Abstract:
The invention relates to an external rear-view mirror with a mirror housing having a light source capable of illuminating various portions of a vehicle and the surrounding area depending upon the operational status of the vehicle. The mirror housing is transparent or translucent to enable the light source to illuminate through the housing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/319,595, filed Oct. 3, 2002, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The invention relates to an external vehicle mirror and, more particularly, to an external vehicle mirror having an internal illumination source and a housing capable of transmitting illumination from the internal source to the exterior.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    External mirrors are ubiquitous for contemporary vehicles. External mirrors have long been used to aid the driver in operating the vehicle, especially in improving the rearward view of the driver. Over time, more and more functionality has been incorporated into the external mirrors. For example, it is common to pivot or fold the external mirror against the vehicle body and prevent the jarring of the mirror when the vehicle is not operated. The mirror-folding function can incorporate a power assist, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,646, which is incorporated by reference.  
           [0006]    Functionality is also being added by incorporating lights for illuminating portions of the vehicle or the surrounding area into external mirrors. These lights have been used for several different illumination modes. One mode of illumination is a downwardly directed light source that illuminates a portion of the vehicle, generally one of the front door areas, adjacent the external mirror. This type of downwardly directed light source is often referred to as a “puddle light.” Another illumination mode is accomplished by a rearwardly directed light, which illuminates the portion of the vehicle behind the mirrors and is useful in reverse operation of the vehicle. This mode of illumination is often referred to as a “rear assist light.” An additional illumination mode comprises light sources incorporated into the external mirror to perform a turn signal indicator function, referred to as a “turning mode.” 
           [0007]    Since many of the illumination modes are very useful and convenient to the vehicle operator, it is desirable to incorporate as many illumination modes in an external mirror as possible. Unfortunately, several characteristics of the external mirror and the vehicle marketplace make it difficult to incorporate these illumination modes in a single external mirror.  
           [0008]    External mirror assemblies are typically constructed to minimize their cross-sectional profile to reduce aerodynamic drag, which can improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduce the associated wind-generated noise of the mirror. The tendency to reduce or minimize the cross-sectional profile of the mirror results in little available interior volume in the mirror system for locating the light assemblies needed for illumination modes. To the extent that interior volume is available for mounting the light source, the location of the available interior volume is not always at a location where the light source can illuminate the desired area. The undesirable location of available interior volume is exacerbated when multiple modes of illumination are desired.  
           [0009]    The characteristics of the vehicle parts manufacturing marketplace in general and the exterior mirrors specifically places additional constraints and hurdles for providing a suitable multiple illumination mode external mirror. The exterior mirror marketplace has conflicting characteristics: increased functionality, reduced cost, and reduced part count. Reduced part count for the most part is related to cost. Thus, while there is a desire for these illumination modes, they typically must be accomplished with minimal cost increases and part count increases.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0010]    In one aspect, the invention relates to a vehicular mirror system comprising: a mirror housing enclosing a mounting bracket having a proximal end and a distal end and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle; an outwardly-facing reflective element; a tilt actuator assembly provided with the mounting bracket and mounting the reflective element and comprising an actuator for adjusting the position of the reflective element; a light source mounted within the mirror housing; and wherein the mirror housing is translucent to transmit light from the light source to the exterior of the mirror housing.  
           [0011]    In another aspect, the invention relates to a combination motor vehicle and vehicular mirror system comprising: a motor vehicle adapted for mounting the vehicular mirror system thereto; a mirror housing enclosing a mounting bracket having a proximal end and a distal end and adapted to be mounted to a vehicle; an outwardly-facing reflective element; a tilt actuator assembly provided with the mounting bracket and mounting the reflective element and comprising an actuator for adjusting the position of the reflective element; a light source mounted within the mirror housing; and wherein the mirror housing is translucent to transmit light from the light source to the exterior of the mirror housing.  
           [0012]    Various embodiments of the invention are also contemplated. For example, the light source can comprise at least one incandescent light bulb. The light source can comprise at least one light emitting diode. The light source can be mounted to the mounting bracket. The light source can be mounted to the actuator. The mirror housing can comprise at least one optic region having different light transmission properties than the remainder of the mirror housing.  
           [0013]    A light pipe can be provided for directing the light from the light source to the at least one optic region. A reflective element carrier can be provided for supporting the reflective element, wherein the reflective element carrier can comprise an area having a reflective surface adapted to reflect light from the light source.  
           [0014]    The reflective surface can be also adapted to transmit a portion of the light from the light source. The area having the reflective surface can be adapted to reflect 90% of the light from the light source and transmit 10% of the light from the light source.  
           [0015]    The light source can comprise a directional light element adapted to focus light in a preselected direction. The directional light element can be mounted to the distal end of the mounting bracket. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an external mirror system according to the invention including a transparent or translucent mirror housing rotatably mounted to a mirror support, which is adapted to be connected to a vehicle and an illumination source mounted inside the housing.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the external mirror system of FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the external mirror system of FIG. 1 and illustrates the major components including the mirror housing, the mirror support, a pedestal motor housing, an illumination source, and a mirror system.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but showing an alternative embodiment of an external mirror system according to the invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the external mirror system of FIG. 4.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 6 is a front perspective view similar to FIGS. 1 and 4, but showing a third embodiment of an external mirror system according to the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the external mirror system of FIG. 6.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view similar to FIGS. 1, 4 and  6 , but showing a fourth embodiment of an external mirror system according to the invention.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the external mirror system of FIG. 8.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a front perspective view similar to FIGS. 1, 4,  6  and  8 , but showing a fifth embodiment of an external mirror system according to the invention.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the external mirror system of FIG. 10.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the fifth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13 is a front perspective view similar to FIGS. 1, 4,  6 ,  8  and  10 , but showing a sixth embodiment of an external mirror system according to the invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the external mirror system of FIG. 13. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an external mirror system  10  of the type suitable for mounting to the exterior of a vehicle (not shown). The external mirror system  10  is a generally conventional shape comprising a mirror housing  12  pivotally mounted to a mirror support  14 , which is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle. The mirror housing  12  is closed on a forward side and defines a recess  16  on its rear side in which is received a tilt actuator assembly  18 , a reflective element carrier  20 , and a reflective element or mirror  22  mounted to a rearward-facing surface of the reflective element carrier  20 . The reflective element carrier  20  comprises a forward facing surface  21  in opposed juxtaposition to the reflective element  22 . The external mirror system  10  is mounted to a vehicle (not shown) in a conventional manner, and is connected in a generally conventional manner to a remote control pad (not shown) inside the vehicle through a control cable (not shown). In accordance with the invention, the mirror housing  12  is not completely opaque. In other words, the housing  12  has all or at least a portion thereof that is transparent or translucent, i.e., capable of transmitting light from an illumination source that originates from within the housing. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the entire housing  12  is transparent or translucent.  
         [0031]    A light assembly  24  is mounted within the mirror housing  12  and comprises a reflector  26  in which is mounted a light element  28 . The light element  28  is preferably an incandescent lamp. However, other suitable light sources, such as a light-emitting diode, can also be used. It will be apparent that when the light element  28  is illuminating, as shown by the arrows A, the light will be visible from the exterior of the housing  12  because the housing transmits the light.  
         [0032]    The tilt actuator assembly  18  comprises an actuator  51 , having a bracket  30 , a motor  32 , a high-speed actuator spindle  34 , a low-speed actuator spindle  36 , and operably interconnected clutch, gears and spindles. The bracket  30  comprises a proximate end adapted for pivotable mounting to the mirror support  14 , and a distal end adapted for attachment of the reflective element carrier  20 . The motor  32 , the actuator spindles  34 ,  36 , and the clutch, gears and spindles are enclosed within a tilt actuator receptacle  38  in the bracket  30 . These components can alternatively be mounted into a receptacle molded directly into the housing  12 , or another structure capable of securing each component in operable interconnection for operation of the external mirror system  10 .  
         [0033]    The motor  32  is preferably a generally conventional variable-speed 12-volt DC electric motor having sufficient power for operation of the mirror system  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the motor  32  is connected to the vehicle electrical system through a conventional controller (not shown) that can provide electrical power in selected voltages for operating the motor  32  at correspondingly selected speeds. For example, such a controller can selectively switch between either of two circuits, a first circuit for low speed operation and a second circuit for high-speed operation, providing current to the motor  32 . The voltage in the low speed circuit can be selectively reduced by inserting a resistor in the low speed circuit in series between the power supply and the motor  32 ; the reduced voltage results in the lower angular velocity of the motor  32 .  
