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`US 20020072026Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Lynam et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0072026 Al
`Jun. 13, 2002
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) EXTERIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY
`REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Holland, MI (US);
`John 0. Lindahl, Fruitport, MI (US);
`Hahns Y. Fuchs, Dorftrozelten (DE)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Catherine S. Collins
`Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
`2851 Charlevoix Dr., S.E., Ste. 207
`P.O. Box 888695
`Grand Rapids, MI 49588-8695 (US)
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`09/745,172
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 20, 2000
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63)
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/478,315,
`filed on Jan. 6, 2000.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... F27D 15/02
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 432/77
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`This invention provides a reflective element assembly suit(cid:173)
`able for use in an exterior sideview mirror assembly
`mounted to the side body of an automobile. The reflective
`element assembly includes a first reflective element and a
`second reflective element. The second reflective element is
`angled downwardly and forwardly with respect to the first
`reflective element when the mirror assembly is mounted to
`a side of an automobile to provide an increased field of view.
`In one form, both reflective elements are commonly sup(cid:173)
`ported on a bezel, which is mounted to the mirror assembly
`casing. In another form, the reflective elements are sepa(cid:173)
`rately mounted, with the second reflective element fixedly
`mounted to the casing and the first reflective element mov(cid:173)
`ably supported in the mirror casing, for example, on an
`actuator.
`
`37
`
`30
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1011
`Page 001
`
`

`

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`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 1 of 14
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`Exhibit 1011
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`US 2002/0072026 Al
`
`Jun. 13,2002
`
`1
`
`EXTERIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY
`REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY
`
`[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent appli(cid:173)
`cation Ser. No. 09/478,315, filed Jan. 6,2000, entitled
`"EXTERIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY REFLEC(cid:173)
`TIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY", which is incorporated by
`reference herein in its entirety.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF
`THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to exterior sideview
`mirror assemblies suitable for use on an automobile, and
`more specifically, to plano-auxiliary reflective element
`assemblies for use in automobile exterior sideview mirror
`assemblies.
`
`[0003] Automobiles are typically equipped with an inte(cid:173)
`rior rearview mirror assembly (adapted for providing a
`rearward field of view immediately rearward of the vehicle,
`typically principally in the road lane the vehicle is traveling
`in) and at least one exterior sideview mirror assembly
`attached to the side of the vehicle (typically adjacent a front
`side window portion). The exterior side view mirror assem(cid:173)
`bly typically comprises a reflective element adapted to
`provide a rearward field of view of the side lane adjacent the
`vehicle so as to allow the driver see whether a side approach(cid:173)
`ing vehicle is present when the driver is contemplating a lane
`change. Conventionally, automobiles are equipped with a
`driver-side exterior mirror assembly and, very often, with a
`passenger-side exterior sideview mirror assembly mounted
`to the side of the automobile body opposite to that of the
`driver-side assembly. While the combination of an interior
`rearview mirror with a driver-side exterior mirror (and
`especially in a three-mirror system comprising an interior
`rearview mirror with a driver-side exterior mirror and a
`passenger-side exterior mirror) works well in many driving
`situations, rear vision blind spots present a potential safety
`hazard while driving. A rear vision blind spot is an area
`adjacent the side of an automobile where a view of another
`vehicle ( overtaking on that side) is not captured in the
`rearward field of view of the exterior mirror reflector on that
`side. This presents a potential safety hazard as the driver,
`upon checking the view in the exterior sideview mirror and
`seeing no overtaking vehicle therein, may deem it safe to
`initiate a lane change, unaware that there is a vehicle
`immediately adjacent in a blind-spot of the exterior mirror
`reflector.
`
`[0004] Various attempts have been made conventionally to
`minimize and/or eliminate exterior mirror blind-spots on
`vehicles. One approach is to make the exterior mirror
`reflector larger, and particularly wider with respect to the
`vehicle body. By increasing the width of the exterior mirror
`reflector, it has a wider field of view rearwards, and hence
`the reflector blindspot is reduced. While use of a wide
`exterior mirror reflector is an option for trucks, buses and
`commercial vehicles, increasing the width of the reflector
`used in an exterior sideview mirror assembly mounted on
`automobiles (such as sedans, station wagons, sports cars,
`convertibles, minivans, sports utility vehicles, pick-up
`trucks and similar passenger carrying automobiles) is often
`not an option. In such domestic automobiles, increasing the
`width of the exterior mirror reflector increases the size of the
`exterior sideview mirror assembly with a concomitant
`
`increase in aerodynamic drag, increase in fuel consumption,
`increased difficulty in parking in tight parking spaces, and
`increased reflector vibration. Use of a non-flat, curved
`exterior mirror reflector is commonly used to increase
`rearward field of view without increasing reflector size.
`
`[0005] While working well to increase field of view, use of
`a curved reflector (such as a convex, spherically-curved
`reflector) has disadvantages. The field of view rearward
`increases as the degree of curvature of the bent substrate
`increases (i.e., the field of view rearward increases as the
`radius of curvature of the bent substrate decreases). How(cid:173)
`ever, such wide-angle mirrors have non-unit magnification
`and distance perception rearward is distorted. For this rea(cid:173)
`son, convex (spherically-bent) exterior mirror reflectors are
`required in some countries (such as the United States) to
`carry a safety warning "OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE
`CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR". Distance perception is
`particularly important for a driver-side exterior mirror.
`Indeed, Federal Vehicle Safety Standard No: 111 in the
`United States (the entire disclosure of which is hereby
`incorporated by reference herein) requires that the driver(cid:173)
`side exterior mirror reflector exhibit unit magnification, and
`places restrictions on the radius of curvature allowed for any
`bent passenger-side mirror as well as requiring a safety
`warning be placed thereon. As an improvement over spheri(cid:173)
`cally bent/convex mirror reflectors, aspherical or multiradius
`mirror reflectors (such as are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
`4,449,786 and 5,724,187, the entire disclosures of which are
`hereby incorporated by reference herein) have been devel(cid:173)
`oped. Such mirrors are widely used in Europe and Asia for
`both driver-side exterior mirror reflectors and for passenger(cid:173)
`side exterior mirror reflectors. The aspherical or multiradius
`mirror reflectors typically have a less curved (larger radius
`of curvature) reflective region that is inboard or closest to the
`driver when mounted on a vehicle and, usually separated by
`a demarcation line or the like, have a more curved (smaller
`radius of curvature) region that is outboard or farthest from
`the driver when mounted on a vehicle. However, such
`aspherical or multiradius reflectors do not have unit magni(cid:173)
`fication and so cannot be used when unit magnification is
`mandated (such as by FMVSS 111, referenced above).
`
`[0006] To supplement a flat driver-side exterior mirror
`reflector, an auxiliary and separate bent reflector is some(cid:173)
`times incorporated into the driver-side exterior sideview
`mirror assembly. However, this is often not suitable for
`passenger automobiles because of the extra space required in
`the sideview mirror assembly to accommodate an auxiliary
`reflector element. Also, in most passenger automobiles, the
`position of the side view mirror reflector is adjustable by the
`driver (such as by a hand-adjust, or by a manually adjustable
`cable such as a Bowden cable or by an electrically operable
`actuator, as known in the art) in order to provide to that
`driver his or her desired rearward field of view, which
`ill-suits use of a separate, auxiliary reflector. Likewise,
`addition of stick-on blind-spot mirror reflectors (such as are
`commonly sold in automotive parts stores and the like) onto
`an automobile exterior sideview mirror reflector has disad(cid:173)
`vantages, including obscuring field of view of the automo(cid:173)
`bile mirror reflector and adding to mirror element vibration.
`
`[0007] There is thus a need to provide an automobile
`exterior sideview reflective element, and particularly a
`driver-side automobile exterior sideview reflective element,
`that overcomes the disadvantages above and that provides
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1011
`Page 016
`
`

`

`US 2002/0072026 Al
`
`Jun. 13,2002
`
`2
`
`the driver of the automobile with a distortion-free field of
`view with unit magnification that is supplemented with a
`wide-angle view of a side lane blind spot, and there is a need
`that this be provided in a unitary reflective element assembly
`module suitable to mount onto, and be adjusted by, the
`mirror reflector adjustment mechanism (such as an electri(cid:173)
`cally operated, motorized actuator) provided in the exterior
`sideview mirror assembly.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0008] According to the present invention, an automobile
`exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior side(cid:173)
`view mirror assembly having a reflective element assembly.
