Abstract: A drive unit includes a housing defining a rotational axis, a drive shaft supported by the housing for rotation about the rotational axis, an actuator supported by the housing for rotation about the rotational axis responsive to rotation of the drive shaft, and a coupling mechanism for coupling rotation of the drive shaft and the actuator. The coupling mechanism includes a first frictional surface rotatable with the drive shaft and a second frictional surface rotatable with the actuator. The first and second frictional surfaces are mating conical frustrum surfaces, the first frictional surface driving the second frictional surface via friction upon rotation of the drive shaft. Means are included for urging the first and second frictional surfaces together. The urging means may include a compression spring. The coupling mechanism may include a friction ring non-rotatably mounted to the drive shaft, the first frictional surface being disposed on the friction ring.

Abstract: A drive unit comprising a housing, a first worm gear rotatably mounted in the housing, an axle having a first end secured to the housing and defining a central axis therethrough, and a second worm gear mounted in the housing for rotation about the central axis, the first worm gear meshing with the second worm gear for driving the second worm gear. A planetary drive is mounted concentrically around the central axis and includes an output gear driven responsive to the second worm gear. An annular gear is driven by the output gear concentrically around the central axis for driving a work piece, the axle extending through the planetary drive into an opening within the annular gear. The planetary drive may include a sun gear mounted for rotation with the second worm gear, an annular gear fixed to the housing concentric with the central axis, and at least one planetary gear driven by the sun gear within the annular gear around and spaced from the central axis.

Abstract: A control device for vehicles includes a sensor mounted to the vehicle for detecting an object in a monitored zone adjacent the vehicle and providing a responsive output signal when an object is detected in the monitored zone; a signaling device mounted to the vehicle for providing a speed output signal indicative of a speed of travel of the vehicle; a control unit mounted to the vehicle for receiving sensor output signals and speed output signals; and a warning device mounted to the vehicle for providing a warning signal to a driver of the vehicle, the control unit controlling the warning device to provide the warning signal responsive to the sensor output signal and the speed output signal so that the warning device provides a warning signal only when the sensor detects an object in the monitored zone and the signaling device provides a speed output signal indicating that the speed of the vehicle is below a predetermined value. A related vehicle and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-layer heating and antenna element for mounting to a mirror plate of a vehicle rear view mirror assembly includes a heating foil layer secured to a surface of the mirror plate for heating the mirror plate, a conducting layer adjacent the heating foil layer for providing a heating current to the heating foil layer, an antenna layer, and at least one insulating layer between the conducting layer and the antenna layer for insulating the antenna layer from the conducting layer. A rear view mirror assembly mountable to a mirror housing includes a mirror carrier plate having a first and a second surface, a mirror plate secured to the mirror carrier plate, a heating foil disposed between the first surface of the mirror carrier plate and the mirror plate for heating the mirror plate, and an antenna secured to an disposed along the second surface of the mirror carrier plate. Related rear view mirror assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: An external mirror arrangement is provided including a holder for attachment to a truck vehicle body and for supporting at least one mirror. The holder includes a support arm pivotably secured to the vehicle body and a tie-bar releaseably coupled to the support arm and also attached to the vehicle body. The arrangements provides a releasable coupling that may be readily attached and reattached. A specific embodiment includes an interlocking groove and connection head providing the releasable coupling.

Abstract: A mounting for an external rear-view mirror of a commercial vehicle comprises a tubular arm, which is supported on a metal bracket to be joined to the commercial vehicle for pivoting about a pivot axis and for snap-in locking in various pivoting positions. The end, close to the vehicle, of the arm is inserted directly as a pivoting pin in a pivot bearing opening of the bracket, a bearing bush being placed in between for the formation of a plastics-metal bearing combination, and the bearing bush having an annular projection, which is provided with locking teeth meshing with mating teeth on the bearing bush.

