Patent Publication Number: US-2022227295-A1

Title: Vehicle body mounted side view mirror assemblies with off-roading and vehicle security features

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to side view mirrors for motor vehicles, and more particularly to vehicle static body structure mounted side view mirror assemblies that include various accessory features for supporting off-roading and improved vehicle security. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicle side view mirrors are typically mounted to driver and passenger side doors. Vehicles designed for off-road use often provide for the removal of the driver and passenger side doors. Removal of the side doors typically results in also removing the side view mirrors. 
     SUMMARY 
     A side view mirror assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a stationary mirror housing section mounted to a vehicle static body structure and including a first mirror and a movable mirror housing section movably mounted to the stationary mirror housing section and including a second mirror. The movable mirror housing section is movable between a first, on-road driving position and a second, off-road driving position relative to the stationary mirror housing section. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing side view mirror assembly, a bracket located at a base of the stationary mirror housing section is mounted at a first portion of the vehicle static body structure and an upper section of the stationary mirror housing section is mounted at a second portion of the vehicle body static structure. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of either of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, the movable mirror housing section is movably mounted to the stationary mirror housing section by a pivotable and telescoping arm. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, the movable mirror housing section includes a third mirror, and the third mirror is forward facing when the movable mirror housing section is positioned in the first, on-road driving position and establishes a lower, rear-facing mirror of the stationary mirror housing section when the movable mirror housing section is positioned in the second, off-road driving position. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a top surface of the stationary mirror housing section establishes an accessory mounting platform that includes a plurality of mounting openings. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a snorkel intake duct is attached to the stationary mirror housing section. The snorkel intake duct is in fluid communication with an air intake opening formed in the stationary mirror housing section. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a wind wing is slidably mounted to the stationary mirror housing section. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a turn signal repeater or a floodlight is provided on the stationary mirror housing section or the movable mirror housing section. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a spotlight and a camera are provided on the movable mirror housing section. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a radar sensor is provided on the movable mirror housing section. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, the vehicle static body structure includes an A-pillar, a hinge pillar, a fender support, and a cowl structure, and the side view mirror assembly is mounted at joint interface between the A-pillar, the hinge pillar, the fender support, and the cowl structure. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a bracket located at a base of the stationary mirror housing section is mounted at the joint interface, and an upper section of the stationary mirror housing section is mounted to the A-pillar. 
     A method according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, monitoring a perimeter located outside of a vehicle with a radar sensor of a side view mirror assembly that is mounted to a vehicle static body structure of the vehicle. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, the monitoring is performed when the vehicle is in park and in a doors-off condition. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of either of the foregoing methods. the monitoring includes establishing at least a portion of a security protection zone about the vehicle. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the monitoring is performed when the vehicle is in park. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the monitoring includes establishing at least a portion of a security protection zone about a campsite or tailgating site adjacent to the vehicle. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, establishing the portion of the security protection zone includes receiving an input of a plurality of perimeter points that establish an outer perimeter of the security protection zone. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the side view mirror assembly includes a stationary mirror housing section mounted to the vehicle static body structure and including a first mirror and a movable mirror housing section movably mounted to the stationary mirror housing section and including a second mirror. 
     In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the movable mirror housing section is movable between a first, on-road driving position and a second, off-road driving position relative to the stationary mirror housing section. 
     The embodiments, examples, and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible. 
     The various features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates portions of a motor vehicle equipped with a side view mirror assembly. The side view mirror assembly is shown positioned in an on-road driving position. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the exemplary side view mirror assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the side view mirror assembly positioned in an off-road driving position. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary mounting configuration of a side view mirror assembly. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another exemplary mounting configuration of a side view mirror assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of an exemplary vehicle side view mirror assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the side view mirror assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a human machine interface of a vehicle equipped with side view mirror assemblies. 
         FIG. 9  schematically illustrates radar features of a vehicle equipped with side view mirror assemblies. 
         FIG. 10  schematically illustrates additional radar features of a vehicle equipped with side view mirror assemblies. 
         FIG. 11  schematically illustrates a vehicle security system. 
         FIG. 12  schematically illustrates an exemplary use of the vehicle security system of  FIG. 11  for securing a perimeter outside of the vehicle. 
         FIG. 13  schematically illustrates a user controlling the vehicle security system of  FIGS. 11 and 12  with a smart device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure details vehicle static body structure mounted side view mirror assemblies. The exemplary side view mirror assemblies may include features for supporting vehicle off-roading, such as a pivoting and telescoping mirror section, a wind wing, lighting features, snorkel features, and/or accessory mounts, etc. The exemplary side view mirror assemblies may also include features for supporting improved vehicle security, such as mirror mounted radar sensors capable of establishing a security protection zone about the vehicle. These and other features of this disclosure are described in greater detail below. 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate select portions of a motor vehicle  10 . In an embodiment, the vehicle  10  is a sport utility vehicle (SUV). However, the teachings of this disclosure may also be applicable to trucks, cars, vans, or any other type of motor vehicle. The vehicle  10  could also be a conventional motor vehicle, a traction battery powered hybrid or electric vehicle, or an autonomous vehicle (i.e., a driverless vehicle). 
     Although a specific component relationship is illustrated in the figures of this disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit this disclosure. In other words, the placement and orientation of the various components of the vehicle  10  are shown schematically and could vary within the scope of this disclosure. In addition, the various figures accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be either exaggerated or minimized to emphasize certain details of a particular component. 
     The vehicle  10  may include a side view mirror assembly  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the side view mirror assembly  12  is located on a passenger side  14  of the vehicle  10 . An additional side view mirror assembly (not shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ) may be located on a driver side of the vehicle  10 , and the additional side view mirror assembly could include an identical design or a different design than the side view mirror assembly  12 . 
     The side view mirror assembly  12  is mounted to a vehicle static body structure  18  instead of a side door  20  of the vehicle  10 . The side doors  20  of the vehicle  10  may be removed from the vehicle static body structure  18  to provide an open-air driving and riding experience. Door mounted side view mirrors are of course removed along with the side doors  20 . The exemplary side view mirror assemblies  12  of this disclosure may be mounted to structural vehicle body components within a leaf screen area  16  of the vehicle  10 . Accordingly, each side view mirror assembly  12  remains mounted to the vehicle  10  even when the side doors  20  of the vehicle  10  are removed, such as during off-road driving events, for example. 
     The vehicle static body structure  18  may include portions of an A-pillar  24 , a hinge pillar  26 , a fender support  28 , and a cowl structure  30 . In an embodiment, the side view mirror assembly  12  is mounted to the vehicle static body structure  18  at a joint interface  32  between the A-pillar  24 , the hinge pillar  26 , the fender support  28 , and the cowl structure  30 . Portions of the side view mirror assembly  12  may also be secured along the A-pillar  24 . However, the side view mirror assembly  12  could be attached at other locations of the vehicle static body structure  18 , such as entirely on the A-pillar  24 , the hinge pillar  26 , the fender support  28 , the cowl structure  30 , a roof header  22 , etc. Although parts of the vehicle static body structure  18  are disclosed by way of example, the side view mirror assembly  12  of  FIGS. 1-3  could be attached to any portion of the vehicle static body structure  18 . 
     A bracket  34  (see  FIG. 2 ) of the side view mirror assembly  12  may be mounted to the vehicle static body structure  18 , such as at the joint interface  32 . One or more fasteners  36 , such as screws or bolts, may be used to secure the bracket  34  at the joint interface  32 . 
     The side view mirror assembly  12  may include a stationary mirror housing section  38  and a movable mirror housing section  40 . The movable mirror housing section  40  is movably connected to the stationary mirror housing section  38  by an arm  42 . The arm  42  may be both pivotable and extendable (i.e., telescoping) relative to the stationary mirror housing section  38 . 
     The movable mirror housing section  40  is movable between a first, on-road driving position P 1  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and a second, off-road driving position P 2  (see  FIG. 3 ) relative to the stationary mirror housing section  38 . In the first position P 1 , the movable mirror housing section  40  is extended from the stationary mirror housing section  38  into a stock mirror position suitable for normal, on-road driving conditions. In the second position P 2 , the movable mirror housing section  40  is retracted into a stowed position relative to the stationary mirror housing section  38  for off-road driving conditions. The side view mirror assembly  12  is contained within the fender width of the vehicle  10  when the movable mirror housing section  40  is retracted into the second position P 2 , thereby providing a relatively low off-road profile that is more conducive to off-road driving. 
     In an embodiment, the movable mirror housing section  40  is pivoted between the first and second positions P 1 , P 2  via the arm  42  as schematically depicted by arrow  44 . In another embodiment, the movable mirror housing section  40  is extended away from or moved toward the stationary mirror housing section  38  by telescoping the arm  42  as schematically depicted by arrow  46 . 
     The bracket  34  is configured to support a base  48  of the stationary mirror housing section  38  at the joint interface  32 . The bracket  34 , and thereby the side view mirror assembly  12 , may be removed from the vehicle static body structure  18  for service or maintenance as needed. 
     An upper section  50  of the stationary mirror housing section  38  may be supported by the A-pillar  24  of the vehicle static body structure  18 . The upper section  50  may extend along a majority of the length of the A-pillar  24 . In an embodiment, a top surface  52  of the upper section  50  extends to a position adjacent to the roof header  22  of the vehicle  10 . If a more stable mounting configuration is either desired or required, the stationary mirror housing section  38  may include an inboard mount  66  configured for mounting to an inboard portion  68  of the A-pillar  24  (see  FIG. 4 ), an upper mount  70  that extends from the upper section  50  and is configured for mounting to a ditch molding  72  of the roof header  22  (see  FIG. 5 ), or both. 
     The side view mirror assembly  12  may include a plurality of mirrors for viewing vehicle surroundings during both on-road driving conditions and off-road driving conditions. In an embodiment, a first mirror  54  is secured to a rear-facing side  56  of the stationary mirror housing section  38  and may be used during both on-road and off-road driving conditions, a second mirror  58  is secured to a first side  60  of the movable mirror housing section  40  and may be used primarily during on-road driving conditions, and a third mirror  62  is secured to a second side  64  of the movable mirror housing section  40  and may be used primarily during off-road driving conditions. In the illustrated embodiment, the first side  60  is rear-facing and the second side  64  is forward-facing when the movable mirror housing section  40  is positioned in the first position Pl. When the movable mirror housing section  40  is positioned in the second position P 2 , the third mirror  62  establishes a lower, rear-facing mirror of the stationary mirror housing section  38  for use during the off-road driving conditions. 
     The side view mirror assembly  12  may be a powered device. For example, the side view mirror assembly  12  may include one or more power mechanisms (motors, actuators, etc.) for moving the arm  42  and/or one or more of the mirrors  54 ,  58 ,  62  relative to their respective housing sections. An electric conduit  74  (see  FIG. 4 ) may be routed through portions of the stationary mirror housing section  38  and/or the movable mirror housing section  40  and into a dry area  76  of the vehicle  10 . In an embodiment, the dry area  76  is located beneath a hood  78  of the vehicle  10 . The electric conduit  74  may be attached to applicable power and control conduits (not shown) to power and control the various power mechanisms of the side view mirror assembly  12 . 
     When packaged on the passenger side  14  of the vehicle  10 , the side view mirror assembly  12  may be equipped with a snorkel intake duct  80 . The snorkel intake duct  80  may be mounted to the stationary mirror housing section  38 . An air intake opening  82  may be formed through a forward-facing side  84  of the stationary mirror housing section  38 . The snorkel intake duct  80  is fluidly connected to the air intake opening  82 , such as via one or more hollow sections of the stationary mirror housing section  38 . In situations in which the vehicle  10  is at least partially submerged in a body of water during off-roading driving conditions, airflow may be supplied to an internal combustion engine of the vehicle  10  by the snorkel intake duct  80 . 
     In an embodiment, the snorkel intake duct  80  is an external duct mounted to a fender  86  of the vehicle  10  (shown schematically using dashed lines in  FIGS. 2-3 ). In another embodiment, the snorkel intake duct  80  is an internal duct extending under the hood  78  of the vehicle  10  (shown schematically using dashed lines in  FIGS. 2-3 ). 
       FIGS. 6 and 7 , with continued reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , illustrate additional features of the side view mirror assembly  12 . The top surface  52  of the stationary mirror housing section  38  of the side view mirror assembly  12  may establish an accessory mounting platform for securing one or more accessory items (e.g., lights, cameras, antennas, flags, etc.) to the vehicle  10 . One or more mounting openings  88  may be formed in the top surface  52 . Each mounting opening  88  may receive a fastener (e.g., a bolt, screw, etc.) for securing accessory devices to the side view mirror assembly  12 . 
