US 6,243,218 B1 · Mirror actuator

Abstract

A mirror actuator is provided for an exterior rearview mirror assembly. The mirror actuator comprises a non-armature electrical motor. Preferably, the mirror actuator comprises an ultrasonic motor. The mirror actuator is useful as a powerfold exterior mirror actuator to pivot a folding portion of a mirror assembly about a base or non-folding portion attached to the vehicle. The mirror actuator preferably comprises a traveling wave ultrasonic motor and causes rotation of a rotating member attached to the folding portion of the mirror via a traveling wave generated along a driving disc or stator. The ultrasonic motor provides a sufficient torque to the folding portion of the mirror, such that worm gears and other gearing mechanisms are not required to generate additional torque. The mirror actuator may also be useful as a reflective element positioning actuators to adjust an angle of the reflective element of the mirror relative to the housing of the mirror assembly. Preferably, the reflective element positioning actuators are linear traveling wave ultrasonic motors.

Claims6

Dependent claims

An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a movable portion and a non-movable portion, said mirror assembly comprising an exterior folding mirror assembly, wherein said movable portion comprises a mirror housing and said non-movable portion comprises a mirror mount;
and
an actuator comprising a traveling wave ultrasonic motor, said ultrasonic motor comprising a base, at least two generally circular piezoelectric rings and an elastic stator, said piezoelectric rings being secured to said stator, said piezoelectric rings and said stator being operable to rotate a rotary member, said actuator being operable to move said movable portion relative to said non-movable portion in order to pivot said mirror housing relative to said mirror mount between an operable position and a folded position, said base of said actuator being mounted to said mirror mount, said rotary member being mounted to said mirror housing such that rotation of said rotary member causes said mirror housing to pivot relative to said mirror mount between said folded position and said operable position, wherein said rotary member is integrally molded with at least a portion of said mirror housing.

The exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a movable portion and a non-movable portion, said mirror asssembly comprising an exterior folding mirror assembly, wherein said movable portion comprises a mirror housing and said non-movable portion comprises a mirror mount;
and
an actuator comprising a traveling wave ultrasonic motor, said ultrasonic motor comprising a base, at least two generally circular piezoelectric rings and an elastic stator, said piezoelectric rings being secured to said stator, said piezoeletric rings and said stator being operable to rotate a rotary member, said actuator being operable to move said movable portion relative to said non-movable portion in order to pivot said mirror housing relative to said mirror mount between an operable position and a folded position, said base of said actuator being mounted to said mirror housing, said rotary member being mounted to said mirror mount such that rotation of said rotary member relative to said base causes said mirror housing to pivot relative to said mirror mount between said folded position and said operable position, wherein said rotary member is integrally molded with at least a portion of said mirror mount.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mirror actuator

Life of this patent

Mirror actuator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6