Patent ID: 12227132

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereafter, a preferable embodiment of the present invention will be described referring to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS.1and2show a side door1of a vehicle to which a door mirror structure of the present invention is applied. The side door1is configured such that a door mirror2is arranged near a beltline BL at an upper end3aof an outer panel3and on a vehicle rearward side of an A pillar4. A door glass6is arranged at a door opening portion5which is enclosed by the A pillar4and the beltline BL.

The door opening portion5is positioned at an upper side Z1and an inward side Y1, in a vehicle width direction Y, of the outer panel3at the side door1as shown inFIG.16. Further, the door glass6is provided to be inclined such that its upper side Z1is located on the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction at an upper side of the outer panel3.

The door mirror structure of the side door1of the vehicle according to the present embodiment is the one where the door mirror2which is storable in an electromotive manner is attached to the side door1as shown inFIGS.1-7. Specifically, the door mirror structure primarily comprises a door-mirror body portion11and a mirror base12which constitute the door mirror2and an electromotive rotational unit13for rotating the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12. The electromotive rotational unit13is arranged inside the side door1.

Further, the door mirror structure of the present embodiment comprises a rotational support axis24(seeFIGS.11and12) which rotatably supports the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12, a beltline reinforcement21as a frame member inside the side door1, a support member22which fixes the electromotive rotational unit13to the beltline reinforcement21, and a cover member27which is provided at a vehicle outside of the side door1.

Hereafter, respective structural elements of the door mirror structure will be described in order.

As shown inFIG.2, the door-mirror body portion11is provided with a mirror14to obtain a rearward visual field of the vehicle and a housing15. The mirror14, which is an optical mirror to reflect light, is held at a rearward face (specifically, a face which is directed toward a vehicle rearward side in a state where the mirror14takes a mirror-use position P1shown inFIG.3) of the housing15. Further, inside the housing15of the door-mirror body portion11are stored an inner device37(seeFIG.12), such as a mirror-face adjusting unit for angle adjusting of a vertical direction Z and the vehicle width direction Y of the mirror14or a defrosting unit for the mirror14.

The mirror base12, which is a section to constitute an arm portion of the door mirror2, comprises a tip-end portion12bwhich is fixed to the door-mirror body portion11and a base-end portion12awhich is provided away from the tip-end portion12bas shown inFIGS.3-6.

Further specifically, the door-mirror body portion11is fixed to the tip-end portion12bof the mirror base12such that the mirror14and the mirror base12are nearly parallel to each other.

The base-end portion12aof the mirror base12is attached to the side door1such that the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12are rotatable between the mirror-use position P1where the mirror14is visible from a cabin inside through the door opening portion5and a mirror-storage position P2which is located on the inward side, in the vehicle width direction Y, of the mirror-use position P1.

In the present embodiment, the rotational support axis24shown inFIGS.9-12is connected to the base-end portion12aof the mirror base12and rotatably supports the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12between the mirror-use position P1(seeFIGS.3and5) and the mirror-storage position P2(seeFIGS.4and6).

The rotational support axis24extends from the base-end portion12ainto the side door1and is rotated by the electromotive rotational unit13.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.9-12, a penetration hole26is formed at the outer panel3which constitutes an outside face of the side door1. The rotational support axis24passes through the penetration hole26of the outer panel3and is coaxially connected to an output axis35(seeFIG.12) described later of the electromotive rotational unit13which is arranged in a space portion20inside the side door1.

The electromotive rotational unit13is configured to rotate the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12between the mirror-use position P1and the mirror-storage position P2. Specifically, the electromotive rotational unit13comprises, as shown inFIG.12, a casing31, a motor32, a reduction gear33to reduce a generation torque of the motor32, a torque limiter34, and the output axis35to output a rotational drive force. The casing31stores the motor32, the reduction gear33, the torque limiter34, and the output axis35therein. Further, the rotational support axis24and a journal36to rotationally support the rotational support axis24are also stored in the casing31. Accordingly, the motor32, the reduction gear33, the torque limiter34, and the output axis35, which are primary structural elements of the electromotive rotational unit13, are arranged on the axis line of the rotational support axis24. The output axis35is connected to the rotational support axis24integrally rotationally.

Herein, in a case where an excessive torque is generated at the rotational support axis24when the motor31is driven, the torque limiter34cuts transmission of the torque, so that a load of the motor32can be suppressed.

A ball bearing or a roller bearing which can support the rotational support axis24with a small rotational resistance are preferable as the journal36.

The electromotive rotational unit13is fixed to the beltline reinforcement21by the support member22. In the present embodiment, the electromotive rotational unit13is, as shown inFIGS.9and10, fixed to the beltline reinforcement21in an inclined state where its upper side Z1is located on the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction. Thereby, the rotational support axis24(seeFIG.8) which extends coaxially with the electromotive rotational unit13is also provided to be inclined such that its upper side Z1is located on the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction.

The beltline reinforcement21is a frame member which is provided inside the side door1to constitute a frame of the side door1. As shown inFIG.7, the beltline reinforcement21is fixed to a door inner7(seeFIGS.7and12) provided inside the side door1such that it extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction X along the beltline BL at a window lower-end edge (i.e., a lower-end edge of the door opening portion5where the door glass6is arranged). The beltline reinforcement21of the present embodiment is made of an aluminum-made extrusion material.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.8-12, the support member22comprises a semi-cylindrical shaped holding portion22aand a pair of fixation portion22bwhich are provided at both sides, in the vehicle longitudinal direction X, of the holding portion22a. The holding portion22aholds the casing31where the electromotive rotational unit13and the rotational support axis24are stored. The pair of fixation portions22bare fastened to the beltline reinforcement21by bolts28.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown inFIGS.9-12, a harness25extends from the space portion20inside the side door1to the door-mirror body portion11and is electrically coupled to the inner device37(e.g., the mirror-face adjusting unit) provided inside the door-mirror body portion11.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS.11and12, the beltline reinforcement21has a first opening21aat a position thereof which faces the holding portion22aof the support member22. Further, a second opening31ais formed at the casing31of the electromotive rotational unit13at a position which faces the first opening21a. Further, the rotational support axis24of the present embodiment is of a hollow cylindrical shape, and a third opening24ais formed at its peripheral surface at a position which faces the second opening31a. Accordingly, the harness25extends from the inside of the side door1to the inside of the rotational support axis24, passing through the first opening21aof the beltline reinforcement21, the second opening31aof the casing31, and the third opening24aof the rotational support axis24(see a portion25aof the harness25shown inFIG.11which extends upwardly passing through the inside of the rotational support axis24). Further, the harness25extends to the inner device37provided inside the door-mirror body portion11passing through the respective insides of the rotational support axis24and the mirror base12, and is electrically coupled to the inner device37.

Herein, in the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, since the holding portion22aof the support member22is of the semi-cylindrical shape, even if the harness25is arranged as described above, the casing31can be inserted into the holding portion22aof the support member22from above without any interference of the harness25with the holding portion22a.

The cover member27is configured to cover a gap between the penetration hole26and the rotational support axis24from the vehicle outside. Specifically, as shown inFIGS.9-12, the casing31of the electromotive rotational unit13where the rotational support axis24is stored and the holding portion22aof the support member22which covers the casing31are exposed to the vehicle outside through the penetration hole26of the outer panel3. The cover member27covers the casing31and the holding portion22awhich store the rotational support axis24therein from the outside at a position located below the base-end portion12aof the mirror base12and also covers a gap between the penetration hole26and the holding portion22a.

Further, as shown inFIG.13, the door-mirror body portion11of the present embodiment is configured such that an inner face11bof the door-mirror body portion11which faces the side door1is inclined toward the vehicle outside relative to an imaginary line L1which passes through an inner-end portion11aof the door-mirror body portion11perpendicularly to a surface of the mirror14in a plan view in the mirror-use position P1(i.e., inclined in a direction away from the side door1) for improvement of the visibility from the cabin inside. That is, the inner face11bof the door-mirror body portion11extends along an imaginary line L2which extends obliquely relative to the imaginary line L1toward the vehicle outside with its start point of the inner-end portion11aof the door-mirror body portion11. In other words, the door-mirror body portion11taking the mirror-use position P1shown inFIG.13is configured such that the width, in the longitudinal direction X, of the door-mirror body portion11becomes narrower from a middle position, in the vehicle width direction Y, of the door-mirror body portion11toward the inner-end portion11awhich is positioned on the side of the side door1in the vehicle width direction Y (becomes a taper shape).

