LIGHT GUIDE FOR AUTOMOTIVE USE

• US 20110255297A1
• Filed: 04/19/2011
• Published: 10/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents SARL
• Inventors: Belcher, Simon, Schmidt, Nicholas
• Granted Patent: US 8,475,018 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

Abstract

A rear view mirror with a turn signal indicator is proposed wherein the turn signal indicator has a light guide design and a recess for the light source. The position of the recess is optimized to fulfil legal regulations and to achieve the design requests.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A rear view mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said outside rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror base fixedly securable to the motor vehicle;

a mirror housing securable to said mirror base, said mirror housing including a reflective element movably secured therein;

a light guide module fixedly secured to said mirror housing, said light guide module including a light guide and a lens covering said light guide, said light guide defining a recess dividing said light guide into first and second portions such that a first length of said first portion is greater than two times a second length of said second portion; and

a light source inserted into said recess such that light emitted by said light source is received and guided by said first and second portions of said light guide.

12. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said recess defines a recess depth (H2) and said light guide defines a light guide thickness (H1+H2) such that said recess depth (H2) is greater than half of said light guide thickness (H1+H2).

13. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said light guide includes a smooth outer surface.

14. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said light guide and said lens are formed integral with each other.

15. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said light source is inserted completely into said recess.

16. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said recess defines flat coupling faces.

17. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said recess defines concave coupling faces having a radius of curvature equal to the distance said light source is from said coupling faces.

18. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said recess defines convex coupling faces having a radius of curvature equal to the distance said light source is from said coupling faces.

19. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 16 including a printed circuit board disposed perpendicular to said light guide, said printed circuit board electrically connected to said light source.

20. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said printed circuit board includes two light sources disposed on either side thereof.

21. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said printed circuit board defines an edge such that said light source is fixedly secured to said edge.