Patent Publication Number: US-2023136998-A1

Title: Adjusting instrument for an exterior vision unit of a motor vehicle

Description:
The invention relates to an adjusting instrument for an exterior vision unit of a motor vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to a mounting construction for mounting an adjusting instrument on a supporting frame of an exterior vision unit, such as an exterior mirror, camera and/or display of a motor vehicle. 
     An exterior vision unit of a motor vehicle usually comprises a base and a supporting frame, with the base comprising a foot for mounting on an outer part of the body of the motor vehicle, and a base shaft extending from the base for receiving the supporting frame pivotably around the base shaft. The supporting frame is usually pivotable about the base shaft between a park position, in which the supporting frame extends substantially along the vehicle, and a folded-out drive position, in which the supporting frame extends substantially transversely to the vehicle. Typically, the supporting frame is connected with the base shaft via an actuator, so that the pivoting movement whereby the supporting frame is folded in and folded out can be performed in a driven manner. Such an actuator is usually referred to with the term power fold actuator. 
     The supporting frame carries an adjusting instrument, which in turn carries an exterior vision element, for example a mirror glass included in/on a mirror support plate, a camera, a lidar sensor or an exterior vision element of a different kind. The adjusting instrument is often referred to with the term glass adjuster. 
     The adjusting instrument is intended to adjust the exterior vision element relative to the supporting frame, so that when the exterior vision unit is in the drive position, the angle at which a driver can view via the exterior vision element can be set. This often involves adjusting an exterior mirror about an upright and lying axis, so that the field of vision over which the driver can look rearwards can be set. 
     The adjusting instrument usually comprises a housing which may be built from several plastic housing parts which are pivotably connected with each other, viz., a fixing element for coupling with the supporting frame, and an adjusting element for coupling with the exterior vision element. Typically, the output part is connected with the fixing element via one or more actuators, so that the adjusting movement of the output part which carries the exterior vision element can be performed in a driven manner. In practice, such an actuator is then often referred to as a mirror glass actuator. 
     The housing and the supporting frame are usually mounted against each other and connected with each other through a screwed connection. This screwed connection has as a disadvantage that as a result of creep and relaxation of the plastic material of the housing, the housing cannot be fixed with respect to the supporting frame in a manner sufficiently free from play. In practice, this has as a consequence that in the course of time play may develop between the housing and the supporting frame, resulting in unwanted vibrations in the exterior vision element, for example vibrations of a mirror glass during driving. 
     In an already known adjusting instrument of an exterior vision unit a metal leaf spring is applied for connecting the housing and the supporting frame under a bias. A separate metal sleeve is provided which by a first end face thereof is supported on the leaf spring, and whereby a screw can be fitted, through the sleeve and the leaf spring, into the supporting frame so as, by supporting the head of the screw on a second end face of the metal sleeve, to connect the housing and the supporting frame with each other. The metal sleeve serves as spacer between the metal leaf spring and a screwhead of the screw, so that the screwhead is easy to reach for mounting and demounting of the adjusting instrument. A pretensioned metal leaf spring proves sufficiently suitable for compensating the occurring plastic’s relaxation in the parts of the adjusting instrument, but has as a disadvantage that, in view of mass production, it has a cost-increasing effect and is a relatively heavy component compared to the other parts of the adjusting instrument. Moreover, a leaf spring builds up a relatively large spring force, with a relatively small extent of bending, so that the spring travel remains limited. 
     The invention accordingly contemplates the provision of an adjusting instrument for an exterior vision unit of a motor vehicle, specifically a mounting construction for mounting an adjusting instrument on a supporting frame of an exterior vision unit, whereby, while preserving above-mentioned advantages, above-mentioned disadvantages can be avoided. In particular, the invention contemplates the provision of a cost-effective and simple-to-construct alternative for a mounting construction for an adjusting instrument of an exterior vision unit of a motor vehicle. 
