U.S. patent application number 16/806089 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-25 for vehicle exterior mirror system with light module.
The applicant listed for this patent is Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Keith D. Foote, Gregory A. Huizen.
Application Number | 20200198542 16/806089 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49157438 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-25 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200198542 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huizen; Gregory A. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2020 |
VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR SYSTEM WITH LIGHT MODULE
Abstract
A lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes
a lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly and a turn signal light
module disposed thereat. The light module includes at least three
illumination sources that, with the lighted exterior rearview
mirror assembly attached at the side of the vehicle, are arranged
horizontally at the lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly. The
at least three illumination sources are operable to emit light in a
forward direction with respect to the vehicle. Responsive to
activation by the driver of the turn signal indicator system of the
vehicle, the illumination sources are sequentially powered in an
outward direction to provide an appearance of an outward moving
light, and light emanates from the turn signal light module at an
outboard portion of the mirror casing so as to be viewable to a
driver of another vehicle sideward and rearward of the equipped
vehicle.
Inventors: |
Huizen; Gregory A.;
(Hudsonville, MI) ; Foote; Keith D.; (Caledonia,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Magna Mirrors of America, Inc. |
Holland |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49157438 |
Appl. No.: |
16/806089 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13891619 |
May 10, 2013 |
10576896 |
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16806089 |
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13249433 |
Sep 30, 2011 |
8764256 |
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13891619 |
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61645959 |
May 11, 2012 |
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61388747 |
Oct 1, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21S 43/237 20180101;
F21S 43/19 20180101; B60R 2001/1253 20130101; F21S 43/14 20180101;
F21S 43/245 20180101; B60Q 1/2665 20130101; B60R 1/12 20130101;
F21S 43/249 20180101; F21S 45/48 20180101; F21S 43/243 20180101;
F21S 45/47 20180101; B60R 1/1207 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 1/12 20060101
B60R001/12; B60Q 1/26 20060101 B60Q001/26; F21S 43/14 20060101
F21S043/14; F21S 43/245 20060101 F21S043/245; F21S 43/19 20060101
F21S043/19; F21S 43/243 20060101 F21S043/243; F21S 43/237 20060101
F21S043/237; F21S 43/249 20060101 F21S043/249 |
Claims
1. A lighted exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a
vehicle, said lighted exterior rearview mirror system comprising: a
lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror
casing and a reflective element; a turn signal light module
disposed at said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly,
wherein, with said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly
attached at a side of a vehicle equipped with said lighted exterior
rearview mirror system, said turn signal light module is at least
in part disposed at a portion of said mirror casing of said lighted
exterior rearview mirror assembly that faces forward in a direction
of forward travel of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said turn
signal light module comprises a plurality of illumination sources
operable to emit light; wherein said plurality of illumination
sources comprises at least three illumination sources that, with
said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the side
of the equipped vehicle, are arranged horizontally at said lighted
exterior rearview mirror assembly; wherein, with said lighted
exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the side of the
equipped vehicle, said at least three horizontally arranged
illumination sources, when powered, emit light in the direction of
forward travel of the equipped vehicle; wherein said at least three
horizontally arranged illumination sources comprises an inboard
illumination source, an outboard illumination source and at least
one intermediate illumination source disposed between said inboard
illumination source and said outboard illumination source; wherein
said inboard illumination source, with said lighted exterior
rearview mirror assembly attached at the side of the equipped
vehicle, is closer to the side of the equipped vehicle than said at
least one intermediate illumination source and said outboard
illumination source; wherein said outboard illumination source,
with said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the
side of the equipped vehicle, is farther from the side of the
equipped vehicle than said inboard illumination source and said at
least one intermediate illumination source; wherein said
illumination sources are controlled responsive to a turn signal
indicator system operable by a driver of the equipped vehicle
normally operating the equipped vehicle; wherein, responsive to
activation by the driver of the turn signal indicator system of the
equipped vehicle, said illumination sources are sequentially
powered in an outward direction to provide an appearance of an
outward moving light; wherein the sequential powering of said at
least three horizontally arranged illumination sources comprises
sequential powering of individual illumination sources from said
inboard illumination source of said turn signal light module to
said outboard illumination source of said turn signal light module;
and wherein, responsive to activation of the turn signal indicator
system of the equipped vehicle, light emanates from said turn
signal light module at an outboard portion of said mirror casing so
as to be viewable to a driver of another vehicle that is at least
one selected from the group consisting of (i) sideward of the
equipped vehicle and (ii) rearward of the equipped vehicle.
2. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein
light emanating from said turn signal light module at the outboard
portion of said mirror casing is emitted by a fourth illumination
source of said turn signal light module.
3. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 2, wherein
said outboard portion of said mirror casing has an icon or indicia
established thereat, and wherein light emitted by said fourth
illumination source backlights the icon or indicia.
4. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein
said turn signal light module comprises a light piping element, and
wherein light emanating from said turn signal light module at the
outboard portion of said mirror casing is emitted by a fourth
illumination source disposed at an inboard end of said light piping
element, and wherein said light piping element guides light emitted
by said fourth illumination source along said light piping element
so as to emanate from said turn signal light module at said
outboard portion of said mirror casing.
5. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 4, wherein
said light piping element is part of a cover element that is
disposed in front of said at least three horizontally arranged
illumination sources, whereby light emanating from said at least
three horizontally arranged illumination sources passes through
said light piping element in a forward direction and light
emanating from said fourth illumination source is guided in a
sideward direction along said light piping element.
6. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 5, wherein
said light piping element includes a plurality of indication
elements that illuminate when said fourth illumination source is
activated so as to be viewable to a person viewing said lighted
exterior rearview mirror assembly from forward of the equipped
vehicle.
7. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein
said at least three horizontally arranged illumination sources are
individually controlled responsive to an object detection system of
the equipped vehicle so as to direct an illumination beam towards a
detected object at or near the equipped vehicle.
8. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein
said turn signal light module comprises a light-transmitting cover,
and wherein said at least three horizontally arranged illumination
sources are disposed behind said light-transmitting cover and
operable to emit light that passes through said light-transmitting
cover.
9. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein
said turn signal light module comprises a heat dissipating
structure established at said plurality of illumination sources to
dissipate heat generated by said plurality of illumination
sources.
10. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein
said at least three horizontally arranged illumination sources
comprises at least four horizontally arranged light emitting
diodes.
11. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein
said plurality of illumination sources comprises at least four
light emitting diodes.
12. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 11,
wherein said at least four light emitting diodes comprises at least
four amber light-emitting light emitting diodes.
13. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 11,
wherein a control is responsive to the turn signal indicator system
of the equipped vehicle to selectively individually energize said
at least four light emitting diodes.
14. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 13,
wherein said control adjusts a duty cycle of each light emitting
diode of said at least four light emitting diodes responsive to the
turn signal indicator system of the equipped vehicle.
