CN117048493A - Body mounted side view mirror assembly with off-road and vehicle safety features - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a side view mirror assembly mounted to a vehicle body with off-road and vehicle safety features. The present disclosure details a side view mirror assembly mounted on a static body structure of a vehicle. Exemplary side view mirror assemblies may include features for supporting off-road vehicles, such as pivoting and telescoping mirror segments, wings, lighting features, vent tube features, and/or accessory mounts, among others. The exemplary side view mirror assembly may also include features for supporting improved vehicle safety, such as a mirror-mounted radar sensor capable of establishing a safety zone around the vehicle.

Description

Body mounted side view mirror assembly with off-road and vehicle safety features

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to side-looking mirrors for motor vehicles, and more particularly to side-looking mirror assemblies mounted on the static body structure of a vehicle that include various accessory features for supporting off-road and improved vehicle safety.

Background

Vehicle side mirrors are typically mounted to both the driver side and passenger side doors. Vehicles designed for off-road use typically remove driver side and passenger side doors. Removal of the side door typically results in the side mirror also being removed.

Disclosure of Invention

A side view mirror assembly for a vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things: a stationary mirror housing section mounted to a vehicle static body structure and comprising a first mirror; and a movable mirror housing section movably mounted to the fixed mirror housing section and including a second mirror. The movable mirror housing segment is movable relative to the fixed mirror housing segment between a first road travel position and a second off-road travel position.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing side view mirror assembly, a bracket at the base of the fixed mirror housing section is mounted at a first portion of the vehicle static body structure and an upper section of the fixed mirror housing section is mounted at a second portion of the body static structure.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, the movable mirror housing section is movably mounted to the fixed mirror housing section by a pivotable and retractable arm.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, the movable mirror housing section comprises a third mirror, and the third mirror faces forward when the movable mirror housing section is positioned in the first road travel position and establishes a lower rear facing mirror of the fixed mirror housing section when the movable mirror housing section is positioned in the second off-road travel position.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, the top surface of the stationary mirror housing section establishes an accessory mounting platform that includes a plurality of mounting openings.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a breather tube inlet is attached to the fixed mirror housing section. The breather tube inlet channel is in fluid communication with an inlet port formed in the fixed mirror housing section.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a wind vane is slidably mounted to the fixed mirror housing section.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a turn signal relay or floodlight is disposed on the fixed or movable mirror housing sections.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a spotlight and a camera are provided on the movable mirror housing section.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a radar sensor is disposed on the movable mirror housing section.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, the vehicle static body structure comprises an a-pillar, a hinge pillar, a fender support, and a cowl structure, and the side view mirror assembly is mounted at a joint interface between the a-pillar, the hinge pillar, the fender support, and the cowl structure.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing side view mirror assemblies, a bracket at the base of the fixed mirror housing section is mounted at the joint interface and an upper section of the fixed mirror housing section is mounted to the a-pillar.

A method according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, monitoring a perimeter located outside of a vehicle with a radar sensor of a side view mirror assembly mounted to a vehicle static body structure of the vehicle.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, the monitoring is performed while the vehicle is in park and in a door closed condition.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the monitoring includes establishing at least a portion of a safety zone around the vehicle.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the monitoring is performed while the vehicle is in park.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the monitoring includes establishing at least a portion of a safety protection zone around a camp or picnic site adjacent the vehicle.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, establishing the portion of the safety zone includes receiving input of a plurality of perimeter points that establish an outer perimeter of the safety zone.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the side view mirror assembly comprises: a stationary mirror housing section mounted to the vehicle static body structure and comprising a first mirror; and a movable mirror housing section movably mounted to the fixed mirror housing section and including a second mirror.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the movable mirror housing segment is movable relative to the fixed mirror housing segment between a first off-road travel position and a second off-road travel position.

Embodiments, examples, and alternatives (including any of their various aspects or corresponding individual features) of the preceding paragraphs, claims, or the following description and drawings may be employed separately or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless such features are incompatible.

Various features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a portion of a motor vehicle equipped with a side view mirror assembly. The side view mirror assembly is shown positioned in a road-going position.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the exemplary side view mirror assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the side view mirror assembly positioned in an off-road travel position.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary mounting configuration of a side view mirror assembly.

FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary mounting configuration for a side view mirror assembly.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of an exemplary vehicle side view mirror assembly.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the side view mirror assembly of FIG. 6.

Fig. 8 shows a man-machine interface of a vehicle equipped with a side view mirror assembly.

Fig. 9 schematically illustrates the radar feature of a vehicle equipped with a side view mirror assembly.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates an additional radar feature of a vehicle equipped with a side view mirror assembly.

Fig. 11 schematically illustrates a vehicle safety system.

Fig. 12 schematically illustrates an exemplary use of the vehicle safety system of fig. 11 for ensuring ambient safety of the vehicle exterior.

Fig. 13 schematically illustrates a user controlling the vehicle safety system of fig. 11 and 12 with a smart device.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure details a side view mirror assembly mounted on a static body structure of a vehicle. Exemplary side view mirror assemblies may include features for supporting off-road vehicles, such as pivoting and telescoping mirror segments, wings, lighting features, vent tube features, and/or accessory mounts, among others. The exemplary side view mirror assembly may also include features for supporting improved vehicle safety, such as a mirror-mounted radar sensor capable of establishing a safety zone around the vehicle. These and other features of the present disclosure are described in more detail below.

Fig. 1-3 illustrate selected portions of a motor vehicle 10. In one embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). However, the teachings of the present disclosure are also applicable to trucks, automobiles, vans, or any other type of motor vehicle. The vehicle 10 may also be a conventional motor vehicle, a traction battery powered hybrid or electric vehicle, or an autonomous vehicle (i.e., an unmanned vehicle).

Although specific component relationships are shown in the drawings of the present disclosure, the illustrations are not intended to limit the disclosure. In other words, the placement and orientation of the various components of the vehicle 10 are only schematically illustrated and may vary within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the various figures accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to emphasize certain details of particular components.

The vehicle 10 may include a side view mirror assembly 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the side view mirror assembly 12 is located on a passenger side 14 of the vehicle 10. An additional side view mirror assembly (not shown in fig. 1-3) may be located on the driver side of the vehicle 10, and the additional side view mirror assembly may include the same design as the side view mirror assembly 12 or a different design.

The side view mirror assembly 12 is mounted to a vehicle static body structure 18 rather than to a side door 20 of the vehicle 10. The side doors 20 of the vehicle 10 are removable from the vehicle static body structure 18 to provide an open air drive and seating experience. The side mirror mounted on the door is of course removed together with the side door 20. The exemplary side view mirror assembly 12 of the present disclosure is mountable to a structural body member within a blade shroud region 16 of the vehicle 10. Thus, each side view mirror assembly 12 remains mounted to the vehicle 10 even when the side door 20 of the vehicle 10 is removed, such as during an off-road driving event, for example.

The vehicle static body structure 18 may include portions of an a-pillar 24, a hinge pillar 26, a fender support 28, and a cowl structure 30. In one embodiment, the side view mirror assembly 12 is mounted to the vehicle static body structure 18 at a joint interface 32 between the A-pillar 24, the hinge pillar 26, the fender support 28, and the cowl structure 30. Portions of the side view mirror assembly 12 may also be secured along the a-pillar 24. However, the side view mirror assembly 12 may be attached at other locations of the vehicle static body structure 18, such as entirely on the A-pillar 24, the hinge pillar 26, the fender support 28, the cowl structure 30, the roof front rail 22, and the like. Although portions of the vehicle static body structure 18 are disclosed by way of example, the side view mirror assembly 12 of fig. 1-3 may be attached to any portion of the vehicle static body structure 18.

Brackets 34 (see FIG. 2) of the side view mirror assembly 12 may be mounted to the vehicle static body structure 18, such as at the joint interface 32. One or more fasteners 36, such as screws or bolts, may be used to secure the bracket 34 at the joint interface 32.

The side view mirror assembly 12 may include a fixed mirror housing section 38 and a movable mirror housing section 40. The movable mirror housing segment 40 is movably connected to the fixed mirror housing segment 38 by an arm 42. The arm 42 may pivot and extend (i.e., telescope) relative to the fixed mirror housing section 38.

The movable mirror housing segment 40 is movable relative to the fixed mirror housing segment 38 between a first road travel position P1 (see fig. 1 and 2) and a second off-road travel position P2 (see fig. 3). In the first position P1, the movable mirror housing segment 40 extends from the fixed mirror housing segment 38 to a standby mirror position suitable for normal road travel conditions. In the second position P2, the movable mirror housing segment 40 is retracted relative to the fixed mirror housing segment 38 to the stowed position for off-road travel conditions. When the movable mirror housing segment 40 is retracted to the second position P2, the side view mirror assembly 12 is received within the fender width of the vehicle 10, thereby providing a relatively low off-road profile that is more conducive to off-road travel.

In one embodiment, the movable mirror housing segment 40 pivots between a first position P1 and a second position P2 via an arm 42, as schematically depicted by arrow 44. In another embodiment, the movable mirror housing segment 40 is extended away from or moved toward the fixed mirror housing segment 38 by telescoping the arm 42, as schematically depicted by arrow 46.

The bracket 34 is configured to support a base 48 of the fixed mirror housing section 38 at the joint interface 32. The bracket 34, and thus the side view mirror assembly 12, may be removed from the vehicle static body structure 18 for repair or maintenance as desired.

The upper section 50 of the stationary mirror housing section 38 may be supported by the a-pillar 24 of the vehicle static body structure 18. The upper section 50 may extend along a majority of the length of the a-pillar 24. In one embodiment, the top surface 52 of the upper section 50 extends to a position adjacent the front roof rail 22 of the vehicle 10. If a more stable mounting configuration is desired or required, the fixed mirror housing section 38 may include an inboard mount 66 (see FIG. 4) configured to mount to an inboard portion 68 of the A-pillar 24, an upper mount 70 (see FIG. 5) extending from the upper section 50 and configured to mount to a channel molding 72 of the roof front rail 22, or both.

The side view mirror assembly 12 may include a plurality of mirrors for viewing the vehicle surroundings during both on-road and off-road driving conditions. In one embodiment, the first mirror 54 is fixed to the rear facing side 56 of the fixed mirror housing section 38 and is usable during both on-road and off-road driving conditions, the second mirror 58 is fixed to the first side 60 of the movable mirror housing section 40 and is usable primarily during on-road driving conditions, and the third mirror 62 is fixed to the second side 64 of the movable mirror housing section 40 and is usable primarily during off-road driving conditions. In the illustrated embodiment, the first side 60 faces rearward and the second side 64 faces forward when the movable mirror housing segment 40 is positioned in the first position P1. When the movable mirror housing segment 40 is positioned in the second position P2, the third mirror 62 establishes the lower rear facing mirror of the fixed mirror housing segment 38 for use during off-road driving conditions.

The side view mirror assembly 12 may be a power plant. For example, the side view mirror assembly 12 can include one or more power mechanisms (motors, actuators, etc.) for moving one or more of the arms 42 and/or mirrors 54, 58, 62 relative to their respective housing sections. An electrical conduit 74 (see fig. 4) may be routed through portions of the stationary mirror housing section 38 and/or the movable mirror housing section 40 and into a dry area 76 of the vehicle 10. In one embodiment, the drying area 76 is located under a hood 78 of the vehicle 10. The electrical conduit 74 may be attached to suitable power and control conduits (not shown) to power and control the various power mechanisms of the side view mirror assembly 12.

When packaged on the passenger side 14 of the vehicle 10, the side view mirror assembly 12 may be equipped with a vent inlet 80. The breather tube intake port 80 may be mounted to the fixed mirror housing section 38. The air inlet 82 may be formed through a forward facing side 84 of the stationary mirror housing section 38. The breather tube intake passage 80 is fluidly connected to the intake 82, such as via one or more hollow portions of the fixed mirror housing section 38. In the event that the vehicle 10 is at least partially submerged in a body of water during off-road driving conditions, airflow may be supplied by the breather conduit 80 to the internal combustion engine of the vehicle 10.

In one embodiment, the breather conduit 80 is an external air conduit (schematically shown in fig. 2-3 using dashed lines) mounted to a fender 86 of the vehicle 10. In another embodiment, the breather conduit 80 is an internal air channel (schematically shown in fig. 2-3 using dashed lines) extending under the hood 78 of the vehicle 10.

With continued reference to fig. 1-5, fig. 6 and 7 illustrate additional features of the side view mirror assembly 12. The top surface 52 of the fixed mirror housing section 38 of the side view mirror assembly 12 can establish an accessory mounting platform for securing one or more accessory items (e.g., lights, cameras, antennas, signs, etc.) to the vehicle 10. One or more mounting openings 88 may be formed in the top surface 52. Each mounting opening 88 may receive a fastener (e.g., a bolt, screw, etc.) for securing the accessory device to the side view mirror assembly 12.

Cameras, lights, antennas, and signs are non-limiting examples of the types of accessory items that may be mounted to the top surface 52 of the fixed mirror housing section 38 of the side view mirror assembly 12. Thus, as will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, any desired type of accessory item may be mounted to the vehicle 10 via the mounting platform established by the top surface 52.

The stationary mirror housing section 38 may include a sun visor 90. The visor 90 may extend from the forward facing side 84 of the stationary mirror housing section 38. The air inlet 82 may be disposed within the visor 90. One or more additional mounting openings 92 may be provided on the visor 90 for securing additional accessory items.

The side view mirror assembly 12 may additionally include a wind vane 94 slidably mounted to the fixed mirror housing section 38. In one embodiment, the wind wings 94 are mounted to the outside 96 of the fixed mirror housing section 38. When the vehicle 10 is operated with the side door 20 of the vehicle 10 removed, the wind wings 94 may slide in the rearward direction to protect the vehicle occupants from sprayed dust, dirt, water, sand, etc. In one embodiment, the wings 94 are made of a translucent material so as not to interfere with driver or passenger visibility.

The side view mirror assembly 12 may additionally include various electrical features, such as, for example, one or more turn signal relays 98 and floodlights 100. The electrical features are shown and described by way of example, as well as other electrical features, such as, for example, mirror defrosters, sump lamps, and/or any other electrical features used to supplement the operation of the vehicle 10 and the side view mirror assembly 12. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the side view mirror assembly 12 may alternatively not include a lamp. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical features are shown as part of the fixed mirror housing section 38, however, similar features may alternatively or additionally be incorporated into the movable mirror housing section 40.

The movable mirror housing section 40 may be equipped with one or more spotlights 102, a camera 104, and a radar sensor 106. Spotlight 102, camera 104 and radar sensor 106 may be mounted at second side 64 of movable mirror housing segment 40 and thus face rearward when movable mirror housing segment 40 is positioned in second position P2 and forward when movable mirror housing segment 40 is positioned in first position P1. Thus, the spotlight 102, camera 104 and radar sensor 106 may be used to monitor the front and/or rear environment around the vehicle 10.

A user may selectively control spotlight 102 via a human-machine interface 108 (see fig. 8) located within the passenger compartment of vehicle 10 to achieve directional illumination around vehicle 10. The camera 104 is configured to capture images in and around the vehicle 10. In one embodiment, the spotlight 102 is aimed in the same direction as the camera 104 in order to improve the quality of the image recorded by the camera 104.

The camera 104 may be any type of camera. In one embodiment, the image captured by the camera 104 may be displayed on the display 112 of the human interface 108 (see FIG. 8). Where the vehicle 10 includes both driver and passenger side view mirror assemblies 12, the images captured by the cameras 104 may be displayed in a side-by-side configuration on the display 112.

The radar sensor 106 may be any type of radar sensor and may be a single sensor or a sensor or sensing device arrangement for performing various vehicle-related radar functions. In one embodiment, the radar sensor 106 is a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar sensor. In another embodiment, the radar sensor 106 operates in the 60GHz to 64GHz frequency band. However, other radar sensors may also be suitable within the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 schematically illustrates many radar-related functions of the vehicle 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 10 includes both a driver side view mirror assembly 12A and a passenger side view mirror assembly 12B. Both the driver side view mirror assembly 12A and the passenger side view mirror assembly 12B may include designs similar to the side view mirror assembly 12 of fig. 6-7. The passenger side view mirror assembly 12B may optionally include vent-related features, however, the driver side view mirror assembly 12A typically does not include vent-related features.

In one embodiment, the radar sensors 106 of the driver side-view mirror assembly 12A and the passenger side-view mirror assembly 12B are configured to determine whether a sufficient amount of space S exists between objects 114 (e.g., boulders, trees, logs, etc.) located in the path of travel of the vehicle 10. The radar sensor 106 may provide an alert when the amount of space S extending between the objects 114 is insufficient, or may provide instructions at the display 112 of the human-machine interface 108 to guide the driver to better maneuver the vehicle 10 through the space S. The images captured by the camera 104 may also be displayed on the display 112 during maneuvering to allow the driver to avoid objects 114 and to avoid any scraping or damage to tires, fenders, etc.

In another embodiment, the radar sensors 106 of the driver side-view mirror assembly 12A and the passenger side-view mirror assembly 12B are configured to determine a distance on each side of the vehicle 10 from the ground or water W below the vehicle 10 and display such distances on the display 112. When the water W exceeds a certain height, the radiator fan 116 may be temporarily stopped to avoid spraying the water into the engine compartment.

In another embodiment, when the vehicle 10 is configured in the door-closed mode, the radar sensors 106 of the driver side-view mirror assembly 12A and the passenger side-view mirror assembly 12B may be configured to detect when the object 118 falls out of the vehicle 10 during travel. An alarm may be triggered when the radar sensor 106 detects the object 118.

In another embodiment, the radar sensors 106 of the driver side-view mirror assembly 12A and the passenger side-view mirror assembly 12B may be configured to augment or replace the blind spot radar system of the vehicle 10.

In yet another embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the driver side view mirror assembly 12A and the passenger side view mirror assembly 12B are automatically movable to the second off-road travel position P2 when the vehicle 10 is operating in reverse. In this position, the radar sensor 106 and the camera 104 may be used as a reverse driving assistance system for the driver, such as, for example, when reversing the vehicle 10 at a marine ramp.

Referring now to FIG. 11, the radar sensor 106 and the camera 104 of the driver side view mirror assembly 12A and the passenger side view mirror assembly 12B may be part of a safety system 120 of the vehicle 10. The security system 120 may include one or more additional radar sensors 122 located at the rear of the vehicle 10 and one or more additional radar sensors 124 located at the front of the vehicle 10. In one embodiment, radar sensor 122 may be a blind spot information system (BLIS) radar sensor mounted on a tail light, and radar sensor 124 may be a front-end mounted Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) radar sensor. Radar sensors 106, 122, and 124 may monitor all four sides of vehicle 10.

In one embodiment, when the vehicle 10 is in park and in a door-closed mode, for example, the driver side view mirror assembly 12A and the passenger side view mirror assembly 12B are automatically moved to the semi-folded position (i.e., a position between the first position P1 and the second position P2 of fig. 1-3). In this position, the radar sensor 106 may be configured to include a 180 degree field of view at each side of the vehicle 10. In conjunction with the radar sensors 122, 124, the security system 120 may establish a 360 degree security zone Z around the vehicle 10 to prevent a thief from approaching and stealing items from the interior of the vehicle 10 without triggering an alarm.

Fig. 12 illustrates additional security-related functions of the security system 120 of fig. 11. One or more of the radar sensors 106, 122, and 124 may be configured to establish a secure zone Z at a site 126 (e.g., a camp or picnic site) near the vehicle 10 to prevent various items 125 (e.g., tents, camping equipment, chairs, grills, etc.) located at the site 126 from theft. Using a smart device 128 (e.g., a smart phone, see fig. 13) equipped with an appropriate web-based application configured to communicate with the vehicle 10, the user may select a plurality of perimeter points 130 that establish the outer perimeter of the security zone Z. The safety zone Z allows the user to monitor the site 126 even when away from the site 126 or while sleeping.

