EXTENDED FIELD OF VIEW EXTERIOR MIRROR ELEMENT FOR VEHICLE
First Claim
1. An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:
- a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion;
said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters;
wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly;
wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides to the driver of the equipped vehicle a rearward field of view that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle;
wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle;
wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle;
wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element;
wherein the radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; and
wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An extended field of view exterior mirror element includes a reflective single glass element having a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion. The substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of the vehicle. When the driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the vehicle, the substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides to the driver of the vehicle a rearward field of view that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the vehicle. The multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the vehicle. The second auxiliary rearward field of view extends the first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the vehicle.
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Citations
84 Claims
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1. An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:
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a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters; wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides to the driver of the equipped vehicle a rearward field of view that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein the radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; and wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:
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a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters; wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides to the driver of the equipped vehicle a rearward field of view that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein the radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at least partially into a blind spot of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion in a side lane adjacent the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached; wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein said reflective single glass element is disposed at a mirror backing plate element; wherein said mirror backing plate element is adapted for attachment at an electrically-operable actuator; and wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said mirror backing plate element is movable by said electrically-operable actuator and wherein movement of said mirror backing plate element by said actuator simultaneously and similarly moves said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:
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a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters; wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides to the driver of the equipped vehicle a rearward field of view that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein the radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a rear substrate of a laminate-type electrochromic exterior mirror element and wherein said laminate-type electrochromic mirror element comprises a front glass substrate that is joined to and is spaced from said reflective single glass element by a perimeter seal, and wherein said front substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface and wherein an electrochromic medium is disposed between said second surface of said front substrate and said rear substrate and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by said perimeter seal; and wherein a reflective perimeter coating is disposed at the perimeter region of said second surface of said front substrate and wherein said reflective perimeter coating is configured and dimensioned to hide the presence of said perimeter seal from view by a viewer viewing through said front substrate when said electrochromic exterior mirror element is used on the equipped vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:
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a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters; wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein the radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at least partially into a blind spot of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion in a side lane adjacent the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached; wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein said reflective single glass element is disposed at a mirror backing plate element; wherein said mirror backing plate element is adapted for attachment at an electrically-operable actuator; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said mirror backing plate element is movable by said electrically-operable actuator and wherein movement of said mirror backing plate element by said actuator simultaneously and similarly moves said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein the overall rearward field of view of said reflective single glass element is less than approximately 45 degrees relative to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; and wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of an equipped vehicle, the entirety of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion is outboard of the entirety of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion is farther from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle than is said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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63. An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:
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a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters; wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein the radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at least partially into a blind spot of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion in a side lane adjacent the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached; wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein said reflective single glass element is disposed at a mirror backing plate element; wherein said mirror backing plate element is adapted for attachment at an electrically-operable actuator; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said mirror backing plate element is movable by said electrically-operable actuator and wherein movement of said mirror backing plate element by said actuator simultaneously and similarly moves said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein the overall rearward field of view of said reflective single glass element is less than approximately 45 degrees relative to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; and wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of an equipped vehicle, the entirety of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion is outboard of the entirety of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion is farther from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle than is said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion. - View Dependent Claims (64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:
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a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters; wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein the radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at least partially into a blind spot of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion in a side lane adjacent the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached; wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein said reflective single glass element is disposed at a mirror backing plate element; wherein said mirror backing plate element is adapted for attachment at an electrically-operable actuator; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said mirror backing plate element is movable by said electrically-operable actuator and wherein movement of said mirror backing plate element by said actuator simultaneously and similarly moves said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of an equipped vehicle, the entirety of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion is outboard of the entirety of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion is farther from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle than is said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion; and wherein at least one radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion lies in the range between about 4,000 millimeters and about 100 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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76. An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:
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a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters; wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein the radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at least partially into a blind spot of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion in a side lane adjacent the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached; wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein said reflective single glass element is disposed at a mirror backing plate element; wherein said mirror backing plate element is adapted for attachment at an electrically-operable actuator; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said mirror backing plate element is movable by said electrically-operable actuator and wherein movement of said mirror backing plate element by said actuator simultaneously and similarly moves said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of an equipped vehicle, the entirety of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion is outboard of the entirety of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion is farther from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle than is said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion; wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a rear substrate of a laminate-type electrochromic exterior mirror element and wherein said laminate-type electrochromic mirror element comprises a front glass substrate that is joined to and is spaced from said reflective single glass element by a perimeter seal; wherein said front substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface and wherein an electrochromic medium is disposed between said second surface of said front substrate and said rear substrate and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by said perimeter seal, and wherein a reflective perimeter coating is disposed at the perimeter region of said second surface of said front substrate; wherein said reflective perimeter coating is configured and dimensioned to hide the presence of said perimeter seal from view by a viewer viewing through said front substrate when said electrochromic exterior mirror element is used on the equipped vehicle; and wherein, when joined together and spaced apart by said perimeter seal, no part of said rear glass substrate protrudes beyond any part of said front glass substrate. - View Dependent Claims (77, 78, 79)
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80. An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:
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a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters; wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein the radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view extends said first primary rearward field of view further outward from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at least partially into a blind spot of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion in a side lane adjacent the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached; wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein said reflective single glass element is disposed at a mirror backing plate element; wherein said mirror backing plate element is adapted for attachment at an electrically-operable actuator; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said mirror backing plate element is movable by said electrically-operable actuator and wherein movement of said mirror backing plate element by said actuator simultaneously and similarly moves said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of an equipped vehicle, the entirety of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion is outboard of the entirety of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and wherein said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion is farther from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle than is said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides to the driver of the equipped vehicle a rearward field of view that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein at least one radius of curvature of said multiradius curved outboard reflective glass portion lies in the range between about 4,000 millimeters and about 100 millimeters; and wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a fixed reflectance reflective element. - View Dependent Claims (81, 82, 83, 84)
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Specification