VEHICULAR EXTERIOR MIRROR

• US 20080094685A1
• Filed: 12/17/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dornan, Craig, Agrawal, Anoop, Allemand, Pierr-Marc, Zhao, Mingtang, Varaprasad, Desaraju, Lynam, Niall
• Granted Patent: US 7,589,883 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/267
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/06 comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10697 being cross-linked
• 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 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1007 Non-condensed systems
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1011 Condensed systems
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1014 bridged by heteroatoms, e.g. N, P, Si or B
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1029 containing one nitrogen atom as the heteroatom
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1033 with oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1037 with sulfur
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 9/02 Organic tenebrescent materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1503 caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1516 comprising organic material
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15165 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1502 complementary cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1518 : Ferrocene compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/58 : Arrangements comprising a monitoring photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/022 : polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24785 : including layer embodying mechanically interengaged strands, strand portions or strand-like strips [e.g., weave, knit, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/26 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31551 : Of polyamidoester [polyurethane, polyisocyanate, polycarbamate, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31649 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31678 : Of metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31935 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0419 : By distorting within elastic limit

Abstract

An exterior mirror suitable for use in a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a reflective mirror element having a light transmitting substrate with a mirror reflector having a metallic reflective layer coated thereon. A visual indicator display is disposed to the rear of the light transmitting substrate and actuated to emit light when powered. Light emitted by light sources of the display passes through the light transmitting substrate so as to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the reflective mirror element. The mirror element has portions of the metallic reflective layer at least partially removed by laser scribing to establish at least partially light transmissive portions of the mirror reflector so that light emitted by light sources, when powered, passes through the respective at least partially light transmissive portions to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of the reflective mirror element.

Claims

1. An exterior mirror suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior mirror comprising:

a reflective mirror element having a front side and a rear side;

said reflective mirror element comprising a mirror reflector coated onto a light-transmitting substrate, said mirror reflector comprising a metallic reflective layer;

a visual indicator display disposed to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate;

said visual indicator display being part of a display system of a vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to an indication system of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said light-transmitting substrate to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein said visual indicator display comprises at least a first light source at a first location to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate and a second light source at a second location to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate and wherein said first location is proximate to and spaced from said second location;

wherein a first portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed by laser scribing at said first location in order to establish an at least partially light transmissive first portion of the mirror reflector at said first location so that light emitted by said first light source, when powered, passes through said at least partially light transmissive first portion of the mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of said reflective mirror element; and

wherein a second portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed by laser scribing at said second location in order to establish an at least partially light transmissive second portion of the mirror reflector at said second location so that light emitted by said second light source, when powered, passes through said at least partially light transmissive second portion of the mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of said reflective mirror element.

2. The exterior mirror according to claim 1, wherein said first light source comprises at least one light emitting diode and said second light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

3. The exterior mirror according to claim 2, wherein a first portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least substantially removed by laser scribing at said first location in order to establish a highly light transmissive first portion of said exterior mirror at said first location and wherein a second portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least substantially removed by laser scribing at said second location in order to establish a highly light transmissive second portion of said exterior mirror at said second location.

4. The exterior mirror according to claim 3, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is modulated in accordance with the light level surrounding the vehicle.

5. The exterior mirror according to claim 4, wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a portion of an exterior electrochromic mirror, and wherein said electrochromic mirror comprises an electrochromic medium disposed in a cavity between a front substrate and said reflective mirror element, and wherein said electrochromic medium disposed in said cavity between said front substrate and said reflective mirror element contacts said mirror reflector and wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is adjusted as a function of the reflectance level of said exterior electrochromic exterior mirror.

6. The exterior mirror according to claim 2, wherein said metallic reflective layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, palladium, platinum, titanium, gold, chromium, silver and steel.

7. The exterior mirror according to claim 2, wherein said visual indicator display comprises part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the vehicle equipped with said reflective mirror element.

8. The exterior mirror according to claim 1, wherein said visual indicator display displays, when actuated, an indication of detection by a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror.

9. The exterior mirror according to claim 8, wherein another visual indicator display is disposed to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate, said another visual indicator display being part of a turn signaling system of the vehicle wherein said another visual indicator display is actuated to emit light upon actuation by the driver of a turn signal of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror and wherein light emitted by said another visual indicator display passes through said light-transmitting substrate.

10. The exterior mirror according to claim 8, wherein a first portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least substantially removed at said first location by laser scribing in order to establish a highly light transmissive first portion of said exterior mirror at said first location and wherein a second portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least substantially removed by laser scribing at said second location in order to establish a highly light transmissive second portion of said exterior mirror at said second location.

11. The exterior mirror according to claim 1, wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a portion of an exterior electrochromic mirror, and wherein said electrochromic mirror comprises an electrochromic medium disposed in a cavity between a front substrate and said reflective mirror element, and wherein said electrochromic medium disposed in said cavity between said front substrate and said reflective mirror element contacts said mirror reflector and wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of a urethane and an acrylate.

