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: A vehicle mirror assembly comprising a housing assembly, a mirror unit, a support assembly to support the housing assembly, 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.