By configuring (shaping) the door-mirror body portion11as described above, the visual field from the cabin inside is not interrupted by the inner face11bof the door-mirror body portion11as shown inFIG.14. Thereby, a visual field of a space S1which is located in front of the door-mirror body portion11, i.e., the space S1which is enclosed by the inner-end portion11aof the door-mirror body portion11, the A pillar4, and the beltline BL, can be secured widely, so that the visibility is improved.

For reference, in a structure in which the electromotive rotational unit (not illustrated) is stored at a door-mirror body portion51like a door mirror50which is shown inFIG.15as a comparative example, since the longitudinal width of the door-mirror body portion51becomes larger, an inner face51bof the door-mirror body portion51becomes visible from the cabin inside. Accordingly, the space S2which is located in front of the door-mirror-body portion51, i.e., the space S2which is enclosed by the inner-end portion51aof the door-mirror body portion51, the A pillar4, and the beltline BL becomes narrower, so that it is apparent that the visibility is deteriorated.

Features of Present Embodiment

[1]

The door mirror structure of the present embodiment is the door mirror structure for the vehicle provided with the outer panel3as shown inFIGS.1-10. The present door mirror structure comprises the door-mirror body portion11provided with the mirror14to obtain the rearward visual field of the vehicle, the mirror base12having the tip-end portion12bfixed to the door-mirror body portion11and the base-end portion12aprovided away from the tip-end portion12b, the rotational support axis24connected to the base-end portion12aof the mirror base12and rotatably supporting the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12between the mirror-use position P1where the mirror14is visible from the cabin inside and the mirror-storage position P2which is located on the inward side Y1, in the vehicle width direction Y, of the mirror-use position P1, and the electromotive rotational unit13provided to rotate the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12between the mirror-use position P1and the mirror-storage position P2around the axis line of the rotational support axis24.

As shown inFIGS.7-12, the electromotive rotational unit13is provided at the side door1. The rotational support axis24is provided to be inclined such that its upper side Z1is located on the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction as shown inFIGS.9,10and16.

According to the present invention, since the electromotive rotational unit13, which is a heavy object, is provided at the side door1, the vertical moment generated at the door mirror which is caused by a road-surface input during the vehicle traveling (i.e., vibrations or outer forces which are mainly generated in the vertical direction, which may be caused by an unevenness (concave/convex) of the road surface) can be decreased, so that the vibrations of the mirror can be suppressed.

Further, since the electromotive rotational unit13is provided at the side door1, the longitudinal width of the door-mirror body portion11can be shortened compared with a conventional door-mirror structure in which the electromotive rotational unit13is stored inside the door-mirror body portion11, so that the visibility from the cabin inside can be improved.

Moreover, in the above-described structure comprising the door-mirror body portion11provided with the mirror14and the mirror base12having the tip-end portion12bfixed to the door-mirror body portion11, the electromotive rotational unit13rotates the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12from the mirror-use position P1to the mirror-storage position P2. Accordingly, in a state where the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12are rotated to the mirror-storage position P2, respective protrusion quantities of the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12which protrude in the vehicle width direction Y from the side face of the side door1can be made small, so that the vehicle width can be properly minimized.

Additionally, in the above-described structure, the rotational support axis24is provided to be inclined such that its upper side Z1is located on the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction as shown inFIGS.9,10and16. Accordingly, as shown inFIG.16, in a state where the door-mirror body portion11takes the mirror-storage position P2can be stored in a state where it falls down toward a surface of the outer panel3and approaches the outer panel3, without contacting the outer panel3. In this storage state, a surface11dof the door-mirror body portion11which faces the outward side Y2in the vehicle width direction can be further retreated toward the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction. Consequently, the vehicle appearance in the mirror-storage state of the door mirror can be improved and also the contacting of the door mirror with the object outside the vehicle can be avoided.

