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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.