Interior mirror assembly for a vehicle incorporating a solid-state light source

• US 6,412,973 B1
• Filed: 07/27/2000
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bos, Brent J., Forbes, Stephen J., Veldman, Roger L.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US09/626,608
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 362/135, 362/140-144, 362/488, 362/489, 362/490, 362/491, 362/494, 362/545, 362/259, 362/260, 362/263, 362/800, 362/492, 362/84, 362/85, 362/230
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/85 for manual control of the light, e.g. of colour, orientation or intensity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

Illumination of a target location of a vehicle interior is provided by an interior rearview mirror assembly incorporating a solid-state light source which emits light generally downwardly from the assembly. The solid-state light source comprises a non-incandescent light source, preferably selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, a fluorescent light source, an electroluminescent light source and a laser light. Also, the solid-state light source preferably operates at a forward current of less than about 100 mA and has a cross-sectional area less than about 4 square centimeters. The target location may include at least one of a shift lever console and a floor console.

Claims

1. An interior rearview mirror assembly for mounting on a vehicle comprising:

a mirror case including a reflective mirror element, said case including a bottom portion;

a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;

a solid-state light source, said light source incorporated as part of said mirror case and positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said bottom portion when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle;

said solid-state light source comprising a non-incandescent light source selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, an electroluminescent light source and a laser light;

said solid-state light source positioned to emit light directed to provide illumination of a target location of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle and when said solid-state light source is electrically powered; and

said target location including at least one of a shift lever console and a floor console.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode having a luminous intensity of at least 500 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode having a luminous intensity of at least 700 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode having a luminous intensity in the range of about 500 mcd to about 7000 mcd when said solid-state light source is powered in the vehicle.

5. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 1 volt.

6. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts.

7. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage less than about 5 volts.

8. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode that emits light with a dominant wave length within the range of about 530 nm to about 680 nm.

9. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode emitting light having a color selected from the group consisting of green, orange, yellow, amber, reddish-orange, red and blue.

10. The mirror assembly of claim 9 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

11. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

12. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state light source operates at a current less than about 200 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

13. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state light source operates at a current less than about 100 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

14. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state light source operates at a current less than about 50 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

15. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a current within the range of about 20 mA to about 100 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

16. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode providing illumination of between about 0.2 and 4.0 lux at a distance of about 22 to 26 inches from said diode.

17. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield, said support being adapted for connection to the windshield for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

18. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield and a header area adjacent the windshield, said support being adapted for connection to the header area of the vehicle for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

19. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a prismatic rearview mirror element.

20. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises an electro-optic rearview mirror element.

21. The mirror assembly of claim 20 wherein said electro-optic rearview mirror element comprises an electrochromic rearview mirror element.

22. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state light source includes a lens.

23. The mirror assembly of claim 22 wherein said lens comprises one of a Fresnel lens, a binary optic, a refractive optic and a holographic optic.

24. The mirror assembly of claim 22 wherein said lens comprises a plastic lens.

25. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode.

26. The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward voltage in the range from about 2 volts to about 5 volts.

27. The mirror assembly of claim 26 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 100 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

28. The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 50 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

29. The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 20 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

30. The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein said solid-state light source has a cross-sectional area less than about 1 square centimeter.

31. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises an electroluminescent light source.

32. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a laser light source.

33. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting source having a cross-sectional area less than about 4 square centimeters.

34. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state light source has a cross-sectional area less than about 1 square centimeter.

35. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said target location includes a shift lever console.

36. The mirror assembly of claim 35 wherein said shift lever console comprises a transmission selector indicator panel.

37. The mirror assembly of claim 35 wherein said shift lever console comprises at least one of a transmission selector indicator panel, a bin, a cup holder, an ashtray and a switch.

38. The mirror assembly of claim 35 wherein said shift lever console is located at the floor centerline of the vehicle.

39. An interior rearview mirror assembly for mounting on a vehicle comprising:

a mirror case including a reflective mirror element and a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;

a solid-state light source, said light source incorporated as part of said assembly and positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle;

said solid-state light source comprising a non-incandescent light source selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, an electroluminescent light source and a laser light;

said solid-state light source positioned to emit light directed to provide illumination of a target location of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle and when said solid-state light source is electrically powered; and

wherein said solid-state light source has a cross-sectional area less than about 4 square centimeters.

40. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode having a luminous intensity of at least 500 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA.

41. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode having a luminous intensity of at least 700 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA.

42. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode having a luminous intensity in the range of about 500 mcd to about 7000 mcd when said solid-state light source is powered in the vehicle.

43. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 1 volt.

44. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts.

45. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage less than about 5 volts.

46. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode that emits light with a dominant wavelength within the range of from about 530 nm to about 680 nm.

47. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode emitting light having a color selected from the group consisting of green, orange, yellow, amber, reddish-orange, red and blue.

48. The mirror assembly of claim 47 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

49. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

50. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said solid-state light source operates at a current less than about 200 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

51. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said solid-state light source operates at a current less than about 100 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

52. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said solid-state light source operates at a current less than about 50 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

53. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a current within the range of about 20 mA to about 100 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

54. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode providing illumination of between about 0.2 and 4.0 lux at a distance of about 22 to 26 inches from said diode.

55. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield, said support adapted for connection to the windshield for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

56. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield and a header area adjacent the windshield, said support adapted for connection to the header area of the vehicle for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

57. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a prismatic rearview mirror element.

58. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises an electro-optic rearview mirror element.

59. The mirror assembly of claim 58 wherein said electro-optic rearview mirror element comprises an electrochromic rearview mirror element.

60. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said solid-state light source includes a lens.

61. The mirror assembly of claim 60 wherein said lens comprises one of a Fresnel lens, a binary optic, a refractive optic and a holographic optic.

62. The mirror assembly of claim 60 wherein said lens comprises a plastic lens.

63. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a light emitting diode.

64. The mirror assembly of claim 63 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward voltage in the range from about 2 volts to about 5 volts.

65. The mirror assembly of claim 63 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 100 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

66. The mirror assembly of claim 63 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 50 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

67. The mirror assembly of claim 63 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 20 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

68. The mirror assembly of claim 63 wherein said solid-state light source has a cross-sectional area less than about 1 square centimeter.

69. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises an electroluminescent light source.

70. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said non-incandescent light source comprises a laser light source.

71. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said case includes a bottom portion, said solid-state light source positioned to emit light generally downwardly from said bottom portion.

72. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said solid-state light source has a cross-sectional area less than about 1 square centimeter.

73. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said target location includes a shift lever console.

74. The mirror assembly of claim 73 wherein said shift lever console comprises a transmission selector indicator panel.

75. The mirror assembly of claim 73 wherein said shift lever console comprises at least one of a transmission selector indicator panel, a bin, a cup holder, an ashtray and a switch.

76. The mirror assembly of claim 73 wherein said shift lever console is located at the floor centerline of the vehicle.

77. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said target location includes a floor console.

78. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said solid-state light source is positioned on or within said support.

79. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said support includes a support arm pivotally connecting to said case and wherein said solid-state light source is positioned on or within said support arm.

80. The mirror assembly of claim 39 said solid-state light source is included in a pod attached to said support.

81. An interior rearview mirror assembly for mounting on a vehicle comprising:

a mirror case including a reflective mirror element and a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;

a solid-state light source, said light source incorporated as part of said assembly and positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle;

said solid-state light source comprising a light emitting diode;

said solid-state light source positioned to emit light directed to provide illumination of a target location of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle and when said solid-state light source is electrically powered; and

wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 100 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

82. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode has a luminous intensity of at least 500 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA.

83. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode has a luminous intensity of at least 700 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA.

84. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode has a luminous intensity in the range of about 500 mcd to about 7000 mcd when said solid-state light source is powered in the vehicle.

85. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward voltage of at least about 1 volt.

86. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts.

87. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward voltage less than about 5 volts.

88. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode emits light with a dominant wavelength within the range of from about 530 nm to about 680 nm.

89. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode emits light having a color selected from the group consisting of green, orange, yellow, amber, reddish-orange, red and blue.

90. The mirror assembly of claim 89 wherein said light emitting diode is formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

91. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode is formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

92. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a current within the range of from about 20 mA up to about 100 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

93. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode provides illumination of between about 0.2 and 4.0 lux at a distance of about 22 to 26 inches from said diode.

94. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield, said support adapted for connection to the windshield for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

95. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield and a header area adjacent the windshield, said support adapted for connection to the header area of the vehicle for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

96. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a prismatic rearview mirror element.

97. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises an electro-optic rearview mirror element.

98. The mirror assembly of claim 97 wherein said electro-optic rearview mirror element comprises an electrochromic rearview mirror element.

99. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said solid-state light source includes a lens.

