Double pivot vehicle mirror assembly

Abstract

A mirror assembly especially designed for commercial vehicles including a support arm, a mirror head pivotally affixed to the support arm by first and second hinges having a pivot axis. The axes extend horizontally and transverse to the direction of vehicle travel. The first hinge allows a pivoting of the mirror head about its pivot axis only in a first direction A and the second hinge permits a pivoting of the mirror head only in a second direction B which is opposite to the direction A. By this means, it is possible that the two hinges can be simple and rugged in construction.

Description

[0001] The present invention concerns a mirror assembly for a vehicle, in particular for a commercial vehicle. [0002] The support arm of rearview mirrors in commercial vehicles, like a city bus, is commonly extended forward from the chassis at an essentially horizontal level when the mirror head hangs downward from the forward end of a support arm, they are known as “horn-mirrors,” especially when applied to buses. Horn-mirrors provide better aerodynamics and simple fabrication as well as an advantageous field of view which encompasses a wide arc. [0003] If, as in the case of “low-floor” buses, a part of the support arm and / or the mirror extend into a safety zone, this zone normally covers a span from the ground level to about 2 meters above, the mirror must be adjusted as to height for the protection of both mirror and persons as may be waiting within a said safety zone. [0004] EP 0 895 897 B1 proposes a single hinge attachment so that the mirror can be swiveled about a single hori...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002] The support arm of rearview mirrors in commercial vehicles, like a city bus, is commonly extended forward from the chassis at an essentially horizontal level when the mirror head hangs downward from the forward end of a support arm, they are known as “horn-mirrors,” especially when applied to buses. Horn-mirrors provide better aerodynamics and simple fabrication as well as an advantageous field of view which encompasses a wide arc.

[0014] The mirror head is usually an elongated structure having a first end of the mirror head pointing towards the vehicle and a second end pointing away from the vehicle. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention either the first or second hinge is attached to the mirror head at a position between the first end of the mirror head and the second end of the mirror head. This arrangement reduces the space required for the mirror head upon pivoting. Due to this placement of the hinges, the mirror head acts, in the case of a pivoting in the first direction of rotation, a weight compensation and generates an inherent torque about the first axle of rotation because of gravity. In this manner a pivoting in the first direction of rotation at the constructively identical first and second hinges requires a lesser release torque. Therefore, the first hinge is already released upon small torques, while the second hinge is only released at higher torques, and thus withstands torques induced by wind forces, for example.

Problems solved by technology

Hinges which permit swinging in both directions, and enable a simultaneous attainment of a fixed position are expensive.

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