Automatically controlled mirror
First Claim
1. An automatic control unit for the coordinated operation of each of two external tractor/trailer mirrors said automatic control unit comprising:
- pivoting means for independently pivoting each mirror in response to predetermined control signals;
encoding means for generating and sending said control signals to the pivoting means, said encoding means being responsive to a turning angle of the tractor with respect to the trailer, said encoding means further including;
an optical encoder which cooperates with an extendable cable whereby, during a turning operation, said cable is extended in proportion to the turning angle, with said optical encoder generating control signal pulses in response to the length of the extended cable; and
switch means for selectively activating said pivot means in response to the direction of the turn whereby the direction of pull of said extendable cable respectively engages the switch means in order to pivot one of the two mirrors, the device thus providing a constant view of the rear of said trailer at all times while making a turn or backing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatically controlled rear view mirror for a truck tractor-trailer rig is disclosed which utilizes an stranded metal cable running from an encoder box, mounted on the back center of a tractor to the front center of a trailer; whereby as the trailer turns, the angle between the tractor and trailer changes so as to change the length of the stranded metal cable; thereby triggering the encoder box to send digital signals to a control panel which controls the stepper motor located on the mirror assembly, thereby turning the mirror in response to the tractor being turned at an angle relative to the trailer.
23 Citations
4 Claims
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1. An automatic control unit for the coordinated operation of each of two external tractor/trailer mirrors said automatic control unit comprising:
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pivoting means for independently pivoting each mirror in response to predetermined control signals; encoding means for generating and sending said control signals to the pivoting means, said encoding means being responsive to a turning angle of the tractor with respect to the trailer, said encoding means further including; an optical encoder which cooperates with an extendable cable whereby, during a turning operation, said cable is extended in proportion to the turning angle, with said optical encoder generating control signal pulses in response to the length of the extended cable; and switch means for selectively activating said pivot means in response to the direction of the turn whereby the direction of pull of said extendable cable respectively engages the switch means in order to pivot one of the two mirrors, the device thus providing a constant view of the rear of said trailer at all times while making a turn or backing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification