Method for extending and retracting a mirror head of a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly
First Claim
1. A method for extending and retracting a mirror head of an exterior rearview mirror assembly, the exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for attachment at a vehicle, said method comprising:
- providing an exterior rearview mirror assembly, the exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising (i) a mounting base, (ii) a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element and (iii) an electrically-operated actuator operable to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting base;
wherein the mounting base is configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly;
wherein the mirror head is adjustably mounted at the mounting base via a first link and a second link, and wherein the first link comprises a base end that pivotally attaches at the mounting base and a head end that pivotally attaches at the mirror head, and wherein the second link comprises a base end that pivotally attaches at the mounting base and a head end that pivotally attaches at the mirror head;
wherein the mirror head is adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position via pivoting of the first and second links, and wherein, with the mounting base attached at the side of the vehicle, the mirror head is closer to the side of the vehicle at which the mounting base is attached when in the retracted position as compared to when in the extended position;
electrically operating the electrically-operated actuator to pivot the first link to move the mirror head relative to the mounting base from the retracted position toward the extended position; and
wherein, as the mirror head moves relative to the mounting base toward the extended position, the first and second links pivot at their respective base ends relative to the mounting base and at their respective head ends relative to the mirror head.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for extending and retracting a mirror head of an exterior rearview mirror assembly includes providing an exterior rearview mirror assembly having (i) a mounting base, (ii) a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element and (iii) an electrically-operated actuator. The mirror head is adjustably mounted at the mounting base via first and second links, with the links having respective base ends that pivotally attach at the mounting base and respective head ends that pivotally attach at the mirror head. The actuator is operated to pivot the first link to move the mirror head relative to the mounting base from a retracted position toward an extended position. As the mirror head moves toward the extended position, the first and second links pivot at their respective base ends relative to the mounting base and at their respective head ends relative to the mirror head.
136 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for extending and retracting a mirror head of an exterior rearview mirror assembly, the exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for attachment at a vehicle, said method comprising:
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providing an exterior rearview mirror assembly, the exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising (i) a mounting base, (ii) a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element and (iii) an electrically-operated actuator operable to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting base; wherein the mounting base is configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly; wherein the mirror head is adjustably mounted at the mounting base via a first link and a second link, and wherein the first link comprises a base end that pivotally attaches at the mounting base and a head end that pivotally attaches at the mirror head, and wherein the second link comprises a base end that pivotally attaches at the mounting base and a head end that pivotally attaches at the mirror head; wherein the mirror head is adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position via pivoting of the first and second links, and wherein, with the mounting base attached at the side of the vehicle, the mirror head is closer to the side of the vehicle at which the mounting base is attached when in the retracted position as compared to when in the extended position; electrically operating the electrically-operated actuator to pivot the first link to move the mirror head relative to the mounting base from the retracted position toward the extended position; and wherein, as the mirror head moves relative to the mounting base toward the extended position, the first and second links pivot at their respective base ends relative to the mounting base and at their respective head ends relative to the mirror head. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for extending and retracting a mirror head of an exterior rearview mirror assembly, the exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for attachment at a vehicle, said method comprising:
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providing an exterior rearview mirror assembly, the exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising (i) a mounting base, (ii) a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element and (iii) an electrically-operated actuator operable to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting base; wherein the mounting base is configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly; wherein the mirror head is adjustably mounted at the mounting base via a first link and a second link, and wherein the first link comprises a base end that pivotally attaches at the mounting base and a head end that pivotally attaches at the mirror head, and wherein the second link comprises a base end that pivotally attaches at the mounting base and a head end that pivotally attaches at the mirror head; wherein the mirror head is adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position via pivoting of the first and second links, and wherein, with the mounting base attached at the side of the vehicle, the mirror head is closer to the side of the vehicle at which the mounting base is attached when in the retracted position as compared to when in the extended position; electrically operating the electrically-operated actuator to pivot the first link to move the mirror head relative to the mounting base from the retracted position toward the extended position; wherein electrically operating the electrically-operated actuator pivots the first and second links to swing the mirror head through an arcuate path relative to the mounting base; wherein, as the mirror head moves relative to the mounting base toward the extended position, the first and second links pivot at their respective base ends relative to the mounting base and at their respective head ends relative to the mirror head; and wherein, with the mounting base attached at the side of the vehicle, and as the mirror head moves relative to the mounting base from the retracted position toward the extended position, an angle of the mirror head relative to the side of the vehicle at which the mounting base is attached is adjusted so that the angle of the mirror head relative to the side of the vehicle when the mirror head is in the extended position is more toward the side of the vehicle than the angle of the mirror head relative to the side of the vehicle when the mirror head is in the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for extending and retracting a mirror head of an exterior rearview mirror assembly, the exterior rearview mirror assembly configured for attachment at a vehicle, said method comprising:
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providing an exterior rearview mirror assembly, the exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising (i) a mounting base, (ii) a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element and (iii) an electrically-operated actuator operable to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting base; wherein the mounting base is configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly; wherein the mounting base is configured to be pivotally attached at the side of the vehicle, and wherein the mounting base, with the mounting base pivotally attached at the side of the vehicle, is pivotable via a powerfold actuator that is electrically operable to pivot the mounting base relative to the side of the vehicle; wherein the mirror head is adjustably mounted at the mounting base via a first link and a second link, and wherein the first link comprises a base end that pivotally attaches at the mounting base and a head end that pivotally attaches at the mirror head, and wherein the second link comprises a base end that pivotally attaches at the mounting base and a head end that pivotally attaches at the mirror head; wherein the mirror head is adjustable between a retracted position and an extended position via pivoting of the first and second links, and wherein, with the mounting base attached at the side of the vehicle, the mirror head is closer to the side of the vehicle at which the mounting base is attached when in the retracted position as compared to when in the extended position; electrically operating the electrically-operated actuator to pivot the first link to move the mirror head relative to the mounting base from the retracted position toward the extended position; wherein, as the mirror head moves relative to the mounting base toward the extended position, the first and second links pivot at their respective base ends relative to the mounting base and at their respective head ends relative to the mirror head; and wherein, with the mounting base attached at the side of the vehicle, electrically operating the electrically-operated actuator is in response to actuation of a user input disposed in the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification