Set of parts and assembling method for assembling a rear-view side mirror of a vehicle

• US 7,258,471 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2005
• Issued: 08/21/2007
• 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:
  US11/157,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20050243568A1
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/492, 362/135, 362/136, 362/800, 362/540, 362/544, 362/545, 362/543, 362/511, 362/509, 362/516, 362/240, 362/294, 362/547, 362/503, 362/140, 362/142, 362/144, 362/141, 362/143, 340/475, 340/478, 340/468, 340/469, 340/474
• 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. A set of parts to be used in assembling a rear-view side mirror of a vehicle, comprising:

a mirror housing (D) adapted to be attached to an outer surface of a vehicle, and defining a first opening and at least a second opening including at least an aperture facing to a front part of said vehicle;

a multifocal light emission system producing at least a turn signal output (32) in at least three directions, to the front, side and rear;

a mirror (50) adapted to be mounted in said first opening;

a cover (C, C1) covering said second opening and secured to an edge of said second opening or to the housing (D), said cover (C, C1) including at least a translucent or transparent surface configured to permit passage of light towards said front part and at least towards a rear part through a side end area led away from said outer surface of the vehicle and open towards a rear part of said vehicle, said side end area ending at a distance (D1) from an edge (61) of said first opening to provide a passage for said signal that is not visible to the driver (202) and that remains in a shaded area (200); and

a plurality of connectable refracting, reflecting, emitting and/or receiving functional devices (A, B), each of them adapted to be selected and installed in a predetermined position or configuration integrated or attached, superimposed on a part of an inner surface of said cover (C, C1) for refracting, reflecting, emitting and/or receiving light in at least one predetermined direction through said translucent or transparent surface (1);

wherein said translucent or transparent surfaces for any of said position or configuration of said functional devices are located in an area between upper and lower horizontal tangents delimiting superior and inferior parts of said housing (D), and placed at a back part of said mirror (50), allowing a light signal to be projected therethrough at least on a plane perpendicular to driving axis (500) to the rear and front (K1, K5), respectively.

2. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterized in that said second opening comprises a bottom portion of said housing (D).

3. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterized in that said translucent or transparent surface (1) permits the passage of light therethrough in several different directions comprising two or more of the following:

forward direction, rearward direction, sideward direction, downward direction, and corresponding intermediate positions, in relation to the vehicle.

4. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that said plurality of functional devices is selected from the group consisting of:

gauge light emitting functional device, front and/or side position light emitting functional device, fog position light emitting functional device, intermittent light emitting functional device, side downward courtesy light emitting functional device, infrared light emitting and/or receiving functional device.

5. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that said plurality of functional devices includes an infrared light emitting and/or receiving functional device.

6. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that each of said plurality of functional devices is selected from the group consisting of:

light refracting element;

light reflecting element;

light emitting element;

printed circuit board.

7. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that several devices of said plurality of functional devices share one or more of the following elements:

light refracting element, light reflecting element, light emitting element, printed circuit board.

8. The set of parts according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said functional devices having shared elements form a multiple signal assembly combining an intermittent light with another light source complementary of the vehicle front signals.

9. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said plurality of functional devices comprises a combination of light emitting elements of different types, LEDs with different optical members (36) and/or different forms of chip and/or LEDs with multiple chips, and/or different shape of capsule (30) or different size, and/or with rectangular-shaped chip (34), or side-mounting LEDs (30-A) with a side light way out at approximately 90°

with respect to the base board of the support circuit, and/or LEDs with direct light way out associated with transparent light conducting bodies (150), and/or LEDs associated with bulb lamps, and/or LEDs associated with OLEs (N3) or electro-luminescent semiconductor substrates, for concentrating or dispersing light according to their function, or assuring the operation in part of the signal if one of said luminous elements fails.

10. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that said emitting and/or receiving functional devices further comprise one or more emitting and/or receiving elements of other types of signals selected from the group consisting of:

radio-frequency emitter and/or receiver, ultrasound emitter and/or receiver, temperature sensor, temporizer, and received signal analyzer circuit.

11. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said functional devices comprises single or multiple chip LED-type light emitters with an optical member integrated or intermediate between said emitter and the transparent surface (1), a luminous projection (32) which comprises projecting light in a stereo radian sphere-sector with a vertical angle (D1) greater than +10°

and −

10°

, and an horizontal angle (D2) greater than said vertical angle (D1).

12. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said functional devices is adapted to emit a natural white light by means of a light source of the type of a bulb lamp and/or white LEDs, or by the simultaneous emission of three RGB chip LEDs red, green, blue, in a single multi-LED light emitter, or by means of three separate LEDs producing white light by combination of them, or other color light by combination of two of them.

13. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said functional devices includes a high-brightness light source integrating several LEDs or chip LEDs forming alternate groups on a support circuit in a same inner space of said cover (C, C1) cavity, said groups of chip LEDs or LEDs having several different characteristics of wave length, shape and color, thereby permitting to emit light signals of different colors or multiple light signals through the translucent or transparent surface (1) with respective alternate and/or simultaneous, independent or joint operation, or with two light intensities for a same color by means of a resistor attenuator circuit (306).

14. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said functional devices includes a light emitting element in the form of a bulb lamp dyed in a color for at least one function and placed in an horizontal, vertical or intermediate position, in combination with a faceted parabolic reflector.

15. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said functional devices includes a light emitting element in the form of a single bulb lamp for two different functions, said bulb lamp being partially covered by a front mask with a filter of one color (3) and (3bis) for emitting light of said color in the forward direction, rearward direction or sideward direction, and disposed to emit white light in a side downward direction, the bulb lamp being associated with two different commands permitting the activation of the light bulb in two different ways.

16. The set of parts according to claim 15, characterized in that an inner surface of said mask acts in part as a parabolic reflector to reflect white light downwards.

17. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said functional devices includes a group of LEDs inserted in a rigid printed circuit board.

18. The set of parts according to claim 17, characterized in that said rigid printed circuit board is a metal and fiber composite printed circuit board (12A) wherein the LEDs of said group of LEDs are inserted having opposite orientations for emitting light in two wide-angled opposite directions (F1 and F2), one of them directly through the translucent or transparent surface (1) and the other indirectly via reflection on a reflecting surface (12).

19. The set of parts according to claim 18, characterized in that said emitting and/or receiving functional devices include a collimator distributing the light along a surface by a succession of aligned little reflecting surfaces (13).

20. The set of parts according to claim 18, characterized in that said reflecting surface (12) is totally or partially colored in any pale, dark, black, white, or metallized color, and/or is totally or partially chrome-plated with a pale or dark chrome plating, or dyed, or varnished, and is shiny or matte (12-X).

21. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of said functional devices includes a light emitting element adapted to emit light in a color different from white.

22. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one device of said plurality of functional devices comprises a light emitting element and a light-conducting transparent body adapted to conduct light from said light emitting element to an area of the translucent or transparent surface (1) not directly facing the light emitting element.

23. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that said translucent or transparent surface (1) includes a side end area (204) placed in a vertex of the rear-view side mirror, said side end area (204) being visible both from front and rear, as well as from the corresponding side of the vehicle.

24. The set of parts according to claim 23, characterized in that at least one device of said plurality of functional devices comprises a light emitting element adapted to emit light through said side end area (204) of the translucent or transparent surface (1).

25. The set of parts according to claim 23, characterized in that at least one device of said plurality of functional devices comprises a light emitting element and a light-conducting transparent body adapted to conduct light from said light emitting element to said side end area (204) of the translucent or transparent surface (1).

26. The set of parts according to claim 24, characterized in that said refracting or reflecting devices comprise one or more configurations adapted to direct at least part of the light from the light emitting element through said side end area (204) in a rearward and (K1) direction in such a way that said light emitting element does not produce dazzles that can affect the driver'"'"'s eyes, said one or more configurations being selected from the group consisting of:

a smooth rear outer face (66) in the side end area (204), and

a distance (D1) from a rear outer face (66) of the side end area (204) to a rear outer edge of the housing (D), said distance defining a surface (N) separating an illuminated area (100) from a shaded area (200).

