Patent Description:
An example of an electric retraction unit and an electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle includes those disclosed in <CIT>.

A visibility device for a vehicle in <CIT> includes a stay fixed to a vehicle door, a retraction mechanism supported by the stay, a camera supported by a pivot body of the retraction mechanism, and a monitor installed in the vehicle. The retraction mechanism of the visibility device for a vehicle in <CIT> includes a support shaft, a case and a cover of the pivot body pivotably supported by the support shaft, and a motor and a deceleration mechanism of a drive mechanism accommodated in the case and the cover.

The visibility device for a vehicle in <CIT> is designed to display an image captured by the camera on the monitor. The visibility device for a vehicle in <CIT> is configured such that when the motor is driven, the pivot body is pivoted toward a vehicle rear side from a standing (developing, returning) position relative to the stay, and is pivoted from the vehicle rear side to the standing position.

In such a visibility device for a vehicle (an electric retraction unit and an electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle), it is preferable that the pivot body (casings and a visibility assembly) is smoothly rotated in a stable state.

However, the visibility device for a vehicle of <CIT> is configured to directly accommodate the main body part of the motor between a lower restriction part of the case and an upper restriction part of the cover, and thus, a backlash may occur between the motor, and the case and the cover. As a result, the visibility device for a vehicle of <CIT> may not be able to smoothly rotate the pivot body in a stable state.

<CIT> discloses a an electric retraction unit mounted on a vehicle outside mirror device according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

We have appreciated that it would be desirable to provide an electric retraction unit and an electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle, by which it is possible to smoothly rotate a pivot body (casings and a visibility assembly) in a stable state.

The invention is defined by the independent claim to which reference should now be made. An electric retraction unit according to the present invention is an electric retraction unit mounted on an electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle, and includes a shaft fixed to a vehicle body via a base, casings rotatably attached to the shaft, and a motor, a deceleration mechanism, and a holding member accommodated in the casings, in which the deceleration mechanism includes a gear having a shaft part being attached to a drive shaft of the motor, the motor and the gear are held by the holding member, the holding member is configured of an elastic member and held by the casings, and includes a gear first holding part and a gear second holding part configured to rotatably hold the shaft part of the gear at both ends of the shaft part respectively, and the casings are configured by a member higher in stiffness than the holding member, and includes a receiving part configured to receive a thrust load of the shaft part of the gear on a side of the motor.

In the electric retraction unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that a portion adjacent to the gear first holding part of the holding member is provided with an insertion hole into which the receiving part of the casings is inserted.

In the electric retraction unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that the motor includes a main body part, a tubular part provided on one surface of the main body part, the drive shaft rotatably protruding from the tubular part, and an end cap part provided on the other surface, on a side opposite to the one surface, of the main body part, and the holding member includes a motor first fitting and holding part configured to fit and hold the tubular part from outside, a motor second fitting and holding part configured to fit and hold the end cap part from outside, and a plurality of motor ribs provided on an inner surface of the motor first fitting and holding part facing the tubular part and an inner surface of the motor second fitting and holding part facing the end cap part.

In the electric retraction unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that the gear of the deceleration mechanism has one end provided with a first shaft part of the shaft part and the other end provided with a second shaft part, the first shaft part is attached to the drive shaft of the motor, and the gear first holding part rotatably holds the first shaft part of the gear, and the gear second holding part rotatably holds the second shaft part of the gear.

In the electric retraction unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that the motor includes a main body part, a tubular part provided on one surface of the main body part, the drive shaft rotatably protruding from the tubular part, and an end cap part provided on the other surface, on a side opposite to the one surface, of the main body part, the gear of the deceleration mechanism has one end provided with a first shaft part of the shaft part and the other end provided with a second shaft part, the first shaft part is attached to the drive shaft of the motor, the holding member includes a motor first fitting and holding part configured to fit and hold the tubular part from outside, a motor second fitting and holding part configured to fit and hold the end cap part from outside, a plurality of motor ribs provided on an inner surface of the motor first fitting and holding part facing the tubular part and an inner surface of the motor second fitting and holding part facing the end cap part, the gear first holding part rotatably holds the first shaft part of the gear, and the gear second holding part rotatably holds the second shaft part of the gear, and the gear first holding part of the holding member, the gear second holding part, and the motor first fitting and holding part are configured of one component, and form a hollow tubular shape housing the gear, the drive shaft, and the tubular part.

In the electric retraction unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that the casings include a fitting and holding part configured to fit and hold the holding member, and the holding member includes a fitted and held part fitted and held by the fitting and holding part and at least one casing rib provided on a surface of the fitted and held part facing the fitting and holding part.

In the electric retraction unit according to the present invention, it is preferable that the deceleration mechanism includes a first worm gear being the gear, a second worm gear having a shaft part being rotatably held by the casings, and an intermediate gear being fixed to the shaft part of the second worm gear and meshing with the first worm gear, the holding member includes a pair of gear fitting and holding part arranged on both sides of the intermediate gear, and the pair of gear fitting and holding parts are each provided with a circular through hole configured to rotatably fit and hold the shaft part of the second worm gear.

In the electric retraction unit according to the present invention, it is preferable to include a clutch mechanism being attached to the casings (6U, 6D), the clutch mechanism being in an engaged state in normal times, the clutch mechanism configured to transmit a rotational force of the motor to the casings (6U, 6D) via the deceleration mechanism, the clutch mechanism in a disengaged state if a force larger than the rotational force transmitted from the motor is applied to the casings to not transmit the force from the casings to the deceleration mechanism and to rotate the casings, a rotational force transmission mechanism being attached to the shaft, the rotational force transmission mechanism configured to transmit the rotational force of the motor via the deceleration mechanism and the clutch mechanism to the casings to rotate the casings between a first position and a second position, and a stopper mechanism configured to stop the casings at each of the first position and the second position, in a plan view from top to bottom, the clutch mechanism is arranged between the rotational force transmission mechanism and the motor, and an arrangement direction of the rotational force transmission mechanism, the clutch mechanism, and the motor intersects with a direction of the drive shaft of the motor.

An electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle according to the present invention includes the electric retraction unit according to the present invention, a base fixed to a vehicle body, a shaft of the electric retraction unit fixed to the base, and a visibility assembly rotatably attached to the shaft in which the visibility assembly includes a housing, a visibility unit accommodated in the housing together with the electric retraction unit, and the visibility assembly is rotated by the electric retraction unit between a use position and a rear retraction position.

In the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle according to the present invention, it is preferable that the visibility unit is an imaging device configured to image a periphery of a vehicle.

The electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle according to the present invention preferably includes a display device mounted in the vehicle and configured to display an image around the vehicle imaged by the imaging device.

In an electric retraction unit and an electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle according to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly rotate a pivot body (casings and a visibility assembly) in a stable state.

An example of an embodiment (working example) of an electric retraction unit and an electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle according to the present invention will be described below based on the drawings. In the specification and the claims on the attached sheet, front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right are defined as front, rear, upper, lower, left, and right when the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle. Since the drawings are schematic views, main parts are illustrated, parts other than the main parts are omitted, and hatching is partially omitted.

Configurations of the electric retraction unit and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle according to the present embodiment will be described below. In the drawings, reference numeral <NUM> is the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle (hereinafter, simply referred to as "visibility device") according to the present embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a visibility device <NUM> is provided on each of the left and right doors (vehicle body) D of a vehicle (automobile) V The visibility device <NUM> is an alternative to a rear view mirror for a vehicle, for example, an outside mirror device (not illustrated) such as a door mirror device mounted on the left and right doors D of the vehicle.

The visibility device <NUM> mounted on the left-side door D of the vehicle V will be described below. It is noted that the visibility device <NUM> mounted on the right-side door D of the vehicle V, which is configured in much the same way as the visibility device <NUM> mounted on the left-side door D of the vehicle V, will not be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the visibility device <NUM> includes a base <NUM>, a shaft <NUM>, a visibility assembly <NUM>, and display devices (monitors) <NUM>, <NUM>, and 5MR. The base <NUM>, the shaft <NUM>, and the visibility assembly <NUM> are mounted on the door D, and the display devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and 5MR are mounted on the interior (inside the vehicle) of the vehicle V.

That is, the left-side display device <NUM> is mounted in the vicinity of the left-side visibility assembly <NUM>. The right-side display device <NUM> is mounted in the vicinity of the right-side visibility assembly <NUM>. The center-side display device <NUM> is mounted in the vicinity of a driver's seat. It is noted that at least one of the left-side display device <NUM>, the right-side display device <NUM>, and the center-side display device <NUM> may be mounted.

In <FIG>, symbol A is a use position (first position) at which the visibility assembly <NUM> is used. Symbol B is a rear retraction position (second position) of the visibility assembly <NUM>. Symbol C is a front retraction position of the visibility assembly <NUM>. Symbol E is rearward of the vehicle V Symbol F is frontward of the vehicle V Symbol O is a rotation center line of the visibility assembly <NUM>, is also a center line of a shaft part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>, and is also a rotation center line.

Similarly, in <FIG>, symbol θB is an angle at which the visibility assembly <NUM> is rotated from the use position A to the rear retraction position B and retracted in the rear retraction position B, that is, a rear rotation retraction angle. The rear rotation retraction angle θB is also an angle at which the visibility assembly <NUM> electrically rotates between the use position A and the rear retraction position B, that is, an electric rotation angle. The rear rotation retraction angle θB is about <NUM>° in this example.

Similarly, in <FIG>, symbol θC is an angle at which the visibility assembly <NUM> is rotated from the use position A to the front retraction position C and retracted in the front retraction position C, that is, a front rotation retraction angle. The front rotation retraction angle θC is about <NUM>° in this example.

The rear rotation retraction angle θB and the front rotation retraction angle θC are the same angles in the left-side visibility device <NUM> and the right-side visibility device <NUM> if a visibility unit <NUM> described below of the visibility assembly <NUM> is a camera. On the other hand, if the visibility unit <NUM> is a mirror, the angle of the left-side visibility device <NUM> is different from the angle of the right-side visibility device <NUM>.

The base <NUM> is configured by a base member and a cover member configured to cover the base member. As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the base <NUM> includes a first fixation part <NUM> in a vertical plate shape and a second fixation part <NUM> in a horizontal plate shape. The inside of the base <NUM> communicates with the inside of the vehicle V through an opening (not illustrated) provided in a vehicle body panel or a door panel of the door D.

The first fixation part <NUM> is fixed to the door D by a screw or the like (not illustrated). As a result, the base <NUM> is fixed to the door D, that is, the vehicle body. The second fixation part <NUM> is fixed with the shaft <NUM> by a screw or the like. It is noted that the second fixation part <NUM> is fixed with a fixation part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the shaft <NUM> is configured by a hollow cylindrical shaft part <NUM>, a disk-shaped disk part <NUM>, and a square plate-shaped fixation part <NUM>. That is, a lower end of the shaft part <NUM> is provided integrally with the disk part <NUM>. A bottom surface of the disk part <NUM> is provided integrally with the fixation part <NUM>.

A center line (rotation center line) O of the shaft part <NUM> passes through a center of the disk part <NUM>. Apart (square plate part) of the fixation part <NUM> protrudes toward the door D with respect to the shaft part <NUM> and the disk part <NUM>. The disk part <NUM> and the fixation part <NUM> are provided with circular or arbitrary-shaped through holes communicating with a hollow part of the shaft part <NUM>.

An outer peripheral surface from an upper end to an intermediate part of the shaft part <NUM> is provided with an engagement part. An outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the shaft part <NUM> is provided with a circular locking groove.

The fixation part <NUM> is fixed to the second fixation part <NUM> of the base <NUM> by a screw or the like. As a result, the shaft <NUM> is fixed to the base <NUM>.

The top surface of the disk part <NUM> is provided with an electric operation range regulation convex part serving as an electric operation range regulation part of a stopper mechanism. The electric operation range regulation convex part regulates a range in which the visibility assembly <NUM> electrically rotates between the use position A and the rear retraction position B (electric operation range). That is, the electric operation range regulation convex part configures the stopper mechanism configured to stop the visibility assembly <NUM> at each of the use position A and the rear retraction position B.

The top surface of the disk part <NUM> is provided with a retraction operation range regulation convex part serving as a retraction operation range regulation part. The retraction operation range regulation convex part regulates a retraction operation range of the visibility assembly <NUM>. The retraction operation range regulation convex part forms an arc shape centered on the center line O of the shaft part <NUM>.

The visibility assembly <NUM> is rotatably attached to the shaft part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The visibility assembly <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, the visibility unit <NUM>, and an electric retraction unit <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing <NUM> has a hollow box shape. In this example, the housing <NUM> is vertically divided into two parts, and the two parts are watertightly attached to each other by fitting, adhering, welding, or the like. A circular through hole <NUM> is provided on the rear surface of the end of the housing <NUM> opposite to the shaft <NUM>.

Parts of the visibility unit <NUM> and the electric retraction unit <NUM> are accommodated in the housing <NUM>. That is, the fixation part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> of the electric retraction unit <NUM> is located outside the housing <NUM> and is fixed to the second fixation part <NUM> of the base <NUM>. Therefore, most of the electric retraction unit <NUM> except the fixation part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> is accommodated in the housing <NUM>. It is noted that a camera (not illustrated) separate from the visibility unit <NUM> may be accommodated in the housing <NUM>. The camera is a camera configured to visually recognizes a lower part.

In this example, the visibility unit <NUM> is an imaging device (camera) configured to image information around the vehicle V as an image. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the visibility unit <NUM> includes a main body, a lens <NUM>, and a harness <NUM>. The visibility unit <NUM> is accommodated in the housing <NUM> and is mounted on the housing <NUM>.

The main body is fixed to the housing <NUM> by a screw or the like. The lens <NUM> faces the through hole <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The harness <NUM> is connected to the main body. The harness <NUM> is wired from the inside of the housing <NUM> through the inside of the shaft <NUM> and the inside of the base <NUM> to the inside of the vehicle V The harness <NUM> is provided with a connector configured to electrically connect to the electric retraction unit <NUM>.

To ensure that the visibility unit <NUM> images a visual field equivalent to or wider than a visual field on a lateral side and a rear side of the vehicle V of an existing outside mirror device (not illustrated), it is necessary that the visibility unit <NUM> is located to protrude outwardly from the door D. Therefore, when the visibility assembly <NUM> is located at the use position A, the housing <NUM> in which the visibility unit <NUM> is accommodated and mounted inside protrudes outwardly from the door D. It is noted that an amount of protrusion of the housing <NUM> is smaller than an amount of protrusion of the existing outside mirror device and the visibility device for a vehicle of PTL <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the visibility unit <NUM> is connected to an image processing device (image processing ECU) <NUM> via the harness <NUM>. The image processing device <NUM> is connected to a detection device <NUM> and the display devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and 5MR, respectively, via signal lines <NUM> and <NUM>.

The visibility unit <NUM> serving as an imaging device images, as an image, information on the rear and lateral sides of the vehicle V in the vicinity of the vehicle V, and outputs the images of the imaged information on the rear and lateral sides of the vehicle V via the harness <NUM> to the image processing device <NUM>.

The detection device <NUM> is mounted on the vehicle V The detection device <NUM> is connected to the image processing device <NUM> via the signal line <NUM>. The detection device <NUM> detects vehicle information and outputs the detected vehicle information as a detection signal to the image processing device <NUM> via the signal line <NUM>. Examples of the detection device <NUM> include a steering angle detection part (steering angle sensor), a gear position detection part (gear position sensor), a direction indicator detection part (direction indicator sensor), a vehicle speed detection part (vehicle speed sensor), a vehicle position detection part (vehicle position sensor), an ultrasonic detection part (ultrasonic sensor), other detectors, and the like used alone or in combination.

The image processing device <NUM> is mounted on the vehicle V The image processing device <NUM> is connected to the visibility unit <NUM>, the detection device <NUM>, and the display devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and 5MR, respectively, via the harness <NUM>, and the signal lines <NUM> and <NUM>. The image processing device <NUM> appropriately processes the images for information on the rear and lateral sides of the vehicle V imaged by the visibility unit <NUM>, based on the vehicle information from the detection device <NUM>. It is noted that the image processing device <NUM> may process the images for the information on the rear and lateral sides of the vehicle V imaged by the visibility unit <NUM> not by the vehicle information of the detection device <NUM> but by a manual operation of a driver. The image processing device <NUM> outputs the processed images to the display devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and 5MR.

The display devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and 5MR are mounted within a driver's field of view in the interior (inside the vehicle) of the vehicle V The display device <NUM> is connected to the image processing device <NUM> via the signal line <NUM>. The display devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and 5MR display the images processed by the image processing device <NUM>. The driver is capable of visually recognizing the rear and lateral sides of the vehicle V by visually recognizing the images displayed on the display devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and 5MR. That is, the driver is capable of confirming a rear view of the vehicle V.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the electric retraction unit <NUM> is partially accommodated in the housing <NUM>, and electrically rotates the visibility assembly <NUM> between the use position A and the rear retraction position B. The electric retraction unit <NUM> includes the above-mentioned shaft <NUM>, casings 6U and 6D, a motor <NUM>, a deceleration mechanism <NUM>, a holding member (a plate, a holding plate) <NUM>, a clutch mechanism <NUM>, a rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>, and a stopper <NUM> of the stopper mechanism.

The shaft <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, the holding member <NUM>, the clutch mechanism <NUM>, the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>, and the stopper <NUM> are accommodated in the casings 6U and 6D. The motor <NUM>, the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, the holding member <NUM>, and the clutch mechanism <NUM> are arranged in a direction intersecting with (orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to) an axial direction of the shaft <NUM>. An axial direction G of the drive shaft (an output shaft, a rotation shaft) <NUM> of the motor <NUM> and an axial direction of the shaft <NUM> intersect (orthogonally or substantially orthogonally) each other. Here, the axial direction of the shaft <NUM> is a rotation center line O direction.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in a plan view viewed from the top to the bottom, the clutch mechanism <NUM> is arranged between the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM> and the motor <NUM>. An arrangement direction H of the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>, the clutch mechanism <NUM>, and the motor <NUM> and an axial direction G of the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> intersect (orthogonally or substantially orthogonally) each other. As a result, an amount of protrusion of the casings 6U and 6D, that is, the visibility assembly <NUM> (dimensions in a left-right direction in <FIG>) is smaller than an amount of protrusion of the existing outside mirror device and an amount of protrusion of the visibility device for a vehicle of PTL <NUM>. It is noted that the arrangement direction H is a direction connecting the rotation center line O and an axis O1 described later.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the motor <NUM> is held by the holding member <NUM>. The motor <NUM> is attached to the casings 6U and 6D via the holding member <NUM>, and is accommodated in the casings 6U and 6D. The motor <NUM> is provided with a switch circuit board <NUM>. The switch circuit board <NUM> is provided with a terminal. The terminal is arranged in a connector part of the lower casing 6D. When the connector of the harness <NUM> is detachably fitted to the connector part of the lower casing 6D to be electrically connected to the terminal, the motor <NUM> is supplied with power via the harness <NUM>, the connector, the terminal, and the switch circuit board <NUM>.

The above-mentioned motor <NUM> includes the drive shaft <NUM>, a main body part <NUM>, a tubular part <NUM>, and an end cap part <NUM>. That is, the tubular part <NUM> is provided on one surface of the main body part <NUM>. The drive shaft <NUM> rotatably protrudes from the tubular part <NUM>. On the other surface opposite to the one surface of the main body part <NUM>, the end cap part <NUM> is provided.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the deceleration mechanism <NUM> is held by the holding member <NUM> together with the motor <NUM>. The deceleration mechanism <NUM> is attached to the casings 6U and 6D together with the motor <NUM> via the holding member <NUM>, and is accommodated in the casings 6U and 6D.

The deceleration mechanism <NUM> includes a first worm gear <NUM>, a second worm gear <NUM>, and a helical gear <NUM> as an intermediate gear.

The first worm gear <NUM> has one end being provided with a first shaft part <NUM> serving as a shaft part and has the other end being provided with a second shaft part <NUM>. The first shaft part <NUM> is attached to the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>. A diameter of the first shaft part <NUM> is larger than a diameter of the second shaft part <NUM>.

The second worm gear <NUM> has one end being provided with a first shaft part <NUM> and has the other end being provided with a second shaft part <NUM>. A diameter of one end portion (distal end portion) of the first shaft part <NUM> is smaller than a diameter of the other end portion (portion on the second worm gear <NUM> side) of the first shaft part <NUM>.

The helical gear <NUM> is fixed to a large diameter portion of the first shaft part <NUM>. As a result, the helical gear <NUM> rotates simultaneously with the second worm gear <NUM> on the same axis. The helical gear <NUM> meshes with the first worm gear <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the clutch mechanism <NUM> is attached to the casings 6U and 6D, and is accommodated in the casings 6U and 6D. The clutch mechanism <NUM> includes a clutch shaft <NUM>, a first clutch gear <NUM>, a second clutch gear <NUM>, a clutch <NUM>, a washer <NUM>, a coiled clutch spring <NUM>, and a C ring <NUM>.

