(12) United States Patent
`Lynam et al.
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US006717712B2
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`(54) EXTERIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY
`REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Holland, MI (US);
`John 0. Lindahl, Fruitport, MI (US);
`Hahns Yoachim Fuchs, Holland, MI
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Donnelly Corporation, Holland, MI
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 84 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/745,172
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 20, 2000
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0072026 Al Jun. 13, 2002
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/478,315, filed on
`Jan. 6, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,522,451.
`
`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, 854, 855, 864, 865, 866, 868,
`872, 877, 265, 267; 248/549, 900
`
`References Cited
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,338,655 A *
`3,375,053 A
`3,389,952 A *
`4,268,120 A
`4,449,786 A
`4,678,294 A *
`4,917,485 A *
`5,239,405 A
`5,412,512 A *
`
`8/1967 Young
`3/1968 Ward .......................... 350/293
`6/1968 Tobin, Jr.
`5/1981 Jitsumori .................... 350/302
`5/1984 McCord ..................... 350/293
`7/1987 Van Nostrand
`4/1990 Baldwin, Sr.
`8/1993 Varaprasad et al. ......... 359/272
`5/1995 Zebold et al.
`
`5,550,677 A
`5,557,467 A *
`5,621,577 A *
`5,668,663 A
`5,724,187 A
`5,751,489 A
`5,784,211 A *
`5,793,542 A *
`5,805,367 A *
`5,910,854 A
`6,116,743 A *
`6,154,306 A
`6,511,192 Bl *
`6,522,451 Bl *
`
`8/1996
`9/1996
`4/1997
`9/1997
`3/1998
`5/1998
`7/1998
`8/1998
`9/1998
`6/1999
`9/2000
`11/2000
`1/2003
`2/2003
`
`Schofield et al. . . . . . . . . . . . 359 /604
`McColgan et al.
`Lang et al.
`Varaprasad et al. . . . . . . . . . 359 /608
`Varaprasad et al. . . . . . . . . . 359 /608
`Caskey et al. .............. 359/603
`Mingledorff
`Kondo et al.
`Kanazawa
`Varaprasad et al. . . . . . . . . . 359 /273
`Hoek
`Varaprasad et al. . . . . . . . . . 359 /273
`Henion et al.
`Lynam
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`2409748
`DE
`3620228
`DE
`4026578
`EP
`0310261 Al
`EP
`0729864
`EP
`0917987
`FR
`2628042
`2092534
`GB
`JP
`1186443
`* cited by examiner
`
`9/1975
`* 12/1987
`* 4/1992
`9/1988
`* 9/1996
`* 5/1999
`9/1929
`* 8/1982
`7/1989
`
`. ............ B60R/1/02
`
`............. B60R/1/08
`
`............. B60R/1/06
`
`............. B60R/1/06
`
`Primary Examiner-Ricky D. Shafer
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Van Dyke, Gardner, Linn &
`Burkhart, LLP
`
`(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.
`
`54 Claims, 13 Drawing Sheets
`
`"~J
`
`3140.
`
`317b
`
`,111,
`'~ 321 320
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
`
`11
`
`Figure 1
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
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`Exhibit 1017
`Page 004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
`
`73
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`Figure 4
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
`
`55
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
`
`Multi radius
`
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`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 7 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 008
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 8 of 13
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`US 6,717,712 B2
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`Exhibit 1017
`Page 009
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 9 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 010
`
`

`

`Apr. 6, 2004
`
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`Exhibit 1017
`Page 011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 11 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 12 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
`
`314
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`
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`
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`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 13 of 13
`
`US 6,717,712 B2
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`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 014
`
`

