Interior mirror assembly for a vehicle incorporating a solid-state light source

An interior rearview mirror assembly for mounting on a vehicle comprising:

• a mirror case including a reflective mirror element, said case including a peripheral portion having a bottom;
• a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;
• a solid-state light source, said light source incorporated as part of said assembly and positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said bottom when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle;
• said solid-state light source consisting of a grouping of multiple light emitting diodes;
• said grouping of multiple light emitting diodes including at least two light emitting diodes positioned to emit light directed to provide intense local illumination of a target location of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle and when said solid-state light source is electrically powered;
• said multiple light emitting diodes of said grouping being electrically connected in series;
• said grouping being electrically connected by a series resistor to the vehicle ignition/battery voltage when said solid-state light source is electrically powered in the vehicle.

An interior rearview mirror assembly for mounting on a vehicle comprising:

• a mirror case including a reflective mirror element, said case including a peripheral portion having a bottom;
• a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;
• a solid-state light source, said light source incorporated as part of said assembly and positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said bottom when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle;
• said solid-state light source consisting of a grouping of multiple light emitting diodes;
• said grouping of multiple light emitting diodes including at least two light emitting diodes positioned to emit light directed to provide intense location illumination of a target location of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle and when said solid-state light source is electrically powered;
• said solid-state light source being electrically connected by a series resistor to the vehicle ignition/battery voltage when said solid-state light source is electrically powered in the vehicle.

An interior rearview mirror assembly for mounting on a vehicle comprising:

• a mirror case including a reflective mirror element, said case including a peripheral portion having a bottom;
• a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;
• a solid-state light source, said light source incorporated as part of said assembly and positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said bottom when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle;
• said solid-state light source consisting of a grouping of multiple light emitting diodes;
• said grouping of multiple light emitting diodes including at least two light emitting diodes positioned to emit light directed to provide intense location illumination of a target location of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle and when said solid-state light source is electrically powered;
• said solid-state light source being connected in series to the power system of the vehicle through a switch;
• said switch further comprising a rheostat/dimmer switch.

An interior rearview mirror assembly for mounting on a vehicle comprising:

• a mirror case including a reflective mirror element, said case including a peripheral portion having a bottom;
• a support for securing said assembly on the vehicle;
• a solid-state light source, said light source incorporated as part of said assembly and positioned for emitting light generally downwardly from said bottom when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle;
• said solid-state light source consisting of a grouping of multiple light emitting diodes;
• said grouping of multiple light emitting diodes including at least two light emitting diodes positioned to emit light directed to provide intense location illumination of a target location of the vehicle interior below said mirror assembly when said assembly is mounted on the vehicle and when said solid-state light source is electrically powered;
• said grouping of multiple light emitting diodes consuming a current less than about 200 mA when said solid-state light source is mounted on the vehicle and operated.