PUDDLE LIGHT AUTO SHUT OFF
First Claim
1. A vehicle assembly comprising:
- an external rear view mirror support arm;
an external rear view mirror housing pivotally connected with the support arm;
a mirror mounted to the housing;
a puddle light connected with the housing;
a proximity sensor including a first component mounted to the support arm and a second component mounted to the housing such that the second component rotates with respect to the first component when the housing is pivoted with respect to the support arm; and
a switch electrically connected with the puddle light, at least one of the components of the proximity sensor and a power source, wherein the switch is closed when the second component is located in a first position with respect to the first component and the switch is open when the second component is located in a second position with respect to the first component.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle assembly includes an external rearview mirror support arm, an external rearview mirror housing, a mirror, a puddle light, a proximity sensor, and a switch. The external rearview mirror housing pivotally connects with the support arm. The mirror mounts to the housing. The puddle light connects with the housing. The proximity sensor includes a first component mounted to the support arm and a second component mounted to the housing. The second component rotates with respect to the first component when the housing is pivoted with respect to the support arm. The switch electrically connects with the puddle light, at least one of the components of the proximity sensor and a power source. The switch is closed when the second component is located in a first position with respect to the first component. The switch is open when the second component is located in a second position with respect to the first component. A method for controlling power to a puddle light is also disclosed.
22 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A vehicle assembly comprising:
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an external rear view mirror support arm; an external rear view mirror housing pivotally connected with the support arm; a mirror mounted to the housing; a puddle light connected with the housing; a proximity sensor including a first component mounted to the support arm and a second component mounted to the housing such that the second component rotates with respect to the first component when the housing is pivoted with respect to the support arm; and a switch electrically connected with the puddle light, at least one of the components of the proximity sensor and a power source, wherein the switch is closed when the second component is located in a first position with respect to the first component and the switch is open when the second component is located in a second position with respect to the first component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling power to a puddle light mounted on a vehicle external rear view mirror housing comprising:
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mounting a first component of a proximity sensor on a vehicle body adjacent the housing; mounting a second component of the proximity sensor on the housing; electrically connecting the puddle light with a power source, the second component of the proximity sensor, and a switch; and controlling a state of the switch based on a position of the second component in relation to the first component. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A vehicle rear view mirror assembly comprising:
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a mirror housing configured to pivot with respect to an associated vehicle body between a first position and a second position; a mirror mounted to the housing; a puddle light connected with the housing and configured to project light downwardly from the housing; a proximity sensor component mounted to the housing; and a switch in electrical communication with the puddle light, the proximity sensor component and an associated power source, wherein the switch is operable in a first operating condition where power is deliverable through the switch for illuminating the puddle light and a second operating condition where power is not deliverable through the switch to the puddle light such that the puddle light is not illuminated, wherein a respective operating condition of the switch is based on a position of the proximity sensor component with respect a fixed location on the associated vehicle body. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification