Vehicular mirror assembly incorporating multifunctional illumination source

• US 6,926,431 B1
• Filed: 04/08/2003
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Donnelly Mirrors North America, LLC (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Peterson, Kenneth C., Boddy, Ian, Foote, Keith D., Brown, Kris D.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tsidulko, Mark
• Application Number:
  US10/249,431
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/524, 362/492, 362/135, 362/140, 362/141, 362/144, 340/825.36, 340/825.49
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/247 for illuminating the close surroundings of the vehicle, e.g. to facilitate entry or exit for reverse drive B60Q1/22; by opening a side door B60Q1/323
• 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: B60Q 1/323 on or for doors illuminated exterior door handles B60Q1/2669; illuminated door locks E05B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/20 Multi-color single source or LED matrix, e.g. yellow blinker and red brake lamp generated by single lamp
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/40 Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

The invention relates to an external rearview mirror having an illumination source capable of illuminating various portions of an vehicle and the surrounding area depending upon the operational status of the vehicle. The illumination source is adjustable to selectively illuminate predetermined areas of the vehicle and the surrounding area. Two sets of light-emitting diodes of selected colors can be arranged and controlled so that the first set of LEDs can be selectively illuminated as a turn signal indicator, and the first set and second set can be selectively illuminated so that the combined illumination forms a white light suitable for illumination, such as a “puddle light” or backup light.

Claims

1. A vehicular mirror system comprising:

a vehicular mirror assembly adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, the vehicular mirror assembly having a reflective element mounted therein; and

said vehicular mirror assembly comprising an illumination device, said illumination device emitting light when electrically powered;

said illumination device comprising at least one device selected from the group consisting of a ground illumination device, a signal light device, an approach light device and a reverse light device; and

a controller, said controller responsive to a wireless signal transmitted from a device carried by a person approaching the vehicle, said controller responsive to said signal by operating said illumination device at least initially in a strobe mode to aid the person in finding the vehicle.

2. The vehicular mirror system of claim 1 wherein said operation of said illumination device in said strobe mode terminates after a predetermined time has elapsed.

3. The vehicular mirror system of claim 2 wherein said illumination device continues to operate in a non-strobe mode after said predetermined time has elapsed.

4. The vehicular mirror system of claim 1 wherein the illumination device comprises a light source which is moveable between at least a first position and a second position.

5. The vehicular mirror system of claim 1 wherein said illumination device comprises a light source having at least one incandescent bulb.

6. The vehicular mirror system of claim 1 wherein said illumination device comprises a light source having at least one light-emitting diode.

7. The vehicular mirror system of claim 1 wherein said illumination device comprises a light source and wherein an electric motor moves said light source between at least a first position and a second position.

8. The vehicular mirror system of claim 1 wherein said illumination device comprises a fixed light source and a reflector that is moveable between at least a first position and a second position.

9. The vehicular mirror system of claim 8 wherein said reflector comprises a convex mirror.

10. The vehicular mirror system of claim 8 wherein said fixed light source comprises at least one incandescent bulb.

11. The vehicular mirror system of claim 8 wherein said fixed light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

12. The vehicular mirror system of claim 8 wherein said illumination device comprises an electric motor operably interconnected to the reflector for moving the reflector between at least the first position and the second position.

13. A vehicular mirror system comprising:

a vehicular mirror assembly;

said vehicular mirror assembly comprising a base portion adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and a movable portion movably mounted to said base portion for movement between an extended position and a folded position, said movable portion having a reflective element mounted therein;

said vehicular mirror assembly including an illumination device, said illumination device emitting light when electrically powered;

a controller, said controller responsive to a wireless signal transmitted from a device carried by a person approaching the vehicle, said controller responsive to said signal by operating said illumination device at least initially in a strobe mode to aid the person in finding the vehicle.

14. The vehicular mirror system of claim 13 wherein said illumination device is mounted for movement between at least a first position to perform a first illumination function and a second position to perform a second illumination function and further comprising an actuator operably interconnected to the illumination device to move the illumination device between the first and second positions.

15. The vehicular mirror system of claim 13 wherein said illumination device comprises a light source which is moveable between at least a first position and a second position.

16. The vehicular mirror system of claim 15 wherein said light source comprises at least one incandescent bulb.

17. The vehicular mirror system of claim 15 wherein said light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

18. The vehicular mirror system of claim 15 wherein said illumination device comprises an electric motor operably interconnected to said light source for moving said light source between at least the first position and the second position of said light source.

19. The vehicular mirror system of claim 13 wherein said illumination device comprises a reflector that is moveable between at least a first position and a second position.

20. The vehicular mirror system of claim 19 and further comprising a driver operably coupling at least one of said movable portion of said vehicular mirror assembly and said base portion of said vehicular mirror assembly with a reflector such that the movement of the vehicular mirror assembly between the extended position and the retracted position moves the reflector between at least the first position and the second position of said reflector.

21. The vehicular mirror system of claim 20 wherein said reflector comprises a convex mirror.

22. The vehicular mirror system of claim 20 wherein said illumination device comprises a light source.

23. The vehicular mirror system of claim 22 wherein said light source comprises at least one incandescent bulb.

24. The vehicular mirror system of claim 22 wherein said light source comprises at least one light-emitting diode.

25. A vehicular mirror system of claim 13 wherein said controller terminates said strobe mode after a predetermined period has elapsed.

26. The vehicular mirror system of claim 25 wherein said illumination device emits non-strobing light after said termination of said strobe mode.

27. The vehicular mirror system of claim 13 wherein said strobe mode is operational as the vehicular mirror assembly moves between the folded and the extended positions.