Exterior vehicle mirror assembly with sensors

• US 20050242934A1
• Filed: 03/22/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Witzke, Michael, Lang, Heinrich, Scholler, Jorg
• Granted Patent: US 7,342,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/435
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/006 using a distance sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens

Abstract

An exterior mirror sensor system for commercial vehicles comprising an exterior mirror, a sensor for monitoring an exterior mirror zone, and an indicator for indicating objects detected in the exterior mirror zone. The sensor may be a distance sensor, a motion sensor or a heat sensor. The system may further comprise a control unit connected to the sensor and indicator for controlling the indicator. The system may further comprise a camera for recording objects in the exterior mirror zone. The control unit may actuate the indicator upon the detection of an object by the sensor. The indicator may comprise an audible indicator. The system may further comprise a data input unit for recording data detected by the sensor wherein the data input unit is connected to the control unit and receives the data detected by the sensor from the control unit.

Claims

1. An exterior vehicle mirror assembly sensor system for commercial vehicles which provides damage and theft protection, said assembly comprising:

an overhead exterior mirror carried by a commercial vehicle;

a sensor carried by said exterior mirror for monitoring objects within an exterior mirror zone surrounding said exterior mirror and generating a sensor signal in response to the detection of an object in the exterior mirror zone;

a control unit connected to said sensor for receiving said sensor signal; and

an indicator responsive to said control unit for notifying individuals of an object detected in the exterior mirror zone by said sensor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said exterior mirror comprises:

a mirror support mount carried by said vehicle and attached to said coupling member; and

a mirror housing connected to said mirror support mount, extending generally vertically downward while carried by said vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor is carried by said mirror housing of said exterior mirror.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a distance sensor for detecting the distance of an object in the exterior mirror zone for use as a damage prevention aide.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a motion sensor, for detecting motion in the exterior mirror zone for use as a theft deterrent.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a heat sensor, for detecting heat in the exterior mirror zone for use as a theft deterrent.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a camera carried by said mirror, in communication with said control unit for recording objects in said exterior mirror zone.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said control unit actuates said indicator upon receiving a sensor signal representing the detection of an object by said sensor.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light source carried by said exterior mirror connected to said control unit for actuation by said control unit upon the detection of an object by said sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data input unit for recording information representing the detection of an object by said sensor wherein said data input unit is connected to said control unit and receives the information representing the detection of an object from said control unit.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises an audible indicator for audibly indicating the detection of an object by said sensor.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises an optical output for optically indicating the detection of an object by said sensor.

13. The sensor system of claim 1 further comprising:

an electrical coupling member disposed between said exterior mirror and the vehicle for electrically connecting said sensor to said control unit wherein said electrical coupling is detachably connected to said mirror head.

14. A sensor system for detecting objects around a commercial vehicle'"'"'s exterior mirror comprising:

a sensor carried by an exterior mirror for detecting objects in an exterior mirror zone surrounding the exterior mirror and generating a sensor signal upon detecting an object in the exterior mirror zone;

an indicator in electronic communication with said sensor for receiving said sensor signal and indicating that the signal has been received; and

whereby individuals are notified by said indicator at the detection of an object in the exterior mirror zone by said sensor.

15. The sensor system of claim 14 further comprising:

an electronic coupling member disposed between said sensor and the vehicle for electrically connecting said sensor to the associated vehicle.

16. The sensor system of claim 14, wherein said sensor comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a motion sensor for detecting motion of objects, a distance sensor for detecting the proximity of objects in the exterior mirror zone, a heat sensor for detecting heat from objects in the exterior mirror zone, and a video camera for optically detecting objects in the exterior mirror zone.

17. The sensor system of claim 14 further comprising:

a data input unit connected to said sensor for receiving the sensor signal from said sensor and storing the sensor signal from said sensor representing the detection of an object by said sensor.

18. The sensor system of claim 14 further comprising:

a light source carried by the exterior mirror and in electronic communication with said sensor for actuation upon detection of an object in the exterior mirror zone.

19. The sensor system of claim 14 wherein said indicator comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of an optical indicator for providing an optical indication indicating the detection of an object by said sensor, and an audible indicator for audibly indicating the detection of an object by said sensor.

20. A method for protecting exterior vehicle mirror assemblies from damage or theft using at least one sensor carried by the mirror comprising:

monitoring an exterior mirror zone representing the area surrounding the exterior mirror with at least one sensor;

determining if an object is detected in the exterior mirror zone by the sensor; and

indicating on an associated indicator the detection of an object in the exterior mirror zone.