Multi-sensor, multi-axis mirror positioning system

A rearview assembly comprising:

• a mount having an arm with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a first ball joint portion;
• a main unit including a front face secured to a housing, the housing having a first socket disposed on an interior thereof adjacent an aperture disposed opposite the front face, the first socket rotatably receiving the first ball joint portion such that the first ball joint portion of the mount is at least partially disposed within the housing and such that the main unit is articulable on the mount by rotation about three perpendicular axes;
• first and second magnets positioned within the first ball joint portion and mutually spaced apart to define a first rotationally asymmetric combined magnetic field within the housing;
• first and second sensors positioned within the housing and being mutually spaced apart so as to be collectively operably associated with the first combined magnetic field, articulation of the main unit on the mount causing movement of the first and second sensors with respect to the first and second magnets;
• a processor in communication with the first and second sensors to receive magnetic field information related to the first combined magnetic field from the first sensor and second sensor and to determine a rotational position of the main unit in relation to the mount about each of the three perpendicular axes based on a combination of the magnetic field information from the first sensor and the second sensor.

A rearview positioning system comprising:

• a mount having an arm with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a first ball joint portion, the mount being coupleable within a vehicle interior;
• a main unit including a front face secured to a housing, the housing having a first socket disposed on an interior thereof adjacent an aperture disposed opposite the front face, the socket rotatably receiving the first ball joint portion such that the first ball joint portion of the mount is at least partially disposed within the housing and such that the main unit is articulable on the mount by rotation about three perpendicular axes;
• first and second magnets being mutually spaced apart to define a rotationally asymmetric combined magnetic field;
• first and second sensors being mutually spaced apart so as to be collectively operably associated with the combined magnetic field, articulation of the main unit on the mount causing movement of the first and second sensors with respect to the first and second magnets;
• and
• a processor in communication with the first and second sensors;
• wherein:
• one of the first and second sensors or the first and second magnets are mounted in a fixed position relative to the vehicle interior;
• the other of the first and second sensors or the first and second magnets are mounted within the main unit;
• and the processor is configured to receive magnetic field information related to the combined magnetic field from the first sensor and second sensor and to determine a position of the main unit in relation to the mount about each of the three perpendicular axes based on a combination of the magnetic field information from the first sensor and the second sensor.