Rear view mirror remote control system

Abstract

The invention relates to the rear view mirror in cars and trucks that is mounted to the interior side of the windshield and requires manual adjusting by the user to change the mirror position. This manual adjustment places the user's hand and arm in the user's line of sight not allowing the user to see if the adjustment resulted in the mirror positioning that was desired by the user frequently requiring multiple adjustment attempts. Remotely adjusting the rear view mirror allows the user to merely glance at the mirror to see when the desired position is acquired as the user's finger touches a joystick type input device.

Description

[0001] REAR VIEW MIRROR REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM

[0002] Field and Background of Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a vehicular rear view mirror assembly. The mirror assembly of the invention may be used in a wide spectrum of different types of spaces these may include, for example, rooms or building spaces, whether commercial or residential, as well as vehicles. The invention is not limited to these examples.

[0004] As automobiles have evolved over the decades many elements have changed. As technology has taken hold more and more of the functions "behind the scenes" have been handled by computer controlled electronics, such as fuel management, braking systems management etc. The interior components of the vehicle has also been continually upgraded more and more with buttons and switches that initiate an action taken by a computer.

[0005] Even with this advancement evolution several simple areas have been left to the operator to manually adjust, items such as air conditioning vent directional grills and the center rear view mirror. The similarities in these two specific items is that to adjust both to the "correct" location for the user the user's hand and arm are constantly in the way of the user knowing if the adj ustment made was correct , typically requiring the user to make multiple adj ustments , each time placing their hand and arm in the direct path of knowing i f the adj ustment is correct .

[0006] Many, almost all vehicular manuf cturers produce their products with some sort of remote adj ustment ability for the rear view mirrors on the driver side and passenger side doors . The rear view mirror that is inside the vehicle and attached to the windshield has not evolved in any capacity since it was first placed inside of vehicles , it still requires the user to make a slight adj ustment then move their hand and arm out of the way to view its location and then readj ust potentially and typically multiple times to get the correct location for a full view out the rear glass of the vehicle . This process can be time consuming and a safety issue as constant readj usting requires attention and eyes off the road .

[0007] The mirror assembly of the invention facilitates allowing the path of one vision to be clear of any obstacles while the mirror is being adj usted . This function would allow for desired mirror adj ustments to be done in one attempt, in a much safer, ef fective , and ef ficient process allowing drivers to maintain focus on the road . Summary of Invention

[0008] The invention currently defined may comprise a remotely controlled rear view mirror for a vehicle . The rear view mirror that is inside the vehicle and attached to the windshield

[0009] Windshield mounted rear view mirrors available in vehicles today require multiple adj ustments to get the mirror directed exactly where the user desires it . This is because the action taken to adj ust the mirror often requires the user to have their hand and arm in such a position that it blocks the user' s line of sight to the mirror . As such, the user may not know where the mirror is pointed until they move their hand and arm away from in front of the mirror they j ust adj usted . This is a repeatable action until the mirror direction is close enough to the desired configuration .

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention allows the user of the mirror to merely place a hand on a knob or other type of positional indicator, such as a j oystick or a track ball , for example . By moving the j oystick in di fferent directions , the mirror can move up and down and from side to side as well as every combination of those two intersecting directions , something made possible by the electronics and computer coding written to direct multiple motors to move in concert with each other, either by hard wire connection or wireless , thereby allowing for a wide range of mirror directional options .

[0011] This remote system allows the driver to keep his eyes on the road while adj usting the j oystick or other control . When the mirror is in the desired location, adj ustments can stop, using a mere quick glance at the mirror to verify when the location is correct .

[0012] This invention allows for a main control panel that has individual preset locations for vehicles which multiple drivers utilize at di f ferent times .

[0013] There are many ways the control panel can be configured, many operations the control panel can of fer, and many ways the directional mechanism can be designed . The commonality in purpose is remotely adj usting a vehicular windshield mounted rear view mirror' s direction of viewing .

[0014] While the design of each of the required components can be of varied shapes and si zes , the functionality may remain consistent in allowing a windshield mounted rear view mirror to be adj usted without touching the actual mirror itsel f . Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Fig. 1 Shows a break away section of a vehicle interior, specifically the roof panel, front windshield, a rear view mirror, and a cover for that mirror.

