Optical: systems and elements – Mirror – With support
Reexamination Certificate
2003-01-31
2004-11-30
Sikder, Mohammad (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Mirror
With support
C359S838000, C359S871000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06824281
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to accessories useful for a vehicle and, more particularly, to accessories used in windshield electronic modules and interior rearview mirror assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Certain accessories of a vehicle, such as a rain sensor or imaging sensor, typically are mounted tight against an interior surface of a windshield or window. This is required in some cases to maintain a desired distance between a light emitter/light sensor and the interior surface of the windshield, and/or to optically couple the component to the windshield, and/or to substantially seal the component at the windshield to prevent dust, dirt, smoke or other contaminants from affecting the component. In order to mount the accessories, it is desirable to move the accessories generally perpendicular to the surface of the window to avoid scratching of the window or the accessory by sliding the accessory relative to the window. It may be difficult for automobile assembly-line operators to mount such accessories onto, for example, a mirror mounting button on the interior surface of the windshield of a vehicle being assembled, since the assembly processes require multiple operations at the vehicle assembly plant.
Many camera-based accessories used in vehicles today require viewing through a window or windshield of the vehicle. The camera or sensor may be a contacting type of sensor, where the sensor is in contact with the interior surface of the windshield, or may be spaced from the windshield. It is desired to provide a blacked out area or ceramic frit region in areas where such accessories are mounted at the windshield, in order to enhance the appearance of the vehicle. Therefore, an aperture or port may have to be formed in the frit layer for the camera or image sensor to be aligned with. However, the frit layer then may include the port or aperture even for vehicles where the camera-based accessory is not selected as an option. In order to provide an appropriate frit layer for the camera-based accessory option, the vehicle manufacturer may need to plan or design different frit layers for different options available to the vehicle, which may result in a proliferation of windshields and part numbers for the different optional accessories.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for an accessory module that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is intended to provide an accessory module which is readily mountable at an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle. The accessory module is mounted and preferably loaded to and against the windshield to maintain close and tight coupling of accessories within the module, such as a rain sensor, temperature sensor, image sensor and/or the like. The accessory module may have a head portion or accessory housing which is attached to or movably attached to a base portion which is mountable at an interior surface of a vehicle windshield.
According to an aspect of the present invention, an accessory system for a vehicle comprises a vehicle windshield having a first attachment member affixed thereto, an accessory module assembly comprising a mounting portion and a head portion, and an interior rearview mirror assembly. The mounting portion is configured to mount to the first attachment member and extends generally upward when mounted to the first attachment member. The mounting portion has a second attachment member. The head portion is at an upper portion of the mounting portion and extends generally horizontally and rearwardly from the upper portion with respect to the vehicle when the mounting portion is mounted to the first attachment member. The head portion comprises electronic circuitry for at least one accessory. The interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing and a reflective element, and is mountable to the second attachment member. The head portion of the accessory module assembly extends from the upper portion of the mounting portion generally above the mirror casing. The head portion is at least one of viewable and user accessible above the mirror casing when the mirror assembly is mounted to the second attachment member.
The head portion may be movably attached to the upper portion of the mounting portion and may be movable relative to the mounting portion. The head portion may be pivotally mounted to the upper portion of the mounting portion and may be pivotable sidewardly relative to the mounting portion about a generally vertical pivot axis to adjust the angle of the accessory housing with respect to the driver of the vehicle, and/or may be pivotable upwardly and downwardly relative to the mounting portion about a generally horizontal pivot axis to adjust the angle of the accessory housing with respect to the driver of the vehicle.
The head portion may be articulatably mounted to the upper portion of the mounting portion and may be articulatable relative to the mounting portion about a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis comprises a generally horizontal pivot axis when the mounting portion is mounted to the first attachment member. The head portion may be articulatable between a mounting orientation or folded orientation, where the head portion is positioned to be generally along the mounting portion, and an in-use orientation or non-folded orientation, where the head portion extends generally horizontally and rearwardly from the upper portion with respect to the vehicle when the mounting portion is mounted to the first attachment member. The head portion may be articulatable to the mounting orientation to facilitate mounting of the accessory module assembly to the first mirror attachment member. The head portion may extend generally horizontally and rearwardly with respect to the vehicle and generally above the mirror casing when the mounting portion is mounted to the first attachment member and when the head portion is in the in-use orientation and when the interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted to the second mounting member. The accessory module assembly may comprise a biasing element which biases the head portion toward the in-use orientation relative to the mounting portion.
Optionally, the head portion may comprise a display element and/or a user input device associated with the accessory. The display element and/or user input device may be viewable and/or user accessible above the mirror casing when the mirror assembly is mounted to the second attachment member.
Optionally, the at least one accessory may comprise at least two accessories. The accessories of the head portion may at least comprise a compass sensor and a compass display, or a microphone and a user input device (where the accessory module may provide a vehicular telecommunication function and/or a telephonic function), or a user input device and a garage door opener device (where the garage door opener device is operable to actuate a garage door opener for opening a garage door) or the like.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an accessory system for a vehicle comprises a vehicle windshield having a first attachment member affixed thereto, an accessory module assembly comprising a mounting portion and a head portion, and an interior rearview mirror assembly. The mounting portion is configured to mount to the first attachment member and to extend generally upward when mounted to the first attachment member. The mounting portion has a second attachment member. The head portion is pivotally attached to the mounting portion and houses electronic circuitry of at least one accessory. The interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror casing and a reflective element and is mountable to the second attachment member. The head portion of the accessory module assembly extends from the mounting portion generally above the mirror casing, such that the head portion is viewable and/or user accessible above the mirror casing when the mirror assembly is mounted to the second attachment member.
According to another aspect of the prese
DeWard Joshua L.
Lynam Niall R.
Schofield Kenneth
Whitehead Peter J.
Donnelly Corporation
Sikder Mohammad
Van Dyke Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
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