Potentiometer for motorized mirror

• US 6,254,242 B1
• Filed: 07/14/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: Britax Vision Systems (North America) Inc.
• Inventors: Henion, Paul R., Sturek, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US09/352,088
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 359/872, 359/873, 359/874, 359/877, 248/485, 248/487, 248/550, 364/508
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing

Abstract

A position sensing device for a mirror assembly displaced by an electric motor for a mirror assembly having a memory unit which relies upon position information. The position sensing device connects directly between the housing reinforcement member and the mirror glass. The position sensing device also includes inherent damping capabilities. A dampening assembly provides additional damping capabilities, thereby further limiting vibration of the mirror due to road and wind vibration.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element, the backing assembly having a pivot point about which the backing assembly and the reflective element pivot;

an electric motor mounted to the mirror housing, the electric motor being responsive to an electrical input to displace the backing assembly and supported reflective element about the pivot point; and

a position sensor including a potentiometer and a potentiometer housing receiving the potentiometer, said potentiometer and said potentiometer housing being connected between said backing assembly and said mirror housing for accurately detecting relative displacement between said backing assembly and said mirror housing, wherein the position sensor includes a dampener to dampen movement of the position sensor.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the dampener further comprises a dampener assembly operatively connected to the position sensor, the dampener assembly dampening movement of the position sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivot point is positioned between the backing assembly and the electric motor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pivot point is located in proximity to a centerline of the reflective element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the potentiometer rotates with respect to the potentiometer housing in accordance with displacement of the backing assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the position sensor further comprises:

a shaft reciprocating within the potentiometer housing,

wherein the potentiometer housing contains a fluid, the fluid dampening movement of the shaft within the potentiometer housing.

7. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element, the backing assembly having a pivot point about which the backing assembly and the reflective element pivot;

an electric motor mounted to the mirror housing, the electric motor being responsive to an electrical input to displace the backing assembly and supported reflective element about the pivot point; and

a position sensor including a potentiometer and a potentiometer housing receiving the potentiometer, said potentiometer and said potentiometer housing being connected between said backing assembly and said mirror housing for accurately detecting relative displacement between said backing assembly and said mirror housing.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a dampener assembly operatively connected to the position sensor, the dampener assembly dampening movement of the position sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the pivot point is positioned between the backing assembly and the electric motor.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the pivot point is located in proximity to a centerline of the reflective element.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the potentiometer rotates with respect to the potentiometer housing in accordance with displacement of the backing assembly.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the position sensor further comprises:

a shaft reciprocating within the potentiometer housing,

wherein the potentiometer housing contains a fluid, the fluid dampening movement of the shaft within the potentiometer housing.

13. A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing;

a reflective element;

a backing assembly supported by the mirror housing, the backing assembly supporting the reflective element, the backing assembly having a pivot point about which the backing assembly and the reflective element pivot;

an electric motor mounted to the mirror housing, the electric motor being responsive to an electrical input to displace the backing assembly and supported reflective element about the pivot point;

a dampener assembly operatively connected to the backing assembly and the mirror housing, the dampener assembly dampening movement of position sensor; and

the position sensor including a potentiomer and a potentiometer housing receiving the potentiometer, said potentiometer and said potentiometer housing being connected between said backing assembly and said mirror housing detecting displacement of the dampener assembly, the position sensor generating an output signal in accordance with displacement of the backing assembly.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the dampener assembly further comprises:

a pin operatively connected to the backing assembly and reciprocating in accordance with movement of the backing assembly;

a spring engaging the pin and dampening movement of the backing assembly; and

a flange connected to the position sensor to correspondingly dampen movement of the position sensor.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the pivot point is positioned between the backing assembly and the electric motor.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the position sensor further comprises:

a potentiometer; and

a potentiometer housing receiving the potentiometer, the potentiometer housing being attached to the mirror housing.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the potentiometer rotates with respect to the potentiometer housing in accordance with displacement of the backing assembly.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the position sensor further comprises:

a shaft reciprocating within the potentiometer housing,

wherein the potentiometer housing contains a fluid, the fluid dampening movement of the shaft within the potentiometer housing.