Outside rear view mirror for use in a vehicle capable of automatically controlling a range of observation

• US 6,116,742 A
• Filed: 08/13/1999
• Issued: 09/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Moon-Hwi Ahn
• Original Assignee: Moon-Hwi Ahn
• Inventors: Ahn, Moon-Hwi
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US09/373,540
• Time in Patent Office: 396 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/843, 359/872, 359/877
• US Class Current: 359/843
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors

Abstract

An outside rear view mirror device includes a winker lever outputting a predetermined turn-signal, when it is operated by a driver, a detecting sensor attached on a surface of a mirror case to detect if an automobile is positioned in a rear side of the driver'"'"'s automobile. The devide also includes a controller for actuating a solenoid when it receives the turn-signal or a signal from the detecting sensor, whereby an angular position of the mirror is automatically is adjusted, when the winker lever is operated or an automobile is detected in the rear side of the driver'"'"'s automobile.

Claims

1. An outside rear view mirror device for use in an automobile having a mirror mounted in a case and being angularly movable by a solenoid, the device comprising:

a winker lever outputting a predetermined turn-signal, when operated by a driver;

a detecting sensor attached on a surface of the case to detect if a vehicle is positioned in the rear side of the automobile; and

a controller for actuating the solenoid when it receives the turn-signal or a signal from the detecting sensor;

whereby an angular position of the mirror is automatically is adjusted, when the winker lever is operated or an automobile is detected in the rear side of the driver'"'"'s automobile.