(12) United States Patent
`Lynam
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US006522451Bl
`US 6,522,451 Bl
`Feb.18,2003
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) EXTERIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY
`REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Niall R. Lynam, Holland, MI (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Donnelly Corporation, Holland, MI
`(US)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. Pat. Ser. No. 09/350,930, filed Jul. 12, 1999, entitled
`Electrochromic Polymer Solid Films, Manufacturing Elec(cid:173)
`trochromic Devices Using Such Films, and Processes for
`Making Such Solid Films an Devices, by Applicants Desa(cid:173)
`raju V. Varaprasad et al.
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`Primary Examiner-Ricky D. Shafer
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn &
`Burkhart, LLP
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/478,315
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jan. 6, 2000
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`EP
`EP
`EP
`
`Int. Cl.7 ............................. G02F 1/15; G02B 5/08;
`G02B 5/10; G02B 7/182; B60R 1/06
`U.S. Cl. ....................... 359/265; 359/267; 359/841;
`359/850; 359/864; 359/866; 359/868; 359/872;
`359/877; 248/549; 248/900
`Field of Search ................................. 359/841, 850,
`359/851, 855, 864, 865, 866, 868, 872,
`877, 265, 267; 248/549, 900
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,911,177 A * 11/1959 West
`3,104,274 A * 9/1963 King .......................... 359/864
`3,170,985 A * 2/1965 Katulich
`3,375,053 A
`5/1968 Ward .......................... 350/293
`3,389,952 A * 6/1968 Tobin, Jr .................... 359/864
`3,764,201 A * 10/1973 Haile
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2409748
`3302735
`4026578
`0210757
`0310261 Al
`0551802
`
`9/1975
`* 8/1984
`* 4/1992
`* 2/1987
`4/1989
`* 1/1992
`
`................. 359/866
`................. 359/850
`................. 359/864
`
`................. 359/864
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`This invention provides a plano-multiradius reflective ele(cid:173)
`ment assembly suitable for use in an exterior sideview
`mirror assembly mounted to the side body of an automobile.
`The plano-multiradius reflective element assembly includes
`a plano reflective element which has a rearward field of
`view, when mounted in an exterior sideview mirror assem(cid:173)
`bly mounted to the side body of an automobile, with unit
`magnification. The plano-multiradius reflective element
`assembly also includes an auxiliary reflective element
`including a multiradius portion with a rearward field of view.
`The plano reflective element provides a distortion-free rear(cid:173)
`ward field of view and serves as the principal rearward(cid:173)
`viewing portion of the plano-multiradius reflective element
`assembly. The multiradius portion provides a wide angle
`rearward field of view, and typically supplements the rear(cid:173)
`ward field of view of the plano portion. The plano reflective
`element and the multiradius portion are separated by a
`demarcation element which enables the driver to readily
`delineate a rearward view in the plano portion from a
`rearward view in the multiradius portion. The plano reflec(cid:173)
`tive element and the multiradius reflective element are
`individually, separately, and adjacently attached to a single
`backing plate which is mounted to an actuator of the exterior
`sideview mirror assembly. By adjusting the position of the
`backing plate within the housing of the exterior sideview
`mirror assembly via the actuator, the rearward field of view
`of both the plano reflective element and the multiradius
`reflective element are simultaneously and similarly aligned.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`40 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`Multi radius
`
`55
`
`50
`
`Plano
`
`65
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 001
`
`

`

`US 6,522,451 Bl
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,258,979 A * 3/1981 Mahin ........................ 359/868
`4,268,120 A
`5/1981 Jitsumori .................... 350/302
`4,281,899 A * 8/1981 Oskam
`4,306,770 A * 12/1981 Marhauer ................... 359/866
`4,311,362 A * 1/1982 LaPorte ...................... 359/864
`4,331,382 A * 5/1982 Graff .......................... 359/868
`4,449,786 A
`5/1984 McCord ..................... 350/293
`4,555,166 A * 11/1985 Enomoto .................... 359/877
`4,678,294 A * 7/1987 Van Nostrand ............. 359/864
`4,727,302 A * 2/1988 Mizuta et al.
`.............. 359/877
`4,770,522 A * 9/1988 Allen ......................... 359/877
`4,859,046 A * 8/1989 Traynor et al.
`............. 359/866
`4,917,485 A * 4/1990 Baldwin, Sr.
`5,005,962 A * 4/1991 Edelman ..................... 359/864
`5,052,792 A * 10/1991 McDonough ............... 359/866
`5,107,374 A * 4/1992 Lupo et al. ................. 359/841
`5,115,352 A * 5/1992 Do Espirito Santo ....... 359/864
`5,166,833 A * 11/1992 Shyu
`5,225,943 A * 7/1993 Lupo .......................... 359/841
`5,239,405 A
`8/1993 Varaprasad et al. ......... 359/272
`5,432,643 A * 7/1995 Huang ........................ 359/864
`5,550,677 A
`8/1996 Schofield et al. ........... 359/604
`
`5,579,133 A * 11/1996 Black et al.
`................ 359/866
`5,621,569 A * 4/1997 Schlenke .................... 359/868
`5,668,663 A
`9/1997 Varaprasad et al. ......... 359/608
`5,724,187 A
`3/1998 Varaprasad et al. ......... 359/608
`5,751,489 A
`5/1998 Caskey et al. .............. 359/603
`5,793,542 A * 8/1998 Kondo et al. ............... 359/866
`5,796,532 A * 8/1998 Kanazawa .................. 359/864
`5,910,854 A
`6/1999 Varaprasad et al. ......... 359/273
`6,032,323 A * 3/2000 Smith et al. ................ 359/877
`6,199,993 Bl * 3/2001 Mou .......................... 359/864
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`FR
`GB
`GB
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`NL
`
`2628042
`1279158
`2048189
`2092534
`0051637
`62-105103
`1186443
`1-208245
`7908257
`
`9/1929
`* 6/1972
`* 12/1980
`* 8/1982
`* 4/1980
`* 5/1987
`7/1989
`* 8/1989
`* 6/1981
`
`................. 359/868
`. ................ 359/868
`................. 359/868
`................. 359/866
`
`................. 359/871
`................. 359/864
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.18,2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 6,522,451 Bl
`
`10
`
`18
`
`-------14
`
`11
`
`16
`
`25
`
`Figure 1
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.18,2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`US 6,522,451 Bl
`
`CX)
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.18,2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 6,522,451 Bl
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.18,2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 6,522,451 Bl
`
`73
`
`/ CCC
`
`65
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`70
`
`73'
`
`71
`
`Figure 4
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.18,2003
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 6,522,451 Bl
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Multiradius
`
`A
`
`Plano
`
`Multiradius
`
`55
`
`Plano
`
`65
`
`65
`
`B
`
`55
`
`C
`
`Multiradius
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`Multi radius
`
`50
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`50
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`Plano
`
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`65
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`D
`
`Plano
`
`50
`Figure 5.1)
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 18,2003
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 6,522,451 Bl
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Multiradius
`
`50
`
`ri_9ure 5E
`
`Plano
`
`Multiradius
`
`Figure 5 G-
`
`50
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`Plano
`
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`
`55
`
`·Plano
`
`Multi radius
`
`65
`
`50
`
`65
`
`Plano
`
`55
`
`Multiradius
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 18,2003
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
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`Exhibit 1016
`Page 009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.18,2003
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 6,522,451 Bl
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`Exhibit 1016
`Page 010
`
`

`

`US 6,522,451 Bl
`
`1
`EXTERIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY
`REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF
`THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to exterior sideview mirror
`assemblies suitable for use on an automobile, and more
`specifically, to piano-auxiliary reflective element assemblies
`for use in automobile exterior sideview mirror assemblies.
`Automobiles are typically equipped with an interior rear(cid:173)
`view 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 assembly 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 approaching 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(cid:173)
`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 rear~ard fiel_d
`of view of the exterior mirror reflector on that side. This
`presents a potential safety hazard as the driver, upon check(cid:173)
`ing 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.
`Various attempts have been made conventionally to mini(cid:173)
`mize 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 refl;ctor blind-spot 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.
`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 65
`increases as the degree of curvature of the bent substrate
`increases (i.e., the field of view rearward increases as the
`
`2
`radius of curvature of the bent substrate decreases).
`However, such wide-angle mirrors have non-unit magnifi(cid:173)
`cation and distance perception rearward is distorted. For this
`reason, convex (spherically-bent) exterior mirror reflectors
`5 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
`10 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
`15 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
`h~reb; incorpor~ted by reference herein) have been devel-
`20 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
`25 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-
`30 fication and so cannot be used when unit magnification is
`mandated (such as by FMVSS 111, referenced above).
`To supplement a flat driver-side exterior mirror reflector,
`an auxiliary and separate bent reflector is sometimes incor(cid:173)
`porated into the driver-side exterior sideview mirror assem-
`35 bly. However, this is often not suitable for passenger auto(cid:173)
`mobiles 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
`40 (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,
`45 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
`disadvantages, including obscuring field of view of the
`automobile mirror reflector and adding to mirror element
`50 vibration.
`There is thus a need to provide an automobile exterior
`sideview reflective element, and particularly a driver-side
`automobile exterior sideview reflective element, that over(cid:173)
`comes the disadvantages above and that provides the driver
`55 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
`60 reflector adjustment mechanism (such as an electrically
`operated, motorized actuator) provided in the exterior side(cid:173)
`view mirror assembly.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile equipped
`with exterior sideview mirror assemblies according to this
`present invention;
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 011
`
`

