Rearview mirror with lighting assembly

• US 6,951,413 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2002
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• 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:
  US10/205,075
• Publication Number:
  US 20030031024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 362/135, 362/294, 362/373, 362/494, 362/503, 362/544, 362/547
• 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

An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises a mirror element and a mirror case having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface and a back surface enveloping an interior space. A lamp comprising a light source is positioned and fixedly held preferably in a compartment in the interior space, the light source emitting light when electrically operated. At least one opening is provided in a surface of the mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by the light source when electrically operated. A light opening is provided in the bottom surface of the mirror case for passing light out of the mirror case into a passenger compartment of a vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted therein. The light opening in the bottom surface of the mirror case includes a lens positioned therein that directs light emitted by the light source into the passenger compartment of the vehicle; the direction of the light out of the mirror case and into the passenger compartment being non-adjustable with respect to the mirror case. The lens is received by and secures to the mirror case at the light opening and preferably is recessed into the bottom surface of the mirror case.

Claims

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

a mirror element;

a mirror case, 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 in said interior space;

said first lamp comprising a first light source, said first light source positioned and fixedly held by a first light source holder in a first compartment at a first location in said interior space, said first light source emitting light when said first light source is electrically operated;

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

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 first light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case including a first lens positioned therein;

said first lens directing light emitted by said first light source into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

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

wherein said first lens is received by and secures to said mirror case at said first light opening;

wherein said first light source holder allows removal of said first light source without removing said first light source holder from said first compartment in said interior space; and

wherein said first lens is removable from said mirror case in order to allow said first light source to pass through said first light opening when removed from said first light source holder.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 1 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, and wherein light directed from said first lens is directed generally to the lap area of the front seat driver of the vehicle.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case sufficiently to eliminate direct light into the eyes of the driver of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle and operated.

5. The mirror assembly of claim 4 wherein said first lens comprises a transparent plastic element.

6. The mirror assembly of claim 5 wherein said first lens comprises a transparent polycarbonate plastic element.

7. The mirror assembly of claim 5 wherein said first lens is formed from molded plastic.

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

9. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first lens comprises a plastic material.

10. The mirror assembly of claim 9 wherein said plastic material of said first lens comprises polycarbonate.

11. The mirror assembly of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of said light emitted by said first light source is reflected by a first reflective surface of said compartment and is directed towards said first light opening.

12. The mirror assembly of claim 11 wherein said first reflective surface comprises a metal reflective surface.

13. The mirror assembly of claim 11 wherein said first reflective surface provides at least 80% reflectivity.

14. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said mirror element comprises a prismatic mirror element having a reflective layer on its rear surface, said assembly also including a day/night actuator for moving said mirror element between a high reflectivity day position and a reduced reflectivity night position.

15. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one first ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case.

16. The mirror assembly of claim 15 wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

17. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one first ventilation opening comprises an opening in said top surface of said mirror case.

18. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first lamp is adapted for use by a driver of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted therein, said first lens directing light generally to the driver of the vehicle.

19. The mirror assembly of claim 1 including 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.

20. The mirror assembly of claim 19 wherein said second lamp comprises a second light source, said second light source positioned and fixedly held in a second compartment at a second location 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 source when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case, said at least one second ventilation opening spaced from said at least one first ventilation opening;

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 and said top surface of said mirror case; and

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.

21. The mirror assembly of claim 1 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.

22. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case.

23. The mirror assembly of claim 22 wherein said first lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case.

24. The mirror assembly of claim 23 wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves.

25. The mirror assembly of claim 24 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises at least one first ridge that project above its adjacent first groove further than at least one second ridge projects above its adjacent second groove.

26. The mirror assembly of claim 24 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises a plurality of first ridges that project above their adjacent first grooves by further than a plurality of second ridges project above their adjacent second grooves.

27. The mirror assembly of claim 24 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises at least one first ridge that project above its adjacent first groove by at least twice as far as at least one second ridge projects above its adjacent second groove.