It is noted that the second clutch gear <NUM> and the clutch <NUM> in this example are configured separately. The second clutch gear <NUM> and the clutch <NUM> are fitted to each other to disable rotation relative to each other. However, the second clutch gear <NUM> and the clutch <NUM> may be integrally formed.

A lower end of the clutch shaft <NUM> is attached to the lower casing 6D. A center line (hereinafter referred to as "axis") O1 of the clutch shaft <NUM> is parallel to or substantially parallel to the shaft <NUM>, that is, the rotation center line O.

The clutch shaft <NUM> is fitted with a clutch spring <NUM>, the first clutch gear <NUM>, the clutch <NUM>, the second clutch gear <NUM>, the washer <NUM>, and the C ring <NUM> from outside in this order from the bottom to the top. As a result, the clutch mechanism <NUM> is configured as one unit in a space from a flange part at the lower end of the clutch shaft <NUM> to the C ring <NUM> at the upper end of the clutch shaft <NUM>. The second clutch gear <NUM> is meshed with the second worm gear <NUM>.

A top surface of the first clutch gear <NUM> is formed with a plurality, in this example, three, of notched convex parts at equal intervals or substantially equal intervals in a circumferential direction around the axis O1. A bottom surface of the clutch <NUM> is formed with a plurality, in this example, three, of notched concave parts at equal intervals or substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis O1 to correspond to the three notched convex parts of the first clutch gear <NUM>. It is noted that the first clutch gear <NUM> may be provided with the notched concave parts and the clutch <NUM> may be provided with the notched convex parts. If the second clutch gear <NUM> serving as the second clutch and the clutch <NUM> are formed integrally, the second clutch gear <NUM> may be provided with the notched concave parts or the notched convex parts.

In normal times, the notched convex part of the first clutch gear <NUM> and the notched concave part of the clutch <NUM> are fitted, in an engaged state, by a spring force of the clutch spring <NUM>, not disengaged with a rotational force of the motor <NUM>, to transmit the rotational force of the motor <NUM> via the deceleration mechanism <NUM> to the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>. When a force from outside larger than the rotational force of the motor <NUM> is applied to the casings 6U and 6D, that is, the visibility assembly <NUM>, the notched convex part of the first clutch gear <NUM> and the notched concave part of the clutch <NUM> are released from the engaged state against the spring force of the clutch spring <NUM> into a disengaged state not to transmit the above-mentioned force (that is, an external force larger than the rotational force of the motor <NUM>) to the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, and rotate the casings 6U and 6D, that is, the visibility assembly <NUM>.

It is noted that all of the clutch mechanism <NUM> in this example are accommodated in the casings 6U and 6D. However, a part of the clutch mechanism <NUM>, for example, a part of the clutch shaft <NUM> and the clutch spring <NUM> may be arranged outside the casings 6U and 6D.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM> is attached to the shaft <NUM> and is accommodated in the casings 6U and 6D. The rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM> transmits the rotational force of the motor <NUM> to the casings 6U and 6D via the deceleration mechanism <NUM> and the clutch mechanism <NUM> to rotate the casings 6U and 6D, that is, the visibility assembly <NUM>, between the use position A being the first position and the rear retraction position B being the second position.

The rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM> includes a lift gear <NUM>, a lift holder <NUM>, and a C ring <NUM>. The lift gear <NUM>, the lift holder <NUM>, and the C ring <NUM> are sequentially fitted to the shaft part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> from the lower side. The lift gear <NUM> is meshed with the second clutch gear <NUM> of the clutch mechanism <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the stopper <NUM> is fitted to the shaft part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>, is interposed between the coiled spring <NUM> and the lower casing 6D, and is accommodated in the casings 6U and 6D. The stopper <NUM> stops the casings 6U and 6D, that is, the visibility assembly <NUM>, at each of the use position A being the first position and the rear retraction position B being the second position.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the holding member <NUM> holds the motor <NUM> and the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, and is held in the casings 6U and 6D. As a result, the holding member <NUM> is attached to the casings 6U and 6D together with the motor <NUM> and the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, and is accommodated in the casings 6U and 6D. The holding member <NUM> is configured of an elastic member, for example, a member such as POM. The holding member <NUM> is lower (smaller) in stiffness than the casings 6U and 6D. The holding member <NUM> is capable of highly accurately attaching the motor <NUM> and the deceleration mechanism <NUM> to the casings 6U and 6D.

The holding member <NUM> includes a gear first holding part <NUM>, a gear second holding part <NUM>, a motor first fitting and holding part <NUM>, a motor second fitting and holding part <NUM>, a first fitted and held part <NUM>, a second fitted and held part <NUM>, a pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM>, which serve as a gear holding part, a first rib <NUM> serving as a plurality of motor ribs, and a second rib <NUM> serving as at least one (in this example, one) casing rib. The first rib <NUM> and the second rib <NUM> form a bead shape.

The holding member <NUM> in this example is manufactured separately by molding, into two members (two components), for example, a first holding member 7H1 and a second holding member 7H2.

The first holding member 7H1 includes the gear first holding part <NUM>, the gear second holding part <NUM>, the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM>, the first fitted and held part <NUM>, the pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM>, a plurality of the first ribs <NUM>, and a plurality of the second ribs <NUM>.

The first holding member 7H1 is configured of one component. That is, the first holding member 7H1 has a hollow tubular shape, as a basic shape, in which the first worm gear <NUM>, the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>, and the tubular part <NUM> thereof are housed. The first holding member 7H1 has a shape obtained by integrally providing a pair of flat plate shapes having a space housing therein the helical gear <NUM> in a tubular shape.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the gear first holding part <NUM> is provided in an intermediate portion of the first holding member 7H1. The gear first holding part <NUM> is provided with a circular through hole. In the circular through hole of the gear first holding part <NUM>, the first shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> is held rotatably. An inner surface of the gear first holding part <NUM> and an outer surface of the first shaft part <NUM> have a minimum required clearance.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the gear second holding part <NUM> is provided at one end of the first holding member 7H1. The gear second holding part <NUM> has a cylindrical shape with one end closed. In a circular concave part of the gear second holding part <NUM>, the second shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> is held rotatably. An inner surface of the gear second holding part <NUM> and an outer surface of the second shaft part <NUM> have a minimum required clearance.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> is provided at the other end of the first holding member 7H1. The motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> is a portion adjacent to the gear first holding part <NUM> and is provided at a portion opposite to the gear second holding part <NUM>. The motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> has a cylindrical shape with a hollow therein. In a circular hollow portion of the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM>, the tubular part <NUM> of the motor <NUM> is fitted and held. That is, the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> fits and holds the tubular part <NUM> from the outside.

An inner surface of the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> is provided integrally with the plurality of first ribs <NUM> in the axial direction G. An apex surface of the first rib <NUM> and an outer surface of the tubular part <NUM> have an overlapped dimension. As a result, when the apex surface of the first rib <NUM> and the outer surface of the tubular part <NUM> are brought into contact with each other in an overlapped state, the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> is capable of holding the tubular part <NUM> via the plurality of first ribs <NUM> without a backlash.

