AUTOMOTIVE VISOR WITH ILLUMINATED MIRROR ASSEMBLY

• US 20060198123A1
• Filed: 03/01/2005
• Published: 09/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Automotive Components Group North America (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Radu, Bodgan
• Application Number:
  US10/906,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20060198123A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/135
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/0282 specially adapted for a courtesy mirror
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/252 Sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/64 for a single lighting device

Abstract

An illuminated mirror assembly for an automotive visor includes a mirror and a light-transmitting prism. The prism has a first portion exposed to a light source and a second portion positioned adjacent a reflective surface of the mirror. Light from the source is transmitted through the prism to illuminate objects positioned in front of the reflective surface. In one embodiment, the prism and a housing are integrally formed around the mirror in a two-shot molding operation.

Claims

1. An illuminated mirror assembly, comprising:

a mirror having a reflective surface; and

a light transmitting prism proximate said mirror, said prism having a first portion adapted to be exposed to a light source and a second portion disposed adjacent said reflective surface of said mirror, said second portion cooperating with said first portion to transmit light from the light source, through said prism, to a location adjacent said reflective surface.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing coupled to said mirror and supporting said mirror thereon.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein said housing and prism are formed from polymeric materials, and wherein said mirror is integrally molded to at least one of said housing and said prism.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 2, further comprising:

an aperture formed through said housing, adjacent said mirror;

said second portion of said prism extending though said aperture to thereby transmit light from the source to a location adjacent said reflective surface of said mirror.

5. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror is supported directly by said prism.

6. The mirror assembly of claim 5, wherein at least part of said prism is opaque.

7. The mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein said prism is formed from co-injected first and second polymeric materials, said first material having light transmitting characteristics and said second material being opaque.

8. The mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising said light source disposed proximate said first portion of said prism.

9. The mirror assembly of claim 8, wherein said light source is located directly behind said mirror, opposite said reflective surface.

10. An automotive sun visor, comprising:

a visor body;

an illuminated mirror assembly coupled to said visor body, said mirror assembly comprising;

a mirror having a reflective surface, and

a light transmitting prism proximate said mirror, said prism having a first portion and a second portion, said second portion disposed adjacent said reflective surface of said mirror; and

a light source disposed proximate said first portion of said prism;

said second portion of said prism cooperating with said first portion to transmit light from said light source, through said prism, to a location adjacent said reflective surface.

11. The visor of claim 10, further comprising:

a housing coupled to said mirror and supporting said mirror thereon.

12. A method of forming an illuminated mirror assembly, comprising:

affixing a light transmitting prism adjacent a mirror, with a first portion of the prism positioned behind a reflective surface of the mirror and a second portion disposed adjacent the reflective surface of the mirror; and

affixing a light source proximate the first portion of the prism.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein locating the light transmitting prism adjacent the mirror comprises:

placing the mirror in a mold; and

molding the prism adjacent the mirror.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

molding a housing adjacent the mirror and prism.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the housing and the prism are formed from the same material.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein molding the prism and molding the housing comprise:

molding one of the housing and prism during a first shot of a two-shot molding process; and

molding the other of the housing and prism during a second shot of the two-shot molding process.