`
`
`
`MOTHERSON
`EXHIBIT 1005
`
`MOTHERSON
`
`EXHIBIT 1005
`
`

`

`c12) United States Patent
`Tsuyama
`
`I 1111111111111111 11111 lllll 111111111111111 lllll lllll 11111 1111111111 11111111
`
`US006270227Bl
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`(10) Patent o.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) REMOTE-CO TROLLED MffiROR
`APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES
`
`(75)
`
`loveotor: Osamu Tsuyama, 1-liratsu.ka (JP)
`
`(73) As.signee: khikoh Industries, Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
`
`( * ) Not ice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the tenn of this
`pateol is exteoded or aclju led uoder 35
`U .
`.
`. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No. : 09/432,772
`O\', 3, 1999
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Nov. 11, 1998
`Nov. t l, J.998
`Nov. 11, l998
`Nov. ll, l998
`
`(JP) ................................................. 10-321024
`(JP) ............ .... ......... ........................ 10-32 J0r
`(JP) ................................................. 10-321026
`(JP) ................................................. 10-321029
`
`Int. Cl.7
`..... .... ................. ............... ... ......... G02B 7/ltn.
`(51)
`(52) U.S. CI . .......................... 359/871- 359/872; 359/873;
`359/874; 359/875
`J<ield of Search ..................................... 359/871, 872,
`359/873, 874, 875, 876, 877; 248/477,
`479
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U .
`
`. PATENT DO UMENTS
`
`4, 159,866 • 7/ l979 Wunsch et al. ...... ....... ......... 359/871
`5,566,029 • 10/1996 Zebold ................................. 359/872
`8/ 1998 Kanazawa ............................ 359/858
`5,796,532
`
`FOREIG N PATENT DOCUMENT
`
`1/1996 (JP) .
`8-26031
`* cited by examioer
`
`Primary Examiner-Mohamm ad Sikder
`(74) A uorneJ Agenl, or Firm-Foley & Lardner
`ABSTRACT
`
`(57)
`
`A power unit is altached o n one end o f a stay as an angle
`adju tmeol mecbaoism, w itb a mirror bolder Ibat has a
`configuration of housiog mounted on the power unit to be
`capable f tiltiog, wbile tbe mirror holder holds tbe mirror
`body and tbe power unit is housed in a chamber defined by
`the mirror body and tbe mirror holder, so Ibat tbe mirror
`bod y and the mirror holder are lilted with respect lo the lay
`and the power unit by the power unit, thereby adjusting the
`angle. Thu a mirror !musing, Ihat contains the power unit,
`of tbe prior art lo ated on Lbe fixed side together witb tbe
`power unit and tbe stay is eliminated and, instead, tbe mirror
`bolder having a configuration of housing is in ·talled together
`with the mirror body on the tilting side. As a consequence,
`when the mirror body is tilled with respect to the power unit
`and the tay, the mirror bolder i also tilted along with the
`mirror body with respect to the power unit and the sta y, and
`therefore such a problem does not occur as tbe edge of the
`mirror body comes in ide the opening edge of tbe mirror
`housing on the fixed ·ide as io the case of the prior art. As
`a re. ult, it is made possible 10 secure a wide fiel d of view
`without the possibility of cau ·ing an obstacle to Lbe field of
`view when adjusting the angle of the mirror body.
`
`13 Clajms, 23 Drawing beets
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 1
`
`

`

`\JS 6,2'70,22'7 "Bl
`
`,\ug. 1, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 23
`
`u.s. ratent
`FfG.l pRfOR ART
`
`106
`
`104
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 23
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 23
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 23
`
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 5
`
`

`

`\J .S. i>atent
`FIG .5
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 8
`
`

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`FIG.B
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 9 of 23
`
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 10 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 11
`
`

`

`ll.s. PateJJt
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 11 ot· 23
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`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 12 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`Fl G. 12
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 13 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`FIG./3
`
`3
`
`30,31
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 14 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`FIG. 14
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 15 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`FIG./5
`
`4
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`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 16 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 17 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`FIG. 17
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 18 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`Fl G./8
`
`62
`
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`
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`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7 2001
`
`Sheet 19 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 BI
`
`FIG.20
`
`4
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 20 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`FIG.2/
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 21 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`Fl G. 23B
`
`8
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`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 22 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`FIG.24
`
`6
`
`64
`
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`
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`
`81
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`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 7, 2001
`
`Sheet 23 of 23
`
`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`FIG.25
`
`80
`
`416,426
`641
`
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`
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`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 24
`
`

`

`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`1
`REMOTE-CONTROLLED Ml£UWR
`APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES
`BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION
`a) Field of the loveoLioo
`T he present ioveolion relates 10 a remote-cootrolled mir(cid:173)
`ror apparatus for vebicles that, wheo auacbed to a vehicle
`such as one-box car or recreational vebicle, allows il to view
`and perceive in a predetermined field arou nd a desired
`clirectioo by means of tbe reflection of a mirror body, and
`makes it possible 10 change the direction of view by chang(cid:173)
`ing the a ogle of !be mirror body through remote control, aod
`particularly 10 a reruote-cootrollecl mirror apparatus for
`vehicles that is free from obstacles to the view as.'>Ociated
`with the adjustment of the mirror body angle aod is capable
`of ensuring wider field of view.
`b) Description of the Prior Art
`A remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles of the
`prior art comprises, as sbowo io FIG. 1, a stay lOO one end
`of wbicb is auachcd lo a vebicle body, a mirror housing 102
`fastened on 1he other end of the stay 100, a power unit 103
`mounted as an angle adjusting roecbaoism in the mirror
`housing 102, a mirror holder (back board) 104 auacbed, 10
`be capable of adjusting the angle 1hereof, 10 the power unit 25
`103 via a pivo1 mechanism 105 aod ao advance-retract rod
`106, and a mirror body 101 held on the mirror holder 104.
`An example of the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for
`vehicles described above is di,;closed in Japanese Patent
`'Applicatioo Laid-open No. 118-26031. Tbe remote- ~o
`controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles disclosed in this
`publication is used as side mirrors for heavy duty vehicles
`such as truck and bus. and is attached to the vebjclc_body_yja
`a cylindrical SURpc)rt arm Instead of the stay 100.'
`lbe mirror body 101 is limited in size so as not to obstruct 35
`the field of view wben a driver looks back direclly. But eve a
`wbeo the mirror body 101 is limited in size, a wide field of
`view cao be ensured by decreasing the radius of curvature of
`the retlecting surface.
`Tbe above mentioned power uni t L03 is provided with, in 40
`addition to the advance-re1rac1 rod 106 for vertical acljus1-
`rneo1 sbowo in lbe drawings, an advance-retract rod for
`horizontal adjustment, for example, 001 show(cid:143).
`An exampl.e of application of 1be remote-con1rolled mir-
`ror apparatus for vehicles of the prior art mentioned above
`wi U now be described below with reference 10 FIG. 2
`through FIG. 4.
`lo this application, the remo1e-con1ro1Jed mirror apparatus
`is used as an electrically powered and remote-comrolled rear
`under mirror apparatus for automobiles, being moun ted by
`auacbing ao e(cid:143) d of the stay 100 oo the rear lop of a vehicle
`body such as ooe-box car or recreational vehicle C.
`The remo1e-con1rolled mirror apparatus for vehicles
`enables it to view a range indicated by dashed line in a lower 55
`portion at the back of vehicle C sucb as one-box car or
`recreational vehicle, rrom the eye point E.P. or the driver via
`the mirror bod)'. 101. Namely, it becomes possible 10 view
`and perceive wi1bin a predetermined field around a desired
`direction by means or the retlcctioo of the mirror body 101. 60
`Wbco the advance-retract rod 106 for vertical adjustment
`is moved forward by the power unit 103, the mirror body
`101 is driven via the mirror bolder 104 to tilt down (position
`indicated by alternate dot and clash line in FIG. 1) about a
`horizontal axis (line coanectiog the center of lhe pivot 65
`mechanism LOS and the center of tbe advance-retract rod for
`borizontal adjustmcot). This cbaoges the field of view (range
`
`45
`
`2
`which can be viewed and perceived) io a lower porlio(cid:143) al the
`back of vehicle C such as one-box car or recreational vehicle
`from lbat indicated by dashed lioe in FIG. 2 to that indicated
`by allernate dot and dash line in FJG. 2. That is, vjewing
`s direction is changed to bad.-ward.
`When the advance-retract rod 106 for vertical adjustment
`is moved backward, the mirror body 101 tilts upward
`(position indicated by alternate double-dot and dash line in
`FIG. L) about the horizontal axis and the field c>f view
`10 changes from that indicated by dashed line in FIG. 2 10 that
`ind icated by al!eroale double-dot and dash line in FIG. 2,
`and the viewing direction changes lo forward.
`Further, wbeo the advance-retract rod for bodzontal
`adjustment is moved forward (or bad.-ward), 1be mirror body
`15 101 tilts to the left about a vertical axis (line connecting !be
`center of the pivot mechanism 105 and the center of tbc
`advance-retraci rod 106 for vertical adjustment), and the
`field of view changes from tha1 indicaied by dashed line in
`FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 10 lbat indicated by alternate dot and dash
`:lO line in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, so that tbe viewing directiou
`changes 10 the left.
`Also when the advaoce-re1rac1 rod for boriwntal adjust(cid:173)
`ment is moved back.ward (or forward), the mirror body 101
`tilts to the right about the vertical axis, aod tbe field of view
`changes from tbal indicated by clashed line in FIG. 3 aod
`FIG. 4 10 that indicated by alternate double-dot aod dash line
`in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, so that the v iewing direction changes
`to the rigbl.
`H owever, in the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for
`vehicles of the prior art described above, tbe mirror bousiog
`102 that houses 1he power unit 103 is located along with the
`power unit 103 aocl the stay 100 on the fixed s ide, while the
`mirror body 101 is located along witb the mirror bolder 104
`on the lilting side that tilts with respect 10 the fixed side, as
`shown in FIG. 1. J\s a resul t, when tbe mirror body 101 is
`tilted with respect to lbe mirror housing 102, 1,;clge of tbe
`mirror body L0l may come inside the opening edge of the
`mirror bousing 102. For example, wbea the mirror body 101
`is tilted downward as indi.cated by al tema1e dot and clash li ne
`in FIG. 1, lower edge of the mirror body 101 comes inside
`the lower opening edge of tbe mirror housing 102. When the
`mirror body 101 is tilted upward as imlicatecl by aheroate
`double-dot and clash line in FIG. 1, upper edge of the mirror
`body 101 comes inside ihe upper openiag edge of the mirror
`housing 102. lo case the edge of the mirror body 101 comes
`inside the opening edge or the mirror housing 102, the
`opening edge of the mirror housing 102 may be reflected on
`the mirror body l0L and make an obstacle to the view.
`50 Obstruction to the view when adjusting the aogle of the
`mirror body 101 becomes conspicuous panicu larly in the
`case of the mirror body 101 having a smaU radius of
`curvature.
`
`SUMMARY OF 11lE LNVENTION
`An object of the present invention is to provide a remote(cid:173)
`controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles that is capable of
`securing a wide field of view without the possibility of
`causing an obstacle 10 1be field of view when adjustiog tbe
`angle of the mirror body.
`According to the present invention, io order to achieve tbe
`object described above, a power unit is attached lo one encl
`of a stay as an angle adjusting mecbaa~sm, a m irror bolder
`having a configuration of housing is aatachecl 10 the power
`unit to be capable of tilting, a mirror body is held oo tbe
`mirror holder, the power unit is housed in a chamber defined
`by the mirror body aocl the mirror holder, aod the angle of
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 25
`
`

