Curved rearview system for vehicles

US 7,234,825 B2
Filed: 04/20/2005
Issued: 06/26/2007
Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2004
Status: Expired due to Fees

First Claim

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1. A curved central rearview mirror for a vehicle, comprising:

a body having a reflective front surface and a back surface, said front surface having;

a central planar section;

a left section having a constant radius of curvature and extending from a left far edge to said central planar section;

a right section having a constant radius of curvature and extending from a right far edge to said central planar section;

a pivot having a central axis and connected to the back of said body behind said central planar section, a point on the front surface of the mirror exactly opposite to said pivot along said central axis defining a pivot position, wherein said pivot position is located along about the centerline of the vehicle, and the radius of curvature r_MLof said left curved section is determined by Equations 1, 3 and 4 when the vehicle is a left hand drive vehicle, and by Equations 2, 3 and 4 when the vehicle is a right hand drive vehicle;

$\begin{matrix} I_{ML} = 90 - B_{M} - \frac{1}{2} [\arctan \frac{c + M_{ML} \cdot \sin (B_{M} + D_{ML})}{h - M_{ML} \cdot \cos (B_{M} + D_{ML})} + \arctan \frac{c + M_{ML} \cdot \sin (B_{M} + D_{ML}) - (g_{L} + e) \tan G_{ML}}{g_{L} + e + h - M_{ML} \cdot \cos (B_{M} + D_{ML})}] & (Equation 1) \\ I_{ML} = B_{M} + \frac{1}{2} [\arctan \frac{c - M_{ML} \cdot \sin (B_{M} - D_{ML})}{h + M_{ML} \cdot \cos (B_{M} - D_{ML})} - \arctan \frac{\begin{matrix} c - M_{ML} \cdot \sin (B_{M} - D_{ML}) - \\ (g_{R} + a - e - h) \tan G_{ML} \end{matrix}}{g_{R} + a - e - h - M_{ML} \cdot \cos (B_{M} + D_{ML})}] & (Equation 2) \\ K_{ML} = \frac{M_{MLP}}{M_{ML}} = \frac{\sin (\frac{I_{ML}}{2} - D_{ML})}{\sin (\frac{I_{ML}}{2})} & (Equation 3) \\ r_{ML} = \frac{M_{ML} \sqrt{{(K_{ML})}^{2} + 1 - 2 \cdot K_{ML} \cdot \cos D_{ML}}}{2 \cdot \sin (\frac{I_{ML}}{2})} & (Equation 4) \end{matrix}$ wherein I_MLis an intermediate calculated value;

B_Mis the angle of the flat face of the central mirror relative to lateral;

c is the forward distance between the driver'"'"'s eyes and the pivot point of the central mirror;

M_MLPis the mirror length from the left edge of the planar section to the pivot position;

M_MLis the length from the far edge of the left curved section to the pivot position of the central mirror;

D_MLis the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the left curved section and the pivot point of the central mirror;

h is the lateral distance between the driver'"'"'s eyes and the pivot point of the central mirror;

g_Lis the lateral distance from the left side of the vehicle to a first selected left reference point;

e is the lateral distance between the driver'"'"'s eyes and the left side of the vehicle;

G_MLis the angle between lateral and said first left reference point;

said first left reference point being a selected point to the left of the vehicle which the driver wishes to see with the central mirror;

wherein the ratio K_MLof the distance from the left side of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance from said left far edge to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and 9/10; and

wherein the ratio K_MRof the distance from the right side of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance from said right far edge to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and 9/10.

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Abstract

The curved rearview mirror system for vehicles allows a driver to see the entire area of a driver'"'"'s blind spot from looking into any one of three mirrors without giving the driver an overly distorted view. The mirror system includes a central rearview mirror with a central planar section and two side convexly curved sections having a constant radius of curvature. The mirror system also includes left and right side rearview mirrors. Each side rearview mirror includes a central planar section, a convexly curved side section, a convexly curved top section, and a convexly curved bottom section. The shape and placement of each mirror is governed by a series of equations that give the driver the best possible view of the blind spot.

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14 Claims

1. A curved central rearview mirror for a vehicle, comprising:
- a body having a reflective front surface and a back surface, said front surface having;
  
  a central planar section;
  
  a left section having a constant radius of curvature and extending from a left far edge to said central planar section;
  
  a right section having a constant radius of curvature and extending from a right far edge to said central planar section;
  
  a pivot having a central axis and connected to the back of said body behind said central planar section, a point on the front surface of the mirror exactly opposite to said pivot along said central axis defining a pivot position, wherein said pivot position is located along about the centerline of the vehicle, and the radius of curvature r_MLof said left curved section is determined by Equations 1, 3 and 4 when the vehicle is a left hand drive vehicle, and by Equations 2, 3 and 4 when the vehicle is a right hand drive vehicle;
  
  $\begin{matrix} I_{ML} = 90 - B_{M} - \frac{1}{2} [\arctan \frac{c + M_{ML} \cdot \sin (B_{M} + D_{ML})}{h - M_{ML} \cdot \cos (B_{M} + D_{ML})} + \arctan \frac{c + M_{ML} \cdot \sin (B_{M} + D_{ML}) - (g_{L} + e) \tan G_{ML}}{g_{L} + e + h - M_{ML} \cdot \cos (B_{M} + D_{ML})}] & (Equation 1) \\ I_{ML} = B_{M} + \frac{1}{2} [\arctan \frac{c - M_{ML} \cdot \sin (B_{M} - D_{ML})}{h + M_{ML} \cdot \cos (B_{M} - D_{ML})} - \arctan \frac{\begin{matrix} c - M_{ML} \cdot \sin (B_{M} - D_{ML}) - \\ (g_{R} + a - e - h) \tan G_{ML} \end{matrix}}{g_{R} + a - e - h - M_{ML} \cdot \cos (B_{M} + D_{ML})}] & (Equation 2) \\ K_{ML} = \frac{M_{MLP}}{M_{ML}} = \frac{\sin (\frac{I_{ML}}{2} - D_{ML})}{\sin (\frac{I_{ML}}{2})} & (Equation 3) \\ r_{ML} = \frac{M_{ML} \sqrt{{(K_{ML})}^{2} + 1 - 2 \cdot K_{ML} \cdot \cos D_{ML}}}{2 \cdot \sin (\frac{I_{ML}}{2})} & (Equation 4) \end{matrix}$ wherein I_MLis an intermediate calculated value;
  
  B_Mis the angle of the flat face of the central mirror relative to lateral;
  
  c is the forward distance between the driver'"'"'s eyes and the pivot point of the central mirror;
  
  M_MLPis the mirror length from the left edge of the planar section to the pivot position;
  
  M_MLis the length from the far edge of the left curved section to the pivot position of the central mirror;
  
  D_MLis the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the left curved section and the pivot point of the central mirror;
  
  h is the lateral distance between the driver'"'"'s eyes and the pivot point of the central mirror;
  
  g_Lis the lateral distance from the left side of the vehicle to a first selected left reference point;
  
  e is the lateral distance between the driver'"'"'s eyes and the left side of the vehicle;
  
  G_MLis the angle between lateral and said first left reference point;
  
  said first left reference point being a selected point to the left of the vehicle which the driver wishes to see with the central mirror;
  
  wherein the ratio K_MLof the distance from the left side of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance from said left far edge to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and 9/10; and
  
  wherein the ratio K_MRof the distance from the right side of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance from said right far edge to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and 9/10.

2. A curved left rearview mirror for a vehicle, comprising:
- a body having a reflective front surface and a back surface, said front surface having;
  
  a central planar section;
  
  a left section having a constant radius of curvature and extending from a left far edge to said central planar section;
  
  an upper section having a constant radius of curvature and extending from an upper far edge to said central planar section;
  
  a bottom section having a constant radius of curvature and extending from the bottom far edge to said central planar section;
  
  a pivot having a central axis and connected to the back of said body behind said central planar section, a point on the front surface of the mirror exactly opposite to said pivot along said central axis defining a pivot position;
  
  wherein the ratio K_Lof the distance M_LPfrom the left edge of the planar section to the right edge of the planar section to the distance M_Lfrom the far left edge of the left curved section to the right edge of the planar section is between about 1/10 and 9/10;
  
  wherein the ratio K_LD, of the distance M_LDPfrom the bottom edge of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance M_LDfrom the far edge of the lower curved section to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and about 9/10; and
  
  wherein the ratio K_LUof the distance M_LUPfrom the top edge of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance M_LUfrom the far top edge of the top curved section to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and about 9/10.
- View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
- - 3. The curved left rearview mirror of claim 2, wherein said pivot position is located along the left side of the vehicle, the vehicle being a left hand drive vehicle, and the radius of curvature r_Lof said left curved section is determined by the equations:
    - $\begin{matrix} I_{L} = B_{L} + \frac{1}{2} [arc \tan \frac{d_{L} - M_{L} \cdot \sin (B_{L} - D_{L})}{e + f_{L} + M_{L} \cdot \cos (B_{L} - D_{L})} - arc \tan \frac{d_{L} - M_{L} \cdot \sin (B_{L} - D_{L}) - (g_{L} + e) \tan G_{L}}{g_{L} - f_{L} - M_{L} \cdot \cos (B_{L} - D_{L})}] & (Equation 9) \\ K_{L} = \frac{M_{LP}}{M_{L}} = \frac{\sin (\frac{I_{L}}{2} - D_{L})}{\sin (\frac{I_{L}}{2})} & (Equation 11) \\ r_{L} = \frac{M_{L} \sqrt{K_{L}^{2} + 1 - 2 \cdot K_{L} \cdot \cos D_{L}}}{2 \cdot \sin (\frac{I_{L}}{2})} & (Equation 12) \end{matrix}$ wherein I_Lis an intermediate calculated value;
      
      B_Lis the angle between the face of the left mirror and lateral;
      
      d_Lis the forward distance from the driver'"'"'s eyes to the inner edge of the left mirror;
      
      M_LPis the length from the left edge to the right edge of the planar section of the left mirror;
      
      M_Lis the length from the far left edge of the curved section to the right inner edge of the left mirror;
      
      D_Lis the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the left curved section and the inner right edge of the left mirror;
      
      e is the lateral distance between the driver'"'"'s eyes and the left side of the vehicle;
      
      f_Lis the lateral distance between the left side of the vehicle and the inner edge of the left mirror;
      
      g_Lis the lateral distance from the left side of the vehicle and a selected first left reference point; and
      
      G_Lis the angle between lateral and said first left reference point.
  - 4. The curved left rearview mirror of claim 2, wherein the radius of curvature r_LDof said lower curved section is determined by the equations:
    - $\begin{matrix} I_{LD} = B_{LUD} + \frac{1}{2} [\arctan \frac{d_{L} - M_{LD} \cdot \sin (B_{LUD} - D_{LD})}{p - l_{L} + M_{LD} \cdot \cos (B_{LUD} - D_{LD})} - \arctan \frac{d_{L} - M_{LD} \cdot \sin (B_{LUD} - D_{LD}) - p \cdot \tan G_{LD}}{l_{L} - M_{LD} \cdot \cos (B_{LUD} - D_{LD})}] & (Equation 13) \\ K_{LD} = \frac{M_{LDP}}{M_{LD}} = \frac{\sin (\frac{I_{LD}}{2} - D_{LD})}{\sin (\frac{I_{LD}}{2})} & (Equation 14) \\ r_{LD} = \frac{M_{LD} \sqrt{K_{LD}^{2} + 1 - 2 \cdot K_{LD} \cdot \cos D_{LD}}}{2 \cdot \sin (\frac{I_{LD}}{2})} & (Equation 15) \end{matrix}$ wherein I_LD, is an intermediate calculated value;
      
      D_LDis the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the bottom curved section and the pivot position;
      
      B_LUDis the angle of upward tilt of the planar section 22 relative to a vertical plane normal to the centerline of the vehicle;
      
      M_LDPis the length from the bottom edge of the planar section to the pivot position of the left mirror;
      
      M_LDis the length from the far edge of the bottom curved section to the pivot position of the left mirror;
      
      d_Lis the forward distance from the driver'"'"'s eyes to the inner edge of the left mirror;
      
      p is the vertical distance of the driver'"'"'s eyes above the ground;
      
      l_Lis the vertical distance between ground and the pivot point of the left side mirror;
      
