Vehicle exterior rear view mirror

• US 6,616,288 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2001
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Original Assignee: Britax Geco SA
• Inventors: Courtois, Serge, Duroux, Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERRY, EUNCHA P
• Application Number:
  US09/773,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20010013981A1
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 359/841, 359/849, 359/872, 359/873, 359/874, 359/876, 359/877, 359/871
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle

Abstract

A rear view mirror for a vehicle has a reflective member mounted for angular movement about a pivot axis perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line. The first line bisects the angle between an incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of the major axis of a vertical section through the eyellipse, and the second line bisects the angle between said incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis.

Claims

1. An exterior rear view mirror configured for providing a 95^th percentile drive eyellipse, said eyellipse including a major axis comprising an axis through a vertical section taken through said eyellipse for a vehicle comprising pivotal coupling means, a reflective member mounted on said pivotal coupling means which allows angular movement of the reflective member about a pivot axis perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line, wherein the first line of said plane bisects the angle between an incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of said major axis of said vertical section through the eyellipse, and the second line bisects the angle between said incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis.

2. A rear view mirror according to claim 1, wherein said incident ray extends from a predetermined point in the required field of view.

3. A rear view mirror according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined point in the required field of view is the bottom corner of the required field of view closest to the vehicle.

4. A rear view mirror according to claim 1, for use on the driver'"'"'s side of a vehicle, wherein the pivot axis is inclined to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of 28°

and to a transverse plane at an angle of 15°

.

5. A rear view mirror according to claim 1, for use on the passenger'"'"'s side of a vehicle, wherein the pivot axis is inclined to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of 27°

and to a transverse plane at an angle of 20°

.

6. A rear view mirror according to claim 1, further comprising a case, drive means coupled to the reflective member at a first location spaced from the first axis and arranged to cause angular movement of the reflective member about the first axis, and stop means arranged to abut against the reflective member at a second location spaced from both the first location and the first axis, the pivotal coupling means being resiliently coupled to the case so as to allow angular movement of the reflective member about a second axis inclined to the first axis during continued operation of the drive means following abutment of the reflective member against the stop means.

7. A rear view mirror according to claim 6, for use on the driver'"'"'s side of a vehicle, wherein the pivot axis is inclined to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body 90 at an angle of 28°

and to a transverse plane at an angle of 15°

.

8. A rear view mirror according to claim 6, for use on the passenger'"'"'s side of a vehicle, wherein the pivot axis is inclined to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body 90 at an angle of 27°

and to a transverse plane at an angle of 20°

.

9. A rear view mirror according to claim 2, wherein the reflective member is mounted in a mirror case which is mounted by the pivotal coupling means on a bracket adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body.

10. A rear view mirror according to claim 9, further comprising an electric motor mounted in the mirror case, and a worm wheel driven by said electric motor, the worm wheel being journaled in sprung bearings so as to be resiliently biased into engagement with a pinion which is coupled to the bracket.

11. A rear view mirror according to claim 3, wherein the reflective member is mounted in a mirror case which is mounted by the pivotal coupling means on a bracket adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body.

12. A vehicle having a driver'"'"'s eyellipse, and an exterior rear view mirror for providing a driver with a rearward required field of view comprising a base member mounted on the vehicle, a pivotal coupling member secured to said base member and having a pivot axis, and a reflective member mounted on said pivotal coupling member for angular movement about said pivot axis;

a single drive element operative to effect movement of said reflective member about said axis wherein said pivot axis extends perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line, the first line bisecting the angle between a first incident ray from a predetermined point within said required field of view impinging on said reflective member and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of a major axis of a vertical section through the eyellipse, and the second line bisecting the angle between a second incident ray and a reflection of said second incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis.

13. A rear view mirror according to claim 12, wherein said predetermined point in the required field of view is the bottom corner of the required field of view closest to the vehicle.

14. A rear view mirror according to claim 12, for use on the driver'"'"'s side of a vehicle, wherein the pivot axis is inclined from a plane extending parallel to a vertical longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of about 28°

and to a vertically extending transverse plane at an angle of about 15°

.

15. A rear view mirror according to claim 12, for use on the passenger'"'"'s side of a vehicle, wherein the pivot axis is inclined from a plane extending parallel to a vertical longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of about 27°

to a vertically extending transverse plane at an angle of about 20°

.

16. A rear view mirror according to claim 12, wherein said single drive element is coupled to the reflective member at a first location spaced from said pivot axis and arranged to cause angular movement of the reflective member about said pivot axis, and a stop arranged to abut against the reflective member at a second location spaced from both the first location and said pivot axis, the pivotal coupling member being resiliently coupled to said base member so as to allow angular movement of the reflective member about a second axis inclined to the first axis during continued operation of the drive element following abutment of the reflective member against the stop.

17. A rear view mirror according to claim 16, for use on the driver'"'"'s side of a vehicle, wherein the pivot axis is inclined from a plane extending parallel to a vertical longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of about 28°

and to a vertically extending transverse plane at an angle of about 15°

.

18. A rear view mirror according to claim 16, for use on the passenger'"'"'s side of a vehicle, wherein the pivot axis is inclined from a plane extending parallel to a vertical longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of about 27°

and to a vertically extending transverse plane at an angle of about 20°

.

19. A rear view mirror according to claim 13, wherein said single drive element is coupled to the reflective member at a first location spaced from said pivot axis and arranged to cause angular movement of the reflective member about said pivot axis, and stop arranged to abut against the reflective member at a second location spaced from both the first location and said pivot axis, the pivotal coupling member being resiliently coupled to said base so as to allow angular movement of the reflective member about a seoond axis inclined to the first axis during continued operation of the drive element following abutment of the reflective member against the stop.

20. A rear view mirror according to claim 12, wherein the reflective member is mounted in a mirror case which is mounted by the pivotal coupling means on a bracket adapted to be mounted on a vehide body.

21. A rear view mirror according to claim 12, for use on the driver'"'"'s side of a vehicle, wherein the pivot axis is inclined from a plane extending parallel to a vertical longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of about 28°

and to a vertically extending transverse plane at an angle of about 15°

.

22. A rear view mirror according to claim 12, for use on the passenger'"'"'s side of a vehicle, wherein the pivot axis is inclined from a plane extending parallel to a vertical to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of about 27°

and to a vertically extending transverse plane at an angle of about 20°

.

23. A rear view mirror according to claim 20, further comprising an electric motor mounted in the mirror case, and a worm wheel driven by said electric motor, the worm wheel being journaled in sprung bearings so as to be resiliently biased into engagement with a pinion which is coupled to the bracket.

24. A rear view mirror according to claim 12, wherein the reflective member is mounted in a mirror case which is mounted by the pivotal coupling means on said base member adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body.

25. A rear view mirror according to claim 24, further comprising an electric motor mounted in the mirror case, and a worm wheel driven by said electric motor, the worm wheel being journaled in sprung bearings so as to be resiliently biased into engagement with a pinion which is coupled to said base member.

26. A rear view mirror according to claim 13, wherein the reflective member is mounted in a mirror case which is mounted by the pivotal coupling means on said base member adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body.

27. A rear view mirror according to claim 26, further comprising an electric motor mounted in the mirror case, and a worm wheel driven by said electric motor, the worm wheel being journaled in sprung bearings so as to be resiliently biased into engagement with a pinion which is coupled to said base member.

28. An exterior rear view mirror for a vehicle comprising:

a case member;

a pivotal coupling arrangement provided on said case member and having a pivot axis;

a reflective member supported by said pivotal coupling arrangement for angular movement about said pivot axis;

a single drive element operative to effect pivotal movement of said reflective member about said pivot axis;

said pivot axis being inclined at a predetermined inclination angle relative to a vertical axis when said rear view mirror is mounted on said vehicle, said inclination angle having a first component in a plane extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said vehicle and a second component extending in a plane lying parallel to the longitudinal axis, said second component is in a direction for such that an upper portion of said pivot axis is inclined toward a front portion of said vehicle whereby said reflective member is pivoted about said axis by said single drive element such that said reflective member is positioned so as to provide a view of a predetermined area lying rearwardly of said vehicle to the eyes of a vehicle operator when said eyes are positioned within a range 95th percentile eyellipse.

29. A new rear view mirror according to claim 28, wherein said first component of said inclination angle is in a direction such that an upper portion of said pivot axis is inclined toward said vehicle.

30. A rear view mirror according to claim 29, wherein said first component is in the range of about 28°

to about 27°

.

32. A rear view mirror according to claim 29, wherein said second component of said inclination angle is in a direction such that said upper portion of said pivot axis is inclined toward a front portion of said vehicle.

33. A rear view mirror according to claim 32, wherein said first component is in a range of about 28°

to about 27°

.

34. A rear view mirror according to claim 33, wherein said second component is in the range of about 15°

to about 20°

.

35. A rear view mirror according to claim 28, wherein said exterior rear view mirror is adapted to be mounted on a driver'"'"'s side of said vehicle and said predetermined area includes an area having a horizontal width at ground level of about 2.5 meters at a distance of about 10 meters rearwardly of said vehicle operator eye line.

36. A rear view mirror according to claim 35, wherein said horizontal width is measured outwardly perpendicular to a plane extending along the said driver'"'"'s side of said vehicle.

