Rear view side mirror with signals emitter device

• US 7,255,464 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2005
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alejandro Rodriguez Barros, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Fernandez
• Original Assignee: Alejandro Rodriguez Barros, Jose Manuel Rodriguez Fernandez
• Inventors: Rodriguez Fernandez, Jose Manuel, Rodriguez Barros, Alejandro
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Truong; Bao Q.
• Application Number:
  US11/157,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20050243569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/492, 362/135, 362/136, 362/511, 362/509, 362/540, 362/544, 362/545, 362/543, 362/516, 362/800, 362/551, 362/555, 362/541, 362/140, 362/560, 359/606, 340/475
• 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 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/123 with thermometers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

The invention relates to a rear-view mirror for vehicles, which consists of compatible, combinable and exchangeable modules such as: (A) and (B), or integrated (A+B), functional, signal, lighting and sensor modules, and structural (C), (D) and (E) modules; cover-housing, body-housing and support which may include functional modules. (A), (B) and (A+B) fulfill their function even if the rear-view mirror is folded. They use a multifocal light source of LED'"'"'s inserted into a flexible and orientable circuit and/or a mixed rigid-flexible circuit-combining LED'"'"'s+bulbs and other lighting elements, with variable optical and reflective means enabling more than one signal from one same transparent surface with direct light output, indirect-reflected light output and/or through intermediate optical light guides depending on the directions required in the front, the side, the back and the lateral ground for different commands, applications and safety signals.

Claims

1. Rear view side minor for a vehicle comprising a housing (D) with a first opening having at least one prisms rear-viewing element, camera or mirrors and a second opening occupied by a luminous signals emitter assembly provided with a cover having at least one transparent surface (1), one internal body (10) or support, at least one internal light source and/or one reflector (12), which emits one signal to the front, side and rear of the rear view side mirror and vehicle with respect to the driving direction, said assembly projecting light rearwards through a zone (2) of said transparent surface (1) located at the farthest side end or vertex (204) from the vehicle'"'"'s bodywork, and wherein said luminous signals emitter assembly includes at least one light conductor body (150) having an elongated shape, internally traveled by light in at least one direction, which acts at least as a light guide, located between at least one light emitter focus of said light source and said transparent surface (1), said at least one light conductor body (150) conveying light from said at least one internal light source towards a front area of the rear view side mirror, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) is placed at least in part substantially parallel to said transparent surface (1).

2. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said luminous signals emitter assembly comprises, in an upper zone above said light source, an element which acts as a visor, in order to improve contrast against exterior light and avoiding external light (32-X).

3. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1 characterized in that said at least one light conductor body (150) comprises at least two light inputs.

4. The rear view side mirror according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said at least two light inputs is located at a middle zone of said light conductor body (150).

5. The rear view side mirror according to claim 3, characterized in that one of said at least two light inputs is located at one end of said light conductor body (150) and another of said at least two light inputs is located at another end of said light conductor body (150), said light conductor body (150) transmitting light in at least two directions.

6. The rear view side mirror according to claim 3, characterized in that two of said at least two light inputs are located at a middle zone of said light conductor body (150), said light conductor body (150) transmitting light in at least two opposite directions.

7. The rear view side mirror according to claim 3, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises at least three light inputs, one located at one end and the other two at a middle zone, said light conductor body (150) transmitting light in at least encountered, opposite and/or complementary directions.

8. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that said light conducting body (150) comprises at least one light emitter per each one of said inputs of said light conductor body (150).

9. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that said light conducting body (150) comprises at least one light emitter per each two of said inputs of said light conductor body (150).

10. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that said light conducting body (150) comprises at least two light emitters per each one of said inputs of said light conductor body (150).

11. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) diverts at least 5% of the light traveling through its interior by at least 10°

with respect to a primary beam (32) producing an indirect light output towards the surface (1) of said cover and/or said reflector (12), before directing the light to the exterior in some of said three directions.

