Lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle

• US 20040156207A1
• Filed: 02/02/2004
• Published: 08/12/2004
• 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: Ven, Michiel P. van de, Mousseau, Rick, Whitehead, Peter J., Pastrick, Todd W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,083,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/487
• 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 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• 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 rearview mirror system for a vehicle comprises an exterior mirror assembly having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion is configured to mount to a side of the vehicle. The movable portion includes a reflective element and is movable about the fixed portion between a normal viewing position where the movable portion is extended outwardly from the vehicle and a folded position where the movable portion is folded toward the side of the vehicle. The exterior mirror assembly includes at least one light assembly projecting a light pattern from the exterior mirror assembly. A proximity detector is preferably provided that actuates a powerfold mechanism when the proximity detector detects an object so as to move the movable portion from the normal viewing position to the folded position.

Claims

1. A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly, said exterior mirror assembly comprising a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element;

a reflective element support member supporting said reflective element, said reflective element support member mounting to an actuator operable to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said actuator disposed at said second portion;

a turn signal indicator;

said turn signal indicator disposed adjacent to and separate from said reflective element, said turn signal indicator emitting a light beam at least generally laterally and rearwardly of the vehicle when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when said turn signal indicator is actuated;

said turn signal indicator adjusting in tandem with said reflective element upon adjustment of the rearward field of view of said reflective element;

said light beam substantially unobservable by the driver of the vehicle; and

wherein said light beam does not pass through said reflective element.

2. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a portion forming an apex.

3. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 2, wherein said apex is located at or near an outboard region of said second portion.

4. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 2, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a generally triangular shaped portion.

5. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said turn signal indicator includes an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said reflective element having an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said outer surface of said turn signal indicator being generally contiguous with said outer surface of said reflective element.

6. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a light conduiting member.

7. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 6, wherein said turn signal indicator further comprising a light source, said light source directing light into said conduiting member.

8. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 7, wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

9. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 8, wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

10. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 9, wherein said light conduiting member includes a portion with a stepped configuration to thereby form said internal reflective surfaces.

11. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 8, wherein said rearwardly facing surface is generally planar.

12. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 8, wherein said reflective element has an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said rearwardly facing surface of said light conduiting member being generally co-planar with said outer surface of said reflective element.

13. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 12, wherein said rearwardly facing surface of said light conduiting member forms a generally triangular shaped turn signal indicator.

14. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 6, wherein said reflective element support supports said light conduiting member.

15. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 14, wherein said reflective element support includes a member positioned between said light conduiting member and said reflective element.

16. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 14, wherein said support member includes adjacent recesses, a first of said recesses having said reflective element positioned therein, and a second of said recesses having said light conduiting member positioned therein.

17. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 16, wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a rearwardly facing surface forming said turn signal indicator, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

18. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 17, wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

19. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 18, wherein said rearwardly facing surface forms a triangular-shaped turn signal indicator.

20. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 19, wherein said rearwardly facing surface is a substantially continuous surface.

21. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said turn signal indicator includes a light source, said light source chosen from an incandescent source, a fluorescent source, and a light emitting diode.

22. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said second portion is movably connected to said first portion.

23. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 22, wherein said second portion is movably connected to said first portion by a connection chosen from at least one of a break-away connection and a power-fold connection.

24. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said reflective element support member comprises a plastic backing plate.

25. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 1, wherein said turn signal indicator is disposed in said second portion of said exterior mirror assembly at a location generally laterally outboard of an edge portion of said reflective element, said edge portion of said reflective element being closer to the side of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly is mounted than said outboard location of said turn signal indicator.

26. A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly, said exterior mirror assembly comprising a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element;

a reflective element support member supporting said reflective element, said reflective element support member mounting to an actuator operable to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said actuator disposed at said second portion;

a turn signal indicator;

said turn signal indicator disposed adjacent to and separate from said reflective element, said turn signal indicator emitting a light beam at least generally laterally and rearwardly of the vehicle when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when said turn signal indicator is actuated;

said turn signal indicator adjusting in tandem with said reflective element upon adjustment of the rearward field of view of said reflective element;

said light beam substantially unobservable by the driver of the vehicle;

wherein said light beam does not pass through said reflective element; and

wherein said turn signal indicator comprise a generally triangular shaped turn signal indicator.

27. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 26, wherein said triangular-shaped turn signal indicator includes an apex, said apex being located at or near an outboard region of said second portion.

28. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 27, wherein said turn signal indicator is disposed in said second portion of said exterior mirror assembly at a location generally laterally outboard of an edge portion of said reflective element, said edge portion of said reflective element being closer to the side of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly is mounted than said outboard location of said turn signal indicator.

29. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 26, wherein said turn signal indicator includes an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said reflective element having an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said outer surface of said turn signal indicator being generally contiguous with said outer surface of said reflective element.

30. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 26, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a light conduiting member.

31. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 30, wherein said turn signal indicator further comprises a light source, said light source directing light into said conduiting member.

32. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 31, wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

33. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 32, wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

34. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 33, wherein said light conduiting member includes a portion with a stepped configuration to thereby form said internal reflective surfaces.

35. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 32, wherein said rearwardly facing surface is generally planar.

36. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 32, wherein said reflective element has an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said rearwardly facing surface of said light conduiting member being generally co-planar with said outer surface of said reflective element.

37. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 36, wherein said rearwardly facing surface is generally planar.

38. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 30, wherein said reflective element support supports said light conduiting member.

39. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 38, wherein said reflective element support includes a member positioned between said light conduiting member and said reflective element.

40. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 38, wherein said support member includes adjacent recesses, a first of said recesses having said reflective element positioned therein, and a second of said recesses having said light conduiting member positioned therein.

41. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 40, wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a rearwardly facing surface forming said turn signal indicator, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

42. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 41, wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

43. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 42, wherein said rearwardly facing surface forms said triangular-shaped turn signal indicator.

44. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 43, wherein said rearwardly facing surface is a substantially continuous surface.

45. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 26, wherein said turn signal indicator includes a light source, said light source chosen from an incandescent source, a fluorescent source, and a light emitting diode.

46. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 26, wherein said second portion is movably connected to said first portion.

47. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 46, wherein said second portion is movably connected to said first portion by a connection chosen from at least one of a break-away connection and a power-fold connection.

48. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 26, wherein said reflective element support member comprises a plastic backing plate.

49. A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly, said exterior mirror assembly comprising a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element;

a reflective element support member supporting said reflective element, said reflective element support member mounting to an actuator operable to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said actuator disposed at said second portion;

a turn signal indicator;

said turn signal indicator disposed adjacent to and separate from said reflective element, said turn signal indicator emitting a light beam at least generally laterally and rearwardly of the vehicle when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when said turn signal indicator is actuated;

said turn signal indicator adjusting in tandem with said reflective element upon adjustment of the rearward field of view of said reflective element;

said light beam substantially unobservable by the driver of the vehicle;

wherein said light beam does not pass through said reflective element; and

wherein said second portion is movably connected to said first portion by a connection chosen from at least one of a break-away connection and a power-fold connection.

50. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 49, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a portion forming an apex.

51. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 50, wherein said apex is located at or near an outboard region of said second portion.

52. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 49, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a generally triangular shaped portion.

53. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 49, wherein said turn signal indicator includes an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said reflective element having an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said outer surface of said turn signal indicator being generally contiguous with said outer surface of said reflective element.

54. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 49, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a light conduiting member.

55. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 54, wherein said turn signal indicator further comprising a light source, said light source directing light into said conduiting member.

56. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 55, wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

57. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 56, wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

58. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 57, wherein said light conduiting member includes a portion with a stepped configuration to thereby form said internal reflective surfaces.

59. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 56, wherein said rearwardly facing surface is generally planar.

60. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 56, wherein said reflective element has an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said rearwardly facing surface of said light conduiting member being generally co-planar with said outer surface of said reflective element.

61. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 60, wherein said rearwardly facing surface of said light conduiting member forms a generally triangular shaped turn signal indicator.

62. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 54, wherein said reflective element support supports said light conduiting member.

63. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 62, wherein said reflective element support includes a member positioned between said light conduiting member and said reflective element.

64. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 63, wherein said support member includes adjacent recesses, a first of said recesses having said reflective element positioned therein, and a second of said recesses having said light conduiting member positioned therein.

65. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 64, wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a rearwardly facing surface forming said turn signal indicator, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

66. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 65, wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

67. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 66, wherein said rearwardly facing surface forms a triangular-shaped turn signal indicator.

68. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 67, wherein said rearwardly facing surface is a substantially continuous surface.

69. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 49, wherein said turn signal indicator includes a light source, said light source chosen from an incandescent source, a fluorescent source, and a light emitting diode.

70. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 49, wherein said reflective element support member comprises a plastic backing plate.

71. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 49, wherein said turn signal indicator is disposed in said second portion of said exterior mirror assembly at a location generally laterally outboard of an edge portion of said reflective element, said edge portion of said reflective element being closer to the side of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly is mounted than said outboard location of said turn signal indicator.

72. A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly, said exterior mirror assembly comprising a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element;

a reflective element support member supporting said reflective element, said reflective element support member mounting to an actuator operable to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said actuator disposed at said second portion;

a turn signal indicator;

said turn signal indicator disposed adjacent to and separate from said reflective element, said turn signal indicator emitting a light beam at least generally laterally and rearwardly of the vehicle when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when said turn signal indicator is actuated;

said turn signal indicator adjusting in tandem with said reflective element upon adjustment of the rearward field of view of said reflective element;

said light beam substantially unobservable by the driver of the vehicle;

wherein said light beam does not pass through said reflective element;

wherein said second portion is movably connected to said first portion by a connection chosen from at least one of a break-away connection and a power-fold connection; and

wherein said turn signal indicator is disposed in said second portion of said exterior mirror assembly at a location generally laterally outboard of an edge portion of said reflective element, said edge portion of said reflective element being closer to the side of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly is mounted than said outboard location of said turn signal indicator.

73. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 72, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a portion forming an apex.

74. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 73, wherein said apex is located at or near an outboard region of said second portion.

75. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 73, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a generally triangular shaped portion.

76. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 72, wherein said turn signal indicator includes an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said reflective element having an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said outer surface of said turn signal indicator being generally contiguous with said outer surface of said reflective element.

77. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 72, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a light conduiting member.

78. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 77, wherein said turn signal indicator further comprises a light source, said light source directing light into said conduiting member.

79. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 78, wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

80. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 79, wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

81. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 80, wherein said light conduiting member includes a portion with a stepped configuration to thereby form said internal reflective surfaces.

82. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 81, wherein said rearwardly facing surface is generally planar.

83. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 79, wherein said reflective element has an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said rearwardly facing surface of said light conduiting member being generally co-planar with said outer surface of said reflective element.

84. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 79, wherein said rearwardly facing surface of said light conduiting member forms a generally triangular shaped turn signal indicator.

85. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 77, wherein said reflective element support supports said light conduiting member.

86. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 85, wherein said reflective element support includes a member positioned between said light conduiting member and said reflective element.

87. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 72, wherein said support member includes adjacent recesses, a first of said recesses having said reflective element positioned therein, and a second of said recesses having said turn signal indicator positioned therein.

88. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 87, wherein said turn signal indicator comprises a light conduiting member, said light conduiting member including a light input portion and a rearwardly facing surface forming said turn signal indicator, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

89. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 88, wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.

90. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 89, wherein said rearwardly facing surface forms a triangular-shaped turn signal indicator.

91. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 90, wherein said rearwardly facing surface is a substantially continuous surface.

92. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 72, wherein said turn signal indicator includes a light source, said light source chosen from an incandescent source, a fluorescent source, and a light emitting diode.

93. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to claim 72, wherein said reflective element support member comprises a plastic backing plate.