SIDE MOUNTED VEHICLE MIRROR WITH INTEGRAL OBJECT

• US 20090109559A1
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Autosense LLC
• Original Assignee: Autosense LLC
• Inventors: Bell, Brian K., Price, Vernon D.
• Application Number:
  US11/665,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20090109559A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/843
• 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: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4813 Housing arrangements

Abstract

A side object detection (SOD) system is integrated into the side view mirror assembly (10) of a vehicle to alert motor vehicle operators to the presence of another moving vehicle in a monitored zone. The SOD system combines an optical transmitter (26), an optical receiver (28), and a system board (30) electrically coupled to the optical transmitter and to the optical receiver

Claims

1. A side rear view mirror apparatus for a motor vehicle comprising:

a. a frame attached to and extending away from a side of the vehicle;

b. a mirror disposed in a central portion of the frame;

c. the frame comprising an exterior frame wall adjacent to the mirror and an interior frame cavity, the frame wall including one or more rearward facing segments;

d. a side object detection system mounted in the frame, the side object detection system comprising an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a system board electrically coupled to the optical transmitter and to the optical receiver;

e. the optical transmitter including a lens integral to at least one of the rearward facing segments of the frame wall;

f. the optical receiver including a lens integral to at least one of the rearward facing segments of the frame wall; and

g. the system board is positioned within the frame cavity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vehicle has a vehicle electrical bus, the side object detection system further comprises a system cable electrically connecting the system board to the vehicle electrical bus, and wherein only the system cable component of the side object detection system extends outside of the frame.

3. A side rear view mirror apparatus for a motor vehicle comprising:

a. mirror housing attached to a side of the vehicle;

b. a mirror mounted to the housing;

c. the housing including a bottom section positioned below the mirror, the bottom section including a rearward facing exterior wall and an inner cavity;

d. a side object detection system comprising a transmitter, a transmitter lens, a receiver, a receiver lens, and a system board electrically connected to the transmitter and receiver;

e. the transmitter, receiver, and system board each positioned entirely within the inner cavity of the bottom section of the housing; and

f. the transmitter lens and receiver lens each defining portions of the exterior wall.

4. A mirror apparatus for a motor vehicle comprising:

a. a frame attachable to an exterior portion of the vehicle;

b. a mirror disposed in the frame;

c. the frame comprising a frame wall and a frame cavity;

d. a side object detection system mounted to the frame, the side object detection system comprising an optical transmitter and an optical receiver;

e. the optical transmitter including a transmitter lens projecting rearwardly from the frame wall; and

f. the optical receiver including a receiver lens projecting rearwardly from the frame wall.

5. The mirror apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a system board positioned within the frame cavity.

6. The mirror apparatus of claim 4 wherein the transmitter lens and receiver lens are integral to the frame wall.

7. The mirror apparatus of claim 6 wherein the optical transmitter is physically and optically separated from the optical receiver within the frame.

8. The mirror apparatus of claim 6 wherein the transmitter lens and the receiver lens are integral to respective non-coplanar sections of the frame wall.

9. The mirror apparatus of claim 4 wherein the mirror frame is attachable to a side of the motor vehicle.