Herein, in order to compare withFIG.16,FIG.17shows a state of the door mirror taking its storage position P2as a comparative example of the present invention, in which the rotational support axis24is not inclined toward the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction (not inwardly inclined) but in an upright state. In the comparative example shown inFIG.17, since the door-mirror body portion11is moved (rotated) horizontally at the same level from the mirror-use position P1to the mirror-storage position P2in its upright state, the door-mirror body portion11comes to contact the outer panel3at the mirror-storage position P2, so that the door-mirror body portion11is unable to approach the outer panel3and configured to stand upwardly Z1from the surface of the outer panel3, which deteriorates the appearance. Further, in this storage state, the surface11dof the door-mirror body portion11which faces the outward side Y2in the vehicle width direction cannot be retreated sufficiently toward the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, it is apparent that the door mirror structure of the comparative example shown inFIG.17is inferior to the door mirror structure of the present embodiment shown inFIG.16in improving the vehicle appearance in the door-mirror storage state and avoiding the contacting with the object outside the vehicle.

[2]

In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, since the electromotive rotational unit13is provided inside the side door1, the electromotive rotational unit13can be protected from a foreign substance or the like which exist in the vehicle outside by the outer panel3which constitutes the outside face of the side door1. Herein, the electromotive rotational unit13may be positioned outside of the side door1, but in this case, a large cover member to protect the electromotive rotational unit13or the like are required.

[3]

In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, the penetration hole26where the rotational support axis24passes is formed at the outer panel3which constitutes the outside face of the side door1. The door mirror structure further comprises the cover member27which covers a gap between the penetration hole26and the rotational support axis24from the vehicle outside.

According to this structure, since the cover member27covers the gap between the penetration hole26and the rotational support axis24, the appearance of the vehicle is improved and also water can be prevented from coming into the inside of the outer panel3through the above-described gap.

[4]

The door mirror structure of the present embodiment further comprises the support member22to fix the electromotive rotational unit13to the side door1. The electromotive rotational unit13is fixed to the beltline reinforcement21as the frame member which constitutes a frame of the side door1by the support member22.

According to this structure, since the electromotive rotational unit13is fixed to the beltline reinforcement21as the frame member constituting the frame of the side door1, the support rigidity of the electromotive rotational unit13is improved. Further, the above-described door mirror structure can be widely used at the conventional door structure by fixing the electromotive rotational unit13to the beltline reinforcement21which is generally used at the conventional door structure.

[5]

In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, the beltline reinforcement21is made of the aluminum-made extrusion material. According to this structure, since the beltline reinforcement21is made of the aluminum-made extrusion material, securement of the support rigidity of the electromotive rotational unit13and light weight of the vehicle can be compatibly attained.

[6]

In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.16, the side door1further comprises the door glass6provided at the upper side Z1of the outer panel3. The door glass6is provided to be inclined such that its upper side Z1is located on the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction.

According to this structure, since door glass6is provided to be inclined such that its upper side Z1is located on the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction, the door-mirror body portion11taking the mirror-storage position P2falls down toward the door glass6, so that the door-mirror body portion11comes to take a parallel or nearly-parallel position relative to the door glass6. Consequently, the vehicle appearance in the mirror-storage state is further improved.

[7]

In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, the rotational support axis24is fixed to the base-end portion12aof the mirror base12and configured to be rotatable around the axis line of the rotational support axis24together with the mirror base12by receiving a rotational drive force of the electromotive rotational unit13.

According to this structure, the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12can be rotated between the mirror-use position P1and the mirror-storage position P2by rotating the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12around the rotational support axis24by means of the electromotive rotational unit13. Accordingly, rotating of the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12between the mirror-use position P1and the mirror-storage position P2can be materialized with a simple structure.

[8]

In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, the electromotive rotational unit13(specifically, the motor32, the reduction gear33, the torque limiter34, and the output axis35, which are primary structural elements of the electromotive rotational unit13) is arranged on the axis line of the rotational support axis24.

According to this structure, since the electromotive rotational unit13is arranged on the axis line of the rotational support axis24, a system structure of drive-force transmission from the electromotive rotational unit13to the rotational support axis24can be made simple and compact. Thereby, arranging the electromotive rotational unit13in the space inside the side door1becomes possible.

