Memory positioning system for remote control rear-view mirror

• US 4,678,295 A
• Filed: 04/05/1985
• Issued: 07/07/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LOWE Engineering Company
• Original Assignee: Magna International Incorporated
• Inventors: Fisher, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Petrakes, John
• Application Number:
  US06/720,363
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 350/631-637, 248/466, 248/476, 248/479, 248/481-487
• US Class Current: 359/874
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/351 the positional error is used to control continuously the servomotor according to its magnitude
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36463 Manual switch to drive motor to wanted position, store, memorize position
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37462 Resistor, potentiometers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45185 Auto mirror

Abstract

A memory positioning system for use in a remote control rear-view mirror having electric motors for adjusting the mirror'"'"'s position, which position is electrically detected by linear potentiometers connected to a microprocessor that records the potentiometer-generated signals. After the signals corresponding to a pre-selected position have been recorded and the mirror adjusted to a different position, the mirror can be returned to the pre-selected position by commanding the microprocessor to operate the motors until the potentiometers detect the previously recorded positions corresponding to the recorded signals. A rib and slot on the mirror'"'"'s main spherical pivot mounting provide only a limited predetermined amount of vibration-absorbing pivotal movement about an axis which intersects the plane of the mirror. The mirror also has stops which permit only a limited amount of pivotal movement about the same axis.

Claims

1. In a vehicle mirror of the type including a base, a mirror casing, means for mounting said mirror casing relative to said base for pivotal movement about first and second mutually perpendicular intersecting axes between limiting positions and against substantial movement about a third intersecting axis which is mutually perpendicular to said first and second axes, sensing means for sensing the position of pivotal movement of said mirror casing with respect to said base about said first and second axes, and automatic return means including electric motor means operable in response to said sensing means for moving said mirror casing with respect to said base about said first and second axes from any position thereof into a selected position previously sensed by said sensing means, the improvement which comprises

said sensing means including first and second elongated mirror position sensing members each having first and second ends,

means for pivotally connecting the first end of said first sensing member to said mirror casing at a first effective point of connection lying on the second of said intersecting axes,

means for mounting the second end of said first sensing member on said base for reciprocation therein along a first parallel axis spaced a first fixed distance in substantially parallel relation with said third axis in such a way as to accomodate the movement of the first effective point of connection of the first end thereof along an arcuate path of variable perpendicular distance from said third axis as the mirror casing is pivoted between said limiting positions about the first of said intersecting axes,

means for pivotally connecting the first end of said second sensing member to said mirror casing at a second effective point of connection lying on the first of said intersecting axes,

means for mounting the second end of said second sensing member on said base for reciprocation therein along a second parallel axis spaced a second fixed distance in substantially parallel relation with said third axis in such a way as to accomodate the movement of the second effective point of connection of the first end thereof along an arcuate path of variable perpendicular distance from said third axis as said mirror casing is pivoted between said limiting positions about the second of said intersecting axes,

said first and second effective points of connection each being a maximum perpendicular distance away from said third intersecting axis when at a position substantially midway between its limiting positions and being a minimum perpendicular distance away from said third intersecting axis when at its limiting positions,

said first and second distances each being generally equal to the average of the maximum and minimum perpendicular distances associated therewith.

2. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means for the first end of each of said first and second sensing members comprises a spherical formation on the first end of the associated sensing member and a socket formation on said mirror casing matingly receiving said spherical formation.

3. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said mounting means for the second end of each of said first and second sensing members comprises a bore in said base concentric with the associated parallel axis, the second end of the associated sensing member having an enlarged exterior partial ball-shaped surface slidably and turnably engaged within said bore.

4. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein said electric motor means includes first and second electric motors, said automatic return means further including a first motion transmitting mechanism connected in driven relation with said first electric motor and in motion transmitting relation between said base and said mirror casing at a third effective point of connection with the latter lying on the second of said intersecting axes at a position on the opposite side of the intersection thereof as said first point of connection, and a second motion transmitting mechanism connected in driven relation with said second electric motor and in motion transmitting relation between said base and said mirror casing at a fourth effective point of connection with the latter lying on the first of said intersecting axes at a position on the opposite side of the intersection thereof as said second point of connection.

5. The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein said sensing means further includes a first linear potentiometer operatively associated with said first sensing member for generating an electrical signal indicative of the position of the mirror casing sensed by said first sensing member and a second linear potentiometor operatively associated with said second sensing member for establishing an electrical signal indicative of the position of the mirror casing sensed by said second sensing member, said automatic return means further including a microprocessor electrically connected to said first and second linear potentiometers and to said first and second electric motors, said microprocessor being capable, upon manually applied storage command, of storing the electrical signals generated by said first and second linear potentiometers for at least one selected position of said mirror casing, and of causing said mirror casing to be selectively returned to said one selected position at which said storage command was applied by starting said first and second motors and causing the same to continue to run and move said mirror case until the signals generated by said first and second linear potentiometers are equal to said storage signals, whereupon said microprocessor then stops said first and second motors.

