VIEW EXPANDING AND DIRECTING OPTICAL SYSTEM

• US 3,809,462 A
• Filed: 07/25/1972
• Issued: 05/07/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Dorothy J. Ebeling, John D. Baumgardner
• Inventors: Baumgardner, John D., Ebeling, Dorothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wibert, Ronald L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tokar, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US05/274,968
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 350/103,211,286,287,301,302,307,288,299
• US Class Current: 359/726
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/334 Projection means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/001 integrated in the windows, e.g. Fresnel lenses
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/002 specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle, e.g. for viewing tyres, bumpers or the like integrated in the windows B60R1/001; combined with rear-view mirrors B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/10 Front-view mirror arrangements; specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; Periscope arrangements , i.e. optical devices using combinations of mirrors, lenses, prisms or the like specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle B60R1/002; for viewing traffic-lights B60R1/005; Other mirror arrangements giving a view from above or under the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0154 with movable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0169 Supporting or connecting means other than the external walls
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence

Abstract

An optical system for vehicles providing expanded and demagnified fields of view for overcoming blind spots normally encountered with presently known vision systems. The several forms of the invention utilize previously optically nonfunctional areas of the vehicle such as roof areas above the rear window and side areas in the rear roof support posts to provide expanded vision areas laterally and to the rear of the vehicle. The optical systems variously includes negative Fresnel lenses alone or in combination with regular prisms or Fresnel prisms, all of which are viewed via conventionally mounted rear view mirrors adjacent the vehicle driver either alone or in periscopic systems including additional second and third mirrors.

Claims

1. An optical system for a vehicle, said system comprising a Fresnel lens having a negative focal length, said lens being mounted on a vehicle along a line of sight extending from a specified position within said vehicle through an aperture in the structure of said vehicle, said position being the normal position of the eyes of a driver of said vehicle;

said lens providing an expanded, demagnified viewing area for said person;

said viewing area including areas normally blocked from view from a person in said specified position.

2. The optical system of claim 1 wherein said lens is aspherical to reduce optical distortion.

3. The optical system of claim 2 in combination with at least one rear view mirror disposed on said vehicle along said line of sight intermediate said lens and said specified position.

4. The optical system of claim 3 wherein said lens is mounted adjacent a rear window included in said vehicle;

said lens providing an expanded and demagnified viewing area laterally and to the rear of said vehicle.

5. A combination vehicle and view expanding and directing optical system therefor, said vehicle including a passenger compartment, roof and rear window;

said roof including at least one generally rearwardly facing aperture at the rear thereof;

said system comprising in combination an optical unit including a Fresnel lens having a negative focal length secured to said roof adjacent said aperture; and

a rearview mirror mounted within said compartment in the forward portion thereof;

said optical unit directing light from an expanded, demagnified field of view to the rear and laterally of said vehicle through the integral space of said compartment to said rearview mirror;

said mirror reflecting said light to the eyes of a person located within said compartment.

6. The optical system of claim 5 wherein said Fresnel lens is aspherical to reduce optical distortion.

7. The optical system of claim 5 wherein said roof slopes downwardly from front to rear and includes at least one raised portion at the rear thereof;

said raised portion having its top flush with the front of said roof;

said aperture disposed at the rear of said raised portion;

said optical unit secured within the interior of said raised roof portion.

8. The optical system of claim 7 wherein said optical unit further includes prism means mounted adjacent said Fresnel lens;

said prism means further directing said expanded and demagnified field of view to the rear and laterally of the sides of said vehicle.

9. The optical system of claim 8 wherein said prism means are Fresnel prisms.

10. The optical system of claim 9 wherein said Fresnel lens is aspherical to reduce optical distortion.

11. The optical system of claim 7 wherein said roof includes two of said raised portions, one raised portion formed on either side of the center line of said vehicle such that both extend generally longitudinally of said vehicle;

each of said raised portions including one of said optical units secured within the interior thereof.

12. The optical system of claim 11 wherein said optical units each include in combination a prism and a Fresnel lens;

each of said optical units directing said expanded and demagnified field of view laterally and to the rear of the same side of said vehicle on which they are mounted.

13. The optical system of claim 12 wherein said prism is a Fresnel prism.

14. An optical system for vehicles adapted to provide rearward vision for the driver of a vehicle;

said system comprising a Fresnel lens having a negative focal length mounted on a vehicle and directing rays of light to a rearwardly facing mirror mounted within said vehicle and positioned to direct said rays to the eyes of said driver;

said system providing an expanded and demagnified viewing area laterally and to the rear of said vehicle such that at least some portions of other vehicles passing said vehicle are within said driver'"'"''"'"'s field of view at substantially all times.

15. The optical system of claim 14 wherein said lens is mounted on the rooF of said vehicle;

said lens being an off-axis lens section directing said rays through a substantially horizontal aperture in said roof to said mirror.