OPTICAL REFLECTOR WITH INCREASED FIELD-OF-VIEW
First Claim
1. An optical reflector comprising:
- a primary optical element having a perimeter, a first substantially flat portion, and a second portion that is curved in two dimensions, the second portion adjoining said first portion along a curved line, wherein the perimeter defines a primary differentiable surface; and
a layer of reflective material on said primary optical element.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical element such as a reflector defining a differentiable fiducial surface having a first portion, with a flat region, that seamlessly adjoins, along a curved line, a second portion having a two-dimensionally curved region. The quality of optical imaging in the reflector is drastically improved by reducing the ratio of optical powers measured in two perpendicular directions along the two-dimensionally curved portion of the surface. The vehicular rearview assembly including such a reflector possesses a field-of-view (FOV) that is significantly higher than the FOV of a conventional flat mirror and facilitates visual access to a “blind spot” behind the vehicle.
6 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An optical reflector comprising:
-
a primary optical element having a perimeter, a first substantially flat portion, and a second portion that is curved in two dimensions, the second portion adjoining said first portion along a curved line, wherein the perimeter defines a primary differentiable surface; and a layer of reflective material on said primary optical element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. An optical reflector comprising:
-
a primary optical element having a perimeter, a first substantially flat portion, and a second portion that is curved in two dimensions, the second portion adjoining said first portion along a breakline comprising a substantially circular arc having a radius of curvature, wherein the perimeter defines a primary differentiable surface; and a layer of reflective material on said primary optical element. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. An optical reflector comprising:
-
a primary optical element having a perimeter, a first substantially flat portion, and a second portion that is curved, the second portion adjoining said first portion along a straight breakline, wherein the perimeter defines a primary differentiable surface; and a layer of reflective material on said primary optical element. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification