Mirror arrangement for motor vehicles
AssigneeLang-Mekra North America, LLC
InventorsHeinrich Lang, Michael Witzke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mirror arrangement for a vehicle having a functional device, control apparatus, and a mode switch located in a mirror housing is provided. An activation device is provided to activate the mode switch for maintenance of the functional device. Various embodiments and related methods are also provided.
Claims49
(New) A mirror arrangement affixable to a vehicle comprising:
- a mirror housing with a mirror pane;
- a functional device disposed in the mirror housing, the functional device configured to change a presentation of the mirror pane;
- a control apparatus disposed in the mirror housing, the control apparatus in communication with the functional device;
- and
- a mode switch disposed in the housing in communication with the control apparatus, the mode switch configured to be magnetically activated by a magnetic activation device, the activated mode switch and control apparatus cooperable to effect at least one operational mode of the functional device.
(New) The mirror arrangement of claim 22, wherein the mode switch is located proximate the mirror pane.
(New) The mirror arrangement of claim 24, wherein the activation device is a permanent magnet, the permanent magnet configured to activate the mode switch from a position proximate the mode switch.
(New) The mirror arrangement of claim 27, wherein the mirror pane has at least one shaped area and the marking template has at least one complementary shaped area such that the marking template can be oriented positively on the mirror pane to indicate the position of the mode switch.
(New) The mirror arrangement of claim 30, wherein the flexible extension defines the at least one indicator and a legend thereon signifying a function of the mode switch.
(New) A service kit for a vehicle mirror assembly having a housing defining an exterior and an interior, a control apparatus, at least one functional device, and a mode switch disposed in the interior, and a mirror pane attached to the exterior, the service kit comprising:
- a template configured to be removably positioned proximate the mirror pane to mark externally a position of the mode switch;
- an activation device configured to selectively activate the mode switch, the mode switch in electronic communication with the control apparatus and configured to activate a software program in the control apparatus to effect a discrete mode of operation by the at least one functional device.
(New) A method of diagnostically servicing a vehicle mirror assembly having a mirror housing with at least one mirror pane, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing an activation device configured to selectively activate from external the mirror housing a mode switch disposed in the mirror housing, the mode switch in communication with a control apparatus configured to activate a mode of operation of a functional device disposed in the mirror housing.
- b) providing an indicator template to indicate a position of the mode switch, the indicator template defining a complementary shape to a shape of the at least one mirror pane for positive external placement proximate the at least one mirror pane;
- c) positioning the indicator template proximate the at least one mirror pane to indicate the position of the mode switch;
- d) ascertaining the mode of operation of the mode switch from a legend disposed on the indicator template;
- e) programming an activation signal of the activation device to correspond to the ascertained mode of operation;
- f) positioning the activation device proximate the mode switch as indicated by the indicator template;
- and
- g) delivering the activation signal from the activation device to the mode switch to activate the mode of operation of the functional device for a diagnostic service.
(New) A method of diagnostically servicing a vehicle mirror assembly having a mirror housing with a plurality of mirror panes, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a magnetic activation device configured to selectively activate from external the mirror housing a plurality of mode switches disposed in the mirror housing;
- b) providing an indicator template configured for placement proximate the plurality of mirror panes, the indicator template defining a plurality of complementary shapes corresponding to the plurality of mirror panes;
- c) placing the indicator template proximate the plurality of mirror panes to indicate a plurality of positions corresponding to the plurality of mode switches;
- and
- d) selectively activating at least one of the mode switches to effect an operation of a functional device disposed in the mirror housing.
(New) A mirror arrangement for a vehicle comprising:
- a mirror housing with a mirror pane and a functional device disposed in the mirror housing, the functional device configured to change a presentation of the mirror pane;
- and
- a magnetic activation device configured for placement proximate the mirror housing to effect at least one operational mode of the functional device.
(New) A method of servicing a vehicle mirror assembly comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a mirror housing with a mirror pane;
- b) providing a magnetic activation device configured to selectively activate a mode switch disposed in the mirror housing, the magnetic activation device operable from external the mirror housing;
- c) placing the magnetic activation device proximate the mirror housing to selectively activate the mode switch;
- and
- d) activating a mode of operation of a functional device disposed in the mirror housing, the mode of operation configured for a diagnostic service.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.