Blind spot indicator assembly for a motor vehicle and rearview mirror for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present application relates to a blind spot indicator assembly for a motor vehicle and a rearview mirror for a motor vehicle. The blind spot indicator assembly (100) comprises a housing (110) having a first area (120) formed in an inner surface thereof, the first area having a light reflecting portion; a light source (200) for projecting light along a first predetermined direction (D1) to the light reflecting portion; a lens assembly (300) having a light receiving portion (350) for receiving light from the light source reflected from the light reflecting portion; and a second area (131) having a light absorbing portion (130) for directly or indirectly absorbing light from the light source (200).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an indicator component designed to warn motor vehicle drivers of the presence of an object such as another vehicle in their blind spot or blind area. Background Technology

[0002] Blind spots or blind areas are lateral areas near a motor vehicle where the driver has no proper field of vision when looking in the rearview mirror.

[0003] Known blind spot indicators are based on sensors and optical elements that can identify objects entering a blind spot or blind area, thus alerting the driver that the blind spot has been occupied by an object (such as a vehicle in the adjacent lane).

[0004] US9663027, filed under the same applicant as this application, discloses an example of a rearview mirror assembly having a blind spot indicator for a motor vehicle. The rearview mirror assembly includes a reflective element attached to a clamping plate and a waterproof lighting module attached to the clamping plate. A printed circuit board is disposed within the cavity of the waterproof lighting module at an angle to the clamping plate. At least one light-emitting diode (LED) is disposed on the printed circuit board. The interior of the protective housing of the waterproof lighting module has a metallized textured surface. A first side of the printed circuit board rests against the waterproof lighting module, while a second side opposite the first side does not rest against the waterproof lighting module. Light emitted by the LED is reflected on the metallized surface of the protective housing and indirectly emitted toward the surface of the reflective element through an opening in the protective housing.

[0005] While blind spot indicators improve driving safety, a problem has been found where the light is partially directed at a user other than the driver. Therefore, there is still a need for a blind spot indicator that can effectively avoid illuminating users other than the driver at a lower cost, and whose enhanced focusing ensures that most of the light emitted is directed towards the driver. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides a blind spot indicator assembly for motor vehicles to warn of the presence of another vehicle or object nearby. The blind spot indicator assembly solves the aforementioned problems of prior art devices and also provides other significant advantages.

[0007] The blind spot indicator component may be, for example, a visual indicator to show the driver another vehicle or object that has been detected.

[0008] This disclosure also relates to a rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle that includes such a blind spot indicator assembly.

[0009] The blind spot indicator assembly for motor vehicles disclosed herein includes a housing having a first region and a second region on its inner surface.

[0010] A first region formed in the inner surface of the housing includes a light-reflecting portion. The light-reflecting portion may also include a light-diffusing portion. In any case, the direction of the light beam changes when it bounces off said portion of the inner surface of the housing. For example, the light-reflecting portion may be a light-reflecting element attached to the inner surface of the housing. Alternatively, the light-reflecting portion may be a suitable coating formed in the inner surface of the housing. In some cases, the light-reflecting portion may be a light diffuser and formed, for example, by abrasive / granulation. The light-reflecting portion may also be formed by the color of the interior of the housing itself (e.g., white).

[0011] The blind spot indicator assembly also includes at least one light source. The light source may include one or more light-emitting diodes disposed within the housing of the blind spot indicator assembly. The light source is arranged to project light toward the aforementioned light-reflecting portion of the housing along a first predetermined direction. The light source may include optics, which may be collimators.

[0012] A lens assembly is also provided. The lens assembly is adapted to allow light to exit from the blind spot indicator assembly. For this purpose, the lens assembly may include at least one lens layer, such as a transparent lens layer or a diffuser. The lens assembly has a light-receiving portion arranged to receive light reflected from at least one light source from the aforementioned light-reflecting portion of the housing. The lens assembly may include at least one light diffuser lens. The light source is arranged between the lens assembly and the light-reflecting portion of the housing.

[0013] The second region on the inner surface of the housing includes a light-absorbing portion, which may be, for example, a light-absorbing color or material, or an internal portion of the housing with a lower light reflectivity than the reflective portion, for example, a reflectance index 50%, 40%, or even 30% lower than the reflective portion. The light-absorbing portion is configured to absorb light from a light source; that is, the light may come directly from the light source or from the light-reflective portion. The light-absorbing portion is preferably adjacent to the light-receiving portion of the lens assembly. The light-absorbing portion may be arranged to contact the light-receiving portion of the lens assembly. If necessary, a gap may exist between the light-absorbing portion and the light-receiving portion. For example, the gap size may be less than 15 mm, such as less than 10 mm, preferably less than 8 mm, and most preferably less than 5 mm. In any case, the purpose of the light-absorbing portion is to eliminate or at least reduce light emitted from the device that is not directed at the driver.

