Mirror assembly

• US 5,361,190 A
• Filed: 12/02/1992
• Issued: 11/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: K W Muth Company Incorporated (K. W. Muth)
• Original Assignee: K W Muth Company Incorporated (K. W. Muth)
• Inventors: Roberts, John K., Spencer, Keith R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEYMAN, LEONARD
• Application Number:
  US07/985,133
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 362/61, 362/80, 362/83.1, 362/135, 362/296, 362/290, 362/276, 362/339, 362/330, 362/26, 362/32, 362/331, 340/475, 340/468, 340/461, 340/469, 315/309, 315/77, 315/158, 315/156, 315/307, 313/500, 250/214 AL
• US Class Current: 362/464
• 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 1/08 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1246 with clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/20 Dichroic filters, i.e. devices operating on the principle of wave interference to pass specific ranges of wavelengths while cancelling others
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2111/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for signalling, marking or indicating, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00

Abstract

A mirror assembly is disclosed which includes a dichroic mirror which allows a predetermined narrow spectral band to pass through the mirror and be seen from a position forward of the mirror, and which further reflects a broad spectral band of light which originates from a direction forward of the mirror; a light source is positioned rearwardly of the mirror and emits light in the predetermined narrow spectral band passed by the dichroic mirror; and an electronic circuit is provided which is operable to step up, or step down the voltage supplied to the light source thereby maintaining a constant voltage source which is utilized to energize the light source.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly comprising:

(a) a dichroic mirror having a first, forwardly facing surface and a second, rearwardly facing surface, the dichroic mirror allowing a predetermined narrow spectral band of light to pass from the second surface through the first surface, and reflecting a broad spectral band of visible light which strikes the first surface and which originates from a location forward of the first surface;

(b) a light source positioned rearwardly of the second surface and emitting light in the predetermined narrow spectral band of light passed by the dichroic mirror; and

(c) an electrical circuit for adjusting the light output of the light source in response to the ambient light level.

2. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the light source is an array of light-emitting diodes, and wherein the mirror assembly further includes an electrical circuit for adjusting the light output of the light-emitting diodes in response to the ambient light level.

3. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 2, and wherein the mirror assembly further comprises:

(a) a plurality of reflectors positioned intermediate the light-emitting diodes and the dichroic mirror, each reflector disposed in light reflecting relation relative to the individual light-emitting diodes in the array of light-emitting diodes, the reflectors directing light in a direction substantially forward of the mirror assembly;

(b) an array of convexo-convex lenses positioned intermediate the reflectors and the dichroic mirror, each of the lenses disposed in substantial registry with the individual reflectors, the convexo-convex lenses collimating the light in a direction substantially forward of the mirror assembly;

(c) a baffle assembly positioned intermediate the convexo-convex lenses and the dichroic mirror, and which permits the light emitted by the light-emitting diodes to travel along a selected transmission path, and wherein the reflection of the broad spectral band of visible light may be viewed in the dichroic mirror outside of the selected transmission path, and wherein the light emitted by the light source is not readily visible outside the selected transmission path; and

(d) a fresnel prism sheet positioned intermediate the convexo-convex lens and the baffle assembly, and wherein the fresnel prism sheet shifts the direction of the light substantially along the selected transmission path.

4. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the mirror assembly is supplied with a fluctuating voltage, and wherein the mirror assembly further includes an electronic circuit for stepping the voltage up to a constant level for energizing the light source.

5. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the mirror assembly is supplied with a fluctuating voltage, and wherein the mirror assembly further includes an electric circuit for stepping the voltage down to a constant level for energizing the light source.

6. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the dichroic mirror further includes a means for adjusting the opacity of the dichroic mirror in response to the ambient light level.

7. A mirror assembly comprising:

(a) a dichroic mirror having a first, forward facing surface and a second, rearward facing surface, the dichroic mirror allowing a predetermined narrow spectral band of light to pass from the second surface through the first surface, and wherein the dichroic mirror reflects a broad spectral band of visible light which strikes the first surface and which originates from a direction forward of the first surface;

(b) a light source positioned rearwardly of the second surface and emitting light in the predetermined narrow spectral band of light passed by the dichroic mirror; and

(c) means for adjusting the light output of the light source in response to the ambient temperature and the heat generated by the light source.

8. The mirror assembly of claim 7 wherein the light source is an array of light-emitting diodes and the mirror assembly further comprises:

(a) a plurality of reflectors positioned intermediate the light-emitting diodes and the dichroic mirror, each reflector disposed in individually light reflecting relation relative to a light-emitting diode in the array of light-emitting diodes, the reflectors directing light in a direction substantially forward of the mirror assembly;

(b) an array of convexo-convex lenses positioned intermediate the reflectors and the dichroic mirror, each of the lenses substantially aligned relative to a reflector, the convexo-convex lenses collimating the light in a direction substantially forward of the mirror assembly;

(c) a baffle assembly positioned intermediate the convexo-convex lenses and the dichroic mirror, and which permits the light emitted by the light-emitting diodes to travel along a selected transmission path, and wherein the reflection of the broad spectral band of visible light may be viewed in the dichroic mirror outside of the selected transmission path, and wherein the light emitted by the light source is not readily visible outside the selected transmission path; and

(d) a fresnel prism sheet positioned intermediate the convexo-convex lens and the baffle assembly, and wherein the fresnel prism sheet shifts the direction of the light substantially along the selected transmission path.

9. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the mirror assembly is supplied with a fluctuating voltage, and wherein the mirror assembly further includes an electronic circuit for stepping the voltage up to a constant level for energizing the light source.

10. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 7 and wherein the mirror assembly is supplied with a fluctuating voltage, and wherein the mirror assembly further includes an electronic circuit for stepping the voltage down to a constant level for energizing the light source.

11. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the dichroic mirror further includes a means for adjusting the opacity of the dichroic mirror in response to the ambient light level.

12. A mirror assembly comprising:

(a) a dichroic mirror having a first, forwardly facing surface, and a second rearwardly facing surface, and wherein the dichroic mirror allows a predetermined narrow spectral band of light to pass from the rearward facing surface through the forward facing surface, and when the dichroic mirror reflects a broad spectral band of visible light which originates from a direction forward of the forwardly facing surface;

(b) an array of light-emitting diodes positioned rearwardly of the second surface and emitting light in the predetermined narrow band of light passed by the dichroic mirror;

(c) a plurality of reflectors positioned intermediate the light-emitting diodes and the dichroic mirror, each reflector disposed in substantially light reflecting relation relative to individual light-emitting diodes in the array of light-emitting diodes, the reflectors directing light in a direction substantially forward of the mirror assembly;

(d) an array of convexo-convex lenses positioned intermediate the reflectors and the dichroic mirror, each of the lenses disposed in substantial registry with each of the respective reflectors, the convexo-convex lenses collimating the light in a direction substantially forward of the mirror assembly;

(e) a baffle assembly positioned intermediate the convexo-convex lenses and the dichroic mirror, and which permits the light emitted by the light-emitting diodes to travel along a selected transmission path, and wherein the reflection of the broad spectral band of visible light may be viewed in the dichroic mirror outside of the selected transmission path, and wherein the light emitted by the light source is not readily visible outside the selected transmission path; and

(f) a fresnel prism sheet positioned intermediate the convexo-convex lens and the baffle assembly, and wherein the fresnel prism sheet shifts the direction of the light along the selected transmission path.

13. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the mirror assembly is supplied with a fluctuating voltage, and wherein the mirror assembly further includes an electronic circuit for stepping the voltage up to a constant level for energizing the light source.

14. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the mirror assembly is supplied with a fluctuating voltage, and wherein the mirror assembly further includes an electronic circuit for stepping the voltage down to a constant level for energizing the light source.

15. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the dichroic mirror further includes a means for adjusting the opacity of the dichroic mirror in response to the ambient light level.

16. A mirror assembly comprising:

(a) a dichroic mirror having a forwardly facing first surface and a rearwardly facing second surface, the dichroic mirror allowing a predetermined narrow spectral band of light to pass from the rearwardly facing surface through the forwardly facing surface, and wherein the dichroic mirror reflects a broad spectral band of visible light which originates from a direction forwardly of the first surface; and

(b) a light source positioned rearwardly of the second surface and emitting light in the predetermined narrow spectral band of light passed by the dichroic mirror, and wherein the mirror assembly is supplied with a fluctuating voltage, and wherein the mirror assembly further includes an electronic circuit for stepping the voltage up to a constant level for energizing the light source.

17. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 16, and wherein the dichroic mirror further includes a means for adjusting the opacity of the dichroic mirror in response to the ambient light level.

18. A mirror assembly comprising:

(a) a dichroic mirror having a forwardly facing first surface and a second, rearwardly facing surface, and wherein the dichroic mirror allows a predetermined narrow spectral band of light to pass from the rearwardly facing surface through the forwardly facing surface, and wherein the dichroic mirror reflects a broad spectral band of visible light which originates from a direction forwardly of the first surface; and

(b) a light source positioned rearwardly of the second surface, and emitting light in the predetermined narrow spectral band of light passed by the dichroic mirror, and wherein the mirror assembly is supplied with a fluctuating voltage, and wherein the mirror assembly further includes an electronic circuit for stepping the voltage down to a constant level for energizing the light source.

19. A mirror assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the dichroic mirror further includes a means for adjusting the opacity of the dichroic mirror in response to the ambient light level.

20. A mirror assembly comprising:

(a) a dichroic mirror having a forwardly facing first surface and a rearwardly facing second surface, and wherein the dichroic mirror allows a predetermined narrow spectral band of light to pass from the rearwardly facing surface through the forwardly facing surface, and wherein the dichroic mirror reflects a broad spectral band of visible light which originates from a direction forward of the first surface; and

(b) a light source positioned rearwardly of the second surface and emitting light in the predetermined narrow spectral band of light passed by the dichroic mirror, and wherein the mirror assembly is supplied with a fluctuating voltage, and wherein the mirror assembly further includes a means for stepping the voltage up to a constant level for energizing the light source, and wherein the dichroic mirror further includes a means for adjusting the opacity of the dichroic mirror in response to the ambient light level.