Modular rearview mirror assembly including an electronic control module

• US 7,035,678 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2001
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lynam, Niall R., O'Farrell, Desmond J., Veldman, Roger L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, SHEILA B
• Application Number:
  US09/835,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20010015862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,835 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/345, 455/347, 455/575.9, 455/575.1, 455/575.8, 359601-614, 359/839, 359/871
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1261 with antennae
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems

Abstract

A modular rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates a housing into the mirror assembly case for supporting an electronic control module to reduce the vibration, to ease the installation of the components in the mirror assembly, and to improve access to the various components in the mirror assembly for maintenance or repair. The rearview mirror assembly includes a reflective element, at least one electrical component mounted to the reflective element, and a case housing the reflective element and the electrical component. An electronic control module is supported by the case which communicates with the electrical component. Preferably, the electronic control module is supported by a housing that is either molded with the case or welded to the inner surface of the case to support the electronic control module independently from the electrical component.

Claims

1. A cellular phone system comprising:

a mirror assembly including a mirror case and a reflective element housed in said case, said case being substantially electrically non-conducting; and

a cellular phone system receiver including a transmitting and receiving antenna, said antenna having a weight, said cellular phone system receiver adapted to receive signals and transmit signals with said antenna, said antenna being positioned within said mirror case and supported within the mirror assembly by a mirror case structure in a manner such that said weight of said antenna is not directly carried by said reflective element and does not directly impact the vibration performance of said reflective element.

2. A cellular phone system according to claim 1, wherein said mirror case further supports a modular housing, said antenna positioned within said modular housing.

3. A cellular phone system according to claim 2, further comprising an electronic control module supported in said modular housing, said antenna mounted on said electronic control module in said modular housing.

4. A cellular phone system according to claim 3, wherein said cellular phone system receiver is mounted on said electronic control module.

5. A cellular phone system according to claim 2, wherein said antenna is integrally formed with said mirror case.

6. A cellular phone system according to claim 1, wherein said antenna is removable from said mirror case for service or replacement.

7. A cellular phone system comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly including a case;

a reflective element support in said case; and

a cellular phone system receiver including a transmitting and receiving antenna and electrical leads coupled to said antenna, said antenna having a weight, said cellular phone system receiver adapted to receive signals with said transmitting and receiving antenna and to convert said signal into audio signals, said receiving antenna positioned within said case and being mounted to a mirror case structure of said mirror case independent of said reflective element wherein said weight of said antenna is carried by said mirror case structure and not directly carried by said reflective element and does not directly impact the vibration performance of said reflective element.

8. A cellular phone system according to claim 7, said case including a housing for supporting said antenna within said case.

9. A cellular phone system according to claim 8, wherein said housing is removably attached to said case whereby said antenna can be removed for service or replacement.

10. A cellular phone system according to claim 7, wherein said case includes an opening, said antenna in a modular housing inserted and supported in said opening of said case.

11. A cellular phone system according to claim 10, wherein said modular housing includes an exterior surface and said case includes an exterior surface, said housing mounted in said opening to align said exterior surface of said housing flush with said exterior surface of said case.

12. A cellular phone system comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly including a case;

a reflective element support in said case; and

a cellular phone system receiver including a transmitting and receiving antenna and electrical leads coupled to said antenna, said cellular phone system receiver adapted to receive signals with said transmitting and receiving antenna and to convert said signal into audio signals, said receiving antenna positioned within said case, wherein said case includes a first case wall and a second case wall, said first case wall including an opening formed therein, said second case wall overlaying said first case wall and defining an outer surface of said case, said antenna supported on said second case wall and extending into said opening of said first case wall wherein said antenna is supported within said case in a manner such that said weight of said antenna is not directly carried by said reflective element and does not directly impact the vibration performance of said reflective element.

13. A cellular phone system according to claim 12, wherein said antenna is supported on an electronic control module, said electronic control module positioned in said opening of said first case wall.

