Vehicle exterior mirror system with signal light

• US 20030206417A1
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: van de Ven, Michiel P., Mousseau, Rick, Lynam, Niall R., Whitehead, Peter J., Pastrick, Todd W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,168,830 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/494
• 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 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• 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 21/12 which protect the occupants against personal attack from the inside or the outside of the vehicle

Abstract

An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a signal light that provides an advanced notification system to approaching vehicles that the driver of the vehicle intends to turn or make a lane change. The exterior mirror assembly includes a housing with a reflective element and a positioning device for adjusting the position of the reflective element in the housing, and at least one signal light positioned in the housing. The signal light includes a light source and a light conduiting member which is adapted to project a pattern of light from the housing and yet restrict light from extending into the vehicle so that a driver seated in the vehicle does not directly-observe the pattern of light. The light source may be provided by a light pipe which is optically coupled to a remote light source located, for example, in the vehicle. Preferably, the pattern of light extends rearwardly, forwardly, and laterally from the vehicle. In one form, the light conduiting member includes a light input surface on one end and at least one light emitting surface for directing light outwardly from the housing of the exterior mirror assembly. In another form, the exterior mirror assembly incorporates a signal light which includes a plurality of reflective surfaces for directing light forwardly, rearwardly, and laterally from the vehicle but restricts light from entering into the vehicle and distracting the driver. In yet another form, the exterior mirror assembly includes a powerfold mirror system which incorporates a security light in either the folding portion or non-folding portion of the powerfold mirror system.

Claims

1. An exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element, a housing for said reflective element, and a positioning device for adjustably positioning said reflective element in said housing, said exterior mirror assembly being adapted to mount to the vehicle, and said exterior mirror assembly further including at least one signal light, said signal light having a light source and a light conduiting member, said light conduiting member being oriented for facing at least rearward of the vehicle and being adapted to project a pattern of light from said exterior mirror assembly and to restrict light from extending into the vehicle so that a driver seated in the vehicle does not directly observe said pattern of light, said pattern of light extending at least rearwardly and laterally from the vehicle to provide a side marker for the vehicle, and said signal light being fixedly positioned in said assembly whereby movement of said reflective element is independent of said signal light.

2. The exterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein said pattern of light comprises amber colored light.

3. The exterior mirror system of claim 2, wherein said amber colored light is provided by at least one of an amber light source and an amber filtering lens.

4. The exterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises an incandescent lamp.

5. The exterior mirror system of claim 4, wherein said incandescent lamp comprises a halogen lamp.

6. The exterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises one of an incandescent fuse lamp, a vacuum florescent lamp, a light emitting diode, and a light pipe.

7. The exterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein said light conduiting member including a light input surface and a light emitting surface.

8. The exterior mirror system of claim 7, where at least a portion of said light emitting surface is generally orthogonal to said light input surface.

9. The exterior mirror system of claim 8, wherein said light conduiting member includes a first side, a first end and a second side, said first side defining said light emitting surface and being positioned for facing generally outward from said exterior mirror assembly, said first end defining said light input surface, and said second side defining a plurality of internal light reflecting surfaces which are arranged to reflect light from said light source through said first side of said light conduiting member in said light pattern.

10. The exterior mirror system of claim 9, wherein said light pattern includes a plurality of light regions, each of said light regions having a first leading edge generally parallel with said vehicle and a second leading edge generally angled away from said vehicle.

11. The exterior mirror system of claim 9, wherein said internal light reflecting surfaces are generally angled surfaces forming a stepped profile for said light conduiting member.

12. The exterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein said light conduiting member comprises a plastic light conduiting member.

13. The exterior mirror system of claim 12, wherein said plastic light conduiting member comprises a polycarbonate light conduiting member.

14. The exterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises one of a light emitting diode and a laser diode.

15. The exterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein said light conduiting member is positioned below said reflective element in said exterior mirror assembly.

16. The exterior mirror system of claim 7, wherein said light input surface and said light emitting surface form an acute angle therebetween.