28. The mirror assembly of claim 24 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises a plurality of first ridges that project above their adjacent first grooves by at least twice as far as a plurality of second ridges project above their adjacent second grooves.

29. The mirror assembly of claim 23 wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of laterally extending generally parallel ridges and grooves.

30. The mirror assembly of claim 23 wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said first lens comprise curved surfaces and planar surfaces.

31. The mirror assembly of claim 30 wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said first lens is positioned in said light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

32. The mirror assembly of claim 31 wherein said planar surfaces are associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces and face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said first lens is positioned in said light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

33. The mirror assembly of claim 22 wherein said first lens comprises optical facets disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, said optical facets orientated in a V-shaped pattern.

34. The mirror assembly of claim 33 wherein said optical facets comprise ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case.

35. The mirror assembly of claim 33 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.

36. The mirror assembly of claim 35 wherein light directed from said first lens is directed generally to the lap area of the front seat driver of the vehicle.

37. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a light bulb having a four candle power rating.

38. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said at least one first ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case and wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said to surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

39. The mirror assembly of claim 38 wherein a light baffle is provided at said series of parallel slots so that a direct light path does not exist through said series of slots.

40. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said first lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said first lens comprise curved surfaces and associated planar surfaces, wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said first lens is positioned in said light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case, and wherein said planar surfaces associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said first lens is positioned in said light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

41. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said first lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said first lens comprise curved surfaces and associated planar surfaces, wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said first lens is positioned in said first light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case, and wherein said planar surfaces associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said first lens is positioned in said first light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

42. The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said first lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises at least one first ridge that projects above its adjacent first groove further and at least one second ridge projects above its adjacent second groove, wherein said at least one first ridge has a curved surface facing away from said back surface of said mirror case when said first lens is positioned in said first light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case and wherein said at least one first ridge has a planar surface associated with said curved surface and facing towards said back surface of said mirror case when said first lens is positioned in said first light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

43. The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein at least one second ridge has a curved surface facing towards said back surface of said mirror case when said first lens is positioned in said first light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case and wherein said at least one second ridge has a planar surface associated with said curved surface and facing away from said back surface of said mirror case when said first lens is positioned in said first light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

44. An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror element;

a mirror case, 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-side lamp in said interior space, said driver-side lamp 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 driver-side lamp comprising a driver-side light source, said driver-side light source positioned and fixedly held by a driver-side light source holder in a driver-side compartment in said interior space, said driver-side light source emitting light when said driver-side light source is electrically operated;

at least one driver-side ventilation opening provided in surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said driver-side light source when electrically operated;

a driver-side 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-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case including a driver-side lens positioned therein;

said driver-side lens directing light emitted by said driver-side light source into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

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

wherein said driver-side lens is received by and secures to said mirror case at said driver-side light opening; and

wherein said driver-side lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said minor case;

wherein said driver-side light source holder allows removal of said driver-side light source without removing said driver-side light source holder from said driver-side compartment in said interior space; and

wherein said driver-side lens is removable from said mirror case in order to allow said driver-side light source to pass through said driver-side light opening when removed from said driver-side light source holder.

45. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said mirror element comprises a mirror element variable from a high reflectivity day position to a reduced reflectivity night position.

46. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein light directed from said driver-side lens is directed generally to the lap area of the front seat driver of the vehicle.

47. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said driver-side lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case sufficiently to eliminate direct light into the eyes of the driver of vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle and operated.

48. The mirror assembly of claim 47 wherein said driver-side lens comprises a transparent plastic element.

49. The mirror assembly of claim 47 wherein said driver-side lens comprises a transparent polycarbonate plastic element.

50. The mirror assembly of claim 47 wherein said driver-side lens is formed from molded plastic.

51. The mirror assembly of claim 50 wherein said driver-side lens is formed from polycarbonate.

52. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said driver-side lens comprises a plastic material.

