Wing mirror unit and actuator

• US 7,471,193 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2004
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V. (Flex, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V. (Flex, Ltd.)
• Inventors: Brouwer, Stefan F., Vanhoof, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeff
• Assistant Examiner(s): NWUGO, OJIAKO K
• Application Number:
  US10/551,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20060238318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,736 Days
• Field of Search: 340/436, 340/903, 359/365, 342/70, 396/429
• US Class Current: 340/436
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• 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 detection system for detection of an object in a blind spot of a wing mirror unit. The detection system includes an observation unit for generating observation data, a data processing unit for processing the observation data, and an indication unit for displaying a warning signal. Internal data communication connections of the system may be disposed in a wing mirror unit so that the detection system is autonomous.

Claims

1. A detection system for detecting an object in a blind spot of a wing mirror unit comprising:

an observation unit for generating observation data;

a data processing unit for processing the observation data;

an indication unit for displaying a warning signal;

a mirror supporting plate including a mirror glass; and

an actuator disposed on a supporting frame, the actuator configured to adjust the mirror supporting plate;

wherein the observation unit is disposed on the actuator and internal data communication connections of the system are disposed in said wing mirror unit such that the detection system is autonomous.

2. The detection system according to claim 1, including a slave unit connectible to a master-slave bus system.

3. The detection system according to claim 2, wherein the observation unit comprises an optical camera.

4. The detection system according to claim 2, wherein the observation unit comprises a transmitter for generating an electromagnetic actuation signal and a receiver for receiving an electromagnetic reflection signal.

5. The detection system according to claim 4, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are arranged to respectively generate and receive radar signals.

6. The detection system according to claim 4, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are integrated.

7. The detection system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unit is mounted on the actuator.

8. The detection system according to claim 1, comprising a mirror housing mounted on the supporting frame;

wherein the observation unit is disposed within the mirror housing.

9. The detection system according to claim 8, wherein the mirror housing substantially forms an exterior of said wing mirror unit.

10. The detection system according to claim 1, wherein the observation unit generates two electromagnetic actuation signals that spatially, at least partly, overlap each other.

11. The detection system according to claim 1, further comprising a second observation unit for generating observation data in connection with a second blind spot.

12. The detection system according to claim 11, wherein the observation data in connection with the second blind spot is generated or presented diagonally.

13. The detection system according to claim 1, wherein the indication unit comprises an optical indicator.

14. The detection system according to claim 13, wherein the optical indicator generates an optical signal and is disposed on a mirror supporting plate.

15. The detection system according to claim 1, wherein the mirror glass comprises a semi-permeable optical material and a signal generated by the optical indicator passes through the semi-permeable optical material out of said wing mirror unit.

16. An actuator unit comprising:

a supporting frame;

an actuator for adjusting a mirror supporting plate with respect to the supporting frame, the mirror supporting plate including a mirror glass, the actuator disposed on the supporting frame;

a data processing unit connected to or disposed on the actuator; and

an observation unit for detecting an object in a blind spot of a mirror unit, the observation unit disposed on the actuator;

wherein the data processing unit processes observation data generated by the observation unit.

17. A mirror system comprising:

a wing mirror; and

a detection system for detecting an object in a blind spot of the wing mirror, the detection system including;

an observation unit for generating observation data;

a data processing unit for processing the observation data;

an indication unit for displaying a warning signal; and

an actuator disposed on a supporting frame,

wherein the observation unit is disposed on the actuator;

the actuator adjusts a mirror supporting plate; and

internal data communication connections of the detection system are disposed in the wing mirror.

18. The mirror system according to claim 17, including mirror glass connected to the mirror supporting plate.

19. The mirror system according to claim 18, wherein the observation unit comprises an optical camera.

20. The mirror system according to claim 19, wherein the observation unit includes a transmitter and a receiver.

21. The mirror system according to claim 20, wherein the transmitter and the receiver generate and receive radar signals, respectively.

22. The mirror unit according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter and the receiver form an integrated module.

23. The mirror unit according to claim 20, wherein the mirror glass comprises a semi-permeable optical material, so that the optical signal generated by the optical indicator passes through the semi-permeable optical material.

24. The mirror unit according to claim 17, wherein the observation unit generates one or more electromagnetic actuation signals which at least partially overlap one another.

25. The mirror unit according to claim 17, further comprising a second observation unit for generating observation data in connection with a second blind spot.

26. The mirror unit according to claim 17, further including an indication unit having an optical indicator for generating an optical signal.