Abstract:
A conversation mirror assembly is provided for use in passenger compartments of motor vehicles. The conversation mirror assembly includes a mirror housing having a mirror support surface. A first conversation mirror face biased toward the driver is fitted to the mirror support surface. A second conversation mirror face biased toward the front seat passenger is fitted to the mirror support surface adjacent the first conversation mirror. The first conversation mirror face and the second conversation mirror face may be either spherical or aspherical. The first conversation mirror face may be separate from the second conversation mirror face. Alternatively, the first conversation mirror face and the second conversation mirror face define two facets of a single mirror.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The disclosed invention relates generally to conversation mirrors for vehicles. More particularly, the disclosed invention relates to a conversation mirror having two convex elements that are oriented in such a way as to provide front row occupants optimal view of occupants in subsequent rows behind them. The two convex elements may be spherical or aspherical. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In the modern family vehicle there is at least one rear seat and in most mini-vans and sport utility vehicles there is typically more than one rear seat. This additional room is frequently occupied by children. Drivers and the front seat passenger have found it difficult to monitor the activities of children in the rear seats. The added passenger room also makes it difficult for a driver or a front seat passenger to carry on a conversation with a rear seat passenger while trying to maintain some degree of eye contact. 
   Recognizing that the conventional rear view mirror does not provide a good solution to this problem, auto manufacturers began offering “conversation mirrors” which are separate from the conventional rear view mirror. The conversation mirror is usually mounted in the ceiling of the vehicle, either as a fixed component or as a component capable of folding into a ceiling-mounted console. While the conversation mirror does generally aid in maintaining eye contact between the driver or front seat passenger and the rear seat passenger, findings suggest that the most valuable feature of the conversation mirror is that the activities of rear-seat children can be monitored by parents seated in the front seats of the vehicle. 
   The known conversation mirror comes in two varieties. The first is the single adjustable conversation mirror that is generally small and is made with a relatively large radius of curvature, typically ˜150 mm. This type of mirror is adjusted for and used by only one front seat occupant at a time. 
   The second variety of known conversation mirrors uses a single, fixed spherical mirror of relatively small radius. While this design permits simultaneous usage by both front row occupants, the image produced has objectionable and pronounced foreshortening effects due to the variation in distance from the viewer to the different second row passengers. 
   The utility of both varieties is further compromised by their excessively wide field of view (FOV). This wide field of view produces overly-inclusive and thus unnecessary views as well as small images. Accordingly, as in so many areas of motor vehicle technology, there is room in the art of interior mirrors for advancement. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The conversation mirror assembly as provided herein overcomes the limitations and compromises of known technology by using an appropriately-shaped mirror surface. The mirror assembly includes a mirror which has either a spherical surface or an aspherical surface. The phrase “aspherical surface” refers to any surface that deviates from a spherical shape. Optical systems have historically incorporated aspherical surfaces to fulfill optical requirements that would otherwise be difficult and cumbersome to satisfy. Aspheric mirrors have been used in vehicle applications as outside mirrors. Such mirrors are generally convex, but they commonly vary in radius of curvature across the horizontal dimension. In outside vehicle mirrors the surface defines a longer radius of curvature on the inboard side than on the outboard side, thus providing a gentle curve on the inboard side and a stronger curve on the outboard side. This relatively complex shape overcomes problems of image magnification and the resultant distance distortion associated with conventional spherical mirrors by producing a larger field of view with reduced distance distortion. 
   The conversation mirror assembly as provided herein in its various embodiments is directed to use in passenger compartments of motor vehicles, air craft and boats. More particularly, the conversation mirror assembly as provided herein includes a mirror housing having a mirror support surface. A first aspheric conversation mirror biased toward the driver is fitted to the mirror support surface of the mirror housing. A second aspheric conversation mirror biased toward the front seat passenger is fitted to the mirror support surface of the mirror housing adjacent the first conversation mirror. Both the first conversation mirror and the second conversation mirror have the same aspheric shape. Where the aspheric mirror surface is used the multiple radii defined by the surface optimizes the image by reducing the effect of distance foreshortening. 
   In the first embodiment of the invention the first conversation mirror is separate from the second conversation mirror. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the first conversation mirror and the second conversation mirror define two faces or surfaces of a single mirror with each face or surface defining an aspheric surface. 
