公开(公告)号：US06364496B1

公开(公告)日：2002-04-02

申请号：US09830125

申请日：2001-04-23

Applicant: Ian Boddy ,  Keith D. Foote ,  James A. Ruse

Inventor： Ian Boddy ,  Keith D. Foote ,  James A. Ruse

IPC: G02B7182

CPC classification number: B60R1/072

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly having a pivot structure and first and second pairs of helical structures consisting of shape memory alloy wires which serve to adjust the position of the mirror. The wires may be individually heated by conducting an electrical current to effect the contracted memory position. When the current is switched off, a wire cools and can easily be stretched to mechanically transform the wire to a martensitic phase.

Abstract translation: 具有枢转结构的后视镜组件以及由形状记忆合金线组成的第一和第二对螺旋结构，其用于调整反射镜的位置。 可以通过传导电流来单独加热导线以实现收缩的存储器位置。 当电流关闭时，电线冷却并且可以容易地被拉伸以将电线机械地转换成马氏体相。

公开(公告)号：US06213609B1

公开(公告)日：2001-04-10

申请号：US09545936

申请日：2000-04-10

Applicant: Keith D. Foote ,  Ian Boddy ,  Kenneth C. Peterson

Inventor： Keith D. Foote ,  Ian Boddy ,  Kenneth C. Peterson

IPC: G02B508

CPC classification number: B60R1/074 ,  B60R1/078 ,  Y10S248/90

Abstract: A mirror assembly for use on an automotive vehicle comprises a support base for mounting the mirror assembly to the vehicle. A support arm extends longitudinally between a proximal end pivotally coupled to the support base and an opposite distal end. The mirror assembly further includes a housing coupled to the support arm and slidable between a retracted position adjacent to the proximal end and an extended position adjacent to the distal end and spaced from the proximal end. A glass mirror pane is operatively coupled to the housing for providing a reflective view from the mirror assembly. The mirror assembly also includes a drive mechanism coupled between the Support arm and the housing for providing, both power actuated and manual sliding movement of the housing along the support arm between the retracted position and the extended position. The drive mechanism includes a drive screw rotated by a motor for engaging and driving a drive nut coupled to the housing along the longitudinal length of the drive screw. A clutch mechanism allows the drive nut to freely rotate about the drive screw to manually adjust the position of the housing along the support arm. The mirror assembly further includes a pivot mechanism coupled between the support base and the support arm for providing both power actuated and manual pivoting movement of the support arm between an unfolded position extending laterally from the vehicle and a folded position pivoted adjacent and generally parallel to the vehicle.

Abstract translation: 用于机动车辆的反射镜组件包括用于将反射镜组件安装到车辆的支撑基座。 支撑臂在可枢转地联接到支撑基座的近端和相对的远端之间纵向延伸。 镜组件还包括联接到支撑臂的壳体，并且能够在与近端相邻的缩回位置和与远端相邻并且与近端间隔开的延伸位置之间滑动。 玻璃镜面板可操作地联接到壳体，以提供来自反射镜组件的反射视图。 反射镜组件还包括联接在支撑臂和壳体之间的驱动机构，用于在缩回位置和延伸位置之间提供壳体沿着支撑臂的动力致动和手动滑动运动。 驱动机构包括由马达旋转的驱动螺杆，用于沿着驱动螺杆的纵向长度接合和驱动联接到壳体的驱动螺母。 离合器机构允许驱动螺母围绕驱动螺杆自由旋转以手动地调节壳体沿着支撑臂的位置。 反射镜组件还包括枢转机构，其联接在支撑基座和支撑臂之间，用于提供支撑臂的动力驱动和手动枢转运动，该支撑臂在从车辆横向延伸的展开位置和枢转相邻并大致平行于 车辆。

公开(公告)号：US5838507A

公开(公告)日：1998-11-17

申请号：US769352

申请日：1996-12-19

Applicant: Ian Boddy ,  Keith D. Foote

Inventor： Ian Boddy ,  Keith D. Foote

IPC: B60R1/072 ,  G02B7/182

CPC classification number: B60R1/072

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror unit, a mirror unit support, and a central connection between the mirror unit and support mounting the mirror unit for pivotal movement about first and second generally intersecting perpendicular axes. A first arm is mounted on the support for pivotal movement about the first axis and connected with the mirror unit for limited pivotal movement about the second axis at a position spaced from the first axis. A second arm is mounted on the support for pivotal movement about the second axis and connected with the mirror unit for compound movement for compound movement which includes limited lateral movement with respect to the first axis and pivotal movement about an axis which is either coincident with or slightly angularly related with the first axis depending upon the position of relative lateral movement. First and second power-transmitting surfaces on the first and second arms respectively are arcuate about the first and second axis respectively. First and second power-operated rotary members are constructed and arranged with respect to the first and second power-transmitting surfaces respectively (1) to move under power in peripheral rolling contact therewith to effect movement of the first and second arms respectively and (2) to move under power in peripheral sliding relation therewith in the event that movement of the first and second arms respectively is otherwise prevented.

Abstract translation: 后视镜组件包括反射镜单元，反射镜单元支撑件以及反射镜单元和支撑件之间的中心连接件，其安装反射镜单元以围绕第一和第二大致相交的垂直轴线枢转运动。 第一臂安装在支撑件上，用于围绕第一轴线枢转运动并与镜子单元连接，用于在与第一轴线间隔开的位置处围绕第二轴线进行有限的枢转运动。 第二臂安装在支撑件上以围绕第二轴线枢转运动并与镜子单元连接，用于复合运动的复合运动，其包括相对于第一轴线的有限的横向运动，并且绕轴线枢转运动，该轴线与 根据相对横向移动的位置，与第一轴略有角度地相关。 第一和第二臂上的第一和第二动力传递表面分别围绕第一和第二轴线是弧形的。 第一和第二动力旋转构件相对于第一和第二动力传递表面（1）构造和布置成在与其周向滚动接触的动力下移动以分别实现第一和第二臂的运动，和（2） 在第一和第二臂的移动另外被防止的情况下，在与其周边滑动关系的功率下移动。

公开(公告)号：US5703731A

公开(公告)日：1997-12-30

申请号：US612068

申请日：1996-03-07

Applicant: Ian Boddy ,  Matthew D. Potts ,  Keith D. Foote

Inventor： Ian Boddy ,  Matthew D. Potts ,  Keith D. Foote

IPC: G02B5/08 ,  B60R1/06 ,  B60R1/074 ,  G02B7/198 ,  G02B7/182

CPC classification number: B60R1/074 ,  Y10S248/90

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly comprising a housing assembly, a mirror unit, a support assembly to support the housing assembly thereon, a power operated pivot assembly between the support assembly and the housing assembly to enable the housing assembly to be pivoted with respect to the support assembly about a generally upright axis (1) between an operative position and a folded position in response to the power operation of the pivot assembly and (2) from the operative position thereof in either direction in response to an unwanted impact blow applied in either direction thereto. A spring biased pivotal control system is disposed between a movable tubular member of the pivot assembly and the support assembly to provide a control resistance to pivotal movement of the movable tubular member and hence the housing assembly connected thereto. A spring biased indexing system is disposed between a motion transmitting member and the movable tubular member to (1) transmit the movement of the motion transmitting member under power to the movable tubular member to thereby move the housing assembly between the operative and folded positions with the control system providing a control resistance and (2) allow the movable tubular member to be moved from the operative position relative to the motion transmitting member in response to an unwanted impact blow applied to the housing assembly in either direction to move the housing assembly from the operative position with the indexing system providing an indexing resistance to such movement which is independent of the control resistance.

Abstract translation: 一种车辆用反射镜组件，包括壳体组件，反射镜单元，支撑组件以支撑其上的壳体组件，在支撑组件和壳体组件之间的动力操作枢转组件，以使得壳体组件相对于支撑组件枢转 围绕位于枢转组件的动力操作的操作位置和折叠位置之间的大致直立的轴线（1），以及（2）响应于在任一方向上施加的不期望的冲击冲击而从任一方向上的操作位置 。 弹簧偏置的枢转控制系统设置在枢转组件的可移动管状构件和支撑组件之间，以提供对可动管状构件和因此连接到其上的壳体组件的枢转运动的控制阻力。 弹性偏置分度系统设置在运动传递构件和可动管状构件之间以（1）将运动传递构件在动力下的运动传递到可动管状构件，从而使壳体组件在操作和折叠位置之间移动， 控制系统提供控制阻力，以及（2）响应于沿任一方向施加到壳体组件的不期望的冲击吹力，允许可移动管状构件相对于运动传递构件从操作位置移动，以将壳体组件从 操作位置与分度系统提供对这种运动的分度阻力，其独立于控制阻力。