6. The improvement as defined in claim 5 wherein said first and second linear potentiometers each comprises a movable electric contact fixed to the second end of the associated sensing member for reciprocating movement therewith within an elongated slot communicating with the associated bore and a stationary electrically conductive resistance element extending longitudinally along said slot in a position to be slidably contacted by said movable electric contact.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 3 wherein said sensing means further includes a first linear potentiometer operatively associated with said first sensing member for generating an electrical signal indicative of the position of the mirror casing sensed by said first sensing member and a second linear potentiometor operatively associated with said second sensing member for establishing an electrical signal indicative of the position of the mirror casing sensed by said second sensing member, said automatic return means further including a microprocessor electrically connected to said first and second linear potentiometers and to said first and second electric motors, said microprocessor being capable, upon manually applied storage command, of storing the electrical signals generated by said first and second linear potentiometers for at least one selected position of said mirror casing, and of causing said mirror casing to be selectively returned to said one selected position at which said storage command was applied by starting said first and second motors and causing the same to continue to run and move said mirror case until the signals generated by said first and second linear potentiometers are equal to said storage signals, whereupon said microprocessor then stops said first and second motors.

8. The improvement as defined in claim 7 wherein said first and second linear potentiometers each comprises a movable electric contact fixed to the second end of the associated sensing member for reciprocating movement therewith within an elongated slot communicating with the associated bore and a stationary electrically conductive resistance element extending longitudinally along said slot in a position to be slidably contacted by said movable electric contact.

9. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said electric motor means includes first and second electric motors, said automatic return means further including a first motion transmitting mechanism connected in driven relation with said first electric motor and in motion transmitting relation between said base and said mirror casing at a third effective point of connection with the latter lying on the second of said intersecting axes at a position on the opposite side of the intersection thereof as said first point of connection, and a second motion transmitting mechanism connected in driven relation with said second electric motor and in motion transmitting relation between said base and said mirror casing at a fourth effective point of connection with the latter lying on the first of said intersecting axes at a position on the opposite side of the intersection thereof as said second point of connection.

10. The improvement as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said mirror casing on said base comprises a spherical socket formed on one of said mirror casing and said base and a spherical mounting element formed on the other of said mirror casing and said base, said spherical socket having an opening on one side and being shaped and dimensioned so that said socket opening may resiliently expand for insertion of said spherical mounting element in a direction parallel to said third axis so that said spherical socket may snugly grip and surround said spherical mounting element while permitting relative pivotal movement therebetween about said first and second axes, said socket having a pair of diametrically opposed ribs extending parallel to the direction of insertion of said spherical mounting element into said socket and projecting inwardly into the socket cavity, said spherical mounting element having a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending parallel to said direction of insertion, the width of each of said slots being a minimum at substantially the mid-point along the length of each slot and the slot width flaring outwardly from said midpoint toward the opposite ends of each slot, said minimum width being dimensioned to freely but snugly receive said socket ribs to thereby essentially prevent any substantial degree of rotation of said mirror casing about said third axis, and said flared ends of said slots permitting pivotal adjustments of said mirror casing about said first and second axes.

11. The improvement as defined in claim 10 wherein first and second abutment means are located on said mirror casing and said base, respectively, said first and second abutment means being located at a greater distance from said third axis than are said ribs and said slots and being positioned to abut each other only after a predetermined limited amount of rotation of said mirror casing about said third axis to thereby prevent further rotation of said mirror casing about said third axis, which amount of rotation is selected to avoid objectionable vibration-induced rotation of said mirror casing about said third axis.

12. In a vehicle mirror of the type including a base, a mirror casing, and means for mounting said mirror casing relative to said base for pivotal movement about first and second mutually perpendicular intersecting axes between limiting positions and against substantial movement about a third intersecting axis which is mutually perpendicular to said first and second axes, the improvement which comprises said mounting means comprising:

a spherical socket formed on one of said mirror casing and said base and a spherical mounting element formed on the other of said mirror casing and said base, said spherical socket having an uninterrupted edge defining an opening on one side and being shaped and dimensioned so that said socket opening may resiliently expand for insertion of said spherical mounting element in a direction parallel to said third axis so that said spherical socket may snugly grip and surround said spherical mounting element while permitting relative pivotal movement therebetween about said first and second axes,

said socket having a pair of diametrically opposed ribs extending parallel to the direction of insertion of said spherical mounting element into said socket and projecting inwardly into the socket cavity,

said spherical mounting element having a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending parallel to said direction of insertion, the width of each of said slots being a minimum at substantially the mid-point along the length of each slot and the slot width flaring outwardly from said midpoint toward the opposite ends of each slot, said minimum width being dimensioned to freely but snugly receive said socket ribs to thereby essentially prevent any substantial degree of rotation of said mirror casing about said third axis, and said flared ends of said slots permitting pivotal adjustments of said mirror casing about said first and second axes.

