Electrical transmission or interconnection systems – Vehicle mounted systems – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-26
2001-05-08
Paladini, Albert W. (Department: 2836)
Electrical transmission or interconnection systems
Vehicle mounted systems
Automobile
C310S051000, C333S012000, C361S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229226
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to vehicular mirrors, and more particularly, to vehicle mirrors which are electrically adjustable by way of one or more motors in a mirror actuator.
Many of today's automobiles and other types of vehicles include side view, exterior mirrors which can be automatically adjusted by the driver through controls located in the interior of the vehicle. This allows the driver of the vehicle to adjust the mirrors to the desired viewing angle without having to roll down a window and manually adjust the mirrors by hand. The automatic adjustment of the mirrors is typically accomplished through the use of one or more motors positioned inside of the housing of an actuator that positionably supports the mirror. There are customarily two motors inside of the actuator housing which are used to orient the angle of the mirror. Each motor changes the orientation of the mirror in a different orthogonal direction. In some situations a third motor is placed inside the mirror housing which allows the mirror housing to automatically fold with respect to the vehicle when the mirror is not in use. The folding of the mirror reduces the outward extent of the mirror when the vehicle is not in use, or when it is being maneuvered in narrow spaces where the exterior mirrors might otherwise be impacted by surrounding objects.
The motors which adjust the orientation of the mirror and fold the mirror assembly both emit electromagnetic interference when activated. This electromagnetic interference can undesirably interfere with the vehicle's electrical systems. One common form of interference is with the vehicle's radio, if the occupant happens to be listening to the radio while simultaneously adjusting the mirrors. Automobile manufacturers are increasingly demanding that this electromagnetic interference be reduced, especially in the frequency ranges which interfere with the radio signals detected by the vehicle's radio. Accordingly, there is a desire to eliminate such electromagnetic interference. In the past, several techniques have been used for reducing the electromagnetic interference created by vehicle mirror motors. Such techniques have included the use of a rubber ring resistor or a disc varistor positioned within the casing of the motor. While such techniques provide a certain level of noise suppression, it is desirable to provide a system with an improved level of noise suppression.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a vehicular mirror actuator for adjustably positioning a mirror which has an increased level of suppression of its electromagnetic interference. The vehicular exterior mirror actuator includes at least one motor that is adapted to adjustably position the mirror. The motor has first and second inputs for receiving power. A power lead is also provided and adapted to provide power to the motor. An electromagnetic interference suppressor for suppressing the electromagnetic interference is operatively coupled to the power lead and the motor. According to this aspect of the invention the interference suppressor is mounted at least partially externally to the motor casing.
According to another aspect of the invention, the electromagnetic interference suppressor may include a choke operatively coupled between the power leads and the motor. Alternatively, the interference suppressor may include one or more ferrite beads or inductors operatively coupled between the power leads and the motor. The interference suppressor may be mounted on a circuit board or otherwise implemented. The circuit board can either be positioned inside of a housing that houses the mirror actuator, or externally to the mirror actuator housing. When positioned externally to the mirror actuator housing, the circuit board includes electrical connections which extend through the mirror actuator housing and electrically couple to the motors. When the circuit board is positioned internally in the mirror actuator housing, it may be coupled directly to stamped electrical leads that are electrically coupled to one or more motors in the actuator.
According to still further aspects of the present invention, the electromagnetic interference suppressor may include a first and second capacitor coupled between inputs into the vehicle mirror motor and a metallic casing which at least partially surrounds the motor. Additionally, the suppressor may include a capacitor coupled between the first and second inputs to the motor. In still other aspects, the suppressor may include suppression circuitry for a second or third motor. The suppression circuitry for the second or third motor is the same as for the first motor. The one or more motors suppressed by the suppression circuitry may include the motors for adjusting the orientation of the mirror inside of the side view mirror assembly, the motor for folding the entire mirror assembly with respect to the vehicle, or both. The capacitors may be mounted on the circuit board, which may either be internal or external to the mirror actuator housing. In still other aspects, the interference suppressor may include a conductive lining as part of the housing surrounding the actuator. The conductive lining is electrically coupled to one terminal of feed-through capacitors mounted on the housing.
The vehicular mirror actuator of the present invention provides a simple manner of reducing the electromagnetic emissions emitted by motors in electrically adjustable vehicle mirrors. The noise suppression provided by the present invention provides an increased amount of suppression over the known prior art. The vehicular exterior mirror actuator also provides a compact layout for positioning the noise suppression circuitry either inside or outside of the mirror actuator housing. These and other objects, advantages, and benefits of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4105007 (1978-08-01), Mochimaru
patent: 4814687 (1989-03-01), Walker
patent: 5404085 (1995-04-01), Resch et al.
patent: 5909350 (1999-06-01), Anthony
patent: 5942819 (1999-08-01), Burgess et al.
patent: 5963442 (1999-10-01), Yoshida et al.
Kramer Mark E.
Schnell Robert E.
Donnelly Corporation
Paladini Albert W.
Van Dyke Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
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