Electronic vibration dampening central rearview reinforcing assembly

• US 20040184169A1
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Published: 09/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jonathan Force Newcomb
• Original Assignee: Jonathan Force Newcomb
• Inventors: Newcomb, Jonathan Force
• Granted Patent: US 6,830,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/871
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

A reinforcing structure for an automobile'"'"'s central rearview mirror which includes an electronic vibration-dampening device. The reinforcing structure includes Piezo electric elements attached to a support structure, a clamping mechanism to stabilize the reflective mirror element and electronics including LEDs to dissipate energy extracted from the mirror. The vibration-dampening features include Piezo electric crystals attached to a support structure to press against the central rearview mirror housing and a circuit card with various components to dissipate unwanted vibration. Also, the invention includes a spring loaded, pivoted clamping system to further stabilize the entire structure. The invention achieves dampening mainly through the application of an inertial dampening system that utilizes Piezo crystals and weights to adequately absorb excess vibration. The invention allows for compatibility between various styles of rearview mirrors as well as allowing for adjustment of the angle of the mirror through a detachable pivot which attaches the inertial dampening system connected to the support structure to a clamping base. The proposed invention can adequately dampen dangerous and unwanted vibration as well as provide an entertaining indication as to when vibrations are being suppressed electronically.

Claims

1. An apparatus for damping vibrations in a central rearview mirror of a vehicle comprising:

A first mounting platform with a defined interior space;

the said first mounting platform including an indentation and support apparatus suitable for the insertion of a central rearview mirror bracket;

An inertial damper comprised of a Piezo crystal mounted within the said housing structure sandwiched between flexible rubber supports with weights mounted on the outside of the said rubber supports, such mounting allowing the internal damper to vibrate independently of the housing structure;

A detachable pivot attached to said inertial damper;

A secondary mounting platform suspended on said detachable pivot;

A Piezo electric vibration damping device attached to said secondary mounting platform, wherein said secondary mounting platform is in the form of a support arm to match the shape of the central rearview mirror housing backing;

The said Piezo electric vibration damping device being attached inside the said secondary mounting platform, wherein the said Piezo electric vibration-damping device consists of Piezo crystals with electrical outputs;

The said secondary mounting platform including clamps, with protruding arms, at their extremities;

Said clamps having a spring-loaded sleeve pushing against the clamp'"'"'s protruding arms; and

wherein the said first mounting platform includes a circuit card supporting a detachable input connection, silicon bridge rectifiers, a two-position switch, Light Emitting Diodes, and a detachable DC output connection.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first mounting platform is a support structure, and said secondary mounting platform is a pivoted support arm.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inertial damper supports a mount for the said secondary mounting platform.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said Piezo crystals are attached to said secondary mounting platform, and the Piezo crystals are backed by relief springs mounted on weights that comprise part of the said secondary mounting platform.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mirror element clamps are mounted on pivots at the extremities of the said secondary mounting platform to bridge around the perimeter of the mirror support housing to make direct contact with the reflective rearview mirror element;

and

the said mirror element clamps include a protruding arm to extend through the pivot in effect creating a 1^st class lever; and

wherein the said clamps include a tension spring mounted within a pivoted structure mounted behind the mirror clamp'"'"'s protruding arm pushing against the said protruding arm to maintain pressure against the said mirror element clamp'"'"'s protruding arm; and

wherein the said pivoted structure allows for pivoting to alleviate pressure against the said mirror element clamp'"'"'s protruding arm, in effect removing the clamp'"'"'s pressure from the mirror.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said secondary mounting platform'"'"'s detachable pivot allows for rotation of the said secondary mounting platform relative to the said first mounting platform;

and

wherein the said pivot is detachable to allow for detachment of the secondary mounting platform from the first mounting platform.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said secondary mounting platform includes an extension that threads a screw that protrudes to a flat plate supported by the said inertial dampener creating a friction lock.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said first mounting platform includes an indentation to allow for a mirror bracket clamp and wherein this said indentation two halves of a tubular structure cut lengthwise are bound together at one end by a hinge to form a clamp;

and

a clasp is mounted atop one half of the said structures; and

mounted atop the other said half is a receiver for the clasp to allow for clamping of the said structure around the said mirror mount bracket.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the said first mounting platform includes a circuit card containing a detachable input connection, silicon bridge rectifiers, a multi position switch, Light Emitting Diodes and a detachable DC output connection;

and

wherein the said apparatus is wired in such a way that in one position Light Emitting Diodes housed in the said mirror clamps of claim 5 illuminate and in the other position, Light Emitting Diodes in the housing structure illuminate instead to dissipate electrical energy converted from extracted vibration energy from the said rearview mirror assembly; and

the said Piezo crystals feed into the said detachable input while the said detachable DC output connects the light emitting diodes housed in the said mirror element clamps to the circuit card; and

the detachable connections allow for detachment of the electrical connections while detaching the secondary mounting platform from the first mounting platform.