Electrochromatic polymer mirror surface for vehicle blind spot exposure
First Claim
1. A system for automatically producing an expanded reflection angle in a vehicle power side mirror for the purpose of blind spot exposure comprising:
- a first mirror element consisting of an electrochromatic surface capable of changing its properties of reflection and transparency given the variable application of electrical voltage to said electrochromatic polymer;
a second mirror element comprised of conventional reflective mirror glass;
a common chassis located within a vehicle'"'"'s power side mirror enclosure wherein both said first mirror element and said second mirror element are mounted;
wherein the surface of said second mirror element is positioned behind and at an offset angle with the respect to the surface of said first reflective mirror element;
the common chassis is connected to the vehicle'"'"'s power side mirror'"'"'s conventional position adjustment assembly; and
the electrochromatic reflective surface of said first mirror element is connected, via the side mirror'"'"'s wiring harness, to a system microcontroller which electronically controls the application of electrical voltage to the first electrochromatic reflective surface in accordance to pre-programmed logic.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention teaches the use of a blind spot exposure system comprised of two consecutive reflective mirror surfaces. The first mirror surface is formed of an electrochromatic polymer while the second reflective surface is composed of conventional reflective mirror glass. The two surfaces are positioned such as the first electrochromatic reflective surface forms the reflected view in the vehicle'"'"'s side mirror during the system'"'"'s normal operating state. Once the system is activated electrical voltage is applied to the electrochromatic first surface rendering it transparent thereby uncovering the conventional reflective mirror surface behind it which is offset by a fixed blind spot exposure angle that may range between +4 degrees and +24 degrees. The present invention also teaches of a number of alternative embodiments including: an anti-glare automatic dimming mode based on the use of an optional external light sensor, the integration with a vehicle'"'"'s turn signals or external sensors as means of activating the blind spot exposure state, the ability to produce a speed sensitive mode in which the system engages in blind spot exposure mode for a shorter period of time at higher vehicular speeds; and the use of LED indicators to provide visual notification whenever the system in a given side mirror is in an expanded blind spot exposure state.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A system for automatically producing an expanded reflection angle in a vehicle power side mirror for the purpose of blind spot exposure comprising:
-
a first mirror element consisting of an electrochromatic surface capable of changing its properties of reflection and transparency given the variable application of electrical voltage to said electrochromatic polymer;
a second mirror element comprised of conventional reflective mirror glass;
a common chassis located within a vehicle'"'"'s power side mirror enclosure wherein both said first mirror element and said second mirror element are mounted;
wherein the surface of said second mirror element is positioned behind and at an offset angle with the respect to the surface of said first reflective mirror element;
the common chassis is connected to the vehicle'"'"'s power side mirror'"'"'s conventional position adjustment assembly; and
the electrochromatic reflective surface of said first mirror element is connected, via the side mirror'"'"'s wiring harness, to a system microcontroller which electronically controls the application of electrical voltage to the first electrochromatic reflective surface in accordance to pre-programmed logic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
Specification