Optic Assembly Having Virtual External Common Focus

• US 20130141931A1
• Filed: 11/21/2012
• Published: 06/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Muth Mirror Systems LLC (K. W. Muth)
• Original Assignee: KW Muth Company
• Inventors: Mathieu, Daniel J., Van Gheem, Seth, Reuter, Thomas W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,440,580 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/516
• 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 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0023 at least one surface having optical power
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/143 using macroscopically faceted or segmented reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles

Abstract

An optic assembly has a reflector with a reflective surface, one or more light sources, and a mask with one or more apertures. Facets on the reflective surface direct light rays so that a substantial portion of the light rays within the optic assembly can be managed as if they were emitted from a focal point located outside the optic assembly.

Claims

1. An optic assembly for mounting behind a substrate, the optic assembly comprising:

a reflector with a reflective surface, the reflective surface having a plurality of facets such that the facets are capable of reflecting light rays in a plurality of directions;

a mask assembly defining one or more apertures, the mask assembly substantially enclosing the reflective surface of the reflector and being capable of being mounted behind the substrate;

a light source at least substantially enclosed between the mask assembly and reflector; and

wherein the plurality of facets direct light rays from the light source so that they appear to project from a focal point located outside the optic assembly.

2. The optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a mirror.

3. The optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the mask assembly comprises:

a diffuser, the diffuser being capable of scattering light rays emitted from the light source; and

a mask defining one or more apertures, the mask at least partially covering the diffuser such that the diffuser and mask enclose an area between the reflector and the mask assembly.

4. The optic assembly of claim 1, wherein one or more apertures form an icon.

5. The optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the facets comprise:

refocusing facets capable of causing light rays from the light source to be directed within the optic assembly; and

converging facets capable of causing at least a portion of the light rays directed by a refocusing facet to be substantially aligned and directed through at least one aperture in the mask assembly.

6. The optic assembly of claim 5, wherein the facets further comprise:

scattering facets capable of attenuating at least a portion of light rays within the optic assembly.

7. The optic assembly of claim 5, wherein the facets comprise only one refocusing facet and only one converging facet for each aperture.

8. The optic assembly of claim 6, wherein the facets comprise only one converging facet for each aperture.

9. The optic assembly of claim 5, wherein the facets comprise a plurality of refocusing facets for each aperture.

10. The optic assembly of claim 6, wherein the facets comprise a plurality of converging facets for each aperture.

11. The optic assembly of claim 5, wherein the substrate is an automotive rearview mirror.

12. A method for directing light rays from a plurality of light sources in an optic assembly comprising the steps of:

providing one or more light sources for emitting light rays into a reflector, the reflector having a plurality of facets;

substantially refocusing light rays from the plurality of light sources using one or more refocusing facets so that a substantial portion of the light rays are directed so that they appear to project from a focal point located outside the optic assembly;

substantially converging at least a portion of the substantially refocused light rays using one or more converging facets on the reflector; and

directing at least a portion of the refocused and converged light rays through an aperture adjacent to a substrate.

13. A rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a housing;

a substrate mounted in the housing, the substrate being capable of functioning as a mirror;

an optic assembly for mounting behind the substrate, the optic assembly comprising;

a reflector with a reflective surface, the reflective surface having a plurality of facets such that the facets are capable of reflecting light rays in a plurality of directions;

a mask assembly defining one or more apertures, the mask assembly substantially enclosing the reflective surface of the reflector and being capable of being mounted behind the substrate;

a light source at least substantially enclosed between the mask assembly and reflector; and

wherein the plurality of facets direct light rays from the light source so that they appear to project from a focal point located outside the optic assembly.