Optics for controlling the direction of light rays and assemblies incorporating the optics

• US 20050265037A1
• Filed: 05/13/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Roberts, John K., Tuttle, Darin D., Fogg, Jeremy A., Newton, Mark W., Thomas, Timothy J., Walser, Jeremy A., Bonardi, Timothy A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,452,113 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/494
• 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 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/26 Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255

Abstract

The present invention relates to improvements in controlling the direction of light rays and apparatus incorporating the improvements.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a mirror element comprising at least one substrate comprising a reflective layer on at least a portion of a surface thereof; and

at least one indicia formed in said reflective layer, said at least one indicia is selected from the group comprising a supplemental turning indicator and a side object detection indicator, wherein said at least one indicia defines one contiguous opening.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said at least one indicia has a symbolic meaning abstractly associated with a shape.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 configured such that when mounted on a left side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the left when an associated light source is energized.

4. An apparatus as in claim 1 configured such that when mounted on a right side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the right when an associated light source is energized.

5. An apparatus as in claim 1 comprising a supplemental turning indicator and a side object detection indicator wherein both indicators define one contiguous opening.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said supplemental turning indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a triangular shaped opening.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are less than approximately 2.0 mm wide.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are between approximately 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm wide.

11. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein an average luminous flux density of said at least one indicia is between approximately 14.0 mlm/mm² and approximately 147.0 mlm/mm².

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a mirror element comprising at least one substrate comprising a reflective layer on at least a portion of a surface thereof; and

at least one indicia formed in said reflective layer, said at least one indicia defines one contiguous opening, wherein an average luminous flux density of said at least one indicia is between approximately 14.0 mlm/mm² and approximately 147.0 mlm/mm².

13. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said at least one indicia has a symbolic meaning abstractly associated with a shape.

14. An apparatus as in claim 12 configured such that when mounted on a left side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the left when an associated light source is energized.

15. An apparatus as in claim 12 configured such that when mounted on a right side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the right when an associated light source is energized.

16. An apparatus as in claim 12 further comprising at least one light source comprising a width less than or equal to approximately 0.8 mm.

17. An apparatus as in claim 12 further comprising at least one light source comprising a length less than or equal to approximately 1.7 mm.

18. An apparatus as in claim 12 further comprising at least one light source comprising a height less than or equal to approximately 0.8 mm.

19. An apparatus as in claim 12 wherein at least one indicia comprises an opening less than approximately 2.0 mm wide.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

an electro-optic mirror element comprising a rear substrate comprising a reflective layer on at least a portion of an inward facing surface thereof; and

at least one indicia formed in said reflective layer, wherein said at least one indicia defines one contiguous opening and is narrow enough that coloring and or clearing of said electro-optic mirror element is substantially unaffected by said opening.

21. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said at least one indicia has a symbolic meaning abstractly associated with a shape.

22. An apparatus as in claim 20 configured such that when mounted on a left side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the left when an associated light source is energized.

23. An apparatus as in claim 20 configured such that when mounted on a right side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the right when an associated light source is energized.

24. An apparatus as in claim 20 comprising a supplemental turning indicator and a side object detection indicator wherein both indicators define one contiguous opening.

25. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said supplemental turning indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

26. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a triangular shaped opening.

27. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

28. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are less than approximately 2.0 mm wide.

29. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are between approximately 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm wide.

30. An apparatus as in claim 20 wherein an average luminous flux density of said at least one indicia is between approximately 14.0 mlm/mm² and approximately 147.0 mlm/mm².

31. An apparatus, comprising:

a mirror element comprising at least one substrate comprising a reflective layer on at least a portion of a surface thereof;

at least one indicia formed in said reflective layer, said at least one indicia defines one contiguous opening; and

at least two light sources configured to project light rays through said contiguous opening.

32. An apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said at least one indicia has a symbolic meaning abstractly associated with a shape.

33. An apparatus as in claim 31 configured such that when mounted on a left side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the left when an associated light source is energized.

34. An apparatus as in claim 31 configured such that when mounted on a right side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the right when an associated light source is energized.

35. An apparatus as in claim 31 comprising a supplemental turning indicator and a side object detection indicator wherein both indicators define one contiguous opening.

36. An apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said supplemental turning indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

37. An apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a triangular shaped opening.

38. An apparatus as in claim 31 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

39. An apparatus as in claim 31 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are less than approximately 2.0 mm wide.

40. An apparatus as in claim 31 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are between approximately 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm wide.

41. An apparatus as in claim 31 wherein an average luminous flux density of said at least one indicia is between approximately 14.0 mlm/mm² and approximately 147.0 mlm/mm².

42. An apparatus, comprising:

a mirror element comprising at least one substrate comprising a reflective layer on at least a portion of a surface thereof;

at least one indicia formed in said reflective layer, said at least one indicia defines one contiguous opening; and

at least two light sources configured to project light rays through said contiguous opening, wherein an average luminous flux density of said at least one indicia is between approximately 14.0 mlm/mm² and approximately 147.0 mlm/mm².

43. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein said at least one indicia has a symbolic meaning abstractly associated with a shape.

44. An apparatus as in claim 42 configured such that when mounted on a left side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the left when an associated light source is energized.

45. An apparatus as in claim 42 configured such that when mounted on a right side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the right when an associated light source is energized.

46. An apparatus as in claim 42 further comprising at least one light source comprising a width less than or equal to approximately 0.8 mm.

47. An apparatus as in claim 42 further comprising at least one light source comprising a length less than or equal to approximately 1.7 mm.

48. An apparatus as in claim 42 further comprising at least one light source comprising a height less than or equal to approximately 0.8 mm.

49. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein at least one indicia comprises an opening less than approximately 2.0 mm wide.

50. An apparatus as in claim 42 comprising a supplemental turning indicator and a side object detection indicator wherein both indicators define one contiguous opening.

51. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein said supplemental turning indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

52. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a triangular shaped opening.

53. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

54. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are less than approximately 2.0 mm wide.

55. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are between approximately 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm wide.

56. An apparatus, comprising:

an electro-optic mirror element comprising a rear substrate comprising a reflective layer on at least a portion of an inward facing surface thereof; and

at least one indicia formed in said reflective layer, wherein said at least one indicia defines one contiguous opening that extends longer in a direction perpendicular to external electrical bus bar contacts associated with said electro-optic mirror element as compared to a parallel direction.

57. An apparatus as in claim 56 wherein said at least one indicia has a symbolic meaning abstractly associated with a shape.

58. An apparatus as in claim 56 configured such that when mounted on a left side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the left when an associated light source is energized.

59. An apparatus as in claim 56 configured such that when mounted on a right side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the right when an associated light source is energized.

60. An apparatus as in claim 56 comprising a supplemental turning indicator and a side object detection indicator wherein both indicators define one contiguous opening.

61. An apparatus as in claim 56 wherein said supplemental turning indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

62. An apparatus as in claim 56 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a triangular shaped opening.

63. An apparatus as in claim 56 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

64. An apparatus as in claim 56 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are less than approximately 2.0 mm wide.

65. An apparatus as in claim 56 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are between approximately 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm wide.

66. An apparatus as in claim 56 wherein an average luminous flux density of said at least one indicia is between approximately 14.0 mlm/mm² and approximately 147.0 mlm/mm².

67. An apparatus, comprising:

an electro-optic mirror element comprising a rear substrate comprising a reflective layer on at least a portion of an inward facing surface thereof; and

at least one indicia formed in said reflective layer, wherein said at least one indicia defines one contiguous opening and is narrow enough that coloring and or clearing averaged across substantially the entirety of said electro-optic mirror element is substantially unaffected by said opening.

68. An apparatus as in claim 67 wherein said at least one indicia has a symbolic meaning abstractly associated with a shape.

69. An apparatus as in claim 67 configured such that when mounted on a left side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the left when an associated light source is energized.

70. An apparatus as in claim 67 configured such that when mounted on a right side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the right when an associated light source is energized.

71. An apparatus as in claim 67 comprising a supplemental turning indicator and a side object detection indicator wherein both indicators define one contiguous opening.

72. An apparatus as in claim 67 wherein said supplemental turning indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

73. An apparatus as in claim 67 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a triangular shaped opening.

74. An apparatus as in claim 67 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

75. An apparatus as in claim 67 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are less than approximately 2.0 mm wide.

76. An apparatus as in claim 67 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are between approximately 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm wide.

77. An apparatus as in claim 67 wherein an average luminous flux density of said at least one indicia is between approximately 14.0 mlm/mm² and approximately 147.0 mlm/mm².

78. An apparatus, comprising:

an electro-optic mirror element comprising at least one substrate comprising a reflective layer on at least a portion of a surface thereof;

at least one indicia formed in said reflective layer, said at least one indicia defines one contiguous opening; and

at least one light source configured to project light rays through said contiguous opening.

79. An apparatus as in claim 78 wherein said at least one indicia has a symbolic meaning abstractly associated with a shape.

80. An apparatus as in claim 78 configured such that when mounted on a left side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the left when an associated light source is energized.

81. An apparatus as in claim 78 configured such that when mounted on a right side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the right when an associated light source is energized.

82. An apparatus as in claim 78 comprising a supplemental turning indicator and a side object detection indicator wherein both indicators define one contiguous opening.

83. An apparatus as in claim 78 wherein said supplemental turning indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

84. An apparatus as in claim 78 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a triangular shaped opening.

85. An apparatus as in claim 78 wherein said side object detection indicator defines a chevron shaped opening.

86. An apparatus as in claim 78 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are less than approximately 2.0 mm wide.

87. An apparatus as in claim 78 wherein openings associated with said at least one indicia are between approximately 0.8 mm and 2.0 mm wide.

88. An apparatus as in claim 78 wherein an average luminous flux density of said at least one indicia is between approximately 14.0 mlm/mm² and approximately 147.0 mlm/mm².

89. An apparatus, comprising:

a mirror element comprising at least one substrate comprising a reflective layer on at least a portion of a surface thereof;

at least one contiguous opening is formed in said reflective layer; and

at least one light source configured to project light rays through said contiguous opening substantially in a preferred direction, wherein a luminous intensity is greater than or equal to approximately 5.0 candelas.

90. An apparatus as in claim 89 wherein said mirror element is an electro-optic mirror element.

91. An apparatus as in claim 89 wherein said at least one light source comprises at least one LED.

92. An apparatus as in claim 89 wherein said at least one contiguous opening defines an indicia.

93. An apparatus as in claim 92 wherein said at least one indicia has a symbolic meaning abstractly associated with a shape.

94. An apparatus as in claim 92 configured such that when mounted on a left side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the left when an associated light source is energized.

95. An apparatus as in claim 92 configured such that when mounted on a right side of a controlled vehicle at least one indicia indicates that the controlled vehicle is about to move or is moving to the right when an associated light source is energized.