Exterior rearview device with illumination functions

• US 10,137,823 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2016
• Issued: 11/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Fritz, Daniel, Rotzer, Ilka, Meier, Eugen, Schmidt, Oliver, Wieczorek, Romeo, Konig, Andrea, Hein, Peter, Dobrete, Alexandru, Herrmann, Andreas, Moase, Christopher, Di Fiore, Adam, McKenzie, Phillip, Cid, Marco, Belcher, Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Don
• Application Number:
  US15/391,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20170106783A1
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 315 77
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0017 Devices integrating an element dedicated to another function
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/08 automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/085 due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/21 Manual control
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/20 for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments lighting for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/141 : Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 : Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/235 : Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 : characterised by reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 : Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 : by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An adaptive cornering light system for a motor vehicle includes an exterior mirror head, housing at least one lighting module that having a plurality of LEDs arranged in sectors to provide different lighting functionalities. One LED or light sector is provided for adaptively illuminating a cornering area that extends along the side of the vehicle toward the front of the exterior mirror head. This “cornering LED” is adaptively activated if the speed of the vehicle is below a threshold speed, or in response to additional optional parameters such as steering angle, turn-signal blinker activation, and running lights activation. Another LED or light sector may be used as a security light to illuminate or display a message on the ground in the door area adjacent the side of the vehicle. Interior lights are also disclosed. User input may also control options for illumination.

Claims

1. A vehicle exterior rearview system comprising:

a housing adapted for mounting to an exterior side of a vehicle, the housing holding at least one of a reflective mirror surface and a display screen for displaying to a driver an image of the area to the side and rear of the vehicle;

one or more lighting modules disposed in and directly secured to said housing and providing at least one first lighting sector for implementing a turn-signal indicator and at least one second lighting sector for implementing additional illumination to the outside or inside of a vehicle, the second lighting sector being adaptively controlled; and

a control system for receiving input data concerning one or more of;

(a) vehicle status parameters from vehicle status sensors, (b) the vehicle'"'"'s environment conditions from environmental sensors; and

(c) a user'"'"'s intentions from a user input device; and

for adaptively activating the second lighting sector in response to the input data.

2. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein at least one lighting module contains a plurality of LEDs for providing different lighting functions.

3. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein at least one lighting module contains a single light source and a light guide for directing light from the light source to one or more output points.

4. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, further comprising light guides or optical fibers such that the illumination of a light source within the lighting module is directed via the light guides or optical fibers to multiple locations.

5. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein the second lighting sector is selected from an adaptive cornering light, an adaptive security light, and an adaptive interior light.

6. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein the second lighting sector is configured to display illumination in response to data input received by the control system, and wherein the illumination may optionally include a message or an alert.

7. The exterior rearview system according to claim 6, wherein the second lighting sector is an adaptive security light configured to display a message or an alert responsive to data input received from the vehicle status sensors.

8. The exterior rearview system according to claim 6, wherein the second lighting sector is an adaptive security light configured to display a message or an alert responsive to data input received from the environmental sensors.

9. The exterior rearview system according to claim 6, further comprising a user input device and wherein the second lighting sector displays illumination or a message responsive to data input received from the user input device.

10. The exterior rearview system according to claim 6, wherein control system controls at least one of color, shape, intensity, and timing of lights activated for the second light sector in response to user input.

11. The exterior rearview system according to claim 6, wherein control system further includes detection means for receiving from the environmental sensors input relating to the identity of a nearby user.

12. The exterior rearview system according to claim 11, wherein the input relating to the identity of a nearby user is selected from picture recognition, gesture recognition, key input recognition, and proximity of a detected user device.

13. The exterior rearview system according to claim 6, wherein control system further includes detection means for receiving from the environmental sensors input relating to road conditions or obstacles.

14. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein the control system activates the turn signal blinker light in addition to the second lighting sector light.

15. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein the second lighting sector is an adaptive cornering light, and wherein the control system activates the adaptive cornering light in response to steering angle input and vehicle speed input, whereby the cornering light is adaptively activated if the control system receives input data indicating that both:

(i) the steering angle is greater than a threshold value, and (ii) the vehicle speed is below a threshold speed.

16. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, further comprising a third lighting sector configured to project at least one arrow or chevron image onto the ground to the side of the vehicle and directed away therefrom, wherein the third lighting sector is operatively linked in the control system to activate in response to activation of the turn signal indicator function.

17. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, further comprising a third lighting sector which is directed forward for providing a daytime running light function and is operatively linked in the control system.

18. A vehicle exterior rearview system comprising:

a housing adapted for mounting to an exterior side of a vehicle, the housing holding at least one of a reflective mirror surface and a display screen for displaying to a driver an image of the area to the side and rear of the vehicle;

one or more lighting modules disposed in and secured to said housing and providing at least one first lighting sector for implementing a turn-signal indicator and at least one second lighting sector for implementing additional illumination to the outside or inside of a vehicle, the second lighting sector being adaptively controlled; and

a control system for receiving input data concerning one of;

(a) vehicle status parameters from vehicle status sensors or (b) the vehicle'"'"'s environment conditions from environmental sensors; and

adaptively activating the second lighting sector in response to the input data.

19. The vehicle exterior rearview system of claim 18 wherein, the second lighting sector illuminates inside the vehicle in response to the vehicle status sensor and illuminates inside and outside the vehicle in response to the environmental sensors.

20. A vehicle exterior rearview system comprising:

a housing adapted for mounting to an exterior side of a vehicle, the housing holding at least one of a reflective mirror surface and a display screen for displaying to a driver an image of the area to the side and rear of the vehicle;

one or more lighting modules disposed in and secured to said housing and providing at least one first lighting sector for implementing a turn-signal indicator and at least one second lighting sector for implementing additional illumination to the outside or inside of a vehicle, the second lighting sector configured to illuminate or display one of a message or an alert and being adaptively controlled; and

a control system for receiving input data concerning one or more of;

(a) vehicle status parameters from vehicle status sensors, (b) the vehicle'"'"'s environment conditions from environmental sensors; and

(c) a user'"'"'s intentions from a user input device; and

for adaptively activating the second lighting sector in response to the input data.

21. The vehicle exterior rearview system of claim 20 wherein the input data is the detection of an entry remote within a defined proximity, and the second lighting sector displays a message in the form of a non-white, colored illumination upon sensing one of a low tire pressure, a low oil level, or a low coolant level.