Abstract: A pressure actuated optical relay containing a transparent mirror housing, located at the intersection of two optical paths. A liquid metal slug is moved within a channel passing through the transparent mirror housing by the action of pressure exerted by an actuation fluid. The liquid metal slug is moved in or out of the transparent mirror housing to select between the optical paths. When the liquid metal slug is within the optical path, an incoming optical signal is reflected from a reflective surface of the slug. The liquid metal of the slug adheres to wettable metal surfaces within the channel to provide a latching mechanism.

Abstract: An angle detection unit is provided with a pair of arms (temporary fixing mechanism) for temporarily fixing the angle detection unit to a power unit. The arms are fit to a cylinder portion (engagement portion) of the power unit in a manner of holding the cylinder portion. Thus, a mirror drive unit can be easily combined to a mirror housing without increasing the number of parts.

Abstract: An optical switch device includes at least an optical switch element and driving control circuit. In the optical switch element, a fixed electrode portion is arranged, via a dielectric layer, on a semiconductor substrate on which an integrated circuit is formed. A mirror structure has a plate-shaped movable portion arranged above the fixed electrode portion while opposing the fixed electrode portion. A reflecting portion is formed at least at part of the movable portion to reflect light. A support member is fixed around the fixed electrode portion on the semiconductor substrate via a dielectric layer and supports the mirror structure. The driving control circuit is incorporated in the integrated circuit to drive the optical switch element by applying a predetermined potential to the movable portion and fixed electrode portion.

Abstract: A micro-mirror element includes a micro-mirror substrate, a wiring substrate and an electroconductive spacer disposed between the two substrates. The micro-mirror substrate is formed integral with a frame, a moving portion having a mirror portion, and a torsion bar connecting the frame to the moving portion. The wiring substrate is provided with a wiring pattern. The electroconductive spacer separates the micro-mirror substrate from the wiring substrate and also electrically connects the frame to the wiring pattern. The wiring substrate has a surface that faces the micro-mirror substrate. A detector is provided on this surface for detecting the pivot angle of the mirror portion.

Abstract: The regulating mechanism comprises a base member (2), which can be coupled to the mounting (1), and a cover (3), in which a mirror mounting plate (31), provided with a mirror glass (35), is assembled. The mounting (1), and/or the cover (3), are provided with positioning means (9, 26; 37, 38; 42) of the mirror mounting plate (31), enabling said plate (31) to be positioned in any of the positions habitually used, either manually or through a mechanical or electrical control device. The base member (2) and the cover (3) or the base member (2) and the mirror mounting plate (31) have respective and complementary dampening means which comprise, in the base member (2), dampening means (32), and in the cover (3), or in the mirror mounting plate (31), a dampening extension (23).

Abstract: A vehicle mirror assembly is provided which can be moved via a power-transmitting assembly between folded and unfolded positions and the unfolded position and an extended position.

Abstract: A glare reduction rear view mirror assembly for eliminating the glare from the headlights of vehicles coming up from behind the user's vehicle. The glare reduction rear view mirror assembly includes a frame having back, top, bottom, and side walls, and also having an open front; and also includes bracket members being attached to the frame and being adapted to fasten to a vehicle; and further includes a transparent pane being disposed over the open front of the frame; and also includes a mirror pane being pivotally disposed in the frame behind the transparent pane; and further includes an assembly for pivoting the mirror pane longitudinally.

Abstract: A vehicle blind spot monitoring system includes an adjustable side view mirror(s), a mirror controller configured to control an angular orientation of the adjustable side view mirror(s), side view mirror adjustment actuator(s) configured to enable a vehicle occupant to remotely adjust, in a normal operating condition, angular orientations of the adjustable side view mirror(s) in a normal orientation range, and side view blind spot adjustment actuator(s) configured to enable a vehicle occupant to remotely adjust, in a blind spot operating condition, angular orientations of the adjustable side view mirror(s) in blind spot orientation ranges. The adjustable side view mirror(s), the side view mirror adjustment actuator(s), and the side view blind spot adjustment actuator(s) are each communicatively interconnected with the mirror controller.

Abstract: A vehicle external review-view mirror assembly having an extension and retraction mechanism for a telescopic arm support that connects a mirror head to a mirror mounting bracket is disclosed. The assembly comprises: a hollow outer arm extending from the bracket, an inner arm mounted to the head and extending into the outer arm for relative sliding movement out of and into the outer arm; a driving wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm or the head; a driven wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm and positioned within the outer arm at a location spaced apart from the driven wheel; and a toothed belt extending between the driving wheel and the driven wheel for power transmission between them. A pair of laterally spaced apart contact rollers are mounted coaxially with the driven wheel, the pair of contact rollers engaging spaced apart bearing surfaces depending from the outer arm.