[0016] Fig. 2 Shows a close up view of the components defined in the previous figure.

[0017] Fig. 3 Shows the rear view mirror in its cover structure.

[0018] Fig. 4 Shows the same as Fig. 3 with the actual mirror tilted in an upward direction.

[0019] Fig. 5 Shows the same as Fig. 3 with the actual mirror tilted in a downward direction.

[0020] Fig. 6 Shows the same as Fig. 3 with the actual mirror tilted in a direction to the right.

[0021] Fig. 7 Shows the same as Fig. 3 with the actual mirror tilted in a direction to the left.

[0022] Fig. 8 Shows the same as Fig. 3 with the actual mirror tilted in a direction down and to the right.

[0023] Fig. 9 Shows the same as Fig. 3 with the actual mirror tilted in a direction up and to the left.

[0024] Fig. 10 Show the mirror from a side view with the cover removed exposing the inner tilting mechanisms, and the reflective mirror component containment structure tilted up.

[0025] Fig. 11 Shows the same as Fig. 10 with the reflective mirror component containment structure tilted down. Fig. 12 Shows an exploded view from a mostly top angle exposing the horizontal base, and how the reflective component and its containment structure with pivot tabs connect using the pivot pins. The horizontal rotational motor and the vertical base are also shown.

[0026] Fig. 13 Showing a close-up a mostly top view angle of Fig. 12

[0027] Fig. 14 Showing a close-up a mostly top view angle of Fig. 13

[0028] Fig. 15 Showing a top view of the mirror assembly without the cover detailing the reflective component and structure rotated to the left.

[0029] Fig. 16 Showing a top / side view angle of Fig. 15

[0030] Fig. 17 Showing a top view of the mirror assembly without the cover detailing the reflective component and structure rotated to the right.

[0031] Fig. 18 Showing a top / side view angle of Fig. 17

[0032] Fig. 19 Showing an exploded side view of the mirror assembly exposing the vertical base and how the horizontal structure connects to it and functions within in.

[0033] Fig. 20 Showing an exploded view of Fig. 19 from a top / side view to further expose details of the construction.

[0034] Fig. 21 Showing a close-up view of Fig. 20

[0035] Fig. 22 Showing from a top / f ront / side view detailing the mirror structure holding the reflective component in a downward and to the left position. Fig . 23 Showing from a top / f ront / side view detailing the mirror structure holding the reflective component in an upward and to the right position .

[0036] Fig . 24 Showing a side view cut-away detailing how the mirror structure mounts to the case and how the case mounts to the vehicle .

[0037] Fig . 25 Shown in top view detailing the accelerometer sensor and the two limiting sensors mounted on the reflective component frame .

[0038] Fig . 26 Shown in bottom 3 / 4 view, a more complete roof panel than previous drawings with the windshield and rear glass , additionally detailing the position sensor over the driver' s seat and the two position sensors mounted on the B pillars (on either side of the rear glass ) .

[0039] Fig . 27 Shown in -h top view, the control panel with a j oystick type control mechanism and several preset buttons .

[0040] Fig . 28 Shown in top view, the control panel with a track ball type control mechanism and a touch screen for presets and other options .

[0041] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0042] Fig . 1 Shown from a lower position looking up and into a break-away vehicle interior compartment details the reflective portion of a rear view mirror 1 , its covering case 2 , the roof panel 3 the case 2 attaches to , and the windshield 4 .

[0043] Fig . 2 A close-up of Fig . 1 detailing the same components .

[0044] Fig . 3 Showing the reflective component 1 , its structural support frame 5, and its covering case 2 .

[0045] Fig . 4 Showing the cover 2 with the reflective surface 1 and the reflective surface frame structure 5 tilting upward as indicated by the bottom of the frame 5B protruding outward as the top of the frame 5A going inward into the cover' s internal area 2A.

[0046] Fig . 5 Same as Fig . 4 except the top of the frame 5A is protruding outward as the bottom of the frame 5B is going inward into the cover' s internal area 2A.

[0047] Fig . 6 Same as Fig . 4 except the left side of the frame 5D is protruding outward as the right side of the frame 5C is going inward into the cover' s internal area 2A.

[0048] Fig . 7 Same as Fig . 4 except the right side of the frame 5C is protruding outward as the left side of the frame 5D is going inward into the cover' s internal area 2A.

[0049] Fig . 8 Showing the reflective component 1 and its frame 5 are pointed in a direction that is downward and to the right as indicted by the cover' s internal area 2A being exposed at the right side frame 5C as well as 2A being exposed at the top of the frame 5A.

[0050] Fig . 9 Showing the reflective component 1 and its frame 5 are pointed in a direction that is upward and to the left as indicted by the left side frame 5D disappearing into the case 2 as well as the bottom of the frame 5B protruding out over the bottom of the cover 2 .

[0051] Fig . 10 Shown in side view is the mirror assembly with the cover 2 removed . The vertical base component 7 with its to cover mounting surface 7G, the lower vertical support arm 7B, upper vertical support arm 7A which also houses the vertical rotational motor 13 with its wiring 16, the rotational motor lock plate 15 , the hori zontal axis base component 6 which supports the reflective component frame 5 , the hori zontal axis rotational motor 8 along with its wiring 12 and lock plate 10 . Detailing the position of the reflective component 1 and thus frame 5 tilted upward .

[0052] Fig . 11 Similar as Fig . 10 other than the reflective component frame 5 and thus the reflective component 1 tilted downward .

[0053] Fig . 12 Shown in mostly top view with a bit of side view, this exploded figure showing the horizontal pivot mechanism

[0054] / structures . The vertical base component 7 supporting the horizontal base component 6, the base 6 having two mounting tabs 6A that allow for horizontal axis rotational pivoting, the tab 6A on the right having a pin hole 6B while the tab on the left having a pin hole 6C with a flat surface its entire length . The reflective frame 5 having four mounting tabs 5F spaced apart to allow the base 6 mounting tabs 6A to engage the space 5H between the two mounting tabs 5F on either end of the frame 5 . Alignment pivot pin 21 engages pin hole 5G in the right side holes along with hole 6B . The frame 5 having a motor mounting block 9 and a motor lock plate 10 contains the hori zontal axis rotational motor 8 which has a short driveshaft 8A protruding . Hori zontal long driveshaft 20 also acts as a pivot pin as it engages pin holes 5G on the left side of the assembly . Base mounting tab hole 6C having a flat portion engages the flat portion of the horizontal long driveshaft 20 which rotates the frame 5 when the horizontal axis rotational motor 8 is given directional input thus allowing the reflective frame 5 with the reflective component 1 installed to pivot on a hori zontal axis moving the mirror up and down .

[0055] Fig . 13 A close-up version of Fig . 12 further detailing the flat portion in pivot pin hole 6C as well as the flat portion 20B inside the head of the hori zontal long driveshaft 20 which is engaged by the drive shaft 8A of the horizontal axis rotational motor 8 . Also detailed is the motor mounting block internal space 9A.

[0056] Fig. 14 A close-up of Fig. 13 detailing the flat surface 8B on the horizontal axis rotational motor drive shaft 8A as well as the flat 20C on the horizontal long driveshaft 20 and the flat portion inside pivot pin hole 6C. The flat surfaces on the motor short drive shaft, in the head of the long driveshaft, down the length of the long driveshaft, and in the pivot pin hole 6C allow the horizontal axis rotational motor 8 to transfer its rotational motion directly to the reflective frame 5.

[0057] Fig. 15 Top view of the mirror assembly detailing its ability to pivot to the left. The entirety of the horizontal axis rotational structure with the frame 5, the horizontal base component 6, the motor 8, the motor mounting block 9, being mounted to the vertical base component 7 which holds vertical axis rotational motor 13.

[0058] Fig. 16 Similar to Fig. 15 and shown in top side view the horizontal base component 6 being close on one side to the vertical base component 7 indicating the reflective frame 5 and the inserted reflective component are angled to the left.

[0059] Fig. 17 Top view of the mirror assembly detailing its ability to pivot to the right. The entirety of the horizontal axis rotational structure with the frame 5, the horizontal base component 6, the motor 8, the motor mounting block 9, being mounted to the vertical base component 7 which holds vertical axis rotational motor 13 .