17. The exterior mirror system of claim 16, wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of light conduiting portions, each of said light conduiting portions including a light input surface and a light emitting surface and first and second side walls, said first and second side walls providing internal light reflecting surfaces which direct light from said light source through said light conduiting portions and through said light emitting surfaces.

18. The exterior mirror system of claim 16, wherein said signal light includes a plurality of light sources, each of said light sources being associated with a light conduiting portion and being positioned to direct light into a respective light conduiting portion through a respective light input surface.

19. The exterior mirror system of claim 1, wherein said signal light includes a second light conduiting member, said second light conduiting member including a second light input surface and a second light emitting surface and being adapted to project a light pattern at least forwardly and laterally from the vehicle.

20. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 19, wherein said housing wall includes a front facing portion, said front facing portion facing the forward direction of the vehicle, and said second light conduiting member being positioned in said front facing portion and directing light at least forwardly and laterally of the vehicle.

21. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 20, wherein said second light conduiting member wraps around said outer portion of said housing for directing light laterally with respect to the vehicle for providing a side marker for the vehicle.

22. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 19, further comprising a second light source, said second light conduiting member including a light input surface and a light emitting surface, said light emitting surface following an outer surface of said front facing portion of said housing and at least a portion of said light emitting extending generally orthogonally to said light input surface, and said second light source being positioned adjacent said light input surface and projecting light into said second light conduiting member.

23. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 22, wherein said second light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal light reflecting surfaces on an opposed side from said light emitting surface for reflecting the light from said second light source and projecting the light from said second light source through said light emitting surface in said light pattern.

24. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 23, wherein said internal light reflecting surfaces of said second light pipe comprise a plurality of stepped faceted surfaces.

25. An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing having a rearward facing opening, a reflective element positioned in said rearward facing opening, and a positioning device for adjusting the position of said reflective element in said housing;

a light conduiting member supported in said assembly, said light conduiting member having at least one light emitting surface and a plurality of light input surfaces; and

a light source positioned generally adjacent said light input surfaces, said light source directing light into said light conduiting member, and said light conduiting member being adapted to redirect said light from said light source in a direction outwardly from said housing through said light emitting surface to produce a light pattern forwardly, rearwardly, and laterally from the vehicle and to restrict light from entering into the vehicle so that the driver of the vehicle does not directly observe said light pattern.

26. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 25, wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of light conduiting portions, each of said light conduiting portions having a respective light input surface and first and second side walls, first and second side walls defining internal light reflecting surfaces, said internal light reflecting surfaces directing the light from said light source through said light conduiting portions and through said light emitting surface.

27. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 26, wherein said internal light reflecting surfaces are generally planar surfaces and angled with respect to each other.

28. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 25, wherein said light conduiting member comprises a plastic light conduiting member.

29. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 28, wherein said plastic light conduiting member comprises one of a polycarbonate material and an acrylic material.

30. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 25, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light sources, each of said light sources corresponding to a respective light input surface of a respective light conduiting portion.

31. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 25, wherein said light conduiting member is positioned below said reflective element in said housing.

32. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 27, wherein said side walls include a reflective coating.

33. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 25, wherein said light conduiting member comprises a plurality of light conduiting portions, said light conduiting portions being interconnected and defining said light emitting surface.

34. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 25, further comprising a signal light housing, said light conduiting member being positioned in said housing.

35. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 34, wherein said light conduiting member and said housing are integrally formed.

36. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 34, wherein said mirror housing includes a slotted recess for receiving said signal light housing, said signal light housing being adapted to releasably mount to said mirror housing in said slotted recess.

37. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said slotted recess is positioned below said reflective element.

38. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 36, wherein said signal light housing is substantially positioned within said mirror housing.

39. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 38, wherein an outer surface of said signal light housing is generally flush with an outer surface of said mirror housing.

40. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 30, wherein each of said light input surfaces includes a recess for receiving a respective light emitting portion of a respective light source.

41. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 40, wherein said recesses comprise semi-cylindrical grooves.

42. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 26, wherein said light conduiting portions comprise radially spaced members, said radially spaced members being interconnected at their respective distal ends to define said light emitting surface.

43. An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a mirror housing having a reflective element and a positioning device for adjusting the position of said reflective element in said housing, said housing being adapted to mount to the vehicle; and

a signal light being incorporated in said assembly, said signal light including a light source and a reflector, said reflector including a plurality of faceted light reflecting surfaces for directing light from said light source forwardly, rearwardly, and laterally of the vehicle in a light pattern, said faceted reflecting surfaces being adapted to restrict light from extending into the vehicle so that a driver seated in the vehicle does not directly observe said light pattern.

44. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 43, wherein said light pattern comprises amber colored light.

45. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 43, wherein at least one of said faceted reflector surfaces comprises one of a planar reflective surface, a concave reflective surface, and a convex reflective surface.

46. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 45, wherein at least one of said faceted reflective surfaces comprises a concave reflective surface.

47. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 43, wherein each of said reflector surfaces comprises one of a polished metal, a vacuum metalized substrate, a mineral filled substrate, and a metal filled substrate.

48. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 47, wherein said substrate comprises one of a glass substrate and a plastic substrate.

49. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 43, wherein said signal light comprises a unitary module.

50. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 43, wherein said signal light is releasably mounted in said housing.

51. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 50, wherein said signal light is mounted in said housing by at least one of a fastener, a snap-in coupler, a key, and a track.

52. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 43, wherein said signal light includes a signal light housing, said signal light housing including a base for coupling said signal light housing to said mirror housing and supporting said light source and said reflector, and said signal light further including a cover extending over said base portion, said light source, and said reflector.

53. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 52, wherein said base includes a raised portion defining a mounting surface, said reflector positioned along said mounting surface, said light source being positioned adjacent said reflector whereby at least a portion of the light emitted from said light source is reflected by said reflector through said cover in said light pattern and yet is restricted from entering the vehicle by said reflector.

54. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 53, wherein said bottom wall portion of said mirror housing includes a stop, said signal light housing abutting said stop.

55. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 54, wherein said stop includes a lower stop surface, said cover being generally flush with said lower stop surface to provide a smooth aerodynamically contoured exterior mirror system.

56. An exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a powerfold exterior mirror system including a folding portion and a non-folding portion, said non-folding portion being adapted to mount to the vehicle, and said folding portion including a reflective element and being adapted to move between a normal operating position to a folded position; and

at least one security light substantially positioned in one of said folding portion and said non-folding portion, said security light being adapted to project a pattern of light from said exterior mirror assembly to create a lighted security zone in an area adjacent the vehicle.

57. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 56, wherein said security light is positioned in said folding portion of said exterior mirror assembly.

58. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 57, further comprising an actuator, said actuator adjusting the position of said security light in said folding portion when said folding portion moves to said folded position whereby the orientation of said lighted security zone remains substantially unaffected by the movement of said folding portion.

59. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 58, wherein said actuator comprises one of a gear, a belt drive, a servo-motor driver, and a cylinder.

60. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 59, wherein said actuator comprises a gear.

61. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 60, wherein said security light includes a housing, said housing includes a threaded collar, said gear engaging said threaded collar to thereby rotate said housing.

62. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 57, wherein said security light extends into said folding portion behind said reflective element.

63. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 62, further comprising a positioning device, said positioning device adjusting the orientation of said reflective element is said folding portion of said exterior mirror assembly.

64. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 56, wherein said security light has a security light housing, a light source, a light reflecting member supported in said security light housing, and a cover, said light reflecting member directing light from said light source through said cover.

65. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 64, wherein said cover is substantially flush with an outer surface of said one of said folding portion and said non-folding portion to reduce the aerodynamic drag of said security light.

66. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 64, wherein said cover comprises an optical lens.

67. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 64, wherein said cover comprises a Fresnel lens.

68. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 66, wherein said lens is selected from the group consisting of a diffusive optic lens, a diffractive optic lens, a refractive optic lens, a reflective optic lens, a holographic optic lens, a binary optic lens, a clear optic lens, and a sinusoidal optic lens.

69. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 64, wherein said cover is at least one of welded and adhesively attached to said housing of said security light.

70. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 64, wherein said security light housing comprises a material selected from one of a polycarbonate, polyester, nylon, acetal, polypropylene, and ABS.

71. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 64, wherein said light source comprises one of an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a vacuum florescent lamp, at least one light emitting diode, and a light pipe connectable with a light source in the vehicle.

72. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 64, wherein said reflecting member comprises one of a reflective metal, a vacuum metalized substrate, a reflector coated substrate, and a reflective metal filled substrate.

73. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 64, wherein said substrate comprises one of a glass substrate and a plastic substrate.

74. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 56, wherein said signal light comprises a unitary module.

75. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 74, wherein said unitary module includes at least one of a socket and electrical connection for coupling to the vehicle electrical system.

76. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 56, wherein said signal light is positioned in said non-folding portion of said exterior mirror assembly.

77. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 56, wherein said security light includes a housing, a light source positioned in said housing, a light reflecting member supported in said housing, and a cover, said light reflecting member directing light from said light source through said cover.

78. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 77, wherein said housing is substantially positioned in said non-folding portion.

79. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 78, wherein said cover is substantially flush with an outer surface of said non-folding portion to reduce the aerodynamic drag of said security light.

80. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 77, wherein said cover comprises one of a diffusive optic lens, a diffractive optic lens, a refractive optic lens, a reflective optic lens, a hollow graphic optic lens, a binary optic lens, a clear optic lens, and a sinusoidal optic lens.

81. The exterior mirror assembly according to claim 77, wherein said light source comprises one of an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a vacuum fluorescent lamp, at least one light emitting diode, and a light pipe connectable with a light source in the vehicle.

82. An exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element, a housing for said reflective element, and a positioning device for adjustably positioning said reflective element in said housing, said exterior mirror assembly being adapted to mount to the vehicle, and said exterior mirror assembly further including at least one signal light, said signal light being oriented for facing at least rearward of the vehicle and projecting a pattern of light from said exterior mirror assembly, said pattern of light at least providing advance warning to a driver of another vehicle passing in a blind spot of said reflective element that the driver of the vehicle equipped with said signal light intends to make a turn or lane change, said light pattern being restricted from extending into the vehicle so that a driver seated in the vehicle does not directly observe said pattern of light, said pattern of light extending rearwardly from the vehicle, and said signal light being fixedly positioned in said assembly whereby movement of said reflective element is independent of said signal light.

83. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said pattern of light further extends laterally from the vehicle to provide a side marker for the vehicle.

84. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said pattern of light comprises amber colored light.

85. The exterior mirror system of claim 84, wherein said amber colored light is provided by at least one of an amber light source and an amber filtering lens.

86. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said pattern of light comprises one of a red light and a red-amber light.

87. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 86, wherein said one of red light and red-amber light is provided by at least one of a red light source, a red-amber light source, a red filtering lens, and a red-amber filtering lens.

88. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said signal light includes a light source comprising one of an incandescent lamp, a vacuum fluorescent lamp, a light emitting diode, and a light pipe.

89. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said assembly further includes a security light projecting light on at least a first area adjacent a first portion of the vehicle in order to create a first lighted security zone in said first area.

90. The exterior mirror system of claim 89, further including an actuator for said security light, a base unit in the vehicle, and a remote transmitter, wherein said base unit is responsive to a signal from said remote transmitter in order to actuate said security light to thereby establish a security zone when approaching the vehicle.

91. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said exterior mirror assembly comprises a powerfold exterior mirror assembly.

92. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said exterior mirror assembly comprises a break-away exterior mirror assembly.

93. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said signal light comprises an incandescent light source.

94. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said signal light comprises a light emitting diode light source.

95. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said signal light is substantially water impervious.

96. The exterior mirror system of claim 95, wherein said signal light comprises a serviceable light source.

97. The exterior mirror system of claim 82, wherein said signal light comprises a modular turn signal.