`
`
`
`MOTHERSON
`EXHIBIT 1006
`
`MOTHERSON
`
`EXHIBIT 1006
`
`

`

`(12) United States Patent
`Schnell et al.
`
`USOO6672731B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,672,731 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jan. 6, 2004
`
`(54) VEHICULAR REARVIEW MIRROR WITH
`BLND SPOT VIEWING SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors: Robert E. Schnell, West Olive, MI
`(US); David K. Willmore, Holland, MI
`(US); Richard J. Weber, Grand Haven
`s
`s
`s
`MI (US)
`(73) Assignee: Donnelly Corporation, Holland, MI
`(US)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 46 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/991,463
`22) Filled:
`Nov. 16, 2001
`(22) File
`OW. 16,
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2002/0159171 A1 Oct. 31, 2002
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/252,149, filed on Nov. 20,
`2000.
`
`(51) Int. Cl." ................................................ GO2B 7/182
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 359/877; 35.9/873; 35.9/874;
`359/875
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 359/877,873,
`359/874, 875, 872, 850, 855, 865, 843,
`841, 849
`
`(56)
`
`5,097,362 A 3/1992 Lynas ......................... 359/843
`5,115,352 A 5/1992 do Espirito Santo ........ 359/855
`5,140,455 A 8/1992 Varaprasad et al.......... 359/275
`5,142,407 A 8/1992 Varaprasad et al.......... 359/276
`5,151,816 A 9/1992 Varaprasad et al. - - - - - - - - - 359/275
`5,159,497 A 10/1992 Lynas ......................... 359/843
`5,189,561 A 2/1993 Hong ......................... 359/843
`5,293,265 A
`3/1994 Aleshin et al. ............. 359/198
`5,311,368 A 5/1994 Tsuyama .................... 359/874
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`392.6560 A1
`2/1991
`DE
`551246 A1
`7/1993
`EP
`6483431
`3/1989
`JP
`6191349
`7/1994
`JP
`Primary Examiner Mohammad Sikder
`y
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn &
`Burkhart, LLP
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A vehicular exterior rearview mirror blind Spot viewing
`System includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly which
`enables moving the reflective mirror element to an alternate
`position for viewing of areas adjacent the vehicle which
`otherwise would be hidden in the driver's blind spot. The
`blind Spot System includes a reflective mirror element
`mounted on a pivot member Such as an electric actuator for
`adjusting the field of view of the mirror element for different
`drivers about an axis which is preferably centered on the
`mirror element. A Support member has a joint Spaced later
`ally of the axis and pivotally connected to the pivot member
`for moving the mirror element between a first rearward
`References Cited
`Viewing position and a blind spot viewing position. A power
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Source Such as an electric motor is preferably mounted on
`the pivot member and is spaced from the Support member
`4,105,301 A 8/1978 Doeg ......................... 350/289
`joint, and includes a threaded member pivotally connected
`4,712.879 A 12/1987 Lynam et al...
`... 350/357
`to the Support member and driven by a gear. The electric
`4,792.220 A 12/1988 Janowicz ...
`... 350/637
`motor is preferably connected via a control circuit to a
`E. A : 3.
`they - - -
`- - - - S.
`4.940,322. A 7/1990 Hamamoto et al. ......... 350/637 fit sh as in the ping
`pass tO
`4,971,430 A 11/1990 Lynas ...............
`soos
`allow nearlver to pivot une Support member and mirror
`5,033,835 A 7/1991 Platzer, Jr. .
`... 350/637
`element for blind spot viewing when desired.
`5,035,496 A 7/1991. An ............
`... 350/605
`5,050,977 A
`9/1991 Platzer, Jr. .................. 359/866
`
`2- Y-
`
`IllCKCI . . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`- - - -
`
`
`
`49 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 1
`
`

`

`US 6,672,731 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,479.297 A 12/1995 Summers .................... 359/841
`5,497,306 A 3/1996 Pastrick ........
