Auto dimming vehicle mirror

• US 7,318,648 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2002
• Issued: 01/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Inventors: Munir, Kash A., Gilbert, Robert William
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Thong Q
• Application Number:
  US10/482,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20040169930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,023 Days
• Field of Search: 359601-615, 359265-275, 359/838, 359577-590
• US Class Current: 359/608
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors

Abstract

A vehicle mirror assembly comprising a reflective element for reflecting incident light, the reflective element having a viewable side, a dimming element for varying the intensity of light reflected from the viewable side, a photo-electric power cell for powering the dimming element for varying the intensity of reflected light and a controller for controlling the dimming element in response to ambient light conditions, wherein, in use, the intensity of the light reflected from the viewable side is reduced in low ambient light conditions. In other embodiments a power source is defined, for providing interment power to power the dimming element for varying the intensity of light reflected, the power being supplied by the photo-electric power cell.

Claims

1. A vehicle mirror assembly comprising:

a reflective element for reflecting incident light, the reflective element having a viewable side;

a dimming element for varying the intensity of incident light reflected from the viewable side;

a photo-electrical power cell for powering the dimming element;

a controller for controlling the dimming element;

a first directional element for allowing incident light having an angle of incidence falling within a first preset range with respect to the reflective element to reach the photo-electrical power cell, and for preventing incident light having an angle of incidence falling outside the first preset range from reaching the photo-electrical power cell;

a photo-electrical switching device; and

a second directional element for allowing ambient light having an angle of incidence falling within a second preset range with respect to the reflective element to reach the photo-electrical switching device,

wherein power is supplied from the photo-electrical power cell to the dimming element as a result of incident light reaching the photo-electrical power cell, and

wherein the power supplied from the photo-electrical power cell to the dimming element is reduced as a result of ambient light reaching the photo-electrical switching device.

2. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the photo-electrical power cell is adapted to utilize the incident light from a vehicle'"'"'s headlight to produce sufficient real-time power for the dimming element.

3. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the dimming element comprises an electrically dimmable light transmitting sheet or panel, the sheet or panel overlaying the viewable side of the reflective element.

4. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the electrically dimmable light transmitting sheet or panel comprises a gel or liquid containing suspended particles or crystals.

5. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the dimming element includes the reflective element, the reflectiveness of the reflective element being electrically variable.

6. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first directional element comprises a directional filter.

7. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first directional element comprises a Fresnel lens.

8. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second directional element comprises an ambient light directional filter.

9. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first preset range is 76 degrees ±

20 degrees.

10. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first preset range is 60 degrees ±

20 degrees.

11. A vehicle mirror assembly comprising:

a reflective element for reflecting incident light, the reflective element having a viewable side;

a dimming element for varying the intensity of light reflected from the viewable side of the reflective element, wherein the dimming element overlays the viewable side of the reflective element;

a transparent photo-electrical power cell overlaying the dimming element for powering the dimming element;

a controller for controlling the dimming element;

a first photo-electrical switching device;

a first directional element for allowing ambient light having an angle of incidence falling within a first preset range with respect to the reflective element to reach the first photo-electrical switching device, and for preventing ambient light having an angle of incidence falling outside the first preset range with respect to the reflective element to reach the first photo-electrical switching device;

a second photo-electrical switching device;

a second directional element for allowing incident light having an angle of incidence falling within a second preset range with respect to the reflective element to reach the second photo-electrical switching device;

wherein power is supplied from the transparent photo-electrical power cell to the dimming element as a result of the incident light reaching the second photo electrical switching device; and

wherein the power supplied from the transparent photo-electrical power cell to the dimming element is reduced as a result of ambient light reaching the first photo-electrical switching device.

12. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the photo-electrical power cell is adapted to utilize the incident light from a vehicle'"'"'s headlight to produce sufficient real-time power for the dimming element.

13. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the dimming element has an electrically dimmable light transmitting sheet or panel, the sheet or panel overlaying the viewable side of the reflective element.

14. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 13 wherein the electrically dimmable light transmitting sheet or panel has a gel or liquid containing suspended particles or crystals.

15. A vehicle mirror assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the dimming element has the reflective element, the reflectiveness of the reflective element being electrically variable.