Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly that is mountable at an exterior side of a vehicle and has an inboard portion that is viewable by a driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted at the exterior side of the vehicle. A blind spot indicator is disposed at the inboard portion of the mirror casing of the mirror assembly. The blind spot indicator comprises at least one illumination source for indicating to the driver a detected presence of an object alongside of and/or rearward of the vehicle. The indicator may comprise a unitary indicator module that is mountable at the inboard portion of the mirror assembly. The indicator module includes an illumination source and circuitry and is connectable to an electrical connector.

Abstract: A vehicular external rearview mirror system comprises a twin-arm assembly comprising a pair of parallel support arms connected at one end to a base attached to the vehicle and movably connected at another end to a reflective element assembly through a movable support bracket. The support bracket supports a reflective element assembly and is attached to the twin-arm assembly through a pair of integral bearings which translate along the arms to extend or retract the reflective element assembly. In one embodiment, the bearing imparts a friction force to the arm to enable the bracket to be moved along the arm under the influence of an extension/retraction force, but to maintain the bracket at a selected position along the arm when the force is removed. In another embodiment, the bearing is adapted for frictionless translation of the bracket along the arms under the influence of a powerextend actuator.

Abstract: A pivoting exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises a mirror housing, a base, a support frame, a pivot assembly, and associated elements comprised primarily of a plastic or polymeric material. The pivot assembly is provided with a pivot reinforcement made of a relatively high-strength material, such as steel. The base is provided with a cantilever reinforcement made of a relatively high-strength material, such as steel. The reinforcing steel increases the load carrying capability of the plastic and reduces the potential material failure of unreinforced plastic.

Abstract: A vehicular mirror system comprises a base frame attached to a motor vehicle and a support frame supporting a reflective element assembly and pivotally attached to the base frame for pivoting the reflective element assembly between a folded position and an unfolded position. A detent assembly intercommunicating the support frame and the base frame comprises a plurality of spaced bosses and recesses positioned at different radii and enabling pivoting of the support frame with minimal vertical displacement of the support frame relative to the base frame.

Abstract: A vehicular external rearview mirror system comprises a twin-arm assembly comprising a pair of parallel support arms connected at one end to a base attached to the vehicle and movably connected at another end to a reflective element assembly through a movable support bracket. The support bracket supports a reflective element assembly and is attached to the twin-arm assembly through a pair of integral bearings which translate along the arms to extend or retract the reflective element assembly. In one embodiment, the bearing imparts a friction force to the arm to enable the bracket to be moved along the arm under the influence of an extension/retraction force, but to maintain the bracket at a selected position along the arm when the force is removed. In another embodiment, the bearing is adapted for frictionless translation of the bracket along the arms under the influence of a powerextend actuator.

Abstract: A vehicular external rearview mirror system comprises a twin-arm assembly comprising a pair of parallel support arms connected at one end to a base attached to the vehicle and movably connected at another end to a reflective element assembly through a movable support bracket. The support bracket supports a reflective element assembly and is attached to the twin-arm assembly through a pair of integral bearings which translate along the arms to extend or retract the reflective element assembly. In one embodiment, the bearing imparts a friction force to the arm to enable the bracket to be moved along the arm under the influence of an extension/retraction force, but to maintain the bracket at a selected position along the arm when the force is removed. In another embodiment, the bearing is adapted for frictionless translation of the bracket along the arms under the influence of a powerextend actuator.

Abstract: A rearview mirror tilt actuator comprises a clutch assembly that selectively transfers torque from an actuator motor to one of at least two output shafts based upon the speed of the motor. One output shaft can pivot the mirror about a first axis of rotation; another output shaft can pivot the mirror about a second axis of rotation. One output shaft can pivot the mirror housing; the other output shaft can extend and retract the mirror housing. At a low speed, the clutch assembly is disengaged, thus only the first output shaft is activated. At a high speed, the clutch assembly is engaged, thus both output shafts are activated The mirror assembly described herein also has an improved mass configuration which allows for lower moments of inertia in the direction of mirror travel.

Abstract: A vehicular external rearview mirror system comprises a support arm pivotally connected to a base assembly attached to the vehicle. The pivot connection comprises an assembly of rotating plates separated by ball bearings and operated by a powerfold assembly. During normal operation of the mirror system, the ball bearings remained seated in bearing seats to enable the plates to rotate as a single unit when the powerfold assembly is actuated. However, manual folding or unfolding of the mirror system urges the ball bearings out of their bearing seats to travel along a raceway in one of the plates to facilitate the rotation of the plates relative to each other.

Abstract: A rearview mirror tilt actuator comprises a clutch assembly that selectively transfers torque from an actuator motor to one of at least two output shafts based upon the speed of the motor. One output shaft can pivot the mirror about a first axis of rotation; another output shaft can pivot the mirror about a second axis of rotation. One output shaft can pivot the mirror housing; the other output shaft can extend and retract the mirror housing. At a low speed, the clutch assembly is disengaged, thus only the first output shaft is activated. At a high speed, the clutch assembly is engaged, thus both output shafts are activated. The mirror assembly described herein also has an improved mass configuration which allows for lower moments of inertia in the direction of mirror travel.

Abstract: An extendable, foldable rearview mirror assembly comprises a ball bearing assembly for facilitating the extension of a reflective element assembly relative to a cantilevered extension arm while minimizing unwanted movement of the reflective element assembly. The rearview mirror assembly also comprises a roller bearing assembly for facilitating the pivotal movement of the extension arm relative to a pivot base frame supporting the extension arm while minimizing unwanted movement of the extension arm. A pin connection pivotably attaches the extension arm to the base frame, thereby strengthening the connection between the two parts while minimizing unwanted movement of the extension arm.

