Patent Application
20080130150
The present invention relates to a mirror module, especially for a vehicle, which comprises a module frame, a mirror and a mirror cover, the mirror cover being displaceably arranged between the mirror and the module frame. The present invention further relates to a component comprising said mirror module, a component, especially a sun visor and especially for a vehicle, method for assembling the mirror module and the component as well as the use of the component as a sun visor in a motor vehicle.
Sun visors mounted to be pivotably movable in vehicle bodies, which comprise a mirror which may be covered by means of a lid, are known in the prior art. In this connection, the lid is, for example, pivotable or displaceable so that it is optionally able to cover or reveal the mirror.
The utility model DE 202 17 313 U1 discloses such a sun visor, which comprises two half-shells which may be connected to one another, one of the half-shells comprising on the inside two guides for the lid, in which said lid may be displaced. The lid comprises two respective spring-elastic, U-shaped projections at the side, in order to prevent distortion between the guides and to allow a substantially uniform displacement.
The object of the invention is to provide a component, especially a sun visor and especially for a vehicle which comprises a mirror with a displaceable mirror cover, the mirror cover being able to be displaced in a very uniform manner, the component being able to be manufactured in a very simple and substantially automated manner, and the component being cost-effective.
The object is achieved by a mirror module, especially for a vehicle, which comprises a module frame, a mirror and a mirror cover, the mirror cover being displaceably arranged between the mirror and the module frame, the mirror cover comprising a guiding means by which means it is guided along a sliding means which is preferably not arranged on the mirror module. The person skilled in the art understands that the guiding means as well as the sliding means are able to be provided such that a distortion of the mirror cover during displacement is substantially avoided. The guiding means thus allows, according to the invention, a very uniform displacement along the sliding means.
The mirror cover is arranged according to the invention between the module frame and the mirror. During manufacture, said mirror cover is therefore arranged on the module frame and the mirror is then fastened to the module frame. Preferably, the fastening of the mirror is carried out by first positive and/or non-positive connecting means, for example by snap closures, so that the fastening is reversible and therefore allows, on the one hand, the components to be exchanged. On the other hand, the manufacture of the mirror module may be carried out very rapidly and easily due to the fastening by means of first positive and/or non-positive connecting means. It is particularly preferred that the module frame and the first positive and/or non-positive connecting means are manufactured in one piece, for example as an injection-molded part. Similarly, the mirror cover is preferably manufactured with its guiding means in one piece as an injection-molded part. As a result, the manufacture of the mirror module is very cost-effective, both relative to the cost of material and also relative to the assembly. The modular construction allows the use of the mirror module in any components, especially of a vehicle.
The person skilled in the art understands that an arrangement of the sliding means is also possible on the mirror module, for example on the module frame. For reasons of easier manufacture and assembly, it is however preferred not to arrange the sliding means on the mirror module.
Preferably the guiding means comprises two arms arranged substantially parallel to one another, so that the guiding means is particularly preferably substantially U-shaped or Y-shaped in cross section. This design of the guiding means may be manufactured very easily and cost-effectively.
Preferably, the sliding means is a single-track rail or multi-track rail extending in a sliding direction. With single-track manufacture of the sliding means, for example in the form of a rib, the guiding means preferably engages at least partially around the sliding means. With multi-track manufacture of the sliding means, for example in the form of a plurality of ribs arranged substantially parallel to one another, in particular with three-track or four-track manufacture of the sliding means, the sliding means preferably at least partially engages around the guiding means.
The person skilled in the art understands that, in an embodiment which is preferred due to the low cost of material associated therewith, the sliding means is provided as two-track sliding means and the guiding means is provided as single-track guiding means. However, the cost of the material is even lower if the sliding means is manufactured as single-track sliding means, and the guiding means is provided with two arms, so that this embodiment is particularly preferred. The guiding means is quite particularly preferred to be provided substantially in the center of one of the edges of the mirror cover extending transversely to the sliding direction.
Preferably, the arms may be clamped to one another by means of a force means, for example by means of a spring. The force exerted on the arms by means of the force means preferably has the effect that the spacing between the arms is elastically contracted. As a result, the arms bear at least partially on the sliding means. The person skilled in the art understands that the force exerted by the force means on the arms may be adjusted such that it compensates for the play between the guiding means and the sliding means and/or slight irregularities in the manufacture of the guiding means and/or the sliding means but, however, an easy and very uniform displacement of the mirror cover is ensured.
Preferably, the mirror cover comprises at least one first compensating means, particularly preferably two first compensating means. The first compensating means is preferably spring elastic and U-shaped and arranged on one edge of the mirror cover parallel to the sliding direction. With an embodiment with two compensating means, said compensating means are preferably arranged parallel to one another on the respective opposing edges of the mirror cover, which extend substantially parallel to the sliding direction. The first compensating means produces compensation for the manufacturing tolerances between the module frame and the mirror cover in a plane formed by the mirror cover and arranged substantially parallel to the mirror.
