EXTERIOR MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT SUB-ASSEMBLY

• US 20140028471A1
• Filed: 08/30/2013
• Published: 01/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• 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., Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,779,937 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/901
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0076 Switches therefor B60Q1/1446, B60Q1/343, B60Q1/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0088 Details of electrical connections B60Q1/305 takes precedence; electrical connection of the light source itself F21S41/192, F21S43/195
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2607 comprising at least two indicating lamps
• 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 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/503 using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text
• 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 1/081 avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of 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: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/802 for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8093 for obstacle warning
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/005 the substrate is supporting also the light source
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/0464 the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection

Abstract

A mirror reflective element sub-assembly includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate. The back plate has an indicator mounting portion. An aperture is established through the back plate generally at the indicator mounting portion. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the back plate. The heater pad has a light transmitting portion generally aligned with the aperture of the back plate. A self-contained substantially sealed indicator is mounted at the indicator mounting portion and has a light source that is activatable to emit light. When an equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at a side of a vehicle and with the light source activated, light emitted by the light source transmits through the aperture of the back plate and the light transmitting portion of the heater pad and exits the mirror reflective element.

Claims

1. A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising:

a mirror reflective element;

a mirror back plate attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element, said mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation;

said mirror back plate comprising a first side and a second side;

said mirror back plate comprising an indicator mounting portion that is established by said plastic injection molding operation;

wherein said indicator mounting portion extends at an angle from said first side of said mirror back plate;

wherein an aperture is established through said mirror back plate generally at said indicator mounting portion;

wherein said aperture is established through said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation;

a heater pad disposed between said mirror reflective element and said second side of said mirror back plate;

wherein said heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is generally aligned with said aperture of said mirror back plate;

a self-contained substantially sealed indicator having a light source that is activatable to emit light;

wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator is mounted at said indicator mounting portion;

wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator is associated with a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein, when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at a side of an equipped vehicle and with said light source activated, light emitted by said light source transmits through said aperture of said mirror back plate and said light transmitting portion of said heater pad and exits said mirror reflective element generally towards a driver of the equipped vehicle who is driving the equipped vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element.

2. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, including an indicia element and wherein said indicia element is proximate said mirror back plate.

3. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator comprises a housing, and wherein said housing is received at said indicator mounting portion of said mirror back plate, and wherein a circuit element is disposed in said housing.

4. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said indicator mounting portion of said mirror back plate comprises wall structure established at an angle less than ninety degrees relative to said first side of said mirror back plate.

5. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said indicator mounting portion is configured to at least partially receive said self-contained substantially sealed indicator and is configured to provide a desired line of sight for the driver of the equipped vehicle who is driving the equipped vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element.

6. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator comprises a circuit board and wherein said indicator mounting portion comprises wall structure configured to angle said circuit board when said self-contained substantially sealed indicator is mounted at said indicator mounting portion, and wherein said wall structure of said indicator mounting portion substantially surrounds said aperture.

7. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator substantially seals at said indicator mounting portion when mounted thereto such that the interface between said self-contained substantially sealed indicator and said indicator mounting portion is substantially water impervious.

8. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said indicator mounting portion includes a passageway therethrough, and wherein light emitted by said light source, when said light source is activated, passes through said passageway.

9. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode, and wherein said light transmitting portion of said heater pad comprises at least one of (i) an aperture through said heater pad, (ii) a transparent portion of said heater pad, (iii) a translucent portion of said heater pad and (iv) a diffuse portion of said heater pad.

10. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator comprises a housing, and wherein said light source is disposed at a circuit element, and wherein said housing at least substantially encases said circuit element, and wherein said circuit element comprises an electrical connector for electrically connecting said circuit element to a power source of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said electrical connector protrudes from said circuit element and is accessible at a connector portion of said housing, and wherein said connector portion of said housing comprises one of a plug connector and a socket connector for connecting to a connecting end of electrical wiring of the equipped vehicle.

11. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein circuitry is established at a circuit element of said self-contained substantially sealed indicator, and wherein said circuitry comprises at least one of (i) said light source, (ii) a DC converter with a voltage dropping resistor and (iii) an electrical connector for electrically connecting said self-contained substantially sealed indicator to a power source of the equipped vehicle.

12. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator is configured to mount at said indicator mounting portion via at least one of (i) a snap attachment and (ii) a press fit attachment.

13. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, including an indicia element, and wherein said indicia element comprises a triangular-shaped alert.

14. A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising:

a mirror reflective element;

a mirror back plate attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element, said mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation;

said mirror back plate comprising a first side and a second side;

said mirror back plate comprising an indicator mounting portion that is established by said plastic injection molding operation;

wherein said indicator mounting portion extends at an angle from said first side of said mirror back plate;

wherein an aperture is established through said mirror back plate generally at said indicator mounting portion;

wherein said aperture is established through said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation;

a heater pad disposed between said mirror reflective element and said second side of said mirror back plate;

wherein said heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is generally aligned with said aperture of said mirror back plate;

a self-contained substantially sealed indicator having a light source that is activatable to emit light;

wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator is mounted at said indicator mounting portion;

wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator is associated with a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at a side of an equipped vehicle and with said light source activated, light emitted by said light source transmits through said aperture of said mirror back plate and said light transmitting portion of said heater pad and exits said mirror reflective element;

wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode; and

wherein circuitry is established at a circuit element of said self-contained substantially sealed indicator and wherein said circuitry comprises at least one of (i) said light source, (ii) a DC converter with a voltage dropping resistor and (iii) an electrical connector for electrically connecting said self-contained substantially sealed indicator to a power source of the equipped vehicle.

15. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 14, wherein said light transmitting portion of said heater pad comprises at least one of (i) an aperture through said heater pad, (ii) a transparent portion of said heater pad, (iii) a translucent portion of said heater pad and (iv) a diffuse portion of said heater pad.

16. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 14, wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator comprises a housing, and wherein said housing is received at said indicator mounting portion of said mirror back plate, and wherein a circuit element is disposed in said housing.

17. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 14, wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator comprises a housing, and wherein said light source is disposed at a circuit element, and wherein said housing at least substantially encases said circuit element, and wherein said circuit element comprises an electrical connector for electrically connecting said circuit element to a power source of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said electrical connector protrudes from said circuit element and is accessible at a connector portion of said housing, and wherein said connector portion of said housing comprises one of a plug connector and a socket connector for connecting to a connecting end of electrical wiring of the equipped vehicle.

18. A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising:

a mirror reflective element;

a mirror back plate attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element, said mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation;

said mirror back plate comprising a first side and a second side;

said mirror back plate comprising an indicator mounting portion that is established by said plastic injection molding operation;

wherein said indicator mounting portion extends at an angle from said first side of said mirror back plate;

wherein an aperture is established through said mirror back plate generally at said indicator mounting portion;

wherein said aperture is established through said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation;

a heater pad disposed between said mirror reflective element and said second side of said mirror back plate;

wherein said heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is generally aligned with said aperture of said mirror back plate;

a self-contained substantially sealed indicator having a light source that is activatable to emit light;

wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator is mounted at said indicator mounting portion;

wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator is associated with a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at a side of an equipped vehicle and with said light source activated, light emitted by said light source transmits through said aperture of said mirror back plate and said light transmitting portion of said heater pad and exits said mirror reflective element;

wherein said light transmitting portion of said heater pad comprises at least one of (i) an aperture through said heater pad, (ii) a transparent portion of said heater pad, (iii) a translucent portion of said heater pad and (iv) a diffuse portion of said heater pad;

wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode; and

wherein said indicator mounting portion is configured to at least partially receive said self-contained substantially sealed indicator and is configured to provide a desired line of sight for a driver of the equipped vehicle who is driving the equipped vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element.

19. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 18, wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator comprises a housing, and wherein said housing is received at said indicator mounting portion of said mirror back plate, and wherein a circuit element is disposed in said housing.

20. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 18, wherein said self-contained substantially sealed indicator comprises a housing, and wherein said light source is disposed at a circuit element, and wherein said housing at least substantially encases said circuit element, and wherein said circuit element comprises an electrical connector for electrically connecting said circuit element to a power source of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said electrical connector protrudes from said circuit element and is accessible at a connector portion of said housing, and wherein said connector portion of said housing comprises one of a plug connector and a socket connector for connecting to a connecting end of electrical wiring of the equipped vehicle.