Exterior Rearview Device with Illumination Functions

• US 20170106783A1
• Filed: 12/27/2016
• Published: 04/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Fritz, Daniel, Herrmann, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 10,137,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0011 with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/0017 Devices integrating an element dedicated to another function
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/08 automatically
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/085 due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/12 due to steering position
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/18 being additional front lights bracket mounted headlights B60Q1/0483
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• 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 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/34 for indicating change of drive direction B60Q1/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/38 using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/21 Manual control
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/30 Daytime running lights [DRL], e.g. circuits or arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/50 Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/20 for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments lighting for dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/141 : Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 : Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/235 : Light guides
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/30 : characterised by reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 : Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/10 : Controlling the intensity of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/20 : Controlling the colour of the light
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/115 : by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 : Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

An adaptive cornering light system for a motor vehicle includes an exterior mirror head, housing at least one lighting module that having a plurality of LEDs arranged in sectors to provide different lighting functionalities. One LED or light sector is provided for adaptively illuminating a cornering area that extends along the side of the vehicle toward the front of the exterior mirror head. This “cornering LED” is adaptively activated if the speed of the vehicle is below a threshold speed, or in response to additional optional parameters such as steering angle, turn-signal blinker activation, and running lights activation. Another LED or light sector may be used as a security light to illuminate or display a message on the ground in the door area adjacent the side of the vehicle. Interior lights are also disclosed. User input may also control options for illumination.

Claims

1. A vehicle exterior rearview system comprising:

a housing adapted for mounting to an exterior side of a vehicle, the housing holding at least one of a reflective mirror surface and a display screen for displaying to a driver an image of the area to the side and rear of the vehicle;

one or more lighting modules disposed in said housing and providing at least one first lighting sector for implementing a turn-signal indicator and at least one second lighting sector for implementing one or more of an adaptive cornering light illuminating a forward sector or an adaptive security light illuminating a downward and rearward sector; and

a control system for (a) receiving input data about vehicle status parameters from vehicle status sensors, (b) receiving input data about the vehicle'"'"'s environment conditions from environmental sensors; and

(c) adaptively activating the second lighting sector in response to the input data.

2. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein the lighting module contains a plurality of LEDs for providing different lighting functions in several directions.

3. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein the control system activates the turn signal blinker light in addition to the adaptive cornering light.

4. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, further comprising a third lighting sector is directed forward for providing a daytime running light function.

5. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein the control system activates the adaptive cornering light in response to steering angle input and vehicle speed input, whereby the cornering light is adaptively activated if the control system receives input data indicating that both:

(i) the steering angle is greater than a threshold value, and (ii) the vehicle speed is below a threshold speed.

6. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein the adaptive security light function displays a message or an alert responsive to data input received from the environmental sensors.

7. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, wherein the adaptive security light function displays a message or an alert responsive to data input received from the vehicle status sensors.

8. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, further comprising a user input device and wherein the adaptive security light function displays illumination or a message responsive to data input received from the user input device.

9. The exterior rearview system according to claim 8, wherein control system controls at least one of color, shape, intensity, and timing of lights activated for the adaptive security light function in response to user input.

10. The exterior rearview system according to claim 8, further comprising an interior light function that illuminates the interior in response to data input received from the user input device.

11. The exterior rearview system according to claim 10, wherein control system controls at least one of color, shape, intensity, and timing of lights activated for the interior light function in response to user input.

12. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, further comprising a third lighting sector configured to project at least one arrow or chevron image onto the ground to the side of the vehicle and directed away therefrom, wherein the third lighting sector is operatively linked in the control system to activate in response to activation of the turn signal indicator function.

13. The exterior rearview system according to claim 1, further comprising light guides or optical fibers such that the illumination of a light source within the lighting module is directed via the light guides or optical fibers to multiple locations.