Lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle

Abstract

A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprises an exterior mirror assembly having a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element. An actuator is operable to adjust the rearward field of view of the reflective element when the exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle. A turn signal indicator assembly is provided that comprises a single non-incandescent light emitting source. Light emitted by the single non-incandescent light emitting source is visible at least to a driver of another overtaking vehicle when the exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when the single non-incandescent light emitting source of the turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of the vehicle, and preferably is also visible to at least one of (a) a driver of another vehicle approaching from a direction opposite to that of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which the exterior mirror assembly equipped with the turn signal assembly is mounted and (b) an observer viewing generally in a direction sideways of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which the exterior mirror assembly equipped with the turn signal assembly is mounted.

1 . A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising: 
 an exterior mirror assembly;    said exterior mirror assembly comprising a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element;    an actuator operable to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said actuator disposed at said second portion;    said reflective element comprising a substrate having a reflective coating on a surface thereof;    a turn signal indicator assembly;    said turn signal indicator assembly comprising a single non-incandescent light emitting source and a light conduiting member;    said turn signal indicator assembly fixedly disposed at said exterior mirror assembly and unaffected by adjustment of the rearward field of view of said reflective element by operation of said actuator;    light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly being visible to a driver of another overtaking vehicle when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of said vehicle, said another overtaking vehicle traveling in the same direction as the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted; and    light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of said vehicle also being visible to at least one of (a) a driver of another vehicle approaching from a direction opposite to that of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted and (b) an observer viewing said exterior mirror assembly generally from a direction sideways of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted.    
     
     
         2 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said second portion is movably connected to said first portion by a connection chosen from at least one of a break-away connection and a power-fold connection.  
     
     
         3 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said reflective element comprises a conventional non-electrooptic reflective element.  
     
     
         4 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.  
     
     
         5 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said reflective element is supported on a reflective element support member, said reflective element support member mounting to said actuator.  
     
     
         6 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a plurality of internal reflective surfaces.  
     
     
         7 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of internal reflective surfaces directs light emitted by said single non-incandescent light emitting source so that said light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly visible to a driver of another overtaking vehicle is substantially unobserved by said operator of said vehicle when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by said operator of said vehicle.  
     
     
         8 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said reflective element has an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to said vehicle and wherein said light conduiting member includes a portion comprising a rearwardly facing surface.  
     
     
         9 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 8 , wherein said rearwardly facing surface is generally planar.  
     
     
         10 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said reflective element has an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to said vehicle and wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a rearwardly facing surface, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.  
     
     
         11 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 10 , wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.  
     
     
         12 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said turn signal light assembly comprises flexible circuitry.  
     
     
         13 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said light conduiting member comprises a light transmitting plastic material.  
     
     
         14 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said light conduiting member comprises a light transmitting polycarbonate material.  
     
     
         15 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said light conduiting member comprises a light transmitting acrylic material.  
     
     
         16 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said light conduiting member is substantially rigid.  
     
     
         17 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said single non-incandescent light emitting source comprises a single light emitting diode.  
     
     
         18 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 1 , wherein said single non-incandescent light emitting source comprises a single laser diode.  
     
     
         19 . A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising: 
 an exterior mirror assembly;    said exterior mirror assembly comprising a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element;    an actuator operable to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said actuator disposed at said second portion;    said reflective element comprising a substrate having a metal reflective coating on a surface thereof;    said metal reflective coating locally fully removed to form a single, uninterrupted transmissive window through said metal reflective coating;    said single, uninterrupted transmissive window having a portion forming an apex;    a turn signal indicator assembly;    said turn signal indicator assembly comprising a single non-incandescent light emitting source and a light conduiting member;    said turn signal indicator assembly disposed behind said reflective element and configured so as to emit light through said single, uninterrupted light transmissive window of said metal reflective coating when said single light emitting diode is actuated;    light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly being visible to a driver of another overtaking vehicle when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of said vehicle, said another overtaking vehicle traveling in the same direction as the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted;    light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of said vehicle not being visible to a driver of another vehicle approaching from a direction opposite to that of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted;    said emitted light passing through said single, uninterrupted light transmissive window of said metal reflective coating forming a turn signal indicia indicative to another driver of an overtaking other vehicle of said actuation of said signal indicator assembly by said operator of said vehicle;    said turn signal indicator assembly adjusting in tandem with said reflective element upon adjustment of the rearward field of view of said reflective element; and    wherein said second portion is movably connected to said first portion by a connection chosen from at least one of a break-away connection and a power-fold connection.    
     
     
         20 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said turn signal indicator indicia comprises a triangular shape.  
     
     
         21 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said turn signal indicator indicia comprises an arrow shape.  
     
     
         22 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said reflective element comprises a conventional non-electrooptic reflective element.  
     
     
         23 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.  
     
     
         24 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said reflective element is supported on a reflective element support member, said reflective element support member mounting to said actuator.  
     
     
         25 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 24 , wherein said turn signal indicator assembly is supported by said reflective element support member.  
     
     
         26 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a plurality of internal reflective surfaces.  
     
     
         27 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 26 , wherein said plurality of internal reflective surfaces directs light emitted by said single light emitting diode so that said turn signal indicia is substantially unobserved by said operator of said vehicle when said single light emitting diode of said turn is actuated by said operator of said vehicle.  
     
     
         28 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said reflective element has an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to said vehicle and wherein said light conduiting member includes a portion comprising a rearwardly facing surface.  
     
     
         29 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 28 , wherein said rearwardly facing surface is generally planar.  
     
     
         30 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said reflective element has an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to said vehicle and wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a rearwardly facing surface forming said turn signal indicator assembly, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.  
     
     
         31 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 30 , wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.  
     
     
         32 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said turn signal light assembly comprises flexible circuitry.  
     
     
         33 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said light conduiting member comprises a light transmitting plastic material.  
     
     
         34 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said light conduiting member comprises a light transmitting polycarbonate material.  
     
     
         35 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said light conduiting member comprises a light transmitting acrylic material.  
     
     
         36 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said light conduiting member is substantially rigid.  
     
     
         37 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said single non-incandescent light emitting source comprises a single light emitting diode.  
     
     
         38 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 19 , wherein said single non-incandescent light emitting source comprises a single laser diode.  
     
     
         39 . A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle comprising: 
 an exterior mirror assembly;    said exterior mirror assembly comprising a first portion adapted for mounting to a vehicle, a second portion, and a reflective element;    an actuator operable to adjust the rearward field of view of said reflective element when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle, said actuator disposed at said second portion;    said reflective element comprising a substrate having a metal reflective coating on a surface thereof;    said metal reflective coating locally fully removed to form a single, uninterrupted transmissive window through said metal reflective coating;    said single, uninterrupted transmissive window having a portion forming an apex;    a turn signal indicator assembly;    said turn signal indicator assembly comprising a single non-incandescent light emitting source;    said turn signal indicator assembly disposed behind said reflective element and configured so as to emit light through said single, uninterrupted light transmissive window of said metal reflective coating when said single light emitting diode is actuated;    light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly being visible to a driver of another overtaking vehicle when said exterior mirror assembly is mounted to a vehicle and when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of said vehicle, said another overtaking vehicle traveling in the same direction as the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted;    light emitted by said turn signal indicator assembly when said single non-incandescent light emitting source of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by an operator of said vehicle not being visible to a driver of another vehicle approaching from a direction opposite to that of the direction of travel of the vehicle to which said exterior mirror assembly equipped with said turn signal indicator assembly is mounted;    said emitted light passing through said single, uninterrupted light transmissive window of said metal reflective coating forming a turn signal indicia indicative to another driver of an overtaking other vehicle of said actuation of said signal indicator assembly by said operator of said vehicle;    said turn signal indicator assembly adjusting in tandem with said reflective element upon adjustment of the rearward field of view of said reflective element; and    wherein said reflective element is supported on a reflective element support member, said reflective element support member mounting to said actuator; and    wherein said turn signal indicator assembly is supported by said reflective element support member.    
     
     
         40 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , wherein said turn signal indicator indicia comprises a triangular shape.  
     
     
         41 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , wherein said turn signal indicator indicia comprises an arrow shape.  
     
     
         42 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , wherein said reflective element comprises a conventional non-electrooptic reflective element.  
     
     
         43 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.  
     
     
         44 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , wherein said second portion is movably connected to said first portion by a break-away connection.  
     
     
         45 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , wherein said second portion is movably connected to said first portion by a power-fold connection.  
     
     
         46 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , including a light conduiting member and wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a plurality of internal reflective surfaces.  
     
     
         47 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 46 , wherein said plurality of internal reflective surfaces directs light emitted by said single light emitting diode so that said turn signal indicia is substantially unobserved by said operator of said vehicle when said single light emitting diode of said turn signal indicator assembly is actuated by said operator of said vehicle.  
     
     
         48 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , including a light conduiting member and wherein said reflective element has an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to said vehicle and wherein said light conduiting member includes a portion comprising a rearwardly facing surface.  
     
     
         49 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 48 , wherein said rearwardly facing surface is generally planar.  
     
     
         50 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , including a light conduiting member and wherein said reflective element has an outer surface facing rearwardly of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted to said vehicle and wherein said light conduiting member includes a light input portion and a rearwardly facing surface forming said turn signal indicator assembly, said light conduiting member being configured to direct light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.  
     
     
         51 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 50 , wherein said light conduiting member includes a plurality of internal reflective surfaces for directing light from said light input portion to and out from said rearwardly facing surface.  
     
     
         52 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , wherein said turn signal light assembly comprises flexible circuitry.  
     
     
         53 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , including a light conduiting member and wherein said light conduiting member comprises a light transmitting plastic material.  
     
     
         54 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 53 , wherein said light conduiting member comprises a light transmitting polycarbonate material.  
     
     
         55 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 53 , wherein said light conduiting member comprises a light transmitting acrylic material.  
     
     
         56 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 53 , wherein said light conduiting member is substantially rigid.  
     
     
         57 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , wherein said single non-incandescent light emitting source comprises a single light emitting diode.  
     
     
         58 . The lighted exterior rearview mirror system according to  claim 39 , wherein said single non-incandescent light emitting source comprises a single laser diode.