Cleaning apparatus for automotive rear view mirror

• US 5,132,840 A
• Filed: 01/12/1990
• Issued: 07/21/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Ito, Koji, Okada, Shoji, Imaizumi, Tomoaki, Fujie, Naofumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Henry, Jon W.
• Application Number:
  US07/464,011
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 350/582, 350/588, 15/250 R, 15/250 B, 310/321-324, 219/219
• US Class Current: 359/512
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/026 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/845 specially adapted for reflecting surfaces, e.g. bathroom - or rearview mirrors

Abstract

A cleaning arrangement for an outside rear view mirror of an automobile cleans and removes frost, ice and water droplets from the mirror. A heating element is provided to quickly heat and melt frost and ice into water droplets. A piezoelectric element is provided to vibrate the mirror to cause water droplets to be atomized and removed from the mirror.

Claims

1. A self-cleaning apparatus for an automotive rear view mirror comprising:

a transparent member;

a metal layer provided on one side of the transparent member for reflecting incident light; and

means for transmitting an electric current to the metal layer;

vibrating means for vibrating the transparent member;

vibration controlling means for driving the vibration means at a predetermined frequency; and

an isolating layer positioned between the metal layer and the vibrating means.

2. A self-cleaning apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising;

a pair of opposed electrodes provided on the metal layer.

3. A self-cleaning apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said vibrating means is oriented for providing radially directed vibrations to said transparent member.