Abstract: A foldable mirror device for a vehicle, in which a case is mounted on a support shaft erected from a base. The case includes a ring-shaped support portion for supporting the shaft, a motor connected to a transmission for swinging the mirror, and a clutch portion for disengageably engaging with the base. The support portion can be strengthened by ribs between the support portion and other portions of the case. A worm gear of the transmission can be mounted on a motor output shaft to be freely movable therealong, and supported and constrained by supporting a bottom end of the worm gear on the case and accommodating an upper end of the worm gear in a cylindrical projection from a motor base which supports the motor. End portions of convexities and concavities at the engagement portion can be formed in a concave or convex screw shape.

Abstract: A speed reducer including a gear box having a first frame and a second frame combined together, an input gear fixed on an input shaft being rotated by a driving force, an output gear fixed on an output shaft, an intermediate shaft, intermediate gears fixed on the intermediate shaft to reduce a speed of rotation of the input gear for being transmitted to said output gear, wherein the input shaft and the intermediate shaft are rotatably supported by the first frame for always maintaining the length between each core of the input shaft and the intermediate shaft as a predetermined length.

Abstract: An optical routing apparatus and method that achieves improved optical signal reintegration is disclosed. The optical routing apparatus includes an input port, such as may be provided at the end of an optical fiber. The signal may be routed to one or more of a plurality of output ports, such as may also be provided at the end of an optical fiber, each output port being configured to receive the optical signal. The routing between the input port and the output ports is accomplished with an optical switching arrangement that may shift among multiple distinct optical configurations, each configuration being such as to direct the optical signal to one of the output ports. The ports are positioned such that the input port and at least one of the output ports lie in different parallel planes, each such plane being orthogonal to a path along which the optical signal is provided by the input port or received by one of the output ports.

Abstract: In a door mirror device for a vehicle, when a twin gear is rotated by driving of a motor, the twin gear moves around a periphery of an output gear. A case member and a motor base member are thereby pivoted around a supporting shaft, and a mirror connected to the case member is retracted or extended. Here, an engagement claw provided at the motor base member engages with an engagement hole provided in the case member. Swaying of the motor base member with respect to the case member can thereby be prevented. Thus, tilting of the twin gear at the time of extending or retracting the mirror can be prevented. It is thereby possible to make meshing of the twin gear and the output gear stable, and to make the operations of retracting and extending the mirror stable.

Abstract: A vehicle memory mirror system includes a vehicle mirror assembly and a control module. The vehicle mirror assembly includes a reflective element, a motor for positioning the reflective element about an axis, a monitor for monitoring the position of the reflective element with respect to the axis, and a mirror-based control including a position control which is operatively connected with the motor and the monitor in order to position the reflective element at a particular position. The control module is interconnected with the mirror-based control by an analog interface and includes a processor for providing analog signals on the analog interface indicative of a desired position of the reflective element with respect to the axis. The mirror-based control preferably includes a servo-amplifier circuit. The control module can control the speed of movement by formatting a series of sequential signals on the interface, each representing an incremental movement of the reflective element.

Abstract: A minor parking mechanism for an exterior rear view mirror that rotates a mirror head to a parked position. The mechanism has a mirror mounting bracket, a mirror head pivotally connected to the mirror mounting bracket so the mirror head can rotate from a deployed position to a parked position. A detent acting between the mirror mounting bracket and the mirror head to lock and unlock the mirror head. A spring acts against and locks the detent in position. A worm drive in the mirror head moves longitudinally along a shaft and rotates about an axis to act against the spring, which in turn reduces the spring force applied to the detent to enable it to disengage whereupon continued rotation of the worm drive causes the mirror head to rotate.

Abstract: An adjustment device used for electric power mirrors comprising a motor to rotate a worm wheel, an adjustment nut that can slide along the direction of the rotational axis but cannot relatively rotate against the rotation of worm wheel, and an actuator housing that has a column on which surface a screw portion is made, wherein the adjustment nut is movable along the direction normal to a plane of screw rotation of said screw portion, and the adjustment nut has a salient extending to the outer direction at the leg portion thereof and the worm wheel has stopper portion that bumps the salient of the adjustment nut so that the adjustment nut is not pulled off from the actuator housing. Therefore the mirror exchanging service can be easily done.

