Exterior rear view mirror with indicator light

• US 8,378,802 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2009
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Hwang, Hyok Joo
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US12/535,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20100026475A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/465, 359/265, 359/267, 359/872
• US Class Current: 340/438
• 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: B60Q 9/004 using wave sensors radar designed for anti-collision purposes between land vehicles or between land vehicles and fixed obstacles G01S13/931
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/008 for anti-collision purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

The invention describes a rear view mirror including a reflective element in a cavity of a mirror housing with a mirror head and a mirror base. An indicator light for indicating situation information to a vehicle driver is installed, wherein the indicator light includes light sources and an optical element that allows the light to shine through. The indicator light has a split printed circuit board to support at least two light source elements and a light guide wherein the light emitted from the light sources is coupled into the end faces of the light guide.

Claims

1. A rear view mirror for a motor vehicle driven by a vehicle driver, said rear view mirror including a reflective element in a cavity of a mirror housing with a mirror head and a mirror base, and an indicator light for indicating dangerous situation information to the vehicle driver, wherein the indicator light includes light sources and an optical element that allows the light to shine through, characterized in that the indicator light has split printed circuit board to support at least two light source elements and a light guide wherein the light emitted from the light sources is coupled into the end faces of the light guide and directed toward the vehicle driver and away from occupants of other vehicles.

2. A rear view mirror according claim 1 characterized in that the optical element is part of the mirror housing.

3. A rear view mirror according claim 1 characterized in that the optical element has a rim structure to attach the indicator light subassembly comprising split printed circuit board, at least two light source elements and a light guide.

4. A rear view mirror according claim 3 characterized in that the subassembly is snap connected to the mirror housing with optical element.

5. A rear view mirror according claim 1 characterized in that the light guide has more than two end faces.

6. A rear view mirror according claim 1 characterized in that the light guide has a structure in the surface to allow light to be coupled out.

7. A rear view mirror according claim 1 characterized in that the optical element is a lens which is inserted into the mirror housing material by welding.

8. A rear view mirror according claim 1 characterized in that the optical element is a lens which is inserted into the mirror housing material by gluing.

9. A rear view mirror according claim 1 characterized in that the optical element is a lens which is inserted into the mirror housing material by two component plastic molding process.

10. A rear view mirror according claim 1 characterized in that the optical element is structured to appear as multiple lens on the surface of the rear view mirror housing.

11. A rear view mirror according claim 1 characterized in that the indicator subassembly is combined to another illumination device.