MIRROR ADJUSTMENT UNIT PROVIDED WITH AN ELECTRIC ACCESSORY

• US 20110317298A1
• Filed: 10/30/2009
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V. (Flex, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V. (Flex, Ltd.)
• Inventors: van Stiphout, Paulus Gerardus Maria
• Granted Patent: US 8,672,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/07 by electrically powered actuators

Abstract

A mirror adjustment unit for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle includes a mirror adjustment mechanism and a mirror support. The minor support is couplable to the mirror adjustment mechanism, and includes at least one electric accessory. The mirror adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of prong-shaped electrically conductive elements configured to electrically connect the electric accessory of the mirror support with at least one of the conductive elements of the mirror adjustment mechanism by plug connection.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A mirror adjustment unit for a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a mirror adjustment mechanism; and

a mirror support couplable to the mirror adjustment mechanism, the mirror support including at least one electric accessory,

wherein the mirror adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of prong-shaped electrically conductive elements configured to electrically connect, by plug connection, the electric accessory of the mirror support with at least one of the conductive elements of the mirror adjustment mechanism.

13. The mirror adjustment unit of claim 12, wherein the prong-shaped electrically conductive elements are at least partly uninsulated.

14. The mirror adjustment unit of claim 12, wherein the prong-shaped electrically conductive elements are electrically separate from each other.

15. The mirror adjustment unit of claim 12, wherein the prong-shaped electrically conductive elements comprise a predetermined bending point.

16. The mirror adjustment unit of claim 12, wherein the plug connection comprises a click connection, a rotation connection, a translation connection, or combinations of one or more of the foregoing connections.

17. The mirror adjustment unit of claim 12, wherein the prong-shaped electrically conductive elements include a plug connection configured to form an electrical connection with a power supply.

18. The mirror adjustment unit of claim 12, wherein the mirror adjustment mechanism comprises the power supply.

19. The mirror adjustment unit of claim 17, wherein the power supply is provided by an onboard network of a motor vehicle.

20. A mirror adjustment mechanism comprising:

a plurality of prong-shaped electrically conductive elements,

wherein the prong-shaped electrically conductive elements include a plug element, and the plug element is configured to electrically connect, by plug connection, the electrically conductive elements with a mirror support with at least one electric accessory.

21. A mirror support comprising:

at least one electric accessory; and

a receiving element for electrically connecting the at least one electric accessory with prong-shaped electrically conductive elements of a mirror adjustment mechanism by plug connection.

22. A method for electrically connecting a mirror adjustment mechanism comprising:

providing a number of prong-shaped electrically conductive elements and a mirror support comprising at least one electric accessory, the prong-shaped electrically conductive element configured for plug connection; and

connecting the prong-shaped electrically conductive elements with the electric accessory.