INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE

• US 20160082890A1
• Filed: 12/07/2015
• Published: 03/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Habibi, Hamid, Baur, Michael J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,266,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• 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 1/087 with remote or automatic control means
• 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/00 Systems with reflecting surfaces, with or without refracting elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/04 using prisms only
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/182 for mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror head with a mirror reflective element. The mirror reflective element includes a transflective mirror reflector. A video display screen is disposed behind the mirror reflective element and is operable for displaying video images viewable through the transflective mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element. When not operated to display video images, the presence of the video display screen behind the mirror reflective element is rendered covert by the transflective mirror reflector. The interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mechanism operable to change the orientation of the mirror reflective element relative to the vehicle driver. The mechanism operates to flip the orientation of the mirror reflective element between a first position that is tilted towards the vehicle driver and a second position that is tilted away from the vehicle driver.

Claims

1. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mounting assembly configured for mounting at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror system;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head;

wherein said mirror head connects at said mounting assembly and is pivotally adjustable relative to said mounting assembly via a ball and socket joint;

said mirror head comprising a mirror reflective element and a video display screen;

said mirror reflective element comprising a transparent planar glass substrate coated at a surface thereof with a transflective mirror reflector that is partially transmissive of light therethrough and partially reflective of light incident thereon;

wherein said video display screen is disposed behind said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element;

wherein said video display screen disposed behind said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element is operable for displaying video images viewable through said transflective mirror reflector of said mirror reflective element for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, when not operated to display video images, the presence of said video display screen behind said mirror reflective element is rendered covert by said transflective mirror reflector;

said mirror reflective element comprising an outermost glass surface that is closest to the driver of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly including a mechanism operable to change the orientation of said mirror reflective element relative to the driver of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said mechanism operates to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between a first position that is tilted towards the driver of the equipped vehicle and a second position that is tilted away from the driver of the equipped vehicle.

2. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein the interior portion of the equipped vehicle comprises an in-cabin surface of a windshield of the equipped vehicle and wherein a mirror mounting button is adhered to the in-cabin surface of the windshield and wherein said mounting assembly comprises a portion configured for mounting to the mirror mounting button.

3. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 2, wherein said mounting assembly comprises a double ball mounting assembly.

4. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mechanism is operable by the driver of the equipped vehicle to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position.

5. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mechanism comprises an actuator operable to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position.

6. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mechanism comprises a motor operable to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position.

7. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mechanism comprises a toggle manually operable by the driver of the equipped vehicle to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position.

8. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein, with the orientation of said mirror reflective element flipped by said mechanism from said first position to said second position, said video display screen displays video images for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

9. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 8, wherein said video images displayed by said video display screen are captured by a rearward viewing camera of the equipped vehicle.

10. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein said mirror head comprises electrical circuitry and wherein video images captured by said rearward viewing camera are received at and are processed by said electrical circuitry for display by said video display screen.

11. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 10, wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a video decoder.

12. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mirror head comprises a sensor and wherein said mechanism operates to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position responsive to an output of said sensor.

13. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 12, wherein said sensor comprises a photosensor.

14. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises a prismatic mirror reflective element and wherein said transparent glass substrate comprises a prismatic glass substrate.

15. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises an electro-optic mirror reflective element.

16. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 15, wherein said electro-optic mirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror reflective element.

17. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 15, wherein said mirror head comprises a touch sensor and wherein, responsive to touching of said touch sensor by the driver of the equipped vehicle, said mechanism flips orientation of said mirror reflective element from said first position to said second position for display by said video display screen of video images for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

18. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mounting assembly configured for mounting at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror system;

wherein the interior portion of the equipped vehicle comprises an in-cabin surface of a windshield of the equipped vehicle and wherein a mirror mounting button is adhered to the in-cabin surface of the windshield and wherein said mounting assembly comprises a portion configured for mounting to the mirror mounting button;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head;

wherein said mirror head connects at said mounting assembly and is pivotally adjustable relative to said mounting assembly via a ball and socket joint;

said mirror head comprising a mirror reflective element and a video display screen;

wherein said mirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror reflective element;

said mirror reflective element comprising a transparent planar glass substrate coated at a surface thereof with a transflective mirror reflector that is partially transmissive of light therethrough and partially reflective of light incident thereon;

wherein said video display screen is disposed behind said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element;

wherein said video display screen disposed behind said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element is operable for displaying video images viewable through said transflective mirror reflector of said mirror reflective element for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, when not operated to display video images, the presence of said video display screen behind said mirror reflective element is rendered covert by said transflective mirror reflector;

said mirror reflective element comprising an outermost glass surface that is closest to the driver of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly including a mechanism operable to change the orientation of said mirror reflective element relative to the driver of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said mechanism operates to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between a first position that is tilted towards the driver of the equipped vehicle and a second position that is tilted away from the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, with the orientation of said mirror reflective element flipped by said mechanism from said first position to said second position, said video display screen displays video images for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said video images displayed by said video display screen are captured by a rearward viewing camera of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein said mirror head comprises electrical circuitry and wherein video images captured by said rearward viewing camera are received at and are processed by said electrical circuitry for display by said video display screen.

19. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein, when displaying said video images captured by said rearward viewing camera, said video display screen is backlit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes.

20. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said video images are provided from said rearward viewing camera to said electrical circuitry as digital signals.

21. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said mechanism comprises a motor operable to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position.

22. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said mechanism comprises a toggle manually operable by the driver of the equipped vehicle to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position.

23. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein, in said first position, a line orthogonal to and extending from the transflective mirror reflector coated surface of said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element would extend to meet the eyes of the driver of the equipped vehicle who is viewing said mirror reflective element.

24. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 23, wherein, in said second position, at least one of (i) the line orthogonal to and extending from the transflective mirror reflector coated surface of said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element would extend away from meeting the eyes of the driver of the equipped vehicle who is viewing said mirror reflective element and (ii) the line orthogonal to and extending from the transflective mirror reflector coated surface of said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element would extend towards a roof region of the equipped vehicle.

25. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising:

an interior rearview mirror assembly;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mounting assembly configured for mounting at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror system;

said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror head;

wherein said mirror head connects at said mounting assembly and is pivotally adjustable relative to said mounting assembly via a ball and socket joint;

said mirror head comprising a mirror reflective element and a video display screen;

said mirror reflective element comprising a transparent planar glass substrate coated at a surface thereof with a transflective mirror reflector that is partially transmissive of light therethrough and partially reflective of light incident thereon;

wherein said video display screen is disposed behind said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element;

wherein said video display screen disposed behind said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element is operable for displaying video images viewable through said transflective mirror reflector of said mirror reflective element for viewing by a driver of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, when not operated to display video images, the presence of said video display screen behind said mirror reflective element is rendered covert by said transflective mirror reflector;

said mirror reflective element comprising an outermost glass surface that is closest to the driver of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle;

said interior rearview mirror assembly including a mechanism operable to change the orientation of said mirror reflective element relative to the driver of the equipped vehicle when said interior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the interior portion of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said mechanism operates to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between a first position that is tilted towards the driver of the equipped vehicle and a second position that is tilted away from the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, with the orientation of said mirror reflective element flipped by said mechanism from said first position to said second position, said video display screen displays video images for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said video images displayed by said video display screen are captured by a rearward viewing camera of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein, in said first position, a line orthogonal to and extending from the transflective mirror reflector coated surface of said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element would extend to meet the eyes of the driver of the equipped vehicle who is viewing said mirror reflective element.

26. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein said mechanism is manually operated by the driver of the equipped vehicle to flip said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position.

27. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein said mechanism comprises a motor operable to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position.

28. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein, in said second position, at least one of (i) the line orthogonal to and extending from the transflective mirror reflector coated surface of said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element would extend away from meeting the eyes of the driver of the equipped vehicle who is viewing said mirror reflective element and (ii) the line orthogonal to and extending from the transflective mirror reflector coated surface of said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element would extend towards a roof region of the equipped vehicle.

29. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein said mirror head comprises electrical circuitry and wherein video images captured by said rearward viewing camera are provided from said rearward viewing camera to said electrical circuitry as digital signals.

30. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 29, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror reflective element and wherein, when displaying said video images captured by said rearward viewing camera, said video display screen is backlit by a plurality of white light emitting light emitting diodes.

31. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 30, wherein automatic dimming of said electrochromic mirror reflective element is controlled, at least in part, by ambient light detection by a camera of the equipped vehicle.

32. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein said mirror head comprises electrical circuitry and wherein video images captured by said rearward viewing camera are received at and are processed by said electrical circuitry for display by said video display screen and wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a video decoder.

33. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 32, wherein the interior portion of the equipped vehicle comprises an in-cabin surface of a windshield of the equipped vehicle and wherein a mirror mounting button is adhered to the in-cabin surface of the windshield and wherein said mounting assembly comprises a portion configured for mounting to the mirror mounting button.

34. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein, in said second position, the line orthogonal to and extending from the transflective mirror reflector coated surface of said transparent planar glass substrate of said mirror reflective element would extend away from meeting the eyes of the driver of the equipped vehicle who is viewing said mirror reflective element and would extend towards a roof region of the equipped vehicle.

35. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 34, wherein said mechanism is manually operated by the driver of the equipped vehicle to flip said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position.

36. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 34, wherein said mechanism comprises a motor operable to flip the orientation of said mirror reflective element between said first position and said second position.

37. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 34, wherein said mirror head comprises electrical circuitry and wherein video images captured by said rearward viewing camera are received at and are processed by said electrical circuitry for display by said video display screen.

38. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 37, wherein said electrical circuitry comprises a video decoder.