TELESCOPING REARVIEW ASSEMBLY WITH CAMERA AND LENS WIPING SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A side-location telescoping rearview assembly comprising:
- one or more support arms attached to and extending from a base assembly configured for attachment to a side portion of a vehicle;
a rearview housing slidingly attached to the one or more support arms such that the housing can telescope relative to the base between a retracted, inboard position and an extended, outboard position; and
a camera positioned within the housing and attached to the one or more support arms, the camera configured to provide images exterior to the vehicle via a lens having a view area through an elongated aperture in the housing, wherein the camera lens is configured to remain in a stationary position relative to the base as the housing telescopes, and wherein the elongated aperture is configured relative to the camera lens such that the camera can obtain view area images exterior to the vehicle through the elongated aperture as the housing is telescoped between the inboard and outboard positions; and
further comprising a housing maintenance system for keeping the housing clean and operable.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A rear-view side mirror assembly includes a base for attachment to a vehicle, one or more support arms extending from the base, and a mirror head attached to the support arm and configured for telescoping movement along the support arm. A camera is fixedly attached to the support arm so as to remain stationary relative to the mirror base and vehicle as the mirror head telescopes inward and outward. An elongated aperture in the mirror head housing ensures that the camera lens is not occluded as the mirror head telescopes between a retracted position and an extended position. A lens cleaning system is adapted to wipe the lens clean each time the housing telescopes between inboard and outboard positions.
20 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A side-location telescoping rearview assembly comprising:
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one or more support arms attached to and extending from a base assembly configured for attachment to a side portion of a vehicle; a rearview housing slidingly attached to the one or more support arms such that the housing can telescope relative to the base between a retracted, inboard position and an extended, outboard position; and a camera positioned within the housing and attached to the one or more support arms, the camera configured to provide images exterior to the vehicle via a lens having a view area through an elongated aperture in the housing, wherein the camera lens is configured to remain in a stationary position relative to the base as the housing telescopes, and wherein the elongated aperture is configured relative to the camera lens such that the camera can obtain view area images exterior to the vehicle through the elongated aperture as the housing is telescoped between the inboard and outboard positions; and further comprising a housing maintenance system for keeping the housing clean and operable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A side-location telescoping rearview assembly comprising:
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one or more support arms attached to and extending from a base assembly configured for attachment to a side portion of a vehicle; a rearview housing slidingly attached to the one or more support arms such that the housing can telescope relative to the base between a retracted, inboard position and an extended, outboard position; and a camera positioned within the housing and attached to the one or more support arms, the camera configured to provide images exterior to the vehicle via a lens having a view area through an elongated aperture in the housing, wherein the camera lens is configured to remain in a stationary position relative to the base as the housing telescopes, and wherein the elongated aperture is configured relative to the camera lens such that the camera can obtain view area images exterior to the vehicle through the elongated aperture as the housing is telescoped between the inboard and outboard positions; and further comprising a lens cleaning system having a bracket fixed to the housing and extending over the elongated aperture, a wiper holder disposed in the bracket, and a wiper element held by the wiper holder, whereby the wiper element is adapted to engage and clean the lens in the elongated slot as the housing is telescoped between the inboard and outboard positions. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification