Vehicle interior mirror assembly adapted for containing a rain sensor

• US 6,326,613 B1
• Filed: 11/04/1999
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lynam, Niall R., Heslin, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, QUE TAN
• Application Number:
  US09/433,467
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 250/239, 250/216, 250/221, 250/227.11, 250/214.AL, 250/214.D, 250/214.B, 359/229, 359/230, 359/242, 359/267, 340/485
• US Class Current: 250/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0077 using adhesive means, e.g. hook and loop fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0822 characterized by the arrangement or type of detection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0881 characterized by the attachment means on the windshield
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 1/0885 the sensor being integrated in a rear-view mirror module
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0118 comprising devices for improving the contrast of the display / brillance control visibility
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/00 Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing having a front end releasably attached to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield and a rear end having a ball and socket joint for a rearview mirror unit. An internal wall subdivides the interior of the housing into first and second compartments. The first compartment contains a rain sensor which is preferably biased into contact with the windshield, and the second compartment contains a further electrical component such as a compass sensor accessible through a side opening. A removable cover mates with the housing around the opening and extends along the windshield towards the vehicle header. Electrical leads for the rain sensor and the component are routed under the cover to the header.

Claims

1. A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a housing having a front end for releasable attachment to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, a rear end having a connection which adjustably mounts a rearview mirror unit to the housing, the housing adapted to contain a rain sensor and a biasing member which engages and biases the rain sensor into contact with the interior surface of the windshield, the housing containing at least one further electrical component.

2. A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a housing having a front end for releasable attachment to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, a rear end having a connection which adjustably mounts a rearview mirror unit to the housing, the interior of the housing comprising at least one compartment, the compartment having an opening at the front end of the housing for facing in use towards the windshield and, the compartment adapted to contain a rain sensor and to bias the rain sensor forwardly through the first opening into contact with the interior surface of the windshield, and the housing also containing at least one further electrical component.

3. A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a housing having a front end for releasable attachment to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, a rear end having a connection which adjustably mounts a rearview mirror unit to the housing, the interior of the housing comprising a compartment, the compartment having a first opening at the front end of the housing for facing in use towards the windshield and a second opening on at least one side of the housing, the compartment containing a rain sensor and a biasing member which biases the rain sensor forwardly through said first opening into contact with the interior surface of the windshield, and the compartment containing at least one further electrical component accessible through said second opening.

4. A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a housing having a front end for releasable attachment to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, a rear end having a connection which adjustably mounts a rearview mirror unit to the housing, and an internal wall subdividing the interior of the housing into first and second compartments, said first compartment having a first opening at said front end of said housing for facing in use towards the windshield and said second compartment having a second opening on at least one side of said housing, said first compartment containing a rain sensor, and said second compartment containing at least one further electrical component accessible through said second opening.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, further including a removable cover which mates with said housing around said second opening and in use extends along the windshield towards the vehicle header, and electrical leads for said rain sensor and said further electrical component which in use are routed under the cover to the header.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cover is made of a polymeric material which snap-engages said housing around said second opening.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cover includes an antenna.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, further including a rearview mirror unit which includes an electrically operated rearview mirror and electrical leads for said mirror, said leads when in use being routed under said cover to the vehicle header.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said further electrical component comprises a printed circuit board bearing a compass sensor.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 4 further including a biasing member which biases said rain sensor forwardly through said first opening into contact with the interior surface of the windshield.

11. A vehicle interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a housing having a front end for releasable attachment to the interior surface of the vehicle windshield, a rear end having a connection which adjustably mounts a rearview mirror unit to the housing, a first opening at said front end of said housing for facing in use towards the windshield, and a second opening on at least one side of said housing for facing in use towards the top edge of the windshield, said housing containing a rain sensor, and at least one further electrical component accessible through said second opening, said assembly further including a removable cover which mates with said housing around said second opening and in use extends along the windshield towards the vehicle header, and electrical leads for said rain sensor and said further electrical component which in use are routed under said cover to the vehicle header.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 11 further including a biasing member which biases said rain sensor forwardly through said first opening into contact with the interior surface of the windshield.