FUNCTIONAL FIELD OF VIEW FOR BLIND SPOT MIRRORS

• US 20100195228A1
• Filed: 02/01/2010
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Karpus, Michael E., Sinelli, Gary J., Henion, Paul R., Glombowski, Brian, Wilson, Douglas J.
• Application Number:
  US12/697,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20100195228A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/866
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors

Abstract

An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle includes a mounting bracket securable to a lateral side of a vehicle. A mirror case is secured to the mirror bracket. A primary reflector is fixedly secured to the primary portion of the backing plate. The primary reflector defines a primary field of view extending laterally away from the lateral side of the motor vehicle. A secondary reflector defines a secondary field of view extending laterally in space disposed adjacent the lateral side of the motor vehicle, wherein the secondary field of view overlaps the primary field of view in a range of 20% to 80%. The field of view of the secondary reflector is also directed downwardly with respect to the field of view of the primary reflector.

Claims

1. An exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 assembly for a motor vehicle having a forward end, a back end and a lateral side, said exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 assembly comprising:

a mounting bracket fixedly securable to the lateral side of the motor vehicle;

a mirror case secured to said mirror bracket, said mirror case defining a housing having a closed side facing the forward end of the motor vehicle and a primary opening facing the back end;

a backing plate movably secured within said mirror case, said backing plate including a primary portion and a secondary portion;

a primary reflector fixedly secured to said primary portion of said backing plate, said primary reflector defining a primary field of view extending laterally away from the lateral side of the motor vehicle; and

a secondary reflector fixedly secured to said secondary portion of said backing plate, said secondary reflector defining a secondary field of view extending laterally in space disposed adjacent the lateral side of the motor vehicle wherein said secondary field of view overlaps said primary field of view in a range of 20% to 80%.

2. An exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said primary field of view defines a primary centerline and said secondary field of view defines a secondary centerline wherein said secondary centerline is below said primary centerline in a range between 3 degrees and 7 degrees.

3. An exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 assembly for a motor vehicle having a forward end, a back end and a lateral side, said exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 assembly comprising:

a mounting bracket fixedly securable to the lateral side of the motor vehicle;

a mirror case secured to said mirror bracket, said mirror case defining a housing having a closed side facing the forward end of the motor vehicle and a primary opening facing the back end;

a backing plate movably secured within said mirror case, said backing plate including a primary portion and a secondary portion;

a primary reflector fixedly secured to said primary portion of said backing plate, said primary reflector defining a primary field of view having a primary centerline; and

a secondary reflector fixedly secured to said secondary portion of said backing plate, said secondary reflector defining a secondary field of view having a secondary centerline wherein said secondary centerline is below said primary centerline in a range between 3 degrees and 7 degrees.