Outside Rear-View Mirror for Vehicle

• US 20070285936A1
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: FICO Mirrors SA (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: FICO Mirrors SA (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Saccagno Becacci, Andrea
• Application Number:
  US11/665,532
• Publication Number:
  US 20070285936A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens

Abstract

The invention relates to an outside rear-view mirror for a vehicle. The invention comprises at least one mirror that is surrounded by at least one mirror casing which is supported in a frame that is articulated to a base member which is designed to be fixed to the vehicle. According to the invention, the mirror can be seen by the occupant of the vehicle, such as to provide same with a directly-reflected image which forms a direct field of vision. The aforementioned base member comprises a first cover segment which can be joined to the first cover segment, said assembly forming a casing comprising an opening in which an image detector device is disposed. The image detector captures an image outside of the direct field of vision through the opening, which can be transmitted to the driver.

Claims

1. Outside rear-view mirror for vehicle, which comprises at least one mirror (2) surrounded by at least one mirror casing (4) supported by a frame articulately connected to a base member (5) that is adapted to be fastened to the vehicle, said mirror (2) being visible to the occupant of the vehicle to provide him or her with an image that is directly reflected therein and which constitutes a direct field of vision, characterised in that said base member comprises a first cover portion (7) joined thereto and a second cover portion (8) that can be joined to said first cover portion, this assembly constituting a casing (6) with an opening (10) inside which an image-detecting device (11) is disposed that captures, through said opening, an image that is outside said direct field of vision, which can be transmitted to the driver.

2. Rear-view mirror, according to claim 1, characterised in that the casing (6) can be replaced by substituting the second cover portion (8) for another cover (12) that gives said structural portion an alternative configuration, without an opening and with a smaller volume.

3. Rear-view mirror, according to claim 1, characterised in that said covers (7, 8) have complementary configurations in their contact areas that help to establish a stable connection between them.

4. Rear-view mirror, according to claim 1, characterised in that said base member (5) is adapted to be fastened directly to the vehicle bodywork and in that said casing (6) surrounds the member (5), which rests on the vehicle bodywork.

5. Rear-view mirror, according to claim 1, characterised in that said base member (5) consists of a triangular support that can be fastened to a front lower corner of a front window of the vehicle, an overhanging arm to which said mirror frame is connected stemming from said triangular support.

6. Rear-view mirror, according to claim 1, characterised in that a light-emitting device (13) is housed inside the casing (6), the light emitted being visible from outside through a second opening (14) provided in the casing (6).

7. Rear-view mirror, according to claim 6, characterised in that the second opening (14) in the casing (6) is in an area of said casing (6) facing the driver of the vehicle so that it can be seen directly.