Rearview mirror assembly with added feature modular display

• US 20020080021A1
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation Corporation of The State of Michigan
• Inventors: DeLine, Jonathan E., Lynam, Niall R., Uken, John T., Skiver, Timothy G., McCaw, Joseph P.
• Granted Patent: US 6,501,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/086 using a mirror angularly movable between a position of use and a non-glare position reflecting a dark field to the user, e.g. situated behind a transparent glass used as low-reflecting surface; Wedge-shaped 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 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0217 for loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 17/00 Systems with reflecting surfaces, with or without refracting elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/08 Mirrors vehicle mirrors involving special optical features B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/028 using properties of sound source
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles

Abstract

An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles includes a mirror case having a reflective element and a carrier positioned in the mirror case. The mirror case is adapted to mount to a vehicle. The reflective element includes a substrate, with a reflective coating on one side of the substrate, and a window therethrough. The carrier has a display element for displaying one or more indicia through the window to define a display area on the reflective element. The carrier comprises a plate member, with a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from the reflective element and from the first portion. The second portion includes the display element. Preferably, the interior rearview mirror assembly further includes at least one light assembly for displaying the indicia through said window so that it is visible to an occupant of the vehicle.

Claims

1. An interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles, said mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror case having a reflective element, said mirror case being adapted to mount to a vehicle, said reflective element including a substrate, a reflective coating on one side of said substrate and a window therethrough; and

a carrier positioned in said case, said carrier having a display element for displaying one or more indicia through said window to define a display area on said reflective element.

2. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said window is defined by a reflective coating free area on said substrate.

3. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said case further includes at least one of an electronic device and an electrical device being supported by said carrier.

4. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 3, wherein said device is mounted on a circuit board, said circuit board being supported by said carrier.

5. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said case includes a bezel.

6. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 5, wherein said rearview mirror assembly further includes a user actuatable interface having at least one user actuatable button, said button being located along said bezel.

7. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 6, wherein said carrier supports at least one switch for actuating a vehicle function, said carrier positioning said switch behind said button for actuation by said button.

8. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 6, wherein said user actuatable button comprises a resilient material.

9. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 8, wherein said resilient material comprises a silicone material.

10. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 6, wherein said actuatable interface includes a plurality of buttons.

11. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 7, wherein said switch is supported on a switch board, said switch board being supported by said carrier.

12. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises a plate member, said plate member having a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from said reflective element from said first portion, and said second portion including said display element.

13. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one light assembly for displaying said indicia visible through said window.

14. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said carrier supports a plurality of light assemblies for illuminating indicia on said display element visible through said window, each of said light assemblies being isolated from adjacent light assemblies wherein light leakage between the respective light assemblies is substantially reduced.

15. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 14, wherein said carrier includes a divider wall between each light assembly.

16. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 14, wherein said carrier includes a body with a plurality of cavities formed therein, a plurality of light sources associated with said cavities, and said display element extending over said body and over said cavities, said cavities together with said light sources forming said light assemblies and directing light from said light sources to said display element displaying said indicia.

17. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein each of said cavities includes at least one opening formed therein through which said light sources direct light to said display plate member, each of said openings having a reflecting surface associated therewith for diffusing the light from a respective light source associated therewith.

18. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 17, wherein said reflecting surfaces comprise curved reflecting surfaces.

19. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein said light sources comprise non-incandescent light sources.

20. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein said display element comprises a resinous polymeric plate member.

21. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, wherein said window comprises a trapezoidal-shaped window.

22. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 21, wherein said display element comprises a trapezoidal-shaped member.

23. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a frame mounted to said display element, said frame mounting said display element on to said carrier over said body and said cavities.

24. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein said frame includes a base wall mounted to said display element, said base wall including a plurality of openings corresponding to and aligning with said cavities of said body, said openings exposing areas of said display element, and said light assembly directing light to said areas of said display element for displaying said indicia.

25. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 24, wherein said frame includes recessed landing surfaces extending around each of said openings, said body including projecting perimeter walls around each of said cavities, said perimeter walls seating on said landing surfaces to isolate each cavity and each of said areas of said display plate to substantially reduce light leakage between the respective light assemblies.

26. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 16, said display element abutting said first surface of said reflective element and aligned with said window.

27. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 17, wherein said light sources are mounted on a circuit board, said circuit board being supported by said carrier, and said light sources being aligned with respective openings of said cavities.

28. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises a resinous polymeric member.

29. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said case includes a bottom wall and at least one light assembly positioned in said bottom wall of said case, and said carrier supporting a light source for said light assembly.

30. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said case includes a bottom wall, said bottom wall supporting a microphone module.

31. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit board mounted to said carrier, said circuit board supporting at least one of an electronic device and an electrical device.

32. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element.

33. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 32, further comprising an actuator, said actuator moving said reflective element between a day viewing orientation and a night viewing orientation with reduced reflectivity.

34. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element.

35. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 34, wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

37. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said at least one electronic and electrical device is mounted on a circuit board, said circuit board being supported by said carrier.

38. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said carrier comprises a plate member, said plate member having a first portion and a second portion offset rearwardly from said reflective element from said first portion, and said second portion including said light module.

39. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 38, wherein said light module includes a plurality of light assemblies, each of said light assemblies being isolated from adjacent light assemblies whereby light leakage is substantially reduced between the respective light assemblies.

40. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 39, wherein said light module includes a divider wall between each light assembly.

41. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 40, wherein said light module includes a body with a plurality of cavities formed therein, a plurality of light sources associated with said cavities, and a display element extending over said body and over said cavities, said cavities directing light from said light sources to said display element for displaying said indicia.

42. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 41, wherein said cavities include reflecting surfaces associated with each light source for diffusing the light from said light sources.

43. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 42, wherein said reflecting surfaces comprise curved reflecting surfaces.

44. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 42, wherein said light sources comprise non-incandescent light sources.

45. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 42, wherein said display element comprises a plastic element.

46. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 42, further comprising a frame mounted to said display element, said frame mounting said display element on to said carrier over said body and said cavities.

47. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 46, said display plate member abutting said first surface of said reflective element and aligned with said window.

48. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said case includes a bottom wall and at least one of a light assembly and a microphone module supported at said bottom wall.

49. The modular interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said reflective element comprises a prismatic reflective element.

50. The modular interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element.

51. The modular interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said case includes a bezel.

52. The modular interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 51, further comprising a riser actuator interface having at least one user actuatable button.

53. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 52, wherein said carrier supports at least one switch, said carrier positioning said switch behind said button for actuation by said button.

36. A interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles, said mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror case having a reflective element, said mirror case being adapted to mount to a vehicle, said reflective element including a substrate and a reflective coating on one side of said substrate, said reflective element further including a window through said reflective coating on said substrate; and

a carrier located in said case, said carrier having a display module for displaying one or more indicia through said window to define a display area on said reflective element, and said carrier supporting at least one of an electronic and electrical device.

54. A interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles, said mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror case having a prismatic reflective element; and

an actuator assembly for shifting the reflective element between a day viewing position and a night viewing position having a reduced reflectivity, said actuator assembly having a first member and a second member, said first member being adapted to mount said mirror case to a vehicle and having first and second portions, a second member being mounted to said mirror case and being pivotally mounted to said first portion of said first member and coupled to said second portion of said first member whereby pivoting of said second member about said first portion shifts said mirror case between said day viewing position and said night viewing position.

55. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 54, wherein said second member is biased against said second portion of said first member.

56. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein said second member is biased against said second portion by a spring.

57. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 56, wherein said spring comprises a coil spring and includes one end mounted to said first member and a second end mounted to said second member.

58. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 54, wherein said actuator assembly further includes an actuator handle, said actuator handle being supported by said second member, said actuator handle rotating about an axis of rotation between a day position and a night position, rotation of said actuator handle about said axis of rotation induces pivoting of said case about a pivot axis, and said axis of rotation being generally orthogonal to said pivot axis.

59. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 58, wherein said first member includes a downwardly depending member and said rotation of said actuator handle moves said second member with respect to said downwardly depending member to thereby pivot said case about said pivot axis.

60. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 58, said actuator assembly further includes a cam member, said actuator handle rotating said cam member about said axis of rotation, said cam member moving said second member with respect to said first member to thereby pivot said case between said day viewing position and said night viewing position.

61. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 60, wherein said cam member includes a transverse opening defining a guide path, said downwardly depending member extending into said transverse opening, said guide path having a first end and a second end, when said actuator handle pivots to said day position said cam member pivots to position said downwardly depending member at said first end, and when said actuator handle pivots to said night position said cam member pivots to position said downwardly depending member at said second end.

62. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein said second member includes a central opening, said first member positioned in said central opening.

63. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 55, wherein said mirror case includes a back wall, said second member being rigidly mounted to said back wall.

64. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 63, wherein said mirror case includes a plurality of projecting bosses on said back wall, said second member being mounted to said mounting bosses on said back wall.

65. A interior rearview mirror assembly for vehicles, said mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror case having a prismatic reflective element; and

an actuator assembly for shifting the reflective element between a day viewing position and a night viewing position having a reduced reflectivity, said actuator assembly having a first member and a second member, said first member being adapted to mount said mirror case to a vehicle, a second member being mounted to said mirror case and being pivotally mounted to said first member about a pivot axis, said first member having at least a portion thereof positioned within said second member to limit lateral movement of said second member to increase the stability of said mirror case on said first member, and whereby pivoting of said second member about said first portion shifts said mirror case between said day viewing position and said night viewing position.

66. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 65, wherein said second member is biased against said first member in a direction generally orthogonal to said pivot axis when said mirror case shifted to one of said day viewing position and said night viewing position.

67. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 66, wherein said second member is biased against said first member by a spring.

68. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 66, wherein said actuator assembly further includes an actuator handle, said actuator handle being supported by said second member, said actuator handle rotating about an axis of rotation between a day position and a night position, rotation of said actuator handle about said axis of rotation induces pivoting of said case about said pivot axis, and said axis of rotation being generally orthogonal to said pivot axis.

69. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 68, wherein said first member includes a downwardly depending member and said rotation of said actuator handle guides said second member with respect to said downwardly depending member to thereby pivot said case about said pivot axis.

70. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 68, wherein said actuator assembly further includes a cam member, said actuator handle rotating said cam member about said axis of rotation, said cam member moving said second member with respect to said first member to thereby pivot said case between said day viewing position and said night viewing position.

71. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 65, wherein said second member includes a central opening, said first member positioned in said central opening.

72. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 65, wherein said mirror case includes a back wall, said second member being rigidly mounted to said back wall.

73. The interior rearview mirror assembly according to claim 72, wherein said mirror case includes a plurality of projecting members on said back wall, said second member being mounted to said mounting members on said back wall.