VEHICLE EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM HAVING AN INDICATOR

• US 20160207466A1
• Filed: 03/29/2016
• Published: 07/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,589,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/062 with remote control for adjusting position B60R1/0607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays

Abstract

An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes a driver-side exterior mirror assembly having a driver-side mirror casing that includes an inboard portion that faces generally toward an exterior driver-side of the equipped vehicle and that is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. A driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is disposed at the inboard portion of the driver-side mirror casing. An illumination source of the driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module illuminates responsive to detection by a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle of presence of an overtaking vehicle. Responsive to detection of an overtaking vehicle, the illumination source is illuminated to provide a hazard indication to alert the driver of the equipped vehicle not to make a lane change maneuver. Illumination of the illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

Claims

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

a driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side mirror casing, said driver-side mirror casing comprising a driver-side reflective element;

said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side attachment portion configured for attaching said driver-side exterior mirror assembly at an exterior driver-side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system;

wherein said driver-side mirror casing comprises an inboard portion that faces generally toward an exterior driver-side of the equipped vehicle when said driver-side exterior mirror assembly is attached at an exterior driver-side of an equipped vehicle;

wherein said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when driving the equipped vehicle;

a driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module disposed at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing, said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprising a first illumination source;

wherein said first illumination source of said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module illuminates responsive to detection by a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle of presence of an overtaking vehicle that is at least one of (i) alongside the driver side of the equipped vehicle and (ii) rearward of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, responsive to detection of an overtaking vehicle at the driver side of the equipped vehicle by said blind spot detection system, said first illumination source of said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is illuminated to provide a hazard indication to alert the driver of the equipped vehicle not to make a lane change maneuver;

wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is sealed so as to be substantially impervious to water;

wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is configured at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing so that, when said driver-side exterior mirror assembly is mounted at the side of the equipped vehicle and when the equipped vehicle is operated on a road, illumination of said first illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein illumination of said first illumination source is generally not viewable by a driver of a leading vehicle that is traveling in front of the equipped vehicle or by a driver of a vehicle approaching the equipped vehicle from in front of the equipped vehicle.

2. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises an at least partially light transmitting first cover that is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing.

3. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 2, wherein said first cover comprises a viewing area of at least two square centimeters.

4. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises a light directing element for directing illumination from said first illumination source toward the side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior mirror assembly is mounted to enhance viewing of said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module by the driver of the equipped vehicle when said illumination source is illuminated.

5. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, comprising a passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side mirror casing, said passenger-side mirror casing comprising a passenger-side reflective element, said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side attachment portion configured for attaching said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly at an exterior passenger-side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system, and wherein said passenger-side mirror casing comprises an inboard portion that faces generally toward an exterior passenger-side of the equipped vehicle when said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly is attached at an exterior passenger-side of an equipped vehicle, said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing being viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle when driving the equipped vehicle, and wherein said second illumination source of said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module illuminates responsive to detection by said blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle of presence of an overtaking vehicle that is at least one of (i) alongside the passenger side of the equipped vehicle and (ii) rearward of the equipped vehicle and wherein, responsive to detection of an overtaking vehicle at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle by said blind spot detection system, said second illumination source of said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is illuminated to provide a hazard indication to alert the driver of the equipped vehicle not to make a lane change maneuver, and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is substantially sealed so as to be substantially impervious to water, and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is configured at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing so that, when said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly is mounted at the side of the equipped vehicle and when the equipped vehicle is operated on a road, illumination of said second illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein illumination of said second illumination source is generally not viewable by a driver of a leading vehicle that is traveling in front of the equipped vehicle or by a driver of a vehicle approaching the equipped vehicle from in front of the equipped vehicle.

6. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 5, wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises an at least partially light transmitting second cover that is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing.

7. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein said second cover comprises a viewing area of at least two square centimeters.

8. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 5, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is disposed at an aperture at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is disposed at an aperture at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing.

9. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 5, wherein said first illumination source of said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises at least one light emitting diode and wherein said second illumination source of said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises at least one light emitting diode.

10. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a driver-side powerfold exterior mirror assembly and wherein said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a passenger-side powerfold exterior mirror assembly.

11. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a driver-side breakaway exterior mirror assembly and wherein said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a passenger-side breakaway exterior mirror assembly.

12. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein said driver-side reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element with electrically variable reflectivity.

13. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 12, wherein said passenger-side reflective element comprises a fixed reflectance non electro-optic reflective element.

14. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 5, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is aerodynamically disposed at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is aerodynamically disposed at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing.

15. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 5, wherein, when said first illumination source is illuminated, the driver of the equipped vehicle who is viewing said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module sees an ISO hazard alert, and wherein, when said second illumination source is illuminated, the driver of the equipped vehicle who is viewing said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module sees an ISO hazard alert.

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

a driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side mirror casing, said driver-side mirror casing comprising a driver-side reflective element;

said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side attachment portion configured for attaching said driver-side exterior mirror assembly at an exterior driver-side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system;

wherein said driver-side mirror casing comprises an inboard portion that faces generally toward an exterior driver-side of the equipped vehicle when said driver-side exterior mirror assembly is attached at an exterior driver-side of an equipped vehicle;

wherein said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when driving the equipped vehicle;

a driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module disposed at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing, said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprising a first illumination source;

wherein said first illumination source of said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises at least one light emitting diode;

wherein said first illumination source of said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module illuminates responsive to detection by a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle of presence of an overtaking vehicle that is at least one of (i) alongside the driver side of the equipped vehicle and (ii) rearward of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, responsive to detection of an overtaking vehicle at the driver side of the equipped vehicle by said blind spot detection system, said first illumination source of said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is illuminated to provide a hazard indication to alert the driver of the equipped vehicle not to make a lane change maneuver;

wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is configured at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing so that, when said driver-side exterior mirror assembly is mounted at the side of the equipped vehicle and when the equipped vehicle is operated on a road, illumination of said first illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein illumination of said first illumination source is generally not viewable by a driver of a leading vehicle that is traveling in front of the equipped vehicle or by a driver of a vehicle approaching the equipped vehicle from in front of the equipped vehicle;

a passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side mirror casing, said passenger-side mirror casing comprising a passenger-side reflective element;

said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side attachment portion configured for attaching said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly at an exterior passenger-side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system;

wherein said passenger-side mirror casing comprises an inboard portion that faces generally toward an exterior passenger-side of the equipped vehicle when said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly is attached at an exterior passenger-side of an equipped vehicle;

wherein said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle when driving the equipped vehicle;

wherein said second illumination source of said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises at least one light emitting diode;

a passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module disposed at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing, said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprising a second illumination source;

wherein said second illumination source of said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module illuminates responsive to detection by a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle of presence of an overtaking vehicle that is at least one of (i) alongside the passenger side of the equipped vehicle and (ii) rearward of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, responsive to detection of an overtaking vehicle at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle by said blind spot detection system, said second illumination source of said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is illuminated to provide a hazard indication to alert the driver of the equipped vehicle not to make a lane change maneuver;

wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is configured at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing so that, when said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly is mounted at the side of the equipped vehicle and when the equipped vehicle is operated on a road, illumination of said second illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein illumination of said second illumination source is generally not viewable by a driver of a leading vehicle that is traveling in front of the equipped vehicle or by a driver of a vehicle approaching the equipped vehicle from in front of the equipped vehicle.

17. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 16, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is disposed at an aperture at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is disposed at an aperture at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing.

18. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 17, wherein said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a driver-side breakaway exterior mirror assembly and wherein said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a passenger-side breakaway exterior mirror assembly.

19. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 17, wherein said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a driver-side powerfold exterior mirror assembly and wherein said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a passenger-side powerfold exterior mirror assembly.

20. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 19, wherein said driver-side reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element with electrically variable reflectivity, and wherein said passenger-side reflective element comprises a fixed reflectance non electro-optic reflective element.

21. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 17, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is aerodynamically disposed at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is aerodynamically disposed at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing.

22. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 21, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises an at least partially light transmitting first cover that is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing and wherein said first cover comprises a viewing area of at least two square centimeters, and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises an at least partially light transmitting second cover that is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing and wherein said second cover comprises a viewing area of at least two square centimeters.

23. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 22, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is sealed so as to be substantially impervious to water, and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is sealed so as to be substantially impervious to water.

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

a driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side mirror casing, said driver-side mirror casing comprising a driver-side reflective element;

wherein said driver-side reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element with electrically variable reflectivity;

said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a driver-side attachment portion configured for attaching said driver-side exterior mirror assembly at an exterior driver-side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system;

wherein said driver-side mirror casing comprises an inboard portion that faces generally toward an exterior driver-side of the equipped vehicle when said driver-side exterior mirror assembly is attached at an exterior driver-side of an equipped vehicle;

wherein said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing is viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle when driving the equipped vehicle;

a driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module disposed at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing, said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprising a first illumination source;

wherein said first illumination source of said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises at least one light emitting diode;

wherein said first illumination source of said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module illuminates responsive to detection by a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle of presence of an overtaking vehicle that is at least one of (i) alongside the driver side of the equipped vehicle and (ii) rearward of the equipped vehicle;

wherein, responsive to detection of an overtaking vehicle at the driver side of the equipped vehicle by said blind spot detection system, said first illumination source of said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is illuminated to provide a hazard indication to alert the driver of the equipped vehicle not to make a lane change maneuver;

wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is configured at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing so that, when said driver-side exterior mirror assembly is mounted at the side of the equipped vehicle and when the equipped vehicle is operated on a road, illumination of said first illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle;

wherein illumination of said first illumination source is generally not viewable by a driver of a leading vehicle that is traveling in front of the equipped vehicle or by a driver of a vehicle approaching the equipped vehicle from in front of the equipped vehicle;

a passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side mirror casing, said passenger-side mirror casing comprising a passenger-side reflective element;

said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side attachment portion configured for attaching said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly at an exterior passenger-side of a vehicle equipped with said exterior rearview mirror system;

wherein said passenger-side mirror casing comprises an inboard portion that faces generally toward an exterior passenger-side of the equipped vehicle when said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly is attached at an exterior passenger-side of an equipped vehicle;

wherein said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle when driving the equipped vehicle;

wherein said second illumination source of said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises at least one light emitting diode;

a passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module disposed at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing, said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprising a second illumination source;

wherein said second illumination source of said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module illuminates responsive to detection by a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle of presence of an overtaking vehicle that is at least one of (i) alongside the passenger side of the equipped vehicle and (ii) rearward of the equipped vehicle;

wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is disposed at an aperture at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is disposed at an aperture at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing;

wherein, responsive to detection of an overtaking vehicle at the passenger side of the equipped vehicle by said blind spot detection system, said second illumination source of said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is illuminated to provide a hazard indication to alert the driver of the equipped vehicle not to make a lane change maneuver;

wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is configured at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing so that, when said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly is mounted at the side of the equipped vehicle and when the equipped vehicle is operated on a road, illumination of said second illumination source is readily viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle; and

wherein illumination of said second illumination source is generally not viewable by a driver of a leading vehicle that is traveling in front of the equipped vehicle or by a driver of a vehicle approaching the equipped vehicle from in front of the equipped vehicle.

25. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 24, wherein said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a driver-side breakaway exterior mirror assembly and wherein said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a passenger-side breakaway exterior mirror assembly.

26. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 24, wherein said driver-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a driver-side powerfold exterior mirror assembly and wherein said passenger-side exterior mirror assembly comprises a passenger-side powerfold exterior mirror assembly.

27. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 24, wherein said passenger-side reflective element comprises a fixed reflectance non electro-optic reflective element.

28. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 24, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is aerodynamically disposed at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is aerodynamically disposed at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing.

29. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 24, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises an at least partially light transmitting first cover that is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle at said inboard portion of said driver-side mirror casing and wherein said first cover comprises a viewing area of at least two square centimeters, and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module comprises an at least partially light transmitting second cover that is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle at said inboard portion of said passenger-side mirror casing and wherein said second cover comprises a viewing area of at least two square centimeters.

30. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 24, wherein said driver-side blind spot detection system indicator module is sealed so as to be substantially impervious to water, and wherein said passenger-side blind spot detection system indicator module is sealed so as to be substantially impervious to water.