Automotive exterior mirror heater control

摘要

An exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use on a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly, a mirror heating element and a control. The mirror assembly includes a mirror head portion mountable to a side of a vehicle and a reflective element supported at the mirror head portion. The mirror heating element is disposed at a rear side of the reflective element and operable to heat the reflective element. The control is operable to power the mirror heating element to heat the reflective element. The control controls heating of the mirror heating element responsive at least in part to a signal indicative of air flow at or around the exterior rearview mirror assembly and the reflective element of the equipped vehicle.

主权项

1. An exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use on a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror system comprising:
an exterior rearview mirror assembly having a reflective element supported at a mirror head portion mountable to a side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system; a mirror heating element disposed at a rear side of said reflective element and operable to heat said reflective element; and a control operable to power said mirror heating element to heat said reflective element, wherein said control controls heating of said mirror heating element responsive at least in part to (i) a speed signal indicative of a speed of travel of the equipped vehicle and (ii) a temperature signal indicative of a temperature at or on said reflective element; wherein, responsive to said control receiving a speed signal indicative of vehicle movement, said control powers said mirror heating element; wherein, responsive to said control receiving a speed signal indicative of little or no vehicle movement for a predetermined period of time, said control reduces power applied to said mirror heating element; and wherein said control, responsive to said control receiving a speed signal indicative of little or no vehicle movement for a predetermined period of time of at least about three minutes, said control reduces power applied to said mirror heating element.