DE102019205923A1 - Exterior mirror unit for a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an exterior mirror unit (1) for a vehicle, having a mirror (3) and a housing (2) that partially encloses it. In order to enable moisture to be removed from an exterior mirror easily and efficiently, the invention provides that the housing (2) has at least one air duct (13) which extends from an inlet opening (14) pointing forward in the X direction to one behind the Mirror (3) arranged exit opening (15), wherein in the area of the exit opening (15) a deflection surface (17) inclined with respect to the X-direction is designed to direct an air flow (L) emerging from the exit opening (15) downwards and in the direction to direct on the mirror (3).

Description

The invention relates to an exterior mirror unit for a vehicle.

To enable the driver to see the rear, motor vehicles such as cars or trucks have several rear-view mirrors. Apart from an interior mirror which is often present and which is arranged inside the vehicle cabin, this includes exterior mirrors arranged on both sides outside the vehicle cabin. The actual mirror is usually partially accommodated in a housing, which shields it from the front and from above, below and from the sides in the direction of travel. A motor unit for adjusting the mirror can also be arranged in the housing. In addition, heatable exterior mirrors are also known in which an electrical heating unit is arranged in the housing.

Since the housing must not block the driver's view of the mirror, it can only shield it from rainwater to a limited extent. Rainwater collects on the mirror, especially when the vehicle is stationary, which limits the usability of the mirror for the driver. In addition, dew can collect on the mirror in the morning, for example. Apart from manual cleaning, which is a nuisance for the driver, there are two main known ways of removing water from the rear view mirror in the prior art. On the one hand, the water can be evaporated by heating the rear-view mirror. However, this is relatively time-consuming and energy-consuming. In addition, for example, in the DE 10 2009 040 599 A1 It has also been proposed to provide a wiper unit for the rearview mirror. In principle, this enables quick cleaning, but the windshield wiper impairs the driver's view of the mirror. In addition, the mechanical parts and the necessary motor unit for the wiper mean additional costs and effort during assembly. In addition, increased maintenance costs are to be expected.

The U.S. 4,981,072 A discloses an exterior mirror unit for a vehicle with a mirror, a housing for the mirror and a holder for the housing. In this case, a first channel is provided between the holder and the mirror, which is open to the front in the direction of travel and to the rear in the direction of travel and points to a side window adjacent to the rearview mirror. A second channel opens into the first channel on the vehicle side, as a result of which heated air is sucked in from the interior of the vehicle and is mixed with the outside air flowing through the first air channel.

The U.S. 5,868,867 A shows a cleaning device for a side mirror, in which the mirror is enclosed by a housing. The cleaning unit has a fastening flange, which is fastened to an upper side of the housing, and a deflection surface connected to it, through which an air stream flowing over the housing is deflected. The deflecting surface has an upper concave surface, a lower concave surface and a convex surface arranged in between. This combination is intended to ensure that the air flow is guided along the surface of the mirror.

From the U.S. 5,343,328 A a rearview mirror unit is known in which a mirror is arranged in a housing. On an inner side of the mirror, an air guide box is provided which has an opening on the underside and an outwardly pointing side opening arranged adjacent to the mirror. While driving, air should flow in through the opening on the underside and out through the side opening in order to remove moisture from the mirror. Furthermore, a pivotable air guiding element is provided on the underside of the housing, which has a plurality of inclined surfaces which are provided to divert an air stream impinging from the front upwards towards the mirror. The angle of attack of the air guiding element can be changed via a motor unit.

In view of the prior art shown, the cleaning of an exterior mirror from moisture still offers room for improvement. This applies in particular with regard to the speed of cleaning, the required energy consumption and the design effort required for implementation.

The invention is based on the object of allowing moisture to be removed from an exterior mirror in a simple and efficient manner.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by an exterior mirror unit having the features of claim 1, the subclaims relating to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

It should be pointed out that the features and measures listed individually in the following description can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful manner and show further embodiments of the invention. The description additionally characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in connection with the figures.