13. The improvement as defined in claim 12 wherein first and second abutment means are located on said mirror casing and said base, respectively, said first and second abutment means being located at a greater distance from said third axis than are said ribs and said slots and being positioned to abut each other only after a predetermined limited amount of rotation of said mirror casing about said third axis to thereby prevent further rotation of said mirror casing about said third axis, which amount of rotation is selected to avoid objectionable vibration-induced rotation of said mirror casing about said third axis.

14. In a vehicle mirror of the type including a base, a mirror casing, means for mounting said mirror casing relative to said base for pivotal movement about first and second mutually perpendicular intersecting axes between limiting positions and against substantial movement about a third intersecting axis which is mutually perpendicular to said first and second axes, sensing means for sensing the position of pivotal movement of said mirror casing with respect to said base about said first and second axes, and automatic return means including electric motor means operable in response to said sensing means for moving said mirror casing with respect to said base about said first and second axes from any position thereof into a selected position previously sensed by said sensing means, the improvement which comprises

said sensing means including first and second elongated mirror position sensing members each having first and second ends,

means for pivotally connecting the first end of said first sensing member to said mirror casing at a first effective point of connection lying on the second of said intersecting axes,

means for mounting the second end of said first sensing member on said base for reciprocation therein along a first parallel axis spaced a first fixed distance in substantially parallel relation with said third axis in such a way as to accomodate the movement of the first effective point of connection of the first end thereof along an arcuate path of variable perpendicular distance from said third axis as the mirror casing is pivoted between said limiting positions about the first of said intersecting axes,

means for pivotally connecting the first end of said second sensing member to said mirror casing at a second effective point of connection lying on the first of said intersecting axes,

means for mounting the second end of said second sensing member on said base for reciprocation therein along a second parallel axis spaced a second fixed distance in substantially parallel relation with said third axis in such a way as to accomodate the movement of the second effective point of connection of the first end thereof along an arcuate path of variable perpendicular distance from said third axis as said mirror casing is pivoted between said limiting positions about the second of said intersecting axes,

said mounting means for the second end of each of said first and second sensing members comprising a bore in said base concentric with the associated parallel axis, the second end of the associated sensing member having an enlarged exterior partial ball-shaped surface slidably and turnably engaged within said bore.

15. The improvement as defined in claim 14 wherein said sensing means further includes a first linear potentiometer operatively associated with said first sensing member for generating an electrical signal indicative of the position of the mirror casing sensed by said first sensing member and a second linear potentiometor operatively associated with said second sensing member for establishing an electrical signal indicative of the position of the mirror casing sensed by said second sensing member, said automatic return means further including a microprocessor electrically connected to said first and second linear potentiometers and to said first and second electric motors, said microprocessor being capable, upon manually applied storage command, of storing the electrical signals generated by said first and second linear potentiometers for at least one selected position of said mirror casing, and of causing said mirror casing to be selectively returned to said one selected position at which said storage command was applied by starting said first and second motors and causing the same to continue to run and move said mirror case until the signals generated by said first and second linear potentiometers are equal to said storage signals, whereupon said microprocessor then stops said first and second motors.

16. The inprovement as defined in claim 15 wherein said first and second linear potentiometers each comprises a movable electric contact fixed to the second end of the associated sensing member for reciprocating movement therewith within an elongated slot communicating with the associated bore and a stationary electrically conductive resistance element extending longitudinally along said slot in a position to be slidably contacted by said movable electric contact.

17. The improvement as defined in claim 16 wherein said electric motor means includes first and second electric motors, said automatic return means further including a first motion transmitting mechanism connected in driven relation with said first electric motor and in motion transmitting relation between said base and said mirror casing at a third effective point of connection with the latter lying on the second of said intersecting axes at a position on the opposite side of the intersection thereof as said first point of connection, and a second motion transmitting mechanism connected in driven relation with said second electric motor and in motion transmitting relation between said base and said mirror casing at a fourth effective point of connection with the latter lying on the first of said intersecting axes at a position on the opposite side of the intersection thereof as said second point of connection.

18. The improvement as defined in claim 14 wherein said electric motor means includes first and second electric motors, said automatic return means further including a first motion transmitting mechanism connected in driven relation with said first electric motor and in motion transmitting relation between said base and said mirror casing at a third effective point of connection with the latter lying on the second of said intersecting axes at a position on the opposite side of the intersection thereof as said first point of connection, and a second motion transmitting mechanism connected in driven relation with said second electric motor and in motion transmitting relation between said base and said mirror casing at a fourth effective point of connection with the latter lying on the first of said intersecting axes at a position on the opposite side of the intersection thereof as said second point of connection.