1982-06-01
1984-07-31
Joyce, Harold
98 204, 98 218, B60H 100, B60R 106
Patent
active
044623038
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to outside rearview mirrors for automobiles and more specifically to a mirror of the type which is operatively connected to the heating and ventilating system of the automobile to directionally control air flow.
BACKGROUND ART
It is well known by designers of automobiles that the formation of water condensation on outside rearview mirrors and side windows is an undesirable phenomenon that causes inconvenience to drivers who must clear these surfaces to insure good visibility. It is also known that providing a ventilation path through the front edge of the vehicle's front doors as is conventionally accomplished with so-called vent windows is desirable in certain vehicles, particularly when air conditioning is not used.
The response of the automotive industry to provide components which will automatically remove condensation from one or the other of the mentioned glass surfaces or will provide a door ventilation path is well known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,522,584 to Talbot; 3,859,899 to Mills; and 3,877,780 to Taylor disclose outside rearview mirrors which accomplish clearing of the mirror by passing heated passenger compartment air through it. That passing heated air over inside glass surfaces on which condensation may form is known is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 2,150,110 to Strauss et al. Lacking in the prior art, however, is teaching of the economical combination of any of these desirable functions in a single component assembly.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Responsive to the deficiencies in the prior art the present invention provides a sail mirror assembly operatively connected to a source of heated air in an automobile heating and ventilating system and including a plurality of doors with control means for directionally controlling air flow to, from, and through the body of the mirror assembly. The invention sail mirror assembly is operable in four modes: mirror defrosting, side window defrosting, air extraction, and air induction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention can be understood by those skilled in the art by reading the accompanying description of the best mode for carrying out the invention with reference to the accompanying sheets of drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sail mirror assembly of the present invention installed in an automobile in which the mirror defrosting mode of operation is illustrated;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sail mirror assembly of the present invention installed in an automobile in which the side window defrosting mode of operation is illustrated;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sail mirror assembly of the present invention installed in an automobile in which the air extraction mode of operation is illustrated;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sail mirror assembly of the present invention installed in an automobile in which the air induction mode of operation is illustrated.
FIG. 5 is an exploded rear perspective view of the invention sail mirror assembly with certain parts removed for clarity;
FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the invention sail mirror assembly;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the invention sail mirror assembly.
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Turning now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-4, a sail mirror assembly 10 is illustrated as being assembled to a door 12 of an automobile vehicle body 14 adjacent the leading edge of the door near the lower front corner of the side window known as the sail area because of its sail-like shape.
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate four functions performed by the sail mirror assembly 10 of the present invention. In FIG. 1 a mirror defrosting mode of operation is illustrated. Heated air from the heating system of the vehicle (not shown) is ported to the sail mirror assembly 10 through a known flexible conduit 16. The heated air flows in the direction of the arrows of FIG. 1 to enter the body of th
REFERENCES:
patent: 2746100 (1956-05-01), Hallinger
patent: 3859899 (1975-01-01), Mills
PCT/EP80/00120, 5-1981, Hagn et al., 98-2.
Ford Motor Company
Joyce Harold
Sadler Clifford L.
Stock Daniel M.
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