes conspicuous particularly in the case of the mirror
 body 101 having a small radius of curvature.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 An object of the present invention is to provide a remote-controlled mirror
 apparatus for vehicles that is capable of securing a wide field of view
 without the possibility of causing an obstacle to the field of view when
 adjusting the angle of the mirror body.
 According to the present invention, in order to achieve the object
 described above, a power unit is attached to one end of a stay as an angle
 adjusting mechanism, a mirror holder having a configuration of housing is
 attached to the power unit to be capable of tilting, a mirror body is held
 on the mirror holder, the power unit is housed in a chamber defined by the
 mirror body and the mirror holder, and the angle of said mirror body,
 together with the mirror holder, is adjusted with respect to the stay and
 power unit by means of the power unit.
 Thus in the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles of the present
 invention, the mirror housing of the prior art, that houses the power
 unit, located on the fixed side together with the power unit and the stay
 is eliminated and, instead, the mirror holder having a configuration of
 housing that houses the power unit is installed together with the mirror
 body on the tilting side. Consequently, when the mirror body is tilted
 with respect to the power unit and the stay, the mirror holder is also
 tilted together with the mirror body with respect to the power unit and
 the stay, and therefore such a problem does not occur as the edge of the
 mirror body comes inside the opening edge of the mirror housing on the
 fixed side as in the case of the prior art. As a result, it becomes
 possible to secure a wide field of view without the possibility of causing
 an obstacle to the field of view when adjusting the angle of the mirror
 body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
 An embodiment of the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles
 according to the present invention will be described below with reference
 to FIG. 5 through FIG. 25. This is an example of application to an
 electrically powered and remote-controlled rear under mirror apparatus for
 automobiles, being mounted on the rear top of a vehicle body C such as
 one-box car or recreational vehicle. In the drawings, same reference
 numerals as those in FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 denote identical parts. By
 assembling components shown in the exploded perspective views of FIG. 9
 through FIG. 14 along the center axis O--O, the remote-controlled mirror
 apparatus for vehicles according to this embodiment of the present
 invention is constructed.
 In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a stay made of a hollow tube
 (pipe). One end of the stay 1 is attached to a vehicle body (not shown).
 Mounted on the other end of the stay 1 is a mirror body 2 via a mirror
 holder 3 and power unit 4 (and a clutch mechanism 5 and a mirror holder
 base 6) to serve as an angle adjusting mechanism, mounted to be capable of
 adjusting the angle.
 The mirror body 2 described above has a convex reflecting surface (mirror
 surface) of a small radius of curvature formed thereon, as shown in FIG. 5
 through FIG. 7 and FIG. 9. The mirror holder 3 described above has such a
 configuration of housing with a front face 30 opening and a rear portion
 closed as shown in FIG. 5 through FIG. 7 and FIG. 13. In the front opening
 30 of the mirror holder 3, a hook 31 and a plurality of ribs 32 (omitted
 in FIG. 13) are installed integrally with each other. Fastened by bonding
 (and/or other fastening means) via tape 20 between the hook 31 and the
 ribs 32 is the circumference of the mirror body 2. As a result, the mirror
 body 2 is held by the mirror holder 3 of the housing configuration.
 The power unit 4 is disposed in a chamber 21 defined by the mirror body 2
 and the mirror holder 3. The power unit 4 comprises two separate parts of
 housing 400 and 401 that are held together by screws 402, as shown in FIG.
 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 15. The housing parts 400 and 401 contain two
 motors 41, 42, two advance-retract rods 410, 420, two sets of drive force
 transmission mechanisms (comprising first (worm) gears 411, 421, second
 gears (each comprising a helical gear of a worm wheel and a spur gear of
 an idle gear combined on the same shaft) 412, 422, third gears (each
 comprising an external-teeth gear and an internal-teeth gear integrated)
 413, 423), two cross-shaped springs 414, 424 and two packings 415, 425
 incorporated therein.