12. The rear view side minor according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) is cylindrical, tubular or semi-tubular, having a circular, hexagonal, octagonal, or irregular polygonal section.

13. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) has at least one external convex surface (1bis) or internal longitudinal surface (12bis), having a thickness (D2) greater than 0.8 mm, a length (L1) greater than 10 mm and a width (D4) greater than 0.8 mm.

14. The rear view side mirror according to claim 3, characterized in that said light inputs of said light conductor body (150) have a shape, at least in part, that is concave (156), convex (6), or flat (6-B).

15. The rear view side mirror according to claim 14, characterized in that said light inputs of said light conductor body (150) have, surrounding said concave (156), convex (6-A) or flat (6-B) part, a meniscus or crown type edge (6bis).

16. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) has an internal longitudinal surface or reflecting channel (12bis), said surface being smooth, machined (153) or colored with a reflecting material.

17. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) has:

an internal longitudinal surface or reflecting channel (12bis), said surface being obtained through a micro-prisms collimator or series of small surfaces or prisms (155) having among them close orientations of about 45°

orientation and saw-tooth shaped directed towards inside or outside with regard to said surface (12bis), so that the light beam (32) traveling therethrough along a direction parallel to said surface (12bis) from one end to an opposite end or with encountered directions moves with a low incidence angle so that when reflecting in said prisms, machined or reflective surface changes its direction more than 10°

generating a lateral exit of light (32bis),

an external longitudinal surface providing a lateral exit of light (1bis), smooth (1-A) or with different levels (1-B) and/or optical members (7, 7bis), and

an exit for a remaining portion of light that has not been submitted to any changes when traveling through said light conductor body (150), with one or several step by step planes or lenses (151, 155, 155bis, 6a-6d, 7 and 7bis), said portion of light issuing at least towards one of said front, side or rear of the rear view side mirror.

18. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises one or more additional light conductor bodies (150), each of said additional light conductor bodies (150) having at least one light input.

19. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1 characterized in that said light conductor body (150) includes at least two light sources, one of said sources providing light towards the rear of the vehicle and the other source applied to one end of said at least one light conductor body (150), to provide light to the front and side of said rear view side mirror.

20. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises one or more additional light conductor bodies (150), each of said additional light conductor bodies (150) having at least one light input, and wherein said light conductor bodies (150) are placed at least in part substantially parallel to said transparent surface (1), and/or they extend, at least in part, from said transparent surface (1) towards said light source.

21. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises one or more additional light conductor bodies (150), each of said additional light conductor bodies (150) having at least one light input, and wherein said light conductor bodies (150) are connected to each other by connecting bridges, clips or attaching teeth (8).

22. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises one or more additional light conductor bodies (150), each of said additional light conductor bodies (150) having at least one light input, characterized in that at least one light emitter is associated with each of said light inputs of said light conductor bodies (150), in order to provide light therethrough.

23. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises one or more additional light conductor bodies (150), each of said additional light conductor bodies (150) having at least one light input, and in that said light conductor bodies (150) are arranged as a series of branches starting from a common area (159) where said light conductor bodies (150) have a common light input for at least one light emitter.

24. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises one or more additional light conductor bodies (150), each of said additional light conductor bodies (150) having at least one light input, and wherein said light conductor bodies (150) are in the shape of several cylinders or tubes unified together through lateral fins to define a transparent narrow portion, said transparent narrow portion having a thickness less than the thickness (D2) of said light conductor bodies (150).

25. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a portion of said reflector (12) is located under at least a portion of said at least one light conductor body (150).

26. The rear view side mirror according to claim 25, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises a cover (12-A) placed over said light source.

27. The rear view side mirror according to claim 26, characterized in that said cover (12-A) comprises part of said reflector (12).

28. The rear view side mirror according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that at least a portion of said cover or mask (12-A) is over at least a portion of said at least one light conductor body (150).

29. The rear view side mirror according any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises at least two portions substantially parallel that face each other in a tight curved portion, said portions being formed by a cylindrical, tubular or semi-tubular curved body with two of said light inputs, one at each end, so that light entering each end meets at said tight curved portion.

30. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) is cylindrical, tubular or semi-tubular, with a circular, hexagonal, octagonal, or irregular section and in that said light conductor body (150) comprises at least two portions substantially parallel that face each other in a tight curved portion, said portions being formed by a cylindrical, tubular or semi-tubular curved body with two of said light inputs, one at each end, so that light entering each end meets at said tight curved portion.

31. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said reflector (12) of said light conductor body (150) are colored at least in part, or are dark chromed or dyed, or are varnished or opaque (12-X).

32. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) has integrated therewith at least one lens and/or at least one prism or group of prisms, having different levels or steps to produce at least a concentrating, diffuser and/or multiplier effect on light which passes therethrough.

33. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said light conductor bodies (150) is placed vertically with respect to the vehicle driving direction (500).

34. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said light conductor bodies (150) is placed horizontally with respect to the vehicle driving direction (500) and parallel to the ground.

35. The rear view side mirror according to claim 16, characterized in that said reflection channel (12bis) comprises a sequence of prisms arranged in line or in a spiral.

36. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) has a lateral or reflected light input with a plane, prism or flat or circular parabola in front of said input in order to redirect light at least in part to make it internally travel through said light conductor body (150) and change its direction at least once during its internal traveling.

37. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said luminous signals emitter assembly has an interior zone that includes at least a reflective and/or catadioptric etching, or a badge or logo on the interior of the transparent surface (1).

38. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises at least one light emitter selected from the group consisting of bulbs, LEDs, neon lamps, and combinations thereof.

39. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises at least two light emitters (30) mounted oppositely on both sides of a circuit, one light emitter (30) per each side, said circuit being a rigid circuit a flexible circuit with slits, fins and folds (21) or a combined rigid and flexible circuit made of die cut metal and fiber, said at least two light emitters (30) producing an indirect light output towards a side (F1) by means of said light conductor body (150) and producing a direct or reflected light output towards another side (F2) with a projection rearwards (K1) through said zone (2) of said transparent surface (1).

40. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said luminous signals emitter assembly combines said at least one light conductor body (150) with optical members or groups of prisms or reflective elements.

41. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said luminous signals emitter assembly combines said at least one light conductor body (150) with individual parabolas or cannons for light emitters.

42. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said luminous signals emitter assembly combines said at least one light conductor body (150) with light emitters having an optical member incoworated therein that is of a light concentrating type (30-A, 30-B, 30-C) or a light diffusing type or multi-chips LEDs, and/or light emitters mounted with different orientation by means of flexible circuits that produce different direct or reflected light outputs.

43. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1 or 17, characterized in that said luminous signals emitter assembly has light conductor bodies (150) that combine an indirect light output with LEDs or neon lamps, mounted in a vertical or horizontal axial form to produce a reflected and diffuse light output in a distributor or light collimator through a flat surface or flattened parabola which is faceted with a succession of small reflecting stepped surfaces.

44. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one light conductor body (150) and said at least one internal light source are positioned inside said luminous signals emitter assembly by means of clips, legs, teeth or guides (8), (18), (24).

45. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one light conductor body (150) and said at least one internal light source are fixed by pressure or ultrasonically soldered to a portion of the luminous signals emitter assembly selected from the group consisting of surface (1), supporting body (10) and reflector (12).

46. The rear view side mirror according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said at least two light inputs is located at one end of said light conductor body and in that it comprises at least one light source directing light towards the exterior of the rear view side mirror, located adjacent to another light source applied directly to one of said two light inputs in at least one of said light conductor bodies (150).

47. The rear view side mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that said rear view side mirror comprises a light emitting element disposed to emit light through the transparent surface (1) and also comprises at least a light duct that conducts a part of the light from said light emitting element to a window (51) placed in a shaded area (200) of the housing (D), said window (51) being visible by the driver (202) and acting as a control light for the light emitting element operation.

