Vehicular mirror with slip clutch for jack screw actuator
US7370985B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 22, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 22, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R1/072
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A motorized tilt actuator assembly comprises one or more threaded jack screws attached to a mirror glass case and traveling along one or more threaded actuator shafts with rotation of the motor. When a jack screw reaches its limit of travel, relative movement between the actuator shaft and the glass case can occur through a slip clutch mechanism during such time as the motor continues to operate. In one embodiment, the relative movement is accommodated by a spherical actuator head rotating in a compressively spring-biased socket. In another embodiment, the relative movement is accommodated by slippage along a friction surface interposed between the actuator shaft and the motor. Manual repositioning of the mirror can be accommodated by slippage of the jack screw threads past the actuator shaft threads, or by a coarse threaded interconnection of the jack screw and the actuator shaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.