GB2243586A - External vehicle mirror - Google Patents

External vehicle mirror Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2243586A
GB2243586A GB9108060A GB9108060A GB2243586A GB 2243586 A GB2243586 A GB 2243586A GB 9108060 A GB9108060 A GB 9108060A GB 9108060 A GB9108060 A GB 9108060A GB 2243586 A GB2243586 A GB 2243586A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
housing
air
mirror
guidance channel
view mirror
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9108060A
Other versions
GB9108060D0 (en
Inventor
Hans Mueller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ALFRED ENGELMANN METALLWARENFA
Original Assignee
ALFRED ENGELMANN METALLWARENFA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ALFRED ENGELMANN METALLWARENFA filed Critical ALFRED ENGELMANN METALLWARENFA
Publication of GB9108060D0 publication Critical patent/GB9108060D0/en
Publication of GB2243586A publication Critical patent/GB2243586A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/02—Rear-view mirror arrangements
    • B60R1/06—Rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior
    • B60R1/0602—Rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior comprising means for cleaning or deicing

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)

Abstract

An external vehicle mirror includes a housing (1), a mirror glass (2) and an air conducting means (3) for causing the air flow to impinge tangentially upon the mirror glass (2), in which, the air conducting means (3) is formed by an air guidance channel (9), which is situated adjacent the housing (1), together with a terminally disposed deflection device (11). <IMAGE>

Description

EXTERNAL VEHICLE MIRROR The present invention relates to an external rear-view mirror for a vehicle, comprising a housing, a mirror glass disposed therein, and an air conducting means which allows a portion of the air flow encountering the housing to pass at least approximately tangentially over the viewing surface of the mirror glass.
The durability of external mirrors is largely dependent on whether and to what extent the mirror surface becomes condensed or dirty. In known mirrors, the air which is to be conducted over the mirror surface is supplied from behind through openings in the mirror housing, and then it is conducted forwardly. In the case of these mirrors, it is not possible to provide adjusting means internally of the housing.
The basic object of the invention is to provide a mirror which may be fitted with adjusting means internally of its housing.
According to the present invention there is provided an external rear-view mirror for a vehicle, comprising a housing, a mirror glass disposed therein, and an air conducting means which allows a portion of the air flow encountering the housing to pass at least approximately tangentially over the viewing surface of the mirror glass in which the air conducting means is formed by an air guidance channel which is situated adjacent the housing, together with a deflection device, which is disposed on the end face when viewed in respect of the direction of flow.
Preferably, the cross-section of the air guidance channel narrows like a nozzle when viewed in the direction of flow.
One wall of the air guidance channel is preferably formed by a portion of the housing. Moreover, the inlet opening of the air guidance channel is preferably closable.
Further preferably the air guidance channel surrounds a moulded part in the form of an open groove, which moulded part pivotally communicates with the housing and is pivotable between an inoperative position and an operative position.
In a preferred embodiment, the air guidance channel is disposed in a spacing between the housing and a portion of the vehicle body, which is situated adjacent said housing.
The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view through an external vehicle mirror having a first embodiment of an air conducting means; Fig. 2 is a front view of the mirror as shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a plan view of an external vehicle mirror having a second embodiment of an air conducting means.
The mirror substantially comprises a housing 1, a mirror glass 2, which is adjustably retained in the housing 1, and an air conducting means 3, which serves to keep the mirror surface 4 clean by means of the air flow.
The mirror also has a holder 5 for securing the housing 1 on a side portion 6 of the vehicle body, as illustrated in Fig. 2.
The air conducting means 3 comprises a moulded part 7, which forms, together with the wall portion 8 of the housing 1, an air guidance channel 9 having an inlet opening 10 and an outlet opening 12, which is situated downstream of a deflection device 11 when viewed in respect of the direction of flow. The geometric proportions in the region of the outlet opening 12 are so selected that the air, which flows through the air guidance channel 9 due to the air flow and is denoted by arrows 13, passes approximately tangentially over the mirror surface 4 and, in consequence, induces a cleaning effect. Dust and moisture cannot settle on the mirror surface 4, and even a mirror surface, which is condensed at the start of a journey or is covered with drops of water and which one had neglected to clean, actually becomes clear after a short travel distance.To increase the effectiveness, the air guidance channel 9 narrows like a nozzle when viewed in respect of the direction of flow.
While the air conducting means of the first embodiment, which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, appears to be rigid - it may be incorporated into the housing 1, that is to say the moulded part 7 and the housing 1 may be produced as a one-piece construction - a second embodiment is shown in Fig. 3, which includes the possibility of totally eliminating the mirror cleaning means if such is not required, whereby - even if to a small extent - the coefficient of air resistance (cW value) may be positively influenced. In this case, the air conducting means 14 comprises a moulded part 16, which is adapted to the configuration of the housing 15 and is in the form of an open groove, which pivotally communicates with the housing 15 and is pivotable about an axis 17 between an inoperative position (shown by dotted lines), in which the inlet opening 10a is closed, and an operative position.
In similarity with the first embodiment, the air guidance channel 18 is formed by the moulded part 16 and the wall portion 19 of the housing 15.
In both embodiments, the air conducting means 3 or 14 respectively is disposed between the mirror glass and the vehicle. However, other embodiments are conceivable, wherein the air conducting means is provided at a different location on the mirror.

Claims (7)

1. An external rear-view mirror for a vehicle, comprising a housing, a mirror glass disposed therein, and an air conducting means which allows a portion of the air flow encountering the housing to pass at least approximately tangentially over the viewing surface of the mirror glass in which the air conducting means is formed by an air guidance channel which is situated adjacent the housing, together with a deflection device, which is disposed on the end face when viewed in respect of the direction of flow.
2. An external rear-view mirror as claimed in claim 1, in which the cross-section of the air guidance channel narrows like a nozzle when viewed in respect of the direction of flow.
3. An external rear-view mirror as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which one wall of the air guidance channel is formed by a portion of the housing.
4. An external rear-view mirror as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the inlet opening of the air guidance channel is closable.
5. An external rear-view mirror as claimed in claim 3 or 4, in which the air guidance channel surrounds a moulded part in the form of an open groove, which moulded part pivotally communicates with the housing and is pivotable between an inoperative position and an operative position.
6. An external rear-view mirror as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the air guidance channel is disposed in a spacing between the housing and a portion of the vehicle body, which is situated adjacent said housing.
7. An external rear view mirror, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.
GB9108060A 1990-04-20 1991-04-16 External vehicle mirror Withdrawn GB2243586A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4012591 1990-04-20

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9108060D0 GB9108060D0 (en) 1991-06-05
GB2243586A true GB2243586A (en) 1991-11-06

Family

ID=6404722

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9108060A Withdrawn GB2243586A (en) 1990-04-20 1991-04-16 External vehicle mirror

Country Status (2)

Country Link
DE (1) DE4111635C2 (en)
GB (1) GB2243586A (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4139430A1 (en) * 1991-11-29 1993-06-03 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag External rear view mirror for vehicle - has swivelling cover between mirror housing and support plate
WO1997037871A1 (en) * 1996-04-04 1997-10-16 Slater, Ian, Charles Self-cleaning external rear view mirrors
GB2376930A (en) * 2001-04-05 2002-12-31 Richard John Wragg Device for clearing water from vehicle external mirror surfaces
GB2475284A (en) * 2009-11-13 2011-05-18 Gregory Keyes A device for removing liquid from a vehicle mirror
GB2536533A (en) * 2015-01-08 2016-09-21 Seeclear Ltd Aerofoil device
US11097662B2 (en) 2019-04-19 2021-08-24 Kevin A. Betts Side view mirror

