Circuit assembly for illuminated visor

• US 5,188,446 A
• Filed: 08/09/1991
• Issued: 02/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Plasta Fiber Industries Corporation
• Inventors: Miller, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US07/743,107
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/80, 362/74, 362/80.1, 362/83.1, 362/142, 362/143, 362/144, 296/97.5, 200/61.72
• US Class Current: 362/492
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0282 specially adapted for a courtesy mirror

Abstract

An electrical circuit assembly mechanism for an illuminated vehicle visor having a mirror and a slidable panel for covering and uncovering the mirror. Movement of the slidable panel from the covered position to the uncovered position closes the circuit. Movement of the slidable panel from the uncovered position to the covered position opens the circuit. An electrically conductive member cooperates with the slidable panel and an electrically conductive support member to activate and deactivate the illumination of the mirror on the visor. Movement of the slidable panel results in corresponding movement of the conductive member, which, in turn, results in contact being made or broken between the support member and a ground bar, depending on the position of the slidable panel relative to the mirror.

Claims

1. In combination with a vehicle visor having a mirror, a lamp positioned so as to illuminate objects located in front of the mirror, a panel slidably movable with respect to the mirror for covering and uncovering the mirror and an electrical circuit assembly for selectively illuminating the lamp in response to the slidable movement of the panel, the circuit assembly comprising:

an electrically conductive support for the lamp adapted for electrical connection in a power supply circuit of the vehicle;

an electrically conductive member between the support and the panel and moveable by the panel and including lost motion means in cooperation with the panel so that the panel has limited movement without moving the member when the panel is moved for covering and uncovering the mirror;

the conductive member being movable into direct electrical contact with the support when the panel is moved for uncovering the mirror; and

means adapted for electrical connection in the power supply circuit and cooperating with the conductive member to complete the power supply circuit for the lamp in accordance with the movement of the panel.

2. The circuit assembly of claim 1 wherein the visor includes a mirror mount portion having an upper guide and a lower guide and the panel is movable in to and fro directions guided by the upper guide and lower guide.

3. The circuit assembly of claim 1 wherein the lost motion means includes the panel having a recess located along an upper surface of the panel, the recess having a shoulder located at each opposite end of the recess such that movement of the panel does not result in movement of the member until the shoulder at an end opposite the direction of travel of the panel engages the member.

4. The circuit assembly of claim 3 wherein the member further includes an end piece smaller than the recess extending into engagement with the shoulders of the recess.

5. The circuit assembly of claim 2 wherein the panel further includes a plurality of integrally connected spring members along a lower surface of the panel pressing against the lower guide to bias the panel upward against the upper guide ensuring solid contact with the member during movement of the panel between an open position and a closed position.

6. The circuit assembly of claim 1 wherein the means adapted for electrical connection includes a ground bar, and the conductive member includes a first contact and a second contact extending upwardly from the member so as to make electrical contact with the ground bar and the support respectively.

7. The circuit assembly of claim 1 wherein the means adapted for electrical connection includes a ground bar, and the conductive member further includes a first contact and a second contact extending upward from the member to make electrical contact with both the support and the ground bar respectively when the panel is moved for uncovering the mirror and to break electrical contact with the support and the ground bar when the panel is moved for covering the mirror.

8. The circuit assembly of claim 7 wherein the conductive support for the lamp includes an electrically connected first lamp housing and a second lamp housing for press-fitting a plurality of fuse-type lamps;

each of the first and second lamp housings having a plurality of lamp holders connected respectively by a conductive strip;

the conductive member including a bus bar located below the first lamp housing and the second lamp housing in parallel alignment therewith and having a first contact in selective engagement with one of the lamp housings and a second contact in selective engagement with the ground bar such that the conductive member engages the ground bar and one of the lamp housings when the panel is moved for uncovering the mirror to complete the power supply circuit, thereby illuminating the lamps.

9. The combination of claim 1 including a pivot shaft for mounting and stowing the visor and providing the electrical connection to the power supply circuit of the vehicle, the pivot shaft having one portion providing the connection for the ground bar and another portion providing the electrical connection for the support.

10. The circuit assembly of claim 1 wherein the ground bar further operates to interrupt the power supply circuit when the visor is stowed.

11. The circuit assembly of claims 2 or 5 wherein the lost motion means comprising the panel having a catch finger located along an upper surface of the panel, the catch finger having a free end extending upward away from the panel and having a recess portion along the free end of the catch finger;

the recess portion having a shoulder located at each opposite end thereof;

the upper guide defining a space enabling the catch finger to engage the member when the panel travels toward an open position, whereby to close the power supply circuit;

the catch finger remaining engaged with the member as the panel travels a limited distance toward the closed position, whereby to open the electrical circuit;

the catch finger is cammed downward by the upper guide away from the member, whereby to disengage the panel from the member as the panel continues movement toward the closed position.

12. The circuit assembly of claims 2 or 5 wherein the lost motion means comprising the panel having a shoulder located at each opposite end along an upper surface of the panel;

a recess located along the upper surface of the panel cooperating with the conductive member such that movement of the panel does not result in movement of the conductive member until the conductive member engages either the shoulder or an end wall of the recess opposite the direction of travel of the panel;

the upper guide defining a space enabling the conductive member to cooperate with the panel;

the conductive member including an end piece smaller than the recess and cooperating with the recess; and

the conductive member cooperating with the panel such that movement of the panel slides the conductive member in the direction of travel of the panel to either open or close the electrical circuit.

13. The circuit assembly of claim 12 wherein the upper guide incorporating a ramp means located at one end of the space;

and

the ramp means cooperating with the conductive member such that movement of the conductive member in one direction results in the end piece of the conductive member moving downward to engage the recess of the panel and movement of the conductive member in an opposite direction results in the end piece of the conductive member moving upward away from the recess, thereby disengaging the conductive member from further movement of the panel in that direction.

14. The circuit assembly of claims 1, 2 or 5 wherein the lost motion means comprising a pivot arm having one end for moving the member and for opening or closing the power supply circuit when the pivot arm and another end cooperate with a recess in the panel to pivot the pivot arm, the pivot arm having an engagement pin engaging the recess as the panel moves toward an open position, thereby closing the power supply circuit, the engagement pin remaining engaged in the recess when the panel is initially moved toward the closed position, thereby opening the power supply circuit.

15. The circuit assembly of claim 14 wherein the recess is configured to allow the engagement pin limited travel within the recess in response to movement of the panel after which the engagement pin disengages the recess, thereby decoupling the panel from the member.

16. In combination with a stowable vehicle visor having a mirror, a lamp positioned so as to illuminate objects located in front of the mirror, a panel slidably movable for covering and uncovering the mirror and an electrical circuit assembly for selectively illuminating the lamp in response to the slidable movement of the panel, the circuit assembly comprising:

an electrically conductive support for the lamp adapted for electrical connection in a power supply circuit of the vehicle;

an electrically conductive member between the support and the panel and movable by the panel;

the conductive member in response to slidable movement of the panel enabling completion of the power supply circuit for the lamp only after the panel has substantially uncovered the mirror; and

a means adapted for electrical connection in the power supply circuit and cooperating with the conductive member to complete the power supply circuit for the lamp when the panel is moved for uncovering the mirror and operating as an override means for interrupting the power supply circuit when the visor is in a stowed position regardless of the movement of the panel.

17. The circuit assembly of claim 16 wherein the panel is moveable along a horizontal direction of travel controlled by an upper guide and a lower guide.

18. The circuit assembly of claim 16 wherein the panel includes a ramp located on an upper surface of the panel engaging and flexing the conductive member to complete the power supply circuit as the panel moves for uncovering the mirror.

19. The circuit assembly of claim 18 wherein the conductive member is flexible and further including a free end having a hook extending downward to engage the ramp.

22. The combination of claim 16 wherein the means adapted for electrical connection in the power supply circuit includes a ground bar and including a pivot shaft for mounting and stowing the visor and providing the electrical connection to the power supply circuit, the pivot shaft having one portion providing the connection for the ground bar and another portion providing the electrical connection to the support.

20. In combination with a stowable vehicle visor having a mirror, a lamp positioned so as to illuminate objects located in front of the mirror, a panel slidably movable for covering and uncovering the mirror and an electrical circuit assembly for selectively illuminating the lamp in response to the slidable movement of the panel, the circuit assembly comprising:

an electrically conductive support for the lamp adapted for electrical connection in a power supply circuit of the vehicle;

an electrically conductive member between the support and the panel and movable by the panel;

the conductive member in response to slidable movement of the panel enabling completion of the power supply circuit for the lamp only after a limited movement of the panel;

a means adapted for electrical connection in the power supply circuit and cooperating with the conductive member to complete the power supply circuit for the lamp when the panel is moved for uncovering the mirror and operating as an override means for interrupting the power supply circuit when the visor is in a stowed position regardless of the movement of the panel; and

wherein the panel is moveable along a horizontal direction of travel controlled by an upper guide and a lower guide; and

wherein the panel further including a plurality of integrally connected spring members along a lower surface of the panel pressing against the lower guide to bias the panel upward against the upper guide ensuring solid contact with the conductive member during movement of the panel.

21. In combination with a stowable vehicle visor having a mirror, a lamp positioned so as to illuminate objects located in front of the mirror, a panel slidably movable for covering and uncovering the mirror and an electrical circuit assembly for selectively illuminating the lamp in response to the slidable movement of the panel, the circuit assembly comprising:

an electrically conductive support for the lamp adapted for electrical connection in a power supply circuit of the vehicle;

an electrically conductive member between the support and the panel and movable by the panel;

the conductive member in response to slidable movement of the panel enabling completion of the power supply circuit for the lamp only after a limited movement of the panel;

a means adapted for electrical connection in the power supply circuit and cooperating with the conductive member to complete the power supply circuit for the lamp when the panel is moved for uncovering the mirror and operating as an override means for interrupting the power supply circuit when the visor is in a stowed position regardless of the movement of the panel;

the panel includes a ramp located on an upper surface of the panel engaging and flexing the conductive member to complete the power supply circuit as the panel moves for uncovering the mirror;

the conductive member is flexible and further includes a free end having a hook extending downward to engage the ramp;

wherein the support for the lamp includes a first lamp housing and a second lamp housing for press-fitting a plurality of fuse-type lamps, each housing having a plurality of free ends, each formed to hold one end of a fuse-type lamp;

the first housing having an area adapted for the electrical connection to the power supply circuit; and

a conductive contact located on the second housing such that the conductive member engages the conductive contact when the hook is forced flexibly upward by the ramp as the panel is moved for uncovering the mirror to complete the power supply circuit, thereby illuminating the lamp.