The invention concerns a rear view mirror arrangement, especially an outside mirror for commercial vehicles in accord with the generic concept of claim 1.
Outside mirrors of this kind and of variously different constructions are already known in the present state of the technology. A mirror pane is adjustably affixed by a pivoting mechanism to a housing part, which part is appropriately connected to the body of the vehicle, allowing the mirror to swing in reference to the said housing part. The housing part is, as a rule, a solid plastic part, produced by injection molding. It is generally of a basin-like construction in which further mirror components or corresponding connection points for additions are installed. In particular, for large truck and bus mirrors, the carrying structure for outside mirrors is based on tubing or plates, which are affixed directly to the mirror holder which projects toward the vehicle body. This construction is disclosed by EP-A-0 590 510. The housing part serves, then as a covering of the back side of the mirror plate and supports the said pivoting mechanism. The said housing also provides a streamlined sheathing for the outside mirror. Such construction is extremely expensive and heavy.
A problem with this tube and plate construction is found in that relatively strong vibrations occur in the said rearview mirror assembly during the operation of the vehicle. In order to reduce these vibrations, EP 0 865 967 A2 proposes a carrying tube structure, encased in a foamed molded part. Again, the disadvantage of this arrangement is, that the entire carrying structure is of excess weight.
A very light design, which is adaptable to smaller mirrors, is taught by DE 44 29 604 A1. In this case, the tube construction is fully dispensed with and the foam element itself remains as the support structure. For this purpose, a gradiated foam is employed as a one-piece element or composes several parts.
Thus, the purpose of the invention is, with EP 0 865 967 A2 as a basis, to make available a sufficiently stable rear vision mirror arrangement, which still exhibits the least possible tendency toward vibration.
The achievement of this purpose is accomplished by the features of claim 1.
Because, the carrier comprises a foam element, in particular the foam being a gradient-foam, in which a branched, stiffening framing is embedded, there is achieved, first, an excellent stability and second, a very small tendency toward vibration. Moreover, such a framing is lighter than the conventional structures with tubular and/or plate carriers. The branched stiffening framing would be insufficient as a carrier by itself. However, in combination with the foam component, the necessary stability is reached. Because of the branched stiffening framing, a large surface is presented on which the foam can find purchase. By this means, a carrier is brought into being, which has a stable, coherent framing of stiffening means and a surrounding foam component.
By the preferred use of a gradient foam, this leads to a design of a large surfaced, rigid layer of skin on the outside of the gradiated foam. In this arrangement, so to speak, are three areas of different rigidity, bonded together in a nearly continuous manner. These are:
the hard stiffening framing itself,
the rigid skin of the gradient foam which adheres directly to the branching of the stiffening framing, and
the actual foam mass which is encapsulated by the skin.
Advantageously, the branched stiffening framing is completely encapsulated within the gradient foam, that is the foam component may be considered a one-piece design. This provides an especially durable connection between the foam component and the branched stiffening framing.
In the case of complicated structuring, it can be of value to embed the branched stiffening framing in two or more shells of foam, especially gradient foam.
Advantageously, the branched arrangement comprises a compartmentalized framing which is composed of standard structural shapes. As an alternative, even a honeycomb design is possible as a carrying framing. Another like possibility is the use of support by a perforated plate arrangement. The essential point of this stiffening framing lies in that a large inner or outer surface is provided, wherein, respectively, the foam component can penetrate and attach itself, to the extent that an adequate holding power and stability is achieved. This goal can also be enhanced, if the outer surface of the stiffening framing is roughed or exhibits protruding tabs.
In accord with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the carrier encompasses a basin shaped recess, in which the mirror and, if necessary, the accompanying pivotable mechanisms are embedded. Additionally, on the carrier, and also especially on the stiffening framing, fastening point for the various mirrors are provided.
Following another advantageous embodiment, in the foam component, a pre-installed fitting is incorporated. By means of this fitting, the rearview mirror can be fastened to the vehicle. This said fitting, again, is directly and advantageously affixed mechanically with the stiffening framing.
In accord with an additional preferred embodiment, the said fitting includes also the linkage for the swing of the outside mirror, i.e. the pivoting adjustment of the mirror. Alternatively, the carrier can be of two parts, whereby the said two parts are bound to one another by a linkage. Both parts of the carrier are then constructed of a branched stiffening framing and an encompassing foam component.
The remaining subordinate claims concern themselves with firther advantageous designing of the invention.