Signaling assembly

• US 6,749,325 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2002
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Muth Mirror Systems LLC (K. W. Muth)
• Original Assignee: KW Muth Company
• Inventors: Bukosky, Allen A., Todd, Daniel R., Mathieu, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US10/283,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20040080958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/544, 362/545, 362/135, 362/540, 362/800, 362/235, 362/249
• 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

Abstract

A signaling assembly is disclosed and which includes a reflective substrate having opposite first and second surfaces, and wherein the reflective substrate simultaneously reflects visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and passes visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation; a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters which are borne by the second surface and which, when energized, emit electromagnetic radiation; and a reflector is borne by the second surface and which directs the electromagnetic radiation emitted by some of the electromagnetic radiation emitters in a direction so that it may pass through the reflective substrate and be viewed from a location forward of the first surface, and the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a remainder of the electromagnetic radiation emitters in a direction so that it may be viewed from a location forward of the second surface.

Claims

1. A signaling assembly comprising:

a reflective substrate having opposite first and second surfaces, and wherein the reflective substrate simultaneously reflects visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and passes visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation;

a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters which are borne by the second surface and which, when energized, emit electromagnetic radiation; and

a reflector borne by the second surface and which directs the electromagnetic radiation emitted by some of the electromagnetic radiation emitters in a direction so that it may pass through the reflective substrate and be viewed from a location forward of the first surface, and the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a remainder of the electromagnetic radiation emitters in a direction so that it may be viewed from a location forward of the second surface.

2. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:

a housing defining an internal cavity, and further having an aperture, and wherein the emitters are received in the cavity, and wherein the reflective substrate substantially occludes the aperture, and the second surface of the reflective substrate faces in the direction of the cavity.

3. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the reflective substrate has a primary region which reflects on average at least about 35% of all visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation, and a secondary region which passes at least about 6% of the same visibly discernable electromagnetic radiation.

4. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the reflective substrate further comprises:

a substantially light transmissible substrate having opposite forward and rearward facing surfaces; and

a reflective layer positioned in covering relation relative to one of the first or second surfaces, and wherein the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters are borne on the rearward facing surface.

5. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the reflective layer is positioned in at least partial covering relation relative to the rearwardly facing surface of the substantially light transmissible substrate, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitters are mounted on the reflective layer.

6. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitters are mounted on a circuit board, and wherein the circuit board is mounted in juxtaposed relation relative to the rearward facing surface.

7. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 4, and further comprising:

a housing having a sidewall and which defines a cavity, and wherein the sidewall further defines first and second apertures, and wherein the reflective substrate substantially occludes the first aperture, and wherein the second surface of the reflective substrate is received within the cavity; and

a translucent substrate positioned in substantially occluding relation relative to the second aperture.

8. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the reflective layer is a layer of chromium which is deposited to a thickness which permits the passage of electromagnetic radiation therethrough.

9. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the reflective layer is a dichroic coating which is operable to pass a band of electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitters emit electromagnetic radiation which lies within the band of electromagnetic radiation passed by the dichroic coating.

10. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the reflective layer is a layer of chromium which is deposited to a thickness which passes less than about 6% of ambient visible electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the reflective layer is discontinuous.

11. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 4, and wherein the reflective layer is a layer of chromium which is deposited to a thickness which passes less than about 6% of ambient visible electromagnetic radiation, and wherein a discrete aperture is formed in the layer of chromium and which passes the electromagnetic radiation emitted by some of the electromagnetic radiation emitters, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitters are oriented in laterally offset relation relative to the discrete aperture.

12. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 11, and wherein the reflector has a first portion which is disposed in reflecting relation relative to some of the electromagnetic radiation emitters and the aperture, and wherein the first portion of the reflector directs the electromagnetic radiation emitted by some of the electromagnetic radiation emitters through the aperture so that it may be viewed from a location forward of the first surface.

13. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the reflector has a second portion which is disposed in reflecting relation relative to the remaining electromagnetic radiation emitters, and wherein the second portion of the reflector directs the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the remaining electromagnetic radiation emitters in the direction so that it may be viewed from the location forward of the second surface.

14. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the remaining electromagnetic radiation emitters passes through the translucent substrate which is positioned in substantially occluding relation relative to the second aperture which is defined by the housing.

15. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the first and second portions of the reflector are disposed in spaced relation one to the other.

16. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 13, and wherein the first and second portions of the reflector are made integral one with the other.

17. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the reflective substrate defines a line of reference, and wherein the emitted electromagnetic radiation which can be viewed from a position forward of the first surface is viewed from a location which is less than 180 degrees relative to the line of reference, and wherein the location forward of the second surface where the emitted electromagnetic radiation may be viewed is greater than about 180 degrees relative to the line of reference.

18. A signaling assembly, comprising:

a reflective substrate having opposite first and second surfaces;

a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters borne by the second surface and which emit electromagnetic radiation, when energized; and

a reflector having first and second portions, each of which has an axis of orientation, and wherein the first and second portions are each disposed in reflecting relation relative to a portion of the electromagnetic radiation emitters, and wherein the respective axes of orientation extend in different directions, one relative to the other, and wherein the first portion of the reflector directs emitted electromagnetic radiation in a direction so that it may pass through the reflective substrate and be viewed from locations forward of the first surface, and the second portion of the reflector directs emitted electromagnetic radiation in a direction so that it may be viewed from a location forward of the second surface.

19. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters are each mounted in approximately the same orientation relative to the second surface.

20. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters are mounted in different orientations relative to the second surface.

21. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters are each mounted in approximately the same orientation relative to the second surface, and wherein the first portion of the reflector is disposed in reflecting relation relative to at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter, and wherein the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter is oriented in offset relation relative to the axis of orientation.

22. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters are each mounted in the same orientation relative to the second surface, and wherein the first portion of the reflector is disposed in eccentric reflecting relation relative to the axis of orientation of the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter.

23. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the first and second portions of the reflector are disposed in spaced relation, on to the other.

24. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the first and second portions of the reflector are made integral, one with the other.

25. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the second portion of the reflector is disposed in reflecting relation relative to at least one of the electromagnetic radiation emitters, and wherein the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter is oriented in substantially coaxial alignment relative to the axis of orientation.

26. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the second portion of the reflector is disposed in reflecting relation relative to at least one of the electromagnetic radiation emitters, and wherein the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter is oriented in offset relation relative to the axis of orientation.

27. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 18, and wherein the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters are mounted in an orientation relative to the second surface, and wherein the signaling assembly further comprises:

a housing having a sidewall and which defines a cavity, and wherein the sidewall further defines first and second apertures, and wherein the reflective substrate substantially occludes the first aperture, and wherein the second surface of the reflective substrate faces in the direction of the cavity, and wherein the second portion of the reflector directs emitted electromagnetic radiation through the second aperture.

28. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 27, and wherein the reflective substrate comprises:

a light transmissible substrate having opposite forward and rearward facing surfaces; and

a reflective layer positioned in covering relation relative to one of the first, or second surfaces, and wherein the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters are borne on the rearward facing surface.

29. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 28, and wherein the reflective layer comprises chromium which is deposited to a thickness which permits the passage of electromagnetic radiation therethrough.

30. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 28, and wherein the reflective layer comprises chromium which is deposited to a thickness which passes less than about 6% of ambient visible electromagnetic radiation, and wherein a discrete aperture is formed in the reflective chromium layer and which passes the electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least one of the electromagnetic radiation emitters, and wherein the at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter is disposed in laterally outwardly disposed relation relative to the aperture.

31. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 28, and wherein the reflective layer comprises a dichroic coating which passes a band electromagnetic radiation, and wherein at least one electromagnetic radiation emitter emits electromagnetic radiation which is reflected by the first portion of the reflector, and which is passed by the dichroic coating.

32. A signaling assembly, comprising:

a housing mounted on an overland vehicle and which has a substantially opaque sidewall, and which defines an internal cavity, and first and second apertures, and wherein the housing has opposite first and second sides;

a reflective substrate having opposite first and second surfaces, and wherein the second surface of the reflective substrate faces in the direction of the cavity, and wherein the reflective substrate substantially occludes the first aperture, and the first surface faces away from cavity, and wherein the reflective substrate is operable to both reflect and pass visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation;

a translucent substrate disposed in substantially occluding relation relative to the second aperture;

a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters mounted on the second surface of the reflective substrate and which each face in the direction of the cavity, and which, when energized emit visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation; and

a reflector positioned in reflecting relation relative to the plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters, and wherein the reflector has a first portion which reflects electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least one the electromagnetic radiation emitters in a direction where it is subsequently passed by the reflective substrate and can be seen from one side of the housing, and a second portion which reflects the electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least one of the electromagnetic radiation emitters through the translucent substrate which substantially occludes the second aperture, and wherein the electromagnetic radiation which passes through the translucent substrate can be viewed from the opposite side of the housing.

33. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 32, and wherein the first portion of the reflector forms a first signal, and the second portion of the reflector forms a second signal, and wherein the first and second signals are produced substantially simultaneously.

34. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 33, and wherein the first signal can be viewed from locations which are rearwardly disposed relative to overland vehicle, and wherein the second signal can be viewed from locations which are forwardly disposed relative to the overland vehicle.

35. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 32, and wherein the first portion of the reflector forms a first signal, and the second portion of the reflector forms a second signal, and wherein the respective electromagnetic radiation emitters can be energized at different times to produce the first and second signals.

36. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 32, and wherein the visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation forming the first and second signals are of substantially the same color.

37. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 32, and wherein the visibly discernible electromagnetic radiation forming the first and second signals have different colors.

38. A signaling assembly for use on an overland vehicle, comprising:

a housing having a sidewall, and which defines first, second and third apertures, and first and second internal cavities;

a reflective substrate supported by the housing and disposed in substantially occluding relation relative to the first aperture, and wherein the reflective substrate defines a first line of reference;

an opaque circuit board supported by the housing and disposed in substantially occluding relation relative to the second aperture, and wherein the circuit board has a forwardly facing surface which defines a second line of reference, and a rearwardly facing surface which faces in the direction of the second internal cavity, and wherein the second line of reference is oriented in spaced relation relative to the first line of reference, and wherein the opaque circuit board defines a plurality of apertures, and wherein the third aperture which is defined by the housing communicates with the second internal cavity;

a translucent substrate disposed in substantially occluding relation relative to the third aperture which is defined by the housing;

a plurality of electromagnetic radiation emitters mounted on the rearwardly facing surface of the opaque circuit board, and which, when energized, emit electromagnetic radiation which passes through the apertures defined by the opaque circuit board and the translucent substrate; and

a reflector mounted on the rearwardly facing surface of the opaque circuit board, and wherein the reflector has a first portion which is oriented in reflecting relation relative to some of the electromagnetic radiation emitters, and a second portion which is oriented in reflecting relation relative to the remainder of the electromagnetic radiation emitters.

39. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 38, and wherein the first portion of the reflector reflects emitted electromagnetic radiation in a direction so that it may pass through the apertures formed in the opaque circuit board, and may be viewed from a position forward of the forwardly facing surface of the opaque circuit board, and wherein the second portion of the reflector reflects emitted electromagnetic radiation through the third aperture and the, translucent substrate so that it may be viewed from a position forward of the rearwardly facing surface of the opaque circuit board.

40. A signaling assembly as claimed in claim 38, and wherein an optical coating is applied to the translucent substrate and which impedes the passage of ambient electromagnetic radiation into the second cavity.