Light guide for automotive use

• US 8,475,018 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2011
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Belcher, Simon, Schmidt, Nicholas
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, JASON
• Application Number:
  US13/089,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20110255297A1
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/511, 362/545, 362/555, 362/612
• 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

Abstract

A rear view mirror with a turn signal indicator is proposed wherein the turn signal indicator has a light guide design and a recess for the light source. The position of the recess is optimized to fulfil legal regulations and to achieve the design requests.

Claims

1. A rear view mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said rear view mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror base fixedly securable to the motor vehicle;

a mirror housing securable to said mirror base, said mirror housing including a reflective element movably secured therein;

a light guide module fixedly secured to said mirror housing, said light guide module including a light guide having an entirely smooth and flat outer surface and a lens covering said light guide with said light guide and said lens formed integrally, said light guide defining a recess dividing said light guide into first and second portions such that a first length of said first portion is greater than two times a second length of said second portion, said recess defines a recess depth (H2) and said light guide defines a light guide thickness (H1+H2) such that said recess depth (H2) is greater than half of said light guide thickness (H1+H2);

and a light source inserted completely into said recess such that light emitted by said light source is received and guided by said first and second portions of said light guide.

2. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said recess defines flat coupling faces.

3. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said recess defines concave coupling faces having a radius of curvature equal to the distance said light source is from said coupling faces.

4. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said recess defines convex coupling faces having a radius of curvature equal to the distance said light source is from said coupling faces.

5. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a printed circuit board disposed perpendicular to said light guide, said printed circuit board electrically connected to said light source.

6. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said printed circuit board includes two light sources disposed on either side thereof

7. A rear view mirror assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said printed circuit board defines an edge such that said light source is fixedly secured to said edge.