`The reflective element assembly includes a first reflective
`element and a second reflective element, which together
`provide an increased field of view for the exterior side mirror
`assembly.
`
`[0009]
`In one form of the invention, an automobile exte(cid:173)
`rior side mirror system includes an exterior side mirror
`assembly, which is adapted for attachment to a side of an
`automobile. The exterior sideview mirror assembly includes
`a reflective element assembly having a plano reflective
`element, which forms a first reflective element, and a
`multiradiused reflective element which forms a second
`reflective element. The reflective element assembly is
`mounted to an actuator, which moves the reflective element
`assembly to position the rearward field of view of the
`reflective element assembly. The reflective element assem(cid:173)
`bly further includes a frame element assembly to which the
`first and second reflective elements are mounted and which
`orients the second reflective element such that it has a
`viewing range which spans outwardly and downwardly with
`respect to the first reflective element to thereby provide an
`increased field of view for the exterior sideview mirror
`assembly.
`
`[0010]
`In one aspect, the first reflective element and the
`second reflective element are adjacently attached to the
`frame element assembly at a joint. The reflective element
`assembly further includes a demarcation element disposed at
`its joint to form a demarcation between the first and second
`reflective elements that is visible to the driver. In a further
`aspect, the frame element assembly includes a bezel portion
`which extends around the first reflective element, with the
`demarcation element comprising a segment of the first bezel
`portion.
`
`[0011]
`In another aspect, the second reflective element
`comprises a bent glass substrate with radii of curvature in the
`range of about 4000 mm to about 100 mm.
`
`[0012]
`In yet another aspect, the frame element assembly
`includes a frame, with the first and second reflective ele(cid:173)
`ments being mounted in the frame. The multiradiused reflec(cid:173)
`tive element is mounted to the frame at an outboard position,
`with the plano reflective element being positioned adjacent
`the multiradiused reflective element and at an inboard posi(cid:173)
`tion with respect to the multiradiused reflective element
`when the exterior side mirror assembly is mounted to an
`automobile. In a further aspect, the plano reflective element
`is mounted to the frame by a backing plate, which is
`preferably adapted to mount to the actuator.
`
`[0013]
`the first reflective element
`In other aspects,
`includes a rearward field of view having a principal axis,
`
`which is different from and angled to a principal axis of the
`rearward field of view of the second reflective element when
`the reflective element assembly is mounted in the exterior
`sideview mirror assembly. The principal axis of the rearward
`field of view of the second reflective element is directed
`generally outwardly and downwardly with respect to a
`longitudinal axis of the automobile when the exterior side
`mirror system is mounted to an automobile. For example,
`the principal axis of the rearward field of view of the second
`reflective element may form a downward angle with respect
`to the principal axis of the rearward field of view of the first
`reflective element in the range from about 0.75° to about 5°,
`or in a range of about 1.5° to about 3.5°, in a range of about
`2° to about 3°.
`
`[0014]
`In other aspects, the principal axis of the second
`reflective element forms an outward angle with respect to
`the principal axis of the rearward field of view of the first
`reflective element in a range of about 0.75° to about 5°, or
`in a range of about 1 ° to about 3°, or in a range of about
`1.25° to about 2.5°.
`
`[0015] According to another form of the invention, an
`automobile exterior side mirror system includes an exterior
`side mirror assembly, which is adapted for attachment to a
`side of an automobile. The exterior side mirror assembly
`includes a mirror casing, a reflective element assembly, and
`an actuator. The reflective element assembly includes a
`frame element assembly, a first reflective element having a
`unit magnification, and a second reflective element having a
`multiradiused curvature. The frame element assembly
`mounts the first reflective element and the second reflective
`element in the mirror casing and is adapted to mount to the
`actuator, which adjusts the orientation of the reflective
`element assembly. The first reflective element has a first
`rearward field of view with a first principal axis, and the
`second reflective element has a second rearward field of
`view with a second principal axis, with the second principal
`axis being angled outwardly and downwardly with respect to
`the first principal axis.
`
`[0016]
`In one aspect, the second principal axis is angled
`outwardly from the first principal axis at an angle in a range
`of about 0.75° to about 5°, or in a range of approximately 1 °
`to about 3°, or at an angle in a range of about 1.25° to about
`2.50.
`
`[0017]
`In another aspect, the second principal axis is
`angled downwardly from the first principal axis at an angle
`in a range of approximately 0.75° to about 5°, or in a range
`of about 1.5° to about 3.5°, or at an angle in a range of about
`2° to about 3°.
`
`[0018]
`In another aspect, the frame includes a support
`surface for the second reflective element, with the support
`surface angling the second principal axis of the second
`reflective element.
`
`[0019]
`In yet another form of the invention, an automobile
`exterior sideview mirror system includes an exterior side(cid:173)
`view mirror assembly, which is adapted for attachment to a
`side of an automobile. The mirror assembly includes an
`actuator and a reflective element assembly. The reflective
`element assembly includes a frame element assembly, a first
`reflective element, and a second reflective element. The
`frame element assembly is adapted to mount to the actuator
`and includes a frame and a support surface for the second
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1011
`Page 017
`
`

`

`US 2002/0072026 Al
`
`Jun. 13,2002
`
`3
`
`reflective element. The actuator adjusts the position of the
`reflective element assembly to thereby adjust the viewing
`angle of the sideview mirror system. The support surface
`angles the second reflective element downwardly and for(cid:173)
`wardly of the first reflective element when the mirror
`assembly is mounted to an automobile whereby the second
`reflective element provides a viewing range which spans
`outwardly and downwardly with respect to the automobile to
`thereby provide an increased field of view for the exterior
`sideview mirror assembly.
`[0020]
`In one aspect, the support surface is provided by a
`plate element, for example a solid plate element or a
`foraminous plate element. In other aspects, the support
`surface is provided by a frame.
`[0021]
`In further aspects, the frame includes a first bezel
`portion and a second bezel portion, with the first bezel
`portion extending around the first reflective element, and the
`second bezel portion extending around the second reflective
`element. In one form, the second bezel portion is angled
`forwardly with respect to the first bezel portion when said
`exterior sideview mirror assembly is mounted to a side of an
`automobile.
`[0022]
`In another aspect, the second reflective element is
`located outboard of the first reflective element.
`[0023] These and other advantages, features, and modifi(cid:173)
`cations will become more apparent when reviewed in con(cid:173)
`junction with the drawings and the detailed description
`which follows.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile
`equipped with exterior sideview mirror assemblies accord(cid:173)
`ing to this present invention;
`[0025] FIG. 2 is a top plan partial fragmentary view of the
`driver's side exterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1;
`
`[0026] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly of the mirror assem(cid:173)
`bly in FIG. 2;
`[0027] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a demar(cid:173)
`cation element of the plano-multiradius reflective element
`assembly of FIG. 3;
`[0028] FIG. 5A-5H illustrate views of various locations
`for a plano reflective element and an auxiliary reflective
`element according to this present invention;
`[0029] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment
`of a plano reflective element assembly according to the
`present invention including a demarcation element formed
`as a dividing wall in a backing plate element;
`[0030] FIG. 6A is a cross-section taken along line XX of
`FIG. 6;
`[0031] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line
`YY of FIG. 6;
`[0032] FIG. 7 is a schematic of a third embodiment of a
`plano-auxiliary reflective element assembly according to
`this present invention;
`[0033] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of another embodi(cid:173)
`ment of a plano reflective element assembly according to the
`present invention;
`
`[0034] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the
`plano reflective element assembly of FIG. 8;
`[0035] FIG. 10 is an end view of the plano reflective
`element assembly of FIG. 8 as viewed from line X-X of
`FIG. 8;
`[0036] FIG. 11 is a top view of the plano reflective
`element assembly of FIG. 8 as viewed from line XI-XI of
`FIG. 8;
`[0037] FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the plano
`reflective element assembly of FIG. 8 illustrating the ori(cid:173)
`entation of the reflective element;
`[0038] FIG. 13 is another schematic representation of the
`orientation of the reflective elements of the plano reflective
`element in FIG. 8;
`[0039] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the range of
`viewing of the reflective elements of the plano reflective
`element assembly of FIG. 8; and
`[0040] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodi(cid:173)
`ment of an exterior rearview mirror system of the present
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 1, passenger automobile 10
`(which may be a sedan, a station-wagon, a sports car, a
`convertible, a minivan, a sports utility vehicle, a pick-up
`truck or a similar passenger carrying non-commercial, per(cid:173)
`sonal transportation automobile) includes an interior rear(cid:173)
`view mirror assembly 18 positioned within interior vehicle
`cabin 25. Interior vehicle cabin 25 further includes a steering
`wheel 16, a driver seat 20 positioned at steering wheel 16,
`a front passenger seat 21 adjacent to driver seat 20 in the
`front portion of cabin 25, and a rear passenger seat 23 in the
`rear portion of cabin 25. Automobile 10 further includes a
`driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 12 and a
`passenger-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 14, each
`adapted for attachment to opposing sides of automobile
`body 11, most preferably adjacent to the seating position of
`the driver seated in driver seat 20 for driver-side assembly
`12 and adjacent to the front passenger seat 21 for passenger(cid:173)
`side assembly 14. Exterior sideview mirrors, mounted as
`shown in FIG. 1 close to the driver seating location, are
`commonly referred to as door-mounted exterior sideview
`mirror assemblies. Driver-side exterior sideview mirror
`assembly 12 includes, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a plano(cid:173)
`multiradius exterior sideview reflective element assembly
`30. Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is
`mounted to a reflective element positioning actuator 36. The
`orientation of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly
`30, and hence its rearward field of view, is adjustable by
`actuator 36 in response to control 37. Control 37 can
`comprise a handset control that allows the driver manually
`move the orientation of plano-multiradius reflective element
`assembly 30 within exterior mirror housing 40 (such as by
`a lever control or by a cable control) and hence reposition
`the rearward field of view of plano-multiradius reflective
`element assembly 30. Alternately, when actuator 36 com(cid:173)
`prises an electrically actuated actuator that is electrically
`operable incorporating at least one motor, control 37 can
`comprise a switch (which, preferably, is operable under
`control of the driver seated in cabin 25) or control 37 can
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1011
`Page 018
`
`

`

`US 2002/0072026 Al
`
`Jun. 13,2002
`
`4
`
`comprise a memory controller, as known in the automotive
`mirror art, that controls actuator 36 to move the position of
`plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 to a pre(cid:173)
`set orientation that suits the rearward field of view prefer(cid:173)
`ence of an individual driver. Actuator 36 is mounted to
`bracket 38 which attaches to vehicle body side 11. Plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is positionable
`by actuator 36 within exterior mirror housing 40.
`
`[0042] Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30,
`as shown in FIG. 3, comprises a plano element 50 and a
`separate multiradius element 55. Preferably, plano element
`50 is adjacent to multiradius element at a joint. At their joint,
`plano element 50 and separate multiradius element 55 can
`touch leaving substantially no gap or space therebetween, or
`plano element 50 and separate multiradius element 55 can be
`spaced apart at their joint by a space or gap, as in FIG. 3.
`Plano element 50 and multiradius element 55 are both
`mounted to surface 59 of, and are both supported by, a single
`backing plate element 60. Plano element 50 and multiradius
`element 55 are demarcated apart by demarcation element 65.
`Surface 61 of backing plate element 60 is preferably adapted
`to attach, such as by attachment member 64, to actuator 36
`when plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is
`mounted in driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 12
`( and/or in passenger-side exterior side view mirror assembly
`14) such that plano element 50 and multiradius element 55
`are adjusted and positioned in tandem and simultaneously
`when the driver ( or alternatively, when a mirror memory
`system, as is conventional in the rearview mirror arts)
`activates actuator 36 to reposition the rearward field of view
`of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30. Thus,
`since elements 50, 55 are part of plano-multiradius reflective
`element assembly 30, movement of plano-multiradius
`reflective element assembly 30 by actuator 36 simulta(cid:173)
`neously and similarly moves plano element 50 and multi(cid:173)
`radius element 55.
