Accessory mounting system for mounting a plurality of accessories to the windshield of a vehicle

• US 20070120043A1
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Heslin, Patrick, Lynam, Niall
• Granted Patent: US 7,265,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/205
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0077 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0881 characterized by the attachment means on the windshield
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0885 the sensor being integrated in a rear-view mirror module
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An accessory mounting system suitable for mounting a plurality of accessories at a windshield portion within the interior cabin of a vehicle includes a housing adapted for releasable mounting to a receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, and at least two accessories housed in said housing. One of the accessories comprises a forwardly-viewing camera, which views through the windshield of the vehicle when said housing is mounted to said receiving structure. The other of the accessories may be selected from the group consisting of: (a) a vehicle altitude sensor, (b) a vehicle incline sensor, (c) a headlamp sensor, (d) a geographic positioning satellite (GPS) transmitter, (e) a geographic positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, (f) an antenna, (g) a rain sensor, (h) a microphone, and (i) a compass sensor.

Claims

1. An accessory mounting system suitable for mounting a plurality of accessories at a windshield portion within the interior cabin of a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

a housing;

said housing adapted for releasable mounting to a receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle;

at least two accessories housed in said housing;

one of said at least two accessories comprising a forwardly-viewing camera;

another of said at least two accessories selected from the group consisting of;

(a) a vehicle altitude sensor, (b) a vehicle incline sensor, (c) a headlamp sensor, (d) a geographic positioning satellite (GPS) transmitter, (e) a geographic positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, (f) an antenna, (g) a rain sensor, (h) a microphone, and (i) a compass sensor; and

said forwardly-viewing camera viewing through the windshield of the vehicle when said housing is mounted to said receiving structure.

2. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a passageway for electrical wiring.

3. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a pivot element.

4. The accessory mounting system of claim 3, wherein said pivot element includes a conduit therethrough for electrical wiring.

5. The accessory mounting system of claim 4, wherein said pivot element connects to an interior mirror.

6. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a first opening, said first opening facing toward the windshield when said housing is mounted to said receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, and wherein said another of said two accessories comprises a rain sensor.

7. The accessory mounting system of claim 6, wherein said rain sensor is urged forward through said first opening into contact with the interior surface of the windshield.

8. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a cavity, said cavity including an opening and wherein at least one of said at least two accessories included in said housing is accessible through said opening.

9. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a cavity and wherein an internal wall separates said cavity into first and second compartments, said one of said at least two accessories being in said first compartment and said another of said at least two accessories being in said second compartment.

10. The accessory mounting system of claim 9 further including a removable cover which mates with said housing.

11. An accessory mounting system suitable for mounting a plurality of accessories at a windshield portion within the interior cabin of a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

a housing;

said housing adapted for releasable mounting to a receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle;

at least two accessories housed in said housing;

one of said at least two accessories comprising a forwardly-viewing camera;

another of said at least two accessories comprising a rain sensor; and

said forwardly-viewing camera viewing through the windshield of the vehicle when said housing is mounted to said receiving structure.

12. The accessory mounting system of claim 11, wherein said housing includes a passageway for electrical wiring.

13. The accessory mounting system of claim 11, wherein said housing comprises a pivot element.

14. The accessory mounting system of claim 13, wherein said pivot element includes a conduit therethrough for electrical wiring.

15. The accessory mounting system of claim 14, wherein said pivot element connects to an interior mirror.

16. The accessory mounting system of claim 11, wherein said housing includes a first opening, said first opening facing toward the windshield when said housing is mounted to said receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, and wherein said rain sensor is urged forward through said first opening into contact with the interior surface of the windshield.

17. The accessory mounting system of claim 11 further including a removable cover which mates with said housing.

18. An accessory mounting system suitable for mounting a plurality of accessories at a windshield portion within the interior cabin of a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

a housing;

said housing adapted for releasable mounting to a receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle;

at least two accessories housed in said housing;

one of said at least two accessories comprising a forwardly-viewing camera;

another of said at least two accessories comprising a rain sensor;

said forwardly-viewing camera viewing through the windshield of the vehicle when said housing is mounted to said receiving structure;

wherein said housing comprises a pivot element and wherein said pivot element includes a conduit therethrough for electrical wiring; and

wherein said pivot element connects to an interior mirror.

19. The accessory mounting system of claim 18, wherein said housing includes a first opening, said first opening facing toward the windshield when said housing is mounted to said receiving structure on the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, wherein said rain sensor is urged forward through said first opening into contact with the interior surface of the windshield.

20. The accessory mounting system of claim 18 further including a removable cover which mates with said housing.