37. A rear view mirror according to claim 28, wherein said exterior rear view mirror is adapted to be mounted on a passenger side of said vehicle and said predetermined area includes an area having a horizontal width at ground level of about four meters beginning at a distance of about 20 meters behind said vehicle operator'"'"'s eye line.

38. A rear view mirror according to claim 37, wherein said horizontal width is measured outwardly perpendicular to a plane extending along the said driver'"'"'s side of said vehicle.

39. A rear view mirror according to claim 28, wherein said exterior rear view mirror is supported by said pivotal coupling arrangement within said case.

40. A rear view mirror according to claim 39, wherein one of said case and reflective member include upper and lower bearing members and the other of said case and said reflective member include an axle arrangement, said axle arrangement extending into said upper and lower bearing members to thereby define said pivotal coupling arrangement.

41. A rear view mirror according to claim 39, wherein said pivotal coupling arrangement includes first and second elongated spaced interconnection members extending between said reflective member and said case, one of said first and second interconnection members being longitudinally extensible.

42. A rear view mirror according to claim 41, further comprising an abutment stop provided in said case, said reflective member being pivotably moveable about said first and second interconnection members during a first range of movement, said reflective member being pivotably movable into engagement with said abutment member at one end of said first range of movement and being pivotably moveable about a second pivot axis during a second range of movement, said second pivot axis being defined by the other of said first and second interconnection members and said abutment member.

43. A rear view mirror according to claim 42, wherein said first and second ranges of movement are non-overlapping.

44. A rear view mirror according to claim 42, wherein one of said first and second members is longitudinally extended during a portion of said second range of movement.

45. A rear view mirror according to claim 42, wherein said second pivot axis extends at an acute included angle relative to said pivot axis.

46. A rear view mirror according to claim 28, wherein said reflective member is pivotably moveable about said pivot axis over a first range of movement.

47. A rear view mirror according to claim 46, wherein said single drive element is operative to position said reflective member at any position within said first range of movement.

48. A rear view mirror according to claim 28, wherein said single drive element is an electric motor.

49. A rear view mirror according to claim 28, further including a bracket for mounting said case on a motor vehicle, said case being pivotably supported on said bracket.

50. A rear view mirror according to claim 28, further comprising a bracket for mounting said case on a vehicle, said pivotable coupling arrangement including an upstanding spigot provided on said bracket, said case being pivotably movably supported on said spigot, said spigot defining said pivot axis.

51. A rear view mirror according to claim 50, wherein said reflective member is rigidly mounted in said case.

52. A rear view mirror according to claim 50, further comprising a gear member mounted on said spigot and said drive element includes an element drivingly engaged with said gear member to effect pivotal movement of said reflective member about said pivot axis.

53. A rear view mirror according to claim 52, wherein said spigot includes a flange member having a first detent provided thereon, said gear member is supported in axially movable relationship to said spigot and includes a second detent member provided thereon and a biasing member operative to urge said first and second detent members into mutually engaging relationship to yieldably retain said gear member in a predetermined desired position with respect to said spigot.

54. A rear view mirror according to claim 53, further comprising a worm wheel driven by said single drive element, said worm wheel being journaled in spring bearings so as to be resiliently biased into engagement with said gear member.

31. A rear view mirror according to clairn 28, wherein said second component is in the range of about 15°

to about 20°

.

55. An exterior rear view mirror configured for providing a 95^th percentile driver eyellipse for a vehicle comprising pivotal coupling means, a reflective member mounted on said pivotal coupling means which allows angular movement of the reflective member about a pivot axis perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line, a major axis comprising an axis of a vertical section taken through said eyellipse wherein the first line of said plane bisects the angle between an incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of said major axis of said vertical section through the eyellipse, and the second line bisects the angle between said incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis, said pivot axis being inclined to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of from about 27°

to about 28° and

to a transverse plane angle of from about 15°

to about 20°

.

56. A rear view mirror according to claim 55, wherein said incident ray extends from a predetermined point in the required field of view.

57. A rear view mirror according to claim 56, wherein said predetermined point in the required field of view is the bottom corner of the required field of view closest to the vehicle.

58. A rear view mirror according to claim 56, wherein the reflective member is mounted in a mirror case which is mounted by the pivotal coupling means on a bracket adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body.

59. A rear view mirror according to claim 57, wherein the reflective member is mounted in a mirror case which is mounted by the pivotal coupling means on a bracket adapted to be mounted on a vehicle body.

60. A rear view mirror according to claim 59, further comprising an electric motor mounted in the mirror case, and a worm wheel driven by said electric motor, the worm wheel being journaled in sprung bearings so as to be resiliently biased into engagement with a pinion which is coupled to the bracket.