Abstract: A vehicular external rearview mirror system comprises a support arm pivotally connected to a base assembly attached to the vehicle. The pivot connection comprises an assembly of rotating plates separated by ball bearings and operated by a powerfold assembly. During normal operation of the mirror system, the ball bearings remained seated in bearing seats to enable the plates to rotate as a single unit when the powerfold assembly is actuated. However, manual folding or unfolding of the mirror system urges the ball bearings out of their bearing seats to travel along a raceway in one of the plates to facilitate the rotation of the plates relative to each other.

Abstract: A vehicular mirror assembly comprises a base, a mirror housing, and an actuator. The mirror housing has a reflective element therein, and is coupled with the base for at least a normal path of movement between a retracted position where the mirror housing is adjacent the base and an extended position where the mirror housing is distal to the base. The actuator is operatively mounted between the base and the mirror housing for selectively moving the mirror housing with respect to the base through the normal path of movement. The actuator comprises a motor having a rotatable motor shaft, a gear assembly coupled with the motor shaft and rotatable with rotation of the motor shaft, and a rotatable drive shaft coupled with the gear assembly and the mirror housing for moving the mirror housing through the normal path of movement with rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A vehicular external rearview mirror system comprises a twin-arm assembly comprising a pair of parallel support arms connected at one end to a base attached to the vehicle and movably connected at another end to a reflective element assembly through a movable support bracket. The support bracket supports a reflective element assembly and is attached to the twin-arm assembly through a pair of integral bearings which translate along the arms to extend or retract the reflective element assembly. In one embodiment, the bearing imparts a friction force to the arm to enable the bracket to be moved along the arm under the influence of an extension/retraction force, but to maintain the bracket at a selected position along the arm when the force is removed. In another embodiment, the bearing is adapted for frictionless translation of the bracket along the arms under the influence of a powerextend actuator.

Abstract: A vehicular external rearview mirror system comprises a support arm pivotally connected to a base assembly attached to the vehicle. The pivot connection comprises an assembly of rotating plates separated by ball bearings and operated by a powerfold assembly. During normal operation of the mirror system, the ball bearings remained seated in bearing seats to enable the plates to rotate as a single unit when the powerfold assembly is actuated. However, manual folding or unfolding of the mirror system urges the ball bearings out of their bearing seats to travel along a raceway in one of the plates to facilitate the rotation of the plates relative to each other.

Abstract: A motorized pivoting and extending mechanism for a vehicular mirror assembly includes, alternatively, a force-reduction mechanism for reducing the friction within the mechanism, and a slip clutch mechanism for reducing overloading of the motor when the limits of mirror extension and retraction have been reached. Mirror power functions receive electrical power and control signals through a circular array of electrical contacts incorporated into the pivot connection irrespective of the pivotal orientation of the mirror. A motor shut-off circuit is able to shut off the motor within a predetermined period of time. The mirror can be angularly adjusted upon movement of the mirror between the retracted and the extended positions to maintain a common field of view for a driver of the vehicle to prevent the extension and/or retraction of the mirror from undesirably repositioning the field of view captured by the mirror.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly comprises a reflective element, preferably fabricated of a lightweight, rigid, high-strength plastic and a relatively thin reflective film conformably attached thereto. A portion of the reflective element can also comprise a convex surface for monitoring the “blind spot” typically experienced by the driver. A mirror-mounted light assembly, such as for turn signals, can be incorporated into the reflective element. The mirror assembly can also comprise a chromomorphic polymeric element in planar alignment with the reflective element, which can be electrically and/or thermally activated. The chromomorphic polymeric element can change its resident color between transparent and a predetermined activated color to provide a dimming function as a characteristic of the particular chromomorphic polymeric element that is employed.

Abstract: A rearview mirror tilt actuator comprises a clutch assembly that selectively transfers torque from an actuator motor to one of at least two output shafts based upon the speed of the motor. One output shaft can pivot the mirror about a first axis of rotation; another output shaft can pivot the mirror about a second axis of rotation. One output shaft can pivot the mirror housing; the other output shaft can extend and retract the mirror housing. At a low speed, the clutch assembly is disengaged, thus only the first output shaft is activated. At a high speed, the clutch assembly is engaged, thus both output shafts are activated The mirror assembly described herein also has an improved mass configuration which allows for lower moments of inertia in the direction of mirror travel.

Abstract: The invention comprises an afocal lens and mirror assembly comprising an objective lens which gathers light from an object and a field lens which transmits light to a driver's eye to provide an image having sufficient brightness, clarity, and accuracy. The light passing between the objective lens and the field lens is conditioned through an assembly of lenses and reflective elements to produce the image.

Abstract: The invention comprises an afocal lens and mirror assembly comprising an objective lens which gathers light from an object and a field lens which transmits light to a driver's eye to provide an image having sufficient brightness, clarity, and accuracy. The light passing between the objective lens and the field lens is conditioned through an assembly of lenses and reflective elements to produce the image.

Abstract: A motorized pivoting and extending mechanism for a vehicular mirror assembly includes, alternatively, a force-reduction mechanism for reducing the friction within the mechanism, and a slip clutch mechanism for reducing overloading of the motor when the limits of mirror extension and retraction have been reached. Mirror power functions receive electrical power and control signals through a circular array of electrical contacts incorporated into the pivot connection irrespective of the pivotal orientation of the mirror. A motor shut-off circuit is able to shut off the motor within a predetermined period of time. The mirror can be angularly adjusted upon movement of the mirror between the retracted and the extended positions to maintain a common field of view for a driver of the vehicle to prevent the extension and/or retraction of the mirror from undesirably repositioning the field of view captured by the mirror.