LIGHT-EMITTING DISPLAY DEVICE-EQUIPPED REAR-VIEW MIRROR

• US 20090135493A1
• Filed: 08/20/2008
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Murakami Corporation
• Original Assignee: Murakami Corporation
• Inventors: Motomiya, Masahiro, Nakamura, Masatoshi, Takayanagi, Shinya
• Granted Patent: US 7,695,174 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/631
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens

Abstract

Visibility of indications in a rear-view mirror incorporating a light-emitting display device is improved. A mirror element 14 is formed by forming a semi-transmissive reflective film 18 on one surface of a transparent substrate 16. On a back surface of the mirror element 14, a dark color mask member 20 is arranged. An opening 20a is formed in the mask member 20. Behind the mirror element 14, a light-emitting display device 22 is arranged facing the opening 20a. Where the mirror element is formed of a plane mirror 14, the light-emitting display device 22 is arranged in such a manner that it is inclined toward a driver relative to the mirror surface. A wedge-shaped gap 25 occurring between the mirror element 14 and the light-emitting display device 22 due to the inclination is occluded by a wall member 24. Where the mirror element is formed of a convex mirror 44, the opening is formed at a corner of the surface of the mirror element 44 close to the driver, and the light-emitting display device 52 is arranged facing an opening 50a, with a display surface 52a arranged in parallel to the surface of the mirror element 44.

Claims

1. A light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror, comprising:

a mirror element having a semi-transmissive reflective film on one surface of a transparent substrate;

a mask member having an opening in a surface thereof, the mask member being arranged over an entire region excluding the opening, or at a relevant region excluding the opening, of a back side of the mirror element, at least a front surface of the mask member being of a dark color; and

a light-emitting display device arranged at a position behind the mirror element, with a display surface facing the opening of the dark color mask member, wherein

the orientation of a central axis of the display surface of the light-emitting display device is inclined toward a driver'"'"'s viewpoint relative to the orientation of a central axis of the mirror element.

2. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 1, wherein:

the mirror element is a plane mirror;

the display surface of the light-emitting display device is arranged at the position of the opening in such a manner that it is inclined toward the driver'"'"'s viewpoint relative to a surface of the mirror element; and

a periphery of a wedge-shaped gap occurring between the mirror element and the light-emitting display device due to the inclination is occluded by a wall member, at least an inner surface of the wall member being of a dark color.

3. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 1, wherein:

the mirror element is a convex mirror;

the opening is formed at a corner of a surface of the mirror element close to the driver'"'"'s viewpoint; and

the display surface of the light-emitting display device is arranged at the position of the opening, in parallel to a tangent plane of the mirror element at a position where the central axis of the display surface crosses the surface of the mirror element.

4. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 1, wherein the semi-transmissive reflective film is made of a dielectric multilayer film.

5. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 2, wherein the semi-transmissive reflective film is made of a dielectric multilayer film.

6. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 3, wherein the semi-transmissive reflective film is made of a dielectric multilayer film.

7. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 1, wherein a reflection peak wavelength of the mirror element in a visible light range is set to from 500 to 550 nm.

8. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 2, wherein a reflection peak wavelength of the mirror element in a visible light range is set to from 500 to 550 nm.

9. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 3, wherein a reflection peak wavelength of the mirror element in a visible light range is set to from 500 to 550 nm.

10. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 4, wherein a reflection peak wavelength of the mirror element in a visible light range is set to from 500 to 550 nm.

11. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 5, wherein a reflection peak wavelength of the mirror element in a visible light range is set to from 500 to 550 nm.

12. The light-emitting display device-equipped rear-view mirror according to claim 6, wherein a reflection peak wavelength of the mirror element in a visible light range is set to from 500 to 550 nm.