Mirror system with varying characteristics based on vehicle positioning

Abstract

A rearview mirror system comprising a passenger-side mirror having a lower natural frequency and/or more resiliency than the driver-side mirror.

1. A vehicular rearview mirror system for a motor vehicle having a driver's side and a passenger's side, comprising:
 a first rearview mirror assembly attached to the driver's side for providing a rearward view along the driver's side to the operator of the vehicle, a first planar reflective element assembly comprising a first planar reflective element, a first base assembly fabricated of a first material having a first modulus of elasticity for attaching the first planar reflective element assembly to the exterior of the vehicle, and a first cantilever arm coupling the first planar reflective element assembly to the first base assembly;  
 a second rearview mirror assembly attached to the passenger's side for providing a rearward view along the passenger's side to the operator of the vehicle, a second non-planar reflective element assembly comprising a second non-planar reflective element, a second base assembly fabricated of a second material having a second modulus of elasticity for attaching the second non-planar reflective element assembly to the exterior of the vehicle, and a second cantilever arm coupling the second non-planar reflective element assembly to the second base assembly;  
 wherein said second modulus of elasticity is substantially less than said first modulus of elasticity; and  
 whereby the natural frequency of said first planar  second non- planar  reflective element assembly supported by said first  second cantilever arm on said first  second base assembly is substantially less than the natural frequency of said second non-planar  first planar reflective element assembly supported by said second  first cantilever arm on said second  first base assembly.  
 
     
     
       2. The vehicular rearview mirror system of  claim 1  wherein the second base assembly is made from a material having more resiliency than the first base assembly. 
     
     
       3. The vehicular rearview mirror system of  claim 2  wherein the second non-planar reflective element is a convex reflective element. 
     
     
       4. The vehicular rearview mirror system of  claim 3  wherein the second base assembly is formed at least in part from a polymeric material. 
     
     
       5. The vehicular rearview mirror system of  claim 4  wherein the natural frequency of the first planar reflective element assembly is at least 60 Hz and the natural frequency of the second non-planar reflective element assembly is less than 60 Hz. 
     
     
       6. The vehicular rearview mirror system of  claim 5  wherein the second non-planar reflective element assembly comprises a plurality of components made from at least one of a polymeric material and a metallic material. 
     
     
       7. The vehicular rearview mirror system of  claim 1  wherein the second non-planar reflective element is a convex reflective element. 
     
     
       8. The vehicular rearview mirror system of  claim 1  wherein the second base assembly is formed at least in part from a polymeric material. 
     
     
       9. The vehicular rearview mirror system of  claim 1  wherein the natural frequency of the first planar reflective element assembly is at least 60 Hz and the natural frequency of the second non-planar reflective element assembly is less than 60 Hz. 
     
     
       10. The vehicular rearview mirror system of  claim 1  wherein the second non-planar reflective element assembly comprises a plurality of components made from at least one of a polymeric material and a metallic material.