Light-responsive control device of electrochromic rearview mirror system

• US 6,967,318 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Issued: 11/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exon Science, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Exon Science, Inc.
• Inventors: Hsiao, Shun-Hsiang, Chen, Kuei-Hung, Su, Wen-Wei
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Thanh X.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YAM, STEPHEN K
• Application Number:
  US10/365,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20030122059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 250/214.R, 250/206, 250/201.1, 250/204, 250/208.1, 359/265, 359/267, 359601-604
• US Class Current: 250/214.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors

Abstract

A light-responsive control device of an electrochromic rearview mirror system is disclosed. The light-responsive control device includes a downward ambient light sensor and a, discriminating circuit for generating a first and a second reference levels provided for daytime and nighttime glaring determination, respectively. By providing a photo-sensor for each rearview mirror, and individually comparing the outputs of the photo-sensors with the first or the second reference level, the color-change degrees of different rearview mirrors can be individually controlled. By providing a variable resistor for the drive circuit, the initial reflection rate of the rearview mirror can be adjusted optionally.

Claims

1. A light-responsive control device of an electrochromic rearview mirror system of a vehicle, said electrochromic rearview mirror system including a first, a second and a third rearview mirror assemblies, said first rearview mirror assembly including a first rearview mirror and a first electrochromic unit for changing a reflection rate of said first rearview mirror in response to a first voltage applied thereto, said second rearview mirror assembly including a second rearview mirror and a second electrochromic unit for changing a reflection rate of said second rearview mirror in response to a second voltage applied thereto, said third rearview mirror assembly including a third rearview mirror and a third electrochromic unit for changing a reflection rate of said third rearview mirror in response to a first voltage applied thereto, and said light-responsive control device comprising:

a first photo-sensor disposed on said vehicle and oriented downwards for generating a first signal in response to an intensity of the ambient light;

a second photo-sensor disposed at a back side of said first rearview mirror for generating a second signal in response to an intensity of a rear light reaching said first rearview mirror;

a third photo-sensor disposed at a back side of said second rearview mirror for generating a third signal in response to an intensity of a rear light reaching said second rearview mirror;

a fourth photo-sensor disposed at a back side of said third rearview mirror for generating a fourth signal in response to an intensity of a rear light reaching said third rearview mirror;

a discriminating circuit electrically connected to said first, second, third and fourth photo-sensors, generating a reference signal in response to said first signal, generating a first adjusting signal in response to a comparing result of said second signal and said reference signal, generating a second adjusting signal in response to a comparing result of said third signal and said reference signal, and generating a third adjusting signal in response to a comparing result of said fourth signal and said reference signal;

a first charge/discharge unit electrically connected to said discriminating circuit and said first electrochromic unit for providing a first variable drive voltage for said first electrochromic unit in response to said first adjusting signal;

a second charge/discharge unit electrically connected to said discriminating circuit and said second electrochromic unit for providing a second variable drive voltage for said second electrochromic unit in response to said second adjusting signal; and

a third charge/discharge unit electrically connected to said discriminating circuit and said third electrochromic unit for providing a third variable drive voltage for said third electrochromic unit in response to said third adjusting signal,

wherein said discriminating circuit includes;

a first comparing unit electrically connected to said first photo-sensor for comparing said first signal with a third predetermined signal to determine which of a first and a second predetermined signals to serve as said reference signal;

a second comparing unit electrically connected to said second photo-sensor and said first comparing unit for comparing said second signal with said reference signal to generate said first adjusting signal;

a third comparing unit electrically connected to said third photo-sensor and said first comparing unit for comparing said third signal with said reference signal to generate said second adjusting signal; and

a fourth comparing unit electrically connected to said fourth photo-sensor and said first comparing unit for comparing said fourth signal with said reference signal to generate said third adjusting signal.

2. The light-responsive control device according to claim 1 wherein said first photo-sensor is disposed at a lower surface of said first rearview mirror.

3. The light-responsive control device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a voltage source for providing an initial voltage signal; and

a voltage-reducing unit electrically connected between said voltage source, and said first and second charge/discharge units for reducing said initial voltage signal to a range suitable for driving said first and second electrochromic units.