`

`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`3
`. aid mirror body, together with the mirror holder, i. adju led
`with respect 10 the
`iay and power ua.it y meaas of the
`power uoit.
`the remote-con trolled mirror apparatu s for
`Thus in
`vehicles of the presen t inveotion, the mirror hou iog of Lbe 5
`prior art, that houses the power unit localed on 1be fixed side
`together wiLb Lhe power unit and the lay iS el im i(cid:143) a1ecl and,
`ins1ead, the mirror bolder having a co(cid:143) figurnt ion of housing
`Lbat houses the pow r unit is installed together wi.lh the
`mirror body on the Lilting side. Consequently, wlrnn the 10
`mirror body is tilled witb respe I to the power unit and Lbe
`stay the mirror holder is also tilted together with the mirror
`body witb respect lo the power unit and tbc
`lay, and
`therefore such a problem does 001 occur as tbc edge of the
`mirror body comes inside the opening edge of the mirror 15
`housing o(cid:143) the fixed ide as in tbe case of the prior art. As
`a re ult, it becomes possible to secure a wide lleld of view
`without the possibilit y of causi ng an obstacle io the fie ld of
`view wben adjusting tbe angle of tbe mirror body.
`
`4
`FJG. 20 i a view in the direction of XX in FIG. 11 .
`FIG. 21 i a sectiona l view s howing the waterproof boot.
`FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view showing tbe througb
`hole and the engagemen t lip of the mirror holder.
`FIG. 23A is a plan view of tbe eparate piece FIG. 23B
`is a view sbowing the section along line ll-ll in FIG. 23A,
`and FIG. 23C is a view showing tbc cction along line -C
`in FIG. 23A.
`FIG. 24 is a partial ly cutaway view corresponding lo the
`section along line B-B in FIG. 23A, showing tbe stale of
`tbe pberical portion of the advaace-retracl rod being fitted
`ill the spherical rec
`- of tbe mirr r holder ba..~e via the
`separate piece.
`FIG. 25 is a partially cu taway view corresponding to the
`. ectioo along line -C in FIG. 23A, showing the . talc of
`tbe spherical portion of lbe advance-retract rod being fi tted
`in the spherica l recess of the mirror holder base via the
`separate piece.
`
`20
`
`BRIEP DE RIPTIO O17 Ti lE DRAWING
`FIG. l i. a partially cutaway view showing the remote(cid:173)
`controlled mirror appa ratus for vehicles of the prior art.
`FIG. 2 is a side view showing tbe field of view in an 25
`example of using Lile remote-co(cid:143)
`troUed mirror apparatu for
`vehicle. of lhe prior art . hewn in FIG. 1 as a rear under
`mi rror for a vehicle such a one-box car or recrealio nal
`velriclc.
`FJG. 3 is a plan view sbowiug tbe field of view.
`FJG. 4 is a plan view sbowiog the field of view,
`FJG. 5 i a part ially cutaway view showing one embodi-
`ment of Lbe rem te- ontrolled mirror apparatus for vcb.icles
`of the present invent ion.
`FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway v.icw sbowiog a
`late io
`wbfob tbe mirror body and Lbe other components are lilted
`downward.
`FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway view bowing a state io
`wbicb tbe mirror body and Lbe other components are Lilied 40
`upward.
`FIG. 8 i! a partially cutaway view showi ng the power unit
`Lbe mirror bolder base and other compo11en1s.
`FIG. 9 i an exploded pi;;r. peclivc view bowing tbe
`mirror body.
`FIG. 10 i an exploded perspec1ive view showing a part
`of the power urril and Lhe clutch mechanism.
`FIG. ll i an eJqi loded perspective view showi ng a key
`portion o[ Lbe power unit.
`171G. U is a.(cid:143) exploded perspective view showing lhe
