EXTERIOR MIRROR WITH INDICATOR

• US 20110221588A1
• Filed: 05/13/2011
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lynam, Niall R., Foote, Keith D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,102,279 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/465
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0076 Switches therefor B60Q1/1446, B60Q1/343, B60Q1/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0088 Details of electrical connections B60Q1/305 takes precedence; electrical connection of the light source itself F21S41/192, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• 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 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0464 the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A minor reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate having a generally planar portion and an indicator receiving portion established via a plastic injection molding operation. The indicator receiving portion includes a wall structure extending at an angle from the generally planar portion adjacent to an aperture established through the mirror back plate. A signal indication module has a light source and a housing that is at least partially received at the wall structure of the indicator receiving portion of the mirror back plate. When the light source is activated, light emitted by the light source emanates through the aperture of the mirror back plate and through the mirror reflective element at an angle relative to the generally planar portion of the mirror back plate.

Claims

1. A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising:

a mirror reflective element;

a mirror back plate attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element, said mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation and having (i) a generally planar portion and (ii) an indicator receiving portion, both established by said plastic injection molding operation;

wherein said indicator receiving portion of said mirror back plate comprises a wall structure extending at an angle from said generally planar portion adjacent to an aperture established through said mirror back plate, and wherein said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion extends from said generally planar portion at an angle less than ninety degrees relative to said generally planar portion;

a signal indication module having a light source that is activatable to emit light, wherein said signal indication module comprises a housing that is at least partially received at said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion of said mirror back plate and wherein said light source is activatable to emit light through said aperture at said indicator receiving portion; and

wherein, when said housing of said signal indication module is at least partially received at said wall structure and when said light source is activated, light emitted by said light source emanates through said aperture of said mirror back plate and through said mirror reflective element at an angle relative to said generally planar portion of said mirror back plate.

2. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said aperture is established through said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation.

3. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein, when said light source is activated, light emitted by said light source emanates through said aperture of said mirror back plate and through said mirror reflective element at an angle relative to said generally planar portion of said mirror back plate that generally corresponds with said angle of said wall structure.

4. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion substantially surrounds said aperture.

5. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said signal indication module substantially seals at said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion when attached thereto such that said signal indication module and said indicator receiving portion are substantially water impervious.

6. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing includes at least one passageway therethrough, said emitted light being directed through said at least one passageway.

7. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said signal indication module comprises an indicia element at a forward end thereof, said illumination source being activatable to emit illumination, whereby said illumination is transmitted through said indicia element when said illumination source is activated.

8. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said signal indication module is associated with a blind spot detection system of the vehicle.

9. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said signal indication module is associated with a turn signal of the vehicle.

10. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a light reflecting material.

11. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 10, wherein said housing comprises a light reflecting inner surface for reflecting light incident thereon to enhance the intensity of illumination that exits said signal indication module through said indicator receiving portion.

12. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 11, wherein said housing comprises a diffusely light reflecting inner surface for reflecting light incident thereon to enhance the intensity of illumination that exits said signal indication module through said indicator receiving portion.

13. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, comprising a heater pad disposed at the rear surface of said mirror reflective element and between said mirror back plate and said mirror reflective element, wherein said heater pad has a light transmitting portion that generally corresponds with said aperture of said mirror back plate.

14. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 13, wherein said light transmitting portion comprises an aperture through said heater pad.

15. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said light source is disposed at a circuit element and said housing substantially encases said circuit element therein, said circuit element comprising a connector portion for electrically connecting said circuit element to a power source of the vehicle.

16. A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising:

a mirror reflective element;

a mirror back plate attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element, said mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation and having (i) a generally planar portion and (ii) an indicator receiving portion, both established by said plastic injection molding operation;

wherein said indicator receiving portion of said mirror back plate comprises a wall structure extending at an angle from said generally planar portion adjacent to an aperture established through said mirror back plate, and wherein said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion extends from said generally planar portion at an angle less than ninety degrees relative to said generally planar portion;

a signal indication module associated with a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle, said signal indication module having a light source that is activatable to emit light, wherein said signal indication module comprises a housing that is at least partially received at said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion of said mirror back plate and wherein said light source is activatable to emit light through said aperture at said indicator receiving portion and towards the driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle; and

wherein, when said housing of said signal indication module is at least partially received at said wall structure and when said light source is activated, light emitted by said light source emanates through said aperture of said mirror back plate and through said mirror reflective element at an angle relative to said generally planar portion of said mirror back plate and generally towards the driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle.

17. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 16, wherein, when said light source is activated, light emitted by said light source emanates through said aperture of said mirror back plate and through said mirror reflective element at an angle relative to said generally planar portion of said mirror back plate that generally corresponds with said angle of said wall structure.

18. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 16, wherein said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion substantially surrounds said aperture.

19. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 16, wherein said signal indication module substantially seals at said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion when attached thereto such that said signal indication module and said indicator receiving portion are substantially water impervious.

20. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 16, wherein said housing includes at least one passageway therethrough, said emitted light being directed through said at least one passageway.

21. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 16, wherein said signal indication module comprises an indicia element at a forward end thereof, said illumination source being activatable to emit illumination, whereby said illumination is transmitted through said indicia element when said illumination source is activated.

22. A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising:

a mirror reflective element;

a mirror back plate attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element, said mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation and having (i) a generally planar portion and (ii) an indicator receiving portion, both established by said plastic injection molding operation;

wherein said indicator receiving portion of said mirror back plate comprises a wall structure extending at an angle from said generally planar portion adjacent to an aperture established through said mirror back plate, and wherein said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion extends from said generally planar portion at an angle less than ninety degrees relative to said generally planar portion;

a signal indication module associated with a turn signal of the equipped vehicle, said signal indication module having a light source that is activatable to emit light, wherein said signal indication module comprises a housing that is at least partially received at said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion of said mirror back plate and wherein said light source is activatable to emit light through said aperture at said indicator receiving portion and away from the driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of another vehicle rearward of the equipped vehicle and in a side lane adjacent to the equipped vehicle; and

wherein, when said housing of said signal indication module is at least partially received at said wall structure and when said light source is activated, light emitted by said light source emanates through said aperture of said mirror back plate and through said mirror reflective element at an angle relative to said generally planar portion of said mirror back plate and away from the driver of the equipped vehicle when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle so as to be viewable by a driver of another vehicle rearward of the equipped vehicle and in a side lane adjacent to the equipped vehicle.

23. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 22, wherein, when said light source is activated, light emitted by said light source emanates through said aperture of said mirror back plate and through said mirror reflective element at an angle relative to said generally planar portion of said mirror back plate that generally corresponds with said angle of said wall structure.

24. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 22, wherein said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion substantially surrounds said aperture.

25. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 22, wherein said signal indication module substantially seals at said wall structure of said indicator receiving portion when attached thereto such that said signal indication module and said indicator receiving portion are substantially water impervious.

26. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 22, wherein said housing includes at least one passageway therethrough, said emitted light being directed through said at least one passageway.

27. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 22, wherein said signal indication module comprises an indicia element at a forward end thereof, said illumination source being activatable to emit illumination, whereby said illumination is transmitted through said indicia element when said illumination source is activated.