FORWARD VIEW APPARATUS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

• US 20070183027A1
• Filed: 04/13/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Craig Macdougall
• Original Assignee: Craig Macdougall
• Inventors: MacDougall, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,344,258 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/365
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle

Abstract

Forward view apparatus (10) for a motor vehicle, to enable the driver of the vehicle to view an image of objects which are located forward of the apparatus (10), includes a housing (12) in which a rear view mirror (14) is located. A two-mirror arrangement (20, 24) within the housing (12) provides an image of objects forward of the assembly (10) in a viewing portal (16). The first mirror (20) is planar and adjustable. A second mirror (24) is fixed and has a curved reflecting surface. The reflecting surface of the fixed mirror (24) is aspheric, spherical, substantially spherical, parabolic or quasi-parabolic. A window (26) is provided on the forward side of the housing, to enable light to pass to the two-mirror arrangement (20, 24). A shutter (332) is able to close across the window (26) to prevent bright lights or other distracting images being seen by the driver.

Claims

1-4. -4. (canceled)

5. Forward view apparatus for a motor vehicle, which apparatus provides an image from a location forward of the apparatus, said image being able to be viewed by a driver of said vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a two-mirror arrangement, and one of the mirrors of said two-mirror arrangement has a curved surface,

a window, and

a viewing portal, and

wherein light from a location forward of the assembly passes through the window and is reflected by said two-mirror arrangement through the viewing portal to eyes of the driver of the vehicle,

wherein said viewing portal is located on an inboard side of said apparatus,

wherein said viewing portal is adapted to be viewed through a structure of said vehicle, rather through a window of said vehicle, and

wherein an inboard one of said mirrors is located within the structure of said vehicle.

8. Forward view apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said structure is one of a mounting plate and body portion between a window and a main portion of a door of said vehicle.

9. Forward view apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said portal provides communication between an interior of said vehicle and an interior of said apparatus, such that ambient temperature of the interior of said vehicle influences temperature of the interior of said apparatus.

15. Forward view apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an arrangement to produce, when said vehicle is in forward motion, an air flow across said window for removal of water and other material and the prevention of adhering of water and other material to said window.

16. Forward view apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said arrangement includes a construction to produce two intersecting air flows.

17. Forward view apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said construction employs a venturi effect in the production of an air flow.

18. Forward view apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said arrangement includes a first channel for directing air across said window.

19. Forward view apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said arrangement also includes a second channel utilising the venturi effect to induce air to flow from an outer surface of said window, such that the air flow produced by said first channel is enhanced.

20. Forward view apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said second channel is located generally on an outer side of said apparatus, and air flow created by forward movement of said vehicle is generally tangential to said second channel.

21. Forward view apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising an additional cleaning arrangement to clean at least one of:

said window and

at least one reflector.

22. Forward view apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said additional cleaning arrangement includes at least one of:

a wiper of the type used as a windscreen wiper, and

a device to apply a fluid to the outer surface of said window.

6-7. -7. (canceled)

10-14. -14. (canceled)

23-26. -26. (canceled)