Patent Publication Number: US-2019193636-A1

Title: Vehicle visual recognition device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle visual recognition device in which a visual recognition means facilitate visual recognition by an occupant of a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In a door mirror described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. H11-180216, a base member is fixed to a vehicle body, a mirror housing is supported by the base member, and the mirror housing is capable of rotating with respect to the base member. A wind noise prevention member is provided between the base member and the mirror housing. A ring shaped wall portion of the wind noise prevention member seals between the base member and the mirror housing. 
     However, in this door mirror, there is a possibility that resistance to the rotation of the mirror housing might be increased by the ring shaped wall portion. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle visual recognition device capable of reducing resistance to the rotation of a main body. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A vehicle visual recognition device of a first aspect of the present invention includes a support section that is provided at a vehicle exterior section, a main body that is supported by the support section, and that is provided with a visual recognition means to facilitate visual recognition by an occupant, a seal member that is provided between the support section and the main body, and a seal section that is provided at the seal member, that is elastically deformable, that seals between the support section and the main body, and that is provided with a hollow portion. 
     In the vehicle visual recognition device of the first aspect, the main body is rotatably supported by the support section, and the main body is provided with the visual recognition means. The seal member is provided between the support section and the main body, and the seal section of the seal member seals between the support section and the main body. 
     Note that the seal section is provided with the hollow portion. This enables the seal section to undergo elastic deformation readily, enabling resistance to the rotation of the main body to be reduced. 
     A vehicle visual recognition device of a second aspect is the first aspect, further including a restriction section configured to restrict movement of the seal section in the radial direction relative to a direction of rotation of the main body. 
     The vehicle visual recognition device of the second aspect is provided with the restriction section, and the restriction section restricts movement of the seal section in the radial direction. This enables misalignment of the seal section in the radial direction to be suppressed. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     The vehicle visual recognition device of the first aspect has an advantageous effect of enabling resistance to the rotation of the main body to be reduced. 
     The vehicle visual recognition device of the second aspect has an advantageous effect of enabling misalignment of the seal section in the radial direction to be suppressed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating a door mirror device according to a first exemplary embodiment, as viewed from above. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section illustrating a door mirror device as viewed from a vehicle width direction inside. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged cross-section illustrating relevant portions of the door mirror device illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view illustrating relevant portions of a stay. 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-section of a seal member, taken along line  4 B- 4 B in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-section corresponding to  FIG. 3 , illustrating relevant portions of a door mirror device according to a second exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Detailed explanation follows regarding exemplary embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating a door mirror device  10 , serving as a vehicle visual recognition device according to a first exemplary embodiment, as viewed from above.  FIG. 2  is a cross-section illustrating the door mirror device  10  as viewed from a vehicle width direction inside. Note that in each of the drawings, the arrow FR indicates the vehicle front, the arrow OUT indicates the vehicle width direction outside (vehicle right), and the arrow UP indicates upward. 
     The door mirror device  10  is provided to an exterior section at an up-down direction intermediate section of a vehicle front side end of a vehicle front door (not illustrated in the drawings). As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a stay  12 , serving as a support section, is provided at the door mirror device  10 . A base  14 , serving as a support member, is provided to the stay  12 . The vehicle width direction inside of the base  14  is attached to and supported by the vehicle front door. A substantially circular cylinder shaped stand housing section  16  is provided at a vehicle width direction outside end portion of the base  14 . A recessed portion  18  that opens upward is formed in the stand housing section  16 . 
     A substantially circular cylinder shaped stand  20  is supported by the stand housing section  16 . A substantially circular cylinder shaped stand-side base portion  22  is provided at a lower portion of the stand  20 . A substantially circular cylinder shaped support shaft  24  projects upward from a central portion of the stand-side base portion  22 . The stand-side base portion  22  is housed in the recessed portion  18  of the stand housing section  16  inside a through-hole  28 A of an upper base cover  28 , described below, and is fixed to the stand housing section  16  (base  14 ). The axial center of the support shaft  24  is parallel to the up-down direction. 
     A base cover  26 , serving as a first covering member, is provided to the stay  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the base cover  26  includes the upper base cover  28  and a lower base cover  30 , each of which has a curved plate shaped profile. The upper base cover  28  is formed in a recessed shape that opens downward, and is fixed to the base  14  so as to cover the base  14  from above. The lower base cover  30  is formed in a recessed shape that opens upward, and is attached to the lower side of the upper base cover  28 . The base  14  of the stay  12  is thereby covered by the base cover  26 . 
     The through-hole  28 A is formed so as to penetrate the upper base cover  28  in the up-down direction. An upper end portion of the stand housing section  16  and the stand-side base portion  22  are disposed in a state inserted inside the through-hole  28 A. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a mirror main body  32 , serving as a main body, is provided to the door mirror device  10 . A stowing unit  34  is provided to the mirror main body  32 , and a case  36 , configured as a substantially tube shaped box body, is provided to the stowing unit  34 . 
     A bottom portion of the case  36  configures a case-side base portion  38 . A support hole  40  is formed so as to penetrate the case-side base portion  38  in the up-down direction. The case-side base portion  38  opposes the stand-side base portion  22 , and the support shaft  24  of the stand  20  is inserted through the support hole  40 . The case  36  is thereby supported by the base  14  through the stand  20 , and is capable of rotating with respect to the base  14  about a rotation center Rc at the axial center of the support shaft  24 . A drive mechanism (not illustrated in the drawings) is provided to the case  36 . When the drive mechanism is driven, the case  36  rotates with respect to the base  14  about the rotation center Rc at the support shaft  24  of the stand  20 . 
     A visor  42 , serving as a second covering member, is provided to the mirror main body  32 . The visor  42  includes a visor body  44  and a visor cover  46 . The visor body  44  is disposed at the vehicle rear side of the stowing unit  34 , and the visor cover  46  is disposed at the vehicle front side of the visor body  44 . 
     A substantially flat plate shaped bottom wall  48  is provided at a vehicle width direction inside lower end portion of the visor body  44 . The bottom wall  48  opposes a substantially planar upper face at the vehicle width direction outside of the stay  12 . A through-hole  48 A is formed penetrating the bottom wall  48  in the up-down direction. The stand-side base portion  22  of the stand  20  is disposed in a state inserted through the through-hole  48 A. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the case  36  is fixed to a vehicle width direction inside portion of the visor body  44  at the vehicle front side, such that the visor body  44  is supported by the case  36 . The visor cover  46  has a curved plate shaped profile that forms a recessed profile opening toward the vehicle rear (visor body  44 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the visor cover  46  is assembled to the vehicle front side of the visor body  44  of the visor  42 . The stowing unit  34  is thereby housed inside the visor  42 , and the mirror main body  32  is rotatably supported by the stay  12  (the base  14  and the support shaft  24 ) through the stowing unit  34 . 
     The mirror main body  32  is disposed in an unfolded position (the position illustrated by solid lines in  FIG. 1 ; a deployed position) when the mirror main body  32  is at a position projecting toward the vehicle width direction outside. The mirror main body  32  is disposed in a stowed position (the position illustrated by a double-dotted dashed line in  FIG. 1 ; a rear folded position) by rotating the mirror main body  32  toward the vehicle width direction inside and the vehicle rear side. 
     A housing section (not illustrated in the drawings) that is open toward the vehicle rear side is provided to the visor body  44 . A mirror body  52  (see  FIG. 1 ), serving as a visual recognition means, is housed inside the housing section. The mirror body  52  is disposed such that a reflective face (mirror face) is directed toward the vehicle rear side when the mirror main body  32  is in the unfolded position. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-section illustrating vehicle front side portions of the upper base cover  28  and the visor body  44 , as viewed from the vehicle width direction inside.  FIG. 4A  is a perspective view illustrating relevant portions of the stay  12  as viewed from the vehicle front side and vehicle width direction inside.  FIG. 4B  is a cross-section taken along line  4 B- 4 B in  FIG. 4A . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4A , a planar opposing face  54  is formed to an upper face of the upper base cover  28  and the stand housing section  16 , at the periphery of the recessed portion  18 . The opposing face  54  opposes the bottom wall  48  of the visor body  44  at the vehicle front side of an opening center of the recessed portion  18 , and is formed substantially parallel to the bottom wall  48  (lower face) of the visor body  44  (see  FIG. 2  also). The opposing face  54  is formed in substantially a U shape in plan view, and opposes the visor body  44  in the up-down direction over a rotation range of the mirror main body  32  between the unfolded position and the stowed position (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4A ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4A , a projection portion  56  is provided to the upper base cover  28 . The projection portion  56  is formed at the vehicle front side and at both vehicle width direction sides of the opposing face  54 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the projection portion  56  is formed so as to surround the opposing face  54  from the vehicle front side and both vehicle width direction sides of the opposing face  54 . The projection portion  56  projects from the upper base cover  28  toward the bottom wall  48  of the visor body  44 . 
     Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a narrow separation  58  at the projection portion  56 , where the upper base cover  28  and the visor body  44  (bottom wall  48 ) are separated from each other across a gap G, is formed between the upper base cover  28  and the visor body  44  (bottom wall  48 ). In the door mirror device  10 , a standard value (nominal value, design value) is set for the gap G at the separation  58 , and tolerance of the gap G with respect to the standard value is set to a predetermined dimensional range. Providing the door mirror device  10  with the gap G suppresses interference between the upper base cover  28  and the visor body  44  as the mirror main body  32  rotates. 