The invention provides an exterior mirror unit for a vehicle. The motor vehicle can in particular be a motor vehicle act like a truck or a car, although an application for motorcycles, rail vehicles, aircraft or watercraft would also be conceivable. The exterior mirror unit is arranged in its entirety on an outside of the vehicle, in particular outside a driver's cab or a vehicle interior. It is used to enable the vehicle driver or driver to see backwards, i.e. against the normal direction of travel.

The exterior mirror unit has a mirror and a housing partially enclosing the mirror. The housing can be made of plastic or metal, for example. It can in particular serve to protect the mirror from mechanical damage, to improve the streamlined shape of the vehicle and / or to optically integrate the exterior mirror unit into the appearance of the vehicle. The housing can have a holder for the mirror or it can be connected to a holder by means of which both the mirror and the housing are connected to the rest of the vehicle. The mirror is usually adjustable within the housing and at least one actuator is provided within the housing for adjusting the mirror relative to the housing. The corresponding at least one actuator can be viewed as part of the exterior mirror unit. Furthermore, the exterior mirror unit can have a heating element which is also arranged within the housing and which is designed to heat the mirror. The housing partially encloses the mirror, it being possible in particular to be arranged on the front side of the mirror and on the edge side of the mirror in the direction of travel. Overall, it can partially surround the mirror in the manner of a half-shell, an opening being formed in the housing on the rear side with respect to the direction of travel, that is to say in the X direction, through which the mirror is at least predominantly visible.

In this case, at least one air duct is formed inside the housing, which extends from an inlet opening pointing forward in the X direction to an outlet opening arranged behind the mirror, a deflection surface inclined in relation to the X direction being designed in the area of the outlet opening to open a the air flow emerging from the outlet opening downwards and towards the mirror. The inlet opening points to the front in the X direction (that is, the vehicle longitudinal direction), which means that its opening cross section is visible from the front. The inlet opening can be formed in a surface of the housing that does not run perpendicular to the X direction, but, for example, at an angle to it. The inlet opening is normally arranged in front of the mirror in the X direction, it being possible for it to be offset in relation to the mirror in the Y direction and / or in the Z direction at the same time. In particular, the inlet opening can be arranged on a front side of the housing which is arranged at the front in the X direction. An air duct extends from this inlet opening. This is designed to guide air. With regard to the other design of the air duct, for example its orientation or its cross section, there are basically no restrictions. The air duct extends to an outlet opening which is arranged in the X direction behind the mirror, that is, closer to the rear of the vehicle. Again, the exit opening can be offset in the Y direction and / or in the Z direction to the mirror. Although we are talking about an inlet opening, an outlet opening and an air duct, this includes the possibility of several air ducts, each with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, and the one air duct having a plurality of inlet openings and / or a plurality of outlet openings may have.

It is provided that while the vehicle is in motion, air flows against the inlet opening, which enters the air duct through the inlet opening and exits again at least partially through the outlet opening. This means that the air flow is generated passively, as it were, by the movement of the vehicle. In the area of the outlet opening, a deflection surface is formed which is inclined with respect to the X direction. The inclination is designed to direct an air flow emerging from the outlet opening downwards and in the direction of the mirror. Without the presence of the deflecting surface, the air flow would, so to speak, flow past the mirror without affecting it in any noteworthy manner. However, the deflection surface causes a deflection in the direction of the mirror. Since the outlet opening is located behind the mirror in the X direction, the deflected air flow hits the surface of the mirror that is located at the rear in the X direction (that is, it faces the rear of the vehicle). In other words, the airflow hits the corresponding rear surface of the mirror. If there is moisture on the mirror, a force is exerted on it, by means of which the liquid droplets can be blown away. Apart from this, the evaporation of any liquid present is accelerated by the air flow.