48. The rear view side minor according to claim 1, characterized in that said rear view side mirror comprises an operation control indicator acting as a witness for the operation of said luminous signals, said operation control indicator selected from the group consisting of a sound element (70), a mini-LED (00, 25, 25-A, 30), and combination thereof.

49. The rear view side mirror according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said at least one light conductor body (150) comprises at least two light inputs, at least one of said at least two light inputs being located at a middle zone of said light conductor body (150).

50. Rear view side mirror for a vehicle comprising a housing (D) with a first opening having at least one prisms rear-viewing element, camera or mirrors and a second opening occupied by a luminous signals emitter assembly provided with a cover having at least one transparent surface (1), one internal body (10) or support, at least one internal light source and/or one reflector (12), which emits one signal to the front, side and rear of the rear view side mirror and vehicle with respect to the driving direction, said assembly projecting light rearwards through a zone (2) of said transparent surface (1) located at the farthest side end or vertex (204) from the vehicle'"'"'s bodywork, and wherein said luminous signals emitter assembly includes at least one light conductor body (150) having an elongated shape, internally traveled by light in at least one direction, which acts as a light guide, located between at least one light emitter focus of said light source and said transparent surface (1), said at least one light conductor body (150) conveying the light from at least one of said sources towards a front area of the rear view side mirror, characterized in that said at least one light conductor body (150) comprises at least two light inputs, at least one of said at least two light inputs being located at a middle zone of said light conductor body (150).

51. Rear view side mirror for a vehicle comprising a housing (D) with a first opening having at least one prisms rear-viewing element, camera or minors and a second opening occupied by a luminous signals emitter assembly provided with a cover having at least one transparent surface (1), one internal body (10) or support, at least one internal light source and/or one reflector (12), which emits one signal to the front, side and rear of the rear view side mirror and vehicle with respect to the driving direction, said assembly projecting light rearwards through a zone (2) of said transparent surface (1) located at the farthest side end or vertex (204) from the vehicle'"'"'s bodywork, and wherein said luminous signals emitter assembly at least one light conductor body (150) having an elongated shape, internally traveled by light in at least one direction, which acts as a light guide, located between at least one light emitter focus of said light source and said transparent surface (1), said at least one light conductor body (150) conveying light from at least one of said sources towards a front area of the rear view side mirror, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises one or more additional light conductor bodies (150), each of said additional light conductor bodies (150) having at least one light input, and in that said light conductor bodies (150) are in the shape of several cylinders or tubes joined together through lateral fins to define a transparent narrow portion, said transparent narrow portion having a thickness less than the thickness (D2) of said light conductor bodies (150).

52. Rear view side mirror for a vehicle comprising a housing (D) with a first opening having at least one prisms rear-viewing element, camera or mirrors and a second opening occupied by a luminous signals emitter assembly provided with a cover having at least one transparent surface (1), one internal body (10) or support, at least one internal light source and/or one reflector (12), which emits one signal to the front, side and rear of the rear view side mirror and vehicle with respect to the driving direction, said assembly projecting light rearwards through a zone (2) of said transparent surface (1) located at the farthest side end or vertex (204) from the vehicle'"'"'s bodywork, and wherein said luminous signals emitter assembly includes at least one light conductor body (150) having an elongated shape, internally traveled by light in at least one direction, which acts at least as a light guide, located between at least one light emitter focus of said light source and said transparent surface (1), said at least one light conductor body (150) conveying the light from at least one of said sources towards a front area of the rear view side mirror, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) comprises at least two portions substantially parallel that face each other in a tight curved portion, said portions being formed by a cylindrical, tubular or semi-tubular curved body with two light inputs, one at each end, so that light entering each end meets in said tight curved portion.

