EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY

• US 20120314316A1
• Filed: 08/21/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,550,642 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/864
• 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 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected 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: G02B 27/0006 with means to keep optical surfaces clean, e.g. by preventing or removing dirt, stains, contamination, condensation G02B1/18 takes precedence; cleaning in general B08B
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/182 for mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells

Abstract

An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a bracket fixedly secured to the vehicle, a mirror casing secured to the bracket and defining a primary opening, and a primary mirror disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view. The primary mirror defines a primary plane. A spotting mirror is spaced apart from the primary mirror and extends through a secondary plane different from the primary plane. A divider extends between the primary mirror and the spotting mirror to separate the primary and secondary mirrors visually

Claims

1. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview minor assembly comprising:

a bracket fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a mirror casing secured to said bracket, said minor casing defining a primary opening;

a primary minor disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view, said primary mirror defining a primary plane;

a spotting minor spaced apart from said primary mirror, said spotting minor extending through a secondary plane different from said primary plane; and

a divider extending between said primary mirror and said spotting mirror to separate said primary and secondary mirrors visually.

2. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spotting mirror is forward of said primary plane.

3. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spotting mirror is rearward of said primary plane.

4. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview minor assembly comprising:

a bracket fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a mirror casing secured to said bracket, said minor casing defining a primary opening;

a primary minor disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view, said primary mirror defining a primary plane;

a spotting minor spaced apart from said primary mirror, said spotting minor extending through a secondary plane different from said primary plane;

a divider extending between said primary mirror and said spotting mirror to separate said primary and secondary mirrors visually; and

wherein said primary mirror comprises one of (a) a generally flat glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto.

5. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said spotting mirror is forward of said primary plane.

6. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said spotting mirror is rearward of said primary plane.

7. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview minor assembly comprising:

a bracket fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;

a mirror casing secured to said bracket, said minor casing defining a primary opening;

a primary minor disposed within said primary opening for providing a view rearward of the motor vehicle through a primary field of view, said primary mirror defining a primary plane;

a spotting minor spaced apart from said primary minor, said spotting minor extending through a secondary plane different from said primary plane;

wherein said spotting mirror is at an angle relative to said primary mirror;

a divider extending between said primary mirror and said spotting mirror to separate said primary and secondary mirrors visually; and

wherein said primary mirror comprises one of (a) a generally flat glass substrate having a surface coated with a metallic reflector coating and (b) a generally flat polymeric substrate having a thin glass element applied to a surface thereof and with an opposing surface thereof having a reflecting layer applied thereto.

8. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said spotting mirror is forward of said primary plane.

9. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said spotting mirror is rearward of said primary plane.

10. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein the second field of view of said spotting mirror is generally directed at least one of outwardly and downwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle when said exterior rearview minor assembly is attached to the motor vehicle.

11. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said spotting minor is at an angle of at least about three degrees relative to said primary mirror.