In one embodiment, an alarm may be automatically triggered at the smart device 128 and/or the vehicle 10 when an intruder is detected within the secured zone Z. When an intruder is detected, the camera 104 can record an image. The recorded images may be transmitted to the user via an application on the smart device 128.

The body-mounted side view mirror assembly of the present disclosure includes integrated features for supporting off-road and improved vehicle safety. Thus, the exemplary side view mirror assembly provides a "door closed" open air ride experience in which the mirror may still be used on a vehicle while also providing many enhanced off-road and safety features.

Although the various non-limiting embodiments are shown as having particular components or steps, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. Some of the features or components from any of the non-limiting embodiments may be used in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.

It should be understood that the same reference numerals indicate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views. It should be understood that while particular component arrangements are disclosed and illustrated in these exemplary embodiments, other arrangements may benefit from the teachings of this disclosure.

The above description should be construed as illustrative and not in any limiting sense. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some modifications may occur within the scope of the present disclosure. For these reasons, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this disclosure.

Claims (15)

1. A side view mirror assembly for a vehicle, the side view mirror assembly comprising:

a stationary mirror housing section mounted to a vehicle static body structure and comprising a first mirror; and

a movable mirror housing section movably mounted to the fixed mirror housing section and including a second mirror,

wherein the movable mirror housing segment is movable relative to the fixed mirror housing segment between a first road travel position and a second off-road travel position.

2. The side view mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein a bracket at a base of the fixed mirror housing section is mounted at a first portion of the vehicle static body structure and an upper section of the fixed mirror housing section is mounted at a second portion of the body static structure.

3. The side view mirror assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable mirror housing section is movably mounted to the fixed mirror housing section by a pivotable and retractable arm.

4. The side view mirror assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the movable mirror housing section comprises a third mirror, and further wherein the third mirror faces forward when the movable mirror housing section is positioned in the first road travel position and establishes a lower rear facing mirror of the fixed mirror housing section when the movable mirror housing section is positioned in the second off-road travel position.

5. The side view mirror assembly of any preceding claim, wherein a top surface of the fixed mirror housing section establishes an accessory mounting platform comprising a plurality of mounting openings.

6. The side view mirror assembly of any preceding claim, comprising a breather conduit inlet attached to the fixed mirror housing section, wherein the breather conduit inlet is in fluid communication with an air inlet formed in the fixed mirror housing section.

7. A side view mirror assembly as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a wind vane slidably mounted to the fixed mirror housing section.

8. The side view mirror assembly of any preceding claim, comprising a turn signal relay or floodlight disposed on the fixed or movable mirror housing section.

9. The side view mirror assembly of any preceding claim, comprising a spotlight and a camera, the spotlight and the camera being disposed on the movable mirror housing section.

10. The side view mirror assembly of any preceding claim, comprising a radar sensor disposed on the movable mirror housing section.

11. A vehicle comprising the side view mirror assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle static body structure comprises an a-pillar, a hinge pillar, a fender support and a cowl structure, and further wherein the side view mirror assembly is mounted at a joint interface between the a-pillar, the hinge pillar, the fender support and the cowl structure, and optionally wherein a bracket at a base of the fixed mirror housing section is mounted at the joint interface, and an upper section of the fixed mirror housing section is mounted to the a-pillar.

12. A method, the method comprising:

the radar sensor of a side view mirror assembly mounted to a stationary vehicle body structure of the vehicle is used to monitor the perimeter located outside the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the monitoring is performed while the vehicle is in park and in a door closed condition, and optionally wherein the monitoring comprises:

at least a portion of a safety zone is established around the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the monitoring is performed while the vehicle is in park, and optionally wherein the monitoring comprises:

establishing at least a portion of a safety zone around a camp or picnic point adjacent to the vehicle includes receiving input of a plurality of perimeter points, the plurality of perimeter points establishing an outer perimeter of the safety zone.

15. The method of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the side view mirror assembly comprises:

a stationary mirror housing section mounted to the vehicle static body structure and comprising a first mirror; and

a movable mirror housing section movably mounted to the fixed mirror housing section and including a second mirror,

and optionally wherein the movable mirror housing segment is movable relative to the fixed mirror housing segment between a first road travel position and a second off-road travel position.