Vehicle mirror assembly with wide angle element

• US 9,580,017 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2014
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Foote, Keith D., Benthem, Kevin P., Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrington, Alicia M
• Application Number:
  US14/336,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20140328072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 348/148
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/143 Touch sensitive instrument input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/173 Reversing assist
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/143 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/152 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/173 Reversing assist
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/21 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/28 characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• 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 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/062 with remote control for adjusting position B60R1/0607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/082 : using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/083 : Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 : Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 : with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 : with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/123 : with thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1246 : with clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 : with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/105 : using multiple cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/207 : using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 : in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/804 : for lane monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 : for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 : for monitoring rearward traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/046 : Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 : exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 : by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 : Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

A mirror reflective element assembly for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a principal mirror element, a wide angle mirror element and an illumination element that at least partially circumscribes the wide angle mirror element. The illumination element emits illumination at least partially around the wide angle mirror element that is viewable by a person viewing the exterior rearview mirror assembly when the mirror assembly is disposed at a side of a vehicle. At least one of (i) the illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is below a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is less than about 100 candelas per square meter, and (ii) the illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is above a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is greater than about 200 candelas per square meter.

Claims

1. A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element assembly comprising:

a principal mirror element, said principal mirror element comprising a glass substrate and a first reflector coating disposed at a surface of said glass substrate to establish a principal reflector portion of said mirror reflective element assembly;

a wide angle mirror element, said wide angle mirror element comprising a glass element having a second reflector coating disposed at a surface of said glass element to establish an auxiliary reflector portion of said mirror reflective element assembly;

an illumination element comprising an illumination source, wherein said illumination element at least partially circumscribes said glass element of said wide angle mirror element;

wherein said illumination element, when said illumination source is activated, emits illumination at least partially around said glass element that is viewable by a person viewing an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said mirror reflective element assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at a side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said wide angle mirror element is disposed at an upper outboard portion of said mirror reflective element assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle;

wherein at least one of (i) said illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is below a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is less than about 100 candelas per square meter, and (ii) said illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is above a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is greater than about 200 candelas per square meter;

a back plate, wherein said principal mirror element is attached at said back plate;

wherein said back plate comprises a receiving portion generally at said auxiliary reflector portion of said reflective element assembly, and wherein said receiving portion is configured to at least partially receive said wide angle mirror element; and

a cover plate attached to said receiving portion, said cover plate substantially encasing said wide angle mirror element within said receiving portion.

2. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said first reflector coating comprises a different material than said second reflector coating.

3. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 2, wherein said first reflector coating has a different tint than said second reflector coating.

4. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is below a threshold level, said illumination element is operable to provide a light level that is less than about 100 candelas per square meter.

5. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is above a threshold level, said illumination element is operable to provide a light level that is greater than about 200 candelas per square meter.

6. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said illumination source of said illumination element is activated responsive to an object detection system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said illumination element is activated responsive, at least in part, to said object detection system detecting an object present at or near the side of the equipped vehicle at which the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted.

7. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said illumination element is activated responsive to a turn signal indicator of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said illumination element is activated responsive, at least in part, to activation of a turn signal indicator at the side of the equipped vehicle at which the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted.

8. A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element assembly comprising:

a principal mirror element, said principal mirror element comprising a glass substrate and a first reflector coating disposed at a surface of said glass substrate to establish a principal reflector portion of said mirror reflective element assembly;

a wide angle mirror element, said wide angle mirror element comprising a glass element having a second reflector coating disposed at a surface of said glass element to establish an auxiliary reflector portion of said mirror reflective element assembly;

an illumination element comprising an illumination source, wherein said illumination element at least partially circumscribes said glass element of said wide angle mirror element;

wherein said illumination element, when said illumination source is activated, emits illumination at least partially around said glass element that is viewable by a person viewing an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said mirror reflective element assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at a side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said wide angle mirror element is disposed at an upper outboard portion of said mirror reflective element assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle;

wherein at least one of (i) said illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is below a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is less than about 100 candelas per square meter, and (ii) said illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is above a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is greater than about 200 candelas per square meter; and

wherein said wide angle mirror element is disposed to the rear of a portion of said glass substrate of said principal mirror element, and wherein said illumination element is disposed to the rear of said glass substrate, and wherein, when said illumination source is activated, said illumination element emits illumination at least partially around said glass element that is viewable through said glass substrate by a person viewing the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle.

9. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 8, wherein said first reflector coating is disposed at a front surface of said glass substrate and wherein a window is established at said first reflector coating, said window corresponding to a location of said wide angle mirror element and said illumination element.

10. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 8, comprising a back plate, wherein said principal mirror element is attached at said back plate.

11. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 10, wherein said back plate comprises a receiving portion generally at said auxiliary reflector portion of said reflective element assembly, and wherein said receiving portion is configured to at least partially receive said wide angle mirror element.

12. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 8, wherein said auxiliary reflector portion is devoid of said first reflector coating.

13. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 8, wherein said glass element of said wide angle mirror element is adhered at a rear surface of said glass substrate via an optical adhesive, and wherein said optical adhesive has an index of refraction that is substantially similar to a refractive index of said glass substrate.

14. A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element assembly comprising:

a principal mirror element, said principal mirror element comprising a glass substrate and a first reflector coating disposed at a surface of said glass substrate to establish a principal reflector portion of said mirror reflective element assembly;

a wide angle mirror element, said wide angle mirror element comprising a glass element having a second reflector coating disposed at a surface of said glass element to establish an auxiliary reflector portion of said mirror reflective element assembly;

an illumination element comprising an illumination source, wherein said illumination element at least partially circumscribes said glass element of said wide angle mirror element;

wherein said illumination source comprises at least one light emitting diode;

wherein said illumination element, when said illumination source is activated, emits illumination at least partially around said glass element that is viewable by a person viewing an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said mirror reflective element assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at a side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said wide angle mirror element is disposed at an upper outboard portion of said mirror reflective element assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle;

wherein at least one of (i) said illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is below a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is less than about 100 candelas per square meter, and (ii) said illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is above a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is greater than about 200 candelas per square meter;

wherein at least one of (a) said illumination source of said illumination element is activated responsive to an object detection system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said illumination element is activated responsive, at least in part, to said object detection system detecting an object present at or near the side of the equipped vehicle at which the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted, and (b) said illumination element is activated responsive to a turn signal indicator of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said illumination element is activated responsive, at least in part, to activation of a turn signal indicator at the side of the equipped vehicle at which the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted; and

wherein said wide angle mirror element is disposed to the rear of a portion of said glass substrate of said principal mirror element, and wherein said illumination element is disposed to the rear of said glass substrate, and wherein, when said illumination source is activated, said illumination element emits illumination at least partially around said glass element that is viewable through said glass substrate by the person viewing the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle.

15. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 14, comprising a back plate, wherein said principal mirror element is attached at said back plate, and wherein said back plate comprises a receiving portion generally at said auxiliary reflector portion of said reflective element assembly, and wherein said receiving portion is configured to at least partially receive said wide angle mirror element.

16. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 14, wherein said first reflector coating comprises a different material than said second reflector coating.

17. A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element assembly comprising:

a principal mirror element, said principal mirror element comprising a glass substrate and a first reflector coating disposed at a surface of said glass substrate to establish a principal reflector portion of said mirror reflective element assembly;

a wide angle mirror element, said wide angle mirror element comprising a glass element having a second reflector coating disposed at a surface of said glass element to establish an auxiliary reflector portion of said mirror reflective element assembly;

a back plate, wherein said principal mirror element and said wide angle mirror element are disposed at said back plate;

an illumination element comprising an illumination source, wherein said illumination element at least partially circumscribes said glass element of said wide angle mirror element;

wherein said illumination element, when said illumination source is activated, emits illumination at least partially around said glass element that is viewable by a person viewing an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said mirror reflective element assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at a side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said wide angle mirror element is disposed at an upper outboard portion of said mirror reflective element assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle;

wherein (i) said illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is below a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is less than about 100 candelas per square meter, and (ii) said illumination element, responsive to determination that an ambient light level is above a threshold level, is operable to provide a light level that is greater than about 200 candelas per square meter; and

wherein said wide angle mirror element is disposed to the rear of a portion of said glass substrate of said principal mirror element, and wherein said illumination element is disposed to the rear of said glass substrate, and wherein, when said illumination source is activated, said illumination element emits illumination at least partially around said glass element that is viewable through said glass substrate by the person viewing the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly when the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle.

18. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 17, wherein said principal mirror element is attached at said back plate, and wherein said back plate comprises a receiving portion generally at said auxiliary reflector portion of said reflective element assembly, and wherein said receiving portion is configured to at least partially receive said wide angle mirror element.

19. The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 17, wherein at least one of (a) said illumination source of said illumination element is activated responsive to an object detection system of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said illumination element is activated responsive, at least in part, to said object detection system detecting an object present at or near the side of the equipped vehicle at which the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted, and (b) said illumination element is activated responsive to a turn signal indicator of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said illumination element is activated responsive, at least in part, to activation of a turn signal indicator at the side of the equipped vehicle at which the equipped exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted.