Sensing mirror position in a powered mirror positioning system
AssigneeEaton Corporation
InventorPeter M. Jacobsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An axial lead screw having one end pivotally connected to a rearview mirror is threadedly engaged by a motor driven worm gear, which upon rotation effects axial movement of the lead screw. A pair of flux collectors are disposed on opposite sides of the lead screw adjacent the distal end. A Hall effect sensor is disposed in one of the flux collectors. The distal end of the lead screw is magnetized and the Hall effect sensor provides a signal indicative of the lead screw movement. In one embodiment, the lead screw is magnetized; and, in another embodiment a permanent magnet is inserted in a bore in the distal end of the lead screw.
Claims14
A mirror position sensing system comprising:
- (a) a mirror housing;
- (b) a mirror mounted for pivotal movement in said housing;
- (c) a motor associated with said housing;
- (d) an actuator member operatively connected for effecting said mirror movement, said actuator having oppositely disposed magnetic poles thereon;
- (e) drive means operatively connecting said actuator member with said motor;
- (f) a conductive member disposed adjacent said actuator;
- and,
- (g) circuit means connected to said conductive member operative for detecting the change in electrical signal generated by movement of said actuator magnetic pole with respect to said conductive member.
A method of indicating the position of a power adjusted mirror comprising:
- (a) mounting a mirror for pivotal movement on a housing;
- (b) connecting a motorized actuator to the mirror;
- (c) providing a pair of oppositely disposed magnetic poles on the actuator;
- (d) disposing a conductive member adjacent said actuator;
- (e) sensing the electric signal generated in said conductive member by the movement of said actuator magnetic poles;
- and,
- (f) detecting the change in sensed electric signal as an indication of actuator movement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.