A portion <NUM> between the gear first holding part <NUM> and the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> is a portion <NUM> adjacent to the gear first holding part <NUM>. In the portion <NUM> adjacent to the gear first holding part <NUM>, an insertion hole <NUM> is provided between a lower side and somewhere on the upper side. The insertion hole <NUM> communicates with the through hole of the gear first holding part <NUM> and the hollow portion of the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM>. The insertion hole <NUM> is of rectangular parallelepiped shape. An outer shape of the portion <NUM> adjacent to the gear first holding part <NUM> has a tubular shape having the same diameter as the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first fitted and held part <NUM> is provided in an intermediate portion of the first holding member 7H1. The first fitted and held part <NUM> is integrally structured with the gear first holding part <NUM>. The first fitted and held part <NUM> has a square plate shape having one side equivalent to a diameter of the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM>. The first fitted and held part <NUM> is fitted and held from the outside by a first fitting and holding parts 61U and 61D of the casings 6U and 6D.

An outer surface of the first fitted and held part <NUM> is provided integrally with a plurality of the second ribs <NUM> in the axial direction G. An apex surface of the second rib <NUM> and inner surfaces of the first fitting and holding parts 61U and 61D have an overlapped dimension. As a result, when the apex surface of the second rib <NUM> and the inner surfaces of the first fitting and holding parts 61U and 61D are brought into contact with each other in an overlapped state, the first fitted and held part <NUM> is held by the first fitting and holding parts 61U and 61D via the plurality of second ribs <NUM> without a backlash.

Here, the gear first holding part <NUM> holding the first shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> is fitted and held in the casings 6U and 6D via the second rib <NUM>. On the other hand, the gear second holding part <NUM> holding the second shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> is directly fitted and held in the casings 6U and 6D without passing through the second rib <NUM>. As a result, a fitting and holding state to the casings 6U and 6D by the gear second holding part <NUM> has a degree of freedom as compared with the fitting and holding state to the casings 6U and 6D by the gear first holding part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM> are provided at the intermediate portions of the first holding member 7H1 of the holding member <NUM> and between the gear first holding part <NUM> and the first fitted and held part <NUM> and the gear second holding part <NUM>. Between the pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM>, a housing space part is provided. In the housing space part, the first worm gear <NUM> and the helical gear <NUM> of the deceleration mechanism <NUM> are housed. Lower portions of the pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM> are integrally connected.

The pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM> are each provided with circular through holes <NUM>. An inner diameter of one of the through holes <NUM> is smaller than an inner diameter of the other of the through holes <NUM>. In the through hole <NUM> with a smaller diameter and the through-hole <NUM> with a larger diameter, a small-diameter portion and a large-diameter portion of the first shaft part <NUM> of the second worm gear <NUM> are rotatably fitted and held, respectively. As a result, the second worm gear <NUM> held in the casings 6U and 6D is fitted in the circular through hole <NUM> of the pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM> in which positional displacement is unlikely to occur.

An inner surface of the through hole <NUM> with a smaller diameter and an outer surface of the small-diameter portion of the first shaft part <NUM> have a minimum required clearance. An inner surface of the through hole <NUM> with a larger diameter and an outer surface of the large-diameter portion of the first shaft part <NUM> have a minimum required clearance.

As described above, the first holding member 7H1 of the holding member <NUM> houses the first worm gear <NUM>, the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>, and the tubular part <NUM> thereof, into the gear first holding part <NUM>, the gear second holding part <NUM>, the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM>, and the first fitted and held part <NUM> forming a tubular shape. The first holding member 7H1 of the holding member <NUM> houses the helical gear <NUM> between the pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM> forming a pair of flat plate shapes.

The second holding member 7H2 includes the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM>, the second fitted and held part <NUM>, the plurality of first ribs <NUM>, and one second rib <NUM>. One component serves as the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> and the second fitted and held part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> and the second fitted and held part <NUM> form a C shape obtained by cutting a part having an annular shape. In a circular hollow part of the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> (including the second fitted and held part <NUM>), the end cap part <NUM> of the motor <NUM> is fitted and held. That is, the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> fits and holds the end cap part <NUM> from the outside.

An inner surface of the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> is provided integrally with the plurality of first ribs <NUM> in the axial direction G. An apex surface of the first rib <NUM> and an outer surface of the end cap part <NUM> include an overlapped dimension. As a result, the apex surface of the first rib <NUM> and the outer surface of the end cap part <NUM> are brought into contact with each other in an overlapped state, and thus, the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> is capable of holding the end cap part <NUM> via the plurality of first ribs <NUM> without a backlash.

The second fitted and held part <NUM> (including the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM>) is fitted and held by second fitting and holding parts 62U and 62D of the casings 6U and 6D from the outside. An outer surface of the second fitted and held part <NUM> in an annular shape is provided integrally with the plurality of second ribs <NUM> in the circumferential direction. An apex surface of the second rib <NUM> and inner surfaces of the second fitting and holding parts 62U and 62D have an overlapped dimension. As a result, when the apex surface of the second rib <NUM> and the inner surfaces of the second fitting and holding parts 62U and 62D are brought into contact with each other in an overlapped state, the second fitted and held part <NUM> is held by the second fitting and holding parts 62U and 62D via the plurality of second ribs <NUM> without a backlash.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the casings 6U and 6D are rotatably attached to the shaft <NUM> and fixed to the housing <NUM> by a screw or the like.

The casings 6U and 6D include the upper casing (cover) 6U and the lower casing (gear case) 6D. The upper casing 6U and the lower casing 6D are fixed to each other by a plurality of (in this example, four) screws <NUM>. The casings 6U and 6D are configured of a member higher in stiffness than the holding member <NUM>, for example, a synthetic resin material (PA material) containing a glass fiber. As a result, the casings 6U and 6D have better dimensional stability than a member lower in stiffness than the casings 6U and 6D. That is, the casings 6U and 6D have smaller manufacturing dimensional tolerances than the members lower in stiffness than the casings 6U and 6D.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the upper casing 6U has a cover shape closing an opening at the upper surface of the lower casing 6D. One end of the upper casing 6U is provided with a circular through hole 60U. A circular peripheral edge of the through hole 60U forms a cylindrical part recessed from the upper casing 6U. An upper end of the shaft part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> is fitted from the outside into the cylindrical part of the upper casing 6U. As a result, the upper casing 6U is rotatably attached to the shaft part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>. A center line of the cylindrical part of the upper casing 6U (center of the through hole 60U) coincides with the center line O of the shaft part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>, that is, the rotation center line O.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the lower casing 6D is a gear case, and has a case shape with an upper surface opened and a lower surface closed. A bottom surface (lower surface) at one end of the lower casing 6D is provided integrally with a mounting part 60D. In the mounting part 60D, a planar shape (shape seen from above) or a bottom surface shape (shape seen from below) forms a disk shape. A circular through hole is provided at the center of the mounting part 60D. A center of the mounting part 60D and a center of the through hole are concentric and coincide with the rotation center line O.

The shaft part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> is inserted into the through hole of the lower casing 6D. The bottom surface of the mounting part 60D of the lower casing 6D is mounted on an upper surface of the disk part <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> with a washer <NUM> interposed therebetween. As a result, the casings 6U and 6D are rotatably attached to the shaft <NUM>. An intermediate portion of the lower casing 6D is provided integrally with a shaft part <NUM> into which the clutch shaft <NUM> is fitted from the outside.

