Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02474286 2004-07-14
DETENT JOINT
Cross Reference to Related Applicatiion
[ooo~] This application claims priority from a German Application fled July
14,
2003 under Serial Number 10331868.2.
Background of the invention
[0002] The instant invention is directed to a decent joint, primarily for use
with
external mirrors of vehicles, but also with any external mirror which may
require such a
detest joint.
[0003] External mirrors of vehicles are generally fastened to the vehicle by
means of one or several brackets.
[0004] Preferably swivel joints are employed to make it possible to pivot the
mirror from the original position in which the mirror is set, essentialBy
perpendicular to
the side of the vehicle into a second position, in which the mirror stands
essentially
parallel to the side of the vehicle. This arrangement makes it a possibility
to fold this
mirror into the side of the vehicle during transport and parking decreasing
its overall
width or to fold the mirror back against the side in order to avoid, or at
least diminish
damage to the mirror upon collision with an obstacle as the case may be.
[0005] Advantageously, the swivel joints are designed in the nature of the
decent
joints, which engage the second position for at least the above-described
reason -that
means they oppose the clearly heightened resistance of the torque around the
axis of
rotation. Aside from that, still other detest positions can be made available
which
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enable different basic positions while keeping the possibility for adjustments
of the
mirror pane relative to the mirror. In order to adjust the mirror's surface
relative to his
sitting position, the driver can initially bring the entire mirror to a
suitable basic position
and then adjust the angle of the mirror pane exactly for his position.
[0006] A similar arrangement is taught by Ef' 1 092 589. In this arrangement a
first hinge piece, on which the mirror can be secured, as well as a second
hinge piece
for the attachment to the vehicle are provided. Both hinge pieces are joined
together in
such a way as to be rotated about a rod. This motion is accomplished by two
arms of
the first hinge piece which cooperate with second two arms of the second hinge
piece,
and a cylindrical part set in between. The cylindrical part is fixed to the
second hinge
piece by means of two clamp blocks that partially encompass its circumference.
The
cylindrical part has several evenly-spaced external notches on its
circumference on the
side turned toward the first hinge piece. A complementarily formed detent
element is
pushed back and set in the first hinge piece in the radial direction and is
spring-forced
in this direction, so that in each case one of the notches of the cylindrical
part is
engaged allowing the hinge pieces relative movement ire the radial direction.
[0007 If the first hinge piece is turned around the second, the detent element
is
moved out of a notch against the resistance of the spring and, by the strength
of the
spring, is pushed into the next notch as soon as it lies directly across from
the decent
element, thus resulting in different decent positions. Because the cylindrical
part is
pivoted to the second hinge piece in different positions, the detent positions
can be
secured arbitrarily as regards the second hinge piece.
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[0008] The primary drawback to this arrangement is that the detest joint
consists
of many pieces which results in costly manufacturing .and unwanted tolerance
of the
joint as a result of the tolerance chains. Also, the stroke direction of the
decent element
must always lead radially through the axis of rotation, so that no
disequalibriated torque
is induced. This line of engagement of rotation of the axis-detest engagement-
stroke of
the detest element requires a relatively large space in the direction of the
stroke. The
larger lever arm controls the hinged position of the external mirrors which
results in
destabilization of the detest joint.
[0009] It is an object of the instant invention to provide a detest joint
which is
tolerance-free as much as possible and by which the rotation axis may be
arranged
outside of the line of engagement. A further object of the instant invention
is to make
an externs( mirror with a tolerance-free detest joint and in which the axis of
rotation may
be placed outside the Line of engagement.
Summary of the Invention
[0010] The above objectives are accomplished according to the present
invention by providing a detest joint which consists of first and second hinge
pieces
which are connected to each other by the decent joint and where an axis of
rotation is
firmly secured to one of the two hinge pieces and around which the other of
the two
hinge pieces is pivoted. A detest element is set in a plane perpendicular to
the rotation
axis and is pushed back in the direction of engagement by a spring element.
The
decent surface includes at least two teeth protruding out of the surface. The
second
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hinge piece has a counter surface formed with complementary notches which act
to
receive the at least two protruding teeth of the decent element engage in at
least one
decent position.
[0011] Because at least two teeth are always engaging with corresponding
notches in the counter surface, these teeth are being pushed into the adjacent
flanks by
the opposing power component in the direction of the circumference, so that
the detent
joint is automatically centered in an essentially tolerance-free manner. To
this, the
teeth and the corresponding notches can be formed if desired to be essentially
wedge-
shaped.
[0012] Because the necessary torque required for positioning the mirror is
distributed to several teeth, the impact ~n the single teeth is diminished
which lessens
wear and tear.
[0013] Automatic centering of the decent joint makes it also possible to
arrange
the rotation axis outside of the line of engagement.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the detent element is received in a slide
bearing so that it can only be pushed back in the direction of engagement.
[0015] In one especially preferred embodiment, according to the invention, a
forward andlor back stop is provided in the slide bearing in the direction of
engagement.
A forward stop prevents the decent element from being pushed out of its track
by the
spring element, while a back stop limits the maximal downward deflection of
the spring.
j0016] The detent element always remains in the first piece under a spring pre-
load due to forward and back stop limits in the slide bearing. The back stops
may
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include a pin tightly secured to or integrally formed with the first hinge
piece and
positioned to slide in a slot formed in the slide bearing. This arrangement
enables
assembly of the hinge piece to include a pre-stressed detent element as a semi-
finished part or, as a spare piece.
[0017] The detent joint, according to the invention preferably does not allow
the
direction of engagement to intersect with the axis of rotation. This
arrangement
provides a very compact short model in the direction of engagement Which is
free of
intersections and undercuts respectively. Alternatively, in certain instances
it may be
desirable that the arrangement be constructed with the direction of engagement
aligned
to intersect with the axis of rotation. Advantageously, the axis of rotation
may be
arranged in the second hinge piece which carries the detent element in such a
position
that the hinge piece can be twisted in such a way that the decent element can
be
installed or removed. This additionally simplifies the assembly.
10018] The spring element may comprise a flat spring that supports itself in
the
detent element and a first hinge piece, in such a way that it pushes the
detent element
in the direction of engagement. The detent element is advantageously pushed
sideways to the direction of engagement in its track, whiich increases
stability.
[0019] Likewise, the spring element can also include a coil spring or can be
implemented by use of the decent element collectively as one piece.
[0020] tn one especially preferred embodiment, the detent element contains
more than two teeth.
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[0021 ] In an embodiment that is just as especially preferred, the counter
surface
contains more than two complementarily formed notches, so that the at least
two teeth
of the detent element can engage in more than one - detent position in the
complementarily formed notches and, so doing, are able to implement several
detent
pOSttiOrlS.
~escription of tl~e Drawin.~s
[0022] The construction designed to carry out the irwention will hereinafter
be
described, together with other features thereof.
[0023] The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the
following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming
a part
thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:
[0024] Fig 1 is a cutaway rear view of an external mirror and detent joint
according to the invention.
[0025] Fig 2 is a cutaway top view of the external mirror
and detent joint.
[0026] Fig 3 is an exploded rear perspective view.
[0027] Fig 4 is an exploded front perspective view.
~escription of a Preferred Embodiment
[0028] Fig 1 shows an extemai mirror which is adapted to be attached to a
vehicle and includes a detent joint. The external mirror includes a first
hinge piece 1
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attached in suitable manner with a second hinged piece 2. First hinge piece 1
is
connected with the second hinge piece 2 by way of rod 4 which is set in the
axial
direction in bores 12, 14 as an axis of rotation. Rod 4 contains an over-
flange 41 and
an under-flange 42 which secures it with hinge pieces 1, 2. Alternatively, rod
4 can be
set in position with bolts, adhesives, or other such means. With respect to
the axis of
rotation A, an essential#y cylindrical front face surface 11 is provided with
the inner
surfaces of the upper and lower arms of first hinge piece 1.
[0029] Rod 4 also passes through second hinge piece 2, joining the first and
second hinge pieces in such a way that they can be pivoted about the rotation
axis A.
Thereby, the first hinge piece 1 is engaged with the second hinge piece 2 in
the area of
the axis of rotation by rod 4 which extends in the axial direction, so that
both hinge
pieces are axially joined with each other.
j0030] Rod 4 can also be integrally formed with the first or second hinge
piece.
In this case, the track of the other arm, carried by the rod, can be formed
from several
pieces and can be assembled around the axis of rotation. Likewise, rod 4 may
be
attached to one of the hinge pieces; not only in axial but also in rotational
direction,
which, reduces the tolerance of the joint. Upper and lower slide bearings 8
are formed
in the arms of first hinge piece 1 which receive decent elements 5 in such a
way that
they can be pushed axially of the arms as seen in figure 2, but do not
interfere with the
axis of rotation.
(0031] The upper and lower arms of first hinge piece 1 form slide bearings 8
including a slot 9 of selected length on their top and undersides,
respectively. Detent
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elements 5 are positioned in bearings 8 under or over said slots 9
respectively. Bores
15 are formed in detest elements 5 in position to lie beneath or above slots
9. Pins 10
are provided to pass through slots 9 and engage in bores 15. Each pin 70 may
be
slightly tapered allowing the decent element to be more axially tolerance-
free. Slots 9
along with pins 10 form a forward and back stop with a primary function of
controlling
the length of movement of the decent elements 5 back in the direction of
engagement
with counter surface 7. The decent element 5 is forced in the direction of
engagement
with counter surface 7 by a flat spring 6 arranged with a preloaded force. The
flat
springs 6 are supported in slits 16 formed in the sidewalls of the detest
element 5. This
structure benefrciaily reduces the tolerance necessary of the decent joint.
[0032] A nib 18 in the slide bearing 8 acts to deform the fiat spring 6
providing
the preloaded force which maintains force on pin 10 and decent 5 in the
direction of the
forward limit of the stop and second hinge piece 2 in each of the forward and
back stop
positions of slot 9.
(0033] Each detest element 5 includes three teeth 51 which, as seen in Fig 2,
are essentially formed wedge-shaped. The second hinge piece 2 can-ies an
essentially
arcuate counter surface 7 contoured about the rotation axis A and including
complementarily notches 51. This structure allows the second hinge piece to be
advantageously formed of fewer assembly pieces than conventional hinge pieces.
[0034] Springs 6 urges the decent elements 5 forward in the direction of
engagement with counter surface 7. The cuts or notches 17 of the counter
surface 7 lie
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directly across from the teeth 51 so that the teeth are pushed into the
notches and held
there. This way decent joint 5 is engaged in one decent position.
j0035] With the application of a torque around the axis of rotation, the teeth
51
are pushed out against the pressure of the flat spring 6 in the direction
toward the back,
out of the notches 9 allowing hinge pieces 'i and 2 to be moved relative to
the axis of
rotation. As soon as the teeth 51 move into position directly across from
different
notches in the counter surface 7, teeth 51 are urged into these notches by the
force of
springs 6 and held there. This way, decent joint 5 is engaged in another
decent position
and hinge pieces 7 and 2 are held in different relative positions.
[0036] Advantageously, the flanks of the teeth generate a torque as soon as
they
move into the corresponding notches oil the counter surface until they are
completely
engaged in the notches. This allows the detest joint to centralize itself
automatically,
even when the line of engagement does not intersect the rotation axis.
(0037] In this way a tolerance-free decent joint is set according to
regulations. As
displayed in the example according to Fgs 1-3, the detest joint moves along an
axis
perpendicular to and laterally spaced apart from the rotation axis so that the
rotation
axis A may advantageously be set outside the line of engagement resulting in a
compact, short model in the direction of engagement.
[0038] To the assembly, either the decent elements 5 with the flat springs 6
can
be inserted in the slide bearing and secured by means of pins 10. Then this
semi-
finished part can simply be axially fixed to the second hinge piece, by
driving rod 4
through bath hinge pieces 1 and 2.
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(0039] Hinge pieces 1 and 2 could then be pivoted about the rod 4.
Subsequently, because of the advantageous assembly of the rotation axis, both
hinge
pieces can be pivoted so far that the slide bearing 8 of the first hinge piece
'i is spaced
from counter surface 7 and is exposed. In this position, the detent elements 5
along
with flat springs 6 could be installed and then secured by the pins 10. The
first hinge
piece 1 is pushed back into an engaged position by which the front 11 of the
first hinge
piece 1 lies directly across from the counter surface 7 of the second hinge
piece.
(0040] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using
specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is
to be
understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the
spirit
or scope of the following claims.
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