GB2340804A

GB2340804A - Vehicle mirror apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2340804A
Application number: GB9817964A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Simpson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-08-19
Filing date: 1998-08-19
Publication date: 2000-03-01
Also published as: GB9817964D0

Abstract

A vehicle mirror comprises a mirror movable within its housing so as to remove water or ice from the surface thereof. The mirror may be rotatable at 500 rpm, preferably 500-2000 rpm, or vibratable. As shown in fig 1, a rotatable circular mirror 20 is located within a further mirrored surface 30 to form a continuous reflecting surface.

Description

-1 2340804 MIRROR APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mirror apparatus suitable for use as a vehicle wing mirror.

Backwound to the Invention Vehicles are commonly equipped with rear view mirrors, generally one on both sides of the vehicle, to enable the vehicle driver to see behind them. These mirrors are commonly referred to in the UK as wing Mirrors.

In wet or icy weather the reflecting surface of the mirror can become obscured with moisture or ice, which compromises the reflecting capability thereof. The problem is particulady apparent on a cold morning, when the vehicle driver is required to clear moisture or ice off the vehicle mirrors before driving off. The problem can also occur on driving in wet conditions when the reflecting surface of the mirror can become wetted by rain or more problematically by dirt-containing spray off the roads, which soils the mirror.

One solution to the aforementioned problems is for the vehicle driver to manually remove any moisture or ice manually from the mirrors. This is not particularly convenient. Furthermore, when the driver performs such manual cleaning there is the risk that the positioning of the mirror may inadvertently be altered, thereby compromising its utility to the driver.

Another suggested solution relies on the use of heating the mirror by some form of heating element, thereby causing any ice to melt. Such heating, however, takes time to work. Indeed, if the driver is in a hurry there is the temptation to drive off before the melting process has been completed, which ralses safety concerns for at least, the early parts of the journey. This type of heating solution is furthermore, less effective at removing water/spray from the mirror in continuous wet driving conditions.

The Applicants have now found a new solution to the abovementioned problems, which employs a mirror mountable in a housing for high-speed movement, particularly high-speed rotation, therein. Said movement or rotation aids removal of ice or moisture from the surface of the mirror.

Optionally, the mirror can include other features of e)dsting mirrors, such as devices (either physical or electrical) to move the mirror to the desired reflecting position.

-IL- Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle mirror apparatus comprising a housing; a minor mountable within said housing such that the mirror is movable relative thereto; and drive means for drivably moving the mirror relative to the housing.

The vehicle may be essentially any vehicle including cars, buses, lorries, vans, motorcycles or mopeds, designed for domestic, commercial or sporting use.

The mirror may be any mirror surface, but preferably is a conventional glass mirror.

Suitably, the mirror is movable at sufficient speed to remove water or ice from the surface thereof. The movement may be essentially continuous or may involve a series of pulsed movements.

In one aspect, the mirror is rotatable within said housing. The rotation acts such as to remove any ice or moisture the mirror due to centrifugal force. Preferably, the mirror is rDtatabie at speeds of greater than 500 revolutions per minute (rpm), particularly from 500 to 2000 rpm. Where rotatable, the mirror is preferably circular.

In another aspect, the mirror is vibratable, such as in a reciprocating fashion, within said housing. The frequency of vibration may be adjusted by workshop modifications to optimise the water and ice removal profile by, for example, location of the appropriate resonant frequency.

Suitably, the drive means comprises an electric motor. This may be operable from within the vehicle or by some remote means. The drive means may communicate mechanically with the mirror, or alternately other communication means involving the use of vacuum or magnetic coupling may be envisaged.

Suitably, the apparatus comprises one or more further mirrors fixedly attached to the housing. Preferably, the mirrors are arranged such as to provide a single reflecting surface or such as to increase the viewing angle available to the driver.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle having a body and attached thereto a mirror apparatus as described above.

According to a method aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of high-speed movement, preferably high-speed rotation to remove moisture or ice from a mirrored surface.

Brief description of the dravAn-q

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a frontal view of a mirror apparatus in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a sectional view of the mirror apparatus of Figure 1.

-3.

Detailed description of the draWnq

Figure 1. shows a mirror apparatus having a housing 10. The housing is typically formed from moulded plastic or shaped metal. A circular mirror 20 is rotationally mounted within the housing 10 such that it is drivably rotatable at high speed relative to the housing 10. A further mirrored surface 30 is fixedly mounted to the housing 10 such that the circular mirror 20 and the further mirrored surface 30 form an essentially continuous reflecting surface. Attachment arm 40 is provided for use in the attachment of the mirror apparatus to a vehicle in the wing mirror position.

Figure 2. shows a sectional view of the mirror apparatus of Figure 2. in which the circular mirror 20 may be seen to be mounted on rotatable axle 50, which is drivable by electric motor 60. The electric motor 60 is retained within a cavity in the housing 10 defined by retaining walls 12 and 14, and may be electrically connected to the vehicle (not shown) via wiring 62.

Whilst the mirror apparatus present invention has been described in particular for use with vehicles ft will be appreciated that other uses may be possible, including for instance hand-held mirrors and mirrors for household use such as in kitchens or bathrooms where moisture is a potential problem.

Claims

Claims __±--_

1. Vehicle mirror apparatus comprising a housing; a mirror mountable within said housing such that the mirror is movable relative thereto; and drive means for drivably moving the minor relative to the housing.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mirror is movable at sufficient speed to remove water or ice from the surface thereof.

3. Apparatus according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the mirror is rotatable within said housing.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mirror is rotatable at greater than 500 revolutions per minute (rpm), particularly from 500 to 2000 rpm.

5. Apparatus according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the mirror is vibratable within said housing.

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said drive means comprises an electric motor.

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising one or more further minors ffixedly attached to the housing.

8. Vehicle having a body and attached thereto a mirror apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8.

9. The use of high-speed movement to remove moisture or ice from a mirrored surface.

10. The use of high speed rotation to remove moisture or ice from a mirrored surface

11. Vehicle mirror apparatus essentially as described in the accompanying te)d and drawings.