Electronics module for mirrors

• US 20080100939A1
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Velvac Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Velvac Incorporated
• Inventors: Brester, Robert R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,602,573 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0605 specially adapted for mounting on trucks, e.g. by C-shaped support means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens

Abstract

An electronics module is attachable to an exterior mirror of a vehicle and supports a camera and/or a display. The electronics module may be an add-on device that is retrofittable to the exterior mirror. The display may be arranged to display an indication of a distance between a back of the vehicle and an object.

Claims

1. An exterior mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror housing;

a mirror supported by the mirror housing;

a camera supported by the mirror housing so that a direction of a viewing field of the camera is adjustable relative to the mirror housing;

a display supported by the mirror housing; and

,

a mounting arm having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the mounting arm is attachable to the mirror housing, and wherein the second end of the mounting arm is configured to attach the mirror housing to an exterior of a vehicle.

2. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising a mirror positioning actuator supported by the mirror housing.

3. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 2 further comprising a mirror position sensor supported by the mirror housing.

4. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising a mirror heater supported by the mirror housing.

5. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the mirror comprises first and second mirror sections.

6. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising a module housing supporting the camera and the display, wherein the module housing is configured to be retrofitted to the mirror housing.

7. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising a printed circuit board supported by the mirror housing.

8. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising a light supported by the mirror housing.

9. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the digital display is arranged to display an indication of a distance between a back of the vehicle and an object.

10. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the direction of the viewing field of the camera is remotely controlled.

11. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment member that permits an angle of the camera with respect to the mirror housing to be repeatedly adjusted thereby permitting a direction of a viewing field of the camera to be repeatedly adjusted.

12. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 11 wherein the adjustment member comprises a clamp, and wherein the clamp comprises an arm to clamp the display to the module housing.

13. A method comprising:

reflecting an image by use of a mirror supported by a mirror housing so that the reflected image can be viewed by an occupant of a vehicle, wherein the image is generally rearward of the vehicle; and

,

displaying an indication of a distance between the vehicle and an object by use of a display mounted to the mirror housing.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the displaying of an indication of a distance comprises displaying the indication based on a signal from a sensor.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprises displaying a view rearward of the vehicle by use of a camera supported by the mirror housing.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the displaying of an indication of a distance comprises displaying the indication based on a signal from a proximity sensor.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the displaying of the indication based on a signal from a proximity sensor comprises displaying the indication based on a signal from a vehicle on board radar.

18. An electronics module for attachment to an exterior mirror of a vehicle comprising:

a module housing;

fastening devices permitting the module housing to be fastened to the exterior mirror;

a camera supported by the module housing;

a display supported by the module housing; and

,

an adjustment member that permits an angle of the camera with respect to the module housing to be repeatedly adjusted thereby permitting a direction of a viewing field of the camera to be repeatedly adjusted.

19. The electronics module of claim 18 wherein the adjustment member comprises an arm to clamp the display to the module housing.

20. The electronics module of claim 19 wherein the electronics module is configured to be retrofitted to the exterior mirror.

21. The electronics module of claim 18 further comprising a printed circuit board supported by the module housing.

22. The electronics module of claim 18 wherein the display is arranged to display an indication of a distance between a back of the vehicle and an object.

23. The electronics module of claim 18 wherein the fastening devices comprises holes through the module housing.

24. An electronics module for attachment to an exterior mirror of a vehicle comprising:

a module housing;

fastening devices permitting the module housing to be fastened to the exterior mirror;

a camera supported by the module housing; and

,

an adjustment member that permits an angle of the camera with respect to the module housing to be repeatedly adjusted thereby permitting a direction of a viewing field of the camera to be repeatedly adjusted.

25. The electronics module of claim 24 wherein the adjustment member comprises a clamp.

26. The electronics module of claim 24 wherein the electronics module is configured to be retrofitted to the exterior mirror.

27. The electronics module of claim 24 further comprising a printed circuit board supported by the module housing.

28. The electronics module of claim 24 wherein the fastening devices comprises holes through the module housing.

29. An add-on electronics module for retrofit attachment to an exterior mirror of a vehicle comprising:

a module housing, wherein the module housing has a shape conforming to a shape of an end of the exterior mirror so as to facilitate retrofitting of the add-on electronics module to the exterior mirror;

fastening devices permitting the module housing to be fastened to the exterior mirror, wherein the fastening devices are arranged to facilitate retrofitting of the add-on electronics module to the exterior mirror; and

,

electronics supported by the module housing.

30. The add-on electronics module of claim 29 further including a camera supported by the module housing.

31. The add-on electronics module of claim 29 further including a display supported by the module housing.

32. The add-on electronics module of claim 29 further including a camera and a display supported by the module housing.

33. The add-on electronics module of claim 29 wherein the fastening devices comprises holes through the module housing.