15. A lighted exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a
vehicle, said lighted exterior rearview mirror system comprising: a
lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror
casing and a reflective element; a turn signal light module
disposed at said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly,
wherein, with said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly
attached at a side of a vehicle equipped with said lighted exterior
rearview mirror system, said turn signal light module is at least
in part disposed at a portion of said mirror casing of said lighted
exterior rearview mirror assembly that faces forward in a direction
of forward travel of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said turn
signal light module comprises a plurality of illumination sources
operable to emit light; wherein said plurality of illumination
sources comprises at least four illumination sources that, with
said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the side
of the equipped vehicle, are arranged horizontally at said lighted
exterior rearview mirror assembly; wherein said at least four
illumination sources comprises at least four amber light-emitting
light emitting diodes; wherein, with said lighted exterior rearview
mirror assembly attached at the side of the equipped vehicle, said
at least four horizontally arranged illumination sources, when
powered, emit light in the direction of forward travel of the
equipped vehicle; wherein said at least four horizontally arranged
illumination sources comprises an inboard illumination source, an
outboard illumination source and at least two intermediate
illumination sources disposed between said inboard illumination
source and said outboard illumination source; wherein said inboard
illumination source, with said lighted exterior rearview mirror
assembly attached at the side of the equipped vehicle, is closer to
the side of the equipped vehicle than said at least two
intermediate illumination sources and said outboard illumination
source; wherein said outboard illumination source, with said
lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the side of
the equipped vehicle, is farther from the side of the equipped
vehicle than said inboard illumination source and said at least two
intermediate illumination sources; wherein said illumination
sources are controlled responsive to a turn signal indicator system
operable by a driver of the equipped vehicle normally operating the
equipped vehicle; wherein a control is responsive to the turn
signal indicator system of the equipped vehicle to selectively
individually energize said at least four horizontally arranged
illumination sources; wherein, responsive to activation by the
driver of the turn signal indicator system of the equipped vehicle,
said illumination sources are sequentially controlled by the
control in an outward direction to provide an appearance of an
outward moving light; wherein the sequential controlling of said at
least four horizontally arranged illumination sources comprises
sequential controlling, by the control, of individual illumination
sources from said inboard illumination source of said turn signal
light module to said outboard illumination source of said turn
signal light module; and wherein, responsive to activation of the
turn signal indicator system of the equipped vehicle, light
emanates from said turn signal light module at an outboard portion
of said mirror casing so as to be viewable to a driver of another
vehicle that is at least one selected from the group consisting of
(i) sideward of the equipped vehicle and (ii) rearward of the
equipped vehicle.
16. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 15,
wherein light emanating from said turn signal light module at the
outboard portion of said mirror casing is emitted by a fifth
illumination source of said turn signal light module.
17. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 15,
wherein said turn signal light module comprises a light piping
element, and wherein light emanating from said turn signal light
module at the outboard portion of said mirror casing is emitted by
a fifth illumination source disposed at an inboard end of said
light piping element, and wherein said light piping element guides
light emitted by said fifth illumination source along said light
piping element so as to emanate from said turn signal light module
at said outboard portion of said mirror casing.
18. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 15,
wherein said turn signal light module comprises a
light-transmitting cover, and wherein said at least four
horizontally arranged illumination sources are disposed behind said
light-transmitting cover and operable to emit light that passes
through said light-transmitting cover.
19. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 15,
wherein said control adjusts a duty cycle of each light emitting
diode of said at least four amber light-emitting light emitting
diodes responsive to the turn signal indicator system of the
equipped vehicle.
20. A lighted exterior rearview mirror system suitable for use in a
vehicle, said lighted exterior rearview mirror system comprising: a
lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising a mirror
casing and a reflective element; a turn signal light module
disposed at said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly,
wherein, with said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly
attached at a side of a vehicle equipped with said lighted exterior
rearview mirror system, said turn signal light module is at least
in part disposed at a portion of said mirror casing of said lighted
exterior rearview mirror assembly that faces forward in a direction
of forward travel of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said turn
signal light module comprises a plurality of illumination sources
operable to emit light; wherein said plurality of illumination
sources comprises at least three illumination sources that, with
said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the side
of the equipped vehicle, are arranged horizontally at said lighted
exterior rearview mirror assembly; wherein, with said lighted
exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the side of the
equipped vehicle, said at least three horizontally arranged
illumination sources, when powered, emit light in the direction of
forward travel of the equipped vehicle; wherein said turn signal
light module comprises a light-transmitting cover, and wherein said
at least three horizontally arranged illumination sources are
disposed behind said light-transmitting cover and operable to emit
light that passes through said light-transmitting cover; wherein
said at least three horizontally arranged illumination sources
comprises at least three amber light-emitting light emitting
diodes; wherein said at least three horizontally arranged
illumination sources comprises an inboard illumination source, an
outboard illumination source and at least one intermediate
illumination source disposed between said inboard illumination
source and said outboard illumination source; wherein said inboard
illumination source, with said lighted exterior rearview mirror
assembly attached at the side of the equipped vehicle, is closer to
the side of the equipped vehicle than said at least one
intermediate illumination source and said outboard illumination
source; wherein said outboard illumination source, with said
lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the side of
the equipped vehicle, is farther from the side of the equipped
vehicle than said inboard illumination source and said at least one
intermediate illumination source; wherein said illumination sources
are controlled responsive to a turn signal indicator system
operable by a driver of the equipped vehicle normally operating the
equipped vehicle; wherein, responsive to activation by the driver
of the turn signal indicator system of the equipped vehicle, said
illumination sources are sequentially powered in an outward
direction to provide an appearance of an outward moving light;
wherein the sequential powering of said at least three horizontally
arranged illumination sources comprises sequential powering of
individual illumination sources from said inboard illumination
source of said turn signal light module to said outboard
illumination source of said turn signal light module; and wherein,
responsive to activation of the turn signal indicator system of the
equipped vehicle, light emanates from said turn signal light module
at an outboard portion of said mirror casing so as to be viewable
to a driver of another vehicle that is at least one selected from
the group consisting of (i) sideward of the equipped vehicle and
(ii) rearward of the equipped vehicle.
21. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 20,
wherein light emanating from said turn signal light module at the
outboard portion of said mirror casing is emitted by a fourth
illumination source of said turn signal light module.
22. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 20,
wherein said turn signal light module comprises a light piping
element, and wherein light emanating from said turn signal light
module at the outboard portion of said mirror casing is emitted by
a fourth illumination source disposed at an inboard end of said
light piping element, and wherein said light piping element guides
light emitted by said fourth illumination source along said light
piping element so as to emanate from said turn signal light module
at said outboard portion of said mirror casing.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/891,619, filed May 10, 2013, now U.S. Pat.
No. 10,576,896, which claims the filing benefit of U.S. provisional
application, Ser. No. 61/645,959, filed May 11, 2012, which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/891,619 is also a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/249,433, filed Sep. 30, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,256, which
claims the filing benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.