     A step section  60  is formed to the upper base cover  28 . The step section  60  is formed between the opposing face  54  and the projection portion  56 , and an upright wall  60 A, serving as a regulating section, is formed at an end face on the opposing face  54  side of the projection portion  56 . 
     A seal member  64  is disposed between the upper base cover  28  and the visor body  44 . A sheet shaped base section  66  and a seal section  68  are provided to the seal member  64 . The base section  66  and the seal section  68  are integrally molded from an elastomer, serving as an elastic member. Note that the seal member  64  is not limited to being configured from an elastomer, this being a synthetic rubber, and various types of elastic member (elastic material), such as natural rubber, may be applied. 
     The base section  66  is formed in a substantially U shape corresponding to the shape of the opposing face  54  of the upper base cover  28  and the stand housing section  16 , and a semicircular shaped cutout  66 A is formed at a position corresponding to the recessed portion  18  (see  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4A ). The cutout  66 A has a slightly larger diameter than the stand-side base portion  22  disposed inside the recessed portion  18 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the seal section  68  is formed of a sloped wall  70 A, serving as a first portion extending from an outer peripheral end of the base section  66  toward the visor body  44 , and a sloped wall  70 B, serving as a second portion extending from an upper end of the sloped wall  70 B toward the opposing face  54 . The seal section  68  is thereby formed in a substantially peaked shape, and a portion coupling the sloped wall  70 A and the sloped wall  70 B together configures an apex portion  70 C. The apex portion  70 C protrudes toward the visor body  44 . Due to forming the seal section  68  in a substantially peaked shape, a hollow portion  70 D is formed between the sloped walls  70 A,  70 B. The hollow portion  70 D is open toward the opposite side to the apex portion  70 C (toward the lower side, the opposing face  54 -side). 
     A leading end portion (lower end portion) of the sloped wall  70 B of the seal section  68  is curved toward the base section  66  side. The sloped wall  70 B thereby curls inward with a profile projecting toward the opposite side to the sloped wall  70 A in the seal section  68 . Note that a state in which the sloped wall  70 B is not curved is illustrated by double-dotted dashed lines in  FIG. 4B . 
     In the seal section  68 , the sloped wall  70 B contacts the upright wall  60 A. The lower end portion of the sloped wall  70 B contacts an end portion on the upright wall  60 A side of the opposing face  54 , and the apex portion  70 C contacts the visor body  44 . An up-down direction dimension H of the seal section  68  (see  FIG. 4B ) is set so as to be greater than the distance between the opposing face  54  and the bottom wall  48  (a lower face of the bottom wall  48 ) of the visor body  44  when the gap G at the separation  58  is the largest permitted by the tolerance range. The seal section  68  forms a seal between the upper base cover  28  and the visor body  44  inside the separation  58 . 
     Explanation follows regarding operation of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     In the door mirror device  10  with the above configuration, when the drive mechanism of the stowing unit  34  is driven or an external force is input to the mirror main body  32 , the mirror main body  32  is rotated with respect to the stay  12 . The mirror main body  32  is thereby disposed in a position between the unfolded position and the deployed position. 
     Note that the seal member  64  is provided at the opposing face  54  of the upper base cover  28  and the stand housing section  16 , and that the seal section  68  of the seal member  64  is disposed between the upper base cover  28  and the visor body  44  toward the inside (the rotation center Rc side) of the separation  58 . 
     When the apex portion  70 C contacts the visor body  44  (bottom wall  48 ), the sloped walls  70 A,  70 B of the seal section  68  undergo elastic deformation. As a result, the sloped wall  70 B contacts the upright wall  60 A of the step section  60  and the seal section  68  seals between the upper base cover  28  and the visor body  44  inside the separation  58 . 
     This enables a traveling airflow that arises accompanying vehicle travel to be suppressed from blowing through the separation  58  to the inside of the separation  58 , thereby enabling wind noise to be suppressed. Moreover, the inside of the separation  58  is blocked from view by the seal section  68 , thereby enabling the external appearance of the door mirror device  10  to be improved. 
     The hollow portion  70 D is provided inside the seal section  68 , and the sloped wall  70 A and the sloped wall  70 B are separated from each other by the hollow portion  70 D. This enables the seal section  68  to undergo elastic deformation readily, and enables an urging force to be reduced in comparison to cases in which the hollow portion  70 D is filled in and the seal section  68  is solid. This enables a reduction in frictional resistance between the visor body  44  and the apex portion  70 C when the mirror main body  32  rotates, thereby enabling resistance to the rotation of the mirror main body  32  to be reduced. This enables the mirror main body  32  to rotate smoothly with respect to the stay  12 , even when the seal section  68  has formed a seal between the upper base cover  28  and the visor body  44 . 
