WO2000055011A1 - Rear-view mirror - Google Patents
Rear-view mirror Download PDFInfo
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- WO2000055011A1 WO2000055011A1 PCT/EP2000/002376 EP0002376W WO0055011A1 WO 2000055011 A1 WO2000055011 A1 WO 2000055011A1 EP 0002376 W EP0002376 W EP 0002376W WO 0055011 A1 WO0055011 A1 WO 0055011A1
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- Prior art keywords
- light
- rearview mirror
- housing
- mirror according
- light guide
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R1/00—Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
- B60R1/02—Rear-view mirror arrangements
- B60R1/08—Rear-view mirror arrangements involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots, e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors
- B60R1/083—Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors
- B60R1/088—Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
Definitions
- the invention relates to a rearview mirror according to the preamble of the main claim.
- Rearview mirrors which have a layer structure accommodated in a housing, the layer structure comprising at least one reflecting layer and a layer which can be changed in terms of its degree of transmission or degree of absorption.
- the transmission or absorption of the layer is controlled by a voltage that is supplied by a control unit.
- At least one sensor includes the brightness on the mirror and supplies a corresponding signal to the control unit, which controls the layer that can be changed in transmission or absorption.
- the sensor is on arranged on the outer surface of the housing or behind the mirror surface. This has the disadvantage that only limited possibilities for an optically appealing design are possible and the installation position of the sensor or of the light-sensitive component can only be changed within narrow limits.
- the invention has for its object to provide a rearview mirror with a controllable dimming system, which detects the light situation on and / or around the mirror in an improved manner and prevents constructive restrictions on the installation position of the light-sensitive elements controlling the dimming system.
- the installation position of the light-sensitive component can be selected at any point in the mirror housing, the rear-view mirror being able to be both an inside and an outside mirror.
- the light situation in a vehicle is detected by two sensors.
- One sensor is used to determine the lighting situation in the room, i.e. it detects the ambient light and the second sensor is used to determine the glare situation, i.e. the radiation generated behind the vehicle.
- the sensor that is to detect the glare situation preferably both sensors, is assigned a light-guiding element, the radiation surface of which
- Sensor is opposite and the radiation of which catching light entry surface is guided through the wall of the housing of the rearview mirror to the outside or is arranged in the region of a transparent part of the housing.
- the installation position of the sensor or the light-sensitive component in the mirror housing can be chosen as desired, the sensor is preferably located directly on the circuit board for the control.
- the light guide enables the light to be captured in a very small solid angle, so that fewer disturbances due to edge effects occur. This means that glare can be determined more precisely.
- the sensor that detects the ambient light situation can also be connected to a light guide element, the light entry surface of which is arranged in such a way that the ambient light enters as unadulterated as possible and is directed to the associated other end of the light guide element, the receiver or sensor.
- the sensors can be arranged on a circuit board.
- the ambient light is determined by a sensor which is positioned in a small opening in the interior mirror housing in the direction of travel.
- this sensor also hits light, which can lead to malfunctions. Therefore, in one embodiment, there are two or several light guides are provided, which exit at different points on the housing, as a result of which the lighting situation can be determined better and more clearly.
- the light guides for the ambient light are preferably all bundled onto one sensor, but sensors corresponding to the number of light guides can be provided.
- a light entry end of a light guide can point in the direction of travel, while the light entry ends of the further light guide (s) point into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
- the light can be captured from a larger solid angle by a special shaping of the light guide ends, ie a larger solid angle can be detected.
- the received signal or signals for switching on or for controlling the lighting in the vehicle and on the vehicle in an automated manner.
- light guides are described, the light entry surfaces of which are formed by the end faces of their ends.
- light guides that couple light from the side can also be used to record the lighting situation in the room.
- Such a property of a light guide makes it possible to detect the light from a very large solid angle by means of a short piece of light guide which protrudes from the mirror housing.
- the control unit compares the measured values of the two sensors and the control unit supplies an electrical one in accordance with the measured light intensities Voltage is applied to the mirror or a corresponding voltage is applied to the layer that can be changed in the transmission or absorption. If glare is registered by the sensor that measures the light situation behind the vehicle, one or more layers in the layer structure of the mirror are electrically darkened.
- a microcontroller is preferably used as the control unit, in which the evaluation of the measured values is carried out by the sensors.