`

`US 6,522,451 Bl
`
`4
`3
`FIG. 2 is a top plan partial fragmentary view of the
`plano, flat reflective element and the multiradius, bent
`driver's side exterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1;
`reflective element. The backing plate is fabricated (typically
`by polymeric molding) to have a flat portion that corre(cid:173)
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a plano(cid:173)
`sponds to the plano, flat reflective element, and a curved
`multiradius reflective element assembly of the mirror assem(cid:173)
`5 surface that corresponds to the multiradius, curved reflective
`bly in FIG. 2;
`element. The attachment of the plano reflective element and
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a demarcation
`an auxiliary reflective element to a single backing plate
`element of the plano-multiradius reflective element assem(cid:173)
`produces a unitary plano-auxiliary reflective element assem(cid:173)
`bly of FIG. 3;
`bly module suitable for mounting in an exterior sideview
`FIGS. 5A-5H illustrate views of various locations for a
`10 mirror assembly. By adjusting the position of the backing
`plano reflective element and an auxiliary reflective element
`plate within the exterior sideview mirror assembly, the
`according to this present invention;
`rearward fields of view of both the plano reflective element
`FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a
`and the auxiliary reflective element are simultaneously and
`plano reflective element assembly according to the present
`similarly aligned.
`invention including a demarcation element formed as a 15
`One embodiment of the invention includes an exterior
`dividing wall in a backing plate element;
`sideview mirror system suitable for use in an automobile
`FIG. 6Ais a cross-section taken along line XX of FIG. 6;
`comprising an exterior sideview mirror assembly adapted
`FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY of
`for attachment to a side of the automobile. The exterior
`FIG. 6; and
`sideview mirror assembly includes a reflective element
`FIG. 7 is a schematic of a third embodiment of a plano- 20 having a rearward field of view when attached to said side
`auxiliary reflective element assembly according to this
`of the automobile. The reflective element is attached to an
`present invention.
`actuator and is movable by the actuator in order to position
`the reflective element's rearward field of view in response to
`a control. The reflective element comprises a plano-
`25 multiradius reflective element assembly which comprises a
`plano reflective element having unit magnification and a
`separate multiradius reflective element having a multiradius
`curvature. The plano element and the separate multiradius
`element of the plano-multiradius reflective element assem-
`30 bly are attached to a backing plate element. The backing
`plate element is mounted to the actuator such that movement
`of the backing plate element (and hence the plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly) by the actuator
`simultaneously and similarly moves the plano element and
`35 the multiradius element. The plano element and the multi(cid:173)
`radius element are separately and, preferably, adjacently
`attached to the backing plate element at a joint.
`In a further embodiment, a demarcation element is dis(cid:173)
`posed at this joint to form a demarcation between the plano
`element and the multiradius element; this demarcation ele(cid:173)
`ment having a portion visible to a driver of the automobile.
`Preferably, the demarcation element is dark colored, such as
`with a color selected from the group consisting of black,
`grey, blue and brown. Optionally, there is a space at the joint
`of the plano element and the multiradius element and the
`demarcation element is at least partially disposed in said
`space between said plano element and said multiradius
`element. The demarcation element can comprise at least one
`of a polymer material, a tape, a plastic film, a paint, a lacquer
`and a caulk.
`In a further embodiment, the demarcation element com(cid:173)
`prises a wall on the backing plate element; this wall being
`located on the backing plate element at the joint of the plano
`element and the multiradius element, this wall separating the
`respective elements apart.
`In preferred embodiments, the portion of the demarcation
`element visible to a driver of an automobile equipped with
`the plano-multiradius reflective element assembly of this
`60 invention has a width from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm.
`In preferred embodiments, the plano element is attached
`to the backing plate element by at least one of an adhesive
`attachment and a mechanical attachment.
`In preferred embodiments, the multiradius element is
`attached to the backing plate element at a location such that,
`when the exterior mirror assembly is attached to a side of an
`automobile, at least portion, and preferably at least a sub-
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`This invention provides a plano reflective element with
`unit magnification and an auxiliary reflector element for use
`in an exterior sideview mirror assembly on an automobile.
`More specifically, this invention provides a plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly suitable for use in
`an exterior sideview mirror assembly mounted to the side
`body of an automobile. The plano-multiradius reflective
`element assembly of this invention is especially suitable for
`mounting in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly
`that is mounted to the side of the automobile body adjacent
`to the seating position of the driver in the front of the interior
`vehicular cabin. The plano-multiradius reflective element
`assembly of this invention comprises a plano portion which
`has a rearward field of view, when mounted in an exterior
`sideview mirror assembly mounted to the side body of an
`automobile, with unit magnification. This plano portion 40
`comprises a flat substrate, typically a flat glass substrate,
`provided with a reflective surface. The plano-multiradius
`reflective element assembly of this invention also includes a
`multiradius portion with a rearward field of view, when
`mounted in an exterior sideview mirror assembly mounted 45
`to the side body of an automobile, that has non-unit mag(cid:173)
`nification. The plano portion provides a distortion-free rear(cid:173)
`ward field of view and serves as the principal rearward(cid:173)
`viewing portion of the plano-multiradius reflective element.
`The multiradius portion provides a wide angle rearward field 50
`of view, and typically supplements the rearward field of
`view of the plano portion. This multiradius portion com(cid:173)
`prises a curved substrate, typically a bent glass substrate,
`provided with a reflective surface. The plano portion and the
`multiradius portion are demarcated apart by a demarcation 55
`element. The demarcation element enables the driver of a
`vehicle equipped with the plano-multiradius reflective ele(cid:173)
`ment of this invention to readily delineate a rearward view
`in the plano portion from a rearward view in the multiradius
`portion. The plano portion comprises a flat reflective ele(cid:173)
`ment and the multiradius portion comprises a bent reflective
`element. The flat, plano reflective element and the curved,
`multiradius reflective element are individually and sepa(cid:173)
`rately manufactured, and are adjacently attached to a single
`backing plate (which typically comprises a polymeric 65
`substrate, most typically a molded polymeric substrate), and
`with the demarcation element disposed at the joint of the
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 012
`
`

`

`US 6,522,451 Bl
`
`5
`stantial portion, of the plano element is disposed closer to
`the side of the vehicle than any portion of the multiradius
`element element.
`In preferred embodiments, the multiradius element com(cid:173)
`prises a bent glass substrate with radii of curvature in the
`range of from about 4000 mm to about 50 mm, and the ratio
`of the width of the plano element to the width of the
`multiradius element is greater than 1.
`In preferred embodiments, the principal axis of the rear(cid:173)
`ward field of view of the auxiliary, multiradius element is
`different from and angled to the principal axis of the
`rearward field of view of the plano element when both are
`attached to the backing plate element of the plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly and when the plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly is mounted in an
`exterior sideview mirror assembly on an automobile. The
`principal axis of the rearward field of view of the plano
`element is directed generally parallel to the longitudinal axis
`of an automobile equipped with the plano-multiradius
`reflective element assembly and the principal axis of the
`rearward field of view of the multiradius element is directed
`generally at an angle downwards to the longitudinal axis of
`the vehicle.
`In a preferred embodiment, the exterior sideview mirror
`assembly equipped with the plano-multiradius reflective
`element assembly comprises a fixedly attached exterior
`sideview mirror assembly. In another preferred embodiment,
`the exterior sideview mirror assembly equipped with the
`plano-multiradius reflective element assembly comprises a
`break-away exterior sideview mirror assembly. In another
`preferred embodiment, the exterior sideview mirror assem(cid:173)
`bly equipped with the plano-multiradius reflective element
`assembly comprises a powerfold exterior sideview mirror
`assembly. In another preferred embodiment, the actuator of
`the exterior sideview mirror assembly to which the plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly is mounted com(cid:173)
`prises an electrically operable actuator. In another preferred
`embodiment, the actuator of the exterior sideview mirror
`assembly to which the plano-multiradius reflective element
`assembly is mounted is controlled by a switch or by a
`memory controller. In another preferred embodiment, the
`plano element and/or the multiradius element of the plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly comprises an
`electro-optic reflective element, preferably an electrochro(cid:173)
`mic reflective element. In another preferred embodiment, the
`plano element of the plano-multiradius reflective element
`assembly comprises an electro-optic reflective element,
`preferably an electrochromic reflective element, and the
`multiradius element comprises a fixed reflectance mirror
`reflector such as a fixed reflectance mirror reflector com(cid:173)
`prises a bent glass substrate coated with a metallic reflector
`coating.
`In a preferred embodiment, the plano-auxiliary reflective
`element assembly is assembly is formed in an integral
`molding operation.
`These and other advantages, features, and modifications
`will become more apparent when reviewed in conjunction
`with the drawings and the detailed description which fol(cid:173)
`lows.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IBE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`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, personal trans-
`
`6
`portation automobile) includes an interior rearview 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
`5 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
`10 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
`15 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
`20 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
`ac{uator 36 in response to control 37. Control 37 can
`25 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
`30 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
`35 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
`40 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.
`Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30, as
`shown in FIG. 3, comprises a plano element 50 and a
`45 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
`50 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.
`55 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
`60 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
`65 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
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1016
`Page 013
`
`

`

`US 6,522,451 Bl
`
`7
`reflective element assembly 30 by actuator 36 simulta(cid:173)
`neously and similarly moves plano element 50 and multi(cid:173)
`radius element 55.
`Plano element 50 preferably comprises a flat reflector(cid:173)
`coated glass substrate having unit magnification, and com(cid:173)
`prises 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 manu(cid:173)
`facturing 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 15
`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 su