Signaling assembly

• US 7,241,037 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Issued: 07/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KW Muth Company
• Original Assignee: KW Muth Company
• Inventors: Bukosky, Allen A., Todd, Daniel R., Mathieu, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US11/088,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20060215413A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 362/492, 362/494, 362543-545, 340/468, 340/475
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A signal assembly is described and which includes a mirror which is operable to reflect, and pass electromagnetic radiation; a circuit substrate having a plurality of electrically conductive pathways which is borne on same; a light emitting device borne by the circuit substrate, and which, when energized, emits visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation which passes by each of the circuit substrate and the mirror; and an electrically actuated assembly, such as a heater, which may be electrically coupled with a source of electricity by way of the circuit substrate.

Claims

1. A signal assembly, comprising:

a mirror which is operable to both reflect, and pass electromagnetic radiation;

a circuit substrate juxtaposed relative to the mirror, and which is operable to pass electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the circuit substrate is releasably electrically coupled with a source of electricity;

a first electrically conductive pathway borne by the circuit substrate;

at least two light emitting devices borne by the circuit substrate and electrically coupled with the first electrically conductive pathway, and which, when energized, emits visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation which passes, at least in part, by each of the circuit substrate and the mirror; and

a second electrically conductive pathway borne by the circuit substrate and which is electrically coupled with an electrical heater, and wherein the electrical heater is coupled to the source of electricity by way of the circuit substrate, and is further mounted in juxtaposed relation relative to the mirror; and

a reflector having a first portion which is positioned in eccentric reflecting relation relative to one of the two light emitting devices, and a second portion which is disposed in substantially concentric reflecting relation relative to the remaining light emitting device, and wherein the at least two light emitting devices, when energized, emit visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation which forms at least two discrete, visibly discernible signals.

2. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the mirror is a semitransparent mirror.

3. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the mirror is a dichroic mirror.

4. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the mirror is an electrochromic mirror.

5. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:

an emitter of invisible electromagnetic radiation and which is electrically coupled with the circuit substrate, and which, when energized, emits invisible electromagnetic radiation which passes through the mirror.

6. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:

a receiver of electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the receiver is electrically coupled with the circuit substrate and which is operable to provide an electrical signal when exposed to electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength.

7. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:

an emitter of invisible electromagnetic radiation which is electrically coupled with the circuit substrate, and which, when energized, emits invisible electromagnetic radiation which passes, at least in part, through the mirror; and

a receiver of electromagnetic radiation and which is electrically coupled with the circuit substrate and which further, when exposed to a given wavelength of electromagnetic radiation produces an electrical signal.

8. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the mirror has a primary region which reflects visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation, and an adjacent secondary region which reflects some visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation and further passes some visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation.

9. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the primary region is substantially continuous, and the secondary region is discontinuous.

10. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 8, and wherein both the primary and secondary regions of the mirror are substantially continuous.

11. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:

at least one electrical coupler which is borne by the circuit substrate, and which is operable to releasably electrically couple with the source of electricity.

12. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the mirror comprises an electrochromic mirror which is electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive pathway.

13. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the mirror comprises an electrochromic mirror which is controlled at least in part through the circuit substrate.

14. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the second electrically conducted pathway may be further electrically coupled to an electrically actuated assembly which is selected from the group which comprises electro/optical sensors;

heaters;

warning icons;

malfunction indicators;

lights for illuminating given regions adjacent to the mirror;

air temperature gauges;

compass;

near object detection devices; and

audio and/or video devices.

15. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the heater is made integral with a heater substrate, and wherein the circuit substrate is positioned thereagainst the heater substrate.

16. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the heater and heater substrate define a region which receives the circuit substrate.

17. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the heater and heater substrate define a region which passes the visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by the light emitting device.

18. A signaling assembly as claim 17, and wherein the circuit substrate is substantially opaque and further defines at least one aperture which is operable to pass the visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by the at least two light emitting devices, and wherein the aperture which is defined by the circuit substrate is substantially aligned with the region of the heater and the heater substrate which passes the visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation.

19. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 17, and wherein the circuit substrate has a peripheral edge which is located adjacent to the region of the heater and heater substrate which passes visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and wherein at least one of the light emitting devices emits visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation which passes, at least in part, by the peripheral edge of the circuit substrate, and through the region of the heater and heater substrate which passes visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation.

20. A signal assembly comprising:

a semitransparent mirror having a first and a second surface;

an electrically actuated heater disposed in heat transferring relation relative to the second surface of the mirror, and wherein the heater defines a first region through which electromagnetic radiation may pass;

a circuit substrate juxtaposed relative to the heater, and wherein the circuit substrate defines a second region through which electromagnetic radiation may pass, and wherein the first and second regions are substantially aligned;

a first electrical pathway borne by the circuit substrate, and which is releasably electrically coupled with a source of electricity;

a light emitting device borne by the circuit substrate, and which is electrically coupled with the first electrical pathway, and wherein the light emitting device, when energized, by the source of electricity, emits visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation which is reflected, at least in part, through the first and second regions;

a second electrical pathway, borne by the circuit substrate, and electrically coupled to the heater, and the source of electricity, and wherein the heater is energized by the source of electricity passing through the second electrical pathway;

a reflector disposed in substantially eccentric reflecting relation relative to the light emitting device, and wherein the reflector is disposed in substantially covering relation over at least a portion of the circuit substrate; and

at least one electrical coupler which is releasably electrically coupled with a source of electricity, and further is electrically coupled with the first and second electrical pathways, and wherein the electrical coupler is borne by the circuit substrate and extends through the reflector.

21. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 20, and further comprising:

an electromagnetic radiation emitter which is electrically coupled with the circuit substrate, and which, when energized emits invisible electromagnetic radiation, which is passed, at least in part, by the semitransparent mirror.

22. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 20, and further comprising:

an electromagnetic radiation receiver which is electrically coupled to the circuit substrate, and which is operable, when exposed to a source of electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength, produces an electrical signal.

23. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 20, and further comprising:

an electromagnetic radiation emitter which is electrically coupled with the circuit substrate, and which, when energized, emits electromagnetic radiation which does not pass through the mirror, but is transmitted in a direction which is away from the second surface of the semitransparent mirror.

24. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the semitransparent mirror is a dichroic mirror.

25. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the semitransparent mirror is an electrically actuated electrochromic mirror, and wherein the signal assembly further comprises a third electrical pathway which is borne by the circuit substrate and wherein the electrochromic mirror is energized by way of the third electrical pathway.

26. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the semitransparent mirror is an electrically actuated electrochromic mirror, and wherein the signaling assembly further comprises a third electrical pathway which is borne by the circuit substrate, and which is controllably electrically coupled with the electrochromic mirror.

27. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 26, and wherein the visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation emitted by the light emitting device is reflected, at least in part, by the reflector, and thereafter passes through the first and second regions, and the semitransparent mirror.

28. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 27, and wherein the light emitting device is disposed in adjacent spaced relation relative to the first and second regions.

29. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the circuit substrate is mounted in substantially fixed relation relative to the first and second regions.

30. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 20, and wherein the circuit substrate is selectively movable relative to the first and second regions.

31. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 20, and further comprising:

a mounting plate which is disposed in force transmitting relation relative to the semitransparent mirror, and wherein the circuit substrate is positioned, at least in part, therebetween the mounting plate and the semitransparent mirror.

32. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 31, and wherein the mounting plate comprises a movable mirror mounting plate which receives, at least in part, the semitransparent mirror, and wherein a fourth electrical pathway is borne by the mirror mounting plate and is further releasably electrically coupled with the circuit substrate, and wherein the signal assembly further comprises:

an electrically actuated motor which is disposed in force transmitting relation relative to the mirror mounting plate, and which is further electrically coupled with the fourth electrical pathway, and wherein the electrically actuated motor is controlled, at least in part, through the fourth electrical pathway, and the circuit substrate.

33. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 20, and further comprising:

a third electrical pathway which is borne by the circuit substrate and which is releasably electrically coupled with the source of electricity, and wherein the signal assembly further comprises an electrically actuated assembly which is selected from the group comprising electro/optical sensors;

warning lamps;

malfunction indicators;

lights for illuminating a given area;

air temperature indicators;

compass;

audio and/or video devices; and

visibly discernable alphanumeric display devices.

34. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 33, and wherein the signal assembly is borne by an overland vehicle, and wherein the respective electrically actuated assemblies provide information to an operator of the overland vehicle regarding the operational status of the overland vehicle.

35. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 34, and further comprising:

at least one electrical coupler which is borne by the heater and disposed in spaced relation relative to the circuit substrate, and wherein the electrical coupler is releasably electrically coupled with a source of electricity, and further electrically coupled with the first and second electrical pathways.

36. A signal assembly for an overland vehicle, comprising:

a mirror housing which is borne by the overland vehicle, and which is defined by a sidewall, and wherein the sidewall further defines a cavity which communicates with a mirror aperture;

a semitransparent mirror which is operable to simultaneously pass and reflect, visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the semitransparent mirror substantially occludes the mirror aperture;

an electrically actuated heater positioned in the cavity of the housing, and disposed in juxtaposed heat transferring relation relative to the semitransparent mirror, and wherein the heater defines a first region through which visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation may pass;

a circuit substrate positioned in juxtaposed relation relative to the heater and further defining a second region through which visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation may pass, and wherein the first and second regions are substantially aligned;

at least one electrical coupler borne by the circuit substrate and which is configured to releasably electrically couple with a source of electricity which is provided by the overland vehicle;

a first electrical pathway borne by the circuit substrate and electrically coupled to the electrical coupler;

first and second light emitting devices borne by the circuit substrate and positioned in spaced relation relative to the first and second regions, and wherein the light emitting devices, when energized, by the source of electricity, emits visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation which passes, at least in part, out of the mirror housing and forms a visibly discernable signal;

a second electrical pathway borne by the circuit substrate and which is electrically coupled with the electrical coupler and with the heater, and wherein the heater is energized through the circuit substrate;

a reflector having a first portion which is disposed in reflecting relation relative to the first light emitting device, and which is operable to direct the emitted visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation of the first light emitting device, at least in part, through the first and second regions and wherein the first portion of the reflector is disposed in substantially eccentric reflecting relation relative to the first light emitting device; and

a mirror mounting plate which is operable to matingly receive, at least in part, a portion of the semitransparent mirror, and wherein the circuit substrate is positioned, at least in part, therebetween the mirror mounting plate and the heater, and wherein the first light emitting device, when energized, emits visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation which passes through the semitransparent mirror and which forms a first visibly discernable signal, and wherein the second light emitting device, when energized, emits visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation which passes through the semitransparent mirror, and which illuminates a side of the overland vehicle and/or a region which is immediately adjacent to the overland vehicle.

37. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 36, and wherein the semitransparent mirror is a dichroic mirror.

38. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 36, and wherein the semitransparent mirror is an electrically actuated electrochromic mirror, and wherein the electrochromic mirror is controlled, at least in part, through the circuit substrate.

39. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 36, and wherein the sidewall of the mirror housing defines a second aperture which communicates with the cavity and which is operable to pass visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the first portion of the reflector is operable to substantially reflect the emitted visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation through the first and second regions so that the emitted electromagnetic radiation may pass through the semitransparent mirror to form a first visibly discernable signal, and wherein the second portion of the reflector is operable to reflect, at least in part, a portion of the visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second light emitting device, when energized, and wherein the emitted visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation emitted by the second light emitting device passes through the second aperture and forms a second visibly discernable signal.

40. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 36, and further comprising:

an electrically actuated device which is electrically coupled with the circuit substrate.

41. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 40, and wherein the electrically actuated assembly is configured to provide information regarding the operational status of the overland vehicle, and/or information of interest to an operator of the overland vehicle.

42. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 36, and further comprising:

an electrical pathway borne by the mirror mounting plate and which is electrically coupled to the circuit substrate and the electrical coupler; and

an electrical device borne by the mirror mounting plate and which is coupled to the electrical pathway.

43. A signal assembly as claimed in claim 42, and further comprising:

an electrically actuated motor which is mounted in the cavity and which is defined by the mirror housing sidewall, and wherein the electrically actuated motor is coupled in force transmitting relation relative to the mirror mounting plate, and is operable, when energized, to selectively position the semitransparent mirror relative to the overland vehicle.