27. The set of parts according to claim 25, characterized in that said refracting or reflecting devices comprise one or more configurations adapted to direct at least part of the light from the light emitting element through said side end area (204) and in a rearward (K1) direction in such a way that said light emitting element does not produce dazzles that can affect the driver'"'"'s eyes, said one or more configurations being selected from the group consisting of:

a smooth rear outer face (66) in the side end area (204),

a distance (D1) from a rear outer face (66) of the side end area (204) to a rear outer edge of the housing (D), said distance defining a surface (N) separating an illuminated area (100) from a shaded area (200),

a smooth inner reflection surface in said light-conducting transparent body adapted to orient and transmit light in a linear and direct way to a rear outer face (66) of the side end area (204),

a black inner surface in said light-conducting transparent body adapted to orient and transmit light in a linear and direct way to a rear outer face (66) of the side end area (204) and to absorb and control remnant light reflections,

an inner surface with prisms or lenses in said light-conducting transparent body adapted to orient and transmit light in a linear and direct way to a rear outer face (66) of the side end area (204) through a hollow passage formed between reflection elements (13) of a reflector (12) and the translucent or transparent surface (1); and

an inner surface with prisms or lenses (7) and (155) in said light-conducting transparent body (150) adapted to orient and transmit light in a linear and direct way to a rear outer face (66) of the side end area (204) through a solid passage integral of the translucent or transparent surface (1).

28. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one device of said plurality of functional devices comprises a light emitting element disposed to emit light through the translucent or transparent surface (1) and one or more configurations adapted to direct at least a part of the light from said light emitting element to a little 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.

29. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one device of said plurality of functional devices comprises a light emitting element disposed to emit light through the translucent or transparent surface (1) and at least a light duct adapted to conduct a small part of the light from said light emitting element to a little 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.

30. The set of parts according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one device of said plurality of functional devices is associated with an operation control indicator placed outside or inside the vehicle, said operation control indicator being selected from the group consisting of:

a sound element (70) and a mini-LED (00, 25, 25-A, 30).

31. The set of parts according to claim 2, characterized in that at least two holes (265, 266, 267, 560) are provided in the housing (D) and/or the cover (C, C1) forming an air passageway between the interior and the exterior, said holes (265, 266, 267, 560) having an outer configuration defining a trap for restricting water ingress, one of said holes (265, 266, 267, 560) being placed in a lower position with respect to the other thereby defining a ventilation circuit for ventilating the housing (D).

32. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterised in that said cover (C, C1) comprise one single external, transparent and colourless surface (1) provided with a separator (77) configuration having at least one channel or level difference greater than 100 microns and/or an opaque over-injected band which reduces the transmittance and colouring of one signal light by 1% or more in the sector of the other signal in the case that the transmittance limiting machining does not exist.

36. The set of parts according to claim 11, characterized in that each of said multiple chip LED includes at least two chips (34) in a single capsule or in a single metal reflecting base (35).

37. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterized in that said functional devices integrated to said cover include elements that are released internally by first removing said mirror (50).

38. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterized in that said functional devices integrated to said cover include elements that are released internally by means of a lower orifice or screw through the housing.

39. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterized that said functional devices integrated to said cover include elements that are released internally by rotating the whole mirror on its folding axis or folding point and by means of a gap created between the housing and the door attachment support.

40. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover (C, C1) comprises several unified parts.

41. The set of parts according to claim 40 characterized in that said unified parts are obtained with an injection molding process from a single mold.

42. The set of parts according to claim 40, characterized in that said plurality of connectable refracting, reflecting, emitting and/or receiving functional devices are obtained from a single mold.

43. The set of parts according to claim 40, characterized in that said plurality of connectable refracting, reflecting, emitting and/or receiving functional devices are obtained from different molds.

44. The set of parts according to claim 40, characterized in that said connectable parts are made from one single exterior surface (1), one single inner part (12) or (10), and share a circuit (20) and share a common negative connection.

45. The set of parts according to claim 44 characterized in that said circuit (20) has a metallic support adhered to a positive connection, that dissipates heat generated by the high brightness LEDs cathode (30).

46. The set of parts according to claim 45 characterized in that said metallic support is associated with a channel or duct of upward ventilation.

47. The set of parts according to claim 44, characterized in that a heat diffuser is adhered to said positive connection.

49. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterized in that there is a gradual projection of the housing (D) that provides a height difference (0) over the cover to protect said cover against knocks and scratches.

50. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge of the second opening has a projecting flange (67).

51. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterized in that said side end area comprises an apex (204) formed by a curve turn or bend between outside surface of said cover and edge (66), said apex having a rounded radius (R1) greater than 1 mm.

52. The set of parts according to claim 1, characterized in that said functional device (A) has an attachment tooth (5) engaged by housing (D).

33. A method for assembling a rear-view side mirror of a vehicle from a set of parts, comprising the steps of:

providing a mirror housing (D) adapted to be attached to an outer surface of a vehicle, and defining a first opening and at least a second opening including at least an aperture facing to a front part of said vehicle;

mounting a mirror (50) adapted to be mounted in said first opening;

providing a multifocal light emission system producing at least a turn signal output (32) in at least three directions, to the front, side and rear;

attaching a cover (C, C1) to an edge of said second opening or to said housing (D) covering said second opening, said cover (C, C1) including at least a translucent or transparent surface configured to permit passage of light towards said front part and at least towards a rear part through a side end area led away from said outer surface of the vehicle and open towards a rear part of said vehicle, said side end area ending at a distance (D1) from an edge (61) of said first opening to provide a passage for said signal that is not visible to the driver (202) and that remains in a shaded area (200);

providing a plurality of connectable refracting, reflecting, emitting and/or receiving functional devices (A, B) each one adapted to be selected and installed in a predetermined position or configuration integrated or attached, superimposed on a part of an inner surface of said cover (C, C1) for refracting, reflecting, emitting and/or receiving light in at least one predetermined direction through said translucent or transparent surface (1);

selecting one or more functional devices from said plurality of functional devices; and

installing the selected functional devices by attaching them to the cover (C, C1) before attaching the cover (C, C1) to the housing (D);

wherein said translucent or transparent surfaces for any of said position or configuration of said functional devices are located in an area between upper and lower horizontal tangents delimiting superior and inferior parts of said housing (D), and placed at a back part of said mirror (50), allowing a light signal to be projected therethrough at least on a plane perpendicular to driving axis (500) to the rear and front (K1, K5), respectively.

34. The method according to claim 33, further comprising attaching a non-transparent portion of the cover (C, C1) to a body constituting said translucent or transparent surface (1) by over-molding.

35. The method according to claim 33, further comprising attaching a non-transparent portion of the cover (C, C1) to a body constituting said translucent or transparent surface (1) by fastening means selected from the group consisting of clips and screws.

48. A set of parts to be used in assembling a rear-view side mirror of a vehicle, comprising:

a mirror housing (D) adapted to be attached to an outer surface of a vehicle, and defining a first opening and at least a second opening including at least an aperture facing to a front part of said vehicle;

a multifocal light emission system producing at least a turn signal output (32) in at least three directions, to the front, side and rear;

a mirror (50) adapted to be mounted in said first opening;

a cover (C, C1) covering said second opening and secured to an edge of said second opening or to the housing (D), said cover (C, C1) including at least a translucent or transparent surface configured to permit passage of light towards said front part and at least towards a rear part through a side end area led away from said outer surface of the vehicle and open towards a rear part of said vehicle, said side end area (2) ending at an edge (61) of said first opening to provide a passage for said signal that is not visible to the driver (202) and that remains in a shaded area (200); and

a plurality of connectable refracting, reflecting, emitting and/or receiving functional devices, each of them adapted to be selected and installed in a predetermined position or configuration integrated or attached, superimposed on a part of an inner surface of said cover (C, C1) for refracting, reflecting, emitting and/or receiving light in at least one predetermined direction through said translucent or transparent surface (1);

wherein said translucent or transparent surfaces for any of said position or configuration of said functional devices are located in an area between upper and lower horizontal tangents delimiting superior and inferior parts of said housing (D), and placed at a back part of said mirror (50), allowing a light signal to be projected therethrough at least on a plane perpendicular to driving axis (500) to the rear and front (K1, K5), respectively.