Extended field of view exterior mirror element for vehicle

An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:

• a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a curved outboard reflective glass portion;
• said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters;
• wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly equipped with said extended field of view exterior mirror element;
• wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides to a driver of the equipped vehicle a rearward field of view that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view encompasses a blind spot of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion in a side lane adjacent the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached;
• wherein said curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element;
• wherein the radius of curvature of said curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element;
• wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said curved outboard reflective glass portion;
• wherein a reflective metallic layer commonly coats said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said curved outboard reflective glass portion;
• wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said curved outboard reflective glass portion is farther from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle than is said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion;
• wherein said reflective single glass element is disposed at a mirror backing plate element and wherein said mirror backing plate element is adapted for attachment at an electrically-operable actuator and wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said mirror backing plate element is movable by said electrically-operable actuator and wherein movement of said mirror backing plate element by said actuator simultaneously and similarly moves said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said curved outboard reflective glass portion;
• wherein at least one radius of curvature of said curved outboard reflective glass portion lies in the range between about 4,000 millimeters and about 100 millimeters;
• and
• wherein the overall rearward field of view of said reflective single glass element is less than approximately 45 degrees relative to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle.

An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising:

• a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a curved outboard reflective glass portion;
• said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters;
• wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly equipped with said extended field of view exterior mirror element;
• wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides to a driver of the equipped vehicle a rearward field of view that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view encompasses a blind spot of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion in a side lane adjacent the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached;
• wherein said curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element;
• wherein the radius of curvature of said curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said reflective single glass element;
• wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said curved outboard reflective glass portion;
• wherein a reflective metallic layer commonly coats said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said curved outboard reflective glass portion;
• wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said curved outboard reflective glass portion is farther from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle than is said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion;
• wherein said reflective single glass element is disposed at a mirror backing plate element and wherein said mirror backing plate element is adapted for attachment at an electrically-operable actuator and wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said mirror backing plate element is movable by said electrically-operable actuator and wherein movement of said mirror backing plate element by said actuator simultaneously and similarly moves said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said curved outboard reflective glass portion;
• wherein the overall rearward field of view of said reflective single glass element is less than approximately 45 degrees relative to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle;
• and
• wherein said reflective metallic layer comprises at least one of (i) chromium, (ii) titanium, (iii) rhodium, (iv) a metal alloy, (v) a nickel alloy, (vi) aluminum and (vii) silver.