   Other advantages and features of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent when viewed in light of the detailed description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings and the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a stylized plan view of an interior of a vehicle and the view perceived by the driver using a conventional conversation mirror; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a stylized plan view of an interior of a vehicle and the views perceived by both the driver and the front seat passenger using a conversation mirror of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view of a first preferred embodiment of a conversation mirror according to the disclosed invention with adjacent spherical mirror surfaces and having an outline of the conventional conversation mirror shown in broken lines; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of a conversation mirror according to the disclosed invention with adjacent spherical mirror surfaces; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of a conversation mirror according to the disclosed invention with adjacent aspherical mirror surfaces; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a variation of the first preferred embodiment of the conversation mirror of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a variation of the conversation mirror of  FIG. 6  that includes two halves that are pivotably attached; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the conversation mirror of  FIG. 7  but showing one half of the mirror rotated relative to the other half of the mirror; 
       FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a conversation mirror assembly in an overhead console housing according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a partly sectional elevational view of the conversation mirror assembly and overhead console combination shown in  FIG. 9  illustrating the mirror assembly in its operative position as well as showing the stored mirror assembly in phantom; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a conversation mirror assembly according to the disclosed invention in which the mirrors are illustrated in their stowed and non-functioning positions; 
       FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the conversation mirror assembly of conversation mirror assembly in place in an overhead console and shown in its closed and open positions; 
       FIG. 13  is the same view of the conversation mirror assembly shown in  FIG. 11  but showing the mirror segments in their deployed and functioning positions; 
       FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the conversation mirror assembly shown in  FIG. 13  illustrating the mirror segments in their opened positions; 
       FIG. 15  is a front view of an additional alternate embodiment of the conversation mirror as set forth herein; 
       FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the conversation mirror of  FIG. 15  taken along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 ; and 
       FIG. 17  is a sectional view of the conversation mirror of  FIG. 5  taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 15 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for one constructed embodiment. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , a stylized plan view of a vehicle interior, generally illustrated as  10 , is shown. The illustrated vehicle interior  10  includes a driver  12 , a front seat passenger  14 , and rear-seat passengers  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″. 
   A conversation mirror  18  according to the prior art is illustrated vehicle forward of the driver  12  and the front seat passenger  14 . As is known in the art, the prior art conversation mirror  18  is a single spherical mirror surface. With this configuration, the view in the conversation mirror  18  visible to the driver  12  is overly wide and includes objects outside of the vehicle. This is illustrated by the field of view shown in  FIG. 1 . In addition, the different distances between the driver  12  and the rear-seat passengers  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″ produces a foreshortened view that is objectionable to the driver. 
   The present invention provides either a spherical or aspherical mirror surface which overcome the foreshortening and overly-broad field of view of the prior art by providing an optimized and normalized rear view. The aspherical version of the present invention adjusts for foreshortening by introducing a mild distortion and keeps images as large as practicable. 
   The arrangement of the conversation mirror of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2  in which a stylized plan of a vehicle interior, generally illustrated as  20 , is shown. The vehicle interior  20  would typically be that of a motor vehicle but may illustrate a marine vehicle or an airplane as well. The illustrated vehicle interior includes a driver  22 , a front seat passenger  24 , and rear-seat passengers  16 ,  16 ′,  16 ″. It should be noted that while seating for five individuals is illustrated the number and arrangements of seats may be varied. 
   A conversation mirror  28  according to the present invention is illustrated vehicle forward of the driver  22  and the front seat passenger  24 . The conversation mirror  28  may include a spherical mirror surface, an aspherical mirror surface, or a combination of these two surfaces. Regardless of the type of surface, the conversation mirror  28  provides dual mirror faces and any of the conversation mirrors shown in the figures and discussed herein may be of either type of mirror surface. Using the dual mirror face arrangement of the present invention in its various configurations in which each mirror radius is biased toward the front row viewer, the front row occupants have an optimized and normalized view in which foreshortening due to the differences in distance from the viewer to the second row occupants is either reduced or is eliminated. The illustrated fields of view highlight the advantages of the present invention over the single radius design of the prior art. Specifically, the field of view of the driver  22 , illustrated by solid lines, focuses on the passengers  26 ,  26 ′,  26 ″ and does not substantially exceed this range. Similarly the field of view of the passenger  24 , illustrated by broken lines, also focuses on the passengers  26 ,  26 ′,  26 ″. 
   One of the first embodiments of the conversation mirror according to the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 3  in which a conversation mirror assembly, generally illustrated as  30 , is shown in sectional view. The conversation mirror assembly  30  includes a dual mirror face arrangement  32  of a one-piece design which is defined by two mirror faces or surfaces  34 ,  34 ′ which are integrated to form the one-piece dual mirror face arrangement  32 . A housing  36  is provided in which a portion of each of the two mirror faces  34 ,  34 ′ is fitted. By contrast to the illustrated dual mirror face arrangement  32 , a conventional single radius design mirror surface, illustrated in broken lines as conventional mirror surface  38 , is shown. 
   A second embodiment of the conversation mirror of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 4  in which a conversation mirror assembly, generally illustrated as  40 , is shown in sectional view. The conversation mirror assembly  40  includes a dual mirror face arrangement  42  of a two-piece design which is defined by two mirror faces or surfaces  44 ,  44 ′. A housing  46  is provided in which a portion of each of the two mirror faces  44 ,  44 ′ is fitted. In addition, a bridge  48  is provided to serve as the central attachment area for the two mirror faces  44 ,  44 ′. 
   As a further variation to the conversation mirror of the present invention an aspheric two-piece mirror configuration is shown in  FIG. 5 . With reference thereto, a conversation mirror assembly, generally illustrated as  50 , is shown in sectional view. The conversation mirror assembly  50  includes a dual mirror face arrangement  52  which is defined by two mirror faces or surfaces  54 ,  54 ′. Each mirror face  54 ,  54 ′ defines aspheric shapes. By way of example, the radius at point A is different from the radius at point B while all of the points along the curvature of the mirror faces  54 ,  54 ′ are progressive and are not constant. For example, the radius at point A may be 105 mm, while a few mm further towards point B it might be 103 mm while at point B the radius might be 101 mm. These examples of radii differences are only examples and are not intended as being limiting. By this design configuration a distortion is introduced which is used to counteract the foreshortening effect due to rear-seat passenger distance variation. 
   A housing  56  is provided in which a portion of each of the two mirror faces  54 ,  54 ′ is fitted. A divider  58  is provided as part of the housing  56  to serve as the central attachment area for the two mirror faces  54 ,  54 ′. 
   An embodiment of the one-piece conversation mirror of  FIG. 3  is illustrated in  FIG. 6  in which a dual mirror face arrangement, generally illustrated as  60 , is shown in perspective view. The dual mirror face arrangement  60  is a one-piece element that is defined by two mirror faces or surfaces  62 ,  62 ′. The dual mirror face arrangement  60  is pivotable along the Y-axis (cross-car) for adjustment to accommodate various height viewers or second row occupants. To enable the pivoting a pivoting flange  64  is provided on the end of the mirror face  64  and a pivoting flange  64 ′ is provided on the end of the mirror face  64 ′. Each flange  64 ,  64 ′ is pivotably attached to a mirror assembly housing (not shown). 
   As a variation of the pivoting mirror arrangement of  FIG. 6 , a two-piece, dual mirror face arrangement, generally illustrated as  70 , is provided in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The dual mirror face arrangement  70  is a two-piece assembly that includes a first mirror face  72  and a second mirror face  74 . The first mirror face  72  and the second mirror face  74  are pivotably attached at a pivot point  76 . In addition, a pivoting flange  78  is provided on the end of the mirror face  72  and a pivoting flange  80  is provided on the end of the mirror face  74 . Each flange  78 ,  80  is pivotably attached to a mirror assembly housing (not shown). 
   In operation, each of the first mirror face  72  and the second mirror face  74  of the two-piece, dual mirror face arrangement  70  may be pivoted independently to provide an optimum view for the user. In  FIG. 7  the first mirror face  72  and the second mirror face  74  are shown in general alignment with each other. In  FIG. 8  the first mirror face  72  and the second mirror face  74  are shown out of alignment as may be desired for use by front seat occupants of different heights. 
   The conversation mirror arrangement of the present invention is shown in a housing in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . With reference to  FIG. 9 , a perspective view of the conversation mirror assembly, generally illustrated as  100 , is shown in its deployed position. The mirror assembly  100  includes a body  102  having a mirror side  104 . The configuration of the body  102  is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as being limiting. Other design configurations could as well be suited for use with the conversation mirror assembly  100 . 
   The mirror assembly  100  is operatively associated with a vehicle ceiling  106 . The mirror assembly  100  may be fixed or may be movable relative to the vehicle ceiling  106 . A movable configuration is illustrated such that the mirror assembly  100  assembly is pivotably attached to a mirror-receiving pocket  108  in a known manner. The mirror-receiving pocket  108  is defined in the vehicle ceiling  106 . 
   The mirror assembly  100  includes a mirror  110  which is of the dual mirror face arrangement, one-piece design set forth above in  FIG. 3  and discussed in conjunction therewith. However, it is to be understood that the mirror  110  may be of any of the configurations discussed above and illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
   The dual mirror face arrangement  110  includes a first mirror face  112  and a second mirror face  112 ′. Each of the mirror faces  112 ,  112 ′ is biased toward the viewer to provide the front-row occupants with good views of the rear seats of the vehicle. 
