Modular rearview mirror assembly including an electronic control module

• US 6,019,475 A
• Filed: 08/23/1996
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: O'Farrell, Desmond J., Lynam, Niall R., Veldman, Roger L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THONG Q
• Application Number:
  US08/702,228
• Time in Patent Office: 1,257 Days
• Field of Search: 359/507-509, 359/601-609, 359/871-872, 359/875, 359/877, 359/879-882
• US Class Current: 359/879
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1261 with antennae
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems

Abstract

A modular rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates a housing into the mirror assembly case for supporting an electronic control module to reduce the vibration, to ease the installation of the components in the mirror assembly, and to improve access to the various components in the mirror assembly for maintenance or repair. The rearview mirror assembly includes a reflective element, at least one electrical component mounted to the reflective element, and a case housing the reflective element and the electrical component. An electronic control module is supported by the case which communicates with the electrical component. Preferably, the electronic control module is supported by a housing that is either molded with the case or welded to the inner surface of the case to support the electronic control module independently from the electrical component.

Claims

1. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror case having a wall and defining a cavity;

an actuator supported in said cavity of said mirror case on an actuator support member;

a reflective element supported on said actuator, said actuator providing adjustment of an orientation of said reflective element in said mirror case, said reflective element and said actuator defining an actuator supported reflective element assembly, said actuator supported reflective element assembly having an inherent weight; and

at least one electronic control module having an inherent weight and being supported in said mirror case by said actuator support member remote and spaced from said actuator supported reflective element assembly, said weight of said electronic control module being borne by said actuator support member of the exterior rearview mirror assembly; and

said weight of said at least one electronic control module not directly contributing to vibration of said reflective element when the vehicle is operated on a highway.

2. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, further including at least one electrical component electrically interconnected with said electronic control module.

3. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein said reflective element includes said electrical component.

4. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 3, wherein said reflective element includes an electro-optic element.

5. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 4, wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic element.

6. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 3, wherein said electrical component is an electro-optic cell, and said electronic control module produces a drive signal for establishing a partial reflectance level in said reflective element.

7. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 6, wherein said electrical component includes at least one light sensor attached to a rear surface of said reflective element for providing an input to said electronic control module such that said electronic control module produces said drive signal as a function of light sensed by said at least one light sensor.

8. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein said electrical component comprises a heater pad for heating the reflective element.

9. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein said electrical component comprises an ultrasonic transducer.

10. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 2, wherein said actuator comprises an electrical actuator assembly cooperating with said reflective element to adjust the orientation of said reflective element.

11. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, said wall of said case including an inner surface, and said electronic control module being supported by said inner surface.

12. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control module is enclosed by a cover supported on said inner surface of said case, and said cover and said wall defining a compartment.

13. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said wall of said case includes an aperture, said electronic control module being supported in a compartment, said compartment being positioned in said aperture.

14. A vehicle exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said case includes a back can member, said electronic control module being supported by said back can member.

15. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator support member, said actuator being supported in said case by said actuator support member.

16. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 15, wherein said electronic control module is supported spaced from said actuator support member.

17. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a case having a wall, said wall of said case including an inner surface;

an actuator supported in said case;

a reflective element supported on said actuator, said actuator providing adjustment of an orientation of said reflective element in said case, said reflective element and said actuator defining an actuator supported reflective element assembly; and

at least one electronic control module supported in said case independently of said actuator supported reflective element assembly and with said at least one electronic control module being mounted spaced apart from said actuator supported reflective element assembly, said electronic control module being enclosed by a housing supported on said inner surface of said case, said case including an exterior surface, and said housing including a surface flush with said exterior surface of said case.

18. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a reflective element;

an electrical component mounted to said reflective element;

a mirror case having a wall and an inner surface, said mirror case defining a cavity;

said reflective element supported by an actuator in said mirror case, said actuator providing adjustment of an orientation of said reflective element in said mirror case, and said reflective element and said actuator defining an actuator supported reflective element assembly, said actuator supported reflective element assembly having an inherent weight;

at least one electronic control module having an inherent weight and being supported by said inner surface of said mirror case remote and spaced from said actuator supported reflective element assembly, said weight of said electronic control module being borne by said mirror case; and

said weight of said at least one module not directly contributing to vibration of said reflective element when the vehicle is operated on a highway, and said electronic control module electrically being interconnected with said electrical component.

19. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 18, said electronic control module releasably supported by said inner surface of said mirror case.

20. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 19, further comprising an electronic control module housing, said electronic control module being supported in said housing, and said housing including a sealing member for directly sealing said housing against said inner surface of said mirror case.

21. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 20, said inner surface including a hook shaped member for supporting said housing, said housing including a corresponding hook shaped flange engaging said hook shaped member on said inner surface.

22. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 21, said inner surface including a threaded boss, said housing further including a fastener engaging said threaded boss.

23. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 18, wherein said actuator comprises an electrical mirror actuator assembly cooperating with said reflective element to adjust the orientation of said reflective element, said electronic control module supported by said inner surface independently of said electrical actuator assembly and in electrical communication with said electrical actuator assembly.

24. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 18, wherein said electrical component comprises a heater pad for heating said reflective element.

25. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 18, wherein said electrical component comprises an ultrasonic transducer for removing raindrops from said reflective element.

26. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a reflective element;

an electrical component mounted to said reflective element;

an actuator supporting said reflective element, said actuator providing adjustment for an orientation of said reflective element, and said reflective element and actuator defining an actuator supported reflective element assembly;

a body, said reflective element, said actuator, and said electrical component being supported in said body, said body having an inner surface; and

an electronic control module supported by said body independently of said actuator supported reflective element assembly and with said electronic control module being mounted spaced from said actuator supported reflective element assembly, said electronic control module being enclosed by a housing supported by said inner surface, said body including an exterior surface and an opening, said housing inserting into said opening and including an exterior surface aligning with said exterior surface of said body, and said electronic control module electrically being interconnected with said electrical component.

27. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a case including side walls and a cover secured to said side walls, said case adapted for mounting on a vehicle;

a support member having a central support member and a pair of arms, said arms extending from said central support member to said side walls;

an actuator supported by said central support member;

a reflective element supported by said actuator and housed in said case, and said reflective element and said actuator defining an actuator supported reflective element assembly; and

an electronic control module supported in said case, one of said arms including a recessed enclosure formed therein, said electronic control module being supported in said recessed enclosure independently of said actuator supported reflective element assembly and with said electronic control module being mounted spaced apart from said actuator supported reflective element assembly.

28. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 27, further including an electrical component housed by said case.

29. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 28, wherein said reflective element includes said electrical component.

30. A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror case having a wall and defining a cavity;

an actuator supported in said cavity of said mirror case;

a reflective element supported on said actuator, said actuator providing adjustment of an orientation of said reflective element in said mirror case, said reflective element and said actuator defining an actuator supported reflective element assembly, said actuator supported reflective element assembly having an inherent weight; and

at least one electronic control module having an inherent weight and being supported in said mirror case of the exterior rearview mirror assembly by said wall of said mirror case remote and spaced from said actuator supported reflective element assembly, said weight of said electronic control module being borne by said wall of said mirror case; and

said weight of said at least one electronic module not directly contributing to vibration of said reflective element when the vehicle is operated on a highway.

31. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 30, wherein said wall includes an inner surface, said electronic control module being supported by said inner surface of said wall.

32. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 31, wherein said electronic control module is releasably supported by said inner surface of said wall.

33. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 30, further comprising an electronic control module housing, said electronic control module being supported in said electronic control module housing, and said electronic control module housing supporting said electronic control module on said wall.

34. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 33, wherein said wall includes an inner surface, said electronic control module housing including a sealing member for directly sealing said electronic control module housing against said inner surface of said wall.

35. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 30, wherein said wall includes an opening, said electronic control module being supported in said opening.

36. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 35, wherein said electronic control module includes an electronic control module housing, said electronic control module housing supporting said electronic control module in said opening.

37. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 30, further comprising an actuator support member, said actuator support member supporting said actuator in said mirror case, and said electronic control module being supported remote and spaced from said actuator support member.

38. The vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 30, wherein said actuator comprises an electrical actuator.