61/388,747, filed Oct. 1, 2010, which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to exterior mirrors for
vehicles and, more particularly, to a lighted exterior mirror
assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known to provide illumination or light sources at the
side of the vehicle, such as to provide security lighting or
convenience lighting at the side of the vehicle. For example, such
lighting devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,349,450;
6,550,103; 5,371,659; 5,669,699; 5,823,654 and 5,497,305, which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Typically, such lighting devices provide illumination along the
side of the vehicle and down to the ground at the side of the
vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides an illumination module or
device for a vehicle, such as for an exterior rearview mirror
assembly. The illumination module provides a forward lighting
and/or forward turn lighting function via a plurality of
illumination sources, such as a plurality of light emitting diodes
or the like, disposed in the illumination module.
[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a lighted
exterior rearview mirror system of a vehicle comprises an exterior
rearview mirror assembly and a light module disposed at the
exterior rearview mirror assembly. The light module comprises a
plurality of illumination sources operable to emit light. The
illumination sources include a plurality of controlled, such as
individually controlled, forward facing lights that are responsive
to a user input to provide a user selected or customized
illumination pattern or beam direction emanating from the exterior
rearview mirror assembly. The illumination sources also include at
least one turn signal indicator light and the light module is
operable to emit light sidewardly and/or rearwardly of the vehicle
when the turn signal indicator light is activated. The light module
is disposed at least partially at a forward portion of the mirror
casing of the exterior rearview mirror assembly and light emanating
from the turn signal indicator light is viewable by a person
viewing the mirror assembly from the front of the vehicle.
[0006] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features
of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the
following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle exterior rearview
mirror assembly having a lighting module in accordance with the
present invention, shown with the forward lighting lights of the
forward lighting module activated;
[0008] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the vehicle exterior
rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1, shown with the turn signal
light of the lighting module activated;
[0009] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the vehicle exterior
rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1, shown with the forward lighting
lights and the turn signal light of the lighting module
activated;
[0010] FIG. 3A is a rear elevation of the vehicle exterior rearview
mirror assembly of FIG. 1, with a backlit logo viewable at the
outboard end of the lighting module so as to be backlit when the
turn signal light of the lighting module is activated;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a mirror housing with a lighting
module disposed thereat in accordance with the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the housing of FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the housing and lighting
module of FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 7 is another exploded view of the housing and lighting
module of FIG. 4, showing a similar view as FIG. 6;
[0015] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the housing and lighting
module of FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 9 is another exploded view of the housing and lighting
module of FIG. 4, showing a similar view as FIG. 8;
[0017] FIGS. 10-12 are perspective views of a light pipe and lens
cover of the lighting module of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a mirror housing with another
lighting module disposed thereat in accordance with the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the housing and lighting
module of FIG. 13;
[0020] FIG. 15 is another exploded view of the housing and lighting
module of FIG. 13, showing a similar view as FIG. 14; and
[0021] FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views of another light pipe
and lens cover of the lighting module of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative
embodiments depicted therein, a vehicle exterior rearview mirror
assembly 10 is mountable at a door of a vehicle and includes a
light module 12 (FIGS. 1-3). Light module 12 is disposed at or
received in a recess or aperture 14a of the mirror casing 14. In
the illustrated embodiment, the aperture 14a is established or
formed at least partially at a forward facing portion 14b of mirror
casing 14, which faces generally forwardly in the direction of
travel of the vehicle when the exterior rearview mirror assembly 10
is normally mounted at the side of the vehicle, and extends towards
or to a side portion of the mirror casing 14. The light module 12
includes a plurality of forward lighting illumination sources 16,
such as light emitting diodes or the like, and at least one turn
signal indicating illumination source 17, such as at least one
light emitting diode or the like, and the light module is
configured to emit illumination in a generally forwardly and/or
sidewardly and/or rearwardly direction when electrically powered.
The forward facing illumination sources may be independently and
selectively energized at selected or varying intensities to provide
a selectable range and intensity of illumination generally
forwardly and/or sidewardly and/or rearwardly of the vehicle, such
as in response to a user input disposed in the passenger
compartment or cabin of the vehicle, as discussed below. The
forward facing illumination sources thus may be used as a
selectively directed spotlight or a spotlight that is directed or
adjusted responsive to an object detection system or the like or
optionally the light sources may function as a supplemental
headlight used to improve lighting generally forwardly and at the
side of the vehicle when the driver is turning the vehicle while
traveling in a forwardly direction, such as when making a turn at
an intersection or the like. The light module may utilize aspects
of the light modules described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/249,433, filed Sep. 30, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,256, which
is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The
light module 12 includes a light guiding or directing or reflecting
element or reflector 20 and a light piping and cover element 22,
which are configured to provide the desired or selected or
appropriate illumination when either or both of the forward
lighting illumination sources and/or the turn signal indicator
illumination sources are activated or energized, as discussed
below.
[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, light module 12 includes four
forward lighting illumination sources 16, which may comprise four
(or more or less) white light-emitting light emitting diodes, and
which are disposed on a support element 18 (FIGS. 5-9), such as a
plate or circuit board or the like. The light reflecting element 20
has a plurality of openings 20a-d that generally align with the
individual forward lighting illumination sources and that is
configured to guide or direct or reflect illumination emitted by
the forward lighting illumination sources generally forwardly in
the direction of travel of the vehicle and/or generally sidewardly
of the vehicle. The light reflecting element may comprise any
suitable materials, such as a reflector coated or colored plastic
or polycarbonate element or a stamped metallic element or the
like.
[0024] Optionally, the reflecting element may reflect the light to
direct or narrow the emitted light to a narrowed or focused beam of
light emanating from the light module. For example, the round cone
reflectors may comprise any suitable shape and may be formed to
direct the light emitted by the illumination source or LED towards
a target (for example, the light emitted by the LED may have a
field of illumination of about 120 degrees or more and the
reflector may direct or focus the illumination to a field of about
45 degrees or less, depending on the particular application and
desired beams of illumination). Optionally, the reflectors and/or
illumination sources may be adjustable to adjust the field of
illumination of the illumination sources (such as by moving towards
or away from the illumination sources or reflectors) to provide an
adjustable beam of illumination.
[0025] Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 5-9, light module 12 may
include a heat sink or heat dissipating structure 34 disposed at or
near the support element 18 and illumination sources 16. In the
illustrated embodiment, the heat dissipating structure 34 comprises
a plurality of fins or ribs 34a that extend away from the support
structure to increase the surface area at the rear of the support
structure to enhance the dissipation of heat that is generated by
the illumination sources 16 (when energized or powered) at the
support element 18. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 5, the
heat dissipating structure 34 is disposed inside the mirror casing
14, such as in a cavity within the mirror casing, and optionally
the mirror casing may be vented to enhance cooling or heat
dissipation at the illumination sources and support element and
heat dissipating structure. The heat dissipating structure may
comprise a separate element that is disposed at or attached at the
rear of the support structure (such as via adhesive or the like and
in a manner that facilitates heat transfer or heat conductivity
between the illumination sources at the support structure to the
fins or ribs of the heat dissipating structure. Optionally, the
heat dissipating structure may be integrally formed with the
support structure. The heat dissipating structure may comprise any
suitable thermally conductive material, such as a metallic material
or the like.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the light reflecting element 20 has four
apertures 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, and may be configured to direct or
reflect the emitted illumination (emitted by the respective
illumination sources) generally forwardly in a forward direction of
travel of the equipped vehicle. Optionally, the light reflecting
element and light module may be configured to have the central
apertures 20b, 20c direct the emitted illumination generally
forwardly in a forward direction of travel of the equipped vehicle,
while the inboard aperture or reflecting portion 20a may be angled
to direct illumination forwardly and generally inboard toward the
side of the vehicle, and the outboard aperture or reflecting
portion 20d may be angled to direct illumination forwardly and
generally outboard away from the side of the vehicle. Thus, the
light module may direct illumination forwardly and sidewardly at
the side of the vehicle to provide a wide band of illumination at
the respective side of the vehicle and thus may assist the driver
in undertaking the forward turning maneuver and/or in illuminating
a region selected by the driver (and responsive to a user input
that controls the appropriate illumination sources to provide the
selected or desired beam of light).
[0027] Optionally, and desirably, the individual light sources of
the forward lighting light 16 may be individually controlled or
powered to provide enhanced lighting at a desired area or region
and reduced lighting at other areas. For example, if it is desired
to provide greater illumination outboard away from the side of the
vehicle, the outboard illumination source at outboard light
reflecting portion 20d may be activated or operated or energized at
an increased power level and the inboard illumination source at
inboard light reflecting portion 20a may be deactivated or operated
or energized at a reduced power level (and optionally the
intermediate or central illumination sources at the central light
reflecting portions 20b, 20c may be powered or not powered
depending on the overall light intensity desired for the particular
lighting application).
[0028] Light module 12 also includes turn signal indicator
illumination source 17, which may comprise one or two (or more)
white or preferably colored light-emitting light emitting diodes
(such as an amber colored light emitting diode or the like), which
are disposed on a support element 19 (FIGS. 5-9), such as a plate
or circuit board or the like. The turn signal indicator
illumination source 17 is disposed at a light receiving end or
region of a light pipe and cover element 22 that guides the light
emanating from the turn signal indicator illumination source 17
along the light module and out an outboard end region of the light
module for viewing by a person to the side and/or rear of the
subject vehicle.
[0029] The light pipe and cover element or lens element or
translucent or visible light-transmitting cover panel or element 22
is disposed at and/or over the light reflecting element 20 and the
support elements 18 and 19 and illumination sources 16 and 17. The
light pipe and cover element 22 may be formed to generally
correspond with the contours or curvature of the mirror casing 14
of mirror assembly 10 at the aperture 14a or may protrude partially
from the outer surface of the mirror casing, such as shown in FIG.
5. The light piping and cover element 22 allows the illumination
emitted by the illumination sources 16 and 17 and reflected or
directed or guided by the light reflecting element 20 and/or the
light piping and cover element 22 (which may comprise the likes of
a light pipe or light conduit that acts as a light conductor
utilizing the likes of total internal reflection) to pass through
the light piping and cover element 22 (which may comprise a
transparent or translucent or light transmitting plastic or acrylic
or polycarbonate material or lens or cover element or the like) so
as to illuminate an area or direct illumination towards an area
forward and/or sideward and/or rearward of the mirror assembly
and/or of the vehicle (depending on which of the light sources
is/are activated). The light pipe and cover element thus may
provide or include or cooperate to provide a light piping or
guiding function to direct visible light emitted by the
illumination sources in a desired or appropriate direction to
illuminate the desired area forward and/or sideward of the equipped
vehicle, as discussed below.
[0030] As best shown in FIGS. 10-12, light pipe and cover element
22 comprises a plastic element having a base or plate or mounting
portion 24, an outer cover portion 26 and a light piping portion
28, which are all integrally or unitarily molded or formed
together. Mounting portion 24 may be disposed at an inner surface
of the mirror casing when the light module is attached at the
mirror assembly, with the outer cover portion 26 of light pipe and
cover element 22 partially protruding through the aperture 14a in
the mirror casing 14 so as to be viewable at the aperture, with its
outboard end protruding from the outer surface of the mirror casing
(as shown in FIG. 5). The light piping portion 28 is configured to
receive light emanating from the turn signal indicator light source
17 at its inboard end 28a and to direct or pipe the light along the
element 22 and out an outboard end 28b of light piping portion 28,
which is at the outboard exposed end 26a of the outer cover portion
26. As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the light piping and cover element may
comprise a unitary structure that may be molded of a polymeric or
plastic material, such as a clear plastic or acrylic material or
the like.
[0031] Optionally, the light piping portion 28 of light pipe and
cover element 22 of light module 12 may include indicating ribs or
facets or recesses or textured elements or indicating elements or
indication elements 30 that are illuminated and glow or reflect
light when the turn signal indicator light source 17 is activated,
such that the ribs or elements 30 glow or stand out when the turn
signal indicator LED or LEDs is/are activated or energized so that
a person viewing the mirror assembly from the front of the vehicle
can see when the turn signal indicator light is activated, even in
high ambient lighting conditions. The ribs or elements 30 may
comprise notches or grooves established (such as during the molding
process) along the rear surface of the light piping portion so as
to provide a reflecting surface or light collecting element in the
light piping portion that impinges on the light path of the light
emanating from the turn signal indicator light source 17 as the
light passes along the light piping portion 28. The ribs or
elements 30 are formed as part of the light pipe and cover element
22, and comprise a clear or translucent plastic material that
reflects the light emanating from turn signal indicator light
source 17 as the light is guided along the light piping portion 28
towards the outboard end of the light module, and thus provide a
greater intensity light indicator that is viewable from the front
of the mirror assembly and vehicle. The plurality of ribs or
elements 30 established in the light piping portion 28 are spaced
along the rear surface of the light piping portion and, as best
shown in FIG. 10, the rear surface may have non-ribbed or
non-textured or smooth portions 32 that generally coincide with or
align with the individual light emitting diodes of the forward
facing light source 16 when the light module is assembled.
[0032] Thus, when the light module 12 is assembled, the turn signal
indicator light source 17 is disposed generally at inboard end 28a
of light piping portion 28 of light piping and cover element 22
(such as at or near the end of the cover element that is inboard or
closest to the side of the vehicle at which the mirror assembly is
mounted), while the individual LEDs of the forward lighting light
source 16 are disposed at and behind the non-ribbed or non-textured
portions 32 of the light piping portion 28. The light pipe and
cover element 22 functions to guide the light emitted by the
illumination source 17 sidewardly and out of the opposite or
outboard end of the light pipe and cover element 22 (and at a
location where the outer cover portion 26 protrudes or is proud of
the mirror casing 14, such that light emanating from the end 28b of
the light pipe portion 28 is directed generally sidewardly (and
optionally rearwardly) of the vehicle so as to be viewable by a
person viewing the mirror assembly from a vehicle at the side
and/or rearward of the subject or host or equipped vehicle. The
light piping portion 28 thus guides light emanating from the turn
signal indicator light source 17 from a location inside the mirror
casing (at inboard end 28a of light piping portion 28) to a
location outside the mirror casing (at outboard end 28b of light
piping portion 28), while also illuminating the ribs or elements 30
so that a person viewing the mirror assembly from the front and/or
side and/or rear of the mirror assembly can see when the turn
signal indicator light source is activated, such as in response to
the driver of the subject vehicle activating a turn signal of the
vehicle.
[0033] Although shown and described as having generally vertically
oriented ribs and generally circular shaped non-ribbed or
non-textured or smooth portions, the light piping and cover element
may comprise any suitable indication structure or elements and any
suitably-shaped smooth or non-ribbed portions, while remaining
within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example,
and with reference to FIGS. 13-17, a light module 112 includes a
light guiding or directing or reflecting element or reflector 120
and a light piping and cover element 122, which are configured to
provide the desired or selected or appropriate illumination when
either or both of the forward lighting illumination sources 116
(disposed on support element or circuit board 118) and/or the turn
signal indicator illumination sources 117 (disposed on support
element or circuit board 119) are activated or energized, such as
in a similar manner as discussed above. In the illustrated
embodiment, the light piping portion 128 of the light pipe and
cover element 122 of light module 112 includes indicating ribs or
facets or textured elements or indicating elements or indication
elements 130, while the non-ribbed or smooth portion or channel
portion 132 comprises a channel or generally linear region along
the light piping portion that is generally linearly aligned with
the illumination sources 116 and openings 120a-d. The channel
portion 132 thus divides or separates or demarcates the facets or
ribs or indication elements 130 into two separate arrays of turn
signal optical facets or indication elements along the upper and
lower regions of the light module. The light module 112 may
otherwise be substantially similar to light module 12, discussed
above, such that a detailed discussion of the light modules need
not be repeated herein.
[0034] Similar to light module 12, the light pipe and cover element
122 comprises a plastic element having a base or plate or mounting
portion 124, an outer cover portion 126 and a light piping portion
128, which are all integrally or unitarily molded or formed
together. The light piping portion 128 is configured to receive
light emanating from the turn signal indicator light source 117 at
its inboard end 128a and to direct or pipe the light along the
element 122 and out an outboard end 128b of light piping portion
128, which is at the outboard exposed end 126a of the outer cover
portion 126. Optionally, the light module 112 may include a heat
sink or heat dissipating structure 134 (having a plurality of fins
or ribs 134a) disposed at or near the support element 118 and
illumination sources 116.
[0035] Thus, and as shown in FIG. 1, when one or more of the light
emitting diodes of the forward lighting illumination source 16 are
activated, the light module 12 provides a forwardly directed and/or
sidewardly directed and/or selectively directed beam of light (such
as responsive to a user input and/or such as in a similar manner as
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/249,433, filed
Sep. 30, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,256, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). As shown in FIG.
2, when the turn signal indicator light source 17 is activated, the
light module may be viewed as a colored strip or a plurality of
colored elements or ribs (due to colored light emitted by the turn
signal indicator light source reflecting along the light piping
portion and reflecting off of the ribs or notches formed in the
light piping portion) from the front of the mirror assembly and
vehicle, and the light module may emit light (from the outboard end
of the light guiding element and cover panel) for viewing by a
person in another vehicle at the side and/or rear of the subject
vehicle. As shown in FIG. 3, when both the forward facing
illumination source 16 and the turn signal indicator illumination
source 17 are activated, the light module may have the colored
appearance, with white light emanating from the individual actuated
LEDs of the forward facing illumination source 16. Optionally, and
as shown in FIG. 3A, the outboard end 12a of the light module 12
(such as at the outboard end of the light piping portion or
element) may have an icon or logo or indicia established thereat so
that the icon is backlit and thus viewable to a person viewing the
mirror assembly (such as from the side or rear of the vehicle) when
the turn signal indicator light source is activated.
[0036] Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 5, the outboard end 26a of
the cover portion 26 of the light module may be exposed at the
outboard region of the mirror casing and/or may protrude outwardly
from the casing. Optionally, the light pipe and cover element 22
may have an icon or indicia established at the end 26a of the cover
portion 26. Thus, when the turn signal indicator light source 17 is
activated, the light emanating therefrom is guided or piped along
the light module and functions to backlight the icon so as to
provide a backlit iconistic element that is viewable by a person
viewing the outboard end or region of the mirror assembly, such as
from another vehicle at the side of or rearward of the subject
vehicle. Optionally, the icon may comprise a vehicle manufacturer
logo or vehicle model logo or any suitable or desired icon or
indicia to provide the desired indicator for the mirror assembly,
depending on the particular application of the mirror assembly and
light module. The backlit icon and light module may utilize aspects
of the light modules and assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
8,333,492; 5,371,659, 5,669,699, 5,823,654 and 5,497,305, and/or
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/249,433, filed Sep. 30, 2011,
now U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,256, and/or Ser. No. 13/674,458, filed Nov.
12, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,801,245, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the spotlight or forward
lighting support element or circuit board 18 may be attached at the
rear side or surface of the light reflecting element 20, such as
via a snap connection or fastenerless connection or the like.
Likewise, the turn signal support element or circuit board 19 may
be attached at the side or end surface of the light pipe and cover
element 22, such as via a snap connection or fastenerless
connection or the like. Also, the cover element 22 may be attached
at the front side or surface of the light reflecting element 20,
such as via a snap connection or fastenerless connection or the
like. Optionally, an outer casing or housing may attach at the rear
of the base or mounting portion 24 of cover element 22 to house and
seal the circuit boards 18, 19 and circuitry inside the light
module. The light module 12 thus may comprise a unitary module that
may be readily attached to the mirror assembly at the aperture 14a
of mirror casing 14, such as via a snap connection or fastenerless
connection or the like (or via one or more fasteners, depending on
the particular application of the light module).
[0038] Optionally, electrical connection may be made between the
circuit boards 18 and/or 19 (or circuitry or electrical connectors
thereat or thereof) and one or more electrical connectors of the
mirror assembly or vehicle that are disposed in or at the mirror
casing at or near the aperture 14a when the light module is
installed in the mirror assembly. The light module 12 thus may be
electrically connected to a power source and/or control of the
vehicle or mirror assembly, whereby the illumination sources 16 may
be powered or unpowered or controlled via a control circuit of the
mirror assembly or of the vehicle. Optionally, the light module may
be mechanically secured within the pocket or recess or opening at
the mirror casing, such as via a snap connection or fastener or the
like, and may be electrically connected to a vehicle control system
and/or vehicle power source. Optionally, the electrical connection
and mechanical connection of the self-contained light module may be
made as the light module is snapped or otherwise inserted or
mounted or attached to the mirror casing of the mirror assembly,
such as by utilizing aspects of the accessory modules described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,669,267; 6,969,101; 6,824,281 and/or 7,188,963,
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties. When snapped or otherwise secured to the mirror
assembly, the exterior surface of the light module may generally or
substantially correspond to the contours of the mirror casing or
housing of the mirror assembly so as to be substantially flush
mounted at the mirror assembly and/or a portion of the light module
may protrude outwardly from the exterior surface of the mirror
casing so as to enhance viewability of the turn signal indicator
light to a person viewing the mirror assembly from the side and/or
rear of the subject vehicle. Optionally, the lighted exterior
rearview mirror assembly may comprise a breakaway mirror assembly
having a folding or movable portion (that houses or supports the
reflective element) and a non-folding part or portion (that
attaches to the side of the vehicle equipped with the mirror
assembly). In the illustrated embodiment, the light module is
disposed at the folding part of the mirror assembly (and is
disposed partially within the mirror housing or casing of the
folding part), but optionally the light module may be disposed at
the non-folding part of the exterior rearview mirror assembly (such
as at a lower region of the non-folding mirror part or at a forward
region of the non-folding mirror part or the like), while remaining
within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0039] Optionally, the illumination sources 16 and/or 17 may
comprise dual-dye light emitting diodes and, responsive to a
selected voltage or signal, may emit white light (such as
responsive to a signal generated in response to actuation of the
user input in the vehicle) or may emit amber (or other desired
color) light (such as responsive to a signal generated in response
to actuation of the vehicle turn signal actuator). Optionally, for
example, the light module may operate in conjunction with or
corresponding to a selected custom color for the interior lighting
of the vehicle (such as MYCOLOR.RTM. offered by Ford Motor
Company), whereby the illumination color emitted by the
illumination sources of the exterior mirror light module may be
selected or customized by the user to a desired color or color
combination.
[0040] The illumination sources 16 (such as the four or six or any
other desired or appropriate number of white light-emitting light
emitting diodes or the like) may be controlled using pulse width
modulation (PWM). Optionally, by varying the duty cycle of the
individual illumination sources, the light module, when activated,
can create the impression that the light is begin adjusted
horizontally (such as via individual control of the intensities of
the individual illumination sources). Optionally, it is envisioned
that the light module may be steerable or aimed via mechanical
means, such as via adjusting the orientation of the individual
illumination sources or via moving or adjusting the reflector or
light guiding element or the like, such as in response to a user
input as discussed below.
[0041] Optionally, the light module 12 may be responsive to a user
input within the vehicle cabin, such as at the instrument panel of
the vehicle (and such as in a similar manner as described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/249,433, filed Sep. 30, 2011, now
U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,256, which is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety). The user input may comprise a dial or
knob or electrical switch that is adjusted to a number of different
settings. Thus, when the light module is activated (such as via
actuation of an "on/off" switch or input in the vehicle cabin), the
user or driver of the vehicle may control or adjust the user input
to select a desired or appropriate lighting configuration or
illumination pattern emitted by the illumination sources 16 of
light module 12. For example, the user input may comprise a dial or
knob that is rotated by the user in either direction from a center
or "full on" setting to either the right direction (to illuminate
the inboard LEDs of the driver side mirror more than the outboard
LEDs of the driver side mirror) or the left direction (to
illuminate the outboard LEDs of the driver side mirror more than
the inboard LEDs of the driver side mirror). The user thus can pan
the principal illumination beam left to right and right to left via
adjustment of the knob or dial or user input. For example, the user
input may be selectively adjusted to any one of about fifty
positions (or more or less depending on the particular application
and desired adjustability), whereby each LED or illumination source
may be energized to a predetermined level responsive to the
particular setting or position of the user input. The lighting
system may include a control or microprocessor on the circuit board
of the light module or elsewhere in or at the mirror or vehicle,
and the control may be responsive to the signal from the user input
and operable to power one or more of the illumination sources in
accordance with a the selected input or setting or position of the
user input. Optionally, the user input may also be set to a "full
on" position or setting whereby all four or six illumination
sources (or any other number of illumination sources, such as more
than two LEDs, such as eight or ten LEDs, but preferably less than
about 20 LEDs, depending on the particular application) may be
operated or energized at or near a 100 percent level or
intensity.
[0042] Optionally, it is envisioned that the light module may
include a two dimensional array of illumination sources (such as
two or more rows of illumination sources, such as two rows of three
LEDs or the like), and the user input may comprise a toggle or
joystick type control, whereby a user may direct or adjust or
control or aim an illumination pattern or principal illumination
beam to direct light upward and/or downward as well as
forward/sideward, to provide a desired or selected illumination
pattern by the vehicle. The joystick control may be similar to a
control or input for adjustment of the exterior mirror reflective
element, and may be at or near the exterior mirror controls so that
the user may readily understand what control function the control
or input provides. Optionally, a light module may be disposed at
each of the driver side and passenger side mirror assemblies, and
each light module may be associated with a respective control or
user input or a single user input or control may selectively
control a selected one of the light modules (such as via a
selection switch similar to the selection switches used to select
which reflective element actuator is controlled by a mirror
adjustment control).
[0043] Thus, the illumination sources of the light module 12 may be
selectively actuated or energized to provide a desired illumination
pattern at the side and forwardly of the vehicle (so that the user
of the vehicle may selectively activate and "steer" or aim a
principal illumination beam toward a desired or selected or
targeted area). Optionally, the illumination pattern when all of
the illumination sources are powered may encompass a region that
includes a forward portion of the vehicle and that extends
partially rearward of the rearview mirror at which the light module
is installed (such as a range of at least about 120 degrees, more
preferably at least about 130 degrees with four LEDs and at least
about 155 degrees with six LEDs, such as from about 10 degrees or
more rearward to about 20 degrees or more beyond the longitudinal
axis of the vehicle). Actuation or energization of fewer than all
of the illumination sources may adjust the illumination pattern to
encompass any subset or sub-region of the overall illumination
area, depending on the desired illumination direction and intensity
for the particular application. The light module and lighting
system of the present invention thus may provide a selectable and
adjustable and customizable lighting pattern for a driver or user
of the vehicle so as to provide a desired illumination pattern for
any given situation. For example, the lighting system of the
present invention may be highly suitable for use in camping
applications (such as to provide or direct light to assist in late
night setting up of a tent or camp fire or the like) or farming
applications (such as to provide or direct light to assist in
herding animals or land surveillance or the like) or construction
applications (such as to provide or direct light to assist in road
repair or land surveillance or the like) or vehicle maintenance
applications (such as to provide or direct light to assist in
changing a tire or general vehicle inspection or the like) or
tailgating or the like. The driver of the vehicle thus may readily
adjust the control or user input within the vehicle to adjust or
select or customize the intensity of the beam and/or the pointing
and/or principal axis of the beam so as to provide, for example,
localized illumination/interrogation of a given object and/or
location and/or scene exterior of the vehicle in an up to 180
degree arc relative to the side of the equipped vehicle.
[0044] The present invention thus provides a customizable or
adjustable or user controllable spotlight at the exterior rearview
mirror assembly, such that a user, sitting in the vehicle cabin,
can direct illumination towards a desired or targeted region or
area or object generally forwardly and/or sidewardly of the
vehicle. The aiming and/or illumination and/or type of pattern or
illumination beam can be user selected or customized or may be
responsive to an object detection or other auto detection device
(such as an imaging sensor or camera, or radar sensor, or
ultrasonic sensor, or infrared sensor or the like) so as to provide
enhanced illumination of a detected object to enhance imaging of a
detected object and/or identification of a detected object
forwardly and/or sidewardly of the vehicle.