100. The mirror assembly of claim 99 wherein said lens comprises one of a Fresnel lens, a binary optic, a refractive optic and a holographic optic.

101. The mirror assembly of claim 99 wherein said lens comprises a plastic lens.

102. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward voltage in the range from about 2 volts to about 5 volts.

103. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 50 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

104. The mirror assembly of claim 83 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 20 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

105. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said case includes a bottom portion, said solid-state light source positioned to emit light generally downwardly from said bottom portion.

106. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said solid-state light source has a cross-sectional area less than about 4 square centimeters.

107. The mirror assembly of claim 106 wherein said solid-state light source has a cross-sectional area less than about 1 square centimeter.

108. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said target location includes a shift lever console.

109. The mirror assembly of claim 108 wherein said shift lever console comprises a transmission selector indicator panel.

110. The mirror assembly of claim 108 wherein said shift lever console comprises at least one of a transmission selector indicator panel, a bin, a cup holder, an ashtray and a switch.

111. The mirror assembly of claim 108 wherein said shift lever console is located at the floor centerline of the vehicle.

112. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said target location includes a floor console.

113. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said solid-state light source is positioned on or within said support.

114. The mirror assembly of claim 81 wherein said support includes a support arm pivotally connecting to said case and wherein said solid-state light source is positioned on or within said support arm.

115. The mirror assembly of claim 81 said solid-state light source is included in a pod attached to said support.

116. An interior rearview mirror assembly for mounting on a vehicle comprising:

a mirror case including a reflective mirror element and a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;

a solid-state light source, said light source incorporated as part of said assembly and positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle;

said solid-state light source comprising a light emitting diode;

said solid-state light source positioned to emit light directed to provide illumination of a target location of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle and when said solid-state light source is electrically powered; and

wherein said target location includes a shift lever console.

117. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode has a luminous intensity of at least 500 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA.

118. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode has a luminous intensity of at least 700 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA.

119. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode has a luminous intensity in the range of about 500 mcd to about 7000 mcd when said solid-state light source is powered in the vehicle.

120. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward voltage of at least about 1 volt.

121. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts.

122. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward voltage less than about 5 volts.

123. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode emits light with a dominant wavelength within the range of from about 530 nm to about 680 nm.

124. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode emits light having a color selected from the group consisting of green, orange, yellow, amber, reddish-orange, red and blue.

125. The mirror assembly of claim 124 wherein said light emitting diode is formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

126. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode is formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

127. The mirror assembly of claim 116 herein said light emitting diode operates at a current within the range of from about 20 mA up to about 100 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

128. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode provides illumination of between about 0.2 and 4.0 lux at a distance of about 22 to 26 inches from said diode.

129. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield, said support adapted for connection to the windshield for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

130. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield and a header area adjacent the windshield, said support adapted for connection to the header area of the vehicle for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

131. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a prismatic rearview mirror element.

132. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises an electro-optic rearview mirror element.

133. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said electro-optic rearview mirror element comprises an electrochromic rearview mirror element.

134. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said solid-state light source includes a lens.

135. The mirror assembly of claim 134 wherein said lens comprises one of a Fresnel lens, a binary optic, a refractive optic and a holographic optic.

136. The mirror assembly of claim 134 wherein said lens comprises a plastic lens.

137. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward voltage in the range from about 2 volts to about 5 volts.

138. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 50 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

139. The mirror assembly of claim 138 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 20 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

140. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said case includes a bottom portion, said solid-state light source positioned to emit light generally downwardly from said bottom portion.

141. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said solid-state light source has a cross-sectional area less than about 4 square centimeters.

142. The mirror assembly of claim 141 wherein said solid-state light source has a cross-sectional area less than about 1 square centimeter.

143. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said light emitting diode operates at a forward current less than about 100 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

144. The mirror assembly of claim 143 wherein said shift lever console comprises a transmission selector indicator panel.

145. The mirror assembly of claim 143 wherein said shift lever console comprises at least one of a transmission selector indicator panel, a bin, a cup holder, an ashtray and a switch.

146. The mirror assembly of claim 143 wherein said shift lever console is located at the floor centerline of the vehicle.

147. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said target location includes a floor console.

148. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said solid-state light source is positioned on or within said support.

149. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said support includes a support arm pivotally connecting to said case and wherein said solid-state light source is positioned on or within said support arm.

150. The mirror assembly of claim 116 said solid-state light source is included in a pod attached to said support.