`mirror holder base.
`FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing Lhe
`mirror bolder.
`fl G. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing tbc stay, 5
`part of the pivot mechanism and the wa ter 1 oof boot.
`FIG. 15 is a schematic fron t view showing the layout of
`motors, advance-relra I rocl5 and drive fo rce transmissio n
`mcchani m of the power unit.
`FIG. 16 is an exploded sectional view bowing tbe notch
`type clutch mecbanism.
`FIG. 17 is a part ially cu tawa view showing the friction
`type clutch mechanism .
`FIG. 18 is a view in Lbe direction of XVJJJ in JG. 12.
`FIG. 19 is a part ially culaway view hawing the elastic
`fitting of the guiding projection and the guid ing recess.
`
`DETAILED D , CRfPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`An embodLmeot of tbe rcmo1c-contr lied mirror appara(cid:173)
`tus for vehicles according 10 the present iove(cid:143) Lion will be
`described below with reference Lo Fl
`. 5 througb HG . 25.
`This is an example of application 10 an eleclrically powered
`and remote-co(cid:143) trolled rear under mirror apparatus for
`automob iles being mounted on the rear top of a vehide
`ucb as one-box car or recreational vebicle. In I be
`body
`0 drawing. , same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1
`tJ1rough FIG . 4 denote identical part . By assembling com(cid:173)
`ponent bown in the exploded perspective views of FIG. 9
`througb FIG. 14 along Lhe center axis 0-0, the remotc(cid:173)
`con1ro1Jcd mirror apparaLus for vehicle. accordi ng to this
`35 embodimen t of tbe present iovenlio(cid:143) is coostmcted.
`lo tbe drawings, refereoce oumeral l denote a stay made
`of a hollow lube (pipe). One end of the stay l is allached to
`a vehicle body (001 sbow(cid:143)). Mounted OIJ t11e 01ber end of tbe
`stay 1 is a mirror body 2 via a mirror holder 3 and power unit
`4 (and a clutch mechanism 5 and a mirmr holder base 6) Lo
`erve as an angle adjusting mechanism, mou nted to be
`capable of adjus ting Lbe angle.
`The mirror oocly 2 described above bas a convex rellect-
`45 iag surface (mirror surface) of a smaJI radius of curvat ure
`formed thereon, as shown in rl G. 5 through FI G. 7 and PIG.
`9. The mirror bolder 3 described above has such a configu(cid:173)
`ration of hou. ing with a front face 30 opening and a rea r
`port ion closed as shown in FIG. 5 through r:IG. 7 and FIG.
`13. In the front opening 30 of the mirror bolder 3, a hook 31
`and a plu ral ity of ribs 32 (omi lled in 171G. 13) arc insta lled
`integra ll y with each otber. f.astened by bonding (aod/or
`other fastening mean ) via tape 20 between the hook 31 and
`tbe ribs 32 il, the circumforence of the mirror body 2. As a
`result, the mirror body 2 i · held b the mirror holder 3 of the
`housing configura tion.
`The power u(cid:143) il 4 is dispo eel in a chamber 21 defined by
`tbe mirror body 2 and tho mirror holder 3. 1l1e power unit
`4 comprj es two separa.te parts of bousiog 400 and 401 tha t
`60 are held 1oge11lcr by screws 402, a show(cid:143) in FIG . 8, FlG.
`10, FIG. U and FIG. 15. The housing pans 400 and 401
`contain two motors 41, 42, two aclvaoce-retra I rods 410,
`420, two sets of drive fo rce traosrnis ion mechaoi m.
`(comprising first (worm) gear. 4ll, 421 , second gears (cacb
`65 comprising a helical gear o[ a worm wheel and a spur gear
`of a(cid:143) idle gear combined on the same haft) 412, 422, third
`gears (eacb comprisi og an extern al-teeth gear and an
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 26
`
`