     To this end, the invention provides an adjusting instrument for an exterior vision unit of a motor vehicle, comprising a housing with a fixing element for coupling with a supporting frame of the exterior vision unit and an adjusting element which is pivotably connected with the housing for adjusting an exterior vision element, wherein a mounting construction is provided for the purpose of mounting the housing to the supporting frame, comprising an engagement body movable relative to the housing, for the engaging thereof by a fastening element, in particular a screw, for connecting the engagement body with the supporting frame, wherein the engagement body can move along with the fastening element in at least a mounting direction; and a wire spring which by way of two parts thereof spaced apart by an intermediate distance is supported on a housing part. The engagement body engages the wire spring in a portion of the wire spring that is located between the two spaced apart parts, to realize in a mounted condition an elastic deformation of the wire spring. 
     A wire spring has a comparatively low force buildup, with a large spring travel. Moreover, the wire spring can be mass produced in a simple and cost-effective manner, and it can be given a desired shape to optimize a spring characteristic of the wire spring. The wire spring, upon mounting of the housing of the adjusting instrument and the supporting frame, can be brought in a pretensioned condition whereby the wire spring in mounted condition exerts a clamping force between the housing and the supporting frame. As a result, the housing and the supporting frame are effectively pressed against each other for a proper and durable fixation, despite any relaxation in the plastic parts of the housing and/or the supporting frame. The pretensioned wire spring thus compensates creep, plastic deformation and/or relaxation in the material of the adjusting instrument, as a result of which the plastic parts remain fixed against each other in the long term. In mounting, the engagement body is carried along in the mounting direction by the fastening element, whereby a distance between the engagement body and the supporting frame is, for instance, reduced. This displacement of the engagement body is transmitted to the wire spring, in particular to a portion located between the two spaced-apart parts, as a result of which the wire spring bends. The fastening element can engage the engagement body, for instance, in a first engagement point and the supporting frame in a second engagement point. In mounted condition, a mutual distance between the first and second engagement point is, for instance, reduced with regard to an unmounted condition. It could also be possible to enlarge the mutual distance between the first and second engagement point. The wire spring is preferably configured to deform elastically upon mounting so that other parts of the housing, in particular the fixing element and the adjusting element, can be mounted to each other in undeformed condition. As a result, the fixing element and the adjusting element preserve their shape, and mutual conjunction between various components and mechanisms that may be accommodated in the housing is influenced as little as possible. The wire spring may be provided in a central portion of the housing for a uniform distribution of the pretensioning force over the housing. The fastening element preferably comprises a screw, but may also comprise other fastening means known to the skilled person, such as a glue, click or snap members, clamping means. It will further be clear that bolts, pins or otherwise rod-shaped connecting means can also be understood as a screw. The screw comprises, for example, a main shaft which, in mounted condition, extends in the mounting direction, with the screw engaging both the engagement body and the supporting frame. 
     For achieving an operationally reliable coupling between the engagement body and the wire spring, the engagement body can comprise a coupling element for coupling of the engagement body with the wire spring. The coupling element may be formed, for example, by a body part proceeding from the engagement body, which extends, substantially, in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the engagement body. The coupling element may be, for example, of hook-shaped design. Also, the coupling element may be formed by a recess in an abutment side of the engagement body which abuts against the wire spring, whereby the wire spring can be received in the recess. The abutment side is, for example, an underside of the engagement body, with a downwardly directed movement of the engagement body then pushing the wire spring in downward direction and deforming it. The coupling element may be provided at a peripheral portion of the engagement body, to allow room for feeding through a screw through a central feed-through opening of the engagement body. 
     The housing may be mounted directly against the supporting frame, but equally so with interposition of another part. The housing may for instance comprise one or more supporting surfaces, for being supported on the supporting frame. 
     Optionally, the wire spring is made of spring steel. This makes the wire spring sufficiently resistant to relaxation, enabling it to exert a pretensioning force on the construction for a long time. Spring steel is normally a low-alloyed steel with nickel and a relatively high carbon content, for example 0.80-0.95% carbon, due to which, compared with other types of steel, it has a high resistance to permanent deformation. Moreover, spring steel is relatively inexpensive and simple to process to give the wire spring a desired shape. 