     Cameras, lights, antennas, and flags are non-limiting examples of the types of accessory items that could be mounted to the top surface  52  of the stationary mirror housing section  38  of the side view mirror assembly  12 . Therefore, as would be readily understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, any desired type of accessory item could be mounted to the vehicle  10  via the mounting platform established by the top surface  52 . 
     The stationary mirror housing section  38  may include a visor  90 . The visor  90  may extend from the forward-facing side  84  of the stationary mirror housing section  38 . The air intake opening  82  may be disposed within the visor  90 . One or more additional mounting openings  92  may be provided on the visor  90  for securing additional accessory items. 
     The side view mirror assembly  12  may additionally include a wind wing  94  that is slidably mounted to the stationary mirror housing section  38 . In an embodiment, the wind wing  94  is mounted to an outboard side  96  of the stationary mirror housing section  38 . The wind wing  94  may be slid in a rearward direction to protect vehicle occupants from sprayed dust, mud, water, sand, etc. when the vehicle  10  is being operated with the side doors  20  of the vehicle  10  removed. In an embodiment, the wind wing  94  is made of a translucent material so as not to impede with driver or passenger visibility. 
     The side view mirror assembly  12  may additionally include various electrical features such as, for example, one or more turn signal repeaters  98  and floodlights  100 . The electrical features are shown and described by way of example, and other electrical features such as, for example, a mirror defroster, a puddle lamp, and/or any other electrical features for complementing operation of the vehicle  10  and the side view mirror assembly  12 . The side view mirror assembly  12  could alternatively include no lights within the scope of this disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical features are shown as part of the stationary mirror housing section  38 , however, similar features could alternatively or additionally be incorporated into the movable mirror housing section  40 . 
     The movable mirror housing section  40  may be equipped with one or more spotlights  102 , cameras  104 , and radar sensors  106 . The spotlight  102 , camera  104 , and radar sensor  106  may be mounted at the second side  64  of the movable mirror housing section  40  and therefore face rearward when the movable mirror housing section  40  is positioned in the second position P 2  and face forward when the movable mirror housing section  40  is positioned in the first position Pl. The spotlight  102 , camera  104 , and radar sensor  106  may therefore be utilized to monitor the forward and/or rear environments surrounding the vehicle  10 . 
     A user can selectively control the spotlight  102  via a human machine interface  108  (see  FIG. 8 ) located within a passenger cabin of the vehicle  10  for achieving directed lighting about the vehicle  10 . The camera  104  is configured for capturing images in and around the vehicle  10 . In an embodiment, the spotlight  102  is aimed in the same direction as the camera  104  in order to improve the quality of the images recorded by the camera  104 . 
     The camera  104  may be any type of camera. In an embodiment, the images captured by the camera  104  may be displayed on a display  112  of the human machine interface  108  (see  FIG. 8 ). Where the vehicle  10  includes both a driver and a passenger side view mirror assembly  12 , the images captured by the cameras  104  may be displayed in a side-by-side configuration on the display  112 . 
     The radar sensor  106  may be any type of radar sensor and could be a single sensor or an arrangement of sensors or sensing devices for performing various vehicle-related radar functions. In an embodiment, the radar sensor  106  is a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar sensor. In another embodiment, the radar sensor  106  operates in the 60-GHz to 64-GHz band. However, other radar sensors may also be suitable within the scope of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 9  schematically illustrates numerous radar-related functions of the vehicle  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle  10  includes both a driver side view mirror assembly  12 A and a passenger side view mirror assembly  12 B. The driver side view mirror assembly  12 A and the passenger side view mirror assembly  12 B may both include a design similar to the side view mirror assembly  12  of  FIGS. 6-7 . The passenger side view mirror assembly  12 B could optionally include snorkel-related features, however, the driver side view mirror assembly  12 A typically does not include snorkel-related features. 
     In an embodiment, the radar sensors  106  of the driver side view mirror assembly  12 A and the passenger side view mirror assembly  12 B are configured to determine whether there is an adequate amount of space S between objects  114  (e.g., boulders, trees, logs, etc.) positioned in a traveling path of the vehicle  10 . The radar sensors  106  may provide for an alert when an insufficient amount of space S extends between the objects  114  or may provide instructions at the display  112  of the human machine interface  108  for guiding the driver for better maneuvering the vehicle  10  through the space S. Images captured by the cameras  104  may also be displayed on the display  112  during the maneuvering to allow the driver to steer clear of the objects  114  and avoid any scrapes or damage to the tires, fenders, etc. 