The deflection surface directs the air flow downwards, ie the air flow emerging from the outlet opening in the operating state is directed downwards or runs downwards, although generally not perpendicularly. In this context, “downwards” refers to the direction in which gravity acts. Thus, the force acting on the water droplets on the mirror due to the air flow adds to the force of gravity, which can be an advantage, especially at low speeds. In the opposite case, with an upward trend Air flow, the force of gravity counteracts the air flow, so that in the worst case the corresponding forces could cancel each other out, for example in areas in which the air flow is only weak.

In addition to removing liquid such as dew or rainwater from the mirror, dirt particles can of course also be blown away by the air flow. It may also be possible to prevent insects or spiders from settling in the area of the mirror. According to the invention, the generation of the air flow is possible in a purely passive manner, i.e. there is no additional energy consumption. There is also no need for any additional electrical or mechanical components, which means that there is no significant design effort or additional maintenance effort.

In particular, the outlet opening can be arranged in the area of an upper edge of the mirror. The upper edge of the mirror is, of course, the one which, in the installed state, is arranged on the upper side with respect to the direction of gravity. The outlet opening can extend along at least a predominant part of the upper edge and, for example, be designed in a slot-like manner. Alternatively, a plurality of outlet openings could also be arranged along the upper edge.

The air duct can preferably be closed by a closing element movably arranged on the housing. The closing element is preferably movable via at least one actuator so that it can assume at least one open position and one closed position. As an alternative to actuation by an actuator, it might also be conceivable that the closing element can be moved into the open position directly or indirectly by the force of the incoming airstream and, for example, can be moved into the closed position by a spring element. A locking element or locking element could optionally be provided, by means of which the closing element can be locked in the closed position. This locking element - e.g. a bolt that blocks the path of movement from the closed to the open position - can in turn be adjustable by an actuator between a locked position and an unlocked position. An actuator could be provided for this purpose, but it could e.g. the effect of an actuator can also be used, which adjusts the exterior mirrors to a rest position when the vehicle is put out of operation. I.e. a mechanical coupling could be provided by which the locking element is moved into the locked position when the exterior mirrors are folded in and into the unlocked position when the exterior mirrors are unfolded. A solution would also be conceivable according to which the locking element can only be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position (or vice versa) by the actuator, while the movement from the locked position to the unlocked position (or vice versa) is carried out by a spring element, which is tensioned by the actuator.

In the closed position, an air flow through the air duct is prevented, while the corresponding air flow is enabled in the open position.

With regard to the control, there are various options here, for example the open position is always assumed when the vehicle is moving or when the ignition is switched on, while the closed position is assumed when the vehicle is stationary or the ignition is switched off. It would also be conceivable that the driver can switch between the open and the closed position using a corresponding operating element. Finally, it would be possible for the switch to take place automatically, for example if moisture is detected on the mirror by sensors or other sensors detect rain, water droplets or other moisture on or on the vehicle, from which it can be concluded that there is also moisture on the mirror could be.

Different advantages can be achieved by closing the air duct. E.g. can prevent dirt from entering the air duct or insects or spiders from nestling there. Under certain circumstances, the flow resistance can be reduced by closing the air duct when the vehicle is moving, although this effect should generally be rather small.

The closing element is preferably arranged at the inlet opening. In this case, the closing element is designed to close the inlet opening. This can, for example, prevent dirt from entering the air duct unnecessarily. In addition, under certain circumstances this can have an advantageous effect on the flow resistance of the exterior mirror unit, although this effect is generally of rather subordinate importance, since the dimensions of the inlet opening are small compared to the entire vehicle. Finally, from an aesthetic point of view, it can be desirable if the inlet opening is closed, for example by a closing element whose surface optically matches that of the housing.

The housing preferably has a guide element which extends in the X direction and through which the air duct is at least in sections an interior space of the housing arranged in front of the mirror is separated. The guide element forms at least part of a wall of the air duct. Under certain circumstances, it can be designed in one piece with an outer wall of the housing. The latter can also form part of the wall of the air duct. The interior of the housing is arranged in front of the mirror with respect to the X direction, ie it is located in front of the mirror in the direction of travel. The actual mechanical mounting of the mirror is normally arranged in the interior. In addition, an actuator unit for adjusting the mirror and at least one heating element for heating the mirror can be arranged there. Since guiding the air flow through this interior space can generally lead to strong turbulence and loss of speed, it is advantageous if the air flow is guided in an air duct which, as described, is separated from the interior space by the guide element. The guide element extends in the X direction, but generally does not run or does not run completely parallel to the X direction.

The deflection surface serves to change the direction of flow of the air flow in the area of the outlet opening in such a way that it is at least partially guided along the mirror. In particular, it can be provided that the deflecting surface is inclined towards the mirror adjacent to the exit opening. I.e. at least that part of the deflection surface which adjoins the outlet opening is inclined in such a way that it approaches the surface of the mirror with respect to the flow direction of the air flow in the operating state. For this purpose, it can be provided in particular that the deflection surface adjacent to the outlet opening is inclined by more than 90 ° with respect to the X direction; one could also say that it is inclined forwards. Since the outlet opening is located behind the mirror, the inclination of the deflection surface results in the air flow being directed towards the surface of the mirror.

Improved guidance of the air flow can be achieved in that in the area of the outlet opening a counter surface opposite the deflection surface is formed so that the air flow can be guided between the deflection surface and the counter surface. While the deflection surface limits the air flow to a certain extent on one side, the opposite surface can limit the air flow on an opposite side. In particular, the deflecting surface and the opposing surface can lie opposite one another within the X-Z plane. The cross section of the air duct is defined in the area of the outlet opening by the deflection surface and the counter surface. Through the interaction of the two sections, on the one hand, the exit direction of the air flow can be better controlled, on the other hand, the exit speed of the air flow can also be adapted through a suitable choice of the cross section. It is preferably provided that the opposing surface is arranged in a fixed position with respect to the deflecting surface, even if the deflecting surface is designed to be movable with respect to the housing. Usually, however, both surfaces mentioned are arranged in a fixed position relative to the housing and can in particular be formed in one piece with it.

The guide element is preferably made in one piece with the o.g. Opposite surface formed. Under these circumstances, the mating surface can also be regarded as part of the guide element.

In addition to simply guiding the air flow, it is also possible to influence the speed of the air flow through the design of the air duct. In particular, the air duct can taper in the direction of the outlet opening. That is, the cross section of the air duct decreases at least in sections towards the outlet opening. This generally accelerates the air flow. This in turn leads to more effective cleaning of the mirror, especially at low driving speeds.

In this context it is particularly preferred that a tapering nozzle section is formed in the area of the outlet opening. In this area the air duct tapers, i.e. its (inner) cross-section decreases, whereby an acceleration is achieved shortly before the exit of the air flow. The cross section of the air duct can be comparatively large along its predominant length and could, for example, remain at least approximately constant, as a result of which unnecessary friction losses are prevented. Immediately before the outlet, the nozzle section then narrows the air duct, through which the air flow is accelerated. The nozzle section is usually at least partially formed by the deflecting surface and the opposing surface.

The nozzle section is preferably directed downwards. In other words, the nozzle section runs from top to bottom with respect to the Z direction, but not necessarily parallel to the Z direction. This embodiment can in particular be combined with the above-mentioned embodiment in which the outlet opening is arranged in the region of an upper edge. Alternatively, however, the outlet opening could also be arranged at the edge, for example in the Y direction, that is to say in the region of a lateral edge of the mirror, with the nozzle section being directed obliquely downwards. Through the downwardly directed nozzle section, the exiting air flow is directed downward, so that a downward force is exerted on the liquid (at least in part), which is directed in the direction of the Gravity acts so that the two forces support each other in their effect.