61. An exterior rearview mirror configured for providing a 95^th percentile eyellipse for use on the driver'"'"'s side of a vehicle, said eyellipse including a major axis comprising an axis through a vertical section taken through said eyellipse for a vehicle comprising pivotal coupling means, a reflective member mounted on said pivotal coupling means which allows angular movement of the rectangular member about a pivotal axis perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line, wherein the pivotal axis is inclined to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of 28°

and a transverse plane at an angle of 15°

, wherein the first line of said plane bisects an angle between an incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of said major axis of said vertical section through an eyellipse, and a second line bisects an angle between said incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis.

62. An interior rear view mirror configured for providing a 95^th percentile drive eyellipse for use on a passenger'"'"'s side of a vehicle, a eyellipse including a major axis comprising an axis through a vertical section taken through said eyellipse for a vehicle comprising pivotal coupling means, a reflective member mounted on said pivotal coupling means which allows angular movement of the reflective member about a pivotal axis perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line, wherein the pivot axis is inclined to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of 27°

and a transverse plane at an angle of 20°

, wherein the first line of said claim bisects the angle between the incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of said major axis of said vertical section through the eyellipse, and the second line bisects the angle between said incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis.

63. A vehicle having a driver'"'"'s eyellipse and an exterior rear view mirror for providing a driver with a rearward required field of view comprising a base member mounted on the vehicle, a pivotal coupling member secured to said base member and having a pivot axis, and a reflective member mounted on said pivotal coupling member for angular movement about the pivot axis;

a single drive element operative to affect movement of said reflective member about said axis wherein said pivot axis extends perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line, the first line bisecting the angle between a first incident ray from a predetermined point within said required field of view impinging said reflective member and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of a major axis of a vertical section through the eyellipse, and a second line bisecting the single angle between a second incident ray and a reflection of said second incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis, wherein the pivotal axis is inclined from a plane extending parallel to a vertical longitudinal central plane of said vehicle body at an angle of about 28° and

to a vertically extending transverse plane at an angle of about 15°

.

64. A vehicle having a driver'"'"'s eyellipse and an exterior rear view mirror for providing a driver with a rearward required field of view comprising a base member mounted on the vehicle, a pivotal coupling member secured to said base member and having a pivot axis, and a reflective member mounted on said pivotal coupling member for angular movement about the picot axis;

a single drive element operative to affect movement of said reflective member about said axis wherein said pivot axis extends perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line, the first line bisecting the angle between a first incident ray from a predetermined point within said required field of view impinging said reflective member and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of a major axis of a vertical section through the eyellipse, and a second line bisecting the single angle between a second incident ray and a reflection of said second incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis, wherein the pivotal axis is inclined from a plane extending parallel to a vertical longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of about 27° and

to vertically extending transverse plane at an angle of about 20°

.

65. A vehicle having a driver'"'"'s eyellipse and an exterior rear view mirror for use on the passenger'"'"'s side of a vehicle for providing a driver with a rearward required field of view comprising a base member mounted on the vehicle, a pivotal coupling member secured to said base member and having a pivot axis, and a reflective member mounted on said pivotal coupling member for angular movement about the picot axis;

a single drive element operative to affect movement of said reflective member about said axis wherein said pivot axis extends perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line, the first line bisecting the angle between a first incident ray from a predetermined point within said required field of view impinging said reflective member and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of a major axis of a vertical section through the eyellipse, and a second line bisecting the single angle between a second incident ray and a reflection of said second incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis, wherein the pivotal axis is inclined from a plane extending parallel to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of about 27° and

to vertically extending transverse plane at an angle of about 20°

.

66. An exterior rearview mirror configured for providing a 95^th percentile eyellipse for use on the driver'"'"'s side of a vehicle, a said eyellipse including a major axis comprising an axis through a vertical section taken through said eyellipse for a vehicle comprising pivotal coupling means, a reflective member mounted on said pivotal coupling means which allows angular movement of the rectangular member about a pivotal axis perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line, wherein the pivotal axis is inclined to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of 28°

and a transverse plane at an angle of 15°

, wherein the first line of said plane bisects an angle between an incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of said major axis of said vertical section through an eyellipse, and a second line bisects an angle between said incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis.

67. An interior rear view mirror configured for providing a 95^th percentile drive eyellipse for use on a passenger'"'"'s side of a vehicle, a eyellipse including a major axis comprising an axis through a vertical section taken through said eyellipse for a vehicle comprising pivotal coupling means, a reflective member mounted on said pivotal coupling means which allows angular movement of the reflective member about a pivotal axis perpendicular to a plane containing both a first line and a second line, wherein the pivot axis is inclined to the longitudinal central plane of the vehicle body at an angle of 27°

and a transverse plane at an angle of 20°

, wherein the first line of said claim bisects the angle between the incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a first end of said major axis of said vertical section through the eyellipse, and the second line bisects the angle between said incident ray and a reflection of said incident ray extending to a second end of said major axis.