# US 8,786,704 B2 · Vehicle mirror assembly with wide angle element

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- Number: US 8,786,704 B2
- Document ID: US8786704B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/187,725
- Filed: 2008-08-07
- Published: 2009-02-12
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2007-08-09
- Assignees: Donnelly Corporation
- Applicants: Keith D. Foote; Kevin P. Benthem; Niall R. Lynam
- Inventors: Keith D. Foote; Kevin P. Benthem; Niall R. Lynam
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8786704B2

## CPC

- B60R 1/12: Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
- B60K 35/10: Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
- B60K 35/22: Display screens
- B60K 35/28: characterised by the type of the output information, e.g. video entertainment or vehicle dynamics information; characterised by the purpose of the output information, e.g. for attracting the attention of the driver
- B60K 35/60: Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles (arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10)
- 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)
- B60R 1/04: mounted inside vehicle {(B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence)}
- B60R 1/0602: {comprising means for cleaning or deicing}
- B60R 1/062: with remote control for adjusting position {(B60R1/0607 takes precedence)}
- B60R 1/082: {using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors}
- B60R 1/083: {Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors}
- B60R 1/1207: {with lamps; with turn indicators}
- B62D 1/046: {Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches}
- G06V 20/56: exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
- H04N 7/181: {for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources}
- H04N 7/188: {Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position (signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253)}
- H04N 23/63: by using electronic viewfinders
- B60K 2360/143: Touch sensitive instrument input devices
- B60K 2360/173: Reversing assist
- B60K 2360/21: using cameras
- B60K 2360/777: on or in sun visors
- B60R 2001/1215: {with information displays}
- B60R 2001/123: {with thermometers}
- B60R 2001/1246: {with clocks}
- B60R 2001/1253: {with cameras, video cameras or video screens}
- B60R 2001/1284: {with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems}
- B60R 2300/105: using multiple cameras
- B60R 2300/207: using multi-purpose displays, e.g. camera image and navigation or video on same display
- B60R 2300/8026: in addition to a rear-view mirror system
- B60R 2300/804: for lane monitoring
- B60R 2300/806: for aiding parking
- B60R 2300/8066: for monitoring rearward traffic
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- G06V: IMAGE OR VIDEO RECOGNITION OR UNDERSTANDING
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a reflective element, a back plate disposed at a rear surface of the reflective element, a wide angle reflector element received in a receiving portion of the back plate. The reflective element has a first reflective coating disposed thereat and the wide angle reflector element has a curved rear surface with a second reflective coating disposed at the curved rear surface. An optical element or optical adhesive may be disposed between a front surface of the wide angle reflector element and the rear surface of the reflective element.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element assembly comprising:
a reflective element comprising an electro-optic reflective element having a first mirror substrate and a second mirror substrate and an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween, said reflective element having a front surface and a rear surface and a first reflector portion and a second reflector portion, wherein a first reflective coating is disposed at said first reflector portion;
wherein said first reflective coating comprises a metallic reflector coating disposed at a front surface of said second mirror substrate and between said second mirror substrate and said electro-optic medium;
a back plate attached to a rear surface of said second mirror substrate, said back plate having a receiving portion generally at said second reflector portion when said back plate is attached to said reflective element;
a wide angle reflector element received in said receiving portion and disposed at said rear surface of said reflective element and at said second reflector portion, said wide angle reflector element comprising a glass element having a curved rear surface with a second reflective coating disposed at said curved rear surface; and
an optical element disposed between a front surface of said wide angle reflector element and said rear surface of said reflective element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said metallic reflector coating at said front surface of said second mirror substrate has a window established at said metallic reflector coating, said window corresponding to said second reflector portion and substantially corresponding to a location of said wide angle reflector element at said rear surface of said reflective element.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1 further comprising a cover plate attached to said receiving portion, said cover plate substantially encasing said wide angle reflector element within said receiving portion.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said first reflective coating comprises a different material than said second reflective coating.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 4, wherein said first reflective coating has a different tint than said second reflective coating.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said second reflector portion is devoid of said first reflective coating.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 6, wherein said wide angle reflector element has a cross dimension that is greater than a cross dimension of said second reflector portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 7, wherein said wide angle reflector element includes a darkened coating at least partially around a perimeter region of said front surface of said wide angle reflector element.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1 further comprising a demarcation element disposed at a perimeter region of said wide angle reflector element.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 9, wherein said demarcation element comprises a metallic layer disposed at least partially around a perimeter region of said wide angle reflector element.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 10, wherein said metallic layer has different reflecting properties than at least one of said first reflective coating and said second reflective coating.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1 further comprising an illumination source operable to at least occasionally illuminate or accent at least a portion of said wide angle reflector element.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said wide angle reflector element is disposed at a rear surface of said first mirror substrate, and wherein a coefficient of thermal expansion of said first mirror substrate generally matches a coefficient of thermal expansion of said glass element of said wide angle reflector element.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said optical element comprises an optical adhesive.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said wide angle reflector element is disposed at a rear surface of said first mirror substrate, and wherein said optical element has an index of refraction that is substantially similar to an index of refraction of said first mirror substrate.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein a cutaway region is established at said second mirror substrate, and wherein said wide angle reflector element is received at said cutaway region of said second mirror substrate.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 16 further comprising a demarcation layer disposed at a rear surface of said first mirror substrate and at least partially around a perimeter region of said wide angle reflector element.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1 further comprising a display element for displaying video images captured by an image sensor disposed at said exterior rearview mirror assembly, said image sensor being disposed at one of (a) a mounting base of said exterior rearview mirror assembly, (b) a housing of said exterior rearview mirror assembly, and (c) a back plate of said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said receiving portion of said back plate comprises a curved portion disposed at said curved rear surface of said wide angle reflector element when said wide angle reflector element is received in said receiving portion.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 19 further comprising an adhesive disposed between said curved rear surface of said wide angle reflector element and said curved portion of said receiving portion of said back plate.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 19, wherein a demarcation element is integrally formed with said back plate and said receiving portion, and wherein a perimeter portion of said receiving portion and said demarcation element generally surround said wide angle reflector element.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 21, wherein an outermost surface of said perimeter portion of said receiving portion and an outermost surface of said demarcation element are substantially coplanar with a generally planar front surface of said wide angle reflector element.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said wide angle reflector element is disposed at a rear surface of said second mirror substrate, and wherein said optical element comprises an optical adhesive, and wherein said optical adhesive has an index of refraction that is substantially similar to an index of refraction of said second mirror substrate.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 23 further comprising a demarcation element disposed at a perimeter region of said wide angle reflector element.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 24, wherein said demarcation element comprises a metallic layer disposed at least partially around a perimeter region of said wide angle reflector element, and wherein said metallic layer has different reflecting properties than at least one of said first reflective coating and said second reflective coating.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, comprising two wide angle reflector elements, one at or near each side of said reflective element.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said front surface of said first reflector portion comprises a generally planar front surface and wherein said front surface of said second reflector portion comprises a generally planar front surface that is co-planar with said front surface of said first reflector portion.

### Claim 28 (depends on 1)

The mirror reflective element assembly of claim 1, wherein said curved rear surface of said wide angle reflector element has a darkened element established around its perimeter regions.