Abstract: A viewing panel device, such as a mirror device used inside a motor vehicle for observing an infant in a rear-facing child safety seat secured to the rear seat of the vehicle. The viewing panel device may be employed in a plurality of attachment configurations, for use with a plurality of possible vehicle configurations. In one configuration, the top tether anchorage point included in newer vehicles as part of the LATCH anchorage point system is employed.

Abstract: A side mirror retracting vehicle alarm system for automatically retracting side mirrors of a vehicle while the alarm system is activated includes a vehicle having a side mirror and a side mirror retraction assembly. A vehicle alarm assembly is operationally associated with the vehicle for inhibiting theft of the vehicle. The vehicle alarm assembly includes an activation mechanism for selectively activating the vehicle alarm assembly to a ready state. The mirror retraction assembly is operationally coupled to the activation mechanism of the vehicle alarm assembly such that activation of the vehicle alarm assembly retracts the side mirror. In an embodiment, extension of the side mirror is achieved only by authorized deactivation of the vehicle alarm assembly.

Abstract: A multilayer micromirror structure that exhibits substantially no form change as a result of a given change in temperature is disclosed. A reflective layer is disposed on a substrate layer, and a counterbalancing structure is disposed on the structure in a way such that a neutral plane is located at a predetermined position relative to the substrate layer and the reflective layer. When forces are exerted at the neutral plane of such a structure, the structure attains a predetermined geometric form. A method of manufacture is disclosed wherein a substrate is etched to define a desired structure and a conformal layer of a masking material is deposited onto the etched substrate. Further etching exposes portions of the substrate and silicon is deposited to achieve another desired structure. Excess material is etched away to free the finished structure and a reflective layer is deposited onto the surface of the structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards shock protectors for a pedestal suspended over a lower surface by a plurality of gimbal springs. Each gimbal spring is connected to a linkage arm that attaches to an actuator. A stop located below the bottom of the pedestal prevents the gimbal springs and/or other structures from impacting the lower surface. In addition, the stop prevents excessively high strain in the gimbal springs. A shock absorber extending from at least one linkage arm serves a similar purpose when the pedestal is tilted, rather than simply displaced.

Abstract: A micro-mirror device includes a substrate, a reflective element spaced from the surface of the substrate, a pair of electrodes disposed adjacent to the surface of the substrate, spaced apart from each other, and disposed adjacent to opposite ends of the reflective element, and including a dielectric liquid disposed at least between the reflective element and the pair of electrodes. The reflective element is adapted to be positioned at any position within a continuous range between a first position and a second position in response to analog electrical signals applied to the pair of electrodes.

Abstract: A fusion monitor system for vehicles which includes a sideview mirror unit having an object lens and an eye lens at both sides of a housing which is disposed backwardly from inside and outside of the vehicle and a movable reflecting mirror between two lenses to form an afocal optical system, a movable reflecting mirror driving unit for rotating the movable reflecting mirror, a terminal holder for accepting a mobile phone, a display panel for outputting the same information as that of a display window of the mobile phone through the mirror unit. According, air resistance can be reduced, information outputted on the display window of the mobile phone can be enlarged for easy viewing and reading, and it allows hands free for user's convenience.

Abstract: In response to an operation of reversing a vehicle, a tilt motor is rotated by a specific amount in a normal direction to tilt a mirror angle to a position that permits a mirror to provide the driver with a view of the area near a rear wheel of the vehicle, while in response to an operation of releasing the reverse gear, the tilt motor is rotated by a specific amount in a reverse direction to restore the tilt angle to a normal position thereof. During the operations, a high-frequency signal generated upon switching a brush of the motor is detected using a pickup coil to determine an amount of rotation of the motor. One and the same pickup coil may be used for detection during both of normal and reverse rotations. A voltage of a battery 3 is stabilized in a motor power stabilizing circuit 10, and supplied via a motor driving circuit 8 to a tilt motor M2. Polarity of the voltage outputted from the motor power stabilizing circuit 10 is fixed.

Abstract: An automobile exterior rearview mirror system in which adjustments by the vehicle operator to the driver side mirror are used to make automatic adjustments to the passenger side mirror without requiring the operator to make separate, independent adjustment of that mirror. The automatic adjustment is determined using the measured horizontal angle of the driver side mirror along with distance data related to the position of an inboard edge of each of the exterior mirrors.

Abstract: A fast steering mirror method and apparatus comprising employing a plurality of linear actuators and a plurality of springs. Four actuators and four springs may be employed, with one at each corner of the mirror. If only two amplifiers are employed, the linear actuators are then cross coupled. Control means supplies current to the plurality of linear actuators, preferably with each actuator providing force proportional to current supplied, each comprising a motor and one or more current loops around the motor, with the control means causing displacement of the spring paired with a corresponding linear actuator by a distance approximately proportional to current supplied to the corresponding linear actuator and with the control means causing rotation of the mirror by an angle approximately equal to the displacement of the spring divided by the moment arm from the center line of the mirror to the center of the corresponding linear actuator.

Abstract: An electrically operable pivoting actuator for a door mirror is disclosed. The pivoting actuator comprises a frame, an electromotor, and an annular coupling member secured onto a horizontally extended support of the door mirror, the coupling member comprising two diametrically opposite protuberances wherein one protuberance is adapted to engage with a stop on the frame for stopping a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the coupling member relative to the frame so as to define a predetermined angle &agr; of the fold-in door mirror as an angle between an extreme position of the stop engaged with one protuberance and another extreme position of the stop engaged with the other protuberance. The invention can be produced in a large scale for reducing the manufacturing cost and is adapted to install in any of a variety of door mirrors of motor vehicles without further modifications.

Abstract: A smoothly operating tilting device (11) for a support plate (12) of a motor-adjustable motor vehicle exterior mirror is disclosed. The plate (12) has an articulating joint to a housing (13), for a rigid mounting. A drive motor (17) is furnished, for each of the both, orthogonal to each other (although arrangeable in any special disposition) tilting directions, which are connected to, at least in parts, flexible positioning rods (18). The above run in an arched guide (22) and are turned from the plane disposed parallel to the plate (12) in to the transverse direction, in order to bridge the mounting gap and connect with an articulated joint to the face of the back side, or the interior of the plate (12), for the transfer of pushing or pulling movements.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle is provided. The assembly has a holding component and clamping parts to clamp the mirror assembly to the holding component. Alternative embodiments of the holding component and clamping parts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power telescoping vehicle mirror assembly (10) comprising a bracket (12) mountable to a vehicle, a mirror head (15), telescopically mounted to the bracket (12), a mirror (16) mounted to the head (15), a power telescope motor mechanism (30) for telescopically moving the head (15) with respect to the bracket (12), a position controller for controlling the extent to which the mirror head (15) extends with respect to the vehicle, a switch operable by a driver of the vehicle, the switch providing a signal to the position controller, and an input means for providing the position controller with a set point, wherein upon actuation of the switch, the head (15) telescopically moves with respect to the bracket (12) from a retracted position to a partially extended position determined by the set point. In an other embodiment, a spotter mirror, and a spotter mirror motor mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the spotter mirror with respect to the mirror head is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle external review-view mirror assembly having an extension and retraction mechanism for a telescopic arm support that connects a mirror head to a mirror mounting bracket is disclosed. The assembly comprises: a hollow outer arm extending from the bracket, an inner arm mounted to the head and extending into the outer arm for relative sliding movement out of and into the outer arm; a driving wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm or the head; a driven wheel rotatably mounted to the inner arm and positioned within the outer arm at a location spaced apart from the driven wheel; and a toothed belt extending between the driving wheel and the driven wheel for power transmission between them. A pair of laterally spaced apart contact rollers are mounted coaxially with the driven wheel, the pair of contact rollers engaging spaced apart bearing surfaces depending from the outer arm.

Abstract: A rearview mirror redirecting system includes a housing having a back wall and a peripheral wall having a first side wall and a second side wall. A mirror has a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is pivotally attached to an inner surface of the first side wall. A first stop and a second stop are each mounted on an inner surface of the second side wall such that the second edge of the mirror is positioned between the first and second stops. The first stop is positioned adjacent to a peripheral edge of the peripheral wall. The second stop is positioned such that the mirror is angled downward when the second edge of the mirror is adjacent to the second stop. A driving assembly is mounted in the housing for selectively moving the second edge back and forth from the first stop to the second stop.

Abstract: A micro mirror unit includes a moving part carrying a mirror portion, a frame and torsion bars connecting the moving part to the frame. The moving part, the frame and the torsion bars are formed integral from a material substrate. The frame includes a portion thicker than the moving part.

