Rear view mirror for vehicles with potentiometric angular position detectors

• US 4,504,117 A
• Filed: 04/12/1983
• Issued: 03/12/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bernhard Mittelhauser
• Original Assignee: Bernhard Mittelhauser
• Inventors: Mittelhauser, Bernhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Henry, Jon W.
• Application Number:
  US06/484,164
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 350/289, 350/288, 318/568, 318/663, 364/42 S
• US Class Current: 359/876
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/351 the positional error is used to control continuously the servomotor according to its magnitude
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34073 Backup battery
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/34215 Microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36463 Manual switch to drive motor to wanted position, store, memorize position
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37462 Resistor, potentiometers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45185 Auto mirror

Abstract

A rear view mirror having a mirror body which can be adjusted about a horizontal axis and about a vertical axis. In order to assure an optimum mirror position, and in particular possibly even when an unintended shifting of the mirror out of position has occurred, a device is associated with the mirror for ascertaining, storing, and possibly also indicating the position of the mirror. Accordingly, for example when entering the vehicle in the dark, one can ascertain whether the mirror has the desired position. Under these conditions, the position of the mirror can be corrected as a function of the stored or indicated values.

Claims

1. A rear view mirror for vehicles, said mirror comprising:

a mirror body which can be adjusted about a horizontal and a vertical axis;

a device associated with said mirror body for ascertaining the position thereof;

a first potentiometric angular position detector associated with said adjustment about a horizontal axis;

a second potentiometric angular position detector associated with said adjustment about a vertical axis; and

each of said detectors being provided with a shaft which in turn is respectively provided with a pinion;

which includes a respective adjustment element for said horizontal adjustment and for said vertical adjustment of said mirror body, with pivoting of the latter about an axis therewith respectively being effected by a longitudinal movement of the respective adjustment element;

with each adjustment element being provided with a rack-like element which meshes with one of said pinions.

2. A mirror according to claim 1, in which said device stores the value of the position of said mirror body.

3. A mirror according to claim 2, in which said device is a computer which is adapted to be turned on by actuation of a vehicle ignition.

4. A mirror according to claim 2, in which said device is a computer which is provided with its own electrical power source which is independent of external voltage.

5. A mirror according to claim 1, in which said device indicates the value of the position of said mirror body.

6. A mirror according to claim 1, in which said device stores and indicates the value of the position of said mirror body.

7. A mirror according to claim 1, which includes correction means for correcting the position of said mirror body as a function of a stored value.

8. A mirror according to claim 7, in which said correction means includes manual means.

9. A mirror according to claim 8, in which said manual means includes a switch which can be operated manually and electromagnetically for actuating adjustment motors.

10. A mirror according to claim 1, which includes means on said device for selecting the position of said mirror body.

11. A mirror according to claim 10, which includes a register, and in which said device is adapted to store different mirror positions, which can be recalled by said register.

12. A mirror according to claim 1, which includes means of correcting the position of said mirror body as a function of said stored value, with said correction being effected as a function further of electrical pick-up at said potentiometric detectors.

13. A mirror according to claim 1, which includes means for indicating angular position as a function of electrical pick-up at said potentiometric detectors.