Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Light modifier
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-01
2001-03-13
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Light modifier
C362S494000, C362S540000, C362S545000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06200010
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to display arrangements for motor vehicle mirrors.
In the field of automotive technology problems arise first because an ever-increasing quantity of data is provided to a vehicle operator while moving in road traffic, and second because the existing data display space is limited. Moreover, a large number of independent display devices leads to a certain lack of recognition by the operator, rendering timely perception of the information displayed more difficult.
German Offenlegungsschrift No. 37 20 848 discloses a display arrangement for motor vehicles which is incorporated in a structural unit with the rear view mirror of the vehicle. In order to provide the minimum possible interference with the operator's rearward vision in the rear view mirror, an LCD is arranged behind an area of the reflecting surface of the mirror which is partly transmissive to light. The LCD, which is lighted from the rear, is electronically controlled to display data in such manner that the light is visible to the operator through the LCD in the activated and/or unactivated areas and through the partially light-transmissive mirror surface. In order not to restrict the operator's field of vision, an enlarged mirror surface is provided. However, this leads to an enlargement of the overall dimensions of the mirror unit. Another disadvantage is that the dimensions of the LCD and of the associated electronic circuits are very bulky, further increasing the overall dimensions of the rear view mirror unit. Furthermore, such LCDs are very expensive.
German Offenlegungsschrift No. 37 35 847 discloses a rear view mirror having an LCD display surface located in the mirror housing immediately below the mirror surface. However, a disadvantage of this arrangement is that the display area is not located directly within the operator's usual field of view. In order to read the data, therefore, the driver must shift his view downwardly from the mirror.
There are also conventional motor vehicle rear view mirrors having a glass mirror with a phototechnically controlled antiglare layer including a photoelectric transducer connected to an electric circuit arranged on a board. One such rear view mirror is disclosed for example in European Published Application No. 78 51 03 in which a light conductor has a free end face adjacent to the mirror glass and substantially parallel to its outer surface with the other end face is adjacent to a photoelectric transducer mounted on a board.
German Patent No. 197 02 746 discloses an outside rear view mirror having a repeat blinker provided in the mirror housing. To replace conventional incandescent lamps, which generate much heat and are very bulky as well, this reference discloses mounting an LED as a light source in the mirror housing and connecting it by a light guide to a light exit aperture in the mirror housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display arrangement for a motor vehicle which overcomes disadvantages of the prior art.
Another object of the invention is to provide a display arrangement for a motor vehicle which is located within the field of vision of the vehicle operator and does not require any additional structural space.
These and other objects of the invention are attained by providing a display arrangement for a motor vehicle mirror having a light guide extending between a light-emitting element and a display region in the mirror so that the light-emitting element can be at a location independent of the display region in the mirror, thereby optimally utilizing the available space. The light-emitting element may thus be located anywhere inside the mirror housing or elsewhere in the motor vehicle outside of the mirror housing. This freedom of location, furthermore, permits easier removal of the heat generated by the light-emitting element.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light emitting elements are in the form of LEDs, which are very inexpensive compared to LCDs, have a long service life, and generate comparatively little heat.
Preferably, the light exit aperture in the mirror is made by rendering the mirror glass semitransparent in the region in front of the light guide, so that the visual appearance of the mirror glass is not altered when the display arrangement is not activated.
Furthermore, each light guide may be provided with a lens so that the light of the display arrangement can be directed toward the vehicle operator, thus enhancing perception and at the same time providing a greater degree of freedom as to the location of the light guides. Preferably, the light guides lead to display regions located in areas of the mirror surface in which no important data concerning the traffic around the vehicle are to be expected so that the display arrangement will not encroach on the operator's field of vision.
By providing a large number of light guides capable of being adjusted selectively in the display region, any desired type of representation of the data are possible, for example alphanumeric or symbolic. By providing a program memory component for the LEDs, the user may, for example, select a desired form of representation.
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Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Tso Laura K.
Volkswagen AG
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