The mirror cover further preferably comprises at least one second compensating means, particularly preferably two second compensating means. The second compensating means extends in a direction which extends transversely to a plane formed by the mirror cover and substantially parallel to the mirror and produces compensation for the manufacturing tolerances in this direction, preferably between the module frame and a component into which the mirror module is fitted. Preferably, the second compensating means is arranged on a molding which is arranged on one edge of the mirror cover extending transversely to the sliding direction, and preferably the molding and the compensating means are integral with the mirror cover. In one embodiment in which the mirror cover comprises two second compensating means, the moldings are preferably arranged in the vicinity of the corners of the mirror cover and on the same edge of the mirror cover.
The compensating means are preferably arranged in a region of the mirror module which is not visible to the user, in order not to reduce the visual effect.
The mirror module according to the invention is easily constructed and may be manufactured rapidly, easily and very cost-effectively. The mirror cover may be very uniformly displaced due to the guiding means according to the invention.
The object is further achieved by a component which comprises a base body with a recess into which a mirror module according to the invention is inserted. The component and mirror module may be manufactured independently of one another and optionally simultaneously, so that the manufacture may be carried out rapidly and cost-effectively.
Preferably, the base body comprises a first base body part and a second base body part which form a cavity, the mirror module being arranged at least partially in the cavity. The mirror module may, therefore, be inserted very easily into the base body through the recess.
Preferably, the fastening of the mirror module is carried out by means of second positive and/or non-positive connecting means, preferably by means of snap closures, so that the assembly may be carried out rapidly and easily and is reversible. The mirror module, the components thereof and/or the base body may therefore be exchanged. Preferably, the second positive and/or non-positive connecting means are arranged on the second base body part and, particularly preferably, are integral therewith. The base body parts are preferably injection-molded parts and therefore may be produced cost-effectively. The connection of the base body parts is preferably carried out by means of a material fit, particularly preferably by means of bonding or welding.
In a preferred embodiment, the second base body part comprises the sliding means in a sliding direction, the sliding means being also preferably integral with the second base body part. As a result, only a very slightly higher material cost results for the second base body part, the strength of the second base body part being advantageously improved by the sliding means. The production costs are, therefore, not substantially increased by the sliding means.
The object is further achieved by a component, especially a sun visor and especially for a vehicle which comprises a base body and a mirror with a mirror cover, the mirror cover being arranged on the mirror, the base body comprising just one sliding means, along which the mirror cover may be displaced in and counter to a sliding direction from a first position in which the mirror is substantially covered by means of the mirror cover, into a second position in which the mirror is at least partially not covered by means of the mirror cover. Due to the use of only one sliding means, along which the mirror cover may be displaced, the material cost for producing the component is low and the component may, therefore, be produced cost-effectively. Moreover, the mirror cover is therefore not able to become skewed between two sliding means.
Preferably, the mirror cover comprises a guiding means by means of which it is guided when displaced along the sliding means. As a result, the mirror cover is not able to distort or slip when displaced. By means of the guiding means it is ensured that the displacement is carried out easily and uniformly.
Preferably, the mirror and the mirror cover are components of a mirror module according to the invention, so that the component is able to be manufactured in a modular manner.
The following embodiments apply to both components solving the object of the invention.
In one preferred embodiment, the sliding means is a single-track sliding means, so that the material cost is very low.
Preferably, the guiding means at least partially engages around the sliding means. As a result, the mirror cover is securely guided along the sliding means and does not distort when displaced.
A further subject of the present invention is a method for assembling a mirror module according to the invention, the mirror cover being arranged on the side associated with the mirror on the module frame, and the mirror being connected to the module frame, preferably reversibly and preferably by means of first positive and/or non-positive connecting means, for example snap closures. Due to the use of first positive and/or non-positive connecting means, the method may be carried out in a fully automated manner and is therefore very cost-effective.
Preferably, the spring is arranged before, during or after the assembly of the mirror module on the guiding means of the mirror cover.
A further subject of the present invention is a method for assembling a component according to the invention, the mirror module being inserted into the recess, preferably reversibly and preferably by means of second positive and/or non-positive connecting means, for example snap closures. This method also provides for the use of second positive and/or non-positive connecting means so that it is substantially automated and therefore cost-effective.
A further subject of the present invention is the use of a component according to the invention as a sun visor of a motor vehicle. The sun visor may be produced in an automated manner, cost-effectively, rapidly and easily and the mirror cover may be very easily and uniformly displaced.
The invention is disclosed hereinafter by means of the figures. The figures are given merely by way of example and do not restrict the general idea of the invention.
In view b it may be seen that a mirror module 1 according to the invention preferably only comprises four components, a module frame 4, the mirror cover 5, a force means 3 and the mirror 6. For fastening the mirror 6 to the module frame 4 said module frame comprises first positive and/or non-positive connecting means 12. Furthermore, the guiding means 7 arranged on the mirror cover 5 is visible.
In the installed state, the mirror module 1 is inserted into the component and/or the mirror 6 is fastened to the mirror module 1 such that by displacing the mirror cover 5 the mirrored surface of the mirror 6 is visible.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2004 060 758.3 | Dec 2004 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP05/56794 | 12/14/2005 | WO | 00 | 6/8/2007 |