[0014] The light-absorbing portion can be a light-absorbing element attached or added to the inner surface of the housing in any way, which performs the function of light absorption; it can also be a suitable coating formed on the inner surface of the housing; or a second region on the inner surface of the housing itself can be made of a light-absorbing material. This can be achieved by providing a housing made of a light-absorbing material and adding a light-reflecting material therein.

[0015] Preferably, the second region of the housing further extends to at least one additional region on the inner surface of the housing, the additional region being positioned immediately adjacent to the light-reflecting portion.

[0016] The aforementioned light-absorbing portion formed in the second region of the inner surface of the housing may include a light-absorbing portion. The light-absorbing portion may be defined by a black portion or a suitable low-reflection region, the low-reflection region having a reflectance coefficient of less than 50%, preferably less than 40%, and most preferably less than 30%, relative to the light-reflecting portion. For example, two-color injection molding of the same or different materials can be provided on the inner surface of the housing as a light-absorbing element. The material of the inner surface of the housing itself can serve as both a light-reflecting portion and a light-absorbing portion.

[0017] The light source can be arranged within the housing such that the first predetermined direction forms an angle with respect to the plane of the lens assembly, for example, an angle ranging from 30° to 100°. Other values ​​are also possible.

[0018] One or more electronic carriers, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), can be provided. In use, the light source is connected to the electronic carrier. The light source is preferably arranged on the printed circuit board.

[0019] The housing of the blind spot indicator assembly can conceptually be divided into a first half and a second half by a plane substantially perpendicular to the lens assembly. In use, the light source is arranged in the second half of the housing of the blind spot indicator assembly, while at least 60% to 70% of the light-absorbing portion arranged or formed in a second region on the inner surface of the housing is located in the first half of the housing of the blind spot indicator assembly. Furthermore, the light-absorbing portion is adjacent to the light-receiving portion of the lens assembly.

[0020] This disclosure also relates to a rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, the rearview mirror including the aforementioned blind spot indicator assembly. The rearview mirror also includes a lens comprising a glass panel and a mirror plate for attaching the glass panel to the lens. Icon elements are formed in the glass panel. The icon elements can be, for example, triangles, but many other symbols can also be used. The icon elements serve as a warning indicator, such that when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot area, the icon elements are illuminated in the rearview mirror. For this purpose, the icon elements are optically connected to a light-receiving portion of the lens assembly to be illuminated by light received from a light-reflecting portion formed in the housing of the blind spot indicator assembly. When the rearview mirror is installed in the vehicle, the primary light output direction of the blind spot indicator is directed towards the driver.

[0021] In one embodiment of this rearview mirror, a heater is attached to at least one of the glass panel, mirror plate, housing of the aforementioned blind spot indicator assembly, and lens assembly. The purpose of the heater is to provide resistive heat to the glass panel. The heater may include a sheet with resistance to provide heat when an electric current flows through it. This enables a defrosting effect and removes any obstructions and water-based obstacles that may adhere to the glass panel. The heater includes a through-hole that allows light to pass through, thereby enabling optical connection between the blind spot indicator assembly and the icon element on the glass panel.

[0022] If, as described above, the blind spot indicator assembly can conceptually be divided into a first half and a second half by a plane substantially perpendicular to the lens assembly, then in use, the first half is located closer to the vehicle, and the second half is located farther from the vehicle. In this case, the light source is arranged in the second half of the housing of the blind spot indicator assembly, while at least 60% to 70% of the light-absorbing portion arranged or formed in a second region on the inner surface of the housing is located in the first half of the housing. Furthermore, the light-absorbing portion is adjacent to the light-receiving portion of the lens assembly.

[0023] Using the blind spot indicator assembly for motor vehicles and the rearview mirror assembly having the blind spot assembly of the present invention, it has been found that it is possible to avoid illuminating users who are different from the driver in an effective manner and at a lower cost. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Non-limiting embodiments of this disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle having the blind spot indicator assembly of the present invention; and

[0026] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the blind spot indicator component. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In the attached diagram Figure 1 An exploded perspective view shows a non-limiting example of a rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, which has the blind spot indicator assembly 100 of the present invention.

[0028] Rearview mirrors include Figure 1The lens 1000 shown includes a mirror housing 1010, a mirror frame 1050, and a glass panel 1020, in which an icon element 500 is provided. The icon element 500 can be a transparent area formed in the glass panel 1020 of the rearview mirror, allowing at least a portion of light to pass through. The icon element 500 can be formed by removing a portion of the reflective material from the glass panel 1020, or it can be an element arranged between the light source 200 and a suitable area located in the glass panel 1020 and having a defined geometry (such as a circle, square, etc.). The glass panel 1020 is attached to the lens 1000 by means of a mirror plate 1030. The glass panel 1020 is moved to the lens 1000 by means of a glass actuator 1060.

