Interior mirror assembly with display
AssigneeDonnelly Corporation
InventorsDarryl P. DeWind, Mark E. Kramer, Andrew D. Weller, Peter J. Whitehead, Rodney K. Blank, Niall R. Lynam
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a display screen that is extendable and retractable relative to a casing. The display screen is movably mounted at the casing and movable or slidable in a direction generally parallel to a length axis of the reflective element between a non-use position, where the video display screen is positioned substantially within the casing, and a use position, where the video display screen is substantially extended from a side of the casing for viewing. The display screen may be automatically extended in response to an activating event.
Claims24
An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising:
- an interior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly including a first portion and a second portion;
- said first portion including a reflective element and a mounting element for mounting said mirror assembly at an interior portion of the vehicle;
- said first portion having a first casing element that has a rear surface;
- said mounting element extending rearward from said first portion toward a windshield of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle;
- said second portion including a display screen;
- said second portion having a second casing element;
- said second portion adapted for attaching to said first portion in a manner so that said second portion is movable relative to said first portion;
- said second portion being movable relative to said first portion to move said display screen between a retracted position, where said display screen is positioned substantially at and behind said first portion with said display screen facing said first portion, and an extended position, where said display screen is substantially extended from said first portion at a display side of said mirror assembly for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle;
- said second portion including a slot for at least partially enveloping a portion of said mounting element at least when said second portion is at least partially retracted;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of said rear surface of said first casing element is exposed when said display screen is in said extended position.
An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprising:
- an interior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly including a first portion and a second portion;
- said first portion including a reflective element and a mounting element for mounting said mirror assembly at an interior portion of the vehicle;
- said first portion having a first casing element that has a rear surface;
- said mounting element extending rearward from said first portion toward a windshield of the vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the vehicle;
- said second portion including a display screen;
- said second portion having a second casing element;
- said second portion adapted for attaching to said first portion in a manner so that said second portion is movable relative to said first portion;
- said second portion being movable relative to said first portion to move said display screen between a retracted position, where said display screen is positioned substantially at and behind said first portion with said display screen facing said first portion, and an extended position, where said display screen is substantially extended from said first portion at a display side of said mirror assembly for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle;
- said second portion including a slot therethrough, said slot substantially enveloping a portion of said mounting element throughout the range of movement of said second portion relative to said first portion;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of said second portion moves past said mounting element and toward the opposite side of the mirror assembly from said display side when said second portion is moved toward said retracted position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.