• 1 eine Schnittdarstellung einer ersten erfindungsgemäßen Außenspiegeleinheit;
• 2 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Außenspiegeleinheit aus 1 von schräg vorne;
• 3 eine perspektivische Darstellung der Außenspiegeleinheit aus 1 von schräg hinten; sowie
• 4 eine Schnittdarstellung eines Teils einer zweiten erfindungsgemäßen Außenspiegeleinheit.

Further advantageous details and effects of the invention are explained in more detail below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a sectional view of a first outside mirror unit according to the invention;
• 2 a perspective view of the exterior mirror unit 1 from diagonally in front;
• 3 a perspective view of the exterior mirror unit 1 from diagonally behind; as
• 4th a sectional view of a part of a second exterior mirror unit according to the invention.

In the different figures, the same parts are always provided with the same reference numerals, which is why they are usually only described once.

The 1 - 3 show a first embodiment of an exterior mirror unit according to the invention 1 which can be provided for a motor vehicle, for example for a car. A mirror 2 , which serves the rear view of a driver (not shown), is in such a way in a housing 10 arranged that it through a rearward opening with respect to the X-axis 11 of the housing is visible. The mirror 2 is thus partially from the housing 10 enclosed, on the front and all around the edge. As in the sectional view in 1 is recognizable is in an interior 12 of the housing 10 a - here shown schematically - mirror holder 3 arranged by means of an actuator unit 4th inside the case 10 swivels to the mirror 2 align. Furthermore, a heating element is also shown schematically here 5 provided, by means of which the mirror 2 can be heated.

Inside the case 10 is an air duct 13 formed, which extends from a forward-facing inlet opening 14th on a front 10.1 of the housing 10 up to an outlet opening 15th extends behind the mirror with respect to the X-axis 2 is arranged. When the motor vehicle is in motion, the inlet opening 14th blown by air and an air stream L. enters the air duct 13 one. He is in the air duct 13 out and finally emerges from the outlet opening 15th out again.

The air duct 13 extends along the X-axis and runs predominantly at an angle of less than 20 ° to this. He is from the interior 12 of the housing 10 by a guide element 16 separated, which is integral with the housing 10 can be formed or manufactured separately from this. In the area of the outlet opening 15th the course of the air duct changes 13 Indeed. There goes the guide element 16 into a deflection surface 17th about, which is inclined with respect to the X-axis. The inclination with respect to the X axis increases towards the outlet opening 15th towards so that the deflection surface 17th adjacent to the outlet opening 15th to the mirror 2 is inclined. On one of the deflection surfaces 17th opposite side is the air duct 13 by a counter surface 18th limited, which is designed so that a cross section of the air duct 13 to the outlet opening 15th tapered towards. This way it is adjacent to the exit opening 15th a nozzle section 19th educated. This serves to increase the airflow L. inside the air duct 13 on a rear surface 2.1 of the mirror 2 to direct and also the flow velocity of the air stream through the cross-sectional constriction L. to enlarge.

In the example shown is the outlet opening 15th in the area of an upper edge 2.2 of the mirror 2 arranged and the nozzle section formed there 19th is directed downwards. The exiting air flow runs accordingly L. also downwards and strokes on the rear surface 2.1 along. There are drops of water W. that may come from rain or dew on the surface 2.1 so these are due to the airflow L. at least partially removed. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that the air flow L. an evaporation accelerates, on the other hand also because of the fact that the air flow L. a force on the water droplets W. exerts through which this descends along the surface 2.1 and possibly blown away from this. The latter process is facilitated by the fact that the air flow L. is directed downwards, so that the force it creates interacts with gravity. It goes without saying that through the air flow L. also dirt particles, insects or spiders from the mirror 2 can be blown away.

In the area of the entrance opening 14th is a closing element 20th arranged that in an open position A. the inlet opening opens and in a closed position B. the inlet opening closes. The corresponding adjustment process of the closing element 20th is made by an actuator 21st causes. The latter can be controlled in different ways. E.g. could be the closing element 20th with the ignition on to the open position A. adjusted and in the closed position with the ignition off B. . Alternatively it could be provided that an adjustment in the open position A. only occurs if sensors detect that the surface is being cleaned 2.1 necessary is. Finally, the driver could use a corresponding operating element to activate the closing element 20th optionally in the open position A. or in the closed position B. adjust.

