Abstract:
A mirror system for a vehicle includes at least one exterior mirror having a reflective element, a housing for the reflective element, a positioning device (22) for selectively positioning the reflective element, and a light (28) for emitting light generally downwardly from the mirror housing on an area adjacent the side of the vehicle. A control (27) is responsive to the vehicle reverse gear selector (38) being in reverse gear for causing the positioning device (22) to position the reflective element to a downwardly tilted position, wherein the driver can view an area adjacent a side of the vehicle. The control (27) actuates the light (28) when the reflective element is in the downwardly tilted position in order to illuminate objects in that area. In a preferred embodiment, the control (27) actuates the light through a lockout circuit (45) which normally allows the light to be activated only when the vehicle is not operating. The control (27) includes an override for the lockout circuit which allows the light to be activated even when the vehicle is operating when, and only when, reverse gear is selected.
Abstract:
A vehicle global positioning system (10) includes a mirror assembly (14) having a reflective element (26) and a housing (15) for the reflective element (26) that is electrically non-conducting. The system further includes a global positioning system receiver and a control module (22) and at least one receiving antenna (18). The vehicle global positioning system (10) is adapted to receive earth satellite signals with the receiving antenna (18) and to convert the signal to location, velocity and/or time parameters. The vehicle global positioning system (10) includes a plurality of global positioning system receiving antenna, such as one located in the vehicle's driver side exterior mirror and the other located in the vehicle's passenger side exterior mirror.
Abstract:
A single-sided gasketed panel assembly (20) for use as a flush-mounted panel or window in vehicles, buildings, or other structures, as well as a method and apparatus for making such panel assemblies, wherein the panel assembly (20) comprises a sheet-like panel (22) having a primer layer (46) and at least one polymeric gasket (32) molded to the panel on the primer layer. The primer applied to the panel has a predetermined transition temperature above which improved adhesion properties are exhibited for polymeric gaskets (32) molded thereon when the primer is at or above such temperature.