ACCESSORY MOUNTING SYSTEM SUITABLE FOR USE IN A VEHICLE

• US 20090219394A1
• Filed: 05/18/2009
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Electronics Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lynam, Niall R., Heslin, Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,888,629 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/148
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• 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 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0077 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0881 characterized by the attachment means on the windshield
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0885 the sensor being integrated in a rear-view mirror module
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An accessory mounting system includes an assembly adapted for mounting or attachment at a portion of the windshield of a vehicle. A light absorbing layer at the portion of the windshield of the vehicle at least partially hides the assembly from view by a viewer external the vehicle when the viewer is viewing through the windshield with the assembly at the portion of the windshield. The light absorbing layer includes a light transmitting portion, and a forwardly-viewing camera disposed at the assembly views through the light transmitting portion of the light absorbing layer at the portion of the windshield of the vehicle when the assembly is at the portion of the windshield. The assembly may comprise a pivot element for connecting to an interior mirror or the assembly may comprise a mirror assembly mount button received by a mirror mount of a single-pivot or double-pivot interior rearview mirror assembly.

Claims

1. An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

an assembly adapted for mounting at and demounting from a receiving structure at a portion of an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle;

a light absorbing layer at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle, said light absorbing layer at least partially hiding said assembly from view by a viewer external the vehicle when said viewer is viewing through the windshield with said assembly normally mounted at said receiving structure;

wherein said light absorbing layer includes a light transmitting portion;

a forwardly-viewing camera disposed at said assembly;

said forwardly-viewing camera viewing through said light transmitting portion of said light absorbing layer at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle when said assembly is mounted at said receiving structure; and

wherein said assembly comprises a pivot element and wherein said pivot element has electrical wiring passing therethrough, said pivot element connecting to an interior mirror.

2. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said forwardly-viewing camera disposed at said assembly at least one of (a) electrically couples to an accessory located in the vehicle external to said assembly and (b) shares a component with an accessory located in the vehicle external to said assembly.

3. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said interior mirror comprises an interior electrochromic mirror.

4. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein an additional accessory is disposed at said assembly, and wherein said additional accessory is selected from the group consisting of (a) a vehicle altitude sensor, (b) a vehicle incline sensor, (c) a headlamp sensor, (d) a daylight sensor, (e) a rain sensor, (f) a geographic positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, (g) an antenna, (h) a camera, (i) a microphone, (j) a compass sensor, (k) a photosensor and (l) a garage door opener.

5. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said assembly.

6. The accessory mounting system of claim 5, wherein at least one of (a) said receiving structure has an aperture and said rain sensor views through said aperture of said receiving structure and (b) said receiving structure has an aperture and said rain sensor views through said aperture of said receiving structure, and wherein said rain sensor is biased at least partially through said aperture of said receiving structure and into contact with the interior surface of the windshield.

7. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) said light absorbing layer comprises a ceramic frit layer and (b) said light transmitting portion of said light absorbing layer comprises a light transmitting opening.

8. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said assembly includes an opening, said opening facing toward the windshield when said assembly is mounted at said receiving structure at the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, and wherein said opening of said assembly generally aligns with said light transmitting portion of said light absorbing layer when said assembly is mounted at said receiving structure at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle.

9. The accessory mounting system of claim 8, wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said assembly and wherein said rain sensor is in contact with the interior surface of the windshield when said assembly is mounted at said receiving structure at the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle.

10. The accessory mounting system of claim 9, wherein said light transmitting portion of said light absorbing layer comprises a light transmitting opening, and wherein said light transmitting opening is generally disposed at a central portion of said light absorbing layer.

11. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said assembly includes a cavity and wherein an internal wall separates said cavity into first and second compartments, said forwardly-viewing camera being at said first compartment.

12. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, further comprising a removable cover for said assembly, said cover being removable from said assembly to facilitate service when said assembly is normally mounted at said receiving structure.

13. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) said receiving structure at the interior surface comprises an element adhesively attached to the interior surface of the windshield, (b) said receiving structure at the interior surface comprises a metallic element adhesively attached to the interior surface of the windshield, (c) said receiving structure at the interior surface comprises a generally circular mirror mounting button and (d) said receiving structure at the interior surface comprises an element adhesively attached to the interior surface of the windshield by at least one of an epoxy adhesive, a urethane adhesive, a polyvinyl butyral adhesive and a silicone adhesive.

14. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein at least one of (a) said receiving structure is formed by a metal fabrication, said metal fabrication comprising at least one of casting and sintering, and (b) said receiving structure comprises a polymeric element adhesively attached to the windshield.

15. The accessory mounting system of claim 14, wherein said receiving structure is adhesively attached at said portion of the windshield and is configured to be receivable by a mirror mount of an interior rearview mirror assembly.

16. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said assembly comprises a metallic structure, and wherein said accessory mounting system further comprises a polymeric cover for said assembly.

17. The accessory mounting system of claim 16, wherein a rain sensor is encompassed by said cover when said assembly is normally mounted at said receiving structure.

18. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said interior mirror comprises an interior electrochromic mirror, said interior electrochromic mirror comprising a mirror housing including a mirror reflector, and wherein said mirror housing is adjustable about said pivot element to adjust a rearward field of view of said mirror reflector when said assembly is mounted at said receiving structure at said portion of the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle.

19. The accessory mounting system of claim 18, wherein at least one of (a) said pivot element comprises an element of a ball and socket pivot joint, (b) said pivot element comprises an element of a ball and socket pivot joint and said element of said ball and socket pivot joint is integral with said assembly, and (c) said pivot element has a conduit established therethrough for said electrical wiring.

20. The accessory mounting system of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a camera module that is received at said assembly as a modular unit.

21. The accessory mounting system of claim 20, wherein an electrical connection is made as said camera module is received at said assembly.

22. An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

an assembly adapted for attaching at a portion of an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle;

a light absorbing layer at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle, said light absorbing layer at least partially hiding said assembly from view by a viewer external the vehicle when said viewer is viewing through the windshield with said assembly normally attached at said portion of the windshield;

wherein said light absorbing layer includes a light transmitting portion;

a forwardly-viewing camera disposed at said assembly;

said forwardly-viewing camera viewing through said light transmitting portion of said light absorbing layer at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle when said assembly is attached at said portion of the windshield;

wherein said assembly comprises a pivot element, said pivot element connecting to an interior mirror;

wherein said pivot element comprises an element of a ball and socket pivot joint and said element of said ball and socket pivot joint is integral with said assembly; and

wherein said interior mirror comprises an interior electrochromic mirror, said interior electrochromic mirror comprising a mirror housing including a mirror reflector, and wherein said mirror housing is adjustable about said pivot element to adjust a rearward field of view of said mirror reflector when said assembly is attached at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle.

23. The accessory mounting system of claim 22, wherein said pivot element has electrical wiring passing therethrough.

24. The accessory mounting system of claim 22, wherein an additional accessory is disposed at said assembly, and wherein said additional accessory is selected from the group consisting of (a) a vehicle altitude sensor, (b) a vehicle incline sensor, (c) a headlamp sensor, (d) a daylight sensor, (e) a rain sensor, (f) a geographic positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, (g) an antenna, (h) a camera, (i) a microphone, (j) a compass sensor, (k) a photosensor and (l) a garage door opener.

25. The accessory mounting system of claim 22, wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said assembly.

26. The accessory mounting system of claim 25, wherein said assembly is adapted for mounting at and demounting from a receiving structure at said portion of the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, and wherein at least one of (a) said receiving structure has an aperture and said rain sensor views through said aperture of said receiving structure and (b) said receiving structure has an aperture and said rain sensor views through said aperture of said receiving structure, and wherein said rain sensor is biased at least partially through said aperture of said receiving structure and into contact with the interior surface of the windshield.

27. The accessory mounting system of claim 22, further comprising a removable cover for said assembly, said cover being removable from said assembly to facilitate service when said assembly is normally attached at said portion of the windshield.

28. The accessory mounting system of claim 22, wherein said assembly comprises a metallic structure, and wherein said accessory mounting system further comprises a cover for said assembly.

29. The accessory mounting system of claim 28, wherein a rain sensor is encompassed by said cover when said assembly is attached at said portion of an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle.

30. An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

an assembly adapted for attaching at a portion of an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle;

a light absorbing layer at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle, said light absorbing layer at least partially hiding said assembly from view by a viewer external the vehicle when said viewer is viewing through the windshield with said assembly normally attached at said portion of the windshield;

wherein said light absorbing layer includes a light transmitting portion;

a forwardly-viewing camera disposed at said assembly;

said forwardly-viewing camera viewing through said light transmitting portion of said light absorbing layer at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle when said assembly is attached at said portion of the windshield; and

wherein said assembly comprises a mirror assembly mount button and wherein said mirror assembly mount button is configured to be received by a mirror mount of an interior rearview mirror assembly.