`... 362/83.1
`5,500,766 A 3/1996 Stonecypher ............... 359/605
`5,519,336 A 5/1996 Russell ....................... 350/289
`5,668,663 A
`9/1997 Varaprasad et al.
`... 359/608
`5,669,699 A 9/1997 Pastricket al. ..
`362/83.1
`5,745,310 A * 4/1998 Mathieu .......
`... 359/843
`5,823,654. A 10/1998 Pastricket al. ..
`362/83.1
`5,900,999 A 5/1999 Huizenga et al.
`... 359/877
`5,910,854 A 6/1999 Varaprasad et al. ......... 359/273
`
`5,986,364 A 11/1999 Bingle et al. ................. 31.0/51
`6,019,475 A 2/2000 Lynam et al. ............... 359/879
`6,094,027 A 7/2000 Willmore et al. ........... 318/652
`6,116,742 A 9/2000 Ahn .................
`359/843
`6,168.279 B1
`1/2001 Schnell ....
`359/872
`6,176,602 B1
`1/2001 Pastrick et al. ...
`... 362/494
`6.213,612 B1
`4/2001 Schnell et al. .............. 359/877
`6.243,218 B1
`6/2001 Whitehead .....
`359/877
`6,276.821 B1
`8/2001 Pastricket al. ............. 362/494
`6,485,155 B1
`11/2002 Duroux et al. .............. 359/877
`* cited by examiner
`
`
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 17
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`|
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`||
`
`
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 3
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 2 of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 3 of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 5
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 4 of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 6
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`

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`Sheet 5 of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`
`
`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 7
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 6 of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 8
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 7 of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 8 of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 9 of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 11
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 10 Of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 11 Of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 13
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 12 Of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 13 Of 17
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 6, 2004
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`Sheet 17 of 17
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`US 6,672,731 B2
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 19
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`

`

`1
`VEHICULAR REARVIEW MIRROR WITH
`BLND SPOT VIEWING SYSTEM
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`This application claims priority from U.S. provisional
`patent application Ser. No. 60/252,149, filed Nov. 20, 2000,
`the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference
`herein in its entirety.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to exterior rearview mirrors for
`vehicles and, more particularly, to a vehicular rearview
`mirror System allowing repositioning of the mirror reflector
`for desired time periods to View areas adjacent the vehicle
`which otherwise would be hidden from view in the driver's
`blind Spot to improve Safety during lane changes, merging
`with or passing of other vehicles.
`Continuing efforts to improving occupant Safety in the
`automotive and vehicular industry has recently focussed
`attention on the unsafe condition when driving a vehicle
`known as the “blind spot.” In the typical rearview mirror
`System incorporated in most vehicles today, an interior
`rearview mirror assembly is mounted on the inside of the
`vehicle and includes a mirror reflector used by the driver to
`view rearwardly of the vehicle to judge traffic to allow
`passing, lane changes, operation in reverse and the like. In
`conjunction with the interior rearview mirror assembly, a
`passenger Side and/or driver Side exterior mirror assemblies
`are normally used by the driver to extend the field of view
`both laterally and rearwardly of the vehicle. However, when
`using both the interior and exterior mirror reflectors of Such
`assemblies, a driver normally encounters an area next to the
`vehicle that cannot be viewed with either the interior or
`exterior mirror reflector. When passing another vehicle,
`changing lanes on a highway or merging into freeway traffic,
`Such a blind Spot experienced by the driver using existing
`mirror Systems can often hide an adjacent vehicle leading to
`potentially injurious conditions or accidents.
`To improve a driver's vision and help reduce blind spots
`while driving, a blind Spot actuator can be added to an
`exterior rearview mirror assembly which will quickly repo
`sition the reflective Surface of the mirror when activated
`Such that the blind Spot size decreases greatly or is elimi
`nated. When deactivated, the blind Spot actuator quickly
`returns the reflective mirror Surface to its original position
`for normal rearward Viewing.
