Coordinating pivoting and extending vehicle mirror

• US 6,755,543 B1
• Filed: 05/02/2001
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Mirror Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Boddy, Ian, Foote, Keith D.
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US09/830,999
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 359/877, 359/876, 359/871, 359/872, 359/838, 359/850, 248/472, 248/476, 248/479, 248/480, 248/484
• US Class Current: 359/877
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/078 easily removable; mounted for bodily outward movement, e.g. when towing

Abstract

A first power mechanism is provided in association with a fixed support and with a swingable structure, and pivots the swingable structure relative to the fixed support between an extended position and a folded position adjacent the vehicle. A second power mechanism is operatively associated with a swingable structure and a mirror housing to move the mirror housing between inner and outer extended positions. A third mechanism moves the mirror unit into desired adjusted position about horizontal and vertical axes. An electronic control controls the operation of the first power mechanism, the second power mechanism and third power mechanism to control the powered pivoting of swingable structure.

Claims

1. A vehicle mirror assembly comprising;

a fixed support adapted to be mounted on a vehicle,

a swingable structure pivotally supported by and extending laterally from said fixed support to a distal end for pivotal movement about a generally upright axis between an operative position extending laterally and a folded position extending transversely to said extended position,

a mirror housing supported at said distal end of said swingable structure,

a first power mechanism for pivoting said swingable structure about said upright axis between said operative and said folded positions,

a second power mechanism operatively interconnecting said swingable structure and said mirror housing for moving said mirror housing relative to said fixed support to various positions of adjustment between inner and outer limiting positions, said second power mechanism including a rack disposed on said swingable structure and a pinion rotatably supported on said mirror housing, and

said swingable structure including a pair of parallel and spaced apart support arms, each of said support arms including one of said racks, a pair of said pinions rotatably supported by said mirror housing and with one pinon in meshing engagement with one of said racks and said other pinion in meshing engagement with the other of said racks.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a mirror unit, a third power mechanism movably supporting said mirror unit in said mirror housing for adjusting the position of said mirror unit relative to said mirror housing about horizontal and vertical axes.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pinions are in meshing engagement with one another, a worm gear in driving relationship with one of said pinions and a worm in meshing engagement with said worm gear, and a motor in driving relationship with said worm.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 an electronic control system for controlling power to said power mechanisms.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said control system includes a switch for actuating each of said power mechanisms.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said controls system includes a microprocessor for memorizing adjusted positions of said power mechanisms.