         [0034]    A plate-like cover plate  40  is adapted to seal the tilt actuator receptacle  38  and is provided with a high-speed actuator spindle aperture  42  and a low-speed actuator spindle aperture  44  for insertion of the high-speed actuator spindle  34  and the low-speed actuator spindle  36 , respectively, therethrough. The cover plate  40  is mounted to the bracket  30  using suitable fasteners, such as screws, or a snap-fit assembly, with an appropriate weather-tight seal, such as a cover gasket, thereby forming a weather-tight enclosure for the motor  32  and operable components of the tilt actuator assembly  18 .  
         [0035]    The bracket  30  comprises an irregularly shaped body having a reflective element carrier pivot mount  46  at a distal end, a pivot post chamber  48  at a proximal end, and the tilt actuator receptacle  38  intermediate the distal and proximal ends. A well-known anti-rotation assembly (not shown) is also provided to prevent rotation of the reflective element carrier  20  about an axis extending through the reflective element carrier pivot mount  46  orthogonal to the plane of the reflective element carrier  20  while allowing vertical and horizontal tilting of the reflective element carrier  20  as herein described. The pivot post chamber  48  at a lower portion thereof terminates in a bottom wall having a plurality of ratchet tooth slots (not shown), preferably numbering three.  
         [0036]    A pivot post bracket  50  is an irregularly-shaped body comprising a pivot post  52  and a plurality of ratchet teeth  53 , shown in FIG. 3 as numbering three. The pivot post  52  is adapted to be inserted into the pivot post chamber  48  for pivotable rotation of the bracket  18  relative to the pivot post bracket  50 . A spring  54  is inserted into the pivot post chamber  48  over the pivot post  52  and retained around the pivot post  52  by a washer-like retainer  56  inserted over the pivot post  52  and frictionally retained thereon, similar to a compression nut mechanism. The bracket  30  can be pivoted relative to the pivot post bracket  50  with the engagement of the ratchet teeth  53  in the ratchet tooth slots retaining the bracket  30  in selected positions. Compression of the spring  54  will occur during translation of the ratchet teeth  53  relative to the ratchet tooth slots, and will tend to retain the ratchet teeth  53  in the ratchet tooth slots in the absence of any pivotal force on the bracket  30 .  
         [0037]    The reflector  26  can be a separate item mounted to the bracket  30 , or it can be formed integrally with the bracket  30 , as by molding. Similarly, the light element  28  can be received in a socket in the reflector  26  or in a socket in the bracket  30 . Also, more than one light assembly  24  can be placed within the housing, depending upon the desired function. For example, one light assembly can be mounted facing forward as shown, and another can be mounted facing downward as a puddle light (not shown). The light elements can be a predetermined color to indicate function, e.g., white for a puddle or security light, and amber for a turn signal. In any event, the light element  28  will be electrically connected to a power source, such as the actuator  51 , and can be illuminated manually, or automatically in response to an external signal. For example, the light element  28  can illuminate only when turning in a given direction, or it can illuminate only when the vehicle headlights are on.  
         [0038]    A second embodiment of an external mirror system  100  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this and all other embodiments identified herein, like numerals will be used to reference like parts. In this embodiment, the transparent or translucent housing  12  encompasses the bracket  30 , and the reflective element carrier  20  mounted thereto, which is pivotable about the pivot mount  46 . The housing  12  and the bracket  30  are mounted for rotation to the mirror support  14 . The bracket  30  has a forward facing aperture  102  disposed adjacent to the actuator  51 . A light assembly  104  comprises a reflector  106  and a light element  108 . The light element  108  is mounted directly to the actuator  51  in registry with the aperture  102 . The reflector  106  can also be a separate item mounted to the actuator  51  or formed integrally with the actuator  51 , and a portion of the reflector  106  can extend through the aperture  102 . The light element  108  is preferably an incandescent lamp. However, other suitable light sources, such as a light-emitting diode, can also be used. It will be apparent that when the light element  108  is illuminating, as shown by the arrows B, the light will be visible from the exterior of the housing  12  because the housing transmits the light.  
