# US 10,479,266 B2 · Multifunction lamp unit and rear view device therewith > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,266 B2 - Document ID: US10479266B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/956,091 - Filed: 2018-04-18 - Published: 2018-08-16 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-24 - Assignees: SMR Patents S.à.r.l. - Applicants: SMR Patents S.à.r.l. - Inventors: Eugen Meier; Oliver Schmidt; Volker Erhart; Raimund Negel; Arne Schmierer; Daniel Fritz; Andreas Herrmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479266B2 ## CPC - B60Q 1/2665: {on rear-view mirrors (lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258)} - B60Q 1/28: for indicating front of vehicle - B60Q 1/38: using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps - B60R 1/06: mounted on vehicle exterior {(B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence)} - B60R 1/1207: {with lamps; with turn indicators} - F21S 43/14: Light emitting diodes [LED] - F21S 43/145: Surface emitters, e.g. organic light emitting diodes [OLED] - F21S 43/235: Light guides - F21S 43/237: rod-shaped - F21S 43/245: emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces - F21S 43/26: {Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255} - B60Q 2400/40: Welcome lights, i.e. specific or existing exterior lamps to assist leaving or approaching the vehicle - B60Q 2400/50: Projected symbol or information, e.g. onto the road or car body - B60R 2001/1253: {with cameras, video cameras or video screens} - F21W 2103/25: for rear-view mirrors - F21W 2103/60: Projection of signs from lighting devices, e.g. symbols or information being projected onto the road - F21Y 2113/20: of different form - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS - F21W: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS - 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 multifunctional lamp unit includes a side turn indicator including a housing for at least one light conductor with at least one illuminant, and a projection unit. A rearview device including the multifunctional lamp unit, a method of operating the rearview device, and a vehicle including the rearview device are also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rear view device for a vehicle, comprising: a multifunctional lamp unit, comprising: a side turn indicator comprising a housing for at least one light conductor with at least one illuminant; a projection unit; at least one clear lens; wherein the at least one light conductor comprises a first light conductor and a second light conductor, wherein at least one light coupling area is provided in the location of at least one of a first end of the first light conductor facing an installation space in the housing and a first end of the second light conductor extending along a region of at least one light foil extending along at least a part of the at least one clear lens, wherein each of the first light conductor and the second light conductor is enclosed by the housing and the at least one clear lens; and at least one casing part providing at least one opening or at least one window for light emitted by the multifunctional lamp unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one illuminant comprises at least one of an LED on a printed circuit board (PCB), a laser diode, and a light foil. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, further comprising a light source for emitting yellow or amber light which is provided by the at least one illuminant for both the side turn indicator and the projection unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein the projection unit comprises either a light source for emitting white light or two light sources, one of the two light sources for emitting yellow or amber light and another one of the two light sources for emitting white light. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one illuminant comprises one or more light sources combined physically or electrically with the projection unit, or the projection unit comprises one or more light sources combined physically or electrically with the side turn indicator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein the side turn indicator, including the at least one clear lens and the at least one light conductor, is produced out of plastic in a 3-component injection procedure, and wherein a refractive index of the plastic of the at least one clear lens is selected to be different from a refractive index of the plastic of the at least one light conductor, and a boundary defined between the at least one clear lens and the at least one light conductor is at least partly separated by a structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein at least one light foil is arranged at least partly between the at least one clear lens and at least a part of the at least one light conductor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 6, wherein at least one light conditioning area configured to be used for tinting, dying, reflecting, or scattering is introduced into at least one of the at least one light conductor and the at least one clear lens by choosing at least one additive for the respective plastic. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein the housing is formed with a first recess to build an installation space for the at least one illuminant, and the first recess is sealed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 9, wherein the housing is formed with a second recess to build an installation space for a control unit, and the second recess is sealed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 10, wherein the control unit is connected to at least one of the at least one illuminant, a light foil and a vehicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein at least one light foil extends along at least a part of the at least one clear lens. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one light decoupling area, wherein the at least one illuminant comprises a first illuminant, and light rays from the first illuminant are subjected to a total reflection at a boundary defined between the first light conductor and the at least one clear lens outside the at least one light decoupling area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one illuminant comprises a first illuminant and a second illuminant, and light rays from the second illuminant are decoupled along at least a part of the extent of the second light conductor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 14, wherein the light rays decoupled from the second light conductor pass at least one of the at least one light foil, the at least one clear lens, and the housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 14, wherein the light rays decoupled from the second light conductor pass an opening in at least one of the at least one light foil and the housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one light conductor further comprises a third light conductor and the at least one illuminant comprises a first illuminant, a second illuminant, and a third illuminant, and wherein light rays from the third illuminant are coupled at a first end of the third light conductor and decoupled at a second end of the third light conductor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of light decoupling regions provided by at least one of the at least one clear lens and the housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional lamp unit is configured to provide a plurality of light decoupling directions or light decoupling ranges. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of light decoupling regions, with light having different characteristics being decoupled from the plurality of light decoupling regions. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one clear lens is made out of a polymeric substrate, wherein the polymeric substrate is coated with a chromium-based reflective coating and wherein the polymeric substrate and the chromium-based reflective coating are at least in part permeable to light originating from at least one of a light foil and the at least one illuminant. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 21, wherein the chromium-based reflective coating is an alloy of chromium and a dopant material, the dopant material being selected from a group of hexagonally close-packed transition metals, the alloy having a crystal structure of a primary body-centered cubic phase in coexistence with a secondary omega hexagonally close-packed phase. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 21, wherein the at least one illuminant comprises a first illuminant, a second illuminant, a third illuminant, and a fourth illuminant, and the polymeric substrate comprises a polymeric light pipe into which light from the fourth illuminant is coupled. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 22, wherein the alloy is a binary alloy of the chromium and the dopant material. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 24, wherein an atomic percentage of the dopant material in the binary alloy ranges from about 1.9 at. % to about 5.8 at. %. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 22, wherein the group of hexagonally close-packed transition metals includes at least one of zirconium, titanium, cobalt, hafnium, rubidium, yttrium and osmium. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 22, wherein the group of hexagonally close-packed transition metals includes at least one of zirconium, titanium and cobalt. ### Claim 28 (depends on 22) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 22, wherein the alloy is a binary alloy and the dopant material is zirconium, and wherein an atomic percentage of the zirconium in the binary alloy ranges from about 4.5 at. % to about 5.8 at. %. ### Claim 29 (depends on 22) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 22, wherein the alloy is a binary alloy and the dopant material is titanium, and wherein an atomic percentage of the titanium in the binary alloy ranges from about 1.9 at. % to about 5.8 at. %. ### Claim 30 (depends on 22) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 22, wherein the alloy is a binary alloy and the dopant material is cobalt, and wherein an atomic percentage of the cobalt in the binary alloy ranges from about 1.9 at. % to 5.7 at. %. ### Claim 31 (depends on 22) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 22, wherein the chromium-based reflective coating has a thickness of 200 nm, 100 nm, from 40 nm to 80 nm, from 50 nm to 70 nm, or about 60 nm. ### Claim 32 (depends on 21) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 21, wherein the polymeric substrate is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polyester, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides, polyamides, polycarbonate, epoxy, phenolic, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, acrylonitrile-styrene-arylates, acetal, and blends thereof. ### Claim 33 (depends on 21) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 21, wherein the polymeric substrate is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, poly(2,2′-dihydroxyphenylpropane) carbonate, polydiethyleneglycol bis(allyl carbonate), polymethylmethacrylate, polystyrene, and blends thereof. ### Claim 34 (depends on 21) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 21, wherein the polymeric substrate includes a pre-coated film in the form of a hardcoat, an inorganic oxide, a thin metal film, or a combination of these pre-coated films. ### Claim 35 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, further comprising at least two casing parts providing at least one opening or window therebetween for light emitted by the multifunctional lamp unit. ### Claim 36 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, further comprising a head moveable relative to the vehicle, with the head comprising the at least one casing part. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the at least one casing part is opaque and the at least one window is transparent. ### Claim 38 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the at least one casing part and the at least one window are produced out of plastic in a 2-component injection procedure. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The rear view device of claim 37, wherein the at least one window is comprised of clear or tinted polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC). ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The rear view device of claim 37, wherein the at least one opaque casing part is made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). ### Claim 41 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, wherein at least one clear lens of the multifunctional lamp unit extends along the at least one casing part. ### Claim 42 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, wherein at least one clear lens of the multifunctional lamp unit is connected to the at least one casing part. ### Claim 43 (depends on 36) The rear view device of claim 36, further comprising at least one of a camera and a reflective element. ### Claim 44 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, further comprising at least one light decoupling region providing at least one of a blind spot indicator, a warning light, a puddle light, a logo light, a welcome light and an approach light, in addition to a side turn indicator light. ### Claim 45 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the projection unit is adapted to function as a side turn indicator light and a logo light, one at a time. ### Claim 46 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the at least one casing part is a scalp part. ### Claim 47 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional lamp unit is mounted to at least one casing part of the rear view device. ### Claim 48 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, wherein at least one printed circuit board (PCB) of the multifunctional lamp unit is mounted to at least one casing part of the rear view device. ### Claim 49 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, further comprising a cooling element. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The rear view device of claim 49, wherein at least one printed circuit board (PCB) of the multifunctional lamp unit is connected to the cooling element. ### Claim 51 (depends on 1) The rearview device of claim 1, further comprising: a head moveable relative to the vehicle; a folding mechanism comprising an actuating unit configured to move the head in a first direction and in a second direction by driving at least one actuator, wherein the head moves in the first direction toward a first position where the rear view device can observe the rear, and the head moves in the second direction toward a second position where the rear view device cannot observe the rear; and a control unit configured to control the multifunctional lamp unit depending on at least one of a state of the actuating unit and a position of the head. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The rear view device of claim 51, wherein the control unit is configured to instruct the multifunctional lamp unit to reproduce different light effects depending on a type of movement. ### Claim 53 (depends on 51) The rear view device of claim 51, further comprising a door detection unit configured to detect an on/off-state of a door lock device of the vehicle and to transmit the detected on/off-state to the control unit, wherein the control unit is further configured to instruct the multifunctional lamp unit to reproduce one of predetermined light effects according to the detected on/off-state of the door lock device. ### Claim 54 (depends on 51) The rear view device of claim 51, further comprising a motion detection unit configured to detect a motion state of the vehicle and to transmit the detected motion state to the control unit, wherein the control unit is further configured to instruct the multifunctional lamp unit to reproduce one of predetermined light effects in response to detecting that the vehicle is in motion. ### Claim 55 (depends on 51) The rear view device of claim 51, further comprising a storage unit configured to store one or more light effects, wherein the storage unit is configured to further store information on a list of light effects to be reproduced for each user of the vehicle. ### Claim 56 (depends on 51) The rear view device of claim 51, further comprising at least one error detection unit for detecting an operation error, wherein the control unit is further configured to instruct the multifunctional lamp unit to reproduce one of predetermined light effects in response to the at least one error detection unit detecting an error. ### Claim 57 (depends on 51) The rear view device of claim 51, wherein the projection unit is adapted to project a symbol or a logo onto a road surface in response to the head being in the second position, and the projection unit is further adapted to project a turn signal onto the road surface in response to the head being in the first position. ### Claim 58 (depends on 51) The rear view device of claim 51, wherein the control unit is configured to activate the projection unit to emit at least one of a puddle light, a logo light, a welcome light and an approach light in response to the head being in the second position, and the control unit is configured to activate the projection unit to emit a turn signal in response to the head being in the first position. ### Claim 59 (depends on 51) A method for operating the rear view device of claim 51, comprising producing a light effect using the projection unit depending on at least one of a position and movement of the head. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The method of claim 59, further comprising emitting, using the projection unit, at least one of a puddle light, a logo light, a welcome light and an approach light, or at least one of a warning light and a turn signal. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59) The method of claim 59, further comprising changing the light effect produced by the projection unit in response to the head being moved. ### Claim 62 (depends on 51) A vehicle, comprising a rear view device according to claim 51. ### Claim 63 (depends on 62) The vehicle of claim 62, further comprising an input device disposed inside the vehicle and configured to receive an input from a user, wherein a light effect to be reproduced is able to be supplemented or changed according to information inputted to the input device. ### Claim 64 (depends on 63) The vehicle of claim 63, wherein the input device includes at least one of a switch positioned on a dashboard, a touchscreen, a seat memory button, a seat control button, and an orientation control button for the head of the rear view device. ### Claim 65 (depends on 43) The rear view device of claim 43, wherein the camera and the reflective element are arranged within the moveable head. ### Claim 66 (depends on 1) The multifunctional lamp unit of claim 1, wherein the multifunctional lamp unit is a multifunctional side turn indicator lamp unit. ### Claim 67 (depends on 35) The rear view device of claim 35, further comprising a head moveable relative to the vehicle, with the head comprising the at least two casing parts. ### Claim 68 (depends on 35) The rear view device of claim 35, wherein the at least two casing parts are opaque and the at least one window is transparent. ### Claim 69 (depends on 35) The rear view device of claim 35, wherein at least one casing part of the at least two casing parts and one window of the at least one window are produced out of plastic in a 2-component injection procedure. ### Claim 70 (depends on 35) The rear view device of claim 35, wherein at least one clear lens of the multifunctional lamp unit extends along the at least two casing parts. ### Claim 71 (depends on 35) The rear view device of claim 35, wherein at least one clear lens of the multifunctional lamp unit is connected to the at least two casing parts.