As illustrated from <FIG>, the shaft <NUM>, the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>, the stopper <NUM>, the clutch mechanism <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, and the holding member <NUM> are accommodated in the casings 6U and 6D. That is, the casings 6U and 6D include a first accommodation concave part <NUM>, a second accommodation concave part <NUM>, a third accommodation concave part <NUM>, and fourth accommodation concave parts <NUM>. That is, on a surface on which the upper casing 6U and the lower casing 6D face to each other, the first accommodation concave part <NUM>, the second accommodation concave part <NUM>, the third accommodation concave part <NUM>, and the fourth accommodation concave parts <NUM> are provided.

The first accommodation concave part <NUM> is provided at one end of the casings 6U and 6D. In the first accommodation concave part <NUM>, the shaft <NUM>, the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, the stopper <NUM>, and the washer <NUM> are accommodated.

The second accommodation concave part <NUM> is provided adjacent to the first accommodation concave part <NUM> at an intermediate portion of the casings 6U and 6D. In the second accommodation concave part <NUM>, the clutch mechanism <NUM> is accommodated.

The third accommodation concave part <NUM> is provided adjacent to the second accommodation concave part <NUM> at the other end of the casings 6U and 6D. In the third accommodation concave part <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, the holding member <NUM>, and the switch circuit board <NUM> are accommodated.

The fourth accommodation concave parts <NUM> are provided adjacent to the second accommodation concave part <NUM> at an intermediate portion of the casings 6U and 6D, and are provided adjacent to the third accommodation concave part <NUM> at the other end of the casings 6U and 6D. In two fourth accommodation concave parts <NUM>, the deceleration mechanism <NUM> and the holding member <NUM> are accommodated.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the second worm gear <NUM> is rotatably borne on the casings 6U and 6D. That is, on a surface facing the upper casing 6U and the lower casing 6D, the bearing parts <NUM> are provided.

The bearing parts <NUM> are each provided at one end side, an intermediate portion, and the other end side of the two fourth accommodation concave parts <NUM> from the intermediate portion to the one end of the casings 6U and 6D. In three bearing parts <NUM>, the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion of the first shaft part <NUM> of the second worm gear <NUM> and the second shaft part <NUM> of the second worm gear <NUM> are each rotatably borne. The bearing part <NUM> receives a radial load and a thrust load of the second worm gear <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the casings 6U and 6D include a fitting and holding part configured to fit and hold the holding member <NUM>, that is, the first fitting and holding parts 61U and 61D, the second fitting and holding parts 62U and 62D, and third fitting and holding parts 63U and 63D. The fitting and holding parts 61U, 61D, 62U, 62D, 63U, and 63D receive a radial load of the first worm gear <NUM> and a radial load of the motor <NUM>.

The first fitting and holding parts 61U and 61D are provided between the third accommodation concave part <NUM> and the fourth accommodation concave parts <NUM> of the casings 6U and 6D. That is, the first fitting and holding parts 61U and 61D are provided on a surface where the upper casing 6U and the lower casing 6D face to each other, the surface facing an outer surface of the first fitted and held part <NUM> (integrally structured with the gear first holding part <NUM>) of the first holding member 7H1. The first fitting and holding parts 61U and 61D fit and hold the first fitted and held part <NUM> by being sandwiched from above and below while crushing the second rib <NUM> on the outer surface of the first fitted and held part <NUM>.

The second fitting and holding parts 62U and 62D are provided at an end of the third accommodation concave part <NUM> of the casings 6U and 6D (end opposite to the fourth accommodation concave parts <NUM>). That is, the second fitting and holding parts 62U and 62D are provided on a surface where the lower casing 6D and the upper casing 6U face to each other, the surface facing an outer surface of the second fitted and held part <NUM> (integrally structured with the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM>) of the second holding member 7H2. The second fitting and holding parts 62U and 62D fit and hold the second fitted and held part <NUM> by being sandwiched from above and below while crushing the second rib <NUM> on the outer surface of the second fitted and held part <NUM>.

The third fitting and holding parts 63U and 63D are provided at an end of the fourth accommodation concave parts <NUM> of the casings 6U and 6D (end opposite to the third accommodation concave part <NUM>). That is, the third fitting and holding parts 63U and 63D are provided on a surface where the upper casing 6U and the lower casing 6D face to each other, the surface facing an outer surface of the gear second holding part <NUM> of the first holding member 7H1. The third fitting and holding parts 63U and 63D fit and hold the outer surface of the gear second holding part <NUM> by being sandwiched from above and below.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, the lower casing 6D out of the casings 6U and 6D includes a first receiving part 64D, a second receiving part 65D, a third receiving part 66D, and a fourth receiving part 67D, serving as a receiving part.

The first receiving part 64D is provided to protrude toward an opening at the upper surface of the lower casing 6D, at a place on a third accommodation concave part <NUM> side out of the first fitting and holding part 61D of the lower casing 6D. The first receiving part 64D is provided to face the insertion hole <NUM> of the holding member <NUM>. The first receiving part 64D has a rectangular parallelepiped flat plate shape. When being inserted into the insertion hole <NUM> of the holding member <NUM>, the first receiving part 64D receives a thrust load of the first shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> on a motor <NUM> side.

The second receiving part 65D is provided on an upright wall against the third fitting and holding part 63D being a bottom wall, out of the fourth accommodation concave parts <NUM> of the lower casing 6D. The second receiving part 65D is provided to face an end surface of the gear second holding part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM>. When abutting against the end surface of the gear second holding part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM>, the second receiving part 65D receives a thrust load of the second shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> on a side in a direction opposite to the motor <NUM>, via the gear second holding part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM>.

The third receiving part 66D is provided on an upright wall against the second fitting and holding part 62D being a bottom wall, out of the third accommodation concave part <NUM> of the lower casing 6D. The third receiving part 66D is provided to face an end surface of the end cap part <NUM> of the motor <NUM>. When abutting against the end surface of the end cap part <NUM> of the motor <NUM>, the third receiving part 66D is positioned in the shaft direction on an end cap part <NUM> side of the motor <NUM>.

The fourth receiving part 67D is provided at a center of an upper end of the first receiving part 64D of the lower casing 6D. The fourth receiving part 67D is provided to face the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>. The fourth receiving part 67D has a U shape having a semicircular bottom. The fourth receiving part 67D maintains a clearance from the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>.

Assembly of the holding member <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, and the deceleration mechanism <NUM> will be described below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Firstly, the first shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> and the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> are integrally coupled. The end cap part <NUM> of the motor <NUM> is fitted and held by the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> (integrally structured with the second fitted and held part <NUM>) of the second holding member 7H2.

Between the pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM> of the first holding member 7H1, the helical gear <NUM> is housed. In the through hole <NUM> of the pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM> of the first holding member 7H1, the first shaft part <NUM> of the second worm gear <NUM> is rotatably fitted and held. At the same time, the first shaft part <NUM> of the second worm gear <NUM> is inserted through the through hole of the helical gear <NUM> to integrally fix the helical gear <NUM> and the second worm gear <NUM>.