53. The mirror assembly of claim 52 wherein said plastic material of said driver-side lens comprises polycarbonate.

54. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein a least a portion of said light emitted by said driver-side light source is reflected by a driver-side reflective surface of said driver-side compartment and is directed towards said driver-side light opening.

55. The mirror assembly of claim 54 wherein said driver-side reflective surface comprises a metal reflective surface.

56. The mirror assembly of claim 54 wherein said driver-side reflective surface provides at least 80% reflectivity.

57. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said mirror element comprises a prismatic mirror element having a reflective layer on its rear surface, said assembly also including a day/night actuator for moving said mirror element between a high reflectivity day position and a reduced reflectivity night position.

58. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said at least one driver-side ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case.

59. The mirror assembly of claim 58 wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

60. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said at least one driver-side ventilation opening comprises an opening in said top surface of said mirror case.

61. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said driver-side light source has a four candle power rating.

62. The mirror assembly of claim 44 including passenger-side lamp fixedly positioned in said interior space, and a passenger-side light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case, said passenger-side light opening including a passenger-side lens positioned therein, said passenger-side lens directing light projected from said passenger-side lamp into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

63. The mirror assembly of claim 62 wherein said passenger-side lamp comprises a passenger-side light source, said passenger-side light source positioned and fixedly held in a passenger-side compartment at a passenger-side location in said interior space;

at least one passenger-side ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said passenger-side light source when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case, said at least one passenger-side ventilation opening spaced from said at least one driver-side ventilation opening;

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

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

64. The mirror assembly of claim 63 wherein said at least one passenger-side ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case and wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

65. The mirror assembly of claim 64 wherein a light baffle is provided at said series of parallel slots so that a direct light path does not exist through said series of slots.

66. The mirror assembly of claim 63 wherein said driver-side lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case.

67. The mirror assembly of claim 66 wherein said driver-side lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said driver-side lens facing into said interior space of said mirror case.

68. The mirror assembly of claim 67 wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of laterally extending generally parallel ridges and grooves.

69. The mirror assembly of claim 67 wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said driver-side lens comprise curved surfaces and planar surfaces.

70. The mirror assembly of claim 69 wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

71. The mirror assembly of claim 70 wherein said planar surfaces are associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces and face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

72. The mirror assembly of claim 67 wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves.

73. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said passenger-side lens is received by and secured to said mirror case at a passenger-side light opening in said bottom of said mirror case at a position spaced from said driver-side light opening, said passenger-side lens comprising an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case and a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said passenger-side lens facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said series of generally parallel ridge and grooves comprises at least one driver-side ridge that projects above its adjacent driver-side groove further than at least one passenger-side ridge projects above its adjacent passenger-side groove.

74. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said passenger-side lens is received by and secured to said mirror case at a passenger-side light opening in said bottom of said mirror case at a position spaced from said driver-side light opening, said passenger-side lens comprising an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case and a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said passenger-side lens facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises a plurality of driver-side ridges that project above their adjacent driver-side grooves by further than a plurality of passenger-side ridges project above their adjacent passenger-side grooves.

75. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said passenger-side lens is received by and secured to said mirror case at a passenger-side light opening in said bottom of said mirror case at a position spaced from said driver-side light opening, said passenger-side lens comprising an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case and a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said passenger-side lens facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said series of generally parallel ridge and grooves comprises at least one driver-side ridge that projects above its adjacent driver-side groove by at least twice as far as at least one passenger-side ridge projects above it adjacent passenger-side groove.

76. The mirror assembly of claim 72 wherein said passenger-side lens is received by and secured to said mirror case at a passenger-side light opening in said bottom of said mirror case at a position spaced from said driver-side light opening, said passenger-side lens comprising an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case and a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said passenger-side lens facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises a plurality of driver-side ridges that project above their adjacent driver-side grooves by at least twice as far as a plurality of passenger-side ridges project above their adjacent passenger-side grooves.

