Vehicle exterior mirror system with signal light

• US 20070109804A1
• Filed: 01/03/2007
• Published: 05/17/2007
• 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: Mousseau, Rick, Whitehead, Peter, Pastrick, Todd, Lynam, Niall, van de Ven, Michiel
• Granted Patent: US 7,377,675 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 or security light that provides illumination at a side of the vehicle. The exterior mirror assembly includes a housing with a reflective element, and may include a positioning device for adjusting the position of the reflective element in the housing. The signal light includes a light source and may be adapted to project light from a non-folding portion or support member of the mirror housing.

Claims

1. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a folding portion;

a reflective element supported by said folding portion and arranged in a rearwardly facing direction;

a non-folding portion adapted to fixedly mount to the vehicle body, said non-folding portion having an opening, said folding portion being attached to an outboard end of said non-folding portion; and

a light transmitting lens disposed at said opening of said non-folding portion, said lens enabling light to project from said interior of said non-folding portion to an exterior of said non-folding to illuminate a predetermined area in proximity to the vehicle.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising a housing having a light source therein, said housing being secured within said non-folding portion and said light source being operable to generate light for projection through said lens.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, said light source being secured within the vehicle and said light source being operable to generate a light for projection through said lens; and

a light path traversing between said lens and said light source, said light path transporting light between said light source and said lens.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 3, wherein said light path includes a reflective element for reflecting light from said light source in the direction of said lens.

5. The mirror assembly of claim 3 further comprising a sail formed integrally with said non-folding portion, said sail securing said non-folding portion to the vehicle.

6. The mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising a sail formed integrally with said non-folding portion for securing said non-folding portion to said vehicle.

7. The mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a light assembly including a housing having said light source therein, said light source being secured within the vehicle and said light source being operable to generate a light for projection through said lens; and

a light path integrally formed in said non-folding portion and traversing between said lens and said light source, said light path transporting light between said light source and said lens.

8. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a housing;

a reflective mirror supported by said housing and arranged in a rearwardly facing direction;

a fixed portion having an outboard end attached to said housing and an inboard end secured to an outer surface of a vehicle, said fixed portion including an opening;

a sail attached to said inboard end of said fixed portion, said sail securing said fixed portion to the vehicle;

a light transmitting lens disposed in said opening of said fixed portion, said lens enabling light to project from an interior of said fixed portion to an exterior of said fixed portion to illuminate a predetermined area in proximity to the vehicle.

9. The mirror assembly of claim 8 further comprising a light assembly housing having a light source therein, said light assembly housing being secured within said fixed portion and said light source being operable to generate a light for projection through said lens.

10. The mirror assembly of claim 8 further comprising:

a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, said light source being secured within the vehicle and said light source being operable to generate a light for projection through said lens; and

a light path traversing between said lens and said light source, said light path transporting light between said light source and said lens.

11. The mirror assembly of claim 10 wherein said light path includes a reflective element for reflecting light from said light source in the direction of said lens.

12. The mirror assembly of claim 8 wherein said lens is arranged at said opening so as to be substantially flush with an outer surface of said fixed portion.

13. The mirror assembly of claim 8 further comprising:

a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, said light source being secured within the vehicle and said light source being operable to generate a light for projection through said lens; and

a light path integrally formed in said fixed portion and traversing between said lens and said light source, said light path transporting light between said light source and said lens.

14. The mirror assembly of claim 8 further comprising:

a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, said light source being secured within the vehicle and said light source being operable to generate a light for projection through said lens; and

a light path traversing between said lens and said light source, said light path transporting light between said light source and said lens.

15. An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror system comprising:

a housing;

a reflective mirror supported by said housing and arranged in a rearwardly facing direction;

a fixed portion having an outboard end attached to said mirror housing and an inboard end adapted to be secured to an outer surface of a motor vehicle, said fixed portion including an opening;

a light transmitting lens disposed in said opening of said fixed portion, said lens enabling light to project from an interior of said fixed portion to an exterior of said fixed portion to illuminate a predetermined area in proximity to the vehicle; and

a light assembly including a light housing having a light source disposed therein, said light source being operable to generate light for projection through said lens, said light source being operable to project light through said fixed portion in a plurality of directions;

a control circuit, said control circuit receiving an input and generating an output in accordance with the input, wherein said output controls activation of said light source, wherein said control circuit receives said input from at least two of a door lock sensor, an interior light circuit, a folded mirror sensor, a gear selector, a timer, a proximity sensor, a remote transmitting device, a turn signal circuit, a timeout circuit and a brake circuit.

16. An exterior rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a housing;

a reflective mirror supported by the housing and arranged in a rearwardly facing direction;

a support member having an outboard end attached to the housing and an inboard end secured to an outer surface of a motor vehicle, the support member including an opening; and

a light transmitting lens disposed in the opening of the support member, the lens enabling light to project from an interior of the support member to an exterior of the support member to illuminate a predetermined area in proximity to the motor vehicle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the support member and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the motor vehicle and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens; and

a light path traversing between the lens and the light assembly housing, the light path transporting light between the light source and the lens.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the light path includes a reflective element for reflecting light from the light source in the direction of the lens.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a sail formed integrally with the support member, the sail securing the support member to the motor vehicle.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a sail formed integrally with the support member for securing the support member to the motor vehicle.

22. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the motor vehicle and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens; and

a light path integrally formed in the support member and traversing between the lens and the light assembly housing, the light path transporting light between the light source and the lens.

23. An exterior rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a housing;

a reflective mirror supported by the housing and arranged in a rearwardly facing direction;

a support member having an outboard end attached to the housing and an inboard end secured to an outer surface of a motor vehicle, the support member including an opening;

a sail attached to the inboard end of the support member, the sail securing the support member to the motor vehicle; and

a light transmitting lens disposed in the opening of the support member, the lens enabling light to project from an interior of the support member to an exterior of the support member to illuminate a predetermined area in proximity to the motor vehicle.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the support member and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising:

a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the motor vehicle and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens; and

a light path traversing between the lens and the light assembly housing, the light path transporting light between the light source and the lens.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the light path includes a reflective element for reflecting light from the light source in the direction of the lens.

27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the lens forms a smooth contour in the opening.

28. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising:

a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the motor vehicle and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens; and

a light path integrally formed in the support member and traversing between the lens and the light assembly housing, the light path transporting light between the light source and the lens.

29. The apparatus of claim 23 further comprising:

a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the motor vehicle and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens; and

a light path traversing between the lens and the light assembly housing, the light path transporting light between the light source and the lens.

30. An exterior rear view mirror system comprising:

a housing;

a reflective mirror supported by the housing and arranged in a rearwardly facing direction;

a support member having an outboard end attached to the housing and an inboard end secured to an outer surface of a motor vehicle, the support member including an opening;

a light transmitting lens disposed in the opening of the support member, the lens enabling light to project from an interior of the support member to an exterior of the support member to illuminate a predetermined area in proximity to the motor vehicle;

a light assembly including a housing having a light source therein, the light assembly housing being secured within the mirror housing and the light source being operable to generate a light for projection through the lens, the light source being adjustable to project light through the support in a plurality of directions;

a switch for selectively activating the light source; and

a control circuit, the control circuit receiving an input and generating an output in accordance with the input, wherein the output controls activation of the switch, wherein the control circuit receives input from at least two of a door lock sensor, and interior light sensor, a hazard light sensor, a reverse light sensor, a folded mirror sensor, a hood sensor, an approach light switch, a gear selector, a timer, a proximity sensor, and an alarm sensor.

31. 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 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.

32. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 31, wherein said signal light comprises a unitary module.

33. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 32, wherein said unitary module includes at least one of a socket and electrical connection for coupling to the vehicle electrical system.

34. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 31, 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.

35. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 34, wherein said housing is substantially positioned in said non-folding portion.

36. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 35, wherein said cover is substantially flush with an outer surface of said non-folding portion to reduce the aerodynamic drag of said security light.

37. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 34, wherein said cover comprises one of a difflusive 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.

38. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 34, 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.

39. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 34, wherein said cover comprises an optical lens.

40. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 34, wherein said cover comprises a Fresnel lens.

41. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 34, wherein said cover is at least one of welded and adhesively attached to said housing of said security light.

42. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 34, wherein said security light housing comprises a material selected from one of a polycarbonate, polyester, nylon, acetal, polypropylene, and ABS.

43. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 34, wherein said reflecting member comprises one of a reflective metal, a vacuum metalized substrate, a reflector coated substrate, and a reflective metal filled substrate.

44. The exterior mirror assembly of claim 34, wherein said reflecting member comprises one of a glass substrate and a plastic substrate.