Electromagnetic radiation emitting or receiving assembly

• US 6,076,948 A
• Filed: 10/28/1998
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Muth Mirror Systems LLC (K. W. Muth)
• Original Assignee: K W Muth Company Incorporated (K. W. Muth)
• Inventors: Bukosky, Allen A., Mathieu, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOUTSIKARIS, LEONIDAS
• Application Number:
  US09/181,575
• Time in Patent Office: 601 Days
• Field of Search: 362/30, 362/135, 362/494, 362/498, 362/499, 362/540, 362/545, 362/800, 362/140, 362/143, 362/241, 362/243, 362/245, 362/247, 40/219, 40/202, 340/475, 340/478
• US Class Current: 362/494
• 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 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers

Abstract

An electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly is disclosed and which includes a supporting substrate having opposite first and second surfaces and having an area formed therein which allows electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough; a reflector positioned adjacent to the second surface of the substrate and oriented in a given position relative to the area formed in the substrate; and an electromagnetic radiation emitter mounted on the second surface of the substrate and which emits a source of electromagnetic radiation which is reflected by the reflector through the area formed in the supporting substrate. An electromagnetic radiation receiver is also described.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly comprising:

a supporting substrate having opposite first and second surfaces and having a first area formed therein which allows electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough and a second area adjacent thereto which is substantially opaque;

a reflector positioned adjacent to the second surface of the substrate and oriented in a given position relative to the first area formed in the substrate; and

an electromagnetic radiation emitter mounted on the second surface of the substrate and which emits electromagnetic radiation which is reflected by the reflector through the first area formed in the supporting substrate and wherein the reflector is mounted in substantially eccentric reflecting relation relative to the electromagnetic radiation emitter.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a means for conducting electricity, and the electromagnetic radiation emitter is energized by the electricity provided by the conducting means.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a mirror having a region which allows a predetermined band of electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough, and wherein the mirror region and the substrate area are substantially aligned.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first area formed in the substrate comprises an aperture having a given cross-sectional area, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter is located near the aperture, and over the second area.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting substrate comprises a mirror.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation in a given band, and wherein the area formed in the substrate passes a predominate portion of the given band of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitter.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising:

a semitransparent dichroic mirror mounted adjacent to the first surface of the supporting substrate, and wherein the semitransparent mirror passes a given band of electromagnetic radiation while simultaneously reflecting a broad band of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation; and

wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation having a given band width which predominately lies within the same band of electromagnetic radiation which is passed by the semitransparent dichroic mirror.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a mirror mounted adjacent to the first surface of the supporting substrate, the mirror having a reflective surface coating, and wherein a selective portion of the reflective surface coating is removed to define a semitransparent region, and wherein the reflector reflects the predominate portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitter in the direction of the semitransparent region, the semitransparent region allowing the emitted electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the semitransparent region of the mirror reflects at least about 35% of a broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the semitransparent region formed in the mirror reflects at least about 35% of a broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and allows at least about 1% to about 20% of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitter to pass therethrough.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector collimates a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitter.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflector collimates a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitter, and reflects the electromagnetic radiation in a direction which is angularly displaced by at least about 20°

from the first surface of the supporting substrate.

13. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of discreet areas are formed in the supporting substrate and which allow electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough, and wherein the reflector comprises a plurality of reflectors which are individually oriented in predetermined positions relative to each of the respective areas formed in the supporting substrate, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter comprises a plurality of discreet emitters which are individually positioned adjacent each of the respective areas.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter emits visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation which is passed by the substrate, the luminous intensity of the electromagnetic radiation assembly being about 2 to about 20 candelas.

15. An assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter comprises about 4 to about 30 light emitting diodes.

16. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a mirror having a discreet semitransparent region formed therein, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter comprises about 4 to about 30 light emitting diodes which emit visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation, and further has a luminous output of about 80 to about 900 candelas, and wherein the visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation passes through the area formed in the substrate and the semitransparent region formed in the mirror, and wherein the luminous output of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation emitted by the mirror is about 2 to about 20 candelas.

17. An assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein the mirror reflects a broad band of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the semitransparent region of the mirror reflects at least about 35% of the same broad band of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation.

18. An assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the semitransparent region of the mirror passes about 1% to about 20% of the broad band of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter, when energized emits not more than about 16 watts of energy per square millimeter of surface area.

19. An assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the mirror, supporting substrate, and reflector comprise an optical stack which has a thickness dimension of less than about 7 mm., a weight of less than about 20 grams, and a surface area of about 6 to about 127 square millimeters.

20. An electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly comprising:

a mirror having opposite surfaces and a region through which electromagnetic radiation may pass, and an area adjacent thereto which is substantially opaque;

a substrate having opposite surfaces, and which is mounted adjacent to one of the mirror surfaces, the substrate having an area through which electromagnetic radiation may pass, and which is substantially aligned with the mirror region through which electromagnetic radiation may pass;

an electromagnetic radiation emitter mounted on the surface of the substrate which faces away from the mirror, and adjacent to the area formed in the substrate which allows the passage of electromagnetic radiation, the electromagnetic radiation emitter emitting the electromagnetic radiation; and

a reflector positioned in eccentric reflecting relation relative to the source of electromagnetic radiation, the reflector directing the source of electromagnetic radiation through the substrate area, and mirror region through which electromagnetic radiation may pass.

21. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the substrate includes means for conducting electricity, and the electromagnetic radiation emitter is energized by the electricity provided by the conducting means.

22. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mirror region is semitransparent and is operable to reflect at least about 35% of a broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the mirror region selectively passes a predominate portion of a given band of electromagnetic radiation while simultaneously reflecting the at least 35% of the broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation.

23. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mirror has a reflective surface coating, and wherein a selective portion of the reflective surface coating is removed to define the region through which electromagnetic radiation may pass, and wherein the reflector reflects a predominate portion of the electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the mirror region, the mirror region simultaneously reflecting at least about 35% of a broad band of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation.

24. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mirror region transmits at least about 1% to about 15% of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitter, and wherein the luminous output of the mirror is about 2 to about 20 candelas.

25. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the reflector collimates a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitter.

26. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the reflector collimates a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitter, and reflects the electromagnetic radiation in a direction which is angularly displaced by at least about 20°

relative to the opposite surfaces of the mirror.

27. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the mirror comprises a semitransparent dichroic mirror which passes a given band of electromagnetic radiation, while simultaneously reflecting a broad band of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation having a given band width which predominately lies within the same band of electromagnetic radiation passed by the semitransparent dichroic mirror.

28. An assembly as claimed in claim 27, wherein the given band of electromagnetic radiation passed by the semitransparent dichroic mirror is approximately 150 nanometers wide, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter comprises about 4 to about 30 light emitting diodes which, when energized, has a luminous output of about 80 to about 900 candelas, and wherein the luminous output of the semitransparent mirror is about 2 to about 20 candelas.

29. An assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein a predominate portion of the given band of electromagnetic radiation passed by the semitransparent dichroic mirror comprises visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation.

37. An assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein an electrical pathway is formed on the substrate and which electrically couples the electromagnetic radiation emitter with a source of electricity, and wherein the reflector is mounted on the second surface of the substrate and in substantially covering relation relative to the electromagnetic radiation emitter, and wherein the substrate, reflector, and electromagnetic radiation emitter have a combined thickness dimension of less than about 7 mm.;

a weight of less than about 20 grams; and

a surface area of about 6 to about 127 mm.

30. An electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly comprising:

a mirror having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the mirror reflecting a broad band of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation and further having a region through which electromagnetic radiation may pass therethrough, and wherein the mirror region reflects at least about 35% of the same broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation;

a substrate having opposite first and second surfaces, and wherein the first surface of the substrate is juxtaposed relative to the second surface of the mirror, the substrate having an area formed therein which allows electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough, the substrate area oriented in substantial alignment with the mirror region which allows the passage of electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the substrate renders the overlying mirror substantially opaque;

an electromagnetic radiation emitter mounted on the second surface of the substrate, and emitting electromagnetic radiation; and

a reflector positioned in eccentric relation relative to the second surface of the substrate and which reflects the source of electromagnetic radiation through the area of the substrate and the region of the mirror which allows the passage of electromagnetic radiation therethrough.

31. An assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein the mirror comprises a semitransparent dichroic mirror which passes a given band of electromagnetic radiation while simultaneously reflecting the broad band of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the predominate portion of the given band of electromagnetic radiation passed by the semitransparent dichroic mirror is about 150 nanometers wide, and is visibly discernable, and wherein the luminous output of the semitransparent dichroic mirror is about 2 to about 20 candelas.

32. An assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein the mirror comprises a semitransparent dichroic mirror which passes a given band of electromagnetic radiation while simultaneously reflecting the broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the given band of electromagnetic radiation passed by the semitransparent dichroic mirror comprises visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation;

and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter comprises about 4 to about 30 light emitting diodes; and

wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter has a luminous intensity of about 80 to about 900 candelas.

33. An assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein the mirror includes a reflective surface coating, and wherein a selective portion of the reflective surface coating is removed to define the region of the mirror through which electromagnetic radiation may pass, and wherein the reflector reflects the predominate portion of the electromagnetic radiation in the direction of the mirror region.

34. An assembly as claimed in claim 33, wherein the reflective surface coating comprises chromium, and the selective removal comprises removing a portion of the chromium coating.

35. An assembly as claimed in claim 33, wherein the reflective coating comprises chromium, and wherein the chromium coating is completely removed, in a given pattern, thereby allowing electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough.

36. An assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein the reflector collimates a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation emitter and reflects the electromagnetic radiation in a direction which is angularly displaced by at least about 20°

from the first surface of the mirror.

38. An assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter emits visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, the electromagnetic emitter having a luminous output of about 80 to about 900 candelas;

and wherein the mirror region has a luminous output of about 2 to about 20 candelas.

39. An assembly as claimed in claim 30, wherein the area formed in substrate comprises an aperture having given cross-sectional dimensions, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter is positioned adjacent to the aperture.

40. An electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly for use in a signalling device which is mounted on an overland vehicle, comprising:

a housing mounted on the overland vehicle and which defines a cavity, and further having an aperture which permits access to the cavity;

a mirror mounted on the housing and disposed in substantially occluding relation relative to the aperture of the housing, the mirror reflecting a broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and further having a region which allows the passage of electromagnetic radiation therethrough, and a region that is adjacent thereto, the mirror region simultaneously reflecting at least about 35% of a broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation;

a substrate having opposite surfaces and which is mounted in juxtaposed relation relative to the mirror and positioned in the cavity, the substrate having means for conducting electricity to a location on the substrate, and wherein an aperture is formed in the substrate and adjacent to the location, and wherein the aperture is substantially aligned with the region of the mirror and which allows the passage of electromagnetic radiation therethrough, and wherein the substrate renders the overlying adjacent mirror region substantially opaque;

an electromagnetic radiation emitter mounted on the surface of the substrate which faces away from the mirror and at the location, the electromagnetic radiation emitter electrically coupled to the conducting means, and emitting visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation when energized and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitter is mounted over the adjacent region of the mirror which is substantially opaque;

a reflector eccentrically mounted relative to the electromagnetic radiation emitter, and on the surface of the substrate facing away from the mirror, and which reflects the source of electromagnetic radiation through the aperture formed in the substrate and the mirror region, the source of electromagnetic radiation escaping the mirror housing at a given angular orientation relative to the mirror, and wherein the luminous output of the mirror region is about 2 to about 20 candelas.

41. An electromagnetic radiation receiving assembly, comprising:

a supporting substrate having opposite first and second surfaces and having an area formed therein which allows electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough;

a reflector positioned adjacent to the second surface of the substrate and oriented in a given position relative to the area formed in the substrate; and

an electromagnetic radiation receiver mounted on the second surface of the substrate and which can detect a given band width of electromagnetic radiation which is passed by the supporting substrate and which is reflected by the reflector in the direction of the electromagnetic radiation receiver, and wherein the reflector is eccentrically oriented relative to the electromagnetic radiation receiver.

42. An assembly as claimed in claim 41, wherein the substrate includes a means for conducting an electrical signal, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation receiver is electrically coupled with the conducting means.

43. An assembly as claimed in claim 41, wherein the supporting surface is substantially opaque, and the area formed in the substrate comprises an aperture having a given cross-sectional area, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation receiver is located near the aperture.

44. An assembly as claimed in claim 41, wherein the substrate comprises a semitransparent mirror.

45. An assembly as claimed in claim 41, wherein the supporting surface is substantially opaque and the area formed in the supporting substrate comprises an aperture having a given cross-sectional area, and wherein a semitransparent mirror is juxtaposed the first surface of the supporting substrate, and which passes a predominate portion of the given band of electromagnetic radiation which may be detected by the electromagnetic radiation receiver.