   The mirror assembly  100  is movable between a deployed position illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and its stowed position illustrated in  FIG. 10  in phantom lines. The mirror assembly  100  may be pivotably moved between these two positions by a pivot connection  114  which connects the mirror body  102  to the vehicle ceiling  106 . A latch of the known type may be used to retain the mirror body  102  in the pocket  108  when not in use. 
   A variation of the mirror assembly and housing arrangement shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . With reference thereto, a conversation mirror assembly, generally illustrated as  120 , is shown in perspective view. The conversation mirror assembly  120  includes a body  122  having a mirror side  124 . The configuration of the body  122  is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as being limiting. 
   The mirror assembly  120  is operatively associated with a vehicle ceiling  126  as shown in  FIG. 11 . The mirror assembly  120  may be fixed or may be movable relative to the vehicle ceiling  126 , however a movable configuration is illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The mirror assembly  120  is pivotably attached to a mirror-receiving pocket  127  defined in the vehicle ceiling  126 . A pair of opposed pivot studs  128 ,  128 ′ are provided on the mirror body  122 . 
   The mirror assembly  120  includes a mirror  130  which is of the dual mirror face arrangement, one-piece design. The mirror assembly  120  may, however, be of any of the configurations discussed above and illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
   The mirror assembly  120  includes a first mirror face  132  and a second mirror face  132 ′. Each of the mirror faces  132 ,  132 ′ is biased toward the viewer to provide the front-row occupants with good views of the rear seats of the vehicle. 
   The mirror body  122  includes an article receiving pocket  134  that is defined in part by a lip  136 . A variety of items such as sunglasses may be stored in the article receiving pocket  134 . 
   The mirror assembly  120  is movable between three stopped positions as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . These three stopped positions include a deployed, in-use position illustrated in solid lines, a deployed, article-receiving position illustrated in phantom lines, and a stowed position, also illustrated in phantom lines. A latch of a known type may be used to retain the mirror body  122  in the pocket  127  when not in use. 
   The mirror assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12  may be modified as set forth in  FIGS. 13 and 14  to provide an optimum view for both the driver and the passenger by allowing for mirror faces that are individually movable. Specifically, a conversation mirror assembly, generally illustrated as  140 , is shown. The mirror assembly  140  is generally of the same function and design as the mirror assembly  120  discussed above and shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . However, according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the mirror assembly  140  includes a body  142  having a mirror side  144 . The mirror assembly  140  includes a first mirror face  146  that is hingedly attached to the mirror side  144  and a second mirror face  148  that is hingedly attached to the mirror side  144 . Each of the first and second mirror faces  146 ,  148  may be deployed as illustrated in phantom lines in  FIG. 14  or may be stowed as illustrated in solid lines in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . This arrangement provides both the driver and the passenger with extra flexibility in achieving the optimum view possible. 
   An alternate embodiment of the mirror disclosed herein is shown in  FIGS. 15 through 17 . The embodiment shown in these figures differs from that shown and discussed above in at least two ways. First,  FIGS. 15 through 17  show a mirror assembly that is attached to a windshield instead of to a vehicle ceiling, although it is to be understood that the embodiment of  FIGS. 15 through 17  could be attached to the vehicle&#39;s ceiling as well. Second,  FIGS. 15 through 17  show a mirror assembly in which the dual-radius conversation mirror of the present invention is combined with a conventional rear-view mirror. In these views  FIG. 16  is a sectional view of the mirror assembly  150  taken along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15  while  FIG. 17  is a sectional view of the mirror assembly  150  taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 15 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 15 through 17 , a mirror assembly, generally illustrated as  150 , is shown. The mirror assembly  150  includes a mirror body  152  having a mirror side  154 . A conversation mirror portion  156  is provided on the mirror side  154  of the mirror body  152  as is a rear view mirror portion  158 . The rear view mirror portion  158  includes a flat mirror  160  of the type known in the art for use by the driver in observing traffic and pedestrians behind the vehicle. The flat mirror  160  may be of the day-night variety. 
   The conversation mirror portion  156  includes a first mirror surface  162  and a second mirror surface  164 . A divider  166  may be provided as part of the conversation mirror portion  156  between the first mirror surface  162  and the second mirror surface  164  as illustrated or the first and second mirror surfaces  162 ,  164  may be integral. 
   As noted above, the mirror assembly  150  may be attached to either a vehicle front windshield or to the vehicle ceiling. As illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the mirror assembly  150  is attached to a vehicle windshield  172  by an attachment assembly  174  of the known variety. The attachment assembly  174  is provided for illustrative purposes only, as other attachment assemblies could readily be substituted for that shown. 
   The foregoing discussion discloses and describes an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.