77. The mirror assembly of claim 66 wherein said driver-side lens comprises optical facets disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, said optical facets orientated in a V-shaped pattern.

78. The mirror assembly of claim 77 wherein said optical facets comprise ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case.

79. The mirror assembly of claim 77 wherein light directed from said driver-side lens is directed generally to the lap area of the front seat driver of the vehicle.

80. The mirror assembly of claim 79 wherein said driver-side light source comprises a light bulb having a four candle power rating.

81. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said driver-side lamp is connected to an electrical circuit enabling said driver-side lamp to be illuminated when a door of the vehicle is opened.

82. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said at least one driver-side ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case and wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

83. The mirror assembly of claim 82 wherein a light baffle is provided at said series of parallel slots so that a direct light path does not exist through said series of slots.

84. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said driver-side lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said driver-side lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein at least some of said ridge and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said driver-side lens comprise curved surfaces and associated planar surfaces, wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case, and wherein said planar surfaces associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

85. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said driver-side lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said driver-side lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said driver-side lens comprise curved surfaces and associated planar surfaces, wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case, and wherein said planar surface associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

86. The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said driver-side lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said driver-side lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises at least one first ridge that projects above its adjacent first groove further than at least one second ridge projects above its adjacent second groove, wherein said at least one first ridge has a curved surface facing away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case and wherein said at least one first ridge has planar surface associated with said curved surface and facing towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

87. The mirror assembly of claim 86 wherein at least one second ridge has a curved surface facing towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case and wherein said at least one second ridge has a planar surface associated with said curved surface and facing away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

88. An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror element;

a mirror case, 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-side lamp in said interior space, said driver-side lamp 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 driver-side lamp comprising a driver-side light source, said driver-side light source positioned and fixedly held by a driver-side light source holder in a driver-side compartment in said interior space, said driver-side light source emitting light when said driver-side light source is electrically operated;

at least one driver-side ventilation opening provided in surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said driver-side light source when electrically operated;

a driver-side 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-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case including a driver-side lens positioned therein;

said driver-side lens directing light emitted by said driver-side light source into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

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

a passenger-side lamp comprising a passenger-side light source, said passenger-side light source fixedly positioned by a passenger-side light source holder in said interior space;

a passenger-side light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case, said passenger-side light opening including a passenger-side lens positioned therein, said passenger-side lens directing light projected from said passenger-side light source into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

wherein said driver-side lens is received by and secures to said mirror case at said driver-side light opening;

wherein said passenger-side lens is received by and secure to said mirror case at said passenger-side light opening;

wherein said driver-side lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein said driver-side light source holder allows removal of said driver-side light source without removing said driver-side light source holder from said driver-side compartment in said interior space; and

wherein said driver-side lens is removable from said mirror case in order to allow said driver-side light source to pass through said driver-side light opening when removed from said driver-side light source holder;

wherein said passenger-side lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein said passenger-side light source holder allows removal of said passenger-side light source without removing said passenger-side light source holder from said interior space; and

wherein said passenger-side lens is removable from said mirror case in order to allow said passenger-side light source to pass through said passenger-side light opening when removed from said passenger-side light source holder.

89. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said mirror element comprises a mirror element variable from a high reflectivity day position to a reduced reflectivity night position.

90. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein light directed from said driver-side lens is directed generally to the lap area of the front seat driver of the vehicle.

91. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said driver-side lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case sufficiently to eliminate direct light into the eyes of the driver of vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle and operated.

92. The mirror assembly of claim 91 wherein said driver-side lens comprises a transparent plastic element.

93. The mirror assembly of claim 92 wherein said driver-side lens comprises a transparent polycarbonate plastic element.

94. The mirror assembly of claim 92 wherein said driver-side lens is formed from molded plastic.

95. The mirror assembly of claim 94 wherein said driver-side lens is formed from polycarbonate.

96. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said driver-side lens comprises a plastic material.