`
`[0043] Plano element 50 preferably comprises a flat reflec(cid:173)
`tor-coated glass substrate having unit magnification, and
`comprises a reflective surface through which the angular
`height and width of the image of an object is equal to the
`angular height and width of the object when viewed at the
`same distance ( except for flaws that do not exceed normal
`manufacturing tolerances). Plano element 50 may comprise
`a conventional fixed reflectance mirror reflector or it may
`comprise a variable reflectance mirror reflector whose
`reflectivity is electrically adjustable. For example, plano
`element 50 may comprise a flat glass substrate coated with
`a metallic reflector coating such as a chromium coating, a
`titanium coating, a rhodium coating, a metal alloy coating,
`a nickel-alloy coating, a silver coating, an aluminum coating
`(or any alloy or combination of these metal reflectors). The
`metal reflector coating of plano element 50 may be a first
`surface coating (such as on surface 66) or a second surface
`coating (such as on surface 67), as such terms are known in
`the mirror art. The reflector coating on plano element 50 may
`also comprise a dielectric coating, or a multilayer of dielec(cid:173)
`tric coatings, or a combination of a metal layer and a
`dielectric layer to form automotive mirror reflectors as
`known in the automotive mirror art. If a variable reflectance
`reflector element, plano element 50 preferably comprises an
`electro-optic reflector element and, most preferably, an
`electrochromic reflector element.
`
`[0044] When mounted into exterior side view mirror
`assembly 12 and/or 14, plano-multiradius reflective element
`assembly 30 is preferably orientated so that at least a portion
`of (more preferably a substantial portion of) the reflector
`surface of plano element 50 is positioned closer to the
`vehicle body (and hence to the driver) than any portion of
`the reflector surface of multiradius element 55. Thus, and
`referring to FIG. 3, side A of plano element 50 of plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is positioned
`closer to the driver than side D of multiradius element 55
`when plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is
`mounted on an automobile. Also, when mounted into exte(cid:173)
`rior side view mirror assembly 12 and/or 14, surfaces 66, 68
`of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 face
`rearwardly in terms of the direction of vehicle travel.
`
`[0045] Multiradius element 55 of plano-multiradius
`reflective element assembly 30 preferably comprises a
`curved/bent mirrored glass substrate. The degree of curva(cid:173)
`ture preferably increases ( and hence the local radius of
`curvature decreases) across the surface of multiradius ele(cid:173)
`ment 55 with the least curvature (largest radius of curvature)
`occurring at the side of multiradius element 55 (side C in
`FIG. 3) positioned adjacent its joint to plano element 50
`when both are mounted on backing plate element 60. Thus,
`and referring to FIG. 3, the local radius of curvature at side
`C of multiradius element 55, when mounted on backing
`plate element 60, is larger than at side D. Also, the local
`radius of curvature preferably progressively decreases
`across multiradius element 55 from side C to side D.
`Preferably, the local radius of curvature at side C of multi(cid:173)
`radius element 55 is at least about 1000 mm; more prefer(cid:173)
`ably is at least about 2000 mm and most preferably is at least
`about 3000 mm whereas the local radius of curvature at side
`D of multiradius element 55 is, preferably, less than about
`750 mm, more preferably less than about 350 mm; most
`preferably less than about 150 mm. Preferably, multiradius
`element 55 comprises a bent glass substrate with radii of
`curvature in the range of from about 4000 mm to about 50
`mm. The multiradius prescription for the multiradius ele(cid:173)
`ment to be used in a particular exterior mirror assembly can
`vary according to the specific field of view needs on a
`specific automobile model.
`
`[0046] The total field of view rearwardly of the automo(cid:173)
`bile of the plano-auxiliary reflective element assembly
`(which is a combination of the field of view of the plano
`reflective element and of the auxiliary reflective element)
`preferably generally subtends an angle of at least about 20°
`(and more preferably, generally subtends an angle of at least
`about 25° and most preferably, generally subtends an angle
`of at least about 30°) with respect to the side of an auto(cid:173)
`mobile to which is attached an exterior sideview mirror
`assembly equipped with the plano-auxiliary reflect