     In another embodiment, the radar sensors  106  of the driver side view mirror assembly  12 A and the passenger side view mirror assembly  12 B are configured to determine a distance to the ground or water W beneath the vehicle  10  on each side of the vehicle  10  and display such distance on the display  112 . A radiator fan  116  can be temporarily stopped when the water W is above a certain height to avoid spraying water into the engine compartment. 
     In another embodiment, when the vehicle  10  is configured in a doors-off mode, the radar sensors  106  of the driver side view mirror assembly  12 A and the passenger side view mirror assembly  12 B may be configured to detect when an object  118  falls out of vehicle  10  during travel. An alarm can be triggered when the radar sensors  106  detect the object  118 . 
     In another embodiment, the radar sensors  106  of the driver side view mirror assembly  12 A and the passenger side view mirror assembly  12 B may be configured to augment or replace a blind spot radar system of the vehicle  10 . 
     In yet another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 10 , when the vehicle  10  is operating in a reverse gear, the driver side view mirror assembly  12 A and the passenger side view mirror assembly  12 B may be automatically moved to the second, off-road driving position P 2 . In this position, the radar sensors  106  and the cameras  104  may function as a back-up driving assistance system to the driver, such as when backing the vehicle  10  up at a boat ramp, for example. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , the radar sensors  106  and cameras  104  of the driver side view mirror assembly  12 A and the passenger side view mirror assembly  12 B may be part of a security system  120  of the vehicle  10 . The security system  120  may include one or more additional radar sensors  122  located at the rear of the vehicle  10  and one or more additional radar sensors  124  located at the front of the vehicle  10 . In an embodiment, the radar sensors  122  may be taillight mounted blind spot information system (BLIS) radar sensors, and the radar sensors  124  may be front-end mounted advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) radar sensors. The radars sensors  106 ,  122 , and  124  may monitor all four sides of the vehicle  10 . 
     In an embodiment, when the vehicle  10  is in a park gear and in a doors-off mode, for example, the driver side view mirror assembly  12 A and the passenger side view mirror assembly  12 B automatically be moved to a half-folded position (i.e., a position between the first and second positions P 1 , P 2  of  FIGS. 1-3 ). In this position, the radar sensors  106  may be configured to include a  180  degree field of view at the sides of the vehicle  10 . In combination with the radar sensors  122 ,  124 , the security system  120  may establish a 360 degree security protection zone Z about the vehicle  10 , thereby guarding against thieves approaching and stealing items from the interior of the vehicle  10  without an alarm being triggered. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates additional security-related functionality of the security system  120  of  FIG. 11 . One or more of the radar sensors  106 ,  122 , and  124  may be configured to establish a security protection zone Z at a site  126  (e.g., a campsite or tailgating site) near the vehicle  10  for protecting various items  125  (e.g., tent, camping equipment, chairs, grills, etc.) located at the site  126  from theft. Using a smart device  128  (e.g., a smart phone, see  FIG. 13 ) that is equipped with an appropriate web-based application that is configured to communicate with the vehicle  10 , a user may select a plurality of perimeter points  130  that establish an outer perimeter of the security protection zone Z. The security protection zone Z allows the user to monitor the site  126  even when away from the site  126  or when sleeping. 
     In an embodiment, an alarm may be automatically triggered at the smart device  128  and/or the vehicle  10  when an intruder is detected within the security protection zone Z. The cameras  104  may record images when the intruder is detected. The recorded images may be transmitted to the user via the application on the smart device  128 . 
     The vehicle body mounted side view mirror assemblies of this disclosure include integrated features for supporting off-roading and improved vehicle security. The exemplary side view mirror assemblies therefore provide for a “doors-off” open air riding experience in which the mirrors are still available for use on the vehicle while also offering a multitude of enhanced off-roading and security features. 
     Although the different non-limiting embodiments are illustrated as having specific components or steps, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments. 
     It should be understood that like reference numerals identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several drawings. It should be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements could also benefit from the teachings of this disclosure. 
     The foregoing description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. A worker of ordinary skill in the art would understand that certain modifications could come within the scope of this disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.