         [0039]    The reflector  106  can also be a separate item mounted to the bracket  30 , or formed integrally with the bracket, as by molding. Also, more than one light assembly  104  can be placed within the housing  12 , depending upon the desired function. For example, one light assembly can be mounted facing forward as shown, and another can be mounted facing downward as a puddle light (not shown). The light elements can be a predetermined color to indicate function, e.g., white for a puddle light, and amber for a turn signal. In any event, the light element  108  will be electrically connected to a power source, typically the actuator  51  to which it is mounted, and can be illuminated manually, or automatically in response to an external signal. For example, the light element  108  can illuminate only when turning in a given direction, or it can illuminate only when the vehicle headlights are on.  
         [0040]    A third embodiment of an external mirror system  200  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this embodiment, the transparent or translucent housing  12  encompasses the bracket  30 , and the reflective element carrier  20  mounted thereto, which is pivotable about the pivot mount  46 . The housing  12  and the bracket  30  are mounted for rotation to the mirror support  14 . The bracket  30  has a forward facing aperture  202  disposed adjacent to the actuator  51 . A light assembly  204  comprises a reflector  206  and a light element  208  mounted directly to the actuator  51  in registry with the aperture  202 . A portion of the reflector  206  can extend through the aperture  202 . The light element  208  is preferably an incandescent lamp. However, other suitable light sources, such as a light-emitting diode can also be used.  
         [0041]    A well-known light pipe  210  extends from the light element  208  to the surface of the housing  12 , where it communicates with an optical zone  212  on the housing  12 . The light pipe  210  is adapted to direct light from the light element  208  to the optical zone  212 . Light from the light element  208  is also directed to other areas of the housing  12  as with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5. The optical zone  212  has different refraction or transmissibility properties than the remainder of the housing  12 . Light from the light element  208  that is directed to the optical zone  212  will appear different, e.g. having a different intensity, than light coming from the light element  208  that may be diffused to other areas of the housing  12 .  
         [0042]    The reflector  206  can be a separate item mounted to the bracket  30 , or formed integrally with the bracket, as by molding. Or it can be a separate item mounted to the actuator  51  or formed integrally with the actuator  51 . Similarly, the light element  208  can be received in a socket in the reflector  206  or in a socket in the actuator  51 . Also, more than one light assembly  204  can be placed within the housing, depending upon the desired function. For example, one light assembly can be mounted facing forward as shown, and another can be mounted facing downward as a puddle light (not shown). The light elements can be a predetermined color to indicate function, e.g., white for a puddle light, and amber for a turn signal. In any event, the light element  208  will be electrically connected to a power source, typically the actuator  51  to which it is mounted, and can be illuminated manually, or automatically in response to an external signal. For example, the light element  208  can illuminate only when turning in a given direction, or it can illuminate only when the vehicle headlights are on.  
         [0043]    A fourth embodiment of an external mirror system  300  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the transparent or translucent housing  12  encompasses the bracket  30 , and the reflective element carrier  20  mounted thereto, which is pivotable about the pivot mount  46 . The housing  12  and the bracket  30  are mounted for rotation to the mirror support  14 . A directional light element  302  capable of focusing light in a preselected direction is mounted to the end of the bracket  30 . The light element  308  is directional in the sense that light emanating from the element is blocked by a shield or mask  310  on or adjacent to the element  308 .  
         [0044]    The forward-facing surface  21  of the reflective element carrier  20  comprises a defined region  304  having a reflective surface  306  inside the region. The region  304  can comprise a cut-out in the reflective element carrier  20  with a reflective film covering the region to define the reflective surface  306 , or it can comprise a reflective material disposed in the region  304  on the forward-facing surface  21 . Alternatively, the reflective surface  306  can comprise a reflective coating on the back of the reflective element  22 .  
         [0045]    The light element  308  is preferably an incandescent lamp. However, other suitable light sources, such as a light-emitting diode or a light pipe extending from inside the bracket  30 , can also be used. The shield  310  is disposed so that light is directed along the arrows C toward the reflective surface  306 , where it is reflected back through the housing  12 .  