The first holding member 7H1 out of the holding member <NUM> is assembled with the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, and the second holding member 7H2 out of the holding member <NUM> (see a solid arrow in <FIG>). That is, the second shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> is rotatably held by the gear second holding part <NUM> of the first holding member 7H1. In the first holding member 7H1, the first worm gear <NUM> is housed. The first shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> is rotatably held by the gear first holding part <NUM> of the first holding member 7H1 (integrally structured with the first fitted and held part <NUM>).

As described above, the holding member <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, and the deceleration mechanism <NUM> are integrally assembled as illustrated in <FIG>.

Assembly of an integrated unit including the holding member <NUM>, the motor <NUM>, and the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, and the lower casing 6D will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

Firstly, the lower casing 6D is assembled with the shaft <NUM>, the washer <NUM>, the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, and the stopper <NUM>.

Next, the clutch mechanism <NUM> is assembled. That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, the clutch shaft <NUM>, the first clutch gear <NUM>, the second clutch gear <NUM>, the clutch <NUM>, the washer <NUM>, the clutch spring <NUM>, and the C ring <NUM> are assembled. The clutch mechanism <NUM> is assembled to the lower casing 6D.

The motor <NUM> is further assembled with the first worm gear <NUM> of the deceleration mechanism <NUM>. The motor <NUM> and the first worm gear <NUM> of the deceleration mechanism <NUM> are assembled into the first holding member 7H1 of the holding member <NUM>.

Thereafter, the helical gear <NUM> of the deceleration mechanism <NUM> and the second worm gear <NUM> thereof are assembled into the motor <NUM>, the first worm gear <NUM> of the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, and the first holding member 7H1 of the holding member <NUM>.

Next, the second holding member 7H2 of the holding member <NUM> and the switch circuit board <NUM> are assembled into the motor <NUM>, the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, and the first holding member 7H1 of the holding member <NUM>.

The motor <NUM>, the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, the holding member <NUM>, and the circuit board <NUM> are further assembled into the lower casing 6D.

Next, the upper casing 6U and the above-described lower casing 6D are assembled. As a result, the electric retraction unit <NUM> is assembled.

The electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment are configured as described above, and the operation will be described below.

When the visibility assembly <NUM> is located at the use position A illustrated in <FIG>, the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> is rotated forwardly (or reversely). Next, the rotational force of the drive shaft <NUM> is transmitted to the casings 6U and 6D via the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, the clutch mechanism <NUM>, and the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>.

The visibility assembly <NUM> electrically rotates from the use position A to the rear retraction position B. When the visibility assembly <NUM> is located at the rear retraction position B illustrated in <FIG>, due to at least one of the operation of the stopper mechanism or the operation of the retraction operation range regulation mechanism, the rotation of the visibility assembly <NUM> is stopped.

Next, the motor <NUM> stalls, a lock current flows, a torque of the motor <NUM> is output as a maximum torque, due to the operation of the switch circuit board <NUM>, the rotation of the motor <NUM> is stopped, and the visibility assembly <NUM> is stopped and located at the rear retraction position B.

When the visibility assembly <NUM> is located at the rear retraction position B, the drive shaft of the motor <NUM> is rotated reversely (or rotated forwardly). Next, the rotational force of the drive shaft <NUM> is transmitted to the casings 6U and 6D via the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, the clutch mechanism <NUM>, and the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>.

The visibility assembly <NUM> electrically rotates from the rear retraction position B to the use position A. When the visibility assembly <NUM> is located at the use position A illustrated in <FIG>, due to the operation of the stopper mechanism, the rotation of the visibility assembly <NUM> is stopped.

Next, the motor <NUM> stalls, a lock current flows, a torque of the motor <NUM> is output as a maximum torque, due to the operation of the switch circuit board <NUM>, the rotation of the motor <NUM> is stopped, and the visibility assembly <NUM> is stopped and located at the use position A.

It is possible to manually rotate the visibility assembly <NUM> located at the use position A to a rear E of the vehicle V It is also possible to manually rotate the visibility assembly <NUM> located at the rear retraction position B to return back to the use position A.

It is further possible to manually rotate the visibility assembly <NUM> located at the use position A to a front F of the vehicle V It is still further possible to manually rotate the visibility assembly <NUM> located at the front retraction position C to return back to the use position A.

The electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment are based on the above-described configuration and effect, and the effect will be described below.

In the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to this embodiment, the motor <NUM> and the deceleration mechanism <NUM> are held by the casings 6U and 6D higher in stiffness than the holding member <NUM> via being held by the holding member <NUM> being the elastic member. This allows the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to this embodiment to smoothly rotate the pivot body (the electric retraction unit <NUM>, the visibility assembly <NUM>) in a stable state.

Moreover, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the first receiving part 64D of the lower casing 6D inserted into the insertion hole <NUM> of the holding member <NUM> receives the thrust load of the first shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> on the motor <NUM> side. This allows the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to this embodiment to even smoothly rotate the pivot body (the electric retraction unit <NUM>, the visibility assembly <NUM>) in a stable state without the motor <NUM> receiving a burden (load).

Further, the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to this embodiment are structured so that the holding member <NUM> is provided with the insertion hole <NUM> while the lower casing 6D is provided with the first receiving part 64D, and thus, no special components are required. That is, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to smoothly rotate the pivot body (the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the visibility assembly <NUM>) in a stable state without a need to increase the number of components and a manufacturing cost.

In the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the tubular parts <NUM> and the end cap part <NUM> at the both ends of the motor <NUM> are fitted and held to the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> and the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM>, respectively, via the first rib <NUM>. As a result, the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, due to the crushing effect at the time of the assembling of the first rib <NUM>, a variation in dimensional tolerance between the motor <NUM> and the holding member <NUM> is absorbed to enable the motor <NUM> to be held (fixed) to the holding member <NUM> without a backlash.

In addition, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the first fitted and held part <NUM> and the second fitted and held part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM> are fitted to and held by the first fitting and holding parts 61U and 61D and the second fitting and holding parts 62U and 62D of the casings 6U and 6D, respectively, via the second rib <NUM>. As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to absorb the variation in dimensional tolerance between the holding member <NUM> and the casings 6U and 6D, due to the crushing effect at the time of assembling the second rib <NUM>, to enable the holding member <NUM> to be held (fixed) to the casings 6U and 6D without a backlash.

As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to hold (fix) the tubular parts <NUM> and the end cap part <NUM> at the both ends of the motor <NUM> to the casings 6U and 6D via the holding member <NUM> without a backlash to prevent the motor <NUM> from tilting.

The electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the first shaft part <NUM> and the second shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> of the deceleration mechanism <NUM> are rotatably held by the gear first holding part <NUM> and the gear second holding part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM>, respectively, with a minimum required clearance. As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the degree of freedom is secured between the second shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> and the gear second holding part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM>.

As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to maintain (hold) a distance between a first worm gear <NUM> axis and a second worm gear <NUM> axis of the deceleration mechanism <NUM> (axial distance). This allows the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to this embodiment to smoothly rotate the pivot body (the electric retraction unit <NUM>, the visibility assembly <NUM>) in a stable state.

In addition, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the gear second holding part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM> configured to rotatably hold the second shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> is fitted to and held by the third fitting and holding parts 63U and 63D of the casings 6U and 6D, without passing through the second rib <NUM>. As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to surely secure the degree of freedom between the second shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> and the gear second holding part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM> to surely maintain (hold) a distance between the first worm gear <NUM> axis and the second worm gear <NUM> axis of the deceleration mechanism <NUM> (axial distance).