 The two advance-retract rods 410, 420 are located on two oblique axes
 S1--S1, S2--S2 that are counterparts of mutually perpendicular vertical
 axis V--V and horizontal axis H--H rotated around the intersect thereof
 (center P of a pivot mechanism 63 to be described later and is the center
 of tilting movement of tilting members such as the mirror body 2 and the
 mirror holder 3) by 45 degrees, being located in parallel to the
 horizontal axis H--H and above the horizontal axis H--H, respectively. The
 vertical axis V--V, the horizontal axis H--H and the two oblique axes
 S1--S1, S2--S2 intersect at right angles with the center axis O--O located
 on one end of the stay 1 at the intersect P.
 The two motors 41, 42 are disposed in V-shaped configuration that is
 symmetrical with respect to the vertical axis V--V as shown in FIG. 15.
 The two sets of drive force transmission mechanisms 411, 421, 412, 422,
 413, 423, the two cross-shaped springs 414, 424 and the two packings 415,
 425 are disposed substantially in the moving direction of the two
 advance-retract rods 410, 420.
 Since the two advance-retract rods 410, 420 are located on the two oblique
 axes S1--S1, S2--S2 that are counterparts of the mutually perpendicular
 vertical axis V--V and horizontal axis H--H rotated around the intersect
 P, O--O by 45 degrees, being disposed in parallel to the horizontal axis
 H--H and above the horizontal axis H--H, respectively, thus the distances
 between the intersect P, O--O and the centers 01, 02 of the
 advance-retract rods 410, 420 can be increased to square root of 2
 (approximately 1.4) times that of a case in which the two advance-retract
 rods are located on the vertical axis V--V and the horizontal axis H--H,
 given the same size of the housing 400, 401 of the power unit 4, thus
 increasing the holding force of the two advance-retract rods 410, 420.
 Also because the two advance-retract rods 410, 420 are arranged
 symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis V--V, balance between the
 right and left portions is maintained. Further since the moving portions
 of the mirror body 2 and the mirror holder 3 are held by 3-point support
 involving the pivot mechanism 63 to be described later, the reflecting
 surface of the mirror body 2 can be prevented from being dislocated by
 impact or the like.
 In the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles of this type, the
 center of mass of the tilting member constituted from the mirror body 2
 and the mirror holder 3 and other components is preferably located at the
 center P of tilting movement of the tilting member for the convenience of
 the angle adjustment. However, when the center of mass of the tilting
 member and the center P of tilting movement deviate from each other, a
 force proportional to the amount of deviation acts on the tilting member
 to cause the tilting member to tilt. This tilting movement of the tilting
 member is prevented by the main holding effect of the pivot mechanism 63
 and the subsidiary holding effect of the two advance-retract rods 410, 420
 of the power unit 4. In this embodiment, since the two advance-retract
 rods 410, 420 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical axis
 V--V, the subsidiary holding effects of the two advance-retract rods 410,
 420 on the right and left are well balanced, so that the reflecting
 surface of the mirror body 2 can be surely prevented from being
 dislocated.
 The power unit 4 has the cavity (cavity of a shaft 50 to be described
 later) that communicates with the cavity of the stay 1, as shown in FIG. 5
 through FIG. 8. The cable harness 43 connected to the two motors 41, 40 is
 led out of the housing 400, 401 of the power unit 4 in the chamber 21 that
 is defined by the mirror body 2 and the mirror holder 3, passed through
 the cavity (cavity of the shaft 50 to be described later) of the power
 unit 4 and the cavity of the stay 1 as shown in FIG. 5 through FIG. 8, and
 is electrically connected to a power source (not shown).
 Since the cable harness 43 is passed through the cavity of the power unit 4
 and the cavity of the stay 1 in the chamber 21 as described above, the
 cable harness 43 does not run outside the chamber 21 unlike such a case as
 the cable harness is drawn out of the mirror holder 3 (mirror housing) for
 connection, thus resulting in better appearance. Also because the assembly
 work is easier for passing the cable harness 43 through the cavity of the
 power unit 4 and the cavity of the stay 1 in the chamber 21 and the cable
 harness 43 is not led outside the chamber 21, sealing performance is
 improved.
