Control device for quick angle adjustment of rearview mirror

• US 5,990,649 A
• Filed: 06/19/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Murakami Corporation
• Original Assignee: Murakami Corporation
• Inventors: Teramoto, Hiroshi, Nagao, Mitsuyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/100,620
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 318/10, 318/560-696, 318/466, 350/637, 350/606, 350/632, 350/634, 359/872, 359/873, 359/874, 359/876, 359/877, 248/480, 248/487, 74/89.12, 74/89.15
• US Class Current: 318/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors

Abstract

In a control device for quick angle adjustment of a rearview mirror for a vehicle of the present invention, a reversible switch is connected in the forward direction only when an operational switch for quick angle adjustment is operated after a shift lever is displaced to a reverse gear position. This rotates a quick angle adjusting motor to tilt a mirror angle of the mirror assembly to a reverse position. The mirror angle does not change automatically to the reverse position when the reverse gear is selected merely to reverse a vehicle. Accordingly, change of the mirror angle against the driver'"'"'s intention can be avoided. When a tilt angle of the mirror is at the reverse position, the reversible switch can be connected in the reverse direction by means of displacing the shift lever from the reverse gear position to any other position or by means of turning OFF the operational switch for quick angle adjustment, which enables the mirror to return to its normal position easily, positively and radically. Accordingly, the tilt angle of the mirror can be changed easily and accurately, which proves the highly improved operation.

Claims

1. A control device for quick angle adjustment of a rearview mirror for controlling a quick angle adjusting mechanism which quickly changes a tilt angle of a mirror of a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle so as to move the mirror between a normal position and a reverse position, the control device comprising:

a direct current power supply for generating a direct current voltage;

a quick angle adjusting motor for use in changing quickly and radically the tilt angle of the mirror;

a reversible switch connected between said direct current power supply and said quick angle adjusting motor, said reversible switch being adapted to invert a direct current voltage from said direct current power supply in a forward or reverse direction to supply it to said quick angle adjusting motor;

an operational switch for quick angle adjustment for use in operating said quick angle adjusting motor;

reverse gear recognition means mounted on the vehicle to detect that a shift lever for changing gear positions is at a position corresponding to a reverse gear;

a reversible switch circuit that connects said reversible switch in the forward direction only when said quick angle adjusting switch is turned ON after said reverse gear recognition means detects the shift lever is at the position corresponding to the reverse gear, and otherwise said reversible switch circuit connecting said reversible switch in the reverse direction; and

a rotation control circuit that rotates said quick angle adjusting motor towards a reverse position side when said reversible switch is connected in the forward direction, and rotates said quick angle adjusting motor towards a normal position side when said reversible switch is connected in the reverse direction while said rotation control circuit disconnecting supply of a voltage to said quick angle adjusting motor when each rotation operation is terminated.

2. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror angle adjusting actuator having a substrate, said rotation control circuit is mounted on the substrate.

3. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said reversible switch circuit comprises:

a first switch that turns ON in response to selection of the reverse gear;

a second switch that turns ON in response to the turning ON of said operational switch for quick angle adjustment;

a third switch that turns ON instantaneously in response to the turning ON of said operational switch for quick angle adjustment;

a fourth switch of a self-hold type that retains ON-state continuously in response to a signal obtained when the state of the third switch becomes ON instantaneously; and

a first relay circuit connected to the first switch, the second switch, and the fourth switch, via said direct current power supply, wherein the first relay circuit is conducted when all of the first, second, and fourth switches turns ON so as to connect said reversible switch in the forward direction, while the first relay circuit is disconnected when at least one of the first, second and fourth switches turns OFF so as to connect said reversible switch in the reverse direction.

4. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said rotation control circuit comprises:

a second relay circuit that is self-held in response to detection of a voltage fluctuation according to switching of said reversible switch, so as to connect said reversible switch to said quick angle adjusting motor;

an insert resistance connected in series to said quick angle adjusting motor; and

voltage monitoring means for monitoring a voltage across both ends of the insert resistance to stop supply of the voltage to said quick angle adjusting motor by means of disconnecting the second relay circuit when a monitored voltage value exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

5. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said quick angle adjusting switch is mounted around the side of the shift lever.

6. A control device as defined in claim 1, wherein said operational switch for quick angle adjustment is formed of at least a momentary switch and a flip flop circuit.