Integrated side view mirror assembly and electrical port for an automotive vehicle
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsBala S. Chander, Duane M. Grider
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical port is integrated with a side view mirror assembly of an automotive vehicle. The electrical port is electrically connected to at least one heater in the vehicle. The electrical port is configured to receive electrical power from a power source external to the vehicle to power the heater. The electrical port may be concealed or exposed depending on a position of the side view mirror assembly.
Claims20
A heating system for an automotive vehicle, the heating system comprising:
- an electrical port integrated with a side view mirror assembly, the electrical port being configured to receive electrical power from a power source external to the automotive vehicle and being electrically connected to at least one heater in the automotive vehicle.
A side view mirror assembly for an automotive vehicle including a system for controlling heating of at least one of an engine and a battery in the automotive vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- a base attached to the vehicle;
- a mirror housing extending from the base;
- and
- an electrical port configured to receive electrical power from an electrical power source external to the vehicle and being electrically connected to the system for controlling heating of at least one of the engine and the battery in the automotive vehicle.
A method of controllably heating at least one of an engine and a battery in an automotive vehicle, the method comprising:
- moving a mirror housing from a first position to a second position to expose an electrical port;
- and
- coupling the electrical port to an electrical power source external to the automotive vehicle to provide electrical power to heat at least one of the engine and the battery in the automotive vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.