Low reflectance glare optic

• US 9,434,311 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2014
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Lisowski, Michael F., Minikey, Danny L. Jr., Luten, Henry A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sugarman, Scott J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choudhury, Mustak
• Application Number:
  US14/185,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20140268350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 359602-606, 359/839, 359/850, 359/860, 359265-275, 359/608, 359/609, 362/494, 349/11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/083 Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers

Abstract

A rearview assembly is disclosed for use in a vehicle for providing a rearward view from the vehicle. In one example, the rearview assembly includes at least one substrate having a partially transmissive coating and a light sensor proximate the at least one substrate. The rearview assembly further includes a secondary optic. The secondary optic has a first surface facing outward toward the at least one substrate and a second surface facing inward toward the light sensor. Vertical flutes extend uniformly along the first surface and horizontal flutes extend uniformly along the second surface. The secondary optic is configured to control a field of view of the light sensor.

Claims

1. A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle for providing a rearward view from the vehicle, the rearview assembly comprising:

at least one substrate comprising a partially transmissive coating;

a light sensor proximate the at least one substrate; and

a secondary optic comprising;

a first surface facing outward toward the at least one substrate;

a plurality of vertical flutes proximate the first surface;

a second surface facing inward toward the light sensor; and

a plurality of horizontal flutes proximate the second surface, wherein the secondary optic is configured to control a field of view of the light sensor and the secondary optic is configured to have a reduced reflectance, and wherein an orientation of the plurality of vertical flutes and the plurality of horizontal flutes provide for the field of view with the reduced reflectance.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the vertical flutes are formed on the first surface.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the horizontal flutes are formed on the second surface.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the vertical flutes comprises a first curved surface profile.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein the first curved surface profile comprises a first base radius, the first base radius having a range between 0.01 mm and 5 mm.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the horizontal flutes has a second curved surface profile.

7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the second curved surface profile comprises a second base radius, the second base radius having a range between 0.1 mm and 10 mm.

8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical flutes is configured to receive light in a horizontal field of view extending greater than 30 degrees from a direction normal to the first surface along a horizontal plane.

9. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of horizontal flutes are configured to receive light in a vertical field of view extending greater than 10 degrees from a direction normal to the first surface along a vertical plane.

10. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical flutes extends across the first surface proximate a perimeter formed by the first surface.

11. A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle for providing a rearward view from the vehicle, the rearview assembly comprising:

a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates include a partially transmissive coating;

a light sensor disposed proximate the second substrate;

a secondary optic disposed between the second substrate and the light sensor, the secondary optic comprising;

a first surface facing outward toward the second substrate; and

a second surface facing inward toward the light sensor, wherein the secondary optic controls the field of view of light received by the light sensor, and wherein the secondary optic provides for a reflectance of less than 30 percent in the direction outward toward the second substrate.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first surface comprises a plurality of arc-shaped flutes.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of arc-shaped flutes extend vertically along the first surface.

14. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the second surface comprises a plurality of arc-shaped flutes.

15. The assembly according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of arc-shaped flutes extend horizontally along the second surface.

16. The assembly according to claim 11, wherein the wherein the secondary optic includes a reflectance of less than 15 percent in the direction outward toward the second substrate.

17. A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle,

the rearview assembly comprising:

a housing configured to be mounted to the vehicle;

a rearview element disposed in the housing for providing a rearward view from the vehicle, the rearview element comprising;

at least one substrate, and

a window formed in the at least one substrate;

a light sensor proximate the at least one substrate, the light sensor having a sensory surface aligned with the window; and

a secondary optic disposed between the at least one substrate and the light sensor, the

a first surface facing outward toward the at least one substrate; and

a second surface facing inward toward the light sensor, wherein the first surface comprises a plurality of vertical flutes and the second surface comprises a plurality of horizontal flutes, wherein an orientation of the plurality of vertical flutes and the plurality of horizontal flutes provide for a field of view with a reduced reflectance.

18. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein each of the vertical flutes is semi-cylindrical in shape having a curved surface extending outward toward the at least one substrate.

19. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein each of the horizontal flutes is semi-cylindrical in shape having a curved surface extending outward toward the light sensor.

20. The assembly according to claim 17, wherein the second surface is separated from the light sensor by less than 2 mm.