[0060] Fig . 18 Similar to Fig . 16 and shown in top side view the horizontal base component 6 being close on one side to the vertical base component 7 indicating the reflective frame 5 and the inserted reflective component are angled to the right . Fig . 19 Shown in side view and explode format detailing the vertical pivot mechanism / structures . Vertical base 7 having a lower support arm 7A and an upper support arm 7B and a free space between for aligning the hori zontal mounting block 6D . Horizontal base 6 is shown complete with all the components detailed in previous figs . Vertical axis rotational motor 13 having a driveshaft 13A, and 13A having a flat portion 13B which engages and locks into the head 17A of the vertical long driveshaft 17 which has a flat portion 17B along its entire length . Upper spacer 23 resides in the top side of horizontal mounting block 6D and upper bearing 22 resides in the bottom side of the upper support arm 7A of the vertical base 7 . Lower spacer 23 resides in the top side of the lower support arm 7B of the vertical base 7 and lower bearing 23 resides in the bottom side of the horizontal mounting block 6D .

[0061] Fig . 20 Similar to Fig . 19 although detailed in a top partial side angle view . Vertical base upper support arm 7A is shown to also be the mounting block for the vertical axis rotational motor 13 . Recess 7C retains the motor 13 and lock plate 15 secures the motor 13 in place . The internal flat portion of the vertical long driveshaft 17B is shown as is lower sleeve 23 receiving hole 7G and upper sleeve 23 receiving hole 6E .

[0062] Fig . 21 Similar to Fig . 20 although in close-up view and detailing the through hole 7D for the vertical long driveshaft , additionally shown is the flat portion 17B on the vertical long driveshaft and the flat 6F that is cut into the through hole 6E which locks the hori zontal mounting block 6D and therefore the horizontal base 6 to the vertical axis rotational motor 13 .

[0063] Fig . 22 Shown in top / side front view and detailing the vertical base 7 to cover 2 mounting holes 7F . Additionally detailed is the hori zontal base 6 rotated on the vertical axis of the vertical base 7 to the left , while the reflective component frame 5 is rotated downward on the horizontal axis of the hori zontal base 6.

[0064] Fig . 23 Similar to Fig . 22 although showing the hori zontal base 6 rotated on the vertical axis of the vertical base 7 to the right , while the reflective component frame 5 is rotated upward on the hori zontal axis of the hori zontal base 6 .

[0065] Fig . 24 Shown in side view and internal reveal format detailing the internal space 2A of the cover 2 , the holes 2B for mounting the vertical base 7 , as well as the cover 2 to interior roof panel mounting holes 22 . The entirety of this embodiment of the current invention is shown .

[0066] Fig . 25 Shown in hi top view, the exposed mirror assembly with the reflective component frame 5, the hori zontal base structure 6 , and the vertical base structure 7 , additionally detailed is the accelerometer 25 which informs the central controller i f the mirror was accidentally bumped or j arred out of position by movement the controlled did not initiate as well as two limiting sensors 26 which set boundaries for the central controller when the mirror is being adj usted .

[0067] Fig . 26 Shown in bottom view, a more complete roof panel 3 than previous drawings , the mirror assembly cover 2 , and windshield 3 , additionally detailed is the position sensor over the driver' s seat 27 and the two position sensors mounted on the B pillars ( on either side of the rear glass ) . These three sensors establish a minimum default range the mirror must reside within for safety purposes regarding the rearward vision of the driver .

[0068] Fig . 27 Shown in h top view, the control panel case 30 with its wiring harness 31 , preset location buttons 33 and j oystick type control mechanism. When the desired position is required the driver merely presses the preset button and if someone else uses the vehicle and changes the mirror position a simple push of the preset and the mirror automatically resets to that saved location information . Fig. 28 Shown in top view, the control panel case 30 with its wiring harness 31, a track ball type control mechanism 34 and a touch screen 35 for presets and other options.

[0069] Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments .

[0070] As used herein, "plurality" means two or more. As used herein, a "set" of items may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whether in the written description or the claims, the terms "comprising", "including", "carrying", "having", "containing", "involving", and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to . Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and

[0071] "consisting essentially of" , respectively, are closed or semiclosed transitional phrases with respect to claims . Use of ordinal terms such as " first" , "second", "third" , etc . , in the claims to modi fy a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence , or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements . As used herein, "and / or" means that the listed items are alternatives , but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items .