53. Rear view side mirror for a vehicle comprising a housing (D) with a first opening having at least one prisms rear-viewing element, camera or mirrors and a second opening occupied by a luminous signals emitter assembly provided with a cover having at least one transparent surface (1), one internal body (10) or support, at least one internal light source and/or one reflector (12), which emits one signal to the front, side and rear of the rear view side mirror and vehicle with respect to the driving direction, said assembly projecting light rearwards through a zone (2) of said transparent surface (1) located at the farthest side end or vertex (204) from the vehicle'"'"'s bodywork, and wherein said luminous signals emitter assembly includes at least one light conductor body (150) having an elongated shape, internally traveled by light in at least one direction, which acts at least as a light guide, located between at least one light emitter focus of said light source and said transparent surface (1), said at least one light conductor body (150) conveying the light from at least one of said sources towards a front area of the rear view side mirror, characterized in that said light conductor body (150) has integrated therewith at least one lens and/or at least one prism or group of prisms, having different levels or steps to produce at least a concentrating, diffuser and/or multiplier effect on light which passes therethrough.

54. Rear view side mirror for a vehicle comprising a housing (D) with a first opening having at least one prisms rear-viewing element, camera or mirrors and a second opening occupied by a luminous signals emitter assembly provided with a cover having at least one transparent surface (1), one internal body (10) or support, at least one internal light source and/or one reflector (12), which emits one signal to the front, side and rear of the rear view side mirror and vehicle with respect to the driving direction, said assembly projecting light rearwards through a zone (2) of said transparent surface (1) located at the farthest side end or vertex (204) from the vehicle'"'"'s bodywork, and wherein said luminous signals emitter assembly at least one light conductor body (150) having an elongated shape, internally traveled by light in at least one direction, which acts at least as a light guide, located between at least one light emitter focus of said light source and said transparent surface (1), said at least one light conductor body (150) conveying the light from at least one of said sources towards a front area of the rear view side mirror, characterized in that said luminous signals emitter assembly has an interior zone that includes at least a reflective and/or catadioptric etching, or a badge or logo on the interior of the transparent surface (1).

55. Rear view side mirror for a vehicle comprising a housing (D) with a first opening having at least one prisms rear-viewing element, camera or mirrors and a second opening occupied by a luminous signals emitter assembly provided with a cover having at least one transparent surface (1), one internal body (10) or support, at least one internal light source and/or one reflector (12), which emits one signal to the front, side and rear of the rear view side mirror and vehicle with respect to the driving direction, said assembly projecting light rearwards through a zone (2) of said transparent surface (1) located at the farthest side end or vertex (204) from the vehicle'"'"'s bodywork, and wherein said luminous signals emitter assembly includes at least one light conductor body (150) having an elongated shape, internally traveled by light in at least one direction, which acts at least as a light guide, located between at least one light emitter focus of said light source and said transparent surface (1), said at least one light conductor body (150) conveying light from at least one of said sources towards a front area of the rear view side mirror, characterized in that it comprises a light emitting element disposed to emit light through the transparent surface (1) and at least a light duct that conducts a part of the light from said light emitting element to a window (51) placed in a shaded area (200) of the housing (D), said window (51) being visible by the driver (202) and acting as a control light for the light emitting element operation.

56. The rear view side mirror for a vehicle comprising a housing (D) with a first opening having at least one prisms rear-viewing element, camera or mirrors and a second opening occupied by a luminous signals emitter assembly provided with a cover having one internal body (10) or support, at least one internal light source and/or one reflector (12), which emits one signal to the front, aide and rear of the rear view side mirror and vehicle with respect to the driving direction, said assembly projecting light rearwards though a zone (2) of a transparent surface (1) of said cover located at the farthest side end or vertex (204) from the vehicle'"'"'s bodywork, and including said assembly at least one light conductor body (150) having an elongated shape, internally traveled by light in at least one direction, which acts at least as a light guide, providing said transparent surface (1) for said one light emitter focus of said light source, said at least one light conductor body (150) conveying the light from at least one of said sources towards a front area of the rear view side mirror, characterized in that it comprises at least a light duct that conducts a part of the light from said light emitting element to a window (51) placed in a shaded area (200) of the housing (D), said window (51) being visible by the driver (202) and acting as a control light for the light emitting element operation.