System and methods for mounting a peripheral vehicular device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11535159-B2
Application number	US-201816039189-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 18, 2018
Priority date	Jul 18, 2018
Publication date	Dec 27, 2022
Grant date	Dec 27, 2022

Abstract

A vehicle mirror assembly includes a mirror base configured to attach one or more accessories to the mirror base at an attachment point. The mirror base is attachable to a vehicle door. The vehicle mirror assembly also includes a powerfold assembly. The powerfold assembly includes a motor configured to move the mirror base, a motor assembly shield, a powerfold motor frame surrounding the motor, and a detent mechanism located between the powerfold assembly and the mirror base. The powerfold assembly is located in the vehicle door and is configured to allow movement of the mirror base when the mirror base experiences impact. Methods of manufacturing and operating the mirror assembly are also disclosed.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A vehicle mirror assembly comprising:
a mirror base configured to attach one or more accessories comprising a mirror head to the mirror base at an attachment point, the mirror base attachable to a vehicle door; and
a powerfold assembly comprising:
a motor configured to move the mirror base;
a motor assembly shield;
a powerfold motor frame surrounding the motor; and
a detent mechanism located between the powerfold assembly and the mirror base;

wherein the powerfold assembly is located outside of the mirror head in the vehicle door and is configured to allow movement of the mirror base when the mirror base experiences impact.

2. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the detent mechanism is casted onto the powerfold motor frame.

3. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the powerfold assembly further comprises:
one or more first gears;
a shaft surrounding the one or more first gears;
a pin configured to attach the detent mechanism to the shaft;
one or more second gears mechanically coupled to the motor and configured to rotate the one or more first gears;
a cap covering an open surface of the motor assembly shield;
a thrust bearing attached to the cap; and
one or more bearings attached to the shaft.

4. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 3 , wherein the detent mechanism is integrated with at least the shaft.

5. The vehicle mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the allowed movement is rotational.

Assignees

• Faraday & Future Inc

Inventors

• Lamorte Christopher W
• Brogan Cian John Francis

Classifications

• B60R1/074 Primary

  for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle · CPC title

• G01S17/931

  of land vehicles · CPC title

• B60R1/076 Primary

  yieldable to excessive external force and provided with an indexed use position ({B60R1/0617, B60R1/074} take precedence) · CPC title

• B60R2001/1253

  with cameras, video cameras or video screens · CPC title

• G01S2013/93274

  on the side of the vehicles · CPC title