Abstract: An external rear-view mirror for trucks has a housing, in which at least one adjustable mirror glass and an electrically or manually actuatable positioning aggregate for pivoting the mirror glass relative to the housing are arranged. Furthermore, a clamping device is provided to secure a support arm. In order to keep the vibrations of the mirror glass as little as possible, a support plate is provided in the housing and is directly secured to the clamping device. The at least one positioning aggregate, on which the mirror glass is in turn arranged, is secured to the support plate on the other side. The housing is only connected with the support plate; it has no supporting function.

Abstract: An adjustable rear-view mirror arrangement for vehicles has a housing, a bearing arrangement arranged in the housing with a retaining plate in particular integrally united with the bearing arrangement for the adjustable positioning of a rear-view mirror and a mirror supporting plate fastenable to the retaining plate for the mounting of a mirror glass and arranged in a housing opening. In the vicinity of two opposite parallel lateral edges, the retaining plate is provided with joining projections, which for being fastened to the mirror supporting plate, are insertable by clamping into rear-recessed portions of complementary shape on the mirror supporting plate in parallel to the plate plane.

Abstract: A rear-view mirror comprises a holder and a housing adjustably supported on the latter. A mirror glass is tightly, but detachably disposed on the housing. The mirror glass is fixed on a support plate, its entire surface lying free. The support plate is detachably disposed on the housing, in particular by elastic locking.

Abstract: A motor vehicle rear view mirror comprising a housing, a mirror glass support supported by a pivot joint disposed in the housing to be pivotable relative to the housing and a mirror glass disposed on the mirror glass support. The mirror glass support defines an installation chamber sized to hold at least one servomotor for the remote-controlled pivotable adjustment of the mirror glass support and thus of the mirror glass relative to the housing.

Abstract: A rear-view unit for motor-vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles, has at least one external rear-view mirror with a housing and at least one mirror glass pivotably arranged in the housing. Electric servomotors are provided to pivot the mirror glasses about a positioning axis. Furthermore, heatings for the mirror glass may be available. Switches are provided to actuate the servomotors and the heating. So as to reduce the wiring and to ensure the subsequent equipment of adjustable mirror glasses with servomotors, the switches are connected to a transmitting unit and the servomotors are connected to a receiving unit of a multiplex system arranged in the housing.

Abstract: A holding device for an external rear-view mirror for a commercial vehicle has a support arm arranged on a pillow block in a manner pivotable about a pivot axis. In order to allow a free shifting of the mirror by pivoting of the support arm, the support arm is pivotable against a friction moment relative to the pillow block upon release of an elastic locking connection.

Abstract: A motor-powered adjustable rear view mirror for motor vehicles, particularly lorries, comprises a housing which supports and accommodates a mirror glass. Positioning drives are provided by means of which the housing can be pivoted and adjusted about two pivot axes which extend substantially at right angles to each other. In order to make the mirror of the simplest possible construction and so that it can be easily assembled and has a shallow but very stable design, each positioning drive is stationary in relation to the housing and is coupled via a slider-crank transmission to a base plate, the slider-crank transmission comprising a crank and a push rod connected thereto via a crank joint. The push rod is coupled to the base plate via a sliding bearing.

Abstract: A mechanically adjustable rear-view mirror has a mounting unit (7) to attach it to a truck. A servomotor unit (20) is mounted between a base plate (18) attached to the mounting unit and a support plate (19) running roughly parallel to the base plate. The base plate is firmly attached to a housing (1) containing the mirror (3). The servomotor unit (20) contains two servomotors (31, 32) which are attached to the support plate (19) and connected to the base plate (18) via actuators (37, 38) and universal joints (41, 42). In addition, a bearing support (43) which is also connected to the base plate (18) by a universal joint (44) is attached to the support plate (19). A pair of universal joints (41, 44 or 42, 44) form a pivot axis for the opposite servomotor (31, 32). This construction is simple, is easy to install and is very stable.