      G_LDis the forward angle from vertical of a second left reference point.
  - 5. The curved left rearview mirror of claim 2, wherein the radius of curvature r_LUof said upper curved section is determined by the equations:
    - $\begin{matrix} I_{LU} = 90 - B_{LUD} - \frac{1}{2} [\arctan \frac{d_{L} + M_{LU} \cdot \sin (B_{LUD} + D_{LU})}{p - l_{L} - M_{LU} \cdot \cos (B_{LUD} + D_{LU})} + \arctan \frac{d_{L} + M_{LU} \cdot \sin (B_{LUD} + D_{LU}) - (j_{L} - p) \tan G_{LU}}{j_{L} - l_{L} - M_{LU} \cdot \cos (B_{LUD} + D_{LU})}] & (Equation 16) \\ K_{LU} = \frac{M_{LUP}}{M_{LU}} = \frac{\sin (\frac{I_{LU}}{2} - D_{LU})}{\sin (\frac{I_{LU}}{2})} & (Equation 17) \\ r_{LU} = \frac{M_{LU} \sqrt{K_{LU}^{2} + 1 - 2 \cdot K_{LU} \cdot \cos D_{LU}}}{2 \cdot \sin (\frac{I_{LU}}{2})} & (Equation 18) \end{matrix}$ wherein I_LUis an intermediate calculated value;
      
      D_LUis the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the upper or top curved section and the pivot position;
      
      d_Lis the forward distance from the driver'"'"'s eyes to the inner edge of the left mirror;
      
      M_LUPis the distance of the top edge of the planar section to the pivot position of the left mirror;
      
      M_LUis the length from the far edge of the top curved section to the pivot position of the left mirror;
      
      D_LUis the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the top or upper curved section and the pivot position of the left mirror;
      
      p is the vertical distance of the driver'"'"'s eyes above the ground;
      
      l_Lis the vertical distance between ground and the pivot point of the left side mirror; and
      
      j_Lis the vertical distance between the ground and the left side of the vehicle roof.
  - 6. The curved left rearview mirror of claim 2, wherein said pivot position is located along the left side of the vehicle, the vehicle being a right hand drive vehicle, and the radius of curvature r_Lof said left curved section is determined by the equations:
    - $\begin{matrix} I_{L} = B_{L} + \frac{1}{2} [arc \tan \frac{d_{L} - M_{L} \cdot \sin (B_{L} - D_{L})}{a - e + f_{L} + M_{L} \cdot \cos (B_{L} - D_{L})} - arc \tan \frac{d_{L} - M_{L} \cdot \sin (B_{L} - D_{L}) - (g_{L} + a - e) \tan G_{L}}{g_{L} - f_{L} - M_{L} \cdot \cos (B_{L} - D_{L})}] & (Equation 10) \\ K_{L} = \frac{M_{LP}}{M_{L}} = \frac{\sin (\frac{I_{L}}{2} - D_{L})}{\sin (\frac{I_{L}}{2})} & (Equation 11) \\ r_{L} = \frac{M_{L} \sqrt{K_{L}^{2} + 1 - 2 \cdot K_{L} \cdot \cos D_{L}}}{2 \cdot \sin (\frac{I_{L}}{2})} & (Equation 12) \end{matrix}$ wherein I_Lis an intermediate calculated value;
      
      B_Lis the angle between the face of the left mirror and lateral;
      
      d_Lis the forward distance from the driver'"'"'s eyes to the inner edge of the left mirror;
      
      a is the lateral distance between the left side and the right side of the vehicle;
      
      M_LPis the length from the left edge to the right edge of the planar section of the left mirror;
      
      M_Lis the length from the far left edge of the curved section to the right inner edge of the left mirror;
      
      D_Lis the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the left curved section and the inner right edge of the left mirror;
      
      e is the lateral distance between the drivers s eyes and the left side of the vehicle;
      
      f_Lis the lateral distance between the left side of the vehicle and the inner edge of the left mirror;
      
      g_Lis the lateral distance from the left side of the vehicle and a selected first left reference point; and
      
      G_Lis the angle between lateral and said first reference point.