     Furthermore, the hollow portion  70 D maintains the seal section  68  in an elastically deformable state, thereby enabling the seal section  68  to be suppressed from increasing resistance to the rotation of the mirror main body  32 , and enabling defective rotation operation of the mirror main body  32  to be prevented. 
     Moreover, the upright wall  60 A is provided to the upper base cover  28 . Movement of the sloped wall  70 B in a direction away from the sloped wall  70 A (base section  66 ) is restricted by the upright wall  60 A, and the sloped wall  70 B contacts the upright wall  60 A in a state in which the sloped wall  70 B is elastically deformed on the upright wall  60 A side. This enables a suitable seal to be achieved between the upper base cover  28  and the visor body  44 . 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment 
     Explanation follows regarding a second exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 5  is a cross-section illustrating relevant portions of a door mirror device  80 , serving as a vehicle visual recognition device according to a second exemplary embodiment, as viewed from the vehicle width direction inside. The door mirror device  80  according to the second exemplary embodiment has basically the same configuration as the door mirror device  10  according to the first exemplary embodiment, but differs in the following respects. 
     In the door mirror device  80 , a groove portion  62  with a substantially rectangular shaped cross-section profile and serving as a restriction section is formed to the opposing face  54  of the upper base cover  28 . The groove portion  62  is provided on the opposing face  54  side of the upright wall  60 A. An opening cross-section width of the groove portion  62  is wider than the thickness of the sloped wall  70 B. The groove portion  62  extends along a lower end of the upright wall  60 A. 
     The lower end portion of the sloped wall  70 B is fitted into the groove portion  62 . The sloped wall  70 B is bent such that the lower end portion thereof extends in a direction away from the upright wall  60 A inside the groove portion  62 . 
     The door mirror device  80  configured as described above enables similar advantageous effects to the door mirror device  10  according to the first exemplary embodiment to be exhibited. 
     Moreover, the lower end portion of the sloped wall  70 B of the seal section  68  is fitted into the groove portion  62  of the upper base cover  28 . The lower end portion of the sloped wall  70 B is thereby restricted from moving both in a direction away from the sloped wall  70 A (base section  66 ) and in a direction approaching the sloped wall  70 A. This enables the sloped wall  70 B to suitably contact the upright wall  60 A of the upper base cover  28 . 
     In the first and second exemplary embodiments, the visor body  44  (or the bottom wall  48 ) preferably covers the entire upper side of the seal member  64  further toward the inside than the apex portion  70 C in a rotation range of the mirror main body  32  from the unfolded position to the stowed position (preferably over the entirety of this rotation range). 
     In the first and second exemplary embodiments described above, the seal member  64  is provided at the upper base cover  28 , and the apex portion  70 C of the seal section  68  of the seal member  64  contacts the visor body  44 . However, the seal member  64  may be provided at the visor body  44 , such that the upper base cover  28  contacts the apex portion  70 C of the seal section  68 . 
     In the first and second exemplary embodiments, the projection portion  56  is provided at the upper base cover  28 . However, there is no limitation thereto, and the projection portion  56  may be provided at the visor body  44  that opposes the upper base cover  28 . 
     In the first and second exemplary embodiments, the seal section  68  is provided over a range spanning substantially half the periphery of the mirror main body  32  further toward the vehicle front side than the rotation center Rc. However, the range over which the seal section  68  is provided is not limited thereto. The seal section  68  may be provided around the entire periphery of the rotation center Rc of the mirror main body  32 . 
     In the first exemplary embodiment, the upright wall  60 A is provided as a restriction section, and in the second exemplary embodiment, the groove portion  62  is provided as a restriction section. However, as long as movement of the sloped wall  70 B can be restricted, the restriction section is not limited to the groove portion  62 , and a rib shaped protrusion may be provided. 
     Furthermore, in the first and second exemplary embodiments, the seal section  68  including the apex portion  70 C and the hollow portion  70 D formed by the sloped wall  70 A and the sloped wall  70 B is applied. However, the seal section is not limited thereto. A seal section  68  formed in a tube shape, such as triangular shape, may be formed as the seal section by extending the base section  66  of the seal member  64  as far as the lower end portion of the sloped wall  70 B configuring a restriction section, and connecting the base section  66  to the lower end portion of the sloped wall  70 B. 
     In the first and second exemplary embodiments, an example is given in which the mirror body  52  serving as a visual recognition means is provided to the door mirror device  10 . However, an imaging means such as a camera, serving as a visual recognition means, may be provided to a vehicle visual recognition device. Moreover, an imaging means and the mirror body  52 , each serving as a visual recognition means, may be provided to a vehicle visual recognition device. 
     The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-175543 is incorporated by reference in this specification. 
     All publications, patent applications, and technical standards mentioned in the present specification are incorporated by reference in the present specification to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent application, or technical standard was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.