Abstract:
An inside rear view mirror system (10) for motor vehicle (18) employs a two-position rotary-action solenoid (16) electronically activated from a switch (54) mounted on the steering wheel spoke (52) for momentarily locating the rear view mirror (36) in a down position when the switch (54) is depressed and releasing the solenoid (16) to rotate mirror (36) to a normally up position when the switch (54) is released.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to motor vehicle mirrors in general, more particularly to an electronic rear view mirror foldable between a normally stowed position against the headliner of a vehicle roof to a down position when in use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A number of patents provide for electronically operated fold-away, outsidemounted, rear view mirror systems for vehicles. These patents include: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,727 (Harloff et al. 1990), which discloses a foldable mirror for locating on the outside door of an automobile in which a motor engaging the mirror is located in the mirror housing and driven by a pinion gear, capable of swiveling the mirror along two axes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,347 (Nakayama 1991) discloses an electrically driven system capable of operating a rear view mirror located on the outside door of a motor vehicle which uses a rotating action through a system of relays and motors. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,322 (Hamamoto et al. 1990) discloses a drive system that is capable of rotating a mirror located on the outside door of an automobile from an operable position to a fold-away position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,670 (Yoo 1990) discloses a rear view mirror actuated by a D.C. motor capable of rotating the mirror along a screw shaft. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,526 (Umekawa et al. 1990) discloses yet another gear-driven, foldable, door-mounted mirror. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,916 (Sakuma et al. 1990) discloses an electrically-operated, door-mounted rear view mirror which is capable of being manually rotated and contains a unique axle to provide for such movement. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,626,084 (Kumai 1986) discloses a foldable rear view mirror, door mounted, driven by a pinion gear off the output shaft of an electrical motor. 
     While these patents have recognized the advantages of a foldable mirror in general, none have recognized the advantages of Applicant&#39;s unique two-position, rotary solenoid-operated, rear view mirror for locating at or near the head (upper frame) of the interior of a motor vehicle windshield. 
     Applicant has recognized the need for providing a normally stowed rear view mirror so as to provide a clear view for the driver through the windshield of the motor vehicle. Applicant has also recognized the advantages of providing for a normally stowed rear view mirror activated by a momentary switch located on the steering wheel which will release the rear view mirror from its normally stowed position to a use position when the switch is activated. Applicant has also recognized the advantages of simplicity of design and operation provided by such a mechanism as is described and claimed herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Applicant has provided for these advantages and others in an inside rear view mirror for a motor vehicle which employs a two-position, rotary-action solenoid electronically activated from a switch mounted on the steering wheel spoke for momentarily locating the rear view mirror in a down position when the switch is depressed and releasing the solenoid to a normally up position when the switch is released. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational side view of the folding mirror of Applicant&#39;s invention, showing the mirror in a use position (solid lines) and a stowed position (dashed lines). 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the folding mirror of Applicant&#39;s invention, again showing the two positions. 
     FIG. 3 is a preferred alternate embodiment illustrating means of attaching the mounting arm of Applicant&#39;s folding mirror to the mirror housing. 
     FIG. 4 is another preferred alternate embodiment illustrating means of attaching the mounting arm of Applicant&#39;s folding mirror to the mirror housing. 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view showing part of the steering wheel of Applicant&#39;s invention illustrating a button-operated momentary switch to energize the solenoid of Applicant&#39;s invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates Applicant&#39;s folding mirror system (10) in a use position (solid lines) and in a stowed position (dashed lines). More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates the components and operation of folding mirror system (10). Folding mirror system (10) is comprised of a base (12) having a roof mounting leg (14) and a solenoid mounting leg (15). The two legs (14) and (15) are generally perpendicular to one another and provide a support base for mounting the system to the roof or, alternately, to a windshield frame or a headliner of a motor vehicle (18). Base (12) is usually made of metal and roof mounting leg (14) is permanently attached to vehicle (18) using conventional attachment means such as bolts or rivets, or by welding or the like. 
     Mounted to solenoid mounting leg (15) is rotary solenoid (16). Rotary solenoid (16) is spring loaded in one direction (preferably up or stowed) and has a mounting plate (20) attached thereto for rotation between 70° and 120° (preferably 95°), upon being energized. Rotary solenoid (16) is energized through electrical wires (22) which are connected to the electrical system of motor vehicle (18). 
     Connected to mounting plate (20) of rotary solenoid (16) is a mirror mounting arm (24). Mounting arm (24) is mounted at a first end (26) to mounting plate (20). At a second end (28) of mounting arm (24) is located a conventional adjustable joint (30) which allows the mirror of the system to pivot in two axes, up and down and side to side, as viewed in FIG. 1. A mirror arm (32) connects adjustable joint (30) to a mirror housing (34). Mirror housing (34) is conventional and contains mirror (36) either mounted on the surface or enclosed within. 
     Windshield (38) of motor vehicle (18) has a head or upper frame (40) which is joined to roof (42) and headliner (44). As can be seen in FIG. 1, headliner (44) may be dimensioned with a pocket (46) therein to provide for a pleasing appearance and also for protection, to receive mirror housing (34) when system (10) is in the stowed position. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the system housing nut-and-bolt combination (17) used to retain rotary solenoid (16) to solenoid mounting leg (15). As can be seen in FIG. 2 mirror housing (34) will fit comfortably within protective pocket (46) when system (10) is in a stowed position. Moreover, as can be readily appreciated from FIG. 2 when system (10) is in a stowed position, the driver&#39;s view through windshield (38) is clearly enhanced. 
     Rotary solenoid (16) is spring loaded such that when not energized it will hold system (10) in a stowed position. When the power is &#34;on&#34; the solenoid is energized from the electrical system of the motor vehicle (18) and drives the mirror (36) to a down position. The mirror (36) previously has been adjusted by the driver while it was in a down position and will therefore provide the driver with a view to the rear of motor vehicle (18). 
     A rotary solenoid that should provide satisfactory in operation is an intermittent duty solenoid with 95° of rotary action available from Lucas Ledex, Inc., 801 Scholz Drive, P. O. Box 427, Vandalia, Ohio 45377-0427. Rotation can be either right-hand or left-hand, depending upon which side of the mounting plate the rotary solenoid (16) is mounted. Moreover, two solenoids (16) can be used, one opposite the other, to provide positive movement in each direction. 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate two alternate embodiments where removed end (28) of mounting arm (24) is attached directly to mirror housing (34) through adjustable joint (30), thereby omitting mirror arm (32). Note that mounting arm (24) in FIG. 4 is curved to provide both for a pleasing appearance and to allow housing (34) to recess in pocket (46) when system (10) is in a closed position. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a section of a steering wheel (48) which has button (50) on a spoke (52) thereof. More specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of system (10) which provides a momentary switch (54) activated by button (50), wired in series with rotary solenoid (16), to energize system (10) and hold mirror (36) in the use position as illustrated by the solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2. When the driver of vehicle (18) releases button (50) which contains momentary switch (54), mirror (36) will return to the stowed position in pocket (46). The switch should be located proximate to the rim of the steering wheel such that it may be reached without completely removing the hand from the rim. 
     Terms such as &#34;left&#34;, &#34;right&#34;, &#34;up&#34;, &#34;down&#34;, &#34;bottom&#34;, &#34;top&#34;, &#34;front&#34;, &#34;back&#34;, &#34;in&#34;, &#34;out&#34; and the like are applicable to the embodiment shown and described in conjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely for the purposes of description and do not necessarily apply to the position or manner in which the invention may be constructed or used. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. On the contrary, various modifications of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications, alternatives, and equivalents that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.