INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH FORWARDLY-VIEWING CAMERA

• US 20110278439A1
• Filed: 07/27/2011
• Published: 11/17/2011
• 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: Lynam, Niall R., Heslin, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 8,134,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/215
• 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

A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an attachment element attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield and an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes a mount for attaching the mirror assembly to the attachment element, a housing, a single ball and socket pivot joint, and an interior rearview mirror head adjustable by a driver of the vehicle about the single pivot joint to adjust a rearward field of view. The housing houses a forwardly-viewing camera and, with the interior rearview mirror assembly attached at the attachment element, the forwardly-viewing camera views through the vehicle windshield. The attachment element is a mirror mounting button and a rain sensor is disposed at an inner open central portion of the mirror mounting button and views, via the inner open central portion of the mirror mounting button, through the vehicle windshield.

Claims

1. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an attachment element adhesively attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror system;

a single-ball interior rearview mirror assembly configured for attachment at said attachment element;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing and an interior rearview mirror head pivotable about said housing by a single ball and socket pivot joint, said single ball and socket joint comprising a ball pivot element and a socket pivot element;

wherein said housing includes a mount for attaching said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element;

wherein said housing includes one of said ball pivot element and said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint and wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes the other of said ball pivot element and said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint;

wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes an electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said interior rearview mirror head is adjustable by a driver of the equipped vehicle about said single ball and socket pivot joint to adjust a rearward field of view of said electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein said housing houses a forwardly-viewing camera and wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said forwardly-viewing camera views through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said housing houses circuitry;

wherein said circuitry at least one of (a) receives an input via a bus communication and (b) delivers an output via a bus communication;

wherein said attachment element comprises a mirror mounting button and wherein said mirror mounting button comprises an outer portion and an inner open central portion; and

wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and views, via said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button, through the vehicle windshield.

2. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said circuitry comprises at least a part of a control of at least one of (a) a braking system of the equipped vehicle and (b) a traction control system of the equipped vehicle.

3. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 2, wherein said control provides, at least in part, adjustment of a braking characteristic of a braking system of the equipped vehicle.

4. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 2, wherein said control provides, at least in part, adjustment of a traction characteristic of a traction control system of the equipped vehicle.

5. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises one of (i) a polymeric housing and (ii) a metallic housing.

6. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said interior rearview Mirror system comprises a cover.

7. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein said cover is configured for attachment at said housing.

8. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 7, wherein said cover comprises a polymeric cover.

9. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 7, wherein said cover comprises a detachable cover configured for detachable attachment at said housing.

10. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 7, wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said cover, when attached at said housing, substantially conceals the presence of said forwardly-viewing camera from view by the driver normally operating the equipped vehicle.

11. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein said cover provides protection against ingress of a contaminant.

12. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein said cover provides a conduit for electrical leads associated with at least one of (i) circuitry disposed in said housing and (ii) circuitry disposed in said interior rearview mirror head.

13. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein said housing comprises a metallic housing, and wherein said cover attaches at said metallic housing.

14. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 13, wherein said metallic housing comprises a die cast metallic housing.

15. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 13, wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said rain sensor is at least partially hidden by said cover from view by the driver operating the equipped vehicle.

16. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said cover is detachable to facilitate service.

17. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein said housing houses a cluster of individual sensors and wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said cluster of individual sensors resides on or near the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield.

18. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 17, wherein said cover at least partially hides said cluster of individual sensors from view by the driver operating the equipped vehicle.

19. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said housing includes said ball pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint and wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint.

20. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said single ball and socket pivot joint includes a passageway, and wherein at least one electrical lead passes through said passageway of said single ball and socket pivot joint.

21. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 20, wherein said at least one electrical lead connects to said rain sensor.

22. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 20, wherein said at least one electrical lead connects to circuitry disposed in said interior rearview mirror head.

23. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 22, wherein said circuitry disposed in said interior rearview mirror head is associated with said electrochromic rearview mirror element.

24. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 22, wherein said circuitry disposed in said interior rearview mirror head is associated with a display in said interior rearview mirror head that displays through said electrochromic mirror element.

25. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said forwardly-viewing camera is located on said housing.

26. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein adjustment of said interior rearview mirror head to adjust the rearward field of view of said electrochromic rearview mirror element does not affect the position or orientation of said forwardly-viewing camera housed by said housing.

27. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 26, wherein said housing is fixedly attached at said attachment element.

28. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 27, wherein said housing is detachably attached at said attachment element.

29. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 27, wherein said attachment of said housing comprises a breakaway attachment.

30. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said housing houses at least one of (a) a headlamp sensor, (b) said rain sensor, (c) another camera, (d) a compass sensor, and (e) a garage door opener.

31. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said circuitry comprises, at least in part, circuitry of said rain sensor.

32. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said outer portion of said mirror mounting button comprises an annular outer portion.

33. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said rain sensor is optically coupled to the vehicle windshield.

34. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said rain sensor views through a light transmitting aperture established in a light absorbing hiding layer at the vehicle windshield that generally coincides with said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button.

35. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 34, wherein said mount of said housing is configured to twist onto said attachment element to attach said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element.

36. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said rain sensor at least one of (a) is urged at least partially through said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and into contact with the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield for viewing through the vehicle windshield, and (b) is urged at least partially through said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and into contact with the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield for viewing, via an opening in a light absorbing layer at the vehicle windshield that generally coincides with said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button, through the vehicle windshield.

37. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mount of said housing is configured to twist onto said attachment element to attach said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element.

38. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said attachment element comprises a metallic mirror mounting button.

39. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said attachment element comprises a metallic mirror mounting button formed by at least one of casting and sintering.

40. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said attachment element comprises a polymeric mirror mounting button.

41. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said bus communication comprises a CAN bus communication.

42. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said housing includes an internal wall that separates a cavity of said housing into first and second compartments, and wherein said forwardly-viewing camera is accommodated by said first compartment.

43. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an attachment element adhesively attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror system;

a single-ball interior rearview mirror assembly configured for attachment at said attachment element;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing and an interior rearview mirror head pivotable about said housing by a single ball and socket pivot joint, said single ball and socket joint comprising a ball pivot element and a socket pivot element;

wherein said housing includes a mount for attaching said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element;

wherein said housing includes one of said ball pivot element and said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint and wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes the other of said ball pivot element and said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint;

wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes an electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said interior rearview mirror head is adjustable by a driver of the equipped vehicle about said single ball and socket pivot joint to adjust a rearward field of view of said electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein said single ball and socket pivot joint includes a passageway, and wherein at least one electrical lead passes through said passageway of said single ball and socket pivot joint;

wherein said at least one electrical lead connects to circuitry disposed in said interior rearview mirror head and wherein said circuitry is associated with said electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein said housing houses a forwardly-viewing camera and wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said forwardly-viewing camera views through the vehicle windshield;

wherein adjustment of said interior rearview mirror head to adjust the rearward field of view of said electrochromic rearview mirror element does not affect the position or orientation of said forwardly-viewing camera housed by said housing;

wherein said attachment element comprises a mirror mounting button and wherein said mirror mounting button comprises an outer portion and an inner open central portion; and

wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and views through the vehicle windshield via said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and via a light transmitting aperture established in a light absorbing hiding layer at the vehicle windshield that generally coincides with said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button.

44. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 43, wherein said interior rearview mirror system comprises a cover.

45. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 44, wherein said cover is configured for at least one of (a) attachment at said housing and (b) detachable attachment at said housing.

46. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 45, wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said cover substantially conceals the presence of said forwardly-viewing camera from view by the driver normally operating the equipped vehicle.

47. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 44, wherein said cover provides protection against ingress of a contaminant.

48. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 44, wherein said cover provides a conduit for at least one electrical lead associated with at least one of (i) circuitry disposed in said housing and (ii) said circuitry disposed in said interior rearview mirror head.

49. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 43, wherein at least one of (a) said rain sensor is optically coupled to the vehicle windshield, and (b) said mount of said housing is configured to twist onto said attachment element to attach said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element.

50. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 43, wherein said rain sensor at least one of (a) is urged at least partially through said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and into contact with the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield, and (b) is urged at least partially through said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button.

51. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 43, wherein said attachment element comprises one of (a) a metallic mirror mounting button and (b) a metallic mirror mounting button formed by at least one of casting and sintering.

52. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 43, wherein said housing comprises one of (a) a metallic housing and (b) a die cast metallic housing.

53. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 52, wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said rain sensor is at least partially hidden from view by the driver operating the equipped vehicle via a cover attached at said housing.

54. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 43, wherein said housing houses circuitry and wherein said circuitry housed by said housing at least one of (a) receives an input via a bus communication and (b) delivers an output via a bus communication.

55. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an attachment element adhesively attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror system;

a single-ball interior rearview mirror assembly configured for attachment at said attachment element;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing and an interior rearview mirror head pivotable about said housing by a single ball and socket pivot joint, said single ball and socket joint comprising a ball pivot element and a socket pivot element;

wherein said housing includes a mount for attaching said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element;

wherein said housing includes one of said ball pivot element and said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint and wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes the other of said ball pivot element and said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint;

wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes an electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said interior rearview mirror head is adjustable by a driver of the equipped vehicle about said single ball and socket pivot joint to adjust a rearward field of view of said electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein said single ball and socket pivot joint includes a passageway, and wherein at least one electrical lead passes through said passageway of said single ball and socket pivot joint;

wherein said at least one electrical lead connects to circuitry disposed in said interior rearview mirror head and wherein said circuitry is associated with said electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein said housing houses a forwardly-viewing camera and wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said forwardly-viewing camera views through the vehicle windshield;

wherein adjustment of said interior rearview mirror head to adjust the rearward field of view of said electrochromic rearview minor element does not affect the position or orientation of said forwardly-viewing camera housed by said housing;

wherein said attachment element comprises a mirror mounting button and wherein said mirror mounting button comprises an outer portion and an inner open central portion;

wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and views through the vehicle windshield via said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and via a light transmitting aperture established in a light absorbing hiding layer at the vehicle windshield that generally coincides with said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button; and

wherein said rain sensor is in contact with the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield through said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button.

56. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 55, wherein said mount of said housing is configured to twist onto said attachment element to attach said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element.

57. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 56, wherein said outer portion of said mirror mounting button comprises an annular outer portion.

58. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 55, wherein said rain sensor is urged into contact with the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield by a resilient member.

59. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 55, wherein said housing includes said ball pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint and wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint.

60. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 59, wherein said housing comprises a metallic housing.

61. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 60, wherein said metallic housing comprises a die cast metallic housing.

62. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 55, wherein said forwardly-viewing camera is located on said housing.

63. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 62, wherein said interior rearview mirror system comprises a cover.

64. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 63, wherein said cover is configured for at least one of (a) attachment at said housing and (b) detachable attachment at said housing.

65. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 63, wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said cover substantially conceals the presence of said forwardly-viewing camera from view by the driver normally operating the equipped vehicle.

66. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an attachment element adhesively attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror system;

a single-ball interior rearview mirror assembly configured for attachment at said attachment element;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing and an interior rearview mirror head pivotable about said housing by a single ball and socket pivot joint, said single ball and socket joint comprising a ball pivot element and a socket pivot element;

wherein said housing includes a mount for attaching said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element and wherein said mount of said housing is configured to twist onto said attachment element to attach said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element;

wherein said housing includes one of said ball pivot element and said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint and wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes the other of said ball pivot element and said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint;

wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes an electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said interior rearview mirror head is adjustable by a driver of the equipped vehicle about said single ball and socket pivot joint to adjust a rearward field of view of said electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein said single ball and socket pivot joint includes a passageway, and wherein at least one electrical lead passes through said passageway of said single ball and socket pivot joint;

wherein said at least one electrical lead connects to circuitry disposed in said interior rearview mirror head and wherein said circuitry is associated with said electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein said housing houses a forwardly-viewing camera and wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said forwardly-viewing camera views through the vehicle windshield;

wherein adjustment of said interior rearview mirror head to adjust the rearward field of view of said electrochromic rearview mirror element does not affect the position or orientation of said forwardly-viewing camera housed by said housing;

wherein said attachment element comprises a mirror mounting button and wherein said mirror mounting button comprises an annular outer portion and an inner open central portion;

wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and views through the vehicle windshield via said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and via a light transmitting aperture established in a light absorbing hiding layer at the vehicle windshield that generally coincides with said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button; and

wherein said rain sensor is in contact with the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield through said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button, and wherein said rain sensor is urged into contact with the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield by a resilient member.

67. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 66, wherein said housing comprises at least one of (a) a metallic housing and (b) a die cast metallic housing.

68. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 67, wherein said forwardly-viewing camera is located on said housing.

69. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 68, wherein said interior rearview mirror system comprises a cover, and wherein said cover is configured for at least one of (a) attachment at said housing and (b) detachable attachment at said housing.

70. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an attachment element adhesively attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror system;

a single-ball interior rearview mirror assembly configured for attachment at said attachment element;

wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing and an interior rearview mirror head pivotable about said housing by a single ball and socket pivot joint, said single ball and socket joint comprising a ball pivot element and a socket pivot element;

wherein said housing includes a mount for attaching said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element and wherein said mount of said housing is configured to twist onto said attachment element to attach said interior rearview mirror assembly at said attachment element;

wherein said housing includes one of said ball pivot element and said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint and wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes the other of said ball pivot element and said socket pivot element of said single ball and socket pivot joint;

wherein said interior rearview mirror head includes an electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said interior rearview mirror head is adjustable by a driver of the equipped vehicle about said single ball and socket pivot joint to adjust a rearward field of view of said electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein said single ball and socket pivot joint includes a passageway, and wherein at least one electrical lead passes through said passageway of said single ball and socket pivot joint;

wherein said at least one electrical lead connects to circuitry disposed in said interior rearview mirror head and wherein said circuitry is associated with said electrochromic rearview mirror element;

wherein said housing houses a forwardly-viewing camera and wherein, with said interior rearview mirror assembly attached at said attachment element, said forwardly-viewing camera views through the vehicle windshield;

wherein said forwardly-viewing camera is located on said housing;

wherein adjustment of said interior rearview mirror head to adjust the rearward field of view of said electrochromic rearview mirror element does not affect the position or orientation of said forwardly-viewing camera housed by said housing;

wherein said housing houses circuitry;

wherein said circuitry at least one of (a) receives an input via a bus communication and (b) delivers an output via a bus communication;

wherein said interior rearview mirror system comprises a cover, and wherein said cover is configured for at least one of (a) attachment at said housing and (b) detachable attachment at said housing;

wherein said attachment element comprises a mirror mounting button and wherein said mirror mounting button comprises an annular outer portion and an inner open central portion;

wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and views through the vehicle windshield via said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button and via a light transmitting aperture established in a light absorbing hiding layer at the vehicle windshield that generally coincides with said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button; and

wherein said rain sensor is in contact with the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield through said inner open central portion of said mirror mounting button, and wherein said rain sensor is urged into contact with the in-cabin surface of the vehicle windshield by a resilient member.