FOLD-IN OUTSIDE DISPLAY MIRROR

• US 20180170265A1
• Filed: 12/15/2017
• Published: 06/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Boehm, Neil J.
• Granted Patent: US 11,014,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 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 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8046 for replacing a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8073 for vehicle security, e.g. parked vehicle surveillance, burglar detection
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133382 Heating or cooling of liquid crystal cells other than for activation, e.g. circuits or arrangements for temperature control, stabilisation or uniform distribution over the cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 : Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming

Abstract

An external rearview assembly includes a housing pivotally coupled with a vehicle door and operable between an extended position and a retracted position. An electro-optic element is operably coupled with the housing. A display module is disposed proximate the electro-optic element. The display module is activated when the housing is in the retracted position. The display module is deactivated when the housing is in the extended position. An imager is operably coupled with the housing and is configured to capture image data when the housing is in the retracted position and display the image data on the activated display module.

Claims

1. An external rearview assembly comprising:

a housing pivotally coupled with a vehicle door and operable between an extended position and a retracted position;

an electro-optic element operably coupled with the housing;

a display module disposed proximate the electro-optic element, wherein the display module is activated when the housing is in the retracted position, and wherein the display module is deactivated when the housing is in the extended position; and

an imager operably coupled with the housing and configured to capture image data when the housing is in the retracted position and display the image data on the activated display module.

2. The external rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the imager is disposed within the housing and is in optical communication with an imager lens positioned on the housing.

3. The external rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the imager is adjustable to provide a rearward field of view greater than or less than a field of view provided by the electro-optic element.

4. The external rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element is configured to darken when the housing is in the extended position and lighten when the housing is in the retracted position.

5. The external rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element and the display module are nested within a carrier plate inside the housing.

6. The external rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the imager includes a lens barrel adjacent to a peripheral edge of the carrier plate.

7. The external rearview assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a circuit board operably coupled with the imager and configured to activate and deactivate the imager.

8. The external rearview assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

a heater disposed between the circuit board and the electro-optic element.

9. The external rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein the heater extends across substantially all of a back side of the display module and the circuit board.

10. An external rearview assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing including a proximal end pivotally coupled with a vehicle door, the housing being operable between an extended position and a retracted position;

an electro-optic element operably coupled with the housing;

a display module disposed proximate the electro-optic element, wherein the display module is activated when the housing is in the retracted position, and wherein the display module is deactivated when the housing is in the extended position; and

an imager operably disposed on a distal end of the housing and configured to capture image data behind said vehicle when the housing is in the retracted position.

11. The external rearview assembly of claim 10, wherein the electro-optic element is configured to darken when the housing is in the extended position and lighten when the housing is in the retracted position.

12. The external rearview assembly of claim 10, wherein the electro-optic element and the display module are nested within a carrier plate inside the housing.

13. The external rearview assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a circuit board operably coupled with the imager and configured to activate and deactivate the imager.

14. The external rearview assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a heater disposed between the circuit board and the electro-optic element.

15. An external rearview assembly comprising:

a housing pivotally coupled with a vehicle door and operable between an extended position and a retracted position;

an electro-optic element operably coupled with the housing;

a display module disposed proximate the electro-optic element, wherein the display module is activated when the housing is in the retracted position, and wherein the display module is deactivated when the housing is in the extended position; and

an imager configured to capture image data and display the image data on the activated display module.

16. The external rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein the imager is disposed within the housing and is in optical communication with an imager lens positioned on the housing.

17. The external rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein the imager is adjustable to provide a rearward field of view greater than or less than a field of view provided by the electro-optic element.

18. The external rearview assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

a circuit board operably coupled with the imager and configured to activate and deactivate the imager.

19. The external rearview assembly of claim 18, further comprising:

a heater disposed between the circuit board and the electro-optic element.

20. The external rearview assembly of claim 19, wherein the heater extends across substantially all of a back side of the display module and the circuit board.