     The wire spring can extend between the two ends substantially rectilinearly. The wire spring can extend between the two ends, for example, substantially at right angles to the mounting direction. This means the wire spring, in mounted condition, extends substantially parallel to the supporting frame, so that a particularly compact construction is obtained. The dimensions of the wire spring can be adapted in a simple manner, for example a length dimension and a thickness dimension, for realizing a desired stiffness characteristic and pretensioning characteristic of the wire spring. The wire spring may then extend between the two ends along a curved path. The wire spring may, between the two ends, be imparted a desired shape, for optimizing a spring characteristic of the wire spring. 
     The engagement body may be coupled with the wire spring in a central portion of the wire spring between the two ends for a proportional force transmission on the housing. Moreover, the engagement body may be provided in a central portion of the housing. 
     Optionally, the housing comprises a central opening in which the engagement instrument is movably, for example translatably, received. 
     To simplify mounting, partly in view of mass production, the engagement body can comprise a feed-through opening for receiving a screw therethrough. The screw may further have an engagement point on the supporting frame to effect a connection between the housing and the supporting frame. 
     The engagement body may further comprise a supporting surface for supporting a screwhead of the screw. In this way, in a simple manner, a screwed connection can be effected which engages the engagement body and the supporting frame. The supporting surface may be placed at a distance from the wire spring so that the screwhead is located slightly raised, i.e. at any rate not recessed too deeply into the housing, so that the screwhead can easily be reached by, for example, a screwdriver during mounting and demounting. 
     The engagement body can comprise a cylindrical body part through which in axial direction the feed-through opening is provided for receiving a screw therethrough. The cylindrical body part is, for example, a tube-shaped body, such a bush or sleeve. The supporting surface for supporting the screwhead may be provided, for example, at a top of the cylindrical body part, and a coupling element for coupling the engagement body to the wire spring at a bottom of the cylindrical body part. 
     Optionally, the engagement body comprises a coupling element proceeding from the cylindrical body part, for coupling with the wire spring. The coupling element may be formed, for instance, by a body part proceeding from a shell of the engagement body, and which extends, substantially, in a direction transverse to a direction of movement of the engagement body. The coupling element may be, for example, of hook-shaped design, for engaging the wire spring and thereby effecting a coupling of the engagement body and the wire spring. Also, the coupling element may be formed by a recess or groove in an end face of the cylindrical body part of the engagement body. The coupling element may be provided on a peripheral portion of the engagement body, for example laterally of the cylindrical body part, to offer room to a screw that reaches through an axial feed-through opening of the engagement body. 
     The engagement body may be integrally formed with the housing, for a further simplification of the manufacture of the adjusting instrument. In particular, the housing and the engagement body may be made of a plastic. Creep and/or relaxation in the plastic engagement body can also be compensated by the relatively large travel that can be realized with the wire spring. 
     The engagement body may further be provided movably, for example translatably, within the housing, with at least one deformable connecting arm extending between the engagement body and some other part of the housing. For example, two connecting arms may be provided, such as two parallel connecting arms. The at least one connecting arm positions the engagement body at a desired location, for instance so that the feed-through opening of the engagement body is aligned with a screw opening in the supporting frame. The at least one connecting arm may be of flexible design, so that the at least one connecting arm allows a movement of the engagement body. In mounted condition, the at least one connecting arm can exert a pretensioning force on the engagement body in a same direction as the wire spring. The wire spring and the at least one connecting arm can extend in respective parallel planes, with the at least one connecting arm proceeding laterally from the engagement body. To spread pretensioning forces in the housing to some extent, the at least one connecting arm can extend at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the wire spring to lead the pretensioning force of the at least one connecting arm to another portion of the housing. 
     The coupling element may be formed by a part of the at least one connecting arm, for example, by a recess or groove in a portion of the at least one connecting arm near the engagement body. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the engagement body may be formed separately from the housing. The engagement body may then, for instance, be provided movably, in particular translatably, within a guide cavity of the housing for guiding the engagement body. Optionally, the engagement body comprises a cylindrically shaped body part, for example of metal or plastic, through which in axial direction a feed-through opening is provided for receiving a screw therethrough. The engagement body may comprise a coupling element proceeding from the shell of the cylindrical body part, for engaging the wire spring, while the coupling element is formed by a folded-out portion of the shell. The wire spring can be received in the space that is formed between the folded-out portion and a non-folded-out portion of the shell. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an exterior vision unit for a vehicle, comprising a base and a supporting frame, wherein the base comprises a foot for mounting on an outer part of the body of the vehicle, and a base shaft extending from the base for receiving the supporting frame pivotably around the base shaft, and wherein the supporting frame is pivotable around the base shaft between a park position, in which the supporting frame extends substantially along the vehicle, and a folded-out drive position, in which the supporting frame extends substantially transversely to the vehicle, and wherein the supporting frame is coupled with an adjusting instrument as described in the foregoing. 