[0045] The user selected illumination range or light pattern may be
selected or customized to any desired pattern or intensity within
the overall illumination range, or may be directed sideward of the
vehicle when the light module is disposed in a foldable or
breakaway mirror assembly (such as a powerfold mirror assembly or
the like) and when the mirror is in its folded orientation. For
example, the light module may provide a side area illumination
feature when the exterior mirror (such as a powerfold exterior
mirror) is folded inward to its folded orientation. When the mirror
is folded in this manner, the illumination sources of the light
module may all be actuated or energized to a desired or selected
intensity to provide a side area illumination pattern along the
side of the vehicle. The light module may provide such a side area
lighting feature automatically in response to a passive entry
system or key fob signal or the like, so as to provide side area
illumination when the driver of the vehicle approaches the vehicle.
For example, when the system detects the approach of the driver,
such as responsive to a passive entry system or responsive to
receiving a key fob signal or the like, the system may fold or
pivot the mirror head to the folded orientation and actuate the
illumination sources of the light module, in order to provide
illumination at the side of the vehicle. Optionally, the system may
only provide such side illumination when the system also detects a
low ambient lighting condition, such as responsive to an ambient
light sensor of the mirror assembly or vehicle. Optionally, the
system may provide such a side illumination feature responsive to
user inputs in the cabin of the vehicle, such as via a powerfold
actuator switch and user inputs, discussed above. Optionally, the
light module or lighting system may be used or energized in
combination with other lighting sources of the vehicle and/or the
mirror assembly, such as with, for example, a ground illumination
light of the mirror assembly or door handle of the vehicle and/or a
cargo lamp of the vehicle and/or the like.
[0046] Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror assembly may
include a camera or imaging sensor that may be part of a
multi-camera system, such as an object detection system or a
surround view or "bird's eye view" display system or a Japan
View.TM. vision system or the like (now common in exterior mirrors
used in Japan where a video camera is located in the exterior
mirror assembly at the side of a vehicle and viewing generally
downwardly to allow the driver of the vehicle to view on an
interior-cabin mounted video screen whether the likes of a child
might be present in the blindzone to the side of the vehicle), such
as by utilizing aspects of the vision systems described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/333,337, filed Dec. 21, 2011 and
published Jun. 28, 2012 as U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0162427,
and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US10/25545, filed Feb. 26, 2010 and
published Sep. 2, 2010 as International Publication No. WO
2010/099416, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US10/47256, filed Aug.
31, 2010 and published Mar. 10, 2011 as International Publication
No. WO 2011/028686, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/CA 12/000378,
filed Apr. 25, 2012 and published Nov. 1, 2012 as International
Publication No. WO 2012/145822, and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2011/062834, filed Dec. 1, 2011 and published Jun. 7, 2012 as
International Publication No. WO 2012/075250, and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US2012/048993, filed Jul. 31, 2012 and
published Feb. 7, 2013 as International Publication No. WO
2013/019795, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US11/62755, filed Dec.
1, 2011 and published Jun. 7, 2012 as International Publication No.
WO 2012-075250, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2012/066571, filed
Nov. 27, 2012 and published Jun. 6, 2013 as International
Publication No. WO 2013/081985, and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2012/068331, filed Dec. 7, 2012 and published Jun. 13, 2013
as International Publication No. WO 2013/086249, and/or PCT
Application No. PCT/US2013/022119, filed Jan. 18, 2013 and
published Jul. 25, 2013 as International Publication No. WO
2013/109869, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties. Thus, the multi-camera vision system may provide
a video display of images captured by an exterior mirror-mounted
camera and may function to detect the presence of an object or
child or the like at the side of the vehicle (and/or forwardly
and/or rearward of the vehicle). The light module of the present
invention can be used in conjunction with such a vision system to
have its principal illumination beam directed towards the area
within the field of view of the camera to enhance imaging and/or to
enhance detection and/or identification and/or interrogation of
objects in the camera's field of view generally at the side of the
vehicle and optionally forwardly and/or rearwardly of the
vehicle.
[0047] Optionally, the illumination sources may be automatically
powered or activated or controlled in response to activation of the
vehicle headlamps and/or in response to a signal indicative of the
vehicle turning (such as a steering wheel angle or the like). For
example, the illumination sources of a light module in a driver
side exterior rearview mirror assembly may be automatically
actuated in response to a condition that involves (a) the
headlights of the vehicle being on, (b) the vehicle being in a
forward gear or the gear actuator being in a forward gear position,
and (c) the vehicle undertaking a forward left turn or the driver
actuating a turn signal of the vehicle. Optionally, the
illumination sources may be actuated in response to an ambient
light sensor that generates a signal indicative of the ambient
light at the vehicle being below a threshold level (such that the
illumination sources are activated in low lighting conditions
during a vehicle forward turning maneuver even if the headlamps are
not activated). Such a control system thus may automatically
activate or power either light module only when the conditions are
appropriate for providing illumination at the respective side of
the vehicle so as to assist the driver in undertaking the forward
turning maneuver. Optionally, the illumination sources may also or
otherwise be powered or activated or controlled in response to a
user input or the like, such as a switch or button or the like in
the vehicle cabin that is accessible by and actuatable by the
driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the
vehicle.
[0048] Optionally, the illumination sources 16 (such as the four or
six or any other desired or appropriate number of white
light-emitting light emitting diodes or the like) may be controlled
using pulse width modulation (PWM). Optionally, by varying the duty
cycle of the individual illumination sources, the light module,
when activated, can create the impression that the light is begin
adjusted horizontally (such as via individual control of the
intensities of the individual illumination sources). For example,
at the initial onset of a turn towards a particular side of the
vehicle, the inboard illumination source may be initially powered
at a greater intensity relative to the central and outboard
illumination sources (and optionally one or more of these
illumination sources may initially not be activated or powered),
and then as the turn progresses (such as responsive to an increase
in steering wheel angle or the like), the inboard illumination
source may be dimmed while the intensities of the central
illumination sources are increased and as the turn further
progresses, the outboard illumination intensity may be increased,
such that, to a person viewing the illumination module at the
mirror assembly, the illumination module appears to have a light
source that is adjusted horizontally from an inboard directing
orientation to an outboard directing orientation. Optionally, the
light module and/or illumination sources may have a dimming control
feature or function, such that the illumination sources, when
powered or activated, are ramped up or progressively powered up to
their full illumination states, and when unpowered or deactivated,
are ramped down or dimmed or progressively powered down to their
deactivated states. Such a dimming control feature provides a
smoother transition when progressively illuminating or powering the
illumination sources to give the appearance of movement of an
illumination source generally horizontally during the turning
maneuver.
[0049] Thus, the light module may comprise a cornering light module
or assembly to provide illumination generally forwardly and
sidewardly of the vehicle to provide enhanced illumination during
turning maneuvers of the vehicle. The side lighting functions to
improve the vision of the driver of the vehicle when turning the
vehicle around a corner or curve in the road. The light module may
operate in conjunction with the respective turn signal so as to be
activated when the turn signal at that side of the vehicle is
activated. The light module may provide a constant illumination at
the side of the vehicle while the turn signal flashes. Optionally,
the light module may provide a sideward illumination in response to
the high beams of the vehicle being activated, in order to provide
additional lighting of the road or shoulder sidewardly of the
vehicle and rearward of the area encompassed by the front
headlights when in their high beam state. In such an application,
the sideward lighting function may be deactivated when the
headlights are in their low beam state.
[0050] Optionally, the illumination sources (such as a row of
lights with some of the lights illuminating further sidewardly than
some of the other lights) may illuminate in a progressively outward
direction depending on the position or steering angle of the
steering wheel or front wheels/tires of the vehicle, and then the
lights may progressively deactivate in the opposite direction as
the steering wheel and/or wheels/tires are turned back to a center
or straight orientation. Thus, the lights may illuminate a greater
sideward area in response to a detection of the vehicle undergoing
a sharper turn so as to enhance the viewing by the driver of the
area to the side of the vehicle and toward where the vehicle is
being steered, while limiting sideward illumination when the
vehicle is being driven in a generally straight or slightly curved
path.
[0051] Optionally, the illumination sources of the light module may
emit illumination in response to other triggering or activating
devices or events, such as responsive to a passive entry system or
the like of the vehicle so as to provide illumination at the side
of the vehicle when the driver approaches the vehicle or touches or
moves the door handle of the vehicle door or actuates a remote
keyless entry module or passive entry device of the vehicle or
inserts a key into a keyhole at the door or door handle or when a
motion detector of the vehicle detects a motion at the vehicle, or
the like. Optionally, and desirably, the illumination source is
deactuatable following a period of time after such an actuation of
the illumination source. Optionally, the light module and/or
illumination source or sources may have a dimming control feature
or function, such that the illumination source, when activated, is
ramped up or progressively powered up to its full illumination
state, and when deactivated, is ramped down or dimmed or
progressively powered down to its deactivated state.
[0052] The illumination source may comprise any suitable
illumination source, such as one or more light emitting diodes
(LEDs), such as white light-emitting LEDs or high intensity power
LEDs (such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,195,381
and/or 6,690,268, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference
in their entireties) or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or
the like. The illumination source may comprise a substantially
white light emitting illumination source, or may comprise a colored
light emitting illumination source (or a white light emitting
illumination source may emit light that passes through a color
filter or the like) to provide color illumination (such as blue or
amber or other color as desired) at the mirror assembly and ground
area depending on the particular application of the mirror assembly
and illumination module.
[0053] The light module may comprise a small, self-contained module
that includes the outer cover or casing that substantially encases
the illumination source and circuitry of the light module, and may
utilize aspects of the illumination modules described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/249,433, filed Sep. 30, 2011, now
U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,764,256, and/or 8,333,492, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The cover
provides an outer wall that substantially corresponds to the
contours of the mirror assembly at the light module such that the
mirror assembly has a substantially continuous outer surface or
wall at the light module. The light module and housing or cover
and/or mirror casing may be substantially sealed so as to be
substantially impervious to water, dirt, debris and the like, so
that the light module is well suited for the exterior application
at the vehicle exterior rearview mirror assembly. The outer wall or
walls of the cover may be substantially flush with the outer
surface and contours of the mirror casing of the mirror assembly,
and may be colored so as to substantially match or contrast the
color of the mirror casing, depending on the particular application
of the mirror assembly and light module.
[0054] The housing or cover panel of the light module may be at
least partially or substantially translucent or transparent at
least at the regions corresponding to or aligned with the light
directing or reflecting portions 20a-d such that illumination
emitted via the illumination sources is transmitted through the
cover panel and toward the front area forward and sidewardly of the
mirror assembly at the side of the vehicle. Optionally, the cover
panel may provide a diffusing optic or diffusing effect or frosting
to diffuse or spread out the emitted light to provide substantially
uniform illumination and to limit or substantially preclude bright
spots when the illumination sources are activated.
[0055] Optionally, and desirably, the cover panel may be overmolded
over the illumination source or sources and circuitry to provide a
substantially sealed and substantially water impervious
illumination module. For example, a housing or cover panel may be
overmolded over and around a metal stamping or stamped circuit
element or plate with the illumination source or sources (such as
LEDs or the like) fastened thereto or otherwise established
thereon, or the housing may be overmolded over and around a printed
circuit board or element with the illumination sources established
thereon.
[0056] The light module may be located or established at or in the
exterior surface or wall of the exterior mirror casing, such as in
a metallic or plastic or polymeric portion of the mirror casing.
The cover panel of the light module may have any desired or
suitable exterior finish, such as a class A surface finish, and may
be colored or finished to any desired or suitable finish, such as a
black or dark or colored finish (or the material may be black or
dark or colored polymeric or metallic material). Optionally, the
cover panel may have a chrome finish or brushed aluminum finish or
the like, such that illumination is provided through the chrome or
brushed aluminum finished wall or structure of the mirror
assembly.
[0057] Optionally, the illumination module and/or the exterior
rearview mirror assembly may incorporate a blind spot indicator
device or element and/or a turn signal indicator device or element,
such as by utilizing aspects of the devices described in U.S.
provisional applications, and/or U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,058,977;
7,944,371; 7,626,749; 7,492,281; 7,255,451; 6,198,409; 5,929,786
and 5,786,772, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/187,725,
filed Aug. 7, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,786,704, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The signal
indicator or indication module may include or utilize aspects of
various light modules or systems or devices, such as the types
described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,581,859; 7,289,037; 6,227,689;
6,582,109; 5,371,659; 5,497,306; 5,669,699; 5,823,654; 6,176,602
and/or 6,276,821, and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 and published Mar. 23, 2006 as U.S.
Publication No. US-2006-0061008, and/or PCT Application No.
PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 16, 2006 and published Nov. 23, 2006
as International Publication No. WO 2006/124682, which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Optionally,
the exterior rearview mirror assembly may include a wide angle
reflector at or integral with the reflective element, such as by
utilizing aspects of the elements described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
7,748,856; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 6,717,712; 7,126,456; 6,315,419;
7,097,312 and/or 6,522,451, which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
[0058] Optionally, the illumination module may also comprise a
ground illumination light or puddle lamp, which provides downwardly
directed illumination (and which may provide a back lit icon or
indicia or logo or the like), such as by utilizing aspects of the
illumination systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,333,492;
5,371,659, 5,669,699, 5,823,654 and 5,497,305, and/or U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/249,433, filed Sep. 30, 2011, now U.S. Pat.
No. 8,764,256, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in
their entireties. Optionally, the illumination module may comprise
a cornering light and a puddle lamp and turn signal light, and may
have a wrap-around style turn signal at the exterior mirror that
may be fitted with a prism lens or the like to project light in the
appropriate direction and/or toward the targeted location. The
illumination module thus may include one or more illumination
sources and one or more lenses or optics or light pipes or the like
to distribute or direct illumination toward the appropriate
targeted areas.
[0059] Changes and modifications to the specifically described
embodiments may be carried out without departing from the
principles of the present invention, which is intended to be
limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted
according to the principles of patent law.
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