- the physiological needs of the driver can also be taken into account, for example characteristic curves or tables are stored in the microcontroller, by means of which the glare situation in the vehicle is adapted to the physiological needs of the driver.
- the microcontroller then controls or regulates the voltage to be applied in accordance with the light situation and the driving situation, whereby different reactions of the driver to glare or different external situations influencing the glare are taken into account.
- control the outside mirrors via the detection on the inside mirror via the microcontroller or the control unit.
- the control voltages are converted into a digital signal by the microcontroller on the basis of the signals recorded on the interior mirror and fed into an in-vehicle bus system. This signal is forwarded to the exterior mirrors via the bus system and decoded there by a further microcontroller, which then controls it.
- Information can also be obtained via the bus system
- Interior mirrors that describe the driving situation, including for example, it is detected whether the reverse gear is engaged, in which no turns are to be made.
- Fig. 1 shows the view of an inside mirror from the front according to an embodiment of the invention
- Fig. 2 shows the view of an inside mirror from behind according to another embodiment.
- the inner mirror 1 shown in FIG. 1 consists of a mirror unit 3 accommodated in a housing 2, which has a layer structure which comprises a reflecting layer and at least one layer which changes the intensity of the incident and / or reflected radiation. Furthermore, the
- Mirror unit 3 has a circuit board (not shown) with a control unit which, depending on the light detected by sensors, supplies a voltage which controls the transmission or absorption of the layer structure as a function of the light.
- the end of an optical fiber 4 can be seen, which directs the light falling on the front surface of the interior mirror 1 to a sensor arranged on the circuit board.
- FIG. 2 shows the rear side, that is to say the side of the housing of the inner mirror 1, a plurality of optical fibers 5 provided in the housing 2 ending at different points on the housing wall. Within the housing, they are combined to form a light exit surface in the immediate vicinity of the sensor 6.
- the arrangement according to FIG. 2 detects the ambient light, the light situation being correctly detected even when an oncoming vehicle is dazzled, which is indicated by the bright spot.
- the respective light-guiding element is designed as an optical fiber, but it can also be designed as a plate and / or light-guiding molded body. Furthermore, the light entry surfaces of the optical fiber are arranged in the wall of the housing 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2. This means that the light entry surface of the respective light-guiding element can be part of the wall of the housing. In another embodiment, it is conceivable that the light entry end is arranged behind a transparent area of the housing, or is in operative connection with it.
- Lichtleitiatas can be chosen so that it is adapted to the desired solid angle. Furthermore, the shape can be chosen so that it is dirt-repellent, for example through slipstream cones, inclined surfaces or the like.
- the light-guiding element can have different shapes and areas between the light entry surface and the light exit surface, it can also consist of several optically connected sub-elements.
- the light entry surface is preferably provided with a dirt-repellent and / or scratch-resistant coating. It can also have an anti-reflective coating.
- the light entry and / or exit areas of the light guide element have a selective absorption filter or an interference filter.
Abstract
The invention relates to a rear-view mirror which has a layered structure that is arranged in a housing and comprises a reflecting layer and at least one other layer which modifies the intensity of incident and/or reflected radiation. This layer is controlled by an applied voltage which is adjusted in accordance with a signal of a sensor detecting the incident radiation. The at least one sensor is positioned inside the housing and at least one light guide is assigned to it whose one end is situated in immediate proximity to the sensor and whose other end is guided through the housing and to the outside.
Description
Rückblickspiegel Rearview mirror
Die Erfindung betrifft einen Rückblickspiegel nach dem Oberbegriff des Hauptanspruchs.The invention relates to a rearview mirror according to the preamble of the main claim.
Es sind Rückblickspiegel bekannt, die einen in einem Gehäuse aufgenommenen Schichtaufbau aufweisen, wobei der Schichtaufbau mindestens eine reflektierende Schicht und eine in ihrem Transmissionsgrad bzw. Ab- sorptionsgrad veränderbare Schicht umfaßt. Dabei wird die Transmission bzw. Absorption der Schicht durch eine Spannung gesteuert, die von einer Steuereinheit geliefert wird. Mindestens ein Sensor umfaßt die Helligkeit am Spiegel und liefert ein entsprechendes Si- gnal an die Steuereinheit, die die in der Transmission bzw. Absorption veränderbare Schicht steuert. Auf diese Weise kann die aus dem Spiegel austretende Strahlung abhängig von der Intensität der einfallenden Strahlung verändert werden und bei Blendung der Spiegel abgedunkelt werden. Dabei ist der Sensor an
der Außenfläche des Gehäuses oder hinter der Spiegelfläche angeordnet. Dies hat den Nachteil, daß nur begrenzte Möglichkeiten für ein optisch ansprechendes Design möglich ist und die Einbaulage des Sensors bzw. des lichtempfindlichen Bauteils nur in engen Grenzen verändert werden kann.Rearview mirrors are known which have a layer structure accommodated in a housing, the layer structure comprising at least one reflecting layer and a layer which can be changed in terms of its degree of transmission or degree of absorption. The transmission or absorption of the layer is controlled by a voltage that is supplied by a control unit. At least one sensor includes the brightness on the mirror and supplies a corresponding signal to the control unit, which controls the layer that can be changed in transmission or absorption. In this way, the radiation emerging from the mirror can be changed depending on the intensity of the incident radiation and can be darkened when the mirror is dazzled. The sensor is on arranged on the outer surface of the housing or behind the mirror surface. This has the disadvantage that only limited possibilities for an optically appealing design are possible and the installation position of the sensor or of the light-sensitive component can only be changed within narrow limits.
Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde einen Rückblickspiegel mit einem steuerbaren Abblendsystem zu schaffen, der die Lichtsituation am und/oder um den Spiegel in verbesserter Weise erfaßt wird und kon- truktive Beschränkungen zur Einbaulage das Abblendsystem steuerenden lichtempfindlichen Elementen vermieden werden.The invention has for its object to provide a rearview mirror with a controllable dimming system, which detects the light situation on and / or around the mirror in an improved manner and prevents constructive restrictions on the installation position of the light-sensitive elements controlling the dimming system.
Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch die kennzeichnenden Merkmale des Hauptanspruches gelöst.This object is achieved by the characterizing features of the main claim.
Mit der Erfindung ist es möglich, einen Rückblick- spiegel zu schaffen, bei dem die Einbaulage des lichtempfindlichen Bauteils an beliebiger Stelle im Spiegelgehäuse gewählt werden kann, wobei der Rückblickspiegel sowohl ein Innen- als auch Außenspiegel sein kann.With the invention it is possible to create a rear-view mirror in which the installation position of the light-sensitive component can be selected at any point in the mirror housing, the rear-view mirror being able to be both an inside and an outside mirror.
Entsprechend einem Ausführungsbeispiel wird die Lichtsituation in einem Fahrzeug über zwei Sensoren detektiert. Dabei wird der eine Sensor für die Ermittlung der Lichtsituation im Raum verwendet, d.h. er erfaßt das Umgebungslicht, und der zweite Sensor wird für die Ermittlung der Blendsituation, d.h. der hinter dem Fahrzeug erzeugten Strahlung herangezogen. Zumindest dem Sensor, der die Blendsituation erfassen soll, vorzugsweise beiden Sensoren ist ein Licht- leitelement zugeordnet, dessen Abstrahlfläche demAccording to one embodiment, the light situation in a vehicle is detected by two sensors. One sensor is used to determine the lighting situation in the room, i.e. it detects the ambient light and the second sensor is used to determine the glare situation, i.e. the radiation generated behind the vehicle. At least the sensor that is to detect the glare situation, preferably both sensors, is assigned a light-guiding element, the radiation surface of which
Sensor gegenüber liegt und dessen die Strahlung ein-
fangende Lichteintrittsfläche durch die Wand des Gehäuses des Rückblickspiegels nach außen geführt ist oder im Bereich eines transparenten Teils des Gehäuses angeordnet ist. Mit einem solchen Lichtleitele- ment ist es möglich, das Licht von einem Scheinwerfer eines nachfahrenden Fahrzeugs einzufangen und auf das lichtempfindliche Bauteil zu lenken.Sensor is opposite and the radiation of which catching light entry surface is guided through the wall of the housing of the rearview mirror to the outside or is arranged in the region of a transparent part of the housing. With such a light guide element, it is possible to capture the light from a headlight of a vehicle traveling behind and to direct it onto the light-sensitive component.