31. The accessory mounting system of claim 30, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a single pivot support assembly for an interior mirror, said interior mirror comprising a mirror housing including a mirror reflector, and wherein said mirror housing of said interior mirror is adjustable via said single pivot support assembly to adjust a rearward field of view of said mirror reflector when said mirror mount receives said mirror assembly mount button of said assembly and when said assembly is attached at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle.

32. The accessory mounting system of claim 31, wherein said assembly adapted for attaching at said portion of the windshield is adapted for mounting at and demounting from a receiving structure adhesively attached at said portion of the windshield.

33. The accessory mounting system of claim 32, wherein said receiving structure adhesively attached at said portion of the windshield and said mirror assembly mount button are similarly configured to be receivable by a mirror mount of an interior rearview mirror assembly.

34. The accessory mounting system of claim 30, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a double pivot support assembly for an interior mirror, said interior mirror comprising a mirror housing including a mirror reflector, and wherein said mirror housing of said interior mirror is adjustable via said double pivot support assembly to adjust a rearward field of view of said mirror reflector when said mirror mount receives said mirror assembly mount button of said assembly and when said assembly is attached at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle.

35. The accessory mounting system of claim 34, wherein said assembly adapted for attaching at said portion of the windshield is adapted for mounting at and demounting from a receiving structure adhesively attached at said portion of the windshield

36. The accessory mounting system of claim 35, wherein said receiving structure adhesively attached at said portion of the windshield and said mirror assembly mount button are similarly configured to be receivable by a mirror mount of an interior rearview mirror assembly.

37. The accessory mounting system of claim 30, wherein said mirror assembly mount button is integral with said assembly.

38. The accessory mounting system of claim 37, wherein said assembly is adapted for mounting at and demounting from a receiving structure adhesively attached at said portion of the windshield.

39. The accessory mounting system of claim 38, wherein at least one of (a) said receiving structure comprises an annular mounting button having an aperture therethrough, and wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said assembly and views through said aperture of said annular mounting button, and (b) said receiving structure comprises an annular circular mounting button having an aperture therethrough, and wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said assembly and views through said aperture of said annular circular mounting button.

40. The accessory mounting system of claim 39, wherein said rain sensor is in contact with the interior surface of the windshield when said assembly is mounted at said receiving structure at the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle.

41. The accessory mounting system of claim 30, wherein a rain sensor is disposed at said assembly.

42. The accessory mounting system of claim 41, wherein said assembly is adapted for mounting at and demounting from a receiving structure at said portion of the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle, and wherein said receiving structure has an aperture and wherein said rain sensor views through said aperture of said receiving structure.

43. The accessory mounting system of claim 42, wherein at least one of (a) said receiving structure comprises an annular mounting button and (b) said receiving structure comprises an annular circular mounting button.

44. The accessory mounting system of claim 30, further comprising a removable cover for said assembly, said cover being removable from said assembly to facilitate service when said assembly is normally attached at said portion of the windshield.

45. The accessory mounting system of claim 44, wherein said light transmitting portion comprises a light transmitting opening.

46. The accessory mounting system of claim 30, wherein said assembly comprises a metallic structure, and wherein said accessory mounting system further comprises a polymeric cover for said assembly.

47. The accessory mounting system of claim 46, wherein a rain sensor is encompassed by said cover when said assembly is normally mounted at said receiving structure.

48. An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

an assembly adapted for mounting at and demounting from a receiving structure at a portion of an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle;

a light absorbing layer at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle, said light absorbing layer at least partially hiding said assembly from view by a viewer external the vehicle when said viewer is viewing through the windshield with said assembly normally mounted at said receiving structure;

wherein said light absorbing layer includes a light transmitting portion;

a forwardly-viewing camera disposed at said assembly;

said forwardly-viewing camera viewing through said light transmitting portion of said light absorbing layer at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle when said assembly is mounted at said receiving structure;

wherein said assembly comprises a pivot element and wherein said pivot element has electrical wiring passing therethrough, said pivot element connecting to an interior mirror;

wherein said interior mirror comprises an interior electrochromic mirror, said interior electrochromic mirror comprising a mirror housing including a mirror reflector, and wherein said mirror housing is adjustable about said pivot element to adjust a rearward field of view of said mirror reflector when said assembly is mounted at said receiving structure at said portion of the interior surface of the windshield of the vehicle;

wherein at least one of (a) said pivot element comprises an element of a ball and socket pivot joint, (b) said pivot element comprises an element of a ball and socket pivot joint and said element of said ball and socket pivot joint is integral with said assembly, and (c) said pivot element has a conduit established therethrough for said electrical wiring;

wherein said accessory mounting system further comprises a cover for said assembly; and

wherein a rain sensor is encompassed by said cover when said assembly is normally mounted at said receiving structure.

49. The accessory mounting system of claim 48, wherein at least one of (a) said receiving structure has an aperture and said rain sensor views through said aperture of said receiving structure and (b) said receiving structure has an aperture and said rain sensor views through said aperture of said receiving structure, and wherein said rain sensor is biased at least partially through said aperture of said receiving structure and into contact with the interior surface of the windshield.

50. The accessory mounting system of claim 48, wherein said cover is removable to facilitate service when said assembly is normally attached at said portion of the windshield.

51. The accessory mounting system of claim 48, wherein said receiving structure is formed by a metal fabrication, said metal fabrication comprising at least one of casting and sintering, and wherein said assembly comprises a metallic structure and wherein said light transmitting portion of said light absorbing layer comprises a light transmitting opening.

52. The accessory mounting system of claim 51, wherein said camera comprises a camera module that is received at said assembly as a modular unit and wherein said cover is removable to facilitate service when said assembly is normally attached at said portion of the windshield.

53. An accessory mounting system suitable for use in a vehicle, said accessory mounting system comprising:

an assembly adapted for mounting at and demounting from a receiving structure adhesively attached at a portion of an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle;

a light absorbing layer at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle, said light absorbing layer at least partially hiding said assembly from view by a viewer external the vehicle when said viewer is viewing through the windshield with said assembly normally attached at said portion of the windshield;

wherein said light absorbing layer includes a light transmitting portion;

a forwardly-viewing camera disposed at said assembly;

said forwardly-viewing camera viewing through said light transmitting portion of said light absorbing layer at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle when said assembly is attached at said portion of the windshield; and

wherein said assembly comprises a mirror assembly mount button and wherein said mirror assembly mount button is configured to be received by a mirror mount of an interior rearview mirror assembly.

54. The accessory mounting system of claim 53, wherein at least one of (a) said receiving structure has an aperture and said rain sensor views through said aperture of said receiving structure and (b) said receiving structure has an aperture and said rain sensor views through said aperture of said receiving structure, and wherein said rain sensor is biased at least partially through said aperture of said receiving structure and into contact with the interior surface of the windshield.

55. The accessory mounting system of claim 53, wherein said cover is removable to facilitate service when said assembly is normally mounted at said receiving structure at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle.

56. The accessory mounting system of claim 53, wherein said receiving structure is formed by a metal fabrication, said metal fabrication comprising at least one of casting and sintering, and wherein said assembly comprises a metallic structure and wherein said light transmitting portion of said light absorbing layer comprises a light transmitting opening.

57. The accessory mounting system of claim 56, wherein said camera comprises a camera module that is received at said assembly as a modular unit and wherein said cover is removable to facilitate service when said assembly is normally mounted at said receiving structure.

58. The accessory mounting system of claim 53, wherein said receiving structure adhesively attached at said portion of the windshield and said mirror assembly mount button are similarly configured to be receivable by a mirror mount of an interior rearview mirror assembly.

59. The accessory mounting system of claim 58, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a double pivot support assembly for an interior mirror, said interior mirror comprising a mirror housing including a mirror reflector, and wherein said mirror housing of said interior mirror is adjustable via said double pivot support assembly to adjust a rearward field of view of said mirror reflector when said mirror mount receives said mirror assembly mount button of said assembly and when said assembly is mounted at said receiving structure at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle.

60. The accessory mounting system of claim 58, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a single pivot support assembly for an interior mirror, said interior mirror comprising a mirror housing including a mirror reflector, and wherein said mirror housing of said interior mirror is adjustable via said single pivot support assembly to adjust a rearward field of view of said mirror reflector when said mirror mount receives said mirror assembly mount button of said assembly and when said assembly is mounted at said receiving structure at said portion of the windshield of the vehicle.

61. The accessory mounting system of claim 53, wherein said accessory mounting system further comprises a cover for said assembly and wherein a rain sensor is encompassed by said cover when said assembly is normally mounted at said receiving structure.