Side Rearview Vision Assembly with Telescoping Head

• US 20170280111A1
• Filed: 06/13/2017
• Published: 09/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents SARL
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Henion, Paul, Brooks, Darryl, Hottmann, Philipp, Sinelli, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 10,638,094 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/003 for viewing trailer hitches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/006 Side-view mirrors, e.g. V-shaped mirrors located at the front or rear part of the vehicle combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08; side-view periscopes B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/078 easily removable; mounted for bodily outward movement, e.g. when towing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/28 with an adjustable field of view
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0082 collapsible, e.g. for storing after use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0085 with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0092 with motorization
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/408 using a data bus
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/607 from a bird's eye viewpoint
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8046 for replacing a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A side rearview vision assembly for a vehicle includes a base that is fixedly secured to the vehicle. A support arm is pivotally secured to the base. A positioning arm is secured to the support arm and is movable with respect to the support arm. The positioning arm defines a distal end. A camera is attached to the distal end of the positioning arm such that the camera moves with the positioning arm as the positioning arm moves relative to said support arm. The camera is configured to provide images exterior to the vehicle. A camera motor is operatively connected to the camera and changes its orientation with respect to the distal end of said positioning arm.

Claims

1. A side rearview vision assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a base fixedly secured to the vehicle;

a support arm pivotally secured to said base, said support arm pivotal between retracted and extended positions;

a positioning arm secured to said support arm and movable with respect to said support arm, said positioning arm defining a distal end;

a camera attached to said distal end of said positioning arm such that said camera moves with said positioning arm as said positioning arm moves relative to said support arm, said camera configured to provide images exterior to the vehicle; and

a camera motor operatively connected to said camera to change orientation of said camera with respect to said distal end of said positioning arm.

2. A side rearview vision assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said camera motor is secured to said distal end of said positioning arm.

3. A side rearview vision assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a camera gear fixedly secured to said camera.

4. A side rearview vision assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said camera motor includes a shaft having a worm gear fixedly secured thereto extending out from said camera motor for providing rotational motion.

5. A side rearview vision assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said worm gear engages said camera gear.

6. A side rearview vision assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said camera is oriented by said camera motor independently of said position of said support arm.

7. A side rearview assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said positioning arm telescopes with respect to said support arm.

8. A side rearview vision assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a base fixedly secured to the vehicle;

a support arm pivotally secured to said base, said support arm pivotal between retracted and extended positions;

a positioning arm secured to said support arm and movable with respect to said support arm, said positioning arm defining a distal end;

a camera attached to said distal end of said positioning arm such that said camera moves with said positioning arm as said positioning arm moves relative to said support arm, said camera configured to provide images exterior to the vehicle; and

a camera motor operatively connected to said camera to change orientation of said camera with respect to said distal end of said positioning arm.

9. A side rearview assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said positioning arm telescopes with respect to said support arm.

10. A side rearview vision assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a base fixedly secured to the vehicle;

a support arm secured to said base;

a positioning arm secured to said support arm and movable with respect to said support arm, said positioning arm defining a distal end; and

a camera attached to said distal end of said positioning arm such that said camera moves with said positioning arm as said positioning arm moves relative to said support arm.

11. A side rearview assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said positioning arm telescopes with respect to said support arm.