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

• US 6,848,817 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2002
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brent J. Bos, Roger L. Veldman, Stephen J. Forbes
• Original Assignee: Brent J. Bos, Roger L. Veldman, Stephen J. Forbes
• Inventors: Veldman, Roger L., Bos, Brent J., Forbes, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US10/082,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20020093826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 362/135, 362140-144, 362/230, 362/231, 362488-492, 362/494, 362/511, 362/516, 362/520, 362/545, 362/800
• 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 portion of a vehicle interior is provided by an interior rearview mirror assembly incorporating a solid-state light source comprising a light emitting diode (LED) which emits light generally downwardly from the assembly. In one form of the invention, the mirror case of the rearview mirror assembly includes at least one of an opening, a light conduit, and a fiberoptic element through which the LED emits light. In another form, the LED preferably has a luminous intensity of at least 500 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 mA. The LED preferably has a dominant wavelength of at least about 530 nm. The light emitted by the LED may be selected from green, orange, yellow, amber, reddish-orange, red and blue. The vehicle interior portion 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, said case including a bottom portion;

a reflective mirror element;

a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;

a solid-state light source, said light source positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said bottom portion of said mirror case 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 to provide illumination of a portion 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 mirror case includes at least one of;

a) an opening said light emitting diode emitting light through said opening when powered,

b) a light conduit, said light emitting diode emitting light through said light conduit when powered, and

c) a fiberoptic element said light emitting diode emitting light through said fiberoptic element when powered.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said mirror case includes an opening said light emitting diode emitting light through said opening when powered, said opening including a lens.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said lens closes said opening.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said lens snap-fits in said opening.

5. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said lens comprises at least one of a Fresnel lens, a binary optic, a refractive optic and a holographic optic.

6. The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said lens comprises a refractive optic.

7. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said mirror case includes a light conduit, said light emitting diode emitting light through said light conduit when powered, said light conduit having an inner wall.

8. The mirror assembly of claim 7 wherein said inner wall is adapted to diffusely reflect light.

9. The mirror assembly of claim 8 wherein said inner wall comprises a diffuse reflecting material.

10. The mirror assembly of claim 7 wherein said inner wall is adapted to specularly reflect light.

11. The mirror assembly of claim 10 wherein said inner wall comprises a specularly reflecting material.

12. The mirror assembly of claim 7 wherein said light conduit is formed separate from said mirror case.

13. The mirror assembly of claim 7 herein said light conduit is formed integral with said mirror case.

14. The mirror assembly of claim 13 wherein said light conduit is formed integral with said mirror case by molding.

15. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said minor case includes a fiberoptic element, said fiberoptic element comprising at least one of a fiberoptic cable and a fiberoptic bundle.

16. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state 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.

17. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state 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.

18. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state 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.

19. The minor assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 1 volt.

20. The minor assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts.

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

22. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode that emits light with a dominant wavelength within the range of about 530 nm to about 680 nm.

23. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state 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.

24. The mirror assembly of claim 23 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

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

26. 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.

27. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state tight source operates at a 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 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.

29. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state 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.

30. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said solid-state 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

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

35. The mirror assembly of claim 34 wherein said electro-optic rearview mirror element comprises an electrochromic rearview mirror element.

36. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said portion of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly includes a shift lever console.

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

38. The minor assembly of claim 36 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.

39. The mirror assembly of claim 36 wherein said shift lever console is located at the floor centerline of the vehicle.

40. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said portion of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly includes a floor console.

33. The mirror assembly said reflective mirror element comprises a prismatic rearview mirror element.

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

a mirror case, said case including a bottom portion;

a reflective mirror element;

a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;

a solid-state light source, said light source positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said bottom portion of said mirror case 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 to provide illumination of a portion 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;

wherein said mirror case includes an opening, said light emitting diode emitting light through said opening when powered; and

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.

42. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said opening includes a lens.

43. The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein said lens closes said opening.

44. The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein said lens snap-fits in said opening.

45. The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein said lens comprises at least one of a Fresnel lens, a binary optic, a refractive optic and a holographic optic.

46. The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein said lens comprises a refractive optic.

47. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said solid-state 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.

48. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said solid-state 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.

49. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said solid-state 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.

50. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 1 volt.

51. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts.

52. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage less than about 5 volts.

53. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode that emits light with a dominant wavelength within the range of about 530 nm to about 680 nm.

54. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode emitting light having a color selected from the group consisting of amber and red.

55. The mirror assembly of claim 54 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

56. The mirror of claim 41 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

57. The mirror assembly of claim 41 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.

58. The mirror assembly of claim 41 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.

59. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said solid-stale light source operates at a current less than about 50 Ma when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

60. The mirror assembly of claim 41 herein said solid-state 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 ed and operated in the vehicle.

61. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said solid-state 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.

62. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield, said support being adapted for connection to the windshield for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

63. The mirror assembly of claim 41 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.

64. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a prismatic rearview mirror element.

65. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises an electro-optic rearview mirror element.

66. The mirror assembly of claim 65 wherein said electro-optic rearview mirror element comprises an electrochromic rearview mirror element.

67. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said portion of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly includes a shift lever console.

68. The mirror assembly of claim 67 wherein said shift lever console comprises a transmission selector indicator panel.

69. The mirror assembly of claim 67 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.

70. The mirror assembly of claim 67 wherein said shift lever console is located at the floor centerline of the vehicle.

71. The mirror assembly of claim 41 wherein said portion of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly includes a floor console.

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

a mirror case, said case including a bottom portion;

a reflective mirror element;

a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;

a solid-state light source, said light source positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said bottom portion of said mirror case 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 to provide illumination of a portion 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;

wherein said mirror case includes an opening, said light emitting diode emitting light through said opening when powered; and

wherein said light emitting diode has a luminous intensity of at least 500 mcd when operated at a Forward current of 20 Ma.

73. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said opening includes a lens.

74. The mirror assembly of claim 73 wherein said lens closes said.

75. The mirror assembly of claim 73 wherein said lens snap-fits in said opening.

76. The mirror assembly of claim 73 wherein said lens comprises at least one of a Fresnel lens, a binary optic, a refractive optic and a holographic optic.

77. The mirror assembly of claim 73 wherein said lens comprises a refractive optic.

78. The mirror assembly of claim 72 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.

79. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said light emitting diode has luminous intensity of at least 700 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 Ma.

80. The mirror assembly of claim 72 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.

81. The minor assembly of claim 72 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 1 volt.

82. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a tight emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts.

83. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage less than about 5 volts.

84. The mirror assembly of claim 72 herein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode that emits light with a dominant wavelength within the range or about 530 nm to about 680 nm.

87. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

88. The mirror assembly of claim 72 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.

89. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said solid-stale light source operates at a current less than about 100 Ma when said solid-state light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

90. The mirror assembly of claim 72 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.

91. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said solid-state 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-stale light source is mounted and operated in the vehicle.

92. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said solid-state 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.

93. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield, said support being adapted for connection to the windshield for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

94. The mirror assembly of claim 72 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.

95. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a prismatic rearview mirror element.

96. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises an electro-optic rearview mirror element.

97. The mirror assembly of claim 96 wherein said electro-optic rearview mirror element comprises an electrochromic rearview mirror element.

98. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said portion of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly includes a shift lever console.

99. The mirror assembly of claim 98 wherein said shift lever console comprises a transmission selector indicator panel.

100. The minor assembly of claim 98 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.

101. The mirror assembly of claim 98 wherein said shift lever console located at the floor centerline of the vehicle.

102. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said portion of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly includes a floor console.

85. The mirror assembly of clam 72 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode emitting light having a color selected from the group consisting of amber and red.

86. The mirror assembly of claim 85 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

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

a mirror case;

a reflective mirror element;

a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;

a solid-state light source, said light source incorporated as part of said mirror assembly and positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from a bottom portion of 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 to provide illumination of portion of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly when said assembly is mounted or the vehicle and when said solid-state light source is electrically powered;

wherein said light emitting diode has a luminous intensity of at least 500 mcd when operated at a forward current of 20 Ma.

104. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said mirror case includes an opening, said light emitting diode emitting light through said opening when powered.

105. The mirror assembly of claim 104 wherein said opening includes a lens.

106. The mirror assembly of claim 105 wherein said lens closes said opening.

107. The mirror assembly of claim 105 wherein said lens snap-fits in said opening.

108. The mirror assembly of claim 105 wherein said lens comprises at least one of a Fresnel lens, a binary optic, a refractive optic and a holographic optic.

109. The mirror assembly of claim 105, wherein said lens comprises a refractive optic.

110. The mirror assembly of claim 103 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.

111. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said light emitting diode has a luminous intensity of at least 700 mcd when operated forward current of 20 Ma.

112. The mirror assembly of claim 103 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.

113. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 1 volt.

114. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage of at least about 2 volts.

115. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode operated at a forward voltage less than about 5 volts.

116. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode that emits light with a dominant wavelength within the range of about 530 nm to about 680 nm.

117. The mirror assembly of claim 116 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode emitting light having a color selected from the group consisting of amber and red.

118. The mirror assembly of claim 117 wherein said solid-state light source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

119. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said solid-state tight source comprises a light emitting diode formed from a material including at least one of aluminum, indium, gallium, arsenic and phosphorous.

120. The mirror assembly of claim 103 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.

121. The mirror assembly of claim 103 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.

122. The mirror assembly of claim 103 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 with the vehicle.

123. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said solid-state 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 and operated in the vehicle.

124. The minor assembly of claim 103 wherein said solid-state 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.

125. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein the vehicle includes a windshield said support being adapted for connection to the windshield for mounting said assembly on the vehicle.

126. The mirror assembly of claim 103 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.

127. The minor assembly of claim 103 wherein said reflective minor element comprises a prismatic rearview minor element.

128. The minor assembly of claim 103 wherein said reflective mirror element comprises an electro-optic rearview mirror element.

129. The mirror assembly of claim 128 wherein said electro-optic rearview mirror element comprises an electrochromic rearview mirror element.

130. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said portion of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly includes a shift lever console.

131. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said shift lever console comprises a transmission selector indicator panel.

132. The mirror assembly of claim 130 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.

133. The mirror assembly of claim 130 wherein said shift lever console is located at the floor centerline of the vehicle.

134. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said portion of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly includes a console.

135. The mirror assembly of claim 103 wherein said light emitting diode emits light with a dominant wavelength of at least about 530 nm.