`

`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`5
`internal-teeth gear integrated) 413, 423), two cross-shaped
`springs 414, 424 and two packings 415, 425 incorporated
`therein.
`The two advance-retract rods 410, 420 are located on two
`oblique axes Sl--Sl , S2-S2 that arc counterparts of mutu- 5
`ally perpendicular vertical axis V-V aod horizontal axis
`11-H rotated around the intersect thereof ( center P of a
`pivot rnecbaoism 63 10 be described later and is the center
`o( lilting movement of tilting members such as the mirror
`body 2 and the mirror bolder 3) by 45 degrees, being locat.ed 10
`io parallel to the borizoo1al axis H- 11 and above the
`horizontal axis 11-
`11, respectively. The vertical axis V-V,
`the horizontal axis H- H and tbe two oblique axes Sl --Sl ,
`S2--S2 intersect at right angles witb the center axis 0-0
`located oo one eod of the stay 1 at the intersect Jl.
`1be two motors 41, 42 are disposed io V-sbaped coo.figu(cid:173)
`ration that is symmetrical with respect 10 the vertical axis
`V-V as s hown in PIG. 15. The two sets of drive force
`transmission mechanL<;ms 411, 421 ,412, 422, 413, 423, the
`two cross-shaped springs 414, 424 a(cid:143) d the two packings 20
`415, 425 arc disposed substantially in the moving direction
`of the two advance-retract rods 410, 420.
`Since tbe two advaoce-rctracl rods 410, 420 are located on
`tbe two oblique axes S l-Sl , S2--s2 that are counterparts
`of the mutually perpendicular vertical axis V-V and hori(cid:173)
`zontal axis H-H rotated around the iniersect P, 0-0 by 45
`degrees, being d isposed in parallel 10 the horizontal axis
`11-
`11 and above the horizontal axis H- H, respectively,
`rbus the distances between the intersect P, 0-0 and the
`centers 01, 02 of the advance-retract rods 410, 420 can be
`increased to square rooL of 2 (approximately 1.4) times 1ba1
`of a case in which the two advance-retract rods are located
`on the vertical axis V-V and the horizontal ax.is H-11,
`given the same size of the housi(cid:143) g 400, 401 of the power
`unit 4, thus increasing the holding force of the two advaoce(cid:173)
`rcLract rods 410, 420.
`Also because the two advance-retract rods 410, 420 are
`arranged symmetrically with respect 10 the vertical axis
`V- V, balance between tbe right and left portions is main(cid:173)
`tained. Further since the moving portions of the mirror body
`2 and the mirror bolder 3 are beld by 3-poinl support
`involving the pivot mechanism 63 to be described later, the
`reflecting surface of the mirror body 2 can be prevented from
`being dislocated by impact or tbe like.
`In the remote-controlled mirror apparatus for vehicles of
`this type, the center o[ mass of the tilting member consLi(cid:173)
`tuted from the mirror body 2 and the mirror holder 3 and
`other components is preferably located at the center P of
`tilting movement of the tilting member for the convenience so
`of the angle adjusLmenl. However, when the center of mass
`of the tilting member and the center P of tilting movement
`deviate from each other, a force proportional to the aruouo t
`of deviation llcts on the tilting member to cause the tilting
`member to tilt. This tilling movement of the tilting member 55
`is prevented by the main bottling effect of the pivot mecha(cid:173)
`nism 63 and the subsidiary holding effect o( Lile two
`advance-retract rods 410, 420 of the power unit 4. In this
`embodiment, since the two advance-retract rods 410, 420 are
`arranged symmeLrically with respect to the vertical axis 60
`V- V, the subsidiary holding effects of the two advance(cid:173)
`retract rods 410, 420 on the right and left are well balanced,
`so that the reflecting surface of the mirror body 2 c,rn be
`surely prevented from being dislocated.
`The power unit 4 has the cavity (cavity of a sbaft 50 lo be
`described later) tbat communicates w ith Lbe cavity o f the
`stay 1, as shown ia FIG. 5 through FrG. 8. The cable harness
`
`6
`43 connected to Lbe two motors 41, 40 is led out of the
`housing 400, 401 of the power unit 4 in the chamber 21 tbat
`is defined by lbe mirror body 2 and tbc 01irror holder 3,
`passed through the cavity (cavity o f the shaft 50 10 be
`described later) of tbe power unit 4 aod the cavity of the stay
`l as shown in r,·1G. 5 through FIG. 8, and is electrically
`coooectcd to a power source (not shown).
`Since the cable harness 43 is passed through tbe cavity of
`the power uait 4 and the cavity o f the s tay 1 in the chamber
`21 as described above, the cable harness 43 does not run
`outside the chamber 21 unlike such a case as the cable
`harness is drawn out of the mirror holder 3 (mirror housing)
`for coooection, thus resulting in bener appearance. Also
`because the assembly work is easier for passing tbe cable
`15 harness 43 tbrougb the cavity of the power unit 4 and tbe
`cavity of the stay 1 io the chamber 21 and the cable harness
`43 is 001 Jed outside the chamber 21, sealing performance is
`improved.
`Moreover, in the cai,c of the remote-controlled mirror
`apparatus for vehicles according to I.be present iaventiou
`wherein the mirror body 2 and the mirror holder 3 that house
`the power unit 4 lilt with respect to the power unit 4 and the
`stay 1, since the cable harness 43 is wired io tbe chamber 21
`defined by tbe mirror body 2 and the mirror bolder 3, tilting
`25 motion of the m icror body 2 and the mirror bolder 3 can be
`done smoothly. This effect is particularly remarkable when
`the cable bar(cid:143) ess 43 passes through the ce(cid:143) ter P of tilting
`movement of the mirror body 2 and the mirror holder 3.
`The power unit 4 is attached to one end of the stay 1 to
`be rotatable arou nd the center axis 0 - 0 on the one end of
`tbe s tay 1 via the clutcb rnecbaoisrn 5 as shown io FIG. 8 and
`FIG. 10. 111e clutch mecbanism 5 has the shaft 50 that is
`fixed on the stay 1 side and a bracket 51 fixed on tbe power
`unit 4 side, as shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 and FIG. 16.
`The shaft 50 is separated from the stay 1 as shown in FIG.
`8, and comprises a hollow cylindrical tube that is smaller
`than the stay 1, with a di<;k 500 being attached integrally iu
`ao intermediate portion thereof. The disk 500 bas s mall
`40 round recesses 501 arranged one on another oo one side or
`the disk (opposite side o f the stay 1) along the circumference
`thereof. One end of the shaft 50 is inserted into one cod o(
`the s tay 1 and fastened by, for example, three screws 502 as
`a tightening fixture. The other end of tbe sbaf1 50 and the
`45 disk 500 are housed in the housing 400, 401 of the pow1:r
`unit 4, while the otber end of the shaft 50 furtber penetrates
`through the bousing 400, 401 o f tbe power unit 4. Besides,
`ccotcr axis o[ tbc sbaft 50 and the ceoler axis 0-0 oo the
`other e nd of the stay l correspond witb each other, and the
`cable harness 43 passes through the sllaft 50 aad the stay l.
`The above mentioned bracket 51 has a sbapc o( triangular
`plate as shown in FIG. LO, and has a rou1Jd tbrougb hole 510
`at the center thereof. The bracket 51 is fi lled to the other cod
`of the shaft 50 via tbc through bole 510 to be rotatable about
`the center axis 0-0 (in the direction of arc arrow in FIG.
`10) and movable in the direction of the center axis 0-0 (in
`thccl.irecli.oo of straight arrow in FIG. 10), and is faste ned on
`the housing 401 of the power unit 4 by means of screws SU.
`The bracket 51 has, for example, three small balls (steel
`balls) 512 embedded al equal imervals on one side (surface
`that opposes the disk 500 of the shaft 50) thereof, corre-
`sponding Lo the group of recesses 501 of tbc shaft 50.
`Also as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, a bushing out 52 is
`fastened oo the other eacl of the sbafl 50. l(cid:143) staHed between
`65 the bushing out 52 and the bracket 51 are a compressive coil
`spring 53 and a washer 54. Elastic force or the spring 53
`presses the bracket 51 against the disk 500 of the shaft 50,
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1005, Page 27
`
`

`

`US 6,270,227 Bl
`
`7
`thereby filling the balls SU into the recesses SOL. As a result,
`the power unit 4 is mounted on the other end of the s tay 1
`via tbe clutch rnecbaoiso1 5 to be rotatable about tbc center
`axis 0-0.
`Since the power unit 4 is mounted on tbe other cod of Lbe 5
`stay 1 via the clutch mechanism 5 to be rotatable about the
`center axis 0-0 on the other end of the stay 1, the mirror
`body 2 and the otber components can be rotated about the
`center axis 0-0 on the other end of the stay 1 with respect
`to the stay 1 via the power unit 4 and the clutch mechanism 10
`5, thereby providing such effects as increasing tbe scope of
`use. In otber words, angle of the mirror body 2 is adjusted
`through remote control thereby changing the viewing
`direction, and the mirror body 2 cao also be rotated abou t the
`center axis 0-0 on the other end of the stay 1. 15
`Consequently, the field in which objects can be viewed and
`perceived can be changed, making it pos.siblc to view over
`a wider range.
`Specifically, tbe mirror body 2, the mirror bolder 3, the
`power unit 4 and the other components are rotated about the 20
`center axis 0-0 oo the other end of tbc stay 1 with respect
`10 the stay l against the elastic force of the s1,ring 53. T his
`causes the balls SU oo the bracket 51 side to get out of the
`recesses 501 on the shaft 50 side. Accordingly, the bracket
`51 slides in the direction of the center axis 0-0 of the stay 25
`1 against the elastic force of the spring 53. Wbe n the balls
`512 have got out of the recesses 501, the mirro r body 2 and
`the o ther components rotate about the center axis 0-0 on
`the other end of the stay I with respect to the stay L.
`When rotation of the mirror body 2 and the otber com- JO
`pooeots is stopped, the elastic force o( the spring 53 causes
`the bracket 51 to slide in the direction of the center axis
`0-0 of the s tay 1, thus making the balls SU filled in the
`recesses SO.I again, so tbat the power unit 4 and the s tay I.
`side arc held together.
`In the case of the clutch mechanism 5 of the notch type,
`the holding force is large and such ao effe.ct is provided as
`click