Automatically switching clutch for a motor vehicle exterior mirror adjustment means

摘要

A clutch device transmits rotational energy between a drive input and a drive output, in particular between an electric actuating unit and an actuating element of an adjustable motor vehicle exterior mirror. The clutch device permits a transmission of a load torque MR from the electric actuating unit to the actuating element in both directions, and in the event of an overload torque greater than a predefined threshold torque MK, automatically permits a relative rotation between the electric actuating unit and the actuating element. Furthermore, the clutch device is designed such that, in the event of a torque direction reversal, no load torque is transmitted over a predetermined free-travel angle (φ).

主权项

1. A clutch device for transmission of a rotational energy between an electric actuating unit and an actuating element, wherein
the clutch device comprises a first clutch part driven by the electric actuating unit, and a second clutch part rotationally fixedly connected to the actuating element, wherein the first or second clutch part comprises a number of rolling elements or a number of sliding elements distributed evenly over its periphery and spring-loaded and pressed against the other one of the first or second clutch parts, wherein said other one of the first and second clutch parts comprises a number of evenly distributed raised portions over its periphery, wherein the clutch device permits a transmission of a load torque (MR) from the electric actuating unit to the actuating element in both directions, and in an event of an overload torque greater than a predetermined threshold torque (MK), in which the raised portions push the rolling elements or sliding elements, automatically permits a relative rotation between the electric actuating unit and the actuating element, wherein the clutch device, in an event of a torque direction reversal without previous exceeding of the threshold torque (MK), does not transmit the load torque (MR) over a predetermined free-travel angle (φ), wherein the free-travel angle (φ) is defined by a distance between two adjacent raised portions.