[0029] Heater 1040 is attached to glass panel 1020 and / or mirror panel 1030. Heater 1040 is used for resistive heating of glass panel 1020. For this purpose, heater 1040 includes a sheet with resistance for providing heat energy when current flows through it. This provides a defrosting effect and removes any obstructions and water-based obstructions that may adhere to the aforementioned glass panel 1020. Heater 1040 includes through-holes (not shown) to allow light to pass through.

[0030] Figure 1 The lens 1000 shown also includes the aforementioned blind spot indicator assembly 100, as illustrated in the attached figure. Figure 2 The blind spot indicator assembly is shown in detail in the cross-sectional view. The blind spot indicator assembly 100 is configured to warn of the presence of another vehicle or object nearby.

[0031] The blind spot indicator assembly 100 includes a housing 110 having an inner surface. The inner surface of the housing 110 includes components located at... Figure 2 The first region 120 in the left half includes a light-reflecting portion. In the preferred embodiment described herein, the light-reflecting portion of the first region 120 further includes a light diffuser portion or a light diffuser layer.

[0032] When the light beam is reflected from the light-reflecting portion of the first region 120 on the inner surface of the housing 110, the first predetermined direction D1 of the light beam changes to a second predetermined direction D2 extending at an angle β to the first predetermined direction D1, such as... Figure 2 As shown in the diagram. For example, the light-reflecting portion of the first region 120 may be a light-reflecting element or a suitable coating attached to the inner surface of the housing 110, as needed. In some cases, the light-reflecting portion may be a light diffuser portion and may be formed by abrasive / granulation.

[0033] The blind spot indicator assembly 100 also includes a light source 200 disposed on a lateral side of the housing 110. The light source 200 includes one or more light-emitting diodes 250 disposed within the housing 110 and connected to an electronic carrier (such as a printed circuit board, PCB 400). The light source 200 is arranged to project light along the first predetermined direction D1 toward a light-reflecting portion of a first region 120 on the inner surface of the housing 110. The light source 200 may include optics, which may be a collimator.

[0034] As described above, the blind spot indicator assembly 100 also includes a lens assembly 300. The lens assembly 300 includes at least one optical lens having a light-receiving portion 350 arranged to receive light from the light source 200, which is reflected from the aforementioned light-reflecting portion in a first region 120 of the inner surface of the housing 110. The at least one optical lens may be a diffuser layer. Figure 2 As shown, the light source 200 is positioned between the lens assembly 300 and the light-reflecting portion of the first region 120 on the inner surface of the housing 110. More specifically, still referring to... Figure 2 The light source 200 is arranged such that the first predetermined direction D1 forms an angle of 30° to 100° with the lens assembly 300.

[0035] The inner surface of the housing 110 of the blind spot indicator assembly 100 also includes a second region 131, which is located in Figure 2 The right half of the second region 131 is located opposite to the position of the light source 200. The second region 131 includes a light-absorbing portion 130, which can be a light-absorbing element attached to the inner surface of the housing 110, a suitable coating, or any suitable light-absorbing structure capable of directly or indirectly absorbing light from the light source 200. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, one end of the second region 131 having a light-absorbing portion 130 is adjacent to, and in particular in contact with, the corresponding end of the first region 120 having a light-reflecting portion.

[0036] according to Figure 2 The housing 110 of the blind spot indicator assembly 100 can conceptually be divided into a first half and a second half by a plane P substantially perpendicular to the lens assembly 300. In use, the light source 200 is arranged in the second half of the housing 110 of the blind spot indicator assembly 100, while at least 60% to 70% of the light-absorbing portion 130 arranged or formed in the second region 131 on the inner surface of the housing 110 is in the first half of the housing 110. Furthermore, the light-absorbing portion 130 is adjacent to the light-receiving portion 350 of the lens assembly 300.

[0037] It should be noted that the light emission direction of the blind spot indicator assembly 100 corresponds to the second predetermined direction D2 mentioned above, which is different from the first predetermined direction D1 of the light emitted by the light source 200.

[0038] See again Figure 2 The second region 131 on the inner surface of the housing 110 extends further into the additional region 132, such that one end of the additional region 132 is adjacent to the corresponding end of the first region 120.

[0039] The light-absorbing portion 130 in the second region 131 of the inner surface of the housing 110 may have a black portion or a low-reflection region, the low-reflection portion having a reflectance coefficient of less than 30% to 50% compared to the light-reflecting portion. For example, the inner surface of the housing 110 may be provided with two-color injection molding of the same or different materials. The inner surface of the housing 110 may be coated with a coating, or the coating may be an element added thereon that performs the function of light absorption. Therefore, the material of the inner surface of the housing 110 itself can serve as both a light-reflecting portion and a light-absorbing portion. The second region 131 is adjacent to the light-receiving portion 350 of the lens assembly 300, thereby limiting the direction in which light leaves the blind spot indicator assembly 100.