46. An assembly as claimed in claim 45, wherein the given band of electromagnetic radiation passed by the mirror has a band width of about 150 nanometers, and wherein the mirror simultaneously reflects at least about 35% of a broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation.

47. An assembly as claimed in claim 41 and further comprising:

a mirror mounted adjacent to the first surface of the supporting substrate, the mirror having a reflective surface coating a portion of which is removed to define a semitransparent area, and wherein the semitransparent area passes the predominate portion of the electromagnetic radiation which may be detected by the electromagnetic radiation receiver, and wherein the semitransparent area and the area of the substrate which allows electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough are substantially aligned.

48. An electromagnetic radiation receiving assembly, comprising:

a mirror having opposite surfaces, and a region through which electromagnetic radiation may pass;

a substrate having opposite surfaces, and which is mounted adjacent to one of the mirror surfaces, the substrate having an area though which electromagnetic radiation may pass, the substrate rendering the adjacent, and overlying mirror substantially opaque;

a electromagnetic radiation receiver mounted on the surface of the substrate which faces away from the mirror, and adjacent to the area formed in the substrate, and which allows the passage of electromagnetic radiation therethrough; and

a reflector positioned in eccentric reflecting relation relative to the electromagnetic radiation receiver, the reflector reflecting electromagnetic radiation which passes through the region of the mirror and the substrate area in the direction of the electromagnetic radiation receiver.

49. An assembly as claimed in claim 48, wherein the mirror is semitransparent and is operable to uniformly reflect at least about 35% of a broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation while simultaneously passing a predetermined band of electromagnetic radiation which may be detected by the electromagnetic radiation receiver.

50. An assembly as claimed in claim 48, wherein the mirror has a reflective surface coating, a portion of which is removed to define the region through which electromagnetic radiation may pass, and wherein the area of the substrate is substantially aligned with region of the mirror through which electromagnetic radiation may pass, and wherein the mirror region simultaneously reflects at least about 35% of a broad band of visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation.

51. An assembly as claimed in claim 50, wherein the mirror region passes about 1% to about 20% of a predetermined band of electromagnetic radiation which may be sensed by the electromagnetic radiation receiver.

52. An electromagnetic radiation receiving assembly, comprising:

a mirror having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the mirror uniformly reflecting at least about 35% of a broad band of visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation and further having a region through which a predetermined band of electromagnetic radiation may pass, and a region adjacent thereto which is substantially opaque;

a substrate having opposite first and second surfaces, and wherein the first surface of the substrate is juxtaposed relative to the second surface of the mirror, the substrate having an area formed therein which allows electromagnetic radiation to pass therethrough, and wherein the area formed in the substrate is oriented in substantial alignment with the mirror region which allows the passage of electromagnetic radiation, and where the substrate renders the adjacent and overlying mirror substantially opaque;

an electromagnetic radiation receiver mounted on the second surface of the substrate, and over the region of the mirror which has been rendered opaque, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation receiver is responsive to a predetermined band width of electromagnetic radiation; and

a reflector positioned adjacent to the second surface of the substrate and in eccentric relation relative to the electromagnetic radiation receiver to reflect the predetermined band width of electromagnetic radiation which passes through the mirror region and the substrate area in the direction of the electromagnetic radiation receiver.

53. An assembly as claimed in claim 52, wherein the mirror region passes a predominate portion of the predetermined band of electromagnetic radiation which may be sensed by the electromagnetic radiation receiver.

54. An assembly as claimed in claim 52, wherein the predetermined band width of electromagnetic radiation which may be sensed by the electromagnetic radiation receiver is about 150 nanometers wide.

55. An electromagnetic radiation emitting assembly, comprising:

a mirror having opposite surfaces, a region through which visible electromagnetic radiation may pass, and a region adjacent thereto which is substantially opaque with respect to the visible electromagnetic radiation;

a substrate having opposite surfaces, and which is mounted in juxtaposed relation to one of the mirror surfaces, the substrate having an area through which the visible electromagnetic radiation may pass and which is placed in substantial alignment with the region of the mirror through which the visible electromagnetic radiation may pass;

an electromagnetic radiation emitter for emitting a source of visible electromagnetic radiation which is mounted on the surface of the substrate which faces away from the mirror, and over the region of the mirror which is substantially opaque with respect to the visible electromagnetic radiation; and

a reflector positioned in substantially eccentric reflecting relation relative to the electromagnetic radiation emitter, the reflector directing the source of electromagnetic radiation through the substrate area and the mirror region through which electromagnetic radiation may pass.