Automatic mirror repositioning

• US 5,111,125 A
• Filed: 06/17/1991
• Issued: 05/05/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Camryn Industries LLC (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Automotive
• Inventors: Barrs, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US07/716,045
• Time in Patent Office: 323 Days
• Field of Search: 318/560-636, 318/466, 318/467, 350/604, 350/634, 350/636, 350/637
• US Class Current: 318/603
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/07 by electrically powered actuators
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/371 the positional error is used to control continuously the servomotor according to its magnitude
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4061 Avoiding collision or forbidden zones
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37462 Resistor, potentiometers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/41275 Two axis, x y motors controlled simultaneous, no contouring, quick move at 45-degrees
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45185 Auto mirror
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/49143 Obstacle, collision avoiding control, move so that no collision occurs

Abstract

A "memory" mirror system having a mirror 19 mounted within convex-shaped mirror movement boundaries, two constant speed motors 16,18 each controlling an axis of mirror movement, position feedback signals 26,28 from each motor, push button inputs 12 and an electronic controller 10, is provided with automatic mirror repositioning that drives the mirror from a start position to a "memory" position in minimum time without colliding with any mirror movement boundaries by turning ON the motor, in the direction of the target, whose movement axis is the greatest distance from the target and turning ON the other motor, in the direction of the target, if the direction toward the target is also toward the center of the mirror movement pattern (i.e., away from the nearest boundary).

Claims

1. An automatic mirror repositioning system having at least one mirror mounted within mirror movement boundaries, there being an origin at the center of mirror movement, comprising:

a first motor, connected to the mirror, controlling a first axis of mirror movement;

a second motor, connected to the mirror, controlling a second axis of mirror movement;

a first position means, responsive to the position of the mirror along said first axis, for providing a first feedback signal indicative of a current position of the mirror along said first axis;

a second position means, responsive to the position of the mirror along said second axis, for providing a second feedback signal indicative of a current position of the mirror along said second axis; and

signal processing means, for providing signals indicative of a predetermined target position of the mirror and responsive to said first and said second feedback signals, for causing said first motor to drive said mirror toward said predetermined target position when either the distance along said first axis from said current position to said target position is not less than the distance along said second axis from said current position to said target position or the direction along said first axis from said current position toward said target position is also toward said origin, and for causing said second motor to drive said mirror toward said target position when either the distance along said second axis from said current position to said target position is not less than the distance along said first axis from said current position to said target position or the direction along said second axis from said current position toward said target position is also toward said origin.