         [0046]    A fifth embodiment of an external mirror system  400  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 10-12. In this embodiment, the transparent or translucent housing  12  encompasses the bracket  30 , and the reflective element carrier  20  mounted thereto, which is pivotable about the pivot mount  46 . The housing  12  and the bracket  30  are mounted for rotation to the mirror support  14 . A directional light element  302  is mounted to the end of the bracket  30 . The forward-facing surface  21  of the reflective element carrier  20  has a defined region  304  with a surface  406  that is partly reflective and partly transmissive inside the region. Preferably the surface  406  will reflect about 90% and transmit about 10% of any light hitting the surface  406 . The region  304  can comprise a cut-out in the reflective element carrier  20  with a reflective-transmissive film covering the region to define the reflective/transmissive surface  406 , or it can comprise a chromic element  308  disposed between the reflective element carrier  20  and the reflective element  22 .  
         [0047]    The light element  302  is preferably an incandescent lamp. However, other suitable light sources, such as a light-emitting diode or a light pipe extending from inside the bracket  30 , can also be used. The light element  302  is directional in the sense that light emanating from the element is blocked by a shield or mask  310  on or adjacent to the element. The shield  310  is disposed so that light is directed toward the surface  406 , where a large portion of it is reflected back through the housing  12  along the arrows D, and a small portion of it is transmitted through the surface  406  on the reflective element  22  along the arrows E. The region  304  can be any shape dependant on the function of the light signal and the amount of reflective surface needed for the reflective element  22 .  
         [0048]    A sixth embodiment of an external mirror system  500  according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In this embodiment, the transparent or translucent housing  12  encompasses the bracket  30 , and the reflective element carrier  20  mounted thereto, which is pivotable about the pivot mount  46 . The housing  12  and the bracket  30  are mounted for rotation to the mirror support  14 . A directional light element  302  is mounted to the end of the bracket  30 . The reflective element carrier  20  has a defined region  304  with a surface  506  that is partly reflective and partly transmissive inside the region  304 . Preferably the surface will reflect about 90% and transmit about 10% of any light hitting the surface. The region  304  can comprise a cut-out in the reflective element carrier  20  with a reflective/transmissive film covering the region  304  to define the reflective transmissive surface  506 , or it can comprise a chromic element  508  disposed between the reflective element carrier  20  and the reflective element  22 , or the region  304  can simply be the forward-facing surface of the reflective element itself using chromic elements already incorporated into the reflective element  22 .  
         [0049]    The light element  302  is preferably an incandescent lamp. However, other suitable light sources, such as a light-emitting diode or a light pipe extending from inside the bracket  30 , can also be used. The light element  302  is directional in the sense that light emanating from the element is blocked by a shield or mask  310  on or adjacent to the element. The shield  310  is disposed so that light is directed toward the surface  506 , where a large portion of it is reflected back through the housing  12  along the arrows D and a smaller portion of it is transmitted through the surface  506  and the mirror  22  along arrows E. The region  304  can be any shape dependent on the function of the light signal and the amount of reflective surface needed for the mirror  22 .  
         [0050]    An optic region  502  is defined on the surface of the housing  12 . The optic region  502  has different refraction or transmissibility properties than the remainder of the housing  12 . The optic region  502  can also comprise more than one area of refraction or transmissibility as shown in FIG. 13. In FIG. 13, for example, the optic region  502  comprises two bands of collinear lenses  504  separated by a band of clear transparency  508 . Preferably, the remainder of the housing  12  is not transparent, but dimly translucent or even opaquely masked. Light reflecting along the paths of the arrows D within the housing  12  is further bent upon reaching the optic region  502 . That portion passing through the lenses  504  continues along the arrows F, whereas that portion passing through the transparent band  508  continues along the arrows D.  
         [0051]    It will be understood that other embodiments of this invention can be encompassed, especially wherein an interior surface of the mirror housing is provided with optical and/or reflective elements so that light incident thereon from the light element is reflected in a desired direction. In one conceived embodiment, the light from the light element can be reflected downwardly to create a “puddle light” effect (through a transparent or translucent portion of the housing), forward to create a “turn signal” effect, and rearward to create a rearward visual indicator as well. For example, the light illustrated in FIGS. 13-14 can be directed to perform these functions: light represented by the arrows D can be used as a turn signal or other visual indicator in the forward direction, light represented by the arrows E-can be used as a turn signal or other visual indicator in the rearward direction, and light represented by the arrows F can be used as a puddle light in a downward direction.  
         [0052]    While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.