VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM WITH LIGHT MODULE

• US 20120081915A1
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Foote, Keith D., Deuel, Eric S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,764,256 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/22 for reverse drive
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/245 Searchlights, e.g. adjustable from within the vehicle adjustable headlights B60Q1/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• 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 1/381 with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A lighted exterior rearview mirror system of a vehicle includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly and a light module disposed at the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The light module includes a plurality of illumination sources operable to emit light. The illumination sources are individually controlled responsive to said the input to provide a customized illumination beam emanating from the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The system may include a control that is responsive to the user input to selectively individually energize the light emitting diodes, and the control may individually adjust a duty cycle of each of the light emitting diodes responsive to the user input. The light module may include a ground illumination light source, a backup light source and a turn signal indicator.

Claims

1. A lighted exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said lighted exterior rearview mirror system comprising:

a lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly;

a light module disposed at said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly, said light module comprising a plurality of illumination sources operable to emit light; and

wherein said illumination sources are individually controlled responsive to a user input to provide a customized illumination beam emanating from said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

2. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said illumination sources are individually controlled responsive to an object detection system of the vehicle so as to direct an illumination beam towards a detected object at or near the equipped vehicle.

3. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said light module comprises a light-transmitting cover and wherein said plurality of illumination sources are disposed behind said light-transmitting cover and operable to emit light that passes through said light-transmitting cover.

4. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein at least some of said illumination sources are generally forwardly facing with respect to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle.

5. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of illumination sources comprises at least four light emitting diodes.

6. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 5, wherein said light emitting diodes comprise white light-emitting light emitting diodes.

7. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 5, wherein a control is responsive to said user input to selectively individually energize said light emitting diodes.

8. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 7, wherein said control adjusts a duty cycle of each of said light emitting diodes responsive to said user input.

9. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 8, wherein said control is operable to power all of said light emitting diodes responsive to said user input.

10. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 7, wherein said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises a powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly and wherein, when said powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly is in its folded orientation, said light module is operable to provide illumination along the side of the vehicle.

11. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 7, wherein said user input comprises a laterally adjustable input.

12. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 11, wherein said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises a driver side lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein, responsive to adjustment of said user input towards a passenger side of the vehicle, said control increases the intensity of light emitted by at least one inboard illumination source of said light module, and wherein, responsive to adjustment of said user input towards a driver side of the vehicle, said control increases the intensity of light emitted by at least one outboard illumination source of said light module.

13. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said light module is operable to provide a turn signal indicator in response to actuation of a turn signal actuator of the vehicle.

14. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 13, wherein said light module comprises a plurality of turn signal indicator sources that are selectively powered to provide said turn signal indicator.

15. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein at least some of said illumination sources are disposed along a forward facing portion of said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly and generally forwardly facing with respect to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle when said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the vehicle.

16. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 15, wherein an outboard one of said illumination sources is directed partially sidewardly away from the side of the vehicle when said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the vehicle, and wherein illumination from said outboard illumination source is directed at least partially rearwardly.

17. The lighted exterior rearview minor system of claim 16, wherein said light module comprises a light-transmitting cover and wherein said plurality of illumination sources are disposed behind said light-transmitting cover and operable to emit light that passes through said light-transmitting cover, and wherein said light-transmitting cover is curved to follow a curvature along said forward facing portion of said lighted exterior rearview minor assembly.

18. A lighted exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said lighted exterior rearview mirror system comprising:

a lighted exterior rearview minor assembly;

a light module disposed at said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly, said light module comprising a plurality of illumination sources operable to emit light;

wherein at least some of said illumination sources are generally forwardly facing with respect to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle; and

a control responsive to a user input to selectively individually energize said illumination sources, and wherein said illumination sources are individually controlled responsive to said user input to provide a customized illumination beam emanating from said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

19. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said illumination sources are individually controlled responsive to an object detection system of the vehicle so as to direct an illumination beam towards a detected object at or near the equipped vehicle.

20. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said plurality of illumination sources comprises at least four white light-emitting light emitting diodes.

21. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said control adjusts a duty cycle of each of said light emitting diodes responsive to said user input.

22. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises a powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly and wherein, when said powerfold exterior rearview mirror assembly is in its folded orientation, said light module is operable to provide illumination along the side of the vehicle.

23. A lighted exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a vehicle, said lighted exterior rearview mirror system comprising:

a lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly;

a light module disposed at said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly, said light module comprising a plurality of illumination sources operable to emit light, and wherein said plurality of illumination sources comprises at least four white light-emitting light emitting diodes;

wherein said light module comprises a light-transmitting cover and wherein said plurality of illumination sources are disposed behind said light-transmitting cover and operable to emit light that passes through said light-transmitting cover;

wherein said light-transmitting cover is curved to follow a curvature along a generally forward facing portion of said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly and wherein at least some of said illumination sources are generally forwardly facing with respect to the direction of forward travel of the vehicle; and

a control responsive to a user input to selectively individually energize said illumination sources, and wherein said illumination sources are individually controlled responsive to said user input to provide a customized illumination beam emanating from said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

24. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 23, wherein said control adjusts a duty cycle of each of said light emitting diodes responsive to said user input.

25. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 23, wherein said illumination sources are individually controlled responsive to an object detection system of the vehicle so as to direct an illumination beam towards a detected object at or near the equipped vehicle.