7. A curved right rearview mirror for a vehicle, comprising:
- a body having a reflective front surface and a back surface, said front surface having;
  
  a central planar section;
  
  a right section having a constant radius of curvature and extending from a far right edge to said central planar section;
  
  an upper section having a constant radius of curvature and extending from an upper far edge to said central planar section;
  
  a bottom section having a constant radius of curvature and extending from a bottom far edge to said central planar section;
  
  a pivot having a central axis and connected to the back of said body behind said central planar section, a point on the front surface of the mirror exactly opposite to said pivot along said central axis defining a pivot position;
  
  wherein the ratio K_Rof the distance M_RPfrom the right edge of the planar section to the inner left edge of the planar section to the distance M_Rfrom the far edge of the right curved section to the inner left edge of the right mirror is between about 1/10 and 9/10;
  
  wherein the ratio K_RDof the distance M_RDPfrom the bottom edge of the planar section to said pivot position of said right mirror to the distance M_RDfrom the far edge of the lower curved section to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and about 9/10; and
  
  wherein the ratio K_RUof the distance M_RUPfrom the top edge of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance M_RUfrom the far top edge of the top curved section to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and about 9/10.
- View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
- - 8. The curved right rearview mirror of claim 7, wherein said pivot position is located along the right side of the vehicle, the vehicle being a left hand drive vehicle, and the radius of curvature r_Rof said right curved section is determined by the equations:
    - $\begin{matrix} I_{R} = B_{R} + \frac{1}{2} [arc \tan \frac{d_{R} - M_{R} \cdot \sin (B_{R} - D_{R})}{a - e + f_{R} + M_{R} \cdot \cos (B_{R} - D_{R})} - arc \tan \frac{d_{R} - M_{R} \cdot \sin (B_{R} - D_{R}) - (g_{R} + a - e) \tan G_{R}}{g_{R} - f_{R} - M_{R} \cdot \cos (B_{R} - D_{R})}] & (Equation 19) \\ K_{R} = \frac{M_{RP}}{M_{R}} = \frac{\sin (\frac{I_{R}}{2} - D_{R})}{\sin (\frac{I_{R}}{2})} & (Equation 21) \\ r_{R} = \frac{M_{R} \sqrt{K_{R}^{2} + 1 - 2 \cdot K_{R} \cdot \cos D_{R}}}{2 \cdot \sin (\frac{I_{R}}{2})} & (Equation 22) \end{matrix}$ wherein I_Ris an intermediate calculated value;
      
      B_Ris the angle between the face of the right rearview mirror and lateral;
      
      d_Ris the forward distance from the driver'"'"'s eyes to the inner edge of the right mirror;
      
      M_RPis the length from the right edge of the planar section to the left edge of the planar section of the right mirror;
      
      M_Ris the length from the far right edge of the curved section to the left inner edge of the right mirror;
      
      D_Ris the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the right curved section and the inner left edge of the right rearview mirror;
      
      a is the lateral distance between the left side and the right side of the vehicle;
      
      e is the lateral distance between the driver'"'"'s eyes and the left side of the vehicle;
      
      f_Ris the lateral distance between the right side of the vehicle and the inner edge of the right mirror;
      
      g_Ris the lateral distance from the right side of the vehicle and a selected first right reference point; and
      
      G_Ris the angle between lateral and said first reference point.
  - 9. The curved right rearview mirror of claim 7, wherein the radius of curvature r_RDof said lower curved section is determined by the equations:
    - $\begin{matrix} I_{RD} = B_{RUD} + \frac{1}{2} [\arctan \frac{d_{R} - M_{RD} \cdot \sin (B_{RUD} - D_{RD})}{p - l_{R} + M_{RD} \cdot \cos (B_{RUD} - D_{RD})} - \arctan \frac{d_{R} - M_{RD} \cdot \sin (B_{RUD} - D_{RD}) - p \cdot \tan G_{RD}}{l_{R} - M_{RD} \cdot \cos (B_{RUD} - D_{RD})}] & (Equation 23) \\ K_{RD} = \frac{M_{RDP}}{M_{RD}} = \frac{\sin (\frac{I_{RD}}{2} - D_{RD})}{\sin (\frac{I_{RD}}{2})} & (Equation 24) \\ r_{RD} = \frac{M_{RD} \sqrt{K_{RD}^{2} + 1 - 2 \cdot K_{RD} \cdot \cos D_{RD}}}{2 \cdot \sin (\frac{I_{RD}}{2})} & (Equation 25) \end{matrix}$ wherein I_RDis an intermediate calculated value;
      
      D_RDis the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the bottom curved section and the pivot position;
      
      B_RUDis the angle of upward tilt of the planar section relative to a vertical plane normal to the centerline of the vehicle;
      
      M_RDPis the length from the bottom edge of the planar section to the pivot position of the right mirror;
      
      M_RDis the length from the far edge of the bottom curved section to the pivot position of the right mirror;
      
      d_Ris the forward distance from the driver'"'"'s eyes to the inner edge of the right mirror;
      
      p is the vertical distance of the driver'"'"'s eyes above the ground;
      
      l_Ris the vertical distance between ground and the pivot point of the right side mirror;
      
      G_RDis the forward angle from vertical of a selected second right reference point.
  - 10. The curved right rearview mirror of claim 7, wherein the radius of curvature r_RUof said upper curved section is determined by the equations:
    - $\begin{matrix} I_{RU} = 90 - B_{RUD} - \frac{1}{2} [\arctan \frac{d_{R} + M_{RU} \cdot \sin (B_{RUD} + D_{RU})}{p - l_{R} - M_{RU} \cdot \cos (B_{RUD} + D_{RU})} + \arctan \frac{d_{R} + M_{RU} \cdot \sin (B_{RUD} + D_{RU}) - (j_{R} - p) \tan G_{RU}}{j_{R} - l_{R} - M_{RU} \cdot \cos (B_{RUD} + D_{RU})}] & (Equation 26) \\ K_{RU} = \frac{M_{RUP}}{M_{RU}} = \frac{\sin (\frac{I_{RU}}{2} - D_{RU})}{\sin (\frac{I_{RU}}{2})} & (Equation 27) \\ r_{RU} = \frac{M_{RU} \sqrt{K_{RU}^{2} + 1 - 2 \cdot K_{RU} \cdot \cos D_{RU}}}{2 \cdot \sin (\frac{I_{RU}}{2})} & (Equation 28) \end{matrix}$ wherein I_RUis an intermediate calculated value;
      
      D_RUis the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the upper curved section and the pivot position;
      
      B_RUDis the angle of upward tilt of the planar section relative to a vertical plane normal to the centerline of the vehicle;
      
      d_Ris the forward distance from the driver'"'"'s eyes to the inner edge of the right mirror;
      
      M_RUPis the length form the top edge of the planar section to the pivot position of the right mirror;
      
      M_RUis the length from the far edge of the top curved section to the pivot position of the right mirror;
      
      p is the vertical distance of the driver'"'"'s eyes above the ground;
      
      l_Rthe vertical distance between ground and the pivot point of the right side mirror; and
      
      j_Ris the vertical distance between the ground and the right side of the vehicle roof.
  - 11. The curved left rearview mirror of claim 7, wherein said pivot position is located along the right side of the vehicle, the vehicle being a right hand drive vehicle, and the radius of curvature r_Rof said right curved section is determined by the equations:
    - $\begin{matrix} I_{R} = B_{R} + \frac{1}{2} [arc \tan \frac{d_{R} - M_{R} \cdot \sin (B_{R} - D_{R})}{e + f_{R} + M_{R} \cdot \cos (B_{R} - D_{R})} - arc \tan \frac{d_{R} - M_{R} \cdot \sin (B_{R} - D_{R}) - (g_{R} + e) \tan G_{R}}{g_{R} - f_{R} - M_{R} \cdot \cos (B_{R} - D_{R})}] & (Equation 20) \\ K_{R} = \frac{M_{RP}}{M_{R}} = \frac{\sin (\frac{I_{R}}{2} - D_{R})}{\sin (\frac{I_{R}}{2})} & (Equation 21) \\ r_{R} = \frac{M_{R} \sqrt{K_{R}^{2} + 1 - 2 \cdot K_{R} \cdot \cos D_{R}}}{2 \cdot \sin (\frac{I_{R}}{2})} & (Equation 22) \end{matrix}$ wherein I_Ris an intermediate calculated value;
      
      B_Ris the angle between the face of the right mirror and lateral;
      
      d_Ris the forward distance from the driver'"'"'s eyes to the inner edge of the right rearview mirror;
      
      M_RPis the length from the right edge of the planar section to the left edge of the planar section of the right mirror;
      
      M_Ris the length from the far right edge of the curved section to the left inner edge of the right mirror;
      
      D_Ris the angle between the planar section and a plane including the far edge of the right curved section and the inner left edge of the right mirror;
      
      e is the lateral distance between the driver'"'"'s eyes and the right side of the vehicle;
      
      f_Ris the lateral distance between the right side of the vehicle and the inner edge of the right mirror;
      
      g_Ris the lateral distance from the right side of the vehicle and a selected first right reference point; and
      
      G_Ris the angle between lateral and said first right reference point.

12. A curved rearview mirror system for vehicles, comprising:
- a central rearview mirror having a central planar section, a convexly curved left section, and a convexly curved right section;
  
  a left rearview mirror having a central planar section, a convexly curved left side section, a convexly curved top side section, and a convexly curved bottom side section; and
  
  a right rearview mirror having a central planar section, a convexly curved right side section, a convexly curved top side section, and a convexly curved bottom side section;
  
  wherein each of said curved sections has a constant radius of curvature;
  
  a pivot having a central axis and connected to the back of said body behind said central planar section of said curved central mirror, a point on the front surface of the mirror exactly opposite to said pivot along said central axis defining a pivot position;
  
  wherein the ratio K_MLof the distance from the left side of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance from said left far edge to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and 9/10; and
  
  wherein the ratio K_MRof the distance from the right side of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance from said right far edge to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and 9/10.

13. A curved rearview mirror system for vehicles, comprising:
- a central rearview mirror having a central planar section, a convexly curved left section, and a convexly curved right section;
  
  a left rearview mirror having a central planar section, a convexly curved left side section, a convexly curved top side section, and a convexly curved bottom side section;
  
  a right rearview mirror having a central planar section, a convexly curved right side section, a convexly curved top side section, and a convexly curved bottom side section;
  
  wherein each of said curved sections has a constant radius of curvature;
  
  a pivot having a central axis and connected to the back of said body behind said central planar section of said left hand mirror, a point on the front surface of the mirror exactly opposite to said pivot along said central axis defining a pivot position;
  
  wherein the ratio K_Lof the distance M_LPfrom the left edge of the planar section to the right edge of the planar section to the distance M_Lfrom the far left edge of the left curved section to the right edge of the planar section is between about 1/10 and 9/10;
  
  wherein the ratio K_LDof the distance M_LDPfrom the bottom edge of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance M_LDfrom the far edge of the lower curved section to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and about 9/10; and
  
  wherein the ratio K_LUof the distance M_LUPfrom the top edge of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance M_LUfrom the far top edge of the top curved section to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and about 9/10.

14. A curved rearview mirror system for vehicles, comprising:
- a central rearview mirror having a central planar section, a convexly curved left section, and a convexly curved right section;
  
  a left rearview mirror having a central planar section, a convexly curved left side section, a convexly curved top side section, and a convexly curved bottom side section;
  
  a right rearview mirror having a central planar section, a convexly curved right side section, a convexly curved top side section, and a convexly curved bottom side section;
  
  wherein each of said curved sections has a constant radius of curvaturea pivot having a central axis and connected to the back of said body behind said central planar section of said right hand mirror, a point on the front surface of the mirror exactly opposite to said pivot along said central axis defining a pivot position;
  
  wherein the ratio K_Rof the distance M_RPfrom the right edge of the planar section to the inner left edge of the planar section to the distance M_Rfrom the far edge of the right curved section to the inner left edge of the right mirror is between about 1/10 and 9/10;
  
  wherein the ratio K_RDof the distance M_RDPfrom the bottom edge of the planar section to said pivot position of said right mirror to the distance M_RDfrom the far edge of the lower curved section to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and about 9/10; and
  
  wherein the ratio K_RUof the distance M_RUPfrom the top edge of the planar section to said pivot position to the distance M_RUfrom the far top edge of the top curved section to said pivot position is between about 1/10 and about 9/10.

Specification

Resources

Litigation Campaign Assessment

Current Assignee
Wei Meng
Original Assignee
Wei Meng
Inventors
Meng, Wei
Primary Examiner(s)
AMARI, ALESSANDRO V

Application Number

US11/109,737
Publication Number

US 20060023323A1
Time in Patent Office

797 Days
Field of Search

359/850, 359/854, 359/864, 359/866, 359/868, 359/838
US Class Current

359/864
CPC Class Codes

B60R 1/082 using a single wide field m...

Curved rearview system for vehicles

First Claim

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Accused Products

Abstract

31 Citations

14 Claims

Specification

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Use Cases

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Curved rearview system for vehicles

First Claim

0 Assignments

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

31 Citations

14 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links