Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-06
2001-02-06
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Automobile
C362S135000, C362S140000, C362S544000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183119
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to rearview mirrors for vehicles.
In particular, the invention relates to electro-optic rearview mirrors, for example electrochromic rearview mirrors in which two glass plates sandwich an electrochromic medium. The invention also relates to interior vehicle rearview mirrors in which a prismatic type reflective element is utilised to provide both a high reflectivity day position and a low reflectivity night position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electro-optic rearview mirrors are well known in the art for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,455 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,816 and as described in the following paper:—N. R. Lynam “Electrochromic Automative Day/Night Mirrors” SAE Technical paper series (870636) (1987).
Prismatic type rearview mirrors are also well known in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising; a mirror case including a reflective element; a support for mounting said assembly on a vehicle; at least one lamp assembly having a reflector member to substantially direct light in a predetermined direction in the vehicle.
Preferably the rearview mirror assembly further comprises: a circuit board mounted within the mirror case; said circuit board having at least one holder, for holding a light source; such that said light source projects into said reflector member.
Preferably said reflector member further comprises a lens mounted such as on the reflector member to substantially focus said light from said lamp assembly, to a predetermined region.
The reflector member preferably has an aperture for receiving said light source.
The light source is preferably a bulb.
Preferably the bulb projects laterally and downwardly into said reflector member.
More preferably the bulb projects downwardly at an inclined angle.
The circuit board preferably has a driver's side bulb holder and a passenger side bulb holder.
The reflector member is preferably removably mounted within said mirror case.
Further preferably the reflector member has at least one resilient flange for engaging a complementary flange in said mirror case to releasably mount said reflector member in said mirror case.
Preferably the lens optionally has a selected opaque area to reduce illumination in predetermined areas.
The circuit board preferably has mounted thereon at least one switch.
The reflective element is preferably actuatable between at least two reflective conditions.
Preferably the reflective element is an electro-optic rearview mirror element.
More preferably said electro-optic rearview element is an electrochromic element. The circuit board preferably contains an electrical circuit for controlling the reflective condition of said reflective element and, most preferably, for continuously varying and controlling the reflective condition from a high reflective state to a low reflective state.
A resilient means preferably abuts a rear surface of said reflective element.
Preferably a shock absorbing means abuts a rear surface of said reflective element.
More preferably said shock absorbing means comprises a layer of foam material adhered to a rear surface of said reflective element.
The foam material preferably comprises a cross-linked polyethylene foam.
The foam material preferably has an adhesive rear surface.
The circuit board is preferably attached to the adhesive rear surface.
Further preferably said lamp assembly is disposed on a bottom region of the mirror case.
The rearview mirror assembly is preferably provided with a first and a second lamp assembly.
The first and second lamp assemblies preferably comprise a driver's side lamp assembly and a passenger side lamp assembly respectively.
Further preferably said circuit board has a first electrical switch for controlling the reflective element and second and third electrical switches for controlling driver's side and passenger side lamp assemblies.
An electrical spring contact is preferably provided to electrically connect said circuit board to said reflective element.
The spring contact preferably abuts a flat electrical terminal on said circuit board.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising: a mirror case including a reflective element; a support for mounting said assembly on a vehicle; at least one lamp assembly having a reflector means to substantially direct light in a predetermined direction in the vehicle; said reflector means comprising a vacuum metalised reflector member.
Preferably the reflector member further comprises a lens, mounted on the reflector shell to substantially focus said light from said lamp assembly to a predetermined region.
The rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle further comprises: a circuit board mounted within the mirror case; said circuit board having at least one holder for holding a light source; such that the light source projects into said reflector member.
According to yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided a reflector member for a lighted rearview mirror, comprising: a peripheral flange for engaging with a mirror case; an interior surface of said member being reflective and comprising a generally flat front wall; a generally flat rear wall; one side of said rear wall curving towards and joining said front wall to define a first side wall; a generally concave topmost surface extending between said front and rear walls and sloping upwardly from said first side wall; a second side wall of generally concave shape joining said front and rear walls and extending upwardly and curving towards said topmost surface.
Preferably an aperture is provided in the member for receiving a light source.
The aperture is preferably provided in a region where the topmost and second side walls merge together.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a reflector means for a lighted rearview mirror comprising: a peripheral flange for engaging with a mirror case; an interior surface of said member being reflective and comprising: a generally flat front wall; a generally flat rear wall; said rear wall being of a substantially smaller height than said front wall; a first side wall extending upwardly and sloping over said front and rear walls; a generally concave topmost surface extending between said front and rear walls and sloping downwardly from an uppermost region of said first side wall to said peripheral flange.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;
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Desmond John P.
Lawlor Patrick J.
McCormack Sean
Mousseau Rick
Donnelly Corporation
Tso Laura K.
Van Dyke Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
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