# US 10,369,932 B2 · Mirror reflective element sub-assembly for vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly

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- Number: US 10,369,932 B2
- Document ID: US10369932B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/147,942
- Filed: 2018-10-01
- Published: 2019-01-31
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2006-10-24
- Assignees: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
- Applicants: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
- Inventors: Keith D. Foote; Niall R. Lynam
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369932B2

## CPC

- B60R 1/1207: {with lamps; with turn indicators}
- B60Q 1/0076: {Switches therefor (B60Q1/1446, B60Q1/343, B60Q1/40 take precedence)}
- B60Q 1/0088: {Details of electrical connections (B60Q1/305 takes precedence; electrical connection of the light source itself F21S41/192, F21S43/195)}
- B60Q 1/2607: {comprising at least two indicating lamps}
- B60Q 1/2665: {on rear-view mirrors (lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258)}
- B60Q 1/2696: {Mounting of devices using LEDs}
- B60Q 1/34: for indicating change of drive direction (B60Q1/22 takes precedence)
- B60Q 1/503: {using luminous text or symbol displays in or on the vehicle, e.g. static text}
- B60R 1/0602: {comprising means for cleaning or deicing}
- B60R 1/072: for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
- B60R 1/08: involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots {, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors (B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence)}
- B60R 1/081: {avoiding blind spots, e.g. by using a side-by-side association of mirrors}
- B60R 1/088: {using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors}
- F21V 23/005: {the substrate is supporting also the light source}
- F21V 23/0464: {the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors}
- G08G 1/167: {Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection}
- B60R 2001/1215: {with information displays}
- B60R 2300/802: for monitoring and displaying vehicle exterior blind spot views
- B60R 2300/8093: for obstacle warning
- F21Y 2115/10: Light-emitting diodes [LED]
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93})
- F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED

## Abstract

A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror reflector and a mirror back plate disposed at the rear side of the mirror reflective element. A heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the mirror back plate and has a light transmitting portion that is aligned with an aperture of the mirror back plate. A blind spot indicator module includes a body portion and a connector portion extending laterally from the body portion. Light emitted by at least one light emitting diode passes through the light transmitting portion of the heater pad and through a light-transmitting portion of the mirror reflector and exits the mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the vehicle who is driving the vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising:
a mirror reflective element;
said mirror reflective element comprising a transparent glass substrate having a front side and a rear side;
a mirror reflector disposed at the front side of said transparent glass substrate or disposed at the rear side of said transparent glass substrate;
a mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation;
said mirror back plate comprising a first side and a second side and having a plate thickness therebetween;
wherein said mirror back plate is disposed at the rear side of said transparent glass substrate with said second side of said mirror back plate being closer than said first side of said mirror back plate to the rear side of said transparent glass substrate;
said mirror back plate comprising a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at said first side of said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation;
wherein said mirror actuator attaching portion comprises structure for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly, and wherein said mirror actuator comprises an electrically operable mirror actuator;
wherein said mirror back plate comprises an aperture extending from said first side to said second side through the plate thickness of said mirror back plate;
a heater pad disposed between the rear side of said transparent glass substrate and said second side of said mirror back plate;
wherein said heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is aligned with said aperture of said mirror back plate;
wherein said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting portion that is aligned with said light transmitting portion of said heater pad;
a blind spot indicator module comprising a body portion and a connector portion extending from the body portion;
wherein the connector portion extends laterally from the body portion;
wherein said blind spot indicator module is associated with a blind spot detection system of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly;
wherein the body portion of said blind spot indicator module houses a circuit board;
wherein circuitry is disposed at said circuit board, said circuitry comprising at least one light emitting diode electrically activatable to emit light;
wherein said circuit board comprises electrical terminals extending therefrom;
wherein the electrical terminals extending from the circuit board extend into the connector portion of said blind spot indicator module forming an electrical connector configured for connection to another electrical connector for electrically connecting circuitry of said circuit board at least to electrical power when the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
wherein, with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly mounted at the equipped vehicle and with said at least one light emitting diode electrically activated, light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode passes through said light transmitting portion of said heater pad and through said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector and exits said mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the equipped vehicle who is driving the equipped vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element; and
wherein, with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly mounted at the equipped vehicle and with said at least one light emitting diode electrically activated during a daytime driving condition, said visual icon has a luminance of at least 5,000 candelas/square meter and less than 30,000 candelas/square meter as viewed along its axis of highest brightness.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said aperture is established through said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said blind spot indicator module comprises a light guide that guides light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode of said blind spot indicator module to exit said mirror reflective element in a desired direction.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 3, wherein, with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly mounted at the equipped vehicle, said desired direction is toward the side of the equipped vehicle at which the exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 4, wherein said guide comprises a passageway.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said blind spot indicator module is adhesively attached at said mirror back plate.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein the body portion of said blind spot indicator module is formed from a white plastic material and comprises a diffuse reflective surface, and wherein the diffuse reflective surface diffusely reflects light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises a transflective mirror reflective element, and wherein said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector comprises a transflective portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting window established through said mirror reflector by laser ablation.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting diode comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, and wherein said light transmitting portion of said heater pad comprises an aperture through said heater pad.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said visual icon comprises a triangular shape.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 11, wherein said structure of said mirror actuator attaching portion for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a raised annular ring, (ii) annular prongs and (iii) annular snaps.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 12, wherein, with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly mounted at the equipped vehicle, and during a nighttime driving condition, luminance of said visual icon is reduced responsive to an ambient light sensing photosensor of the equipped vehicle.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said blind spot indicator module is adhesively attached at said mirror back plate using an adhesive tape.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said mirror reflector is disposed at the front side of said transparent glass substrate, and wherein said transparent glass substrate comprises a rear transparent glass substrate of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a front transparent glass substrate and said rear transparent glass substrate with an electrically-dimmable electrochromic medium disposed therebetween.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said circuit board is orientated so that said at least one light emitting diode faces towards said mirror reflective element and, when electrically activated, emits light towards said mirror reflective element.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein the body portion of said blind spot indicator module comprises structure configured for connecting to structure of said first side of said mirror back plate.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein a front end of the body portion of said blind spot indicator module is configured for adhesive attachment at said mirror back plate.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein a front end of the body portion of said blind spot indicator module is non-parallel with a rear end of the body portion of said blind spot indicator module.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical terminals extending from said circuit board and the connector portion of said blind spot indicator module form an electrical socket connector for electrically connecting circuitry of the circuit board to an electrical plug connector of the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one light emitting diode comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes and wherein said circuit board is orientated so that said plurality of light emitting diodes face towards said mirror reflective element and, when electrically activated, emit light towards said mirror reflective element.

### Claim 22 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said blind spot indicator module comprises an indicia element.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 22, wherein the indicia element comprises a triangular shape.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 1, wherein said blind spot indicator module comprises a diffuser element to diffuse light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode.

### Claim 25

A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising:
a mirror reflective element;
said mirror reflective element comprising a transparent glass substrate having a front side and a rear side;
a mirror reflector disposed at the front side of said transparent glass substrate or disposed at the rear side of said transparent glass substrate;
a mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation;
said mirror back plate comprising a first side and a second side and having a plate thickness therebetween;
wherein said mirror back plate is disposed at the rear side of said transparent glass substrate with said second side of said mirror back plate being closer than said first side of said mirror back plate to the rear side of said transparent glass substrate;
said mirror back plate comprising a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at said first side of said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation;
wherein said mirror actuator attaching portion comprises structure for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly, and wherein said mirror actuator comprises an electrically operable mirror actuator;
wherein said mirror back plate comprises an aperture extending from said first side to said second side through the plate thickness of said mirror back plate;
wherein said aperture is established through said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation;
a heater pad disposed between the rear side of said transparent glass substrate and said second side of said mirror back plate;
wherein said heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is aligned with said aperture of said mirror back plate;
wherein said light transmitting portion of said heater pad comprises an aperture through said heater pad;
wherein said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting portion that is aligned with said light transmitting portion of said heater pad;
wherein said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting window established through said mirror reflector by laser ablation;
a blind spot indicator module comprising a body portion and a connector portion extending from the body portion;
wherein the connector portion extends laterally from the body portion;
wherein said blind spot indicator module is associated with a blind spot detection system of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly;
wherein the body portion of said blind spot indicator module houses a circuit board;
wherein circuitry is disposed at said circuit board, said circuitry comprising at least one light emitting diode electrically activatable to emit light;
wherein said circuit board comprises electrical terminals extending therefrom;
wherein the electrical terminals extending from the circuit board extend into the connector portion of said blind spot indicator module forming an electrical connector configured for connection to another electrical connector for electrically connecting circuitry of said circuit board at least to electrical power when the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
wherein, with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly mounted at the equipped vehicle and with said at least one light emitting diode electrically activated, light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode passes through said light transmitting portion of said heater pad and through said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector and exits said mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the equipped vehicle who is driving the equipped vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element;
wherein said circuit board is orientated so that said at least one light emitting diode faces towards said mirror reflective element and, when electrically activated, emits light towards said mirror reflective element; and
wherein said blind spot indicator module comprises a diffuser element to diffuse light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 25, wherein the connector portion of said blind spot indicator module extends laterally from the body portion, and wherein said structure of said mirror actuator attaching portion for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of (i) a raised annular ring, (ii) annular prongs and (iii) annular snaps.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 26, wherein, with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly mounted at the equipped vehicle and with said at least one light emitting diode electrically activated during a daytime driving condition and with said at least one light emitting diode activated, said visual icon has a luminance of at least 5,000 candelas/square meter and less than 30,000 candelas/square meter as viewed along its axis of highest brightness.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 27, wherein the electrical terminals extending from said circuit board and the connector portion of said blind spot indicator module form an electrical socket connector for electrically connecting circuitry of the circuit board to an electrical plug connector of the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 28, wherein the body portion of said blind spot indicator module is formed from a white plastic material and comprises a diffuse reflective surface, and wherein the diffuse reflective surface diffusely reflects light emitted by said at least one light emitting diode.

