EXTERIOR MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT SUB-ASSEMBLY

• US 20170072859A1
• Filed: 11/28/2016
• Published: 03/16/2017
• 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 9,713,986 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror back plate disposed at a rear side of a glass substrate of the reflective element. The back plate includes a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at a first side by a plastic injection molding operation. The mirror actuator attaching portion includes structure for attaching the back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly. A heater pad is disposed between the rear side of the glass substrate and the second side of the back plate. When the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing the mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the side of the vehicle, light emitted by an indicator passes exits the heater pad and the reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle.

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;

said mirror reflective element comprising a transparent glass substrate having a front side and a rear side;

a mirror reflector disposed at one of the front side and the rear side of said glass substrate;

a 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 and having a plate thickness therebetween;

wherein said mirror back plate is disposed at the rear side of said glass substrate with said second side of said mirror back plate being closer than said first side to the rear side of said glass substrate;

said mirror back plate comprising a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at said first side by said plastic injection molding operation;

wherein said mirror actuator attaching portion comprises structure for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said mirror actuator comprises an electrically operable mirror actuator;

wherein said mirror back plate comprises an aperture extending from said first side to said second side through the plate thickness of said mirror back plate;

a heater pad disposed between the rear side of said glass substrate 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;

wherein said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting portion thereof that is generally aligned with said light transmitting portion of said heater pad;

an indicator comprising at least one light emitting diode activatable to emit light;

wherein said indicator is associated with a blind spot detection system of a vehicle equipped with an exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly;

wherein said at least one light emitting diode is disposed at a circuit board;

wherein circuitry is disposed at said circuit board, and wherein said circuitry comprises at least one of (i) a DC converter and (ii) a voltage dropping resistor;

wherein, when the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the side of the equipped vehicle and with said at least one light emitting diode activated, light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode passes through said light transmitting portion of said heater pad and through said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector and exits said mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the equipped vehicle who is driving the equipped vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element; and

wherein, during a daytime driving condition and with said at least one light emitting diode activated, said visual icon has a luminance of at least 5,000 candelas/square meter as viewed along its axis of highest brightness when viewed from the front of said mirror reflective element and emitting light therethrough.

2. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said aperture is established through said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation.

3. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said indicator comprises a guide that guides light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode of said indicator to exit said mirror reflective element in a desired direction.

4. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 3, wherein said desired direction is toward the side of the vehicle equipped with an exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly.

5. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 4, wherein said guide comprises a passageway.

6. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said indicator is adhesively attached at the rear side of said glass substrate.

7. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said circuit board comprises an electrical connector for electrically connecting said circuit board to a power source of the equipped vehicle.

8. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflective element and wherein said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector comprises a transflective portion.

9. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises a non-transflective mirror reflective element and wherein said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting window established through said mirror reflector by laser ablation.

10. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting diode comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, and wherein said light transmitting portion of said heater pad comprises an aperture through said heater pad.

11. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 10, wherein said visual icon comprises a triangular shape.

12. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 11, wherein said structure of said mirror actuator attaching portion for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a raised annular ring, (ii) annular prongs and (iii) annular snaps.

13. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 12, wherein, during a nighttime driving condition, luminance of said visual icon is significantly reduced responsive to an ambient light sensing photosensor of the equipped vehicle.

14. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said indicator is adhesively attached at the rear side of said glass substrate using at least one of an adhesive tape and an adhesive film.

15. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed at the front side of said glass substrate, and wherein said glass substrate comprises a rear glass substrate of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a front glass substrate and said rear glass substrate with an electrically-dimmable electrochromic medium disposed therebetween.

16. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is orientated so that at least one light emitting portion of said at least one light emitting diode generally faces towards said mirror reflective element.

17. 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;

said mirror reflective element comprising a transparent glass substrate having a front side and a rear side;

a mirror reflector disposed at one of the front side and the rear side of said glass substrate;

a 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 and having a plate thickness therebetween;

wherein said mirror back plate is disposed at the rear side of said glass substrate with said second side of said mirror back plate being closer than said first side to the rear side of said glass substrate;

said mirror back plate comprising a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at said first side by said plastic injection molding operation;

wherein said mirror actuator attaching portion comprises structure for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said mirror actuator comprises an electrically operable mirror actuator;

wherein said mirror back plate comprises an aperture extending from said first side to said second side through the plate thickness of said mirror back plate;

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

a heater pad disposed between the rear side of said glass substrate 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;

wherein said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting portion thereof that is generally aligned with said light transmitting portion of said heater pad;

an indicator comprising at least one light emitting diode activatable to emit light;

wherein said indicator is associated with a blind spot detection system of a vehicle equipped with an exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly;

wherein said at least one light emitting diode is disposed at a circuit board;

wherein circuitry is disposed at said circuit board, and wherein said circuitry comprises a voltage dropping resistor;

wherein said circuit board is orientated so that at least one light emitting portion of said at least one light emitting diode generally faces towards said mirror reflective element;

wherein, when the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the side of the equipped vehicle and with said at least one light emitting diode activated, light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode passes through said light transmitting portion of said heater pad and through said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector and exits said mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the equipped vehicle who is driving the equipped vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element; and

wherein said mirror reflective element comprises a non-transflective mirror reflective element and wherein said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting window established through said mirror reflector by laser ablation.

18. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 17, wherein said circuit board comprises an electrical connector for electrically connecting said circuit board to a power source of the equipped vehicle.

19. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 18, wherein said light transmitting portion of said heater pad comprises an aperture through said heater pad.

20. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 19, wherein said visual icon comprises a triangular shape.

21. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 20, wherein said structure of said mirror actuator attaching portion for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one of (i) a raised annular ring, (ii) annular prongs and (iii) annular snaps.

22. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 21, wherein, during a daytime driving condition and with said at least one light emitting diode activated, said visual icon has a luminance of at least 5,000 candelas/square meter as viewed along its axis of highest brightness when viewed from the front of said mirror reflective element and emitting light therethrough, and wherein, during a nighttime driving condition, luminance of said visual icon is significantly reduced responsive to an ambient light sensing photosensor of the equipped vehicle.

23. 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;

said mirror reflective element comprising a transparent glass substrate having a front side and a rear side;

a mirror reflector disposed at one of the front side and the rear side of said glass substrate;

a 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 and having a plate thickness therebetween;

wherein said mirror back plate is disposed at the rear side of said glass substrate with said second side of said mirror back plate being closer than said first side to the rear side of said glass substrate;

said mirror back plate comprising a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at said first side by said plastic injection molding operation;

wherein said mirror actuator attaching portion comprises structure for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said mirror actuator comprises an electrically operable mirror actuator;

wherein said mirror back plate comprises an aperture extending from said first side to said second side through the plate thickness of said mirror back plate;

a heater pad disposed between the rear side of said glass substrate 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;

wherein said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting portion thereof that is generally aligned with said light transmitting portion of said heater pad;

an indicator comprising at least one light emitting diode activatable to emit light;

wherein said indicator is associated with a blind spot detection system of a vehicle equipped with an exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly;

wherein said at least one light emitting diode is disposed at a circuit board;

wherein circuitry is disposed at said circuit board;

wherein, when the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the side of the equipped vehicle and with said at least one light emitting diode activated, light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode passes through said light transmitting portion of said heater pad and through said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector and exits said mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the equipped vehicle who is driving the equipped vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element;

wherein light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode of said indicator exits said mirror reflective element in a desired direction; and

wherein said desired direction is toward the side of the vehicle equipped with an exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly.

24. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 23, wherein said aperture is established through said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation, and wherein said mirror reflective element comprises a non-transflective mirror reflective element and wherein said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting window established through said mirror reflector by laser ablation, and wherein said light transmitting portion of said heater pad comprises an aperture through said heater pad.

25. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 24, wherein said circuit board comprises an electrical connector for electrically connecting said circuit board to a power source of the equipped vehicle and wherein said circuitry comprises a voltage dropping resistor.

26. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 25, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed at the front side of said glass substrate, and wherein said glass substrate comprises a rear glass substrate of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a front glass substrate and said rear glass substrate with an electrically-dimmable electrochromic medium disposed therebetween.

27. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 26, wherein, during a daytime driving condition and with said at least one light emitting diode activated, said visual icon has a luminance of at least 5,000 candelas/square meter as viewed along its axis of highest brightness when viewed from the front of said mirror reflective element and emitting light therethrough, and wherein, during a nighttime driving condition, luminance of said visual icon is significantly reduced responsive to an ambient light sensing photosensor of the equipped vehicle.

28. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 27, wherein said visual icon comprises a triangular shape.

29. The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 28, wherein said indicator is adhesively attached at the rear side of said glass substrate.