 Moreover, in the case of the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for
 vehicles according to the present invention wherein the mirror body 2 and
 the mirror holder 3 that house the power unit 4 tilt with respect to the
 power unit 4 and the stay 1, since the cable harness 43 is wired in the
 chamber 21 defined by the mirror body 2 and the mirror holder 3, tilting
 motion of the mirror body 2 and the mirror holder 3 can be done smoothly.
 This effect is particularly remarkable when the cable harness 43 passes
 through the center P of tilting movement of the mirror body 2 and the
 mirror holder 3.
 The power unit 4 is attached to one end of the stay 1 to be rotatable
 around the center axis O--O on the one end of the stay 1 via the clutch
 mechanism 5 as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10. The clutch mechanism 5 has the
 shaft 50 that is fixed on the stay 1 side and a bracket 51 fixed on the
 power unit 4 side, as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 and FIG. 16.
 The shaft 50 is separated from the stay 1 as shown in FIG. 8, and comprises
 a hollow cylindrical tube that is smaller than the stay 1, with a disk 500
 being attached integrally in an intermediate portion thereof. The disk 500
 has small round recesses 501 arranged one on another on one side of the
 disk (opposite side of the stay 1) along the circumference thereof. One
 end of the shaft 50 is inserted into one end of the stay 1 and fastened
 by, for example, three screws 502 as a tightening fixture. The other end
 of the shaft 50 and the disk 500 are housed in the housing 400, 401 of the
 power unit 4, while the other end of the shaft 50 further penetrates
 through the housing 400, 401 of the power unit 4. Besides, center axis of
 the shaft 50 and the center axis O--O on the other end of the stay 1
 correspond with each other, and the cable harness 43 passes through the
 shaft 50 and the stay 1.
 The above mentioned bracket 51 has a shape of triangular plate as shown in
 FIG. 10, and has a round through hole 510 at the center thereof. The
 bracket 51 is fitted to the other end of the shaft 50 via the through hole
 510 to be rotatable about the center axis O--O (in the direction of arc
 arrow in FIG. 10) and movable in the direction of the center axis O--O (in
 the direction of straight arrow in FIG. 10), and is fastened on the
 housing 401 of the power unit 4 by means of screws 511. The bracket 51
 has, for example, three small balls (steel balls) 512 embedded at equal
 intervals on one side (surface that opposes the disk 500 of the shaft 50)
 thereof, corresponding to the group of recesses 501 of the shaft 50.
 Also as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, a bushing nut 52 is fastened on the
 other end of the shaft 50. Installed between the bushing nut 52 and the
 bracket 51 are a compressive coil spring 53 and a washer 54. Elastic force
 of the spring 53 presses the bracket 51 against the disk 500 of the shaft
 50, thereby fitting the balls 512 into the recesses 501. As a result, the
 power unit 4 is mounted on the other end of the stay 1 via the clutch
 mechanism 5 to be rotatable about the center axis O--O.
 Since the power unit 4 is mounted on the other end of the stay 1 via the
 clutch mechanism 5 to be rotatable about the center axis O--O on the other
 end of the stay 1, the mirror body 2 and the other components can be
 rotated about the center axis O--O on the other end of the stay 1 with
 respect to the stay 1 via the power unit 4 and the clutch mechanism 5,
 thereby providing such effects as increasing the scope of use. In other
 words, angle of the mirror body 2 is adjusted through remote control
 thereby changing the viewing direction, and the mirror body 2 can also be
 rotated about the center axis O--O on the other end of the stay 1.
 Consequently, the field in which objects can be viewed and perceived can
 be changed, making it possible to view over a wider range.
 Specifically, the mirror body 2, the mirror holder 3, the power unit 4 and
 the other components are rotated about the center axis O--O on the other
 end of the stay 1 with respect to the stay 1 against the elastic force of
 the spring 53. This causes the balls 512 on the bracket 51 side to get out
 of the recesses 501 on the shaft 50 side. Accordingly, the bracket 51
 slides in the direction of the center axis O--O of the stay 1 against the
 elastic force of the spring 53. When the balls 512 have got out of the
 recesses 501, the mirror body 2 and the other components rotate about the
 center axis O--O on the other end of the stay 1 with respect to the stay
 1.
 When rotation of the mirror body 2 and the other components is stopped, the
 elastic force of the spring 53 causes the bracket 51 to slide in the
 direction of the center axis O--O of the stay 1, thus making the balls 512
 fitted in the recesses 501 again, so that the power unit 4 and the stay 1
 side are held together.
 In the case of the clutch mechanism 5 of the notch type, the holding force
 is large and such an effect is provided as click feeling can be obtained
 in the operation.
 FIG. 17 is a partially cutaway view showing a clutch mechanism of friction
 type. In the drawings, same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 through
 FIG. 16 denote identical parts.
 The clutch mechanism of friction type has such a configuration as one end
 of a shaft 55 of hollow tube shape is inserted in the other end of the
 stay 1 and is fastened by screws or the like. The other end of the shaft
 55 penetrates through the housing of the power unit 4. Fastened integrally
 on the other end of the shaft 55 are two friction plates 56 (fixed to be
 incapable of rotating with respect to the shaft 55). Held by pressure
 between the two friction plates 56 is the housing of the power unit 4 to
 be rotatable about the center axis O--O of the stay 1. Assembled on the
 other end of the shaft 55 is a tightening fixture 57 such as nut so that
 the two friction plates 56 press and hold the housing of the power unit 4.
 The clutch mechanism of friction type is capable of achieving an effect
 similar to that of the clutch mechanism 5 of notch type and, in addition,
 has an effect of rotating the mirror body 2 and the other components in a
 stepless way.
 The shaft 50 on the mirror body 2 side and the stay 1 are divided as shown
 in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 and FIG. 14 and are fastened together by screws 502 as
 a tightening fixture, and therefore there is such effects as the mirror
 body 2 side (mirror holder 3, power unit 4, etc.) and the stay 1 side are
 shared, freely selected and replaced. When the mirror body 2 is broken,
 for example, only the mirror body 2 may be replaced without need to
 replace the stay 1 side. Also it is easy to manufacture products by
 forming only the stay 1 in a desired shape, thus improving the
 productivity and serviceability.
 The mirror holder 3 that holds the mirror body 2 is attached to the power
 unit 4 that is installed on the stay 1 as described above, to be capable
 of adjusting the angle by means of the pivot mechanism 63, as shown in
 FIG. 8, FIG. 10 and FIG. 14. Fastened with screw 60 on the rear inner
 surface of the mirror holder 3 is the mirror holder base 6. A spherical
 portion 61 is provided integrally at the center of the mirror holder base
 6. Provided at the center on the back of the spherical portion 61 and the
 mirror holder 3 are round through holes 62 and 33, that have inner
 diameters greater than the outer diameters of the stay 1 and the shaft 50,
 respectively. Inserted in the through hole 33 of the mirror holder 3 and
 in the through hole 62 of the mirror holder base 6 are the other end of
 the stay 1 and one end of the shaft 50, respectively.
 Provided integrally at the center of the housing 401 of the power unit 4 is
 a spherical recess 44. The spherical recess 44 of the power unit 4 has the
 spherical portion 61 of the mirror holder base 6 attached thereto, in such
 a way as the angle can be adjusted by means of a spherical convex washer
 45, a compressive coil spring 46 and a plain washer 47. The plain washer
 47 is pressed against the other end face of the stay 1 by the elastic
 force of the spring 46 that is interposed between the spherical convex
 washer 45 and the plain washer 47 thereby to receive the resisting force,
 while the spherical convex washer 45 presses the spherical portion 61 of
 the mirror holder base 6 against the spherical recess 44 of the power unit
 4. As a result, the spherical portion 61 of the mirror holder base 6 is
 pressed and held between the spherical convex washer 45 and the spherical
 recess 44 of the power unit 4 in such a way as the angle can be adjusted,
 and the mirror holder 3 is mounted on the power unit 4 to be capable of
 adjusting the angle. Further, one end of the shaft 50 is inserted through
 the through hole 440 of the spherical recess 4, the through hole 450 of
 the spherical convex washer 45, the compressive coil spring 46 and the
 through hole 470 of the plain washer 47.
 The spherical recess 44 of the power unit 4, the spherical portion 61 of
 the mirror holder base 6, the spherical convex washer 45, the spring 46
 and the plain washer 47 constitute the pivot mechanism 63. Center (centers
 of the spherical recess 44, the spherical portion 61 and the spherical
 convex washer 45) P of the pivot mechanism 63 is located near the through
 hole 33 of the mirror holder 3 through which the other end of the stay 1
 is inserted.
 By locating the center P of the pivot mechanism 63 near the through hole 33
 of the mirror holder 3 through which the other end of the stay 1 is
 inserted as described above, movement of the edge of the through hole 33
 of the mirror holder 3 decreases when the mirror body 2, the mirror holder
 3, etc. are tilted, thus making it possible to decrease the diameter of
 the through hole 33, and decrease the size of a waterproof boot 7 to be
 described later, thereby obtain the well-designed waterproof boot 7. Also
 because movement of the waterproof boot 7 can be made smaller, such
 effects are obtained as less resistance against the movement of the
 waterproof boot 7 and better operability of the power unit 4.
 The above mentioned mirror holder base 6 has two spherical recesses 64 to
 which the spherical portions of the two advance-retract rods 410, 420 of
 the power unit 4 are fitted rotatably as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19. Two
 elastic projections 65 having cylindrical configuration (round pin) and
 forked cross section are provided on each of the two oblique axes (axes
 connecting the center P of the pivot mechanism 63 and the centers of the
 two spherical recesses 64 (or spherical portions of the two
 advance-retract rods 410, 420)) S1--S1, S2--S2 of the mirror holder base
 6.
 Also provided on the two oblique axes S1--S1, S2--S2 of the housing 401 of
 the power unit 4 are four guiding recesses 403 having cylindrical concave
 shape corresponding to the four elastic guiding projections 65, as shown
 in FIG. 20.
 The elastic guiding projection 65 of the mirror holder base 6 and the
 guiding recess 403 of the power unit 4 are elastically fitted to each
 other. As the advance-retract rods 410, 420 of the power unit 4 are moved
 forward or backward by the elastic guiding projection 65 of the mirror
 holder base 6 and the guiding recess 403 of the power unit 4 which are
 elastically fitted to each other, tilting motion of the tilting member
 comprising the mirror holder base 6, the mirror body 2, etc. is guided
 (positioned).
 Since the guiding projection 65 is made in forked cross section and has
 elasticity in the direction that crosses the two oblique axes S1--S1,
 S2--S2, elastic fitting of the guiding projection 65 having the forked
 cross section and the guiding recess 403 brings the outer surface of the
 guiding projection 65 and the inner surface of the guiding recess 403 into
 contact with each other while pressing, thus preventing play of the
 guiding projection 65 from occurring in the direction that crosses the two
 oblique axes S1--S1, S2--S2, thereby making it possible to guide the
 tilting movement of the tilting members without play.
 In the drawings, reference numeral 7 denotes the waterproof boot. The
 waterproof boot 7 has a configuration of bellows having annular
 projections 72 and annular recesses 73 arranged alternately, while the
 diameter increases gradually from one end to the other in a conical
 trapezoidal shape. When the waterproof boot 7 is fastened on the stay 1
 and on the circumference 36 of the through hole 33 of the mirror holder 3,
 part of an opening 74 between adjacent annular projections 72 faces
 downward so that water does not build up on a part of the annular recess
 73 that faces upward,
 One end of the waterproof boot 7 is fastened on one end of the stay 1 on
 the fixed side thereof (may also be fastened via a fastening ring (not
 shown)) as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 14 and FIG. 21. The other end of the
 waterproof boot 7 is held and fastened (or fastened by elastic holding) by
 a plurality of engaging lips 34 on the circumference 36 of the through
 hole 33 of the mirror holder 3 on the movable side thereof, to be
 interposed between the stay 1 and the mirror holder 3, thereby providing
 waterproof therebetween.
 A through hole 70 on one end of the waterproof boot 7 has inner diameter a
 little smaller than or nearly equal to the outer diameter of the stay 1.
 Thus one end of the waterproof boot 7 is fastened on the stay 1 (may also
 be fastened via a fastening ring).
 An engagement projection 71 is provided to protrude from the inner
 circumference of the through hole on the other end of the waterproof boot
 7, integrally therewith. The engagement projection 71 is held (or fastened
 by elastic holding) between the circumference 36 of the through hole 33 of
 the mirror holder 3 and the plurality of engaging lips 34.
 The engaging lips 34 are arranged to oppose the circumference 36 of the
 through hole 33 with a clearance (clearance for inserting the engagement
 projection 71 of the waterproof boot 7 by pressure) being kept
 therebetween. Reference numeral 35 denotes a through hole for releasing a
 die to form the engaging lips 34.
 Since a part of the opening 74 between the adjacent annular projections 72
 faces downward so that water does not build up on a part of the annular
 recess 73 facing upward when both ends of the waterproof boot 7 are
 fastened on the stay 1 and on the circumference 36 of the through hole 33
 of the mirror holder 3, water or rain falling on the waterproof boot 7 is
 discharged through the opening 74 that faces downward between the annular
 projections 73 to the outside, and therefore does not build up on the part
 of the annular recess 73 facing upward. Since water can be surely
 prevented from building up on the waterproof boot 7 as described above,
 such problems caused by water buildup on the waterproof boot 7 can be
 prevented as the water staying on the waterproof boot 7 freezes and
 hinders smooth tilting motion of the tilting member comprising the mirror
 body 2 and the mirror holder 3, or operation of the power unit 4 is
 affected in the case of the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for
 vehicles of the invention where the tilting member is tilted by the power
 unit 4.
 As shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, the mirror holder base 6 has two
 cylindrical portions 642, 642 each of which has two spherical recesses 64,
 64 provided thereon. Fitted rotatably to the two spherical recesses 64, 64
 are the spherical portions 416, 426 of the two advance-retract rods 410,
 420 of the power unit 4 via a separate piece 8 to be described later. The
 two spherical recesses 64, 64 are formed by undercut and have slits 641
 provided in the radial direction, with two engaging steps 640, 640
 provided on the edge of the slit 641.
 In FIG. 23 through FIG. 25, reference numeral 8 denotes a separate piece
 that makes it easy to press the spherical portions 416, 426 of the two
 advance-retract rods 410, 420 into the spherical recesses 64, 64 and makes
 it difficult for the spherical portions 416, 426 of the two
 advance-retract rods 410, 420 to come off the spherical recesses 64, 64.
 The separate piece 8 is made of, for example, an elastic material such as
 a synthetic resin and is formed in a substantially ring shape, comprising
 two elastic engagement hooks 80, 80 that make elastic engagement with the
 two engaging steps 640, 640 of the mirror holder base 6 and a ring-shaped
 retainer portion 81 that prevents the spherical recesses 64, 64
 (cylindrical portions 642, 642) to which the spherical portions 416, 426
 of the two advance-retract rods 410, 420 are fitted from expanding
 outward.
 The spherical portions 416, 426 of the two advance-retract rods 410, 420
 are pressed to fit into the spherical recesses 64, 64, the elastic
 engagement hooks 80, 80 of the separate piece 8 are put into elastic
 engagement with the two engaging steps 640, 640 of the mirror holder base
 6, and the retainer portion 81 of the separate piece 8 is pressed into the
 cylindrical portion 642 of the mirror holder base 6. Thus the separate
 piece 8 makes it easy to press the spherical portions 416, 426 of the two
 advance-retract rods 410, 420 into the spherical recesses 64, 64 and makes
 it difficult for the spherical portions 416, 426 of the two
 advance-retract rods 410, 420 to come off the spherical recesses 64, 64.
 Since the mirror holder base 6 (mirror holder 3) is provided with the
 separate piece 8 that makes it easy to press the spherical portions 416,
 426 of the two advance-retract rods 410, 420 into the spherical recesses
 64, 64 and makes it difficult for the spherical portions 416, 426 of the
 two advance-retract rods 410, 420 to come off the spherical recesses 64,
 64 as described above, such a configuration is made by means of the
 separate piece 8 that makes it easy to press the spherical portions 416,
 426 of the two advance-retract rods 410, 420 into the spherical recesses
 64, 64 and makes it difficult for the spherical portions 416, 426 of the
 two advance-retract rods 410, 420 to come off the spherical recesses 64,
 64. As a result, since the force required for the spherical portions 416,
 426 of the two advance-retract rods 410, 420 to come off the spherical
 recesses 64, 64 can be made greater, retaining force of the
 advance-retract rods 410, 420, namely the retaining force of the tilting
 member (mirror surface) comprising the mirror body 2, the mirror holder 3
 and the mirror holder base 6 is increased thereby improving the
 performance of the power unit 4.
 The remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles according to this
 embodiment of the present invention having the configuration described
 above operates as described below.
 When the first motor 41 of the power unit 4 is actuated, drive force of the
 first motor 41 is transmitted via the drive force transmission mechanisms
 411, 412, 413 to the first advance-retract rod 410 to cause the first
 advance-retract rod 410 to advance or retract. Accordingly, the mirror
 body 2 tilts about the first oblique axis S1--S1 (axis connecting the
 center P of the pivot mechanism 63 and the center of the spherical portion
 of the second advance-retract rod 420) via the mirror holder 3 and the
 mirror holder base 6. When the second motor 42 of the power unit 4 is
 actuated, drive force of the second motor 42 is transmitted via the drive
 force transmission mechanisms 421, 422, 423 to the second advance-retract
 rod 420 to cause the second advance-retract rod 420 to advance or retract,
 so that the mirror body 2 tilts about the second oblique axis S2--S2 (axis
 connecting the center P of the pivot mechanism 63 and the center of the
 spherical portion of the first advance-retract rod 410) via the mirror
 holder base 6 and the mirror holder 3.
 As the angle of the mirror body 2 is adjusted, viewing direction can be
 changed to the left and right or back and forth, thus making it possible
 to widen the field of view in the area downward at the back of a vehicle C
 such as one-box car or recreational vehicle as shown in FIG. 2 through
 FIG. 4.
 As described above, the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles
 according to this embodiment of the present invention tilts the mirror
 body 2 with respect to the power unit 4 and the stay 1 together with the
 mirror holder 3 having the configuration of housing and the mirror holder
 base 6, by actuating the power unit 4. Thus in the remote-controlled
 mirror apparatus for vehicles according to this embodiment of the present
 invention, the mirror housing 102, that contains the power unit 103, of
 the prior art located on the fixed side together with the power unit 103
 and the stay 100, is eliminated and, instead, the mirror holder 3 having a
 configuration of housing that contains the power unit 4 is installed
 together with the mirror body 2 on the tilting side. As a consequence,
 when the mirror body 2 is tilted with respect to the power unit 4 and the
 stay 1, the mirror holder 3 is also tilted along with the mirror body 2
 with respect to the power unit 4 and the stay 1, and therefore such a
 problem does not occur as the edge of the mirror body 101 comes inside the
 opening edge of the mirror housing 102 on the fixed side as in the case of
 the prior art. As a result, it is made possible to secure a wide field of
 view without the possibility of causing an obstacle to the field of view
 when adjusting the angle of the mirror body 2.
 Also in this embodiment, periphery of the mirror body 2 is fixed on the
 front opening 30 of the mirror holder 3, with the waterproof boot 7 being
 interposed between the stay 1 and the mirror holder 3, while the chamber
 21 defined by the mirror body 2 and the mirror holder 3 is closed almost
 airtight and the power unit 4 is housed in the closed chamber 21.
 Consequently, noise of the power unit 4 is reduced, and waterproof
 performance and dust-proof performance for the power unit 4 are improved.
 While the embodiment described above is a rear under mirror for automobile
 used in the vehicle C such as one-box car or recreational vehicle, the
 remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles of the present invention
 can be applied to vehicles other than one-box car and recreational
 vehicle, and to mirror apparatuses other than the rear under mirror.