초록 ▼

A pivot mechanism for a vehicle external rear view mirror assembly is disclosed. The mechanism includes: a base frame portion and a case frame portion mounted to the base frame portion for rotation about a pivot axis. A detent is operable between the base frame portion and the case frame portion. A

A pivot mechanism for a vehicle external rear view mirror assembly is disclosed. The mechanism includes: a base frame portion and a case frame portion mounted to the base frame portion for rotation about a pivot axis. A detent is operable between the base frame portion and the case frame portion. A spring mechanism clamps the case frame portion to the base frame portion and includes a compression spring disposed around the axis and a spring tie. The spring has first and second tie ends spaced apart from each other and connected by a tie shaft. The tie shaft passes through the spring. The spring tie shaft includes a spring tie reaction feature, whereby in a deployed position, a torque applied to the case frame portion about an axis orthogonal to the axis by an external force is resisted by the spring tie reaction feature.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pivot mechanism for a vehicle external rear vision assembly, the pivot mechanism including: a base frame portion integral with, or attachable to, a vehicle-mountable base frame;a case frame portion mounted to the base frame portion for rotation about a pivot axis, the case frame portion integra

1. A pivot mechanism for a vehicle external rear vision assembly, the pivot mechanism including: a base frame portion integral with, or attachable to, a vehicle-mountable base frame;a case frame portion mounted to the base frame portion for rotation about a pivot axis, the case frame portion integral with, or attachable to, a case frame adapted to support a rear vision device, the case frame movable about the pivot axis from a deployed position to a folded position;a detent operable between the base frame portion and the case frame portion, the detent having: an engaged position where the case frame portion is held in a selected position with respect to the base frame portion, and a disengaged position allowing the rotation about the pivot axis;a spring mechanism clamping the case frame portion to the base frame, the spring mechanism including:a compression spring disposed around the pivot axis, the compression spring having an internal radius; anda spring tie, the spring tie having a first tie end and a second tie end, the first and second tie ends spaced apart from each other and connected by a tie shaft, the tie shaft passing through the spring, the spring tie shaft including a spring tie reaction feature,whereby the case frame portion, the base frame portion and the spring tie are mutually arranged and constructed such that, in the deployed position, a torque applied to the case frame portion about an axis orthogonal to the pivot axis by an external force is resisted by the spring tie reaction feature. 2. The pivot mechanism of claim 1 wherein the spring tie reaction feature includes a plurality of spring tie reaction surfaces. 3. The pivot mechanism of claim 2 wherein the plurality of spring tie reaction surfaces are circumferentially spaced apart around the spring tie shaft. 4. The pivot mechanism of claim 3 wherein each spring tie reaction surface is located radially inboard of the internal radius of the compression spring. 5. The pivot mechanism of claim 1 wherein the compression spring includes one or more disc springs. 6. The pivot mechanism of claim 1 wherein the spring includes a first spring end and a second spring end, the first spring end compressed retained in compression against either one of the first and second tie ends. 7. The pivot mechanism of claim 1 including a powerfold mechanism operably interposed between the base frame portion and the case frame portion, wherein the powerfold mechanism is operable to electrically drive the case frame portion with respect to the base frame portion. 8. A pivot mechanism for a vehicle external rear vision assembly, the pivot mechanism including: a base frame portion integral with, or attachable to, a vehicle-mountable base frame;a case frame portion mounted to the base frame portion for rotation about a pivot axis, the case frame portion integral with, or attachable to, a case frame adapted to support a rear vision device, the case frame movable about the pivot axis from a deployed position to a folded position;a spring mechanism clamping the case frame portion to the base frame, the spring mechanism including:a compression spring disposed around the pivot axis, the compression spring having an internal radius; anda spring tie, the spring tie having a first tie end and a second tie end, the first and second tie ends spaced apart from each other and connected by a tie shaft, the tie shaft passing through the spring, the spring tie shaft including a spring tie reaction feature,whereby, in a deployed position, the spring tie reaction feature is positioned such that rotation of the case frame portion about an axis orthogonal to the pivot axis is resisted by the spring tie reaction feature. 9. A pivot mechanism for a vehicle external rear vision assembly, the mechanism including: a base frame portion integral with, or attachable to, a vehicle-mountable base frame; a case frame portion mounted to the base frame portion for rotation about a pivot axis, the case frame portion integral with, or attachable to, a case frame adapted to support a rear vision mirror;a detent operable between the base frame portion and the case frame portion, the detent having;an engaged position where the case frame portion is held in a selected position with respect to the base frame portion, anda disengaged position allowing the rotation about the pivot axis, the detent including a first set of detent features and a second set of detent features;a spring mechanism clamping the case frame portion to the base frame portion and the first set of detent features to the second set of detent features;a support arm having an attachment end and a floating end, the floating end supporting the first set of detent features, the first set of detent features fixed against rotation about the pivot axis with respect to the support arm, but displaceable relative to the attachment end in a direction substantially parallel to the pivot axis; anda powerfold mechanism operably interposed between the base frame portion and the case frame portion, the powerfold mechanism including the second set of detent features,wherein the attachment end of the support arm is fixed to, and is fixed against rotation with respect to, one of: the case frame portion and the base frame portion, andwherein the second set of detent features is fixed against rotation with respect to the other of: the case frame portion and the base frame portion, andwherein the powerfold mechanism is operable to electrically drive the case frame portion with respect to the base frame portion.