[9]

In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.13, the door-mirror body portion11is configured such that the inner face11bof the door-mirror body portion11which faces the side door1is inclined toward the vehicle outside relative to the imaginary line L1which passes through the inner-end portion11aof the door-mirror body portion11perpendicularly to the surface of the mirror14in the plan view in the mirror-use position P1.

According to this structure, since the door-mirror body portion11taking the mirror-use position P1is configured such that the inner face11bof the door-mirror body portion11is inclined toward the vehicle outside relative to the imaginary line L1perpendicular to the surface of the mirror14, the visual field from the cabin inside is not interrupted by the inner face11bof the door-mirror body portion11. Consequently, the visibility from the cabin inside is secured at the maximum, thereby improving the visibility further.

In the door mirror structure of the present embodiment, as shown inFIG.13, the door-mirror body portion11taking the mirror-use position P1is configured such that the width, in the longitudinal direction X, of the door-mirror body portion11becomes narrower from the middle position, in the vehicle width direction Y, of the door-mirror body portion11toward the inner-end portion11a, in the vehicle width direction Y, of the door-mirror body portion11in the plan view.

According to this structure, since the longitudinal width of the door-mirror body portion11becomes narrower from the middle position toward the inner-end portion11a, the visual field from the cabin inside is not interrupted by the inner face11bof the door-mirror body portion11. Consequently, the visibility from the cabin inside is so secured at the maximum that the visibility can be improved further.

Modified Examples

[A]

While the door mirror structure of the above-described embodiment is configured such that the rotational support axis24is inclined only toward the inward side Y1in the vehicle width direction (inwardly inclined) and not inclined in the vehicle longitudinal direction X, the present invention is not limited to this structure. As a modified example of the present invention, the rotational support axis24may be provided to be inclined not only toward the inward side Y1but such that its upper side Z1is located on the vehicle forward side X1as shown inFIG.18in order to store the door-mirror body portion11in a state where it approaches the door opening portion5.

In the modified example shown inFIG.18, the electromotive rotational unit13is fixed to the beltline reinforcement21in a state where it is inclined such that its upper side Z1is located on the vehicle forward side X1. Thereby, the rotational support axis24which extends coaxially with the electromotive rotational unit13is provided to be inclined such that its upper side Z1is located on the vehicle forward side X1as well.

In the modified example shown inFIGS.18and19, the rotational support axis24is provided to be inclined not only toward the inward side Y1but such that its upper side Z1is located on the vehicle forward side X1. Accordingly, as shown inFIG.19, the door-mirror body portion11having the mirror-storage position P2is located upwardly Z1away from the outer panel3of the side door1so that a gap δ can be secured between the door-mirror body portion11and the outer panel3. Therefore, the door-mirror body portion11taking the mirror-storage position P2can be stored in a state where it is positioned upwardly Z1and inwardly Y1(specifically, in a direction approaching the door opening portion5), in the vehicle width direction Y, relative to the outer panel3, without contacting the outer panel3. Consequently, the vehicle appearance in the mirror-storage state of the door mirror2can be further improved and also the contacting of the door mirror2with the object outside the vehicle can be further avoided.

[B]

While the present embodiment is configured such that the rotational support axis24is fixed to the base-end portion12aof the mirror base12and rotatable around the axis line S of the rotational support axis24(seeFIG.12) together with the mirror base12by receiving the rotational drive force of the electromotive rotational unit13, the present invention is not limited to this structure. The present invention is attained as long as the rotational support axis24is connected to the base-end portion12aand the electromotive rotational unit13rotates the door-mirror body portion11and the mirror base12around the axis line S of the rotational support axis24. Accordingly, there may be a modified example of the present invention, in which the rotational support axis24is provided as a non-rotational axis, the base-end portion12aof the mirror base12is attached to the rotational support axis24so as to rotate relative to the rotational support axis24, and the electromotive rotational unit13is configured to rotate the mirror base12directly, not indirectly via the rotational support axis24.

[C]

The mirror of the present invention includes any type as long as means for obtaining the rearward visual field is adopted. For example, the optical mirror14to obtain the rearward visual filed by reflection of the light from the vehicle rearward side or a so-called digital mirror capable of obtaining the rearward visual field by means of a television camera provided at the door-mirror body portion11are included in the concept of the mirror of the present invention.