     As regards the disclosure in this application, it is noted that the technical features of the adjusting instrument described in the independent claim can also be regarded as an invention independently or in combination with only one or more technical features from the main claim, the dependent claims or the description. 
    
    
     
       The invention will be further explained on the basis of an exemplary embodiment of an adjusting instrument which is shown in drawings. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    shows an exploded perspective view of an adjusting instrument; 
         FIG.  2    shows an exploded perspective view of a part of an adjusting instrument; 
         FIG.  3    shows a perspective view of a cross section of an adjusting instrument; 
         FIG.  4    shows a perspective view of a cross section a part of an adjusting instrument; 
         FIG.  5    shows a perspective view of a cross section of an adjusting instrument; 
         FIGS.  6 A,  6 B  show a perspective top view of a fixing case of the adjusting instrument; 
         FIGS.  7 A,  7 B,  7 C  show a perspective detailed view, front view, and cross section, of an engagement body. 
     
    
    
     In the figures, like or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. It is noted that the figures are merely shown by way of exemplary embodiment and should not in any way be regarded as limiting. 
       FIG.  1    shows an exploded perspective view of an adjusting instrument  1  for an exterior vision unit of a motor vehicle. The adjusting instrument  1  comprises a housing  5  having a fixing element  5 A for coupling with the support frame  3 , and an adjusting element  5 B. The adjusting element  5 B is configured to support an exterior vision element, such as a mirror, while the adjusting element  5 B is pivotably connected with the fixing element  5 A, to maneuver the exterior vision element into a desired orientation with respect to, for example, a driver of the motor vehicle. 
     In the housing  5 , more specifically in the fixing element  5 A, drive means are provided such as a first electric motor  9 A and a second electric motor  9 B for pivoting the adjusting element  5 B relative to the fixing element  5 A about an upright and lying axis, respectively, as well as a driveline  10  including one or more gear transmissions which connect the output shafts of the electric motors with the adjusting element  5 B. 
     The fixing element  5 A of the housing  5  is formed by a bottom plate  101 , a fixing case  102 , and a cover plate  103 . The bottom plate  101 , the fixing case  102 , and the cover plate  103  are each made of plastic. The adjusting element  5 B is formed by two plastic bodies  201 ,  202 , which are movable relative to each other, and relative to the fixing element  5 A. 
     Provided integrally with the fixing case  102  of the fixing element  5 A of the housing  5  is an engagement body  11  for engaging a screw  13 . The engagement body  11  and the fixing case  102  may for instance be integrally injection molded. It will also be clear that bolts, pins or otherwise rod-shaped fastening means or jointing media may be understood as a screw. 
     Further, a wire spring  7  is provided which is here provided between the bottom plate  101  and the fixing case  102 , and which extends linearly between two opposite free ends  15 A,  15 B. 
       FIG.  2    shows an exploded perspective bottom view of a part of an adjusting instrument  1 , depicting the fixing case  102  and the cover plate  103  of the fixing element  5 A of the housing  5 . The fixing case  102  comprises a feed-through opening  17  for receiving the screw  13  therethrough. In particular, the feed-through opening  17  is provided throughout the engagement body  11 . The engagement body  11  is centrally positioned in the fixing case  102  of the housing  5  and is connected via a connecting arm  21  with a peripheral part of the fixing case  102 . Here, a single connecting arm is shown, but also a plurality of connecting arms may be provided, for example two connecting arms, such as two parallel connecting arms. The connecting arm  21  comprises a dedicated deformation zone  22  which is configured to deform so as to facilitate a translation of the engagement body  11  relative to the rest of the housing  5 . 
     The wire spring  7  may, in use, by way of its free ends  15 A,  15 B be supported on the housing  5 , on respective supporting surfaces  51 A,  51 B of the fixing case  102  of the fixing element  5 A of the housing  5 . Here the supporting surfaces  51 A,  51 B are formed by a recess in het fixing case  102 . The fixing case  102  further comprises coupling means, here snap means  19 , which cooperate with complementary snap means  20  of the cover plate  103  for coupling the fixing case  102  and the cover plate  103 . The cover plate  103  also comprises a feed-through opening  23  for receiving the screw  13   therethrough, with the feed-through opening  23  of the cover plate  103  and the feed-through opening  17  of the engagement body being aligned. 
       FIG.  3    shows a perspective view of a cross section of an adjusting instrument  1 .  FIG.  4    shows a view corresponding to that of  FIG.  3    but with the adjusting element  5 B of the adjusting instrument  1  and the screw  13  omitted.  FIG.  5    shows a perspective view of another cross section of a part of the adjusting instrument  1 .  FIG.  6 A  and  FIG.  6 B  show a perspective top view of the fixing case  102 , with the position of the wire spring  7  in the fixing case  102  represented in  FIG.  6 B . 
     The wire spring  7  is supported by its opposite free ends  15 A,  15 B on the supporting surfaces  51 A,  51 B of the fixing case  102  of the housing  5 . Further, the engagement body  11  is coupled with the wire spring  7  in a central portion of the wire spring  7  between the two ends  15 A,  15 B. The engagement body  11  comprises a coupling element  16  for coupling with the wire spring  7 . The coupling piece may comprise, for example, a hook-shaped element which engages the wire spring so as to effect the coupling of the engagement body  11  and the wire spring  7 . As can be seen in  FIG.  3   , the engagement body  11  is supported on the wire spring  7 , so that the engagement body  11  upon tightening of the screw  13  is pressed downwards, thereby deforming the wire spring  7 . By deformation of the wire spring  7 , a pretensioning force (bias) is imposed, where the pretensioning force is directed substantially in the longitudinal direction of the screw  13 , perpendicular to the plane in which the wire spring  7  extends. 
     The screw  13  engages the engagement body  11 , with the screwhead  14  of the screw  13  at a top of the engagement body  11 . The cover plate  103  is here coupled with the fixing case  102  only via the snap means  19 ,  20 , but it will be clear that the screw  13  can also engage the cover plate  103 . The screw  13  can for instance engage the engagement body  11  via the cover plate  103 , with the screwhead  14  abutting against the cover plate  103 . The screw  13  also has a point of engagement  29  on the supporting frame  3 , for instance via the screw thread of the screw  13 . 
     The engagement body  11  comprises a cylindrically shaped body part  12 , where in axial direction a feed-through opening is provided for feeding-through the screw  13 . In the supporting frame  3 , in this case, an opening is provided in which the screw  13  can be received, and in which the screw  13  can engage the supporting frame  3 . By turning of the screw  13  a distance between the engagement body  11  with the central portion of the wire spring  7  coupled thereto and the supporting frame  3  can be reduced as a result of which a deformation of the wire spring  7  occurs. Due to the ends  15 A,  15 B of the wire spring  7  being supported on the housing  5 , in this manner a pretensioning force is exerted that clamps the housing  5  and the supporting frame  3  against each other. The engagement body  11  is coupled with the wire spring  7  in a centrally located portion of the wire spring  7 , which provides for a uniform force distribution of pretensioning forces. 
     The cylindrical body part  12  of the engagement body  11  is elongated in axial direction, such that the screwhead  14  of the screw  13  comes to lie somewhat raised in the housing  5 , so that it can be simply reached, for example with a screwdriver, during mounting and demounting of the adjusting instrument  1 . 
     The housing parts  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  201 ,  202  have been separately manufactured here, and may be assembled to the supporting frame  3  prior to mounting of the adjusting instrument  1 . Here, the bottom plate  101 , the fixing case  102  and the cover plate  103  of the fixing element  5 A have for instance been coupled to each other through snap connections. 
