METHOD OF COOLING FULL DISPLAY MIRROR

• US 20180067279A1
• Filed: 09/01/2017
• Published: 03/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Veenman, Steven J., Festerling, JR., Dennis D., Hallack, Jason D., Minikey, JR., Danny L., Berends, Keith H.
• Granted Patent: US 10,627,597 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/508 of electrical circuits
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/61 characterised by control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/63 using electrically-powered vibrating means; using ionic wind
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/673 the fans being used for intake
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/1815 with cooling or heating systems cooling arrangements for laser mirrors H01S3/0401

Abstract

A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a rearview device and a processor. A housing supports the rearview device and the processor. The housing defines a recess therein. An air moving device is operably coupled with the housing and is configured to draw air from an area exterior to the housing into the recess, thereby cooling at least one of the rearview device and the processor.

Claims

1. A rearview assembly for a vehicle, the rearview assembly comprising:

a rearview device;

a processor;

a housing supporting the rearview device and processor, the housing defining a recess therein;

an air moving device operably coupled with the housing and configured to draw air from an area exterior to the housing into the recess, thereby cooling at least one of the rearview device and the processor.

2. The rearview assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a light-emitting diode (LED) board that is cooled by the air moving device.

3. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the air moving device includes multiple fans.

4. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the air moving device includes at least one piezoelectric blower.

5. The rearview assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a heat pipe disposed proximate the air moving device.

6. The rearview assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a speed modulating control configured to reduce a speed of the air moving device and reduce a related noise output associated with the speed of the air moving device.

7. The rearview assembly of claim 6, wherein the speed modulating control is operable to change revolutions per minute (RPM) of the air moving device, thereby changing the noise output of the air moving device based on a vehicle speed.

8. The rearview assembly of claim 7, wherein the speed modulating control is operable to reduce the volumetric flow rate of the air moving device, thereby reducing the speed modulating control noise output when a motor of the vehicle is operating below a threshold revolutions per minute (RPM).

9. The rearview assembly of claim 6, wherein the speed modulating control is operable to change revolutions per minute (RPM) of the air moving device, thereby changing the noise output of the air moving device based on at least one of:

a heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) blower RPM; and

a radio volume level.

10. A rearview assembly comprising:

a rearview device;

a processor;

a light-emitting diode (LED) board;

a housing supporting the rearview device, the processor, and the LED board;

an air moving device operably coupled with the housing and configured to draw air from an area exterior to the housing to a radiator configured to cool the processor and LED board.

11. The rearview assembly of claim 10, wherein the air moving device moves air through the housing.

12. The rearview assembly of claim 10, wherein the air moving device includes multiple fans.

13. The rearview assembly of claim 10, wherein the air moving device includes at least one piezoelectric blower.

14. The rearview assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a heat pipe disposed proximate the air moving device.

15. The rearview assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a speed modulating control configured to reduce a speed of the air moving device and reduce related noise associated with the speed of the air moving device.

16. The rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein the speed modulating control is operable to change revolutions per minute (RPM)of the air moving device, thereby changing the noise output of the air moving device based on a vehicle speed.

17. The rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein the speed modulating control is operable to reduce a volumetric flow rate of the air moving device, thereby reducing the speed modulating control noise output when a motor of the vehicle is operating below a threshold revolutions per minute (RPM).

18. The rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein the speed modulating control is operable to change revolutions per minute (RPM) of the air moving device, thereby changing the noise output of the air moving device based on at least one of:

a heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) blower RPM; and

a radio volume level.

19. A rearview assembly comprising:

a rearview device;

a housing supporting the rearview device, the housing defining a recess therein;

a blower disposed within the housing and operable to draw air from an area exterior to the housing into the recess proximate the rearview device.

20. The rearview assembly of claim 19, further comprising:

a speed modulating control configured to reduce a speed of the blower and reduce related noise associated with the speed of the blower.