US4929072A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self cleaning mirror for a vehicle
Assignee: Aisin Corp
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Filing: 1989-07-31
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Granted: 1990-05-29
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Expires: 2009-07-31
Abstract
Abstract An outside mirror of a vehicle has an ultrasonic vibrator attached to its rear side for removing water and the like from the front side of the mirror. The mirror is attached to a frame by means of a supporting member extending around an outer peripheral edge of the mirror. The supporting portion is formed of a material having less acoustic impedance than the mirror. The vibrator has electrode connectors connected to wires from a control device by being mechanically clamped to those wires.
Inventors
- 👤 Naofumi Fujie
- 👤 Tomoaki Imaizumi
- 👤 Koji Ito
- 👤 Shoji Okada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:24
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/0006; B; B08; B08B; B08B7/00; B08B7/02; B08B7/026; B08B7/028; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/06; B60R1/0602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A self-cleaning mirror for a vehicle comprising: a mirror of predetermined curvature; an ultrasonic vibrator joined to a rear surface of said mirror; and a mirror frame attached to an outer circumference of said mirror by means of a supporting member made of a material having less acoustic impedance than said mirror.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A self-cleaning mirror for a vehicle comprising: a mirror of predetermined curvature; an ultrasonic vibrator joined to a rear surface of said mirror; and a mirror frame attached to an outer circumference of said mirror by means of a supporting member made of a material having less acoustic impedance than said mirror.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting member is arranged around the entire outer circumference of said mirror.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting member is circumferentially interrupted at least at one interval around said outer circumference of said mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A self-cleaning mirror for a vehicle comprising a mirror of predetermined curvature, an electric control means, and an ultrasonic vibrator joined to a rear surface of said mirror and electrically connected to said control means, said ultrasonic vibrator including: a vibratory element, and first and second electrode terminals mounted on first and second sides, respectively, of said vibratory element, each electrode terminal including a projecting connection portion clamped to a lead wire from said control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
A self-cleaning mirror for a vehicle comprising a mirror of predetermined curvature, an electric control means, and an ultrasonic vibrator joined to a rear surface of said mirror and electrically connected to said control means, said ultrasonic vibrator including: a vibratory element, and first and second electrode terminals mounted on first and second sides, respectively, of said vibratory element, each electrode terminal including a projecting connection portion clamped to a lead wire from said control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said terminal connecting portions is mechanically crimped to its respective lead wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of said terminal connecting portions is elastically resilient and clamped to its respective lead wire by means of said resiliency.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of said electrode terminals includes a disk portion connected to said vibratory element, said connecting portion projecting outwardly from said disk portion in the same plane as said disk portion, said connecting portion including side edges forming smooth transitions with an outer peripheral edge of said disk portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
A self-cleaning mirror for a vehicle comprising: a mirror of predetermined curvature, an electric control means, and an ultrasonic vibrator joined to a rear surface of said mirror and electrically connected to said control means, said ultrasonic vibrator including: a vibratory element, first and second electrode terminals mounted on first and second sides, respectively, of said vibratory element, each electrode terminal including a projecting connecting portion connected to a lead wire from said control means, and a molding material occupying a space between a rear side of said mirror and a terminal defined by a connection between said connecting portion and lead wire, said molding material suppressing vibration of said connecting portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
A self-cleaning mirror for a vehicle comprising: a mirror of predetermined curvature, an electric control means, and an ultrasonic vibrator joined to a rear surface of said mirror and electrically connected to said control means, said ultrasonic vibrator including: a vibratory element, first and second electrode terminals mounted on first and second sides, respectively, of said vibratory element, each electrode terminal including a projecting connecting portion connected to a lead wire from said control means, and a molding material occupying a space between a rear side of said mirror and a terminal defined by a connection between said connecting portion and lead wire, said molding material suppressing vibration of said connecting portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein each of said electrode terminals includes a disk portion connected to said vibratory element, said connecting portion projecting outwardly from said disk portion in the same plane as said disk portion, said connection portion including side edges forming smooth transitions with an outer peripheral edge of said disk portion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-05-28 | 1993-11-27 | 1994-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-28 | 1997-11-27 | 1998-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-28 | 2001-11-27 | 2002-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |