Rearview mirror with lighting assembly

• US 6,439,755 B1
• Filed: 12/14/1999
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Miller, Craig M., Vanderhoof, Troy I., Fant, Howard W. Jr., Hutzel, Barry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US09/460,076
• Time in Patent Office: 987 Days
• Field of Search: 362/493, 362/494, 362/135, 362/140, 362/294, 362/393, 362/341, 362/346, 362/297, 362/492, 362/503
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/20 for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments lighting for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/086 using a mirror angularly movable between a position of use and a non-glare position reflecting a dark field to the user, e.g. situated behind a transparent glass used as low-reflecting surface; Wedge-shaped mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A rearview mirror with lighting assembly for use in a vehicle, has a molded case adapted to support lights for illuminating portions of the vehicle interior, to support electrical switches, wiring, and electrical connectors, to support optical lenses for directing light, and to support a mirror element. The case includes ventilation around the lenses, past the lights, and out of the case for dissipating heat from the lighting. The electrical switches and connectors are mounted into the case. A preferred light arrangement provides illumination of areas below and outwardly of the case ends with targeted lighting areas in the lap areas of persons seated in the front seats of the vehicle, without allowing light to be directed toward the vehicle windshield or instrument panel to cause glare. A resilient sealing material is adhered to the back of the lens element for sealing with the case to prevent or minimize the emission of uncontrolled, stray light from the case. The sealing material is preferably adhered to the mirror element by an adhesive carrier layer which preferably also provides an antiscatter function for the mirror element in the event of breakage.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror element;

a mirror case for housing said mirror element, said mirror case having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a back surface, said mirror case having an interior space enveloped by said top surface, said bottom surface, said side surface, and said back surface;

a first lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space, said first lamp comprising a first light bulb and a first reflector, said first light bulb comprising a cartridge style bulb positioned at a first location in said interior space, said first reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said first reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said first location of said first light bulb in said interior space;

a first light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case into a passenger compartment of a vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted therein, said light opening including a first lens positioned therein, said first lens directing light projected from said first light bulb into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

at least one ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said first light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case; and

said at least one ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein the direction of the light out of said mirror case and into the passenger compartment from said fixedly positioned first lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case.

2. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror element;

a mirror case for housing said mirror element, said mirror case having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a back surface, said mirror case having an interior space enveloped by said top surface, said bottom surface, said side surface, and said back surface;

a first lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space, said first lamp comprising a first light bulb and a first reflector, said first light bulb positioned at a first location in said interior space and being mounted within said mirror case with a metallic clip, electrical power being applied to said first light bulb through said metallic clip, said first reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said first reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said first location of said first light bulb in said interior space;

a first light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case into a passenger compartment of a vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted therein, said light opening including a first lens positioned therein, said first lens directing light projected from said first light bulb into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

at least one first ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said first light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case; and

said at least one first ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein the direction of the light out of said mirror case and into the passenger compartment from said fixedly positioned first lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said first lens comprises a Fresnel optic.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said first lamp is adapted for use by a driver having a lap area when seated in the front seat of the vehicle when said assembly is mounted therein, said first lamp directing light generally to the lap area of the front seat driver of the vehicle.

5. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said first lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case.

6. The mirror assembly of claim 5 wherein first lens is one of a transparent glass element and a transparent plastic element.

7. The mirror assembly of claim 6 wherein said first lens is a transparent plastic element.

8. The mirror assembly of claim 7 wherein said first lens is formed from molded plastic.

9. The mirror assembly of claim 8 wherein said first lens is formed from polycarbonate.

10. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said first lens comprises a plastic material.

11. The mirror assembly of claim 10 wherein said plastic material of said first lens comprises polycarbonate.

12. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said reflective surface has at least 80% reflectivity.

13. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said first reflector is formed of a metal.

14. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said first lamp is connected to an electrical circuit enabling said first lamp to be illuminated when a door of the vehicle is opened.

15. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said mirror element is a prismatic mirror element having a reflective layer on its rear surface;

said assembly also including a day/night actuator mounted in said mirror case for moving said mirror element between a high reflectivity day position and a reduced reflectivity night position.

16. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said at least one first ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case.

17. The mirror assembly of claim 16 wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

18. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said at least one first ventilation opening comprises an opening in said back surface of said mirror case.

19. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said first lamp is adapted for use by a driver of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted therein, said driver lamp directing light through said first light opening to the driver of the vehicle.

20. The mirror assembly of claim 2 including a second lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space, and a second light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case, said second light opening including a second lens positioned therein, said second lens directing light projected from said second lamp into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

21. The mirror assembly of claim 20 wherein said second lamp comprises a second light bulb and a second reflector, said second light bulb positioned at a second location in said interior space, said second reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said second reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said second location of said second light bulb in said interior space;

at least one second ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said second light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case; and

said at least one second ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein the direction of the light out of said mirror case and into the passenger compartment from said fixedly positioned second lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case.

22. The mirror assembly of claim 21 wherein each of said first lens and said second lens comprises a Fresnel optic.

23. The mirror assembly of claim 21 wherein each of said first lens and said second lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case.

24. The mirror assembly of claim 21 wherein each said first lens and said second lens is one of a transparent glass element and a transparent plastic element.

25. The mirror assembly of claim 21 wherein each of said first reflector and said second reflector is formed of a metal.

26. The mirror assembly of claim 21 wherein each of said first and second ventilation openings comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case.

27. The mirror assembly of claim 26 wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

28. The mirror assembly of claim 21 wherein each of said first and second ventilation openings comprises an opening in said back surface of said mirror case.

29. The mirror assembly of claim 20 wherein each of said first lamp and said second lamp is connected to an electrical circuit enabling each of said first lamp and said second lamp to be illuminated when a door of the vehicle is opened.

30. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror element;

a mirror case for housing said mirror element, said mirror case having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a back surface, said mirror case having an interior space enveloped by said top surface, said bottom surface, said side surface, and said back surface;

a first lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space, said first lamp comprising a first light bulb and a first reflector, said first light bulb positioned at a first location in said interior space, said first reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said first reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said first location of said first light bulb in said interior space;

a first light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case into a passenger compartment of a vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted therein, said light opening including a first lens positioned therein, said first lens directing light projected from said first light bulb into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

at least one first ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said first light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case; and

said at least one first ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein the direction of the light out of said mirror case and into the passenger compartment from said fixedly positioned first lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case;

a second lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space, and a second light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case, said second light opening including a second lens positioned therein, said second lens directing light projected from said second lamp into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

said second lamp comprising a second light bulb and a second reflector, said second light bulb positioned at a second location in said interior space, said second reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said second reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said second location of said second light bulb in said interior space;

at least one second ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said second light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case; and

said at least one second ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein the direction of the light out of said mirror case and into the passenger compartment from said fixedly positioned second lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case;

each of said first light bulb and said second light bulb comprising a cartridge style bulb.

31. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror element;

a mirror case for housing said mirror element, said mirror case having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a back surface, said mirror case having an interior space enveloped by said top surface, said bottom surface, said side surface, and said back surface;

a first lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space, said first lamp comprising a first light bulb and a first reflector, said first light bulb positioned at a first location in said interior space, said first reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said first reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said first location of said first light bulb in said interior space;

a first light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case into a passenger compartment of a vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted therein, said light opening including a first lens positioned therein, said first lens directing light projected from said first light bulb into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

at least one first ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said first light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case; and

said at least one first ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein the direction of the light out of said mirror case and into the passenger compartment from said fixedly positioned first lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case;

a second lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space, and a second light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case, said second light opening including a second lens positioned therein, said second lens directing light projected from said second lamp into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

said second lamp comprising a second light bulb and a second reflector, said second light bulb positioned at a second location in said interior space, said second reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said second reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said second location of said second light bulb in said interior space;

at least one second ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said second light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case; and

said at least one second ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein the direction of the light out of said mirror case and into the passenger compartment from said fixedly positioned second lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case;

each of said first light bulb and said second light bulb being mounted within said mirror case with a metallic clip, electrical power being applied to said first light bulb and said second light bulb through said metallic clips.

32. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror element;

a mirror case for housing said mirror element, said mirror case having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a back surface, said mirror case having an interior space enveloped by said top surface, said bottom surface, said side surface, and said back surface;

a driver lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space, said driver lamp comprising a first light bulb and a first reflector, said first light bulb positioned at a first location in said interior space, said first reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said first reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said first location of said first light bulb in said interior space;

a driver light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case into a passenger compartment of a vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted therein, said driver light opening including a first lens positioned therein, said first lens directing light projected from said first light bulb into the passenger compartment and toward the driver of the vehicle;

at least one first ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said first light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case;

said at least one first ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

a passenger lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space; and

a passenger light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said passenger light opening including a second lens positioned therein, said second lens directing light projected from said passenger lamp into the passenger compartment and toward a passenger in a front seat of the vehicle;

said passenger lamp comprising a second light bulb and a second reflector, said second light bulb positioned at a second location in said interior space, said second reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said second reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said second location of said second light bulb in said interior space;

each of said first light bulb and said second light bulb comprising a cartridge style bulb;

at least one second ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said second light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case; and

said at least one second ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein the direction of the light out of said mirror case and into the passenger compartment from said fixedly positioned first lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case, and from said fixedly positioned second lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case.

33. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror element;

a mirror case for housing said mirror element, said mirror case having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface, and a back surface, said mirror case having an interior space enveloped by said top surface, said bottom surface, said side surface, and said back surface;

a driver lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space, said driver lamp comprising a first light bulb and a first reflector, said first light bulb positioned at a first location in said interior space, said first reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said first reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said first location of said first light bulb in said interior space;

a driver light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case into a passenger compartment of a vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted therein, said driver light opening including a first lens positioned therein, said first lens directing light projected from said first light bulb into the passenger compartment and toward the driver of the vehicle;

at least one first ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said first light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case;

said at least one first ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

a passenger lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space; and

a passenger light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case into the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said passenger light opening including a second lens positioned therein, said second lens directing light projected from said passenger lamp into the passenger compartment and toward a passenger in a front seat of the vehicle;

said passenger lamp comprising a second light bulb and a second reflector, said second light bulb positioned at a second location in said interior space, said second reflector comprising a reflective surface, at least a portion of said second reflector disposed at a location in said interior space closer to at least one of said top surface and said back surface than said second location of said second light bulb in said interior space;

at least one second ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said second light bulb when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case; and

said at least one second ventilation opening being positioned at a location selected from at least one of said back surface of said mirror case, said top surface of said mirror case and said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein the direction of the light out of said mirror case and into the passenger compartment from said fixedly positioned first lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case, and from said fixedly positioned second lamp is non-adjustable with respect to said mirror case;

each of said first light bulb and said second light bulb being mounted within said mirror case with a metallic clip, electrical power being applied to said first light bulb and said second light bulb through said metallic clips.

34. The mirror assembly of claim 33 wherein said mirror element is a prismatic mirror element having a reflective layer on its rear surface;

said assembly also including a day/night actuator mounted in said mirror case for moving said mirror element between a high reflectivity day position and a reduced reflectivity night position.

35. The mirror assembly of claim 33 wherein each of said first lens and said second lens comprises a Fresnel optic.

36. The mirror assembly of claim 33 wherein each of said first lens and said second lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case.

37. The mirror assembly of claim 33 wherein each of said first lens and said second lens is one of a transparent glass element and a transparent plastic element.

38. The mirror assembly of claim 33 wherein each of said first reflector and said second reflector is formed of a metal.

39. The mirror assembly of claim 33 wherein each of said first and second ventilation openings comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case.

40. The mirror assembly of claim 39 wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

41. The mirror assembly of claim 33 wherein each of said first and second ventilation openings comprises an opening in said back surface of said mirror case.

42. The mirror assembly of claim 33 wherein each of said driver lamp and said passenger lamp is connected to an electrical circuit enabling each of said driver lamp and said passenger lamp to be illuminated when a door of the vehicle is opened.