# US 10,308,183 B2 · Folding Device for an exterior mirror

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- Number: US 10,308,183 B2
- Document ID: US10308183B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/431,425
- Filed: 2017-02-13
- Published: 2017-08-17
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2016-02-16
- Assignees: MAGNA Auteca GmbH
- Applicants: MAGNA Auteca GmbH
- Inventors: Reinhard Fuchs; Bernhard Schadler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10308183B2

## CPC

- B60R 1/074: for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
- F16H 1/203: {with non-parallel axes (F16H1/22 takes precedence)}
- F16H 57/12: Arrangements for adjusting or for taking-up backlash not provided for elsewhere
- F16H 2057/125: {Adjustment of backlash during mounting or assembly of gearing}
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F16H: GEARING

## Abstract

A folding device to move a mirror head relative to a mirror foot of a motor vehicle exterior mirror. The folding device includes a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot, a motor attached to the carrier, the motor having a motor shaft, an output drive operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot, a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output drive to the motor shaft, and a pressure device operatively connected to the carrier to engage and press the motor shaft against the motor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A folding device to move a mirror head of a motor vehicle exterior mirror relative to a mirror foot of the motor vehicle exterior mirror, the folding device comprising:
a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot;
a motor attached to the carrier, the motor having a motor body and a motor shaft;
an output drive operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot;
a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output drive to the motor shaft;
a pressure device operatively connected to the carrier to engage and press the motor shaft against the motor body; and
an adjustment device to adjust the pressure device substantially axially relative to the motor shaft, wherein the adjustment device includes an adjustment screw having threads to fix the adjustment screw to the carrier so that the pressure device is held in position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The folding device of claim 1, wherein the gear mechanism comprises at least one first worm gear mounted on the motor shaft, and a second worm gear mounted on an intermediate shaft.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The folding device of claim 1, wherein the pressure device is arranged between the motor shaft and a cover.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The folding device of claim 1, wherein the adjustment screw is configured to engage an internal thread of the carrier.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The folding device of claim 4, wherein the pressure device is operatively connected to the carrier so as to pivot about a fixing axis.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The folding device of claim 5, wherein the fixing axis lies on a side of the motor shaft opposite the adjustment screw.

### Claim 7

A method for setting a folding device to move a mirror head of a motor vehicle exterior mirror relative to a mirror foot of the motor vehicle exterior mirror, the method comprising:
supplying a motor of the folding device with a constant voltage;
measuring a current intensity of a motor power supply that is to power the motor;
establishing an operating current of the motor by adjusting, based on the measured current intensity, a pressure of a pressure device of the folding device on a motor shaft of the motor; and
fixing, when the operating current is established, the pressure device to a carrier of the folding device by screwing a screw into the carrier.

### Claim 8

A folding device to move a mirror head relative to a mirror foot of a motor vehicle exterior mirror, the folding device comprising:
a carrier operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot;
an electric motor attached to the carrier, the electric motor having a motor body and a motor shaft;
an output drive operatively connected to one of the mirror head or the mirror foot;
a gear mechanism to operatively connect the output drive to the motor shaft;
a pressure device operatively connected to the carrier to engage and press the motor shaft against the motor body; and
an adjustment device, to protrude through the pressure device, and to adjust the pressure device substantially axially relative to the motor shaft.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The folding device of claim 8, wherein the gear mechanism comprises at least one first worm gear mounted on the motor shaft, and a second worm gear mounted on an intermediate shaft.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The folding device of claim 8, wherein the pressure device is arranged between the motor shaft and a cover.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The folding device of claim 8, wherein the adjustment device comprises an adjustment screw.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The folding device of claim 11, wherein the adjustment screw is configured to engage an internal thread of the carrier.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The folding device of claim 12, wherein the pressure device is operatively connected to the carrier so as to pivot about a fixing axis.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The folding device of claim 13, wherein the fixing axis lies on a side of the motor shaft opposite the adjustment screw.

### Claim 15 (depends on 8)

The folding device of claim 8, wherein the adjustment device is to be in direct contact with the pressure device and the carrier.