The generation of the air flow L. occurs purely passively through the movement of the vehicle due to the incoming air. Except for the closing element 20th and the associated actuator 21st no moving parts are required. Therefore, the design effort, the maintenance effort and the energy consumption are extremely low.

4th shows a sectional view of a part of a second embodiment of an exterior mirror unit according to the invention 1 . This is largely identical to the in 1-3 The embodiment shown is identical and is therefore not explained again. For this reason, only part of it is in the area of the inlet opening 14th shown. There is also a closing element in this embodiment 20th provided, which, however, cannot be moved by an actuator, but by the force of the incoming airstream from the closed position B. in the open position A. is movable. The closing element is secured by a spring element, not shown here 20th in the closed position B. adjustable when the airstream subsides. By a locking element 23 is the closing element 20th in the closed position B. lockable. This locking element 23 is in turn by an actuator 22nd between a locked position D. and an unlocked position C. adjustable. Instead of a specially provided actuator 22nd the effect of an actuator - not shown here - that controls the exterior mirror unit could alternatively be used, for example via a suitable mechanism 1 adjusted to a rest position when the vehicle is taken out of service. A solution would also be conceivable, according to which the locking element 23 by the actuator 22nd (or the actuator that controls the exterior mirror unit 1 adjusted to the rest position) can only be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position (or vice versa), while the movement from the locked position to the unlocked position (or vice versa) is carried out by a spring element which is tensioned by the actuator.

List of reference symbols

1

Exterior mirror unit

2

mirror

2.1

surface

2.2

upper edge

3

Mirror mount

4th

Actuator unit

5

Heating element

10

casing

10.1

front

11

opening

12

inner space

13th

Air duct

14th

Inlet opening

15th

Outlet opening

16

Guide element

17th

Deflection surface

18th

Counter surface

19th

Nozzle section

20th

Closing element

21, 22

Actuator

23

Locking element

A.

open position

B.

closed position

C.

unlocked position

D.

locked position

L.

Airflow

W.

Waterdrop

X

X axis

Y

Y axis

Z

Z axis

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102009040599 A1 [0003]
• US 4981072 A [0004]
• US 5868867 A [0005]
• US 5343328 A [0006]

Claims (10)

Exterior mirror unit (1) for a vehicle, comprising a mirror (3) and a housing (2) partially enclosing it, with at least one air duct (13) being formed inside the housing (2), which extends from one to the front in the X direction facing inlet opening (14) extends to an outlet opening (15) arranged behind the mirror (3), wherein in the area of the outlet opening (15) a deflection surface (17) inclined with respect to the X-direction is designed to open one out of the outlet opening (15) outgoing air flow (L) downwards and towards the mirror (3). Outside mirror unit Claim 1 , characterized in that the outlet opening (15) is arranged in the region of an upper edge (2.2) of the mirror (2). Outside mirror unit Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the air duct (13) can be closed by a closing element (20) movably arranged on the housing (2). Exterior mirror unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closing element (20) is arranged at the inlet opening (14). Exterior mirror unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) has a guide element (16) extending in the X direction, through which the air duct (13) is at least partially separated from an interior (12) arranged in front of the mirror (3) ) of the housing (10) is separated. Exterior mirror unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection surface (17) is inclined towards the mirror (3) adjacent to the outlet opening (15). Exterior mirror unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the area of the outlet opening (15) a mating surface (18) opposite the deflecting surface (17) is formed, so that the air flow (L) between the deflecting surface (17) and the mating surface (18 ) is feasible. Exterior mirror unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air duct (13) tapers in the direction of the outlet opening (15). Exterior mirror unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a tapering nozzle section (19) is formed in the area of the outlet opening (15). Exterior mirror unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle section (19) is directed downwards.

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