[0040] Figure 2 The blind spot indicator assembly 100 shown is assembled in Figure 1 In the lens 1000 shown, when in use, the second predetermined direction D2 (i.e., the main light output direction) is pointed towards the driver.

[0041] Referring again to the concept that the housing 110 of the blind spot indicator assembly 100 is divided into a first half and a second half by a plane P, according to... Figure 2 The plane P is substantially perpendicular to the lens assembly 300. In use, the first half of the housing 110 is close to the vehicle, while the second half is away from the vehicle. In this configuration, the light source 200 is arranged in the second half of the housing 110 of the blind spot indicator assembly 100, while at least 60% to 70% of the light-absorbing portion 130, arranged or formed in the second region 131 on the inner surface of the housing 110, is located in the first half of the housing 110. Furthermore, the light-absorbing portion 130 is adjacent to the light-receiving portion 350 of the lens assembly 300.

[0042] Figure 1The icon element 500 of the glass panel 1020 in the lens 1000 shown can be any suitable symbol (e.g., a triangle) to warn the driver that the vehicle is in a blind spot area. In this case, the icon element 500 will be illuminated in the lens 1000. For this purpose, the icon element 500 is located in a position optically connected to the light receiving portion 350 of the lens assembly 300 so that it is illuminated by light received from the light reflecting portion in the inner surface of the housing 110 of the blind spot indicator assembly 100.

[0043] If needed, the heater 1040 of the lens 1000 can also be attached to the housing 110 of the blind spot indicator assembly 100 or the lens assembly 300.

[0044] Although one embodiment has been disclosed herein, other alternatives, variations, uses, and / or equivalents are possible. Furthermore, all possible combinations of the described examples are covered. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure should not be limited to the particular embodiment, but should be determined solely by a fair interpretation of the appended claims. If reference numerals relating to the drawings are placed within parentheses in the claims, these reference numerals are used only to attempt to increase the comprehensibility of the claims and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A blind spot indicator assembly for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising: A housing having a first region formed in its inner surface, the first region including a light-reflecting portion; At least one light source, the at least one light source being arranged inside the housing to project light toward the light-reflecting portion of the housing in a first predetermined direction; A lens assembly having a light-receiving portion arranged to receive light reflected from the at least one light source from the light-reflecting portion of the housing; Wherein, at least a second region of the inner surface of the housing includes a light-absorbing portion for directly or indirectly absorbing light from the light source, and the second region is different from the first region; The light-absorbing portion is adjacent to the light-receiving portion of the lens assembly; The housing is divided into a first half and a second half by a plane perpendicular to the lens assembly; and The light source is located in the second half of the housing, while at least 60% to 70% of the light-absorbing portion arranged in the second region of the inner surface of the housing is located in the first half of the housing.

2. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The second region further extends into at least one additional region on the inner surface of the housing, the additional region being adjacent to the light-reflecting portion.

3. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The light reflecting part also includes a light diffuser part.

4. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The light source is arranged inside the housing such that the first predetermined direction is at an angle relative to the plane of the lens assembly that is perpendicular to the plane.

5. The component according to claim 4, wherein, The angle between the first predetermined direction and the plane of the lens assembly is 30° to 100°.

6. The component of claim 1, further comprising at least one electronic carrier connected to the light source.

7. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The light source includes at least one light-emitting diode.

8. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The lens assembly includes at least one light diffuser lens.

9. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The light-reflecting portion is a light-reflecting element attached to the inner surface of the housing.

10. The component of claim 1, wherein, The light-absorbing portion is a light-absorbing element attached to the inner surface of the housing.

11. A rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, the rearview mirror comprising: Blind spot indicator assembly according to any one of the preceding claims; as well as The lens includes a lens housing, a glass panel, a lens plate for attaching the glass panel to the lens, and an icon element in the glass panel, the icon element being located at a position corresponding to the light-receiving portion of the lens assembly so as to be illuminated by light received from the light-reflecting portion formed in the housing of the blind spot indicator assembly.

12. The rearview mirror of claim 11, further comprising a heater attached to at least one of the housing, the glass panel, and the mirror plate of the blind spot indicator assembly.

13. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The light-reflecting portion is one of the following: a coating formed on the inner surface of the housing, a light diffuser formed by granulation on the inner surface of the housing, or the color of the inner surface of the housing itself.

14. The component according to claim 1, wherein, The light-absorbing portion is one of the following: the light-absorbing color or material of the inner surface of the housing, or the internal portion of the housing having a lower light reflectivity than the reflective portion.

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