Vehicle accessory module

• US 7,188,963 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2004
• Issued: 03/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Schofield, Kenneth, Lynam, Niall R., Whitehead, Peter J., DeWard, Joshua L.
• Primary Examiner(s): AMARI, ALESSANDRO V
• Application Number:
  US10/958,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20050046978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 358/876, 358/838, 358871-872, 248/481, 248/549, 248/476, 248/479, 340/815.4, 340/425.5, 333/56, 333/57, 359/871, 359/872, 359/844, 359/876
• US Class Current: 359/844
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle
• 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 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/123 with thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1246 with clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1261 with antennae
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1276 with radio receivers, loud-speakers or buzzers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/106 using night vision cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/108 using 'non-standard' camera systems, e.g. camera sensor used for additional purposes i.a. rain sensor, camera sensor split in multiple image areas
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8033 for pedestrian protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/698 for achieving an enlarged field of view, e.g. panoramic image capture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/76 Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

An accessory system of a vehicle comprises an accessory module assembly having a mounting portion, a head portion and a rearview mirror assembly. The mounting portion extends generally upward when mounted to an attachment member at a vehicle windshield. The head portion may extend generally horizontally and rearwardly with respect to the vehicle from an upper portion of the mounting portion. The head portion comprises electronic circuitry for at least one accessory. The mirror assembly is mountable to the mounting portion, with the head portion of the accessory module assembly extending generally above the mirror casing. The head portion may be viewable and/or user accessible above the mirror casing when the mirror assembly is mounted to the mounting portion. The head portion may be pivotable or articulatable relative to the base portion of the accessory module assembly.

Claims

1. An accessory system for a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle windshield having a first attachment member affixed thereto;

an accessory module assembly comprising a mounting portion and a head portion, said mounting portion being configured to mount to said first attachment member and to extend generally upward when mounted to said first attachment member, said mounting portion having a second attachment member, said head portion being pivotally attached to said mounting portion, said head portion housing electronic circuitry of at least one accessory; and

an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror casing and a reflective element, said mirror assembly being mountable to said second attachment member, said head portion of said accessory module assembly extending from said mounting portion generally above said mirror casing and being at least one of viewable and user accessible above said mirror casing when said mirror assembly is mounted to said second attachment member,

wherein said head portion is pivotally mounted to said mounting portion at a pivot joint, said pivot joint comprising at least one detent to substantially retain said head portion relatave to said mounting portion in at least one position.

2. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said head portion is pivotable sidewardly relative to said mounting portion about a generally vertical pivot axis when said mounting portion is mounted to said first attachment member, said head portion being pivotable to adjust an angle of said head portion with respect to the driver of the vehicle.

3. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said head portion is pivotable about a pivot axis, said pivot axis being generally horizontal when said mounting portion is mounted to said first attachment member.

4. The accessory system of claim 3, wherein said head portion is pivotable between a mounting orientation, where said head portion is articulated to be generally folded along said mounting portion, and an in-use orientation, where said head portion extends from an upper portion of said mounting portion and generally above said mirror casing assembly when said mirror assembly is mounted to said mounting portion.

5. The accessory system of claim 4, wherein said head portion is pivoted to said mounting orientation to facilitate mounting of said accessory module assembly to said first attachment member.

6. The accessory system of claim 4, wherein said accessory module assembly comprises a biasing element which biases said head portion toward said in-use position.

7. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said head portion extends generally horizontally and rearwardly from an upper portion of said mounting portion when said mounting portion is mounted to said first attachment member.

8. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said head portion comprises at least one of a display element and a user input device associated with said at least one accessory.

9. The accessory system of claim 8, wherein said at least one of a display element and a user input device is at least one of viewable and user accessible above said mirror casing when said mirror assembly is mounted to said second attachment member.

10. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least one of a compass sensor, a compass display, a temperature display, a microphone, a user input device and a garage door opener device.

11. The accessory system of claim 1, wherein said at least one accessory comprises at least two accessories.

12. The accessory system of claim 11, wherein said at least two accessories at least comprise a compass sensor and a compass display.

13. The accessory system of claim 11, wherein said at least two accessories at least comprise a microphone and a user input device.

14. The accessory system of claim 13, wherein said accessory module provides a vehicular telecommunication function.

15. The accessory system of claim 14, wherein said vehicular telecommunication function provides a telephonic function.

16. The accessory system of claim 11, wherein said at least two accessories at least comprise a user input device and a garage door opener device.

17. The accessory system of claim 16, wherein said garage door opener device is operable to actuate a garage door opener for opening a garage door.