Dabei kann die Einbaulage des Sensors bzw. des licht- empfindlichen Bauteils im Spiegelgehäuse beliebig gewählt werden, vorzugsweise befindet sich der Sensor direkt auf der Platine für die Steuerung. Weiterhin ist es durch den Lichtleiter möglich, das Licht in einem sehr kleinen Raumwinkel einzufangen, so daß we- niger Störungen durch Randeffekte auftreten. Dies bedeutet, daß eine Blendung genauer ermittelt werden kann. Es ist jedoch auch möglich, durch eine spezielle Formgebung des Lichtleiters im Lichteintrittsbe- reich den Winkelbereich des Lichtes, das in das Lichtleitelement eindringen soll, gezielt zu manipulieren.The installation position of the sensor or the light-sensitive component in the mirror housing can be chosen as desired, the sensor is preferably located directly on the circuit board for the control. Furthermore, the light guide enables the light to be captured in a very small solid angle, so that fewer disturbances due to edge effects occur. This means that glare can be determined more precisely. However, it is also possible to specifically manipulate the angular range of the light that is to penetrate the light guide element by a special shaping of the light guide in the light entry area.
Der Sensor, der die Umgebungslichtsituation erfaßt, kann gleichfalls mit einem Lichtleitelement verbunden sein, dessen Lichteintrittsfläche derart angeordnet ist, daß das Umgebungslicht möglichst unverfälscht eintritt und auf den zugeordneten, anderen Ende des Lichtleitelement liegenden Empfänger bzw. Sensor geleitet wird. Dabei können die Sensoren auf einer Schaltplatine angeordnet sein. Im Stand der Technik wird das Umgebungslicht durch einen Sensor ermittelt, der in eine kleine Öffnung im Innenspiegelgehäuse in Fahrtrichtung positioniert ist. Dies bedeutet jedoch, daß in der Nacht bei Gegenverkehr auf diesen Sensor ebenfalls Licht trifft, was zu Fehlfunktionen führen kann. Daher sind in einem Ausführungsbeispiel zwei
oder mehrere Lichtleiter vorgesehen, die an unterschiedlichen Stellen am Gehäuse austreten, wodurch die Lichtsituation besser und eindeutiger bestimmt werden kann. Vorzugsweise werden die Lichtleiter für das Umgebungslicht alle auf einen Sensor gebündelt, es können jedoch der Anzahl der Lichtleiter entsprechende Sensoren vorgesehen sein. Beispielsweise kann ein Lichteintrittsende eines Lichtleiters in Fahrtrichtung weisen, während die Lichteintrittsenden des oder der weiteren Lichtleiter in den Fahrgastraum des Fahrzeugs weisen. Auch hier kann durch eine spezielle Formgebung der Lichtleiterenden das Licht aus einem größeren Raumwinkel eingefangen werden, d.h. es kann ein größerer Raumwinkel erfaßt werden.The sensor that detects the ambient light situation can also be connected to a light guide element, the light entry surface of which is arranged in such a way that the ambient light enters as unadulterated as possible and is directed to the associated other end of the light guide element, the receiver or sensor. The sensors can be arranged on a circuit board. In the prior art, the ambient light is determined by a sensor which is positioned in a small opening in the interior mirror housing in the direction of travel. However, this means that at night oncoming traffic, this sensor also hits light, which can lead to malfunctions. Therefore, in one embodiment, there are two or several light guides are provided, which exit at different points on the housing, as a result of which the lighting situation can be determined better and more clearly. The light guides for the ambient light are preferably all bundled onto one sensor, but sensors corresponding to the number of light guides can be provided. For example, a light entry end of a light guide can point in the direction of travel, while the light entry ends of the further light guide (s) point into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Here too, the light can be captured from a larger solid angle by a special shaping of the light guide ends, ie a larger solid angle can be detected.
Da mit mehreren Lichtleitern die Lichtsituation sehr genau bestimmt werden kann, ist es auch möglich, das oder die Empfangssignale zum Einschalten bzw. zur Steuerung der Beleuchtung im Fahrzeug und am Fahrzeug in automatischer Weise zu verwenden.Since the light situation can be determined very precisely with several light guides, it is also possible to use the received signal or signals for switching on or for controlling the lighting in the vehicle and on the vehicle in an automated manner.
In den obigen Ausführungsbeispielen werden Lichtleiter beschrieben, deren Lichteintrittsflächen durch die Stirnflächen ihrer Enden gebildet werden. Es kön- nen aber für die Erfassung der Lichtsituation im Raum auch Lichtleiter eingesetzt werden, die Licht von der Seite einkoppeln. Durch eine solche Eigenschaft eines Lichtleiters ist es möglich durch ein kurzes Lichtleiterstück, das aus dem Spiegelgehäuse ragt, das Licht aus einem sehr großen Raumwinkel zu erfassen.In the above exemplary embodiments, light guides are described, the light entry surfaces of which are formed by the end faces of their ends. However, light guides that couple light from the side can also be used to record the lighting situation in the room. Such a property of a light guide makes it possible to detect the light from a very large solid angle by means of a short piece of light guide which protrudes from the mirror housing.
Bei der Verwendung eines Sensors für die Blendsitua- tion und eines Sensors für das Umgebungslicht vergleicht die Steuereinheit die Meßwerte der beiden Sensoren und entsprechend der gemessenen LichtIntensitäten liefert die Steuereinheit eine elektrische
Spannung an den Spiegel bzw. wird eine entsprechende Spannung an die in der Transmission bzw. Absorption veränderbare Schicht angelegt. Wird eine Blendung durch den Sensor, der die Lichtsituation hinter dem Fahrzeug mißt, registriert, so wird eine oder mehrere Schichten im Schichtaufbau des Spiegels elektrisch abgedunkelt.When using a sensor for the glare situation and a sensor for the ambient light, the control unit compares the measured values of the two sensors and the control unit supplies an electrical one in accordance with the measured light intensities Voltage is applied to the mirror or a corresponding voltage is applied to the layer that can be changed in the transmission or absorption. If glare is registered by the sensor that measures the light situation behind the vehicle, one or more layers in the layer structure of the mirror are electrically darkened.
Vorzugsweise wird als Steuereinheit ein Microcontrol- 1er verwendet, in dem die Auswertung der Meßwerte von den Sensoren vorgenommen wird. Dabei können auch die physiologischen Bedürfnisse des Fahrers berücksichtigt werden, beispielsweise werden Kennlinien oder Tabellen in den Microcontroller abgespeichert, durch die die Blendsituation im Fahrzeug an die physiologischen Bedürfnisse des Fahrers angepaßt werden. Der Microcontroller steuert bzw. regelt die anzulegende Spannung dann entsprechend der Lichtsituation und der Fahrsituation, wobei unterschiedliche Reaktionen des Fahrers auf Blendung oder unterschiedliche äußere, die Blendung beeinflussende Situationen berücksichtigt werden.A microcontroller is preferably used as the control unit, in which the evaluation of the measured values is carried out by the sensors. The physiological needs of the driver can also be taken into account, for example characteristic curves or tables are stored in the microcontroller, by means of which the glare situation in the vehicle is adapted to the physiological needs of the driver. The microcontroller then controls or regulates the voltage to be applied in accordance with the light situation and the driving situation, whereby different reactions of the driver to glare or different external situations influencing the glare are taken into account.
In einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel ist es auch möglich, über den Microcontroller bzw. die Steuereinheit auch die Außenspiegel über die Erfassung am Innenspiegel anzusteuern. Für die Ansteuerung der Außenspiegel werden die Ansteuerspannungen durch den Microcontroller aufgrund der am Innenspiegel erfaßten Signale in ein digitales Signal umgewandelt und in ein fahrzeuginternes Bussystem eingespeist. Dieses Signal wird über das Bussystem an die Außenspiegel weitergeleitet und dort von einem weiteren Microcontroller dekodiert, der dann die Ansteuerung vornimmt. Über das Bussystem gelangen auch Informationen zumIn a further exemplary embodiment, it is also possible to also control the outside mirrors via the detection on the inside mirror via the microcontroller or the control unit. For the control of the exterior mirrors, the control voltages are converted into a digital signal by the microcontroller on the basis of the signals recorded on the interior mirror and fed into an in-vehicle bus system. This signal is forwarded to the exterior mirrors via the bus system and decoded there by a further microcontroller, which then controls it. Information can also be obtained via the bus system
Innenspiegel, die die Fahrsituation beschreiben, bei-
spielsweise wird erfaßt, ob der Rückwärtsgang eingelegt ist, bei dem keine Abbiendung vorgenommen werden soll.Interior mirrors that describe the driving situation, including for example, it is detected whether the reverse gear is engaged, in which no turns are to be made.