In the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the gear first holding part <NUM>, the gear second holding part <NUM>, and the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM> are configured of one component (first holding member 7H1), and form a hollow tubular shape in which the first worm gear <NUM> of the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, the drive shaft <NUM> and the tubular part <NUM> of the motor <NUM> are housed. As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the structure of the holding member <NUM> is simple, and thus, a mold structure is easy, and as a result, it is possible to reduce a manufacturing cost.

In addition, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, one component (first holding member 7H1) has a tubular shape, and thus, it is possible to maintain a grease reservoir such as a lubricant in the first worm gear <NUM> for a long period of time.

In addition, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> configured to fit and hold the tubular part <NUM> of the motor <NUM>, and the gear first holding part <NUM> and the gear second holding part <NUM> configured to rotatably hold the first shaft part <NUM> and the second shaft part <NUM> of the first worm gear <NUM> are the one same component and manufactured by the one same mold. As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress axial misalignment of the deceleration mechanism <NUM> and the motor <NUM> held by the holding member <NUM> compared to a holding member (not illustrated) formed of a plurality of components and manufactured by a plurality of molds, and thus, it is less likely to be affected by a stacking tolerance of a plurality of components.

In addition, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, a mold used for molding one tubular component (first holding member 7H1) has basically a simple tubular shape opening in the axial direction. As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to mold one tubular component (first holding member 7H1) of the holding member <NUM> by an inexpensive mold having a simple structure.

In the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the first shaft part <NUM>, that is, the shaft part of the second worm gear <NUM> rotatably held by the casings 6U and 6D is rotatably fitted and held into the circular through hole <NUM> of the pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM> of the holding member <NUM> in a state where positional displacement is less likely to occur. As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to surely maintain (hold) a distance between the first worm gear <NUM> axis and the second worm gear <NUM> axis of the deceleration mechanism <NUM> (axial distance).

In the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, in a plan view from top to bottom, the clutch mechanism <NUM> is arranged between the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM> (including the shaft <NUM> and the stopper <NUM>) and the motor <NUM>, and the arrangement direction H of the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>, the clutch mechanism <NUM>, and the motor <NUM> intersects with the axial direction G of the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>. As a result, an amount of protrusion (dimension in the left-right direction in <FIG>) of the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle according to the present embodiment is smaller than the electric retraction unit and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle arranged as illustrated in <FIG>.

It is noted that the arrangement illustrated in <FIG> is achieved by arranging the clutch mechanism <NUM> between the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM> (including the shaft <NUM> and the stopper <NUM>) and the second worm gear <NUM> of the deceleration mechanism <NUM> and placing the arrangement direction H of the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM>, and the clutch mechanism <NUM> and the second worm gear <NUM> of the deceleration mechanism <NUM> in parallel to the axial direction G of the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM>.

In the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the motor <NUM>, the deceleration mechanism <NUM>, the clutch mechanism <NUM>, and the rotational force transmission mechanism <NUM> are arranged in a direction intersecting with (direction orthogonal to or substantially orthogonal to) the axial direction of the shaft <NUM> (rotation center line O direction). As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to decrease a dimension in the axial direction (rotation center line O direction) (dimension in the up-down direction) of the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> of the visibility assembly <NUM>.

In the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, when the axial direction G of the drive shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> is intersected with the axial direction of the shaft <NUM>, it is possible to further decrease the dimension in the axial direction of the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> of the visibility assembly <NUM>.

In the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to decrease the amount of protrusion of the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the visibility assembly <NUM>, and it is also possible to decrease the dimension in the axial direction of the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> of the visibility assembly <NUM> (rotation center line O direction) (dimension in the up-down direction) while it is possible to maintain the diameter of the shaft <NUM> as conventionally. As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to stably support the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the visibility assembly <NUM> to the shaft <NUM> against the up-down load.

The electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment are an imaging device configured to image a periphery of the vehicle V of the visibility unit <NUM>, and thus, it is possible to surely decrease the dimension of the housing <NUM> of the visibility assembly <NUM> housing the visibility unit <NUM> being the imaging device, together with the electric retraction unit <NUM>, that is, the dimension in the axial direction of the shaft <NUM> of the visibility assembly <NUM> as compared to the outside mirror device using a mirror.

In the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display the image for the information on the rear and lateral sides of the vehicle V imaged by the visibility unit <NUM> being the imaging device, on the display devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and 5MR. As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible for a driver to visually recognize the image displayed on the display devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and 5MR to visually recognize the rear and lateral sides of the vehicle V As a result, in the electric retraction unit <NUM> and the electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to contribute to a traffic safely, similarly to the mirror.

<FIG> illustrates a modified example of a holding member <NUM>. In the above-described holding member <NUM> (holding member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>), the first holding member 7H1 and the second holding member 7H2 are separately manufactured. On the other hand, in the holding member <NUM>, the first holding member and the second holding member are integrally manufactured.

That is, a motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> and the pair of gear fitting and holding parts <NUM> on the first holding member side (including the gear first holding part <NUM>, the gear second holding part <NUM>, and the first fitted and held part <NUM>) and a motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> and the second fitted and held part <NUM> on the second holding member side are integrally connected via an elastic connection part <NUM>.

The motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> of the holding member <NUM> has a rectangular flat plate shape having a circular through hole at the center. It is noted that the motor first fitting and holding part <NUM> of the above-described holding member <NUM> has a cylindrical shape. The motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> (integrally structured with the second fitted and held part <NUM>) of the holding member <NUM> has two semicircular shapes. It is noted that the motor second fitting and holding part <NUM> of the above-described holding member <NUM> has a C shape obtained by cutting a part having the annular shape.

It is noted that the present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiment.

Claim 1:
An electric retraction unit (<NUM>) mounted on an electrically retractable peripheral visibility device for a vehicle (<NUM>), comprising:
a shaft (<NUM>) fixed to a vehicle body (D) via a base (<NUM>);
casings (6U, 6D) rotatably attached to the shaft (<NUM>); and
a motor (<NUM>), a deceleration mechanism (<NUM>), and a holding member (<NUM>, <NUM>) accommodated in the casings (6U, 6D),
wherein
the deceleration mechanism (<NUM>) includes a gear (<NUM>) having a shaft part (<NUM>, <NUM>) being attached to a drive shaft (<NUM>) of the motor (<NUM>),
the motor (<NUM>) and the gear (<NUM>) are held by the holding member (<NUM>, <NUM>),
the holding member (<NUM>, <NUM>) is configured of an elastic member and held by the casings (6U, 6D), and
the casings (6U, 6D) are configured by a member higher in stiffness than the holding member (<NUM>, <NUM>), and include a receiving part (64D) to receive a thrust load of the shaft part (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the gear (<NUM>) on a side of the motor (<NUM>), characterized in that the holding member (<NUM>, <NUM>)includes a gear first holding part (<NUM>) and a gear second holding part (<NUM>) to rotatably hold the shaft part (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the gear (<NUM>) at both ends of the shaft part respectively.