Patent ID: 12253741

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As set forth in the background section above, and as will be appreciated below, the presented invention is primarily directed to a mirror-based assembly, a roof mirror assembly and its integration into a lateral transfer hollow retroreflector. It will be made clear from the below description of the construction of each assembly, that each assembly is unique and not obvious in view of existing prior art.

Throughout this specification and in the claims, reference to a “miter”, “miter joint structure”, “miter connection region”, or combinations thereof, is meant to refer to an angular joint ranging between substantially 25 degrees and 75 degrees, including but not limited to, 45 degrees, and where any non-miter “joint”, “structure”, “connection region”, etc., is meant to refer to any substantially non-angular joint, as for example the “flat”, “pin” or “pad” structure described herein. As just discussed, and also throughout the specification and claims, a “flat, “flat joint structure”, “flat connection region”, or combinations thereof, is meant to refer a substantially flat single surface of the mirror panel or a pad extending from a mirror panel then being discussed, wherein the “connection region” for a “flat joint structure” is between a substantially flat surface of the mirror panel or pad to a substantially flat surface of a support member. See, for example, connection regions (30) and (40) ofFIGS.1-3for mirror panel10. As also just discussed, and throughout the specification and claims, a “pad”, “pad joint structure”, “pad connection region”, or combinations thereof, is meant to refer to an element extending from an edge surface of a mirror panel, wherein the “connection region” for a pad is between the several substantially flat, miter and/or non-miter surfaces of the extended element of the mirror panel to respectively, substantially flat, miter and/or non-miter surfaces of a support member, for example, as seen at (20) and (30) ofFIGS.1-3for mirror panel10. It is also to be understood throughout the specification and the claims that the “pads” can either be monolithically formed extensions from the mirror panel, or originally separate elements which may be attached to the mirror panel through various means. As also just discussed, and throughout the specification and claims, a “pin”, “pin joint structure”, “pin connection region”, or combinations thereof, is meant to refer to a substantially cylindrically shaped element that may either extend from the mirror or the support member into a mating joint structure of the respective element. It is also to be understood throughout the specification and the claims that the “pins” can either be monolithically formed extensions, completely separate elements, or originally separate elements which may be attached to the mirror panel or support member through various means.

Throughout this specification and in the claims, reference to a support member can be but is not limited to one or more of the following or any combination thereof, support block, base, housing, optical platform, monolithic structure, mirror, prism, retroreflector and lateral transfer hollow retroreflector. Further, the materials for the mirror-based assembly can be any combination or mixture of materials, including, but not limited to, glass, low expansion glass, ceramics, metals or metallics. In such an assembly, the materials may also be matched by coefficient-of-thermal-expansion (CTE) in order to further decrease optical errors induced by thermal contraction or expansion.

The first preferred embodiment of the mirror-based assembly is depicted inFIGS.1-3, showing the mirror panel (10) having a first connection region (20), a second connection region (30) and a third connection region (40). In this first embodiment showing a single mirror panel as an example, the first connection region has a miter structure (20), the second region has a pad structure (30) and the third region has a flat structure (40). InFIG.3the mirror panel (10) is assembled within the mirror-based assembly to the support member (50).

The second preferred embodiment of the mirror-based assembly is depicted inFIGS.4-6, showing the mirror panel (11) having a first connection region (21), a second connection region (31) and a third connection region (41). In this second embodiment of a mirror-based assembly, there are two connection regions having a miter structures (21,31), and the third region has a flat structure (41). InFIG.6the mirror panel is assembled within the mirror-based assembly to the support member (51).

The third preferred embodiment of the mirror-based assembly is depicted inFIGS.7-9, showing the mirror panel (12) having a first connection region (22), a second connection region (32) and a third connection region (42). In this third embodiment of a mirror-based assembly, the first connection region has a miter structure (22), the second region has a pad structure (32) and the third region has a pin structure (42). InFIG.9the mirror panel is assembled within the mirror-based assembly to the support member (52).

The fourth preferred embodiment of the mirror-based mirror is depicted inFIGS.10-12, showing the mirror panel (13) having a first connection region (23), a second connection region (33) and a third connection region (43). In this second embodiment of a mirror-based assembly, there are two connection regions having a miter structures (23,33), and the third region has a pin structure (43). InFIG.12the mirror panel is assembled within the mirror-based assembly to the support member (53).

The fifth embodiment of the mirror-based mirror is depicted inFIGS.13-15, showing the mirror panel (14) having a first connection region (24), a second connection region (34) and a third connection region (41). In this embodiment of a mirror-based assembly, there are two connection regions having a miter structures (24,34), and the third region has a flat structure (44). InFIG.15the mirror panel is assembled within the mirror-based assembly to the support member (54).

The sixth preferred embodiment of the mirror-based mirror is depicted inFIGS.16-18, showing the mirror panel (15) having a first connection region (25), a second connection region (35) and a third connection region (45). In this embodiment showing a single mirror panel as an example, the first connection region has a miter structure (25), the second region has a pad structure (35) and the third region has a pin structure (45). InFIG.18the mirror panel is assembled within the mirror-based assembly to the support member (55).

One possible example of a mirror-based assembly is a roof mirror assembly. The first preferred embodiment of the roof mirror assembly is depicted inFIGS.19-21, showing the two mirror panels (60) having a first connection region (70), a second connection region (80), a third connection region (90) and a fourth connection region (100). In this first embodiment showing attachment via two support members as an example, the first connection region has a miter structure (70), the second region has a flat structure (80), the third region has a flat structure (90) and the fourth region has a miter structure (100). InFIG.21the roof mirror is assembled to the support members (120,130). The support members can be but is not limited to one of more of the following or any combination thereof, support block, base, housing, optical platform, monolithic structure, mirror, prism, retroreflector and lateral transfer hollow retroreflector. The connection regions can be an interfacing surface or a variety of interfacing surfaces in multiple directions having a miter or non-miter mating joint structure.

Furthermore, in this first preferred embodiment, the support members are two V-shaped support members (120,130), where the connection region is within a smaller portion of the support member to mirror panel interface. Full or larger contact connection regions may be required for some applications for rigidity, but smaller regions prevent over-constraining the mechanics and better performance in thermal expansion and contraction. If a large region is utilized versus a smaller region, the mounting region is fully constrained together, basically both sides of the mounting are fixed together at the interface. Therefore, with a large interface region although secure, when under stress or temperature changes, there is nowhere for the material to go causing a buildup of mechanical stresses and deformations. As a result, having multiple smaller regions of connections may be advantageous for stress reliving, causing higher optical performance of the mirror-based assembly. Additionally, other miter or non-miter structures can be utilized amongst the mirror panels, such as the miter structure (110) shown between the two mirror panels of the roof mirror inFIG.21.

The second preferred embodiment of the roof mirror assembly is depicted inFIGS.22-24, showing the two mirror panels (61) having a first connection region (71), a second connection region (81), a third connection region (91) and a fourth connection region (101). In this second embodiment showing attachment via two support members as an example, the first connection region has a miter structure (71), the second region has a miter structure (81), the third region has a flat structure (91) and the fourth region has a flat structure (101). InFIG.24the roof mirror is assembled to the support members (120,130).

The third preferred embodiment of the roof mirror assembly is depicted inFIGS.25-27, showing the two mirror panels (62) having a first connection region (72), a second connection region (82), a third connection region (92) and a fourth connection region (102). In this third embodiment showing attachment via three support member as an example, the first connection region has a miter structure (72), the second region has a flat structure (82), the third region has a flat structure (92) and the fourth region has a miter structure (102). InFIG.27the roof mirror is assembled to the support members (120,130). The support member (140) indicated is a triangular shape as an example but can be any multitude of shapes or configuration utilizing any combination of miter and/or non-miter connection regions, and may also provide for recessed regions to minimize contact regions for stress relieving.

The fourth preferred embodiment of the roof mirror assembly is depicted inFIGS.28-30, showing the two mirror panels (63) having a first connection region (73), a second connection region (83), a third connection region (93) and a fourth connection region (103). In this fourth embodiment showing attachment via three support member as an example, the first connection region has a miter structure (73), the second region has a miter structure (83), the third region has a flat structure (93) and the fourth region has a flat structure (103). InFIG.30the roof mirror is assembled to the support members (120,130).

For the third support member of the roof mirror assembly, there can be multiple embodiments, as shown inFIGS.31,32and33. InFIG.31, the support member (140) is a trapezoidal shape with miter connection regions. InFIG.32, there are multiple support members (140), such that any single support member can be further divided into multiple elements. InFIG.33, there is a smaller support (140) showing different scales of options. Also, of note inFIG.33, there are recessed areas or notches within the support structure, which is another way to achieve or limit the connection region if necessary. Furthermore, there can more than three support members such as but not limited to four, two perpendicular to another two, or the third triangular in multiple sections.

Another possible example of a mirror-based assembly is a lateral transfer hollow retroreflector (LTHR) assembly. The first preferred embodiment of the lateral transfer hollow retroreflector (150) depicting a mirror-based assembly with miter and non-miter connection regions is depicted inFIGS.34-36, showing the flat mirror assembly (111) and roof mirror assembly (261). In combination, there are a total of three mirror panels having a first connection region (121), a second connection region (131), a third connection region (141), a fourth connection region (271), a fifth connection region (281), a sixth connection region (291), and a seventh connection region (301). In this first embodiment for a lateral transfer hollow retroreflector showing attachment via several support member as an example, the first connection region has a pad structure (121), the second region has a pad structure (131), the third region has a pin structure (141), the fourth region has a miter structure (271), the fifth region has a miter structure (281), the sixth region has a non-miter, flat structure (291) and the seventh region has a non-miter, flat structure (301).

In the lateral transfer hollow retroreflector, there may be multiple support members or other reinforcements to each or several of the mirror panels. Furthermore, those support members may inherently be part of or directly connected to the main housing structures of the lateral transfer hollow retroreflector. Additionally, there could be additional elements or non-mirror-based optics mounted with any combination of miter and/or non-miter connection regions, including but not limited to lenses, prisms, penta roofs or prisms, beam splitters, filters or additional mirrors. The mirror-based assembly can also be an invariant optical system like the lateral transfer hollow retroreflector, such as a lateral transfer hollow periscope, penta mirror, penta roof or any combination thereof, such that the beam has a known path in and out of the assembly with minimal beam deviation.

The second preferred embodiment of the lateral transfer hollow retroreflector (151) depicting a mirror-based assembly with miter and non-miter connection regions is depicted inFIGS.37-39, showing the flat mirror assembly (112) and roof mirror assembly (262). In combination, there are a total of three mirror panels having a first connection region (122), a second connection region (132), a third connection region (142), a fourth connection region (272), a fifth connection region (282), a sixth connection region (292), and a seventh connection region (302). In this second embodiment for a lateral transfer hollow retroreflector showing attachment via several support member as an example, the first connection region has a miter structure (122), the second region has a miter structure (132), the third region has a miter structure (142), the fourth region has a miter structure (272), the fifth region has a miter structure (282), the sixth region has a flat structure (292) and the seventh region has a flat structure (302).

The third preferred embodiment of the lateral transfer hollow retroreflector (152) depicting a mirror-based assembly with miter and non-miter connection regions is depicted inFIGS.40-42, showing the flat mirror assembly (113) and roof mirror assembly (263). In combination, there are a total of three mirror panels having a first connection region (123), a second connection region (133), a third connection region (143), a fourth connection region (273), a fifth connection region (283), a sixth connection region (293), and a seventh connection region (303). In this third embodiment for a lateral transfer hollow retroreflector showing attachment via several support member as an example, the first connection region has a pad structure (123), the second region has a miter structure (133), the third region has a pin structure (143), the fourth region has a miter structure (273), the fifth region has a flat structure (283), the sixth region has a miter structure (293) and the seventh region has a flat structure (303).

The fourth preferred embodiment of the lateral transfer hollow retroreflector (153) depicting a mirror-based assembly with miter and non-miter connection regions is depicted inFIGS.43-45, showing the flat mirror assembly (114) and roof mirror assembly (264). In combination, there are a total of three mirror panels having a first connection region (124), a second connection region (134), a third connection region (144), a fourth connection region (274), a fifth connection region (284), a sixth connection region (294), and a seventh connection region (304). In this fourth embodiment for a lateral transfer hollow retroreflector showing attachment via several support member as an example, the first connection region has a miter structure (124), the second region has a miter structure (134), the third region has a pin structure (144), the fourth region has a miter structure (274), the fifth region has a flat structure (284), the sixth region has a miter structure (294) and the seventh region has a flat structure (304).

The fifth preferred embodiment of the lateral transfer hollow retroreflector (154) depicting a mirror-based assembly with miter and non-miter connection regions is depicted inFIGS.46-48, showing the flat mirror assembly (115) and roof mirror assembly (265). In combination, there are a total of three mirror panels having a first connection region (125), a second connection region (135), a third connection region (145), a fourth connection region (275), a fifth connection region (285), a sixth connection region (295), and a seventh connection region (305). In this fourth embodiment for a lateral transfer hollow retroreflector showing attachment via several support member as an example, the first connection region has a pad structure (125), the second region has a pad structure (135), the third region has a pin structure (145), the fourth region has a miter structure (275), the fifth region has a miter structure (285), the sixth region has a miter structure (295) and the seventh region has a miter structure (305).

A method for the embodiment of the mirror-based is necessary for the proper functionality of such a device. The method would involve assembling the at least one support member to a mirror panel by the first connection region having a miter joint, assembling the at least one support member to a mirror panel by the second connection region having a non-miter joint, and assembling the at least one support member to a mirror panel by the third connection region. The process is ordered such that the non-miter joint structures are first connected, such as a pin or pad inserted or a flat pushed evenly to the other flat surface, followed by contact and connecting to the miter regions. These method steps may also be done concurrently. Other ordering of steps may also be considered that may be advantageous as needed to achieve the final requirements of the mirror-based assembly.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and, since numerous/certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall only be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.