VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM, AND VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH SAID VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM

• US 20150043083A1
• Filed: 05/22/2013
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Misato Industries Company Limited (Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Ichikoh Industries Limited (Valeo SE)
• Inventors: Konuki, Isao
• Granted Patent: US 9,713,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• 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 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/70 characterised by an event-triggered choice to display a specific image among a selection of captured images
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

[Problem]

To provide a vehicle rearview mirror system having a construction in which a display device is switched on or off in conjunction with alteration of a posture of a vehicle mirror main body when there is employed a construction in which the vehicle mirror main body is inclined between a posture when a driver watches a vehicle rear side appearing in a half mirror and a posture of the vehicle mirror main body when the driver watches an image which is displayed on a display screen of the display device.

[Means for Solving the Problem]

A vehicle rearview mirror system of the present invention is provided with: a display device 9 to construct an image by an image signal having been output from an image receiving unit 2a of a vehicle-mounted camera 2 and then cause a display screen 9a to display the constructed image; a vehicle mirror main body 3 in which the display device 9 is incorporated; an operating lever member 10; and a power supply switch SW. In so far as the vehicle mirror main body 3 is concerned, a posture thereof is altered between a posture when a driver 4 watches a vehicle rear side appearing in a half mirror 8 and a posture when the driver 4 watches an image which is displayed on the display screen 9a of the display device 9. The operating lever member 10 is employed to alter the posture of the vehicle mirror main body 3, and a power supply switch SW switches on or off the display device 9 in conjunction with operation of the operating lever member 10.

Claims

1. A vehicle rearview mirror system comprising:

a display device in which is provided a signal processing unit to construct an image by an image signal outputted from an image receiving unit of a vehicle-mounted camera and then cause displays to a display screen the constructed image;

a vehicle mirror main body in which the display device is incorporated, a posture of the vehicle mirror main body is altered between a posture when a driver watches a vehicle rear side reflected in a half mirror and a posture when the driver watches an image displayed on the display screen of the display device;

an operating lever member to alter the posture of the vehicle mirror main body; and

a power supply switch to switch on or off the display device in conjunction with operation of the operating lever member.

2. The vehicle rearview mirror system according to claim 1,

wherein the vehicle mirror main body has a casing which is supported to be inclinable on a ceiling via a support arm,

the operating lever member is turnably supported by the casing, and

on a circuit board of the display device, the power supply switch is arranged to be seen in a turning region of the operating lever member.

3. The vehicle rearview mirror system according to claim 2,

wherein the operating lever member is manually operable.

4. The vehicle rearview mirror system according to claim 2,

wherein a driving member to drive the operating lever member is provided in the support arm, and

the operating lever member is turned by driving of the driving member.

5. The vehicle rearview mirror system according to claim 4,

wherein the display device has a detection circuit portion to detect luminance by the image signal and then compare the detected luminance with a threshold value, and

wherein, when the luminance detected by the detection circuit portion is the threshold value or less, or alternatively, the threshold value or more, the driving member drives the operating lever member so that the posture of the vehicle mirror main body is altered from the posture when the driver watches the image displayed on the display screen of the display device to the posture when the driver watches the vehicle rear side reflected in the half mirror.

7. A vehicle having the vehicle rearview mirror system according to claim 1 mounted thereon.

6. A vehicle rearview mirror system comprising:

a display device in which is provided a signal processing unit to construct an image by an image signal outputted from an image receiving unit of a vehicle-mounted camera and then cause displays to a display screen the constructed image;

a vehicle mirror main body in which the display device is incorporated, a posture of the vehicle mirror main body is altered between a posture when a driver watches a vehicle rear side reflected in a half mirror and a posture when the driver watches an image displayed on the display screen of the display device; and

a power supply switch to switch on or off the display device,

wherein a posture of the mirror main body is altered in conjunction with operation of the power supply switch.

8. A vehicle having the vehicle rearview mirror system according to claim 6 mounted thereon.