MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20170259742A1
• Filed: 03/13/2017
• Published: 09/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FICO Mirrors SA (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: FICO Mirrors SA (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Timoneda, David Gmez, Lorival, Frdric, Galera, Robert Lpez, Yuste, Oriol Biosca
• Granted Patent: US 10,286,845 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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: B60R 1/083 Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/086 using a mirror angularly movable between a position of use and a non-glare position reflecting a dark field to the user, e.g. situated behind a transparent glass used as low-reflecting surface; Wedge-shaped mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/087 with remote or automatic control means
• 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 29/00 Adaptations or arrangements of mirrors for use on cycles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/02 for controlling the intensity of light G02B26/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/023 comprising movable attenuating elements, e.g. neutral density filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 7/182 for mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13718 based on a change of the texture state of a cholesteric liquid crystal

Abstract

A mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises a switchable reflective element that can change between a high reflection state and a low reflection state. The mirror assembly also includes a controller communicating with the switchable reflective element, the controller being able to change the switchable reflective element between a high reflection state and a low reflection state. The mirror assembly further includes a housing configured for attachment to the vehicle and housing at least the switchable reflective element.

Claims

1. Mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a switchable reflective element, that can change between a high reflection state and a low reflection state;

a controller communicating with the switchable reflective element, the controller being able to change the switchable reflective element between a high reflection state and a low reflection state; and

a housing configured for attachment to the vehicle and housing at least the switchable reflective element.

2. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the high reflection state has a reflectivity greater than 40%, and the low reflection state has a reflectivity of less than 10% and a transmissivity greater than 80%

3. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the switchable reflective element comprises a plurality of individual switchable reflective elements having only two possible states, a high reflection state and a low reflection state, arranged in parallel, to obtain intermediate reflection states between the high reflection state and the low reflection state of the switchable reflective element.

4. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the reflection state of the switchable reflective element can be regulated by the controller to obtain intermediate reflection states between the high reflection state and the low reflection state.

5. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4, additionally comprising at least one ambient light sensor for sensing an ambient light level and giving an ambient light signal representative of the sensed ambient light level, the ambient light sensor also communicating with the controller, such that the regulation of the reflection state of the switchable reflective element depends on the ambient light signal.

6. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 5, comprising two ambient light sensors, such that one ambient light sensor senses an ambient light level inside the vehicle and one ambient light sensor senses an ambient light level outside the vehicle.

7. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, additionally comprising at least one ambient light sensor for sensing an ambient light level and giving an ambient light signal representative of the sensed ambient light level, the ambient light sensor also communicating with the controller, the controller comparing the ambient light signal with a threshold value such that:

when the ambient light signal exceeds the threshold value the controller switches the switchable reflective element to the low reflection state, and

when the ambient light signal does not exceed the threshold value the controller switches the switchable reflective element to the high reflection state.

8. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4, additionally comprising a user interface to regulate the reflection state of the switchable reflective element, the user interface being placed on the housing of the mirror assembly.

9. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 4, additionally comprising a user interface to regulate the reflection state of the switchable reflective element, the user interface being separated from the housing of the mirror assembly.

10. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, additionally comprising a display positioned behind the switchable reflective element for displaying an image visible through the switchable reflective element, the display being able to change between an activated state and a deactivated state and communicating with the controller, such that the display can be deactivated when the switchable reflective element is in the high reflection state, in the low reflection state or in any intermediate reflection state.

11. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 10, additionally comprising an actuator for moving the switchable reflective element between a first position and a second position, the second position being tilted with respect to the first position.

12. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the actuator also moves the display together with the switchable reflective element.

13. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the actuator is also intended for activating and deactivating the switchable reflective element and the display at the same time.

14. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 10, additionally comprising a switch element to activate and deactivate only the display.

15. Mirror assembly for a vehicle according to claim 1, additionally comprising an actuator for moving the switchable reflective element between a first position and a second position, the second position being tilted with respect to the first position.