### Claim 30 (depends on 28)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 28, wherein the body portion of said blind spot indicator module comprises structure configured for connecting to structure of said first side of said mirror back plate.

### Claim 31 (depends on 28)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 28, wherein said visual icon comprises a triangular shape.

### Claim 32 (depends on 28)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 28, wherein said at least one light emitting diode comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes and wherein said circuit board is orientated so that said plurality of light emitting diodes face towards said mirror reflective element and, when electrically activated, emit light towards said mirror reflective element.

### Claim 33

A mirror reflective element sub-assembly for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising:
a mirror reflective element;
said mirror reflective element comprising a transparent glass substrate having a front side and a rear side;
a mirror reflector disposed at the front side of said transparent glass substrate or disposed at the rear side of said transparent glass substrate;
a mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation;
said mirror back plate comprising a first side and a second side and having a plate thickness therebetween;
wherein said mirror back plate is disposed at the rear side of said transparent glass substrate with said second side of said mirror back plate being closer than said first side of said mirror back plate to the rear side of said transparent glass substrate;
said mirror back plate comprising a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at said first side of said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation;
wherein said mirror actuator attaching portion comprises structure for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly, and wherein said mirror actuator comprises an electrically operable mirror actuator;
wherein said mirror back plate comprises an aperture extending from said first side to said second side through the plate thickness of said mirror back plate;
wherein said aperture is established through said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation;
a heater pad disposed between the rear side of said transparent glass substrate and said second side of said mirror back plate;
wherein said heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is aligned with said aperture of said mirror back plate;
wherein said light transmitting portion of said heater pad comprises an aperture through said heater pad;
wherein said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting portion that is aligned with said light transmitting portion of said heater pad;
wherein said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting window established through said mirror reflector by laser ablation;
a blind spot indicator module comprising a body portion and a connector portion extending from the body portion;
wherein said blind spot indicator module is associated with a blind spot detection system of a vehicle equipped with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly;
wherein the body portion of said blind spot indicator module houses a circuit board;
wherein circuitry is disposed at said circuit board, said circuitry comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes electrically activatable to emit light;
wherein said circuit board comprises electrical terminals extending therefrom;
wherein the electrical terminals extending from the circuit board extend into the connector portion of said blind spot indicator module forming an electrical connector configured for connection to another electrical connector for electrically connecting circuitry of said circuit board at least to electrical power when the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at the equipped vehicle;
wherein, with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly mounted at the equipped vehicle and with said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically activated, light emitted by said plurality of light emitting diodes passes through said light transmitting portion of said heater pad and through said light-transmitting portion of said mirror reflector and exits said mirror reflective element to provide a visual icon visible to a driver of the equipped vehicle who is driving the equipped vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element;
wherein said circuit board is orientated so that said plurality of light emitting diodes face towards said mirror reflective element and, when electrically activated, emit light towards said mirror reflective element;
wherein said blind spot indicator module comprises a diffuser element to diffuse light emitted by said plurality of light emitting diodes; and
wherein the electrical terminals extending from said circuit board and the connector portion of said blind spot indicator module form an electrical socket connector for electrically connecting circuitry of the circuit board to an electrical plug connector of the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 33, wherein, with the exterior rearview mirror assembly utilizing said mirror reflective element sub-assembly mounted at the equipped vehicle and with said plurality of light emitting diodes electrically activated during a daytime driving condition, said visual icon has a luminance of at least 5,000 candelas/square meter and less than 30,000 candelas/square meter as viewed along its axis of highest brightness.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 34, wherein said blind spot indicator module is adhesively attached at said mirror back plate.

### Claim 36 (depends on 34)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 34, wherein said visual icon comprises a triangular shape.

### Claim 37 (depends on 33)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 33, wherein the body portion of said blind spot indicator module is formed from a white plastic material and comprises a diffuse reflective surface, and wherein the diffuse reflective surface diffusely reflects light emitted by said plurality of light emitting diodes.

### Claim 38 (depends on 33)

The mirror reflective element sub-assembly of claim 33, wherein the body portion of said blind spot indicator module comprises structure configured for connecting to structure of said first side of said mirror back plate.