`

`US 6,717,712 B2
`
`1
`EXTERIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY
`REFLECTIVE ELEMENT ASSEMBLY
`
`This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 09/478,315, filed Jan. 6, 2000, entitled "EXTE-
`RIOR MIRROR PLANO-AUXILIARY REFLECTIVE
`ELEMENT ASSEMBLY", now U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,451,
`which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
`
`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 plano-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 rearward field
`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 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.
`
`5
`
`2
`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).
`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
`10 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
`15 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
`20 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-
`25 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
`30 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-
`35 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-
`40 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
`45 (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,
`50 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
`55 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
`60 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
`65 reflector adjustment mechanism (such as an electrically
`operated, motorized actuator) provided in the exterior side(cid:173)
`view mirror assembly.
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 015
`
`

`

`US 6,717,712 B2
`
`s
`
`3
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`According to the present invention, an automobile exte(cid:173)
`rior sideview mirror system includes an exterior sideview
`mirror assembly having a reflective element assembly. The
`reflective element assembly includes a first reflective ele-
`ment and a second reflective element, which together pro(cid:173)
`vide an increased field of view for the exterior side mirror
`assembly.
`In one form of the invention, an automobile exterior side
`mirror system includes an exterior side mirror assembly, 10
`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 reflec(cid:173)
`tive element which forms a second reflective element. The 15
`reflective element assembly is mounted to an actuator, which
`moves the reflective element assembly to position the rear(cid:173)
`ward field of view of the reflective element assembly. The
`reflective element assembly further includes a frame element
`
`:::e::~~t:~ :~eh~~: !:::n~:1h:ete~:~;:!:~~~~ee~~:;;:~ 20
`
`4
`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
`2.50.
`According to another form of the invention, an automo-
`bile 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.
`In one aspect, the second principal axis is angled out(cid:173)
`wardly 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.
`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°.
`In another aspect, the frame includes a support surface for
`the second reflective element, with the support surface
`35 angling the second principal axis of the second reflective
`element.
`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
`40 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
`45 and includes a frame and a support surface for the second
`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-
`so 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
`ss sideview mirror assembly.
`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 pro(cid:173)
`vided by a frame.
`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 ele(cid:173)
`ment. In one form, the second bezel portion is angled
`65 forwardly with respect to the first bezel portion when said
`exterior sideview mirror assembly is mounted to a side of an
`automobile.
`
`25
`
`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.
`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 30
`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 demar(cid:173)
`cation element comprising a segment of the first bezel
`portion.
`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.
`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.
`In other aspects, the first reflective element 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 60
`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°.
`In other aspects, the principal axis of the second reflective
`element forms an outward angle with respect to the principal
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 016
`
`

