Device for the simultaneous control of the driving-mirrors of an automobile vehicle

• US 4,088,398 A
• Filed: 10/29/1976
• Issued: 05/09/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Automobiles Peugeot (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Automobiles Peugeot (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Zoursel, Pierre E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Corbin, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koren, Matthew W.
• Application Number:
  US05/737,020
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 350/280, 350/281, 350/282, 350/283, 350/289
• US Class Current: 359/605
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/087 with remote or automatic control means

Abstract

A device for controlling simultaneously at least one outside driving-mirror and an inside driving mirror of a vehicle. The inside and outside driving-mirrors each comprise two surfaces having different reflecting powers. At least the surface having the maximum reflecting power being capable of being put into two distinct angular positions. A manual control puts the surface of maximum reflecting power of the inside driving-mirror into either of its angular positions. An electromagnet associated with the surface having maximum reflecting power of the outside driving-mirror puts this surface in either of its two angular positions. The electromagnet is inserted in a circuit controlled by the movements of the manual control so that the two surfaces having maximum reflecting power are put into identical positions simultaneously.

Claims

1. A device comprising at least one outside driving-mirror and an inside driving-mirror of an automobile vehicle, said inside driving-mirror comprising means defining two surfaces having different reflecting powers, at least the surface having the maximum reflecting power being capable of being put into two distinct angular positions, a manual control means for shifting the surface having maximum reflecting power between said two angular positions, said outside driving-mirror comprising means defining two surfaces having different reflecting powers, at least the surface having the maximum reflecting power of the outside driving-mirror being capable of being put into two distinct angular positions, electromagnetic shifting means connected to the surface having maximum reflecting power of the outside driving-mirror for shifting it between said two angular positions thereof, a circuit for connection to a source of current and connected to the electromagnetic shifting means for supplying current to the electromagnetic shifting means and switching means inserted in said circuit and associated with said manual control means for actuating said electromagnetic shifting means in either of two directions simultaneously with actuation of said manual control means in either of two directions.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic shifting means comprise two coils which are operative in opposite directions and are each supplied with current in a respective position of said manual control means, a timing device being inserted in said circuit and associated with each coil and operative to produce automatic cut off of the current supply.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic shifting means comprise a core and two coupled reversing switches associated with the core and directly connected to said switching means associated with said manual control means.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer driving-mirror comprises a case, a frame which is pivotably mounted in the case, a rod pivoted to a side of the frame opposed to the reflecting surfaces, a permanent magnet carried by the rod and forming an armature of said electromagnet and a support having two branches which constitute stops, the permanent magnet being movable in translation between two extreme positions of abutment with said stops.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inside driving-mirror comprises a case defining a recess, a support which extends through the case, a plate pivotably mounted on the support and swingable about said recess, said manual control means being pivotable in a wall of the case and comprising an inner fork member and an outer finger member, an end of said plate opposed to said recess being engaged between the branches of said fork member, said switching means comprising first contacts which are each carried by a branch of said fork member and a second contact carried by said plate and respectively cooperative with said first contacts.