Abstract: A hinge actuator for a wing mirror of motor vehicle, which is operative between an extreme fold-in position and an extreme fold-out position and between the extreme foldout position and an extreme fold-over position, comprising a mirror base, provided with a frame with a frame part which extends around a base shaft and supported on a base flange. A first cam track located between the base shaft and the fame part, with at least one bearing element, is present, and a first elastic element extending on a side along this track. During a rotation of the frame relative to the base shaft between the extreme fold-in position and the extreme fold-out position, the first elastic element contact with the bearing element undergoes a deformation, while during a rotation between the extreme fold-out position and the extreme fold-over position, the first elastic element undergoes a further-going deformation.

Abstract: A motorized retracting unit for a motorized retractable rearview mirror for a vehicle includes a shaft holder that has a main shaft, a gear case that is rotatably mounted on the main shaft, a plate, and a transmission mechanism that transmits driving power of a motor to the main shaft. The plate includes a plate member, a shaft supporting member that rotatably supports the main shaft, a motor mounting member on which the motor is mounted, and a flexible member that is provided between the shaft supporting member and the motor mounting member, enabling a relative movement of the shaft supporting member and the motor mounting member.

Abstract: A mirror device for a vehicle, capable of preventing entrance of water into a motor case, and capable of ensuring smooth and appropriate rotation of the motor case even if a soft material is used for a cover. A supporting cylinder formed at a bottom wall portion of the motor case is rotatably supported at a lower end side of a shaft. A cylindrical member is formed continuously from a motor base having the same rigidity as the motor case. An upper end portion of the shaft is covered with the cylindrical member, which is rotatably supported by the shaft. The motor case and the motor base are interlocked, so they are rotatably supported together on the upper and lower ends of the shaft, and smooth rotation of the motor case can be ensured. Entrance of water between the shaft and the cover is prevented by the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A MEMS device having a fixed element and a movable element wherein one or the other of the fixed element and the movable element has at least one radially-extended stop or overdeflection limiter. A fixed overlayer plate forms an aperture. The aperture is sized to minimize vignetting and may be beveled on the margin. Overdeflection limitation occurs during deflection before the movable element can impinge on an underlying electrode. The overdeflection limiter may be conveniently placed adjacent a gimbaled hinge.

Abstract: A wireless remote controlled mirror having lights to illuminate a subject being viewed in the mirror, while enabling a user to selectively adjust a view of the subject from a remote location. When attached to a rear seat of a vehicle, the mirror can be remotely adjusted to view a child in a rear-facing safety seat. The mirror includes a base adapted to mount to an object, a reflective lens that moves relative to the base, one or more electric motors to drive the reflective lens, and a receiver that detects a command signal from a wireless remote controller and energizes a motor to reorient the reflective lens to view the child. A plurality of light sources are selectively energized to emit light toward the subject, so that the mirror is usable after dark. The mirror can alternatively be mounted on other portions of a vehicle.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle rear view mirror, notably for an automobile, comprising a casing that contains an entrance sealed by a mirror, first drive means for pivoting the mirror on a first axis, second drive means for pivoting said mirror on a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and control means for selectively actuating the first and second drive means, the control means comprising a single rotating drive motor device.

Abstract: In order to electrically reverse the motorized pivoting actuator 11, used for example to adjust an exterior mirror with restricted angles of movement and to return the mirror into a working position after it has been pivoted by external means (either by hand, or as a result of a collision), engagement of the coupling actuator 16 is axially detached, as a result of an external pivoting of the coupling output drive 18, against an elastic restoring force and the coupling output drive is pivoted in relation to the coupling actuator, according to the effective torque. Thus, the coupling output drive is also brought out of its restricted trajectory, in such a way that the drive motor 13 can rotate the coupling actuator 16 freely, until the coupling actuator and the coupling output drive 18 reach a relative position, which has been predetermined in the construction concept in said position, and the coupling claws 28 re-engage in the recesses of the opposing pinion 16 or 18.

Abstract: A side view mirror (36) including a multiplexor chip (42), NTC thermistor (62) within the housing (10). The multiplexor controls multiple functionality from the housing (10) and provides simplified LIN bus connection to the vehicle.

Abstract: A mirror ball comprises a pair of counter-rotating reflective hemispheres. These are each attached to rotating bevel gears that are in mesh with a horizontal static bevel gear. A vertical spindle rotates with respect to a shaft extending upwardly from a base that supports the mirror ball. The spindle has a spindle gear that is driven to rotate with respect to the shaft by an electric motor and reduction gearbox.