     The wire spring  7  may be manufactured of a steel wire, e.g. spring steel wire, wound on a roll, whereby an end of the steel wire can be simply unwound from the roll and cut off to a desired length. Prior to or after cutting off, the end to be cut off or the cut-off end, respectively, may be bent into a desired shape, for example rectilinear, as shown in the figures. In assembling the fixing element  5 A of the housing  5 , the wire spring  7  is provided in the fixing case  102 , such that the ends  15 A,  15 B are supported on the respective supporting surfaces  51 A,  51 B of the fixing case  102 . Then, the fixing case  102  may for instance be coupled with the cover plate  103 , and with the bottom plate  101 , for example through snap means  19 . The fixing element  5 A and the adjusting element  5 B may also be coupled with each other prior to mounting of the adjusting instrument  1 . 
     The adjusting instrument  1  is here mounted on the supporting frame by means of a screw  13  here, with the housing  5  comprising a central feed-through opening for receiving therethrough the screw  13 . In mounting, the adjusting instrument  1  is arranged on the supporting frame  3 , with the engagement point  29  on the supporting frame  3  being aligned with the feed-through opening  17  of the engagement body  11 . The engagement point  29  on the supporting frame is here formed by an opening in the supporting frame  3 , in which the screw thread of the screw  13  can run true to thereby engage the supporting frame. Upon tightening of the screw  13 , the screw is driven further into the opening of the supporting frame  3 . This provides the advantage that the adjusting instrument  1  may be mounted on the supporting frame from above alone, that is, without the adjusting instrument  1  needing to be approached from below. To facilitate alignment of the housing  5  and the supporting frame  3 , the engagement point  29  on the supporting frame  3  is here at least partly formed by a tube-shaped body which proceeds from the supporting frame  3  and which can be received in a recess in the housing  5 . 
     The housing  5  of the adjusting instrument  1  is mounted against the supporting frame  3  by means of the screw  13 , with the screw being led through the feed-through opening  17  of the engagement body  11 , and engaging the supporting frame  3  in the engagement point  29 . The tightening of the screw  13  ensures that the screw  13  is driven in the mounting direction, with the mounting direction being directed in the longitudinal direction of the screw  13 . As a result, the screwhead  14  of the screw  13  comes to lie against a side of the engagement body  11 , whereby the screwhead  14  moves the engagement body  11  along in the mounting direction upon the further tightening of the screw  13 . A central portion of the wire spring  7 , located between the ends  15 A,  15 B, is engaged by the engagement body  11 , such that the tightening of the screw  13 , via the engagement body  11  moving along, brings about a displacement of the central portion of the wire spring  7  in the mounting direction. Because the wire spring  7  at its free ends  15 A,  15 B continues to be supported on a stationary part of the housing, the wire spring deforms elastically under the influence of the tightening of the screw  13 . The resistance to this deformation of the wire spring  7  results in a pretension buildup in the mounting construction, which causes adjusting instrument  1  to be clamped against the supporting frame  3 . The pretension (bias) also provides for compensation of occurring creep and relaxations in the synthetic-plastic material of the housing  5 , as a result of which the adjusting instrument  1  durably remains mounted, free of vibrations, against the supporting frame  3 . The extent of elastic deformation of the wire spring  7 , i.e. the travel of the wire spring  7 , can be set by tightening the screw further or less far. 
       FIGS.  7 A,  7 B, and  7 C  show a detailed view of an engagement body  11  which is manufactured separately from the rest of the housing  5 . The engagement body  11  is implemented in metal here, but it may also be manufactured, for example, from a plastic. The engagement body  11  comprises a discrete rotation-symmetrical body part, here implemented as a cylindrical body part  12  through which in axial direction a feed-through opening  17  is provided for receiving therethrough a screw  13 , while from the cylindrical body part  12  a lateral projection  25  proceeds, which extends in the axial direction along the outer surface of the cylindrical body part  12 . The projection  25  tracks in a guide slot of the housing so that rotation of the engagement body  11  is hindered, while the engagement body  11  can freely translate relative to the housing  5 . The engagement body  11  is coupled with the wire spring  7  by means of a coupling element  16  which is formed by a folded-out portion of a shell of the cylindrically shaped metal body part  12 . The coupling element  16  is provided under the lateral projection  25 . 
     The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments represented here. Many variations will be clear to a person skilled in the art and are understood to be within the scope of the invention as represented in the appended claims.