12. The exterior mirror according to claim 1, wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a portion of an exterior electrochromic mirror, and wherein said electrochromic mirror comprises an electrochromic medium disposed in a cavity between a front substrate and said reflective mirror element, and wherein said electrochromic medium disposed in said cavity between said front substrate and said reflective mirror element contacts said mirror reflector.

13. The exterior mirror according to claim 1, wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a portion of an exterior electrochromic mirror, and wherein said electrochromic mirror comprises an electrochromic medium disposed in a cavity between a front substrate and said reflective mirror element, and wherein said electrochromic medium disposed in said cavity between said front substrate and said reflective mirror element contacts said mirror reflector and comprises a plasticized cross-linked polymeric solid film, said cross-linked solid polymeric film formed from a monomer composition.

14. The exterior mirror according to claim 1, wherein said visual indicator display comprises part of a turn signaling system of the vehicle and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light upon actuation by the driver of a turn signal of the vehicle and wherein light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said light-transmitting substrate.

15. The exterior mirror according to claim 1, wherein said visual indicator display comprises an assembly capable of displaying multiple display functions.

16. The exterior mirror according to claim 15, wherein said multiple display functions comprise at least a turn signal indication function.

17. The exterior mirror according to claim 15, wherein said multiple display functions comprise at least a blind spot detection indication function.

18. The exterior mirror according to claim 15, wherein said multiple display functions comprise both a turn signal indication function and a blind spot detection indication function.

19. The exterior mirror according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first light source and said second light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

20. An exterior mirror suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior mirror comprising:

a reflective mirror element having a front side and a rear side;

said reflective mirror element comprising a mirror reflector coated onto a light-transmitting substrate, said mirror reflector comprising a metallic reflective layer;

a visual indicator display disposed to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate;

said visual indicator display being part of a display system of a vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to an indication system of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said light-transmitting substrate to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein said visual indicator display comprises at least a first light source at a first location to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate and a second light source at a second location to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate and wherein said first location is proximate to and spaced from said second location;

wherein a first portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed by laser scribing at said first location in order to establish an at least partially light transmissive first portion of the mirror reflector at said first location so that light emitted by said first light source, when powered, passes through said at least partially light transmissive first portion of the mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of said reflective mirror element; and

wherein said visual indicator display comprises part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the vehicle equipped with said reflective mirror element.

21. The exterior mirror according to claim 20, wherein a second portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed by laser scribing at a second location in order to establish an at least partially light transmissive second portion of the mirror reflector at said second location so that light emitted by said second light source, when powered, passes through said at least partially light transmissive second portion of the mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of said reflective mirror element.

22. The exterior mirror according to claim 21, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is modulated in accordance with the light level surrounding the vehicle.

23. The exterior mirror according to claim 20, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is modulated in accordance with the light level surrounding the vehicle.

24. An exterior mirror suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior mirror comprising:

a reflective mirror element having a front side and a rear side;

said reflective mirror element comprising a mirror reflector coated onto a light-transmitting substrate, said mirror reflector comprising a metallic reflective layer;

a visual indicator display disposed at a first location to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate;

said visual indicator display being part of a display system of a vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to an indication system of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein said visual indicator display comprises at least one light emitting diode;

wherein light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said light-transmitting substrate to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein at least one of (a) a portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed by laser scribing local said first location in order to establish an at least partially light transmissive portion of the mirror reflector local said first location so that light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode of said visual indicator display passes through said at least partially light transmissive portion of the mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of said reflective mirror element and (b) a portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least substantially removed by laser scribing local said first location in order to establish a highly light transmissive portion of the mirror reflector local said first location so that light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode of said visual indicator display passes through said highly light transmissive portion of the mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of said reflective mirror element; and

wherein said visual indicator display comprises part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the vehicle equipped with said reflective mirror element.

25. The exterior mirror according to claim 24, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is modulated in accordance with the light level surrounding the vehicle.

26. The exterior mirror according to claim 25, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is modulated in accordance with the light level surrounding the vehicle sensed by a light sensor.

27. An exterior mirror suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior mirror comprising:

a reflective mirror element having a front side and a rear side;

said reflective mirror element comprising a mirror reflector coated onto a light-transmitting substrate, said mirror reflector comprising a metallic reflective layer;

a visual indicator display disposed at a first location to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate;

said visual indicator display being part of a display system of a vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to an indication system of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein said visual indicator display comprises at least one light source;

wherein light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said light-transmitting substrate to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror; and

wherein a plurality of portions of said metallic reflective layer are at least substantially removed by laser scribing local said first location in order to establish a plurality of highly light transmissive portions of the mirror reflector local said first location that are proximate one another and spaced one from the other so that light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said highly light transmissive portions of the mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of said reflective mirror element.

28. The exterior mirror according to claim 27, wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

29. The exterior mirror according to claim 28, wherein said visual indicator display comprises part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the vehicle equipped with said reflective mirror element.

30. The exterior mirror according to claim 29, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is modulated in accordance with the light level surrounding the vehicle.

31. The exterior mirror according to claim 27, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

32. The exterior mirror according to claim 27, wherein said visual indicator display comprises an assembly capable of displaying multiple display functions.

33. The exterior mirror according to claim 32, wherein said multiple display functions comprise at least a turn signal indication function.

34. The exterior mirror according to claim 32, wherein said multiple display functions comprise at least a blind spot detection indication function.

35. The exterior mirror according to claim 32, wherein said multiple display functions comprise both a turn signal indication function and a blind spot detection indication function.

36. The exterior mirror according to claim 35, wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a portion of an exterior electrochromic mirror, and wherein said electrochromic mirror comprises an electrochromic medium disposed in a cavity between a front substrate and said reflective mirror element and wherein said electrochromic medium disposed in said cavity between said front substrate and said reflective mirror element contacts said mirror reflector.

37. The exterior mirror according to claim 36, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of a urethane and an acrylate.

38. An exterior mirror suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior mirror comprising:

a reflective mirror element having a front side and a rear side;

said reflective mirror element comprising a mirror reflector coated onto a light-transmitting substrate, said mirror reflector comprising a metallic reflective layer;

a visual indicator display disposed at a first location to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate;

said visual indicator display being part of a display system of a vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to an indication system of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein said visual indicator display comprises at least one light source;

wherein light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said light-transmitting substrate to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein a plurality of portions of said metallic reflective layer are at least substantially removed by laser scribing local said first location in order to establish a plurality of highly light transmissive portions of the mirror reflector local said first location that are proximate one another and spaced one from the other so that light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said highly light transmissive portions of the mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of said reflective mirror element;

wherein said visual indicator display comprises part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the vehicle equipped with said reflective mirror element; and

wherein another visual indicator display is disposed to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate, said another visual indicator display being part of a turn signaling system of the vehicle wherein said another visual indicator display is actuated to emit light upon actuation by the driver of a turn signal of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror and wherein light emitted by said another visual indicator display passes through said light-transmitting substrate.

39. An exterior mirror suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior mirror comprising:

a reflective mirror element having a front side and a rear side;

said reflective mirror element comprising a mirror reflector coated onto a light-transmitting substrate, said mirror reflector comprising a metallic reflective layer;

a visual indicator display disposed at a first location to the rear of said light-transmitting substrate;

said visual indicator display being part of a display system of a vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to an indication system of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein said visual indicator display comprises at least one light source, said light source comprising at least one light emitting diode;

wherein light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said light-transmitting substrate to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the exterior mirror;

wherein a plurality of portions of said metallic reflective layer are at least substantially removed by laser scribing local said first location in order to establish a plurality of highly light transmissive portions of the mirror reflector local said first location that are proximate one another and spaced one from the other so that light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said highly light transmissive portions of the mirror reflector to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of said reflective mirror element;

said plurality of highly light transmissive portions of the mirror reflector local said first location comprising at least a first highly light transmissive portion where said metallic reflective layer has been removed by laser scribing and a second highly light transmissive portion where said metallic reflective layer has been removed by laser scribing; and

wherein a substantially light reflecting region of said mirror reflector with said metallic reflective layer not removed therefrom is disposed between said first highly light transmissive portion and said second highly light transmissive portion.

40. The exterior mirror according to claim 39, wherein said visual indicator display comprises part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle and wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the vehicle equipped with said reflective mirror element.

41. The exterior mirror according to claim 40, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is modulated in accordance with the light level surrounding the vehicle.

42. The exterior mirror according to claim 39, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

43. The exterior mirror according to claim 39, wherein said visual indicator display comprises an assembly capable of displaying multiple display functions.

44. The exterior mirror according to claim 43, wherein said multiple display functions comprise at least a turn signal indication function.

45. The exterior mirror according to claim 43, wherein said multiple display functions comprise at least a blind spot detection indication function.

46. The exterior mirror according to claim 43, wherein said multiple display functions comprise both a turn signal indication function and a blind spot detection indication function.

47. The exterior mirror according to claim 39, wherein said reflective mirror element comprises a portion of an exterior electrochromic mirror, and wherein said electrochromic mirror comprises an electrochromic medium disposed in a cavity between a front substrate and said reflective mirror element and wherein said electrochromic medium disposed in said cavity between said front substrate and said reflective mirror element contacts said mirror reflector.

48. The exterior mirror according to claim 47, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises at least one of a urethane and an acrylate.