Rear view mirror with facet containing selective acceptance layer

• US 8,197,075 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2010
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Forbes, James Wendell, Petniunas, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafer, Ricky D
• Application Number:
  US12/823,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20100259843A1
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 359/838, 359/839, 359/851, 359/866, 359/883, 359/884
• US Class Current: 359/838
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence

Abstract

A rear view mirror assembly is disclosed in which the mirror has a viewing section and an alignment section meeting to form a reflex angle. The alignment section is etched with a targeting image: a cross-hair or the side surface of the vehicle. When the targeting image is aligned with appropriate feature on the side of the vehicle, the reflex angle is such that the mirror is properly aligned. Also disclosed is a mirror assembly having viewing section and an alignment section with a clear protective outer layer a selective acceptance layer below the clear protective outer layer, and a colored substrate below the selective layer. When the vehicle operator can see the colored substrate through the selective acceptance layer, which transmits only normal light, the mirror is properly aligned.

Claims

1. A mirror system for an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a mirror;

a facet embedded into the minor and comprising a selective acceptance layer that transmits light in a limited field of view, and a clear, protective layer over the selective acceptance layer, the clear, protective layer being of nonuniform thickness such that an upper surface of the clear, protective layer is substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the mirror.