`A variety of blind Spot actuators have been previously
`proposed. One prior known assembly includes a hinge plate,
`Spring and electric motor combination incorporated in the
`exterior rearview mirror. When in the normal driving
`position, the electric motor is deactivated and the Spring is
`retracted. However, when activated, the electrical motor
`drives a gear mechanism to change the angular position of
`the mirror. Electric power is continuously Supplied to the
`motor in order to hold the mirror in the extended position.
`When power is removed, the force applied by the motor is
`removed and the Spring applies a return force to the mirror
`which urges the mirror back to its normal position. Such an
`assembly, however, requires the motor to be in a Stall
`position with electrical power applied as long as the driver
`desires to view the blind spot. Since the blind spot actuator
`will be used very frequently by a vehicle driver, the large
`cycle requirement for the assembly in which the Stall posi
`tion is maintained in each cycle reduces the life of the
`electric motor.
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`In addition to Severe requirements for the drive motor, the
`above System may experience Significant Vibration distor
`tion for the driver when viewing the system while driving on
`a highway. For example, the Spring which is extended when
`the blind Spot actuator is activated is in a relaxed position
`when the reflective surface is in the normal position. This
`allows road shocks and other vibration to affect the mirror.
`In addition, the drive motor assembly is attached to the
`mirror holder. Such additional weight of the drive motor
`may degrade the vibration performance of the reflective
`Surface.
`Further, many prior known electrically operated blind
`spot actuator systems such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No.
`4,834,522 to Janowicz U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,971,430; 5,097,362;
`and 5,159,497 to Lynas; U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,835 to Platzer,
`Jr.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,310 to Mathieu have rotated the
`reflective Surface of the mirror about a pivot axis centered
`within a Surrounding mirror housing. Because of Such
`positioning, the remote ends of the reflective mirror Surface
`must travel a significant distance within the housing to
`accommodate all necessary adjustment positions. Such
`movement requires additional Space within the mirror hous
`ing and reduces the amount of available housing area useful
`for positioning other required mirror assembly components.
`In addition, the pivot supports for the reflective mirror
`element in Such prior known Systems including the above
`Janowicz, Lynas and Mathieu patents have been of Signifi
`cant size and cause the reflective mirror Surface to be
`positioned a large distance from the center of the adjustment
`mechanism. This likewise decreases vibration performance
`of the overall assembly and creates manufacturing difficul
`ties in forming an interchangeable System in which a single
`mirror housing can include either a blind spot actuator or a
`normal mirror glass as desired.
`Therefore, prior known blind Spot actuating Systems for
`rearview mirror assemblies have Suffered from a lack of
`reliability and short cycle life, decreased vibration
`performance, a lack of efficient use of Space within the
`mirror housing, and reduced ability to provide System inter
`changeability.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Accordingly, the present invention provides a vehicular
`exterior rearview mirror assembly blind Spot viewing System
`which overcomes problems encountered with the prior
`known Systems and provides a versatile, lower cost, reliable
`blind Spot actuator having improved vibration performance
`for use on vehicles Such as automobiles and truckS.
`In one form, the invention is an exterior rearview mirror
`assembly blind Spot viewing System for Vehicles comprising
`an exterior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective
`mirror element, and a pivot member for pivotally mounting
`the reflective mirror element on the assembly to adjust the
`position of the mirror element for different fields of view for
`different vehicle drivers. The pivot member pivotally
`mounts the mirror element on an axis generally aligned with
`the center of the mirror element. A Support member includes
`a joint for movably mounting the reflective mirror element
`between a first rearward Viewing position and a blind Spot
`Viewing position. The joint is spaced laterally outwardly of
`the center axis. A motive power Source is provided for
`moving the Support member and the reflective mirror ele
`ment on the joint between the first rearward Viewing position
`and the blind Spot viewing position. The motive power
`Source includes an electric motor, a gear and a threaded
`member driven for extension and retraction by the electric
`
`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 20
`
`

`

`3
`motor and gear. The blind Spot viewing position provides an
`enhanced field of view for the vehicle driver in the area
`adjacent the vehicle on which the assembly is mounted.
`In another form of the invention, the pivot member
`pivotally mounts the mirror element on an axis at a prede
`termined position with respect to the mirror element. The
`joint of the Support member is spaced laterally on one side
`of the axis at a first position, while the motive power Source
`including an electric motor, gear and threaded member is
`mounted on the pivot member at a position Spaced laterally
`on another side of the axis generally opposite to the first
`position.
`In a further form of the invention, the motive power
`Source including an electric motor, gear and threaded mem
`ber is mounted on the pivot member at a position Spaced
`15
`from the axis, while the threaded member is pivotally
`Secured to the pivot member.
`Preferably, the threaded member may include a threaded
`post pivotally joined to the Support member. Alternately, the
`electric motor includes a crank member pivotally Secured
`between the motor, gear and Support member. In yet another
`form, the threaded member, which is extended and retracted
`by the motor and gear, may include a push/pull cable
`connected to the Support member.
`In a preferred form of the invention, the pivot member
`includes an actuator for adjusting the mirror element
`position, the actuator preferably being an electric actuator
`remotely controlled from the interior of the vehicle on which
`the assembly is mounted. The Support member is movably
`mounted on the pivot member such that the joint therebe
`tween positioned adjacent the peripheral edge of the mirror
`element. More preferably, the Support member may include
`a backing member Secured to the mirror element while the
`assembly includes a housing. The actuator is fixedly
`mounted to the housing and the pivot member includes a
`pivot plate pivotally Secured to the actuator on the center
`axis. The joint extends between the pivot plate and the
`backing member.
`In another form of the invention, the assembly includes a
`housing and a mounting plate within the housing. The pivot
`member includes an actuator, Such as an electric actuator, for
`adjusting the mirror element position, the actuator being
`fixedly mounted on the Support member. The joint extends
`between the Support member and the mounting plate Such
`that when the mirror assembly is moved to the blind spot
`Viewing position, the Support member, pivot member includ
`ing the actuator and the reflective mirror element are all
`moved in unison.
`In various other forms of the invention, the motive power
`Source may include a muscle wire or an electric Solenoid and
`one of various forms of connection to the Support member.
`In other preferred aspects of the invention, an electrical
`control for the motive power Source is provided for ease of
`use by all vehicle drivers. In one form, a Switch may be
`activated by the driver to move the reflective mirror element
`to the blind Spot viewing position and to return to the normal
`rearward Viewing position upon release of the Switch. A
`current limiting device is preferably incorporated to limit the
`current applied to the electric motor or to shut off the electric
`current when the motor is in the blind Spot viewing position.
`Alternately, other Switch devices could be used Such as a
`push-push Switch in which the driver pushes a button or
`other activating member to move the reflective mirror ele
`ment to the blind Spot viewing position and pushes the same
`activating member to return the mirror element to its normal
`rearward Viewing position when desired. Alternately, an
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`on/off type switch can be used to move the reflective mirror
`element to its blind Spot viewing position after which the
`Switch is moved to the alternate position to return the mirror
`element to its normal rearward Viewing position.
`The present invention overcomes numerous problems
`encountered with prior blind Spot viewing Systems in eXte
`rior Vehicular rearview mirrors by providing a reliable, long
`lasting easily manufactured assembly which allows momen
`tary actuation to view the blind Spot area when changing
`lanes, merging, or passing another vehicle without requiring
`Significantly increased space within the rearview mirror
`housing. One of Several types of electric drive motors can be
`incorporated which do not require continued application of
`electric power while in the blind Spot viewing position and,
`therefore, have significantly increased life span and cycle
`capacity. In addition, the Structure of the present invention
`improves vibration performance over other known Systems
`and reduces unwanted blurring in the reflective mirror
`element when viewed by the vehicle driver. In addition, the
`blind Spot viewing System of the present invention may be
`incorporated in an exterior rearview mirror on either the
`driver or passenger Side of the vehicle to enable viewing of
`blind spots on either side of the vehicle.