`

`US 6,717,712 B2
`
`5
`In another aspect, the second reflective element is located
`outboard of the first reflective element.
`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.
`
`6
`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
`5 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
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`12 and adjacent to the front passenger seat 21 for passenger(cid:173)
`side assembly 14. Exterior sideview mirrors, mounted as
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile equipped 10
`shown in FIG. 1 close to the driver seating location, are
`with exterior sideview mirror assemblies according to this
`commonly referred to as door-mounted exterior sideview
`present invention;
`mirror assemblies. Driver-side exterior sideview mirror
`FIG. 2 is a top plan partial fragmentary view of the
`assembly 12 includes, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a plano(cid:173)
`driver's side exterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 1;
`multiradius exterior sideview reflective element assembly
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a plano(cid:173)
`15 30. Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is
`multiradius reflective element assembly of the mirror assem(cid:173)
`mounted to a reflective element positioning actuator 36. The
`bly in FIG. 2;
`orientation of plano-multiradius reflective element assembly
`30, and hence its rearward field of view, is adjustable by
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a demarcation
`actuator 36 in response to control 37. Control 37 can
`element of the plano-multiradius reflective element assem(cid:173)
`20 comprise a handset control that allows the driver manually
`bly of FIG. 3;
`move the orientation of plano-multiradius reflective element
`FIGS. 5A-5H illustrate views of various locations for a
`assembly 30 within exterior mirror housing 40 (such as by
`plano reflective element and an auxiliary reflective element
`a lever control or by a cable control) and hence reposition
`according to this present invention;
`the rearward field of view of plano-multiradius reflective
`FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a
`25 element assembly 30. Alternately, when actuator 36 com(cid:173)
`plano reflective element assembly according to the present
`prises an electrically actuated actuator that is electrically
`invention including a demarcation element formed as a
`operable incorporating at least one motor, control 37 can
`dividing wall in a backing plate element;
`comprise a switch (which, preferably, is operable under
`control of the driver seated in cabin 25) or control 37 can
`FIG. 6Ais a cross-section taken along line XX of FIG. 6;
`comprise a memory controller, as known in the automotive
`FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY of 30
`mirror art, that controls actuator 36 to move the position of
`FIG. 6;
`plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 to a pre(cid:173)
`FIG. 7 is a schematic of a third embodiment of a plano(cid:173)
`set orientation that suits the rearward field of view prefer(cid:173)
`auxiliary reflective element assembly according to this
`ence of an individual driver. Actuator 36 is mounted to
`present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of 35 bracket 38 which attaches to vehicle body side 11. Plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is positionable
`a plano reflective element assembly according to the present
`by actuator 36 within exterior mirror housing 40.
`invention;
`Plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30, as
`FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the plano
`shown in FIG. 3, comprises a plano element 50 and a
`reflective element assembly of FIG. 8;
`40 separate multiradius element 55. Preferably, plano element
`FIG. 10 is an end view of the plano reflective element
`50 is adjacent to multiradius element at a joint. At their joint,
`assembly of FIG. 8 as viewed from line X-X of FIG. 8;
`plano element 50 and separate multiradius element 55 can
`touch leaving substantially no gap or space therebetween, or
`FIG. 11 is a top view of the plano reflective element
`plano element 50 and separate multiradius element 55 can be
`assembly of FIG. 8 as viewed from line XI-XI of FIG. 8;
`45 spaced apart at their joint by a space or gap, as in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the plano reflec(cid:173)
`Plano element 50 and multiradius element 55 are both
`tive element assembly of FIG. 8 illustrating the orientation
`mounted to surface 59 of, and are both supported by, a single
`of the reflective element;
`backing plate element 60. Plano element 50 and multiradius
`FIG. 13 is another schematic representation of the orien(cid:173)
`element 55 are demarcated apart by demarcation element 65.
`tation of the reflective elements of the plano reflective
`50 Surface 61 of backing plate element 60 is preferably adapted
`element in FIG. 8;
`to attach, such as by attachment member 64, to actuator 36
`FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the range of viewing of
`when plano-multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is
`the reflective elements of the plano reflective element
`mounted in driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly 12
`assembly of FIG. 8; and
`(and/or in passenger-side exterior side view mirror assembly
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of 55
`14) such that plano element 50 and multiradius element 55
`an exterior rearview mirror system of the present invention.
`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
`60 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-
`65 radius element 55.
`Plano element 50 preferably comprises a flat reflector(cid:173)
`coated glass substrate having unit magnification, and com-
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`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(cid:173)
`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
`
`SMR USA
`Exhibit 1017
`Page 017
`
`

`

`US 6,717,712 B2
`
`7
`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
`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.
`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-multiradius
`reflective element assembly 30 is positioned closer to the
`driver than side D of multiradius element 55 when plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly 30 is mounted on an
`automobile. Also, when mounted into exterior side view
`mirror assembly 12 and/or 14, surfaces 66, 68 of plano(cid:173)
`multiradius reflective element assembly 30 face rearwardly
`in terms of the direction of vehicle travel.
`Multiradius element 55 of plano-multiradius reflective
`element assembly 30 preferably comprises a curved/bent
`mirrored glass substrate. The degree of curvature preferably
`increases ( and hence the local radius of curvature decreases)
`across the surface of multiradius element 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 multiradius element 55 is