Claims

CLAIMS :1 . A remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle comprising : a reflective component mounted in a reflective frame , the reflective frame having a plurality of mounting tabs and mounted to a hori zontal base component , the hori zontal base component having a plurality of mounting tabs , the reflective frame mounting tabs align with the horizontal base component mounting tabs and are connected by an alignment pivot pin and a hori zontal long driveshaft , the frame is mounted on a hori zontal axis , allowing for adj ustable movement of the reflective frame from up to down and down to up, the hori zontal base component incorporates a horizontal mounting block which contains a vertical through hole, a vertical base component containing a lower support arm and an upper support arm, each support arm containing a through hole aligned on a vertical axis , the hori zontal base mounting block engages the vertical base component between the verticalbase component lower and upper support arms on the vertical axis and connected via the vertical long driveshaft & allowing for an established range of adjustable movement of the horizontal base component from left to right and right to left; a horizontal axis rotational motor for pivoting the reflective frame about the horizontal axis; a vertical axis rotational motor for pivoting the horizontal base structure about the vertical axis; a joystick control type mechanism mounted in a control panel case for remotely setting the position of the reflective component frame on the horizontal axis, and for setting the position of the horizontal base structure on the vertical axis.

2. The remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the horizontal movement range and the vertical movement range are restricted by limiting sensors .

3. The remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the horizontal axis rotational motor and the vertical axis rotational motor work in unison to offer a wide range of positions for viewing.

4. The remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the mirror assembly is mounted into a cover which is then mounted to the frontal portion of an interior roof panel or directly to the windshield.

5. A remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle comprising: a network of position sensors, one mounted above the driver' s seat, one mounted on the either side of the rear window, and one on the reflective component frame which send information to a central computer, the reflective component frame also having an accelerometer mounted to it.

6. A remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for avehicle as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the central computer monitors the position of the mirror to determine it is within a safe visual range of use based on the driver' s seat position sensor, the rear window sensors, and the actual position of the mirror .

7. A remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the central computer monitoring the position of the mirror will immediately reposition the mirror if it is bumped or jarred accidentally out of a normal safe range of rear angle viewing as determined by the central computer.

8. The remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a control panel case comprises ; a plurality of preset location buttons allowing multiple drivers of a same vehicle to each have and save a preset mirror position, and a joystick type control mechanism for operation bya user .9 . The remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the user, by selecting and pressing one of the plurality of preset location buttons on the control panel case the mirror can be positioned in e specific user' s preselected configuration .10 . The remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the control panel case further comprises the j oystick, whereby movement of the j oystick in a particular direction causes the mirror to be positioned in a corresponding direction by signals sent to the horizontal axis rotational motor and vertical axis rotational motor .11 . The remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the control panel case in another embodiment comprises a track ball type controlmechanism to send directional signals to the rotational motors , whereby movement of the track ball in a particular direction causes the mirror to be positioned in a corresponding direction .12 . The remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the control panel case in another embodiment comprises an electronic touch screen for adj usting the position of the mirror .13 . A method of a remotely controlled interior rear view mirror for a vehicle , the method comprising : a mirror component defining a reflective material for viewing behind the vehicle while facing forward in the vehicle ; mounting of a reflective component in a frame, the frame being mounted to a hori zontal base component ; attaching the hori zontal base component to a vertical base structure , attaching the vertical base component to an assembly case, attaching the assembly case to the windshield or interior roof area of the vehicle ;attaching a horizontal axis rotational motor for pivoting the reflective component frame about a horizontal axis ; attaching a vertical axis rotational motor for pivoting the horizontal base structure about a vertical axis ; connecting a j oystick, trackball , or touchscreen control type mechanism to the horizontal axis and vertical axis rotational motors , the control type mechanism sets the position of the reflective component on a hori zontal axis on the horizontal base structure , and the position of the horizontal base component on a vertical axis on the vertical base component ; additionally, the user controls include buttons allowing for preset mirror positions , allowing for multiple users of the same vehicle to have and save individual mirror positioning; further, the user controls can reset the position of the mirror i f it is accidentally bumped out of the predetermined safe range of rear angle viewing by input from an accelerometer and a plurality of limiting sensors .

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