Tilt in reverse mirror

• US 6,965,821 B1
• Filed: 07/07/2004
• Issued: 11/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Dean, Patrick D, Balanayagam, Sivapalan
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/886,114
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/36, 701/49, 359/696, 359/877, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 340/654
• US Class Current: 701/48
• 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

A system and method are provided for selectively tilting side mirrors located on the driver and passenger sides of a vehicle. The system has a mirror selection switch with a driver position and a passenger position. A control module receives a mirror selection signal from the mirror selection switch and receives a reverse gear signal. A first actuator is controlled by the control module and linked to a passenger side mirror. The control module controls the first actuator to tilt the passenger side mirror when the mirror selection signal indicates the mirror selection switch is in the passenger position and the reverse gear signal is indicative of the vehicle being in a reverse gear.

Claims

1. A system for selectively tilting side mirrors located on the driver and passenger sides of a vehicle, method comprising:

a mirror selection switch having a driver position and a passenger position,

a control module receiving a mirror selection signal from said mirror selection switch and receiving a reverse gear signal, and

a first actuator controlled by said control module and linked to a passenger side mirror, said control module controlling said first actuator to tilt said passenger side mirror when said mirror selection signal indicates said mirror selection switch is in said passenger position and said reverse gear signal is indicative of the vehicle being in a reverse gear.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second actuator controlled by said control module and linked to a driver side mirror, said control module controlling said first actuator to tilt said passenger side mirror and controlling said second actuator to tilt said driver side mirror when said mirror selection signal indicates said mirror selection switch in said driver position and said reverse gear signal is indicative of the vehicle being in a reverse gear.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises an electric motor.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a network connection to said control module, said control module receiving at least one of said mirror selection switch signal and said reverse gear signal via said network connection.

5. A method for positioning driver side and passenger side mirrors in a vehicle having a mirror selection switch and a reverse gear, said method comprising:

determining whether the vehicle is in a reverse gear,

determining whether the mirror selection switch is in one of a driver and a passenger position,

tilting the passenger side mirror when the vehicle is in said reverse gear and the mirror selection switch is in said passenger position, and

tilting the passenger side mirror and the driver side mirror when the vehicle is in said reverse gear and the mirror selection switch is in said driver position.