`These and other objects, advantages, purposes and fea
`tures of the invention will become more apparent from a
`Study of the following description taken in conjunction with
`the drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic illustrations of the normal
`rearward Viewing areas visible in a driver's Side exterior
`vehicular rearview mirror and the enhanced/increased View
`ing area visible when the reflective mirror element is moved
`to the preferred blind Spot viewing position;
`FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view of one of embodiment of
`an exterior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorpo
`rating a blind Spot viewing System of the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is an elevation of the rear facing side of the
`reflective mirror element support member of the assembly of
`FIG. 2 taken along plane III-III of FIG. 2;
`FIGS. 4A-4E are a series of partial sections illustrating
`the assembly Sequence for attaching the mirror element
`support member to the pivot member in FIG. 2;
`FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the blind spot viewing system
`of the rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 2 taken along plane
`IV- IV of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the blind spot viewing system
`of the assembly of FIG. 2 taken along plane VI-VI of FIG.
`3;
`FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the blind spot viewing
`system of FIG. 2 including the mirror element electric
`actuatOr,
`FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the electric motor and
`drive system for the blind spot viewing system of FIGS. 2,
`3 and 5-7;
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view with portions broken away of
`another embodiment of the exterior rearview mirror assem
`bly for vehicles incorporating a blind Spot viewing System
`similar to that of FIGS. 2, 3 and 5-7 but having a modified
`electric motor drive assembly;
`FIG.10 is a plan view of the electric motor drive assembly
`of FIG. 9 illustrating the electric motor, gear drive and
`threaded post;
`FIG. 11 is an exploded, perspective view of the electric
`motor drive assembly of FIG. 10;
`
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`US 6,672,731 B2
`
`S
`FIGS. 12A and 12B are sectional elevations taken along
`plane XII-XII of FIG. 10 with the threaded post in its
`retracted and extended positions,
`FIGS. 13A and 13B are sectional views taken along plane
`XIII-XIII of FIG. 10 also illustrating the threaded post of
`the assembly in retracted and extended positions,
`FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views of an alternate
`electric motor and drive assembly for the blind spot viewing
`System;
`FIGS. 15A and 15B are perspective views of another
`alternate electric motor and drive assembly for the blind spot
`Viewing System;
`FIGS. 16A and 16B are perspective views of yet another
`electric motor and drive assembly for the blind spot viewing
`system of FIG. 2;
`FIGS. 17A and 17B are perspective views of an electric
`Solenoid drive useful in the blind spot viewing system of
`FIG. 2;
`FIG. 18 is a sectional plan view of an alternate embodi
`ment of the rearview mirror assembly incorporating a blind
`Spot viewing System of the present invention using a cable
`drive assembly;
`FIG. 19 is a rear elevation of yet another exterior rearview
`mirror assembly for vehicles incorporating an alternate
`embodiment of the blind Spot viewing System of the present
`invention, the reflective mirror element being shown broken
`away to reveal the pivot member Support and pivot axis,
`FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the rearview mirror assem
`bly of FIG. 20 taken along plane XX-XX of FIG. 19;
`FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the rearview mirror assem
`bly of FIG. 19 also taken along plane XX-XX but with the
`reflective mirror element shown pivoted to the blind spot
`Viewing position; and
`FIGS. 22A and 22B are perspective views of the support
`assembly for the reflective mirror element of FIGS. 19-21 in
`the normal rearward Viewing position and in the blind Spot
`Viewing position, respectively.
`FIG. 23 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of an
`exterior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporating
`the blind Spot viewing System of the present invention and
`similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 19-22 but including an
`alternate power Source for the blind Spot viewing System;
`FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the rearview assembly of
`FIG. 23 with the reflective mirror element shown pivoted to
`the blind Spot viewing position; and
`FIGS. 25A and 25B are perspective views of the support
`assembly for the reflective mirror element of FIGS. 23 and
`24 in the normal rear viewing position and in the blind Spot
`Viewing position, respectively.
`
`15
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`25
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`6
`vehicle Acould not view those vehicles in mirror B or would
`see such a small portion thereof that those vehicles would be
`substantially invisible. The area between areas V and V.
`therefore encompasses a blind spot for the driver of vehicle
`A. However, when the reflective mirror element of mirror
`assembly B is pivoted outwardly and at an angle to the
`Vertical which depends on the Specific Vehicle, Such as
`outwardly at approximately 9 at an angle to the vertical of
`approximately 5 down, the driver can view the area V.
`thereby allowing him to View vehicles including
`automobiles, trucks and motorcycles which would otherwise
`be within his or her blind spot thereby substantially increas
`ing the Safety for driving vehicle A Such as during lane
`changes, merging onto freeways, or passing other vehicles.
`Referring now to FIGS. 2-8, a first embodiment 10 of an
`exterior rearview mirror assembly incorporating a blind Spot
`viewing system of the present invention is illustrated. Mirror
`assembly 10 includes a mirror housing 12 which may be
`molded from a Suitable polymeric material for Strength and
`resilience and includes a bezel portion 14 having Side or end
`walls 16a, 16b and an interior wall 18 molded integrally
`there with to include Support Structure for mounting elements
`to be received within the housing 12. Housing 12 also
`includes a forward wall 20 secured to the forward facing
`edge of bezel portion 14 to close the mirror assembly and
`provide an exterior, forward facing Surface which may be
`painted or otherwise finished in a desired color Such as to
`match the exterior color of the vehicle on which the assem
`bly is mounted. Bezel portion 14 defines an interior cavity
`22 and a rear facing opening 24 within which a reflective
`mirror element and its Support Structure is mounted.
`AS is best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5-8, a reflective mirror
`element 30, preferably formed from a sheet of planar or
`curved glass and having a coating of conventionally known
`reflective material Such as aluminum, chrome or alloys
`thereof on its first or front Surface or on its Second or rear
`Surface, is mounted on a mirror holder or Support member 32
`having an elongated Shape. Support member 32 is preferably
`molded from a resinous polymeric material and includes an
`upstanding lip or edge 34 at its periphery, a forwardly
`extending, molded rib 36 adjacent the periphery for provid
`ing StiffneSS and Strength, and a Series of J-shaped projecting
`clip-like hinge members 38 aligned with one another adja
`cent the periphery of Support member 32 near its outer edge
`35. Mirror element 30 is preferably secured by a suitable
`adhesive on the rearward facing surface 39 of the Support
`member. Preferably, support member 32 is hingedly secured
`to a molded, resinous polymeric pivot member or pivot plate
`40 which may be mounted either on a manual or electric
`actuator for adjusting the position of the pivot member,
`support member and reflective mirror element for different
`fields of view for different vehicle drivers from a remote
`position typically within the passenger compartment of the
`vehicle on which the mirror assembly is mounted.
`Preferably, pivot plate 40 includes a forwardly extending,
`upstanding circular rib 42 which is received around the
`periphery of a correspondingly shaped actuator mount 52
`which, in turn, is universally pivotally Secured to the rear
`ward facing side of an electric actuator 50 via a pivot 54
`(FIG. 5). Electric actuator 50 may be any of numerous
`conventional electric actuator units a Suitable one of which
`may be obtained from Donnelly Corporation of Holland,
`Mich., under Model No. D16 or MM1 or such as those
`actuators disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,999, No. 5,986,
`364, No. 6,168.279, No. 6,213,612, No. 6,243,218, and No.
`6,094,027, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated
`by reference herein. Actuator 50 is fixedly secured within the
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`55
`Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIGS. 1A
`and 1B illustrate a typical driving Situation in which a driver
`in a vehicle A Such as an automobile or truck uses a driver's
`side exterior rearview mirror B for rearward viewing of
`traffic which may be approaching or present to the rear of
`vehicle A. From the typical driver's position with exterior
`mirror assembly B properly adjusted, the driver can view
`areas V and V via the mirror. AS Such, area V would
`encompass and provide a view of other automobiles or
`trucks C or motorcycles D which are sufficiently to the rear
`of vehicle A. However, for vehicles or motorcycles C or D
`in the area between Viewing areas V and V2, the driver of
`
`65
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`60
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`Motherson Innovations v. Magna Mirrors
`Motherson Exhibit 1006, Page 22
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`

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`7
`interior of housing 14 on interior wall 18. Pivot plate 40 also
`includes an axle 44 spaced forwardly of the forward surface
`of pivot member 40 on upstanding legs or projections 46
`(FIGS. 4,5 and 7). Axle 44, which can be formed from metal
`or plastic, Such as by molding the axle with pivot plate 40,
`is adapted to snap fit within hinge members 38 as will be
`described more fully below. As will also be described more
`fully below, axle 44 is positioned at an angle to the vertical
`such that when support member 32 is pivoted to the blind
`Spot viewing position with mirror element 30, an appropriate
`blind Spot viewing area will be seen in the mirror Surface.
`As shown in FIGS. 5-8, a motive power source 60 is
`mounted on the interior, forward side of pivot plate 40
`adjacent the end of the pivot plate which is opposite to the
`end which includes axle 44 on the opposite side of the
`actuator mounting rib 42. Pivot plate 40 includes an upstand
`ing cylindrical rib 47 on the interior surface of plate 40
`Spaced radially outwardly from an aperture 48 through
`which an actuating member comprising a threaded rod 74 or
`the like is driven to move Support member 32 and reflective
`mirror element 30 in unison to the blind spot viewing
`position. Secured to the mounting area adjacent aperture 48
`and rib 47 is a power source assembly 60 including an
`electric motor 62 and a gear drive assembly 64. Gear drive
`assembly 64 includes a generally cylindrical outer shell or
`housing 66 having a cylindrical base portion 66a and an
`integral, upstanding conical portion 66b. Housing 66 is
`adhered or otherwise secured to the interior side of pivot
`plate 40 adjacent rib 47 such that it is coaxial with aperture
`48 and has its weight Supported by plate 40.
`AS is best seen in FIGS. 5-8, electric motor 62 is mounted
`on pivot plate 40 adjacent gear drive assembly 64. Motor 62
`includes a drive shaft 68 on which a worm gear 70 is
`mounted for engagement with a ring gear 72 rotatably
`mounted within cylindrical housing portion 66a as shown in
`FIGS. 5 and 6. Ring gear 72 is internally threaded for
`engagement with threaded post 74 which, when ring gear 72
`is driven by motor 62 via shaft and worm gear 70, extends
`or retracts the threaded post as well as pivot Support member
`or mirror holder 32 toward and away from pivot plate 40. At
`the upper end of threaded post 74 is a ball member 76
`integrally formed therewith for receipt in a socket 37 formed
`on the interior side of Support member 32. Socket 37 is
`positioned on the opposite side of actuator 50 from hinge
`members 38 (see FIGS. 3 and 8). When threaded post 74 is
`extended and retracted to pivot Support member 32 and,
`thus, reflective mirror element 30 about axle 44 on hinge
`members 38, the threaded post can tilt or shift laterally to
`accommodate the pivotal movement of Support member 32
`as compared to the axis of aperture 48 and housing 66 as
`shown in FIG. 6. Preferably, electric motor 62 is of the type
`manufactured by Mabuchi Motor of Japan under Model No.
`FK 130 R