Motorized vehicle mirror actuator
AssigneeRami-Vision System, LLC
InventorKurt L. Lohss
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A motorized mirror actuator is disclosed which includes a movable ramp having upwardly facing angled surfaces for urging a cam element in and out of the normal viewing position, thereby moving the rear view mirror into a position which will enable the driver to see his blind spot. A small electric motor is sufficient to drive the mirror in and out of the appropriate angle for viewing the “blind spot” for the driver of the vehicle.
Claims11
A blind spot alleviating side mounted rearview mirror that temporarily moves the rearview mirror to allow a vehicle driver to momentarily refocus the mirror on a preselected blind spot to provide clear vision of the blind spot while making lane changes or turns, comprising:
- a movable mirror base plate to which a mirror is mounted;
- an electric motor with a rotational output functioning as a motorized mirror actuator;
- an activation means to operate the electric motor in electrical communication with said electric motor;
- an extension means connected to the output of the electric motor;
- a movable ramp for contacting and riding up and down on the extension means, said movable ramp having at least one angled surface defining a guideway therein;
- a T-bar acting as a cam element affixed to the movable mirror base plate, said T-bar also being cammingly communicating within the guideway defined by the movable ramp and being slidably received therein;
- a biasing spring for automatically returning the movable mirror base plate to its original position after the blind spot has been viewed, without the need for additional motors;
- such that when the electric motor is activated, the extension means becomes extended, thereby lifting the T-bar against the angled surface of the movable ramp, urging the mirror to temporarily refocus on a preselected position for viewing the blind spot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.