Abstract: A stopper mechanism is not provided on a turning unit but is provided on a horizontal portion and a mirror assembly. Therefore, the turning unit can be used for a left outer mirror and a right outer mirror. The mirror assembly is provided with a projection of the stopper mechanism, and a base is provided with an arc groove of the stopper mechanism. Therefore, it is unnecessary to split the base into two pieces at the time of molding using a metal mold, and the base can be formed using the metal mold in a usual manner and thus, the cost of manufacturing becomes inexpensive.

Abstract: A mirror device for a vehicle which is equipped with a mirror surface angle adjusting mechanism. In a door mirror device for a vehicle, a load is applied to a rod drive in an axial direction, a claw member elastically deforms, and an engagement valley of the rod drive rides up over an engagement projection provided at a distal end of the claw member and is moved. Here, given that angles of inclination of two surfaces of the engagement valley, at a mirror side and at a side opposite the mirror, with respect to a direction orthogonal to an axis of the rod drive, are respectively &thgr;1 and &thgr;2, &thgr;1>&thgr;2. In this way, two loads for manually moving the rod drive toward a side opposite the mirror and toward the mirror side can be made to approach substantially a same magnitude.

Abstract: A Laser Airborne Depth Sounder (LADS) system for the measurement of water depth is disclosed, the system includes a transmitter and a receiver of laser light having at least two wavelengths so as to receive a first reflection from a water surface and a second reflection from a water bottom, and a mirror (32) adapted to reflect the second reflection laser light and rotate around a major axis (34) and minor axis (36) where the rotation of the mirror (32) around the minor axis (36) is provided by a piezo electric actuator (68). The piezo electric actuator (68) drives the mirror (32) around the minor axis (36) through a mechanical level (72).

Abstract: A compact high aspect ratio MEMS optical switch, and a process for fabricating same, are disclosed. An outer body portion is mounted so as to have a first rotational degree of freedom about a first axis. An inner body portion is coupled mechanically to the outer body portion so as to have a second rotational degree of freedom relative to the outer body portion about a second axis, the second axis being substantially perpendicular to the first axis and in the plane of the outer body portion. The inner body portion is further coupled to the outer body portion in a manner such that the inner body portion rotates with the outer body portion about the first axis if the outer body is rotated about the first axis, such that the second axis remains substantially in the plane of the outer body portion as the outer body portion rotates about the first axis.

Abstract: A position sensing device for a mirror assembly displaced by an electric motor for a mirror assembly having a memory unit which relies upon position information. The position sensing device connects directly between the housing reinforcement member and the mirror glass. The position sensing device also includes inherent damping capabilities. A dampening assembly provides additional damping capabilities, thereby further limiting vibration of the mirror due to road and wind vibration.

Abstract: An array of movable MEMS mirror devices is provided having a high linear mirror fill factor. The array includes a base structure and selectively movable mirror structures pivotally mounted on the base structure. Each mirror structure is pivotally supported by a flexure connected to the base structure. The mirror structures each include a reflective surface portion, which is arranged in close proximity to the reflective surface portions of other mirror structures and in a generally linear alignment, forming a row structure. The flexures supporting adjacent mirror structures are staggered on opposite sides of the row structure.

Abstract: A stopper to be contacted with a moving rod before it is located at the most receded position such that the elastic engagement between a female screw and an elastic engaging nail is in the state capable of clutch slipping is provided between a housing and the moving rod. A fall-off preventing unit to be contacted with the moving rod at the time the moving rod is located at the most advanced position is provided for preventing fall-off of the moving rod from the other member between the moving rod and another member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive device for adjusting the mirror assembly of a rearview mirror comprising a mirror base and a mirror head, which accommodates the mirror assembly and which can be positioned between a first and a second position via a pivot. The drive device comprises an electric motor assembly and a control switch, which specifies the direction of the adjustment of the mirror assembly and which, according to the actuation thereof, furnishes electrical signals to the electric motor assembly for the adjustment of the mirror assembly.

Abstract: An exterior rear vision mirror assembly (10) for a motor vehicle, the assembly (10) having a base (14) to be attached to the vehicle, at least one arm (15, 16) extending from the base (14) and a mirror head (11) mounted to the at least one arm (15, 16) and having a mirror (13), the mirror head (11) and arm (15, 16) is adapted to be rotated about an axis in the base (14), a power fold system having a motor assembly (24) in the or each arm (15, 16) to drive the mirror (13) from a driving position to a foldaway position and from the foldaway position to the driving position and an override system including a clutch (64) is provided so that the mirror (13) can be manually moved to the foldaway position.