Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – With support
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-23
2002-04-02
Robinson, Mark A. (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
With support
C359S876000, C248S476000, C248S483000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06364496
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a power operated rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Motor vehicles include rearview mirror assemblies mounted externally on a vehicle on one or both front doors to help the driver see rearwardly of the vehicle. These rearview mirror assemblies typically have an adjustable mirror portion mounted therein that can be remotely controlled to be repositioned to accommodate different vehicle operators. Such rearview mirrors are remotely controlled from inside the vehicle by a mechanical connection or an electrical connection. Electrically powered actuators are frequently included in rearview mirror assemblies to reposition the mirror remotely in response to remotely controlled electrical signals. Such mirror assemblies are expensive and require extensive labor for fabrication.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
To achieve the goals of reducing complexity, expense and labor for fabrication, there is disclosed and described herein a rearview mirror that includes a shape memory alloy to effect the repositioning of a mirror.
The rearview mirror includes a supporting assembly for attachment to a vehicle structure and a mirror assembly with a pivot structure between the assemblies for pivoting the mirror assembly relative to the supporting assembly about first and second perpendicular intersecting axes. A first electrically actuated moving mechanism pivots the mirror assembly relative to the supporting assembly and is characterized by including a temperature sensitive element consisting of an alloy which undergoes thermoelastic, martensitic phase transformation in response to heat and reacting between the assemblies for straining the element during a first phase and for unstraining the element during a second phase. Also included is a supply of electrical power for heating the element and causing the phase transformation of the element to unstrain the elementing thereof to move the mirror assembly relative to the supporting assembly.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 4626085 (1986-12-01), Suzuki
patent: 5014520 (1991-05-01), Orner et al.
patent: 5092781 (1992-03-01), Casciotti et al.
patent: 5166832 (1992-11-01), Zychowicz
patent: 5747993 (1998-05-01), Jacobsen et al.
patent: 6069420 (2000-05-01), Mizzi et al.
Boddy Ian
Foote Keith D.
Ruse James A.
Clark Hill PLC
Magna Mirror Systems Inc.
Robinson Mark A.
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