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2806054B1 (en) * 2000-03-07 2002-07-12 Ct Scient Tech Batiment Cstb VEHICLE TAIL LIGHT CLEANING DEVICE
DE10231693B4 (en) * 2002-07-13 2006-08-17 Schoeller-Schletter, Marina Exterior rearview mirror for a vehicle
FR2912977B1 (en) * 2007-02-27 2009-04-10 Renault Sas BODY COMPONENT OF AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE WITH A REFLECTIVE OR TRANSPARENT SURFACE WITH IMPROVED VISIBILITY IN THE PRESENCE OF DROPLETS
DE102007062228A1 (en) * 2007-12-21 2009-06-25 GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit Exterior mirror for motor vehicle, has housing comprising inlet opening for air flow and outlet opening connected to inlet opening via channel for displacement of stream flowing along housing, where housing is provided for receiving mirror
DE102010017373B4 (en) * 2010-06-15 2020-09-10 Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft Motor vehicle
US9126546B2 (en) * 2011-10-13 2015-09-08 Robert Bosch Gmbh System and method to minimize contamination of a rear view camera lens
BRMU9103049U2 (en) * 2011-12-21 2015-12-22 André Luiz Silva Da Silveira automotive rear-view mirrors, using ductwork and air blast projection over the lens of the exterior mirrors and side windows, for cleaning and removing water splashes
DE102014222095B4 (en) * 2014-10-29 2016-06-30 Aktiebolaget Skf Exterior mirror of a motor vehicle
CN105291989A (en) * 2015-11-10 2016-02-03 德文能源股份有限公司 Automobile rearview mirror capable of preventing water mist
CN106494311A (en) * 2016-12-09 2017-03-15 重庆平步青云汽车配件有限公司 There is the rearview mirror of automatic water-removing function
DE102019004778A1 (en) * 2019-07-09 2021-01-14 Man Truck & Bus Se Camera system with passive cleaning system for a motor vehicle
DE102019216122A1 (en) * 2019-10-21 2021-04-22 Zf Friedrichshafen Ag Method for cleaning a sensor unit and cleaning device
DE102021111199A1 (en) 2021-04-30 2022-11-03 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Cleaning an optical element on a vehicle

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1475058A (en) * 1974-03-14 1977-06-01 Renault Rear view mirrors
GB1515934A (en) * 1976-11-04 1978-06-28 Vauxhall Motors Ltd Rear view driving mirror
GB2048191A (en) * 1979-05-05 1980-12-10 Britax Wingard Ltd Exterior mirrors for vehicles
GB2153315A (en) * 1984-01-25 1985-08-21 James Winstanley Non-misting rear view mirror
US4550988A (en) * 1983-09-01 1985-11-05 Harder Benjamin P Side rear view mirror cleaning system
GB2175554A (en) * 1985-05-09 1986-12-03 Geoffrey Colin Darlow Cleaning device for vehicle rear-window
US4718755A (en) * 1984-06-04 1988-01-12 Navistar International Transportation Corp. Mirror turning vane

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4248497A (en) * 1979-06-25 1981-02-03 Leighton Robert E Trucker mirror spray deflector
DE8626063U1 (en) * 1986-09-30 1986-12-11 Wiesemann, Ulrich, 3493 Nieheim, De
US4869581A (en) * 1988-06-21 1989-09-26 Matulich Robert A Deflector to clean debris from automotive rearview mirrors

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1475058A (en) * 1974-03-14 1977-06-01 Renault Rear view mirrors
GB1515934A (en) * 1976-11-04 1978-06-28 Vauxhall Motors Ltd Rear view driving mirror
GB2048191A (en) * 1979-05-05 1980-12-10 Britax Wingard Ltd Exterior mirrors for vehicles
US4550988A (en) * 1983-09-01 1985-11-05 Harder Benjamin P Side rear view mirror cleaning system
GB2153315A (en) * 1984-01-25 1985-08-21 James Winstanley Non-misting rear view mirror
US4718755A (en) * 1984-06-04 1988-01-12 Navistar International Transportation Corp. Mirror turning vane
GB2175554A (en) * 1985-05-09 1986-12-03 Geoffrey Colin Darlow Cleaning device for vehicle rear-window

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4139430A1 (en) * 1991-11-29 1993-06-03 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag External rear view mirror for vehicle - has swivelling cover between mirror housing and support plate
WO1997037871A1 (en) * 1996-04-04 1997-10-16 Slater, Ian, Charles Self-cleaning external rear view mirrors
GB2376930A (en) * 2001-04-05 2002-12-31 Richard John Wragg Device for clearing water from vehicle external mirror surfaces
GB2475284A (en) * 2009-11-13 2011-05-18 Gregory Keyes A device for removing liquid from a vehicle mirror
GB2475284B (en) * 2009-11-13 2013-02-13 Gregory Keyes Device for removing liquid from a part of a vehicle
US8955236B2 (en) 2009-11-13 2015-02-17 Gregory Keyes Device for removing liquid from a part of a vehicle
GB2536533A (en) * 2015-01-08 2016-09-21 Seeclear Ltd Aerofoil device
US11097662B2 (en) 2019-04-19 2021-08-24 Kevin A. Betts Side view mirror

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE4111635A1 (en) 1991-10-24
DE4111635C2 (en) 1998-01-29
GB9108060D0 (en) 1991-06-05

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)