Weitere vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen ergeben sich aus den weiteren Unteransprüchen.Further advantageous developments result from the further subclaims.
Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist in der Zeichnung dargestellt und wird in der nachfolgenden Beschreibung näher erläutert. Es zeigenAn embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail in the following description. Show it
Fig. 1 die Ansicht eines Innenspiegels von vorne entsprechend einem Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung undFig. 1 shows the view of an inside mirror from the front according to an embodiment of the invention and
Fig. 2 die Ansicht eines Innenspiegels von hinten entsprechend einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.Fig. 2 shows the view of an inside mirror from behind according to another embodiment.
Der in Fig. 1 dargestellte Innenspiegel 1 besteht aus einer in einem Gehäuse 2 aufgenommenen Spiegeleinheit 3, die einen Schichtaufbau aufweist, der eine reflektierende Schicht und mindestens eine die Intensität der einfallenden und/oder reflektierten Strahlung verändernden Schicht umfaßt. Weiterhin weist dieThe inner mirror 1 shown in FIG. 1 consists of a mirror unit 3 accommodated in a housing 2, which has a layer structure which comprises a reflecting layer and at least one layer which changes the intensity of the incident and / or reflected radiation. Furthermore, the
Spiegeleinheit 3 eine nicht dargestellte Platine mit einer Steuereinheit auf, die abhängig von mit Sensorren erfaßten Licht eine Spannung liefert, die die Transmission bzw. Absorption des Schichtaufbaus ab- hängig vom Licht steuert. Im Gehäuse 2 ist das Ende einer Lichtleitfaser 4 zu erkennen, die das auf die Vorderfläche des Innenspiegels 1 fallende Licht auf einen auf der Schaltplatine angeordneten Sensor leitet.
Figur 2 zeigt die Rückseite, d.h. die Gehäuseseite des Innenspiegels 1, wobei mehrere in dem Gehäuse 2 vorgesehene Lichtleitfasern 5 an unterschiedlichen Stellen der Gehäusewand enden. Innerhalb des Gehäuses sind sie zu einer Lichtaustrittsfläche in unmittelbarer Nähe des Sensors 6 zusammengefaßt. Die Anordnung nach Fig. 2 erfaßt das Umgebungslicht, wobei auch bei Blendung eines entgegenkommenden Fahrzeuges, die durch den hellen Fleck angedeutet ist, die Lichtsi- tuation richtig erfaßt wird.Mirror unit 3 has a circuit board (not shown) with a control unit which, depending on the light detected by sensors, supplies a voltage which controls the transmission or absorption of the layer structure as a function of the light. In the housing 2, the end of an optical fiber 4 can be seen, which directs the light falling on the front surface of the interior mirror 1 to a sensor arranged on the circuit board. FIG. 2 shows the rear side, that is to say the side of the housing of the inner mirror 1, a plurality of optical fibers 5 provided in the housing 2 ending at different points on the housing wall. Within the housing, they are combined to form a light exit surface in the immediate vicinity of the sensor 6. The arrangement according to FIG. 2 detects the ambient light, the light situation being correctly detected even when an oncoming vehicle is dazzled, which is indicated by the bright spot.
In den Ausführungsbeispielen nach Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 ist das jeweilige Lichtleitelement als Lichtleitfaser ausgebildet, es kann jedoch auch als Platte und/oder lichtleitender Formkörper ausgebildet sein. Weiterhin sind in Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 die Lichteintrittsflächen der Lichtleitfaser in der Wand des Gehäuses 2 angeordnet. Das bedeutet, daß die Lichteintrittsfläche des jeweiligen Lichtleitelementes Bestandteil der Wand des Gehäuses sein kann, in einer anderen Ausführungsform ist es denkbar, daß das Lichteintrittsende hinter einem transparenten Bereich des Gehäuses angeordnet ist, bzw. mit diesem in Wirkverbindung steht.In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the respective light-guiding element is designed as an optical fiber, but it can also be designed as a plate and / or light-guiding molded body. Furthermore, the light entry surfaces of the optical fiber are arranged in the wall of the housing 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2. This means that the light entry surface of the respective light-guiding element can be part of the wall of