97. The mirror assembly of claim 96 wherein said plastic material of said driver-side lens comprises polycarbonate.

98. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein at least a portion of said light emitted by said driver-side light source is reflected by a driver-side reflective surface of said driver-side compartment and is directed towards said driver-side light opening.

99. The mirror assembly of claim 98 wherein said driver-side reflective surface comprises a metal reflective surface.

100. The mirror assembly of claim 98 wherein said driver-side reflective surface provides at least 80% reflectivity.

101. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said mirror element comprises a prismatic mirror element having a reflective layer on its rear surface, said assembly also including a day/night actuator for moving said mirror element between a high reflectivity day position and a reduced reflectivity night position.

102. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said at least one driver-side ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said minor case.

103. The mirror assembly of claim 102 wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

104. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said at least one driver-side ventilation opening comprises an opening in said top surface of said mirror case.

105. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said driver-side light source has a four candle power rating.

106. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said passenger-side light source is positioned and fixedly held in a passenger-side compartment at a passenger-side location in said interior space;

at least one passenger-side ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said passenger-side light source when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case, said at least one passenger-side ventilation opening spaced from said at least one driver-side ventilation opening;

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

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

107. The mirror assembly of claim 106 wherein said at least one passenger-side ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case and wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

108. The mirror assembly of claim 107 wherein a light baffle is provided at said series of parallel slots so that a direct light path does not exist through said series of slots.

109. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein at least one of said driver-side lamp and said passenger-side lamp is connected to an electrical circuit enabling said one of said driver-side lamp and said passenger side lamp to be illuminated when a door of the vehicle is opened.

110. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said driver-side lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case.

111. The mirror assembly of claim 110 wherein said driver-side lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case.

112. The mirror assembly of claim 111 wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves.

113. The mirror assembly of claim 112 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises at least one first ridge that projects above its adjacent first groove further than at least one second ridge projects above its adjacent second groove.

114. The mirror assembly of claim 112 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises a plurality of first ridges that project above their adjacent first grooves by further than a plurality of second ridges project above their adjacent second grooves.

115. The mirror assembly of claim 112 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises at least one first ridge that projects above its adjacent first groove by at least twice as far as at least one second ridge projects above its adjacent second groove.

116. The mirror assembly of claim 112 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises a plurality of first ridges that project above their adjacent first grooves by at least twice as far as a plurality of second ridges project above their adjacent second grooves.

117. The mirror assembly of claim 111 wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of laterally extending generally parallel ridges and grooves.

118. The mirror assembly claim 111 wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said driver-side lens comprise curved surfaces and planar surfaces.

119. The mirror assembly of claim 118 wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

120. The mirror assembly of claim 119 wherein said planar surfaces are associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces and face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

121. The mirror assembly of claim 110 wherein said driver-side lens comprises optical facets disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, said optical facets orientated in a V-shaped pattern.

122. The mirror assembly of claim 121 wherein said optical facets comprise ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case.

123. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said passenger-side light source has a four candle power rating.

124. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein light directed from said passenger-side lens is directed generally to the lap area of the front seat passenger of the vehicle.

125. The mirror assembly of claim 124 wherein said passenger-side light source comprises a light bulb having a four candle power rating.

126. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said at least one driver-side ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case and wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

127. The mirror assembly of claim 126 wherein a light baffle is provided at said series of parallel slots so that a direct light path does not exist through said series of slots.

128. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said driver-side lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said driver-side lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said driver-side lens comprise curved surfaces and associated planar surfaces, wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case, and wherein said planar surfaces associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

129. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said driver-side lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said driver-side lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said driver-side lens comprise curved surfaces and associated planar surfaces, wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case, and wherein said planar surfaces associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

130. The mirror assembly of claim 88 wherein said driver-side lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said driver-side lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, wherein said ridges and grooves comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises at least one first ridge that projects above its adjacent first groove further than at least one second ridge projects above its adjacent second groove, wherein said at least one first ridge has a curved surface facing away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case and said at least one first ridge has a planar surface associated with said curved surface and facing towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

131. The mirror assembly of claim 130 wherein least one second ridge has a curved surface facing towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case and wherein said at least one second ridge has a planar surface associated with said curved surface and facing away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

132. An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror element;

a mirror case, 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-side lamp in said interior space, said driver-side lamp 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 driver-side lamp comprising a driver-side light source, said driver-side light source positioned and fixedly held by a driver-side light source holder in said interior space, said driver-side light source emitting light when said driver-side light source is electrically operated;

at least one driver-side ventilation opening provided in a surface of said mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by said driver-side light source when electrically operated;

a driver-side 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-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case including a driver-side lens positioned therein;

said driver-side lens directing light emitted by said driver-side light source into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

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

a passenger-side lamp comprising a passenger-side light source, said passenger-side light source fixedly positioned by a passenger-side light source holder in said interior space;

a passenger-side light opening in said bottom surface for passing light out of said mirror case, said passenger-side light opening including a passenger-side lens positioned therein, said passenger-side lens directing light projected from said passenger-side light source into the passenger compartment of the vehicle;

wherein said driver-side lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein said passenger-side lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case;

wherein said driver-side lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case and wherein said driver-side lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case; and

wherein said passenger-side lens comprises an inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case and wherein said passenger-side lens comprises ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case;

wherein said driver-side light source holder allows removal of said driver-side light source without removing said driver-side light source holder from said interior space; and

wherein said driver-side lens is removable from said mirror case in order to allow said driver-side light source to pass through said driver-side light opening when removed from said driver-side light source holder;

wherein said passenger-side light source holder allows removal of said passenger-side light source without removing said passenger-side light source holder from said interior space; and

wherein said passenger-side lens is removable from said mirror case in order to allow said passenger-side light source to pass through said passenger-side light opening when removed from said passenger-side light source holder.

133. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said driver-side light source is positioned and fixedly held in a driver-side compartment in said interior space.

134. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein light directed from said driver-side lens is directed generally to the lap area of the front seat driver of the vehicle.

135. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said driver-side lens is recessed into said bottom surface of said mirror case sufficiently to eliminate direct light into the eyes of the driver of vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle and operated.

136. The mirror assembly of claim 135 wherein said driver-side lens comprises a transparent plastic element.

137. The mirror assembly of claim 136 wherein said driver-side lens comprises a transparent polycarbonate plastic element.

138. The mirror assembly of claim 136 wherein said driver-side lens is formed from molded plastic.

139. The mirror assembly of claim 138 wherein said driver-side lens is formed from polycarbonate.

140. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said driver-side lens comprises a plastic material.

141. The mirror assembly of claim 140 wherein said plastic material of said driver-side lens comprises polycarbonate.

142. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said mirror case includes a driver-side compartment in said interior space;

at least a portion of said light emitted by said driver-side light source being reflected by a driver-side reflective surface of said driver-side compartment and directed towards said driver-side light opening.

143. The mirror assembly of claim 142 wherein said driver-side reflective surface comprises a metal reflective surface.

144. The mirror assembly of claim 142 wherein said driver-side reflective surface provides at least 80% reflectivity.

145. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said mirror element comprises a prismatic mirror element having a reflective layer on its rear surface;

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

146. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said at least one driver-side ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case.

147. The mirror assembly of claim 146 wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

148. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said at least one driver-side ventilation opening comprises an opening in said top surface of said mirror case.

149. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said driver-side light source has a four candle power rating.

150. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said passenger-side light source is positioned and fixedly held in a passenger-side compartment at a passenger-side location in said interior space;

at least one passenger-side ventilation opening provided in a surface of said minor case in order to dissipate heat generated by said passenger-side light source when electrically operated in said interior space of said mirror case, said at least one passenger-side ventilation opening spaced from said at least one driver-side ventilation opening;

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

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

151. The mirror assembly of claim 150 wherein said at least one passenger-side ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case and wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

152. The mirror assembly of claim 151 wherein light baffle is provided at said series of parallel slots so that a direct light path does not exist through said series of slots.

153. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein at least one of said driver-side lamp and said passenger-side lamp is connected to an electrical circuit enabling said one of said driver-side lamp and said passenger-side lamp to be illuminated when a door of the vehicle is opened.

154. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said driver-side lens is received by and secures to said mirror case at said driver-side light opening.

155. The mirror assembly of claim 154 wherein said ridges and grooves of said driver-side lens comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves.

156. The mirror assembly of claim 155 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves of said driver-side lens comprises a least one first ridge that projects above its adjacent first groove further than at least one second ridge projects above its adjacent second groove.

157. The mirror assembly of claim 155 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves of said driver-side lens comprises a plurality of first ridges that project above their adjacent first grooves by further than a plurality of second ridges project above their adjacent second grooves.

158. The mirror assembly of claim 155 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves of said driver-side lens comprises a least one first ridge that projects above its adjacent first groove by at least twice as far as at least one second ridge projects above its adjacent second groove.

159. The mirror assembly of claim 155 wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises a plurality of first ridges that project above their adjacent first grooves by at least twice as far as a plurality of second ridges project above their adjacent second grooves.

160. The mirror assembly of claim 154 wherein said ridges and grooves of said driver-side lens comprise a series of laterally extending generally parallel ridges and grooves.

161. The mirror assembly of claim 154 wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said driver-side lens comprise curved surfaces and planar surfaces.

162. The mirror assembly of claim 161 wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

163. The mirror assembly of claim 162 wherein said planar surfaces are associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces and face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

164. The mirror assembly of claim 154 wherein said driver-side lens comprises optical facets disposed at said inner surface facing into said interior space of said mirror case, said optical facets orientated in a V-shaped pattern.

165. The mirror assembly of claim 164 wherein said optical facets comprise said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface facing in a said interior space of said mirror case.

166. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said passenger-side lens is received by and secures to said mirror case at said passenger-side light opening.

167. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said passenger-side light source has a four candle power rating.

168. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein light directed from said passenger-side lens is directed generally to the lap area of the front seat passenger of the vehicle.

169. The mirror assembly of claim 168 wherein said passenger-side light source comprises a light bulb having a four candle power rating.

170. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said at least one driver-side ventilation opening comprises a series of parallel slots extending through said mirror case and wherein said series of parallel slots extend through at least one of said top surface and said back surface of said mirror case.

171. The mirror assembly of claim 170 wherein a light baffle is provided at said series of parallel slots so that a direct light path does not exist through said series of slots.

172. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said ridges and grooves on said driver-side lens comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said driver-side lens comprise curved surfaces and associated planar surfaces, where at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case, and wherein said planar surfaces associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

173. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said ridges and grooves on said driver-side lens comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein at least some of said ridges and grooves disposed at said inner surface of said driver-side lens comprise curved surfaces and associated planar surfaces, wherein at least some of said curved surfaces face towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case, and wherein said planar surfaces associated with said at least some of said curved surfaces face away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

174. The mirror assembly of claim 132 wherein said ridges and grooves on said driver-side lens comprise a series of generally parallel ridges and grooves, wherein said series of generally parallel ridges and grooves comprises at least one first ridge that projects above its adjacent first groove further than at least one second ridge projects above its adjacent second groove, wherein said at least one first ridge has a curved surface facing away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case and said at least one first ridge has a planar surface associated with said curved surface and facing towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.

175. The mirror assembly of claim 174 wherein at least one second ridge has a curved surface facing towards said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case and wherein said at least one second ridge has a planar surface associated with said curved surface and facing away from said back surface of said mirror case when said driver-side lens is positioned in said driver-side light opening in said bottom surface of said mirror case.