14. A cellular phone system comprising:

a mirror assembly including a mirror case, a reflective element, and an actuator supporting said reflective element, said mirror case including a case wall defining a cavity, said actuator supporting said reflective element in said cavity formed by said case wall, said actuator permitting adjustment of an orientation of said reflective element in said case, said actuator and said reflective element defining an actuator supported reflective element assembly; and

a cellular phone system receiver including an antenna, said cellular phone system receiver adapted to receive signals and transmit signals with said antenna, said antenna supported by said case wall of said mirror case, said antenna having an inherent weight, said inherent weight of said antenna being distributed to said wall of said mirror case and not to said actuator supported reflective element assembly to thereby reduce vibration of said reflective element.

15. The cellular phone system according to claim 14, further comprising a modular housing, said antenna positioned within said modular housing.

16. The cellular phone system according to claim 14, further comprising an electronic control module, said antenna mounted on said electronic control module in said mirror case.

17. The cellular phone system according to claim 16, wherein said receiver is mounted to said electronic control module.

18. The cellular phone system according to claim 16, further comprising a housing, said electronic control module being supported in said housing.

19. The cellular phone system according to claim 18, wherein said housing comprises a modular insert mounted in said wall of said case.

20. The cellular phone system according to claim 19, wherein said wall of said case includes an opening receiving said modular insert.

21. The cellular phone system according to claim 16, wherein said electronic control module communicates with at least one electrical component supported in said mirror assembly.

22. The cellular phone system according to claim 21, wherein said electrical component is supported by said reflective element.

23. The cellular phone system according to claim 14, wherein said mirror case wall includes a removable back can member, said antenna supported by said back can member.

24. A cellular phone system comprising:

a mirror assembly including a mirror case, a reflective element, and an actuator supporting said reflective element in said mirror case, said actuator permitting adjustment of an orientation of said reflective element in said case, said actuator and said reflective element defining an actuator supported reflective element assembly;

a cellular phone system receiver including an antenna, said cellular phone system receiver adapted to receive signals and transmit signals with said antenna, said antenna supported by a wall of said mirror case, said antenna having an inherent weight, said inherent weight of said antenna being distributed to said wall of said mirror case and not to said actuator supported reflective element assembly to thereby reduce vibration of said reflective element; and

an electrical component housed in said mirror case, said electrical component selected from the group consisting of a heater pad, an ultrasonic transducer for detecting raindrops, a light sensor, an electro-optic mirror element, a blind spot detection system, a compass system, an intrusion detection system, a vehicle security light, a turn signal indicator, a keyless entry system, and a trainable garage door opener system.

25. The cellular phone system according to claim 24, wherein said electrical component and said antenna are mounted on an electronic control module.

26. A cellular phone system comprising:

a mirror assembly including a mirror case, a reflective element, and an actuator, said mirror case including a cavity, said actuator supporting said reflective element in said cavity, said actuator permitting adjustment of an orientation of said reflective element in said case, and said actuator and said reflective element defining an actuator supported reflective element assembly; and

a cellular phone system receiver including an antenna, said cellular phone system receiver adapted to receive signals and transmit signals with said antenna, said antenna having an inherent weight and being supported in said cavity by a mirror case structure independent and spaced from said actuator supported reflective element assembly, said weight of said antenna being distributed to said mirror case by said mirror case structure and not to said actuator supported reflective element assembly to thereby reduce vibration of said reflective element.

27. The cellular phone system according to claim 26, further comprising an actuator support member, said actuator support member supporting said actuator in said cavity.

28. The cellular phone system according to claim 27, wherein said antenna is spaced from and independent from said actuator support member.

29. The cellular phone system according to claim 26, further comprising an antenna housing, said antenna housing supporting said antenna and being mounted to said mirror case structure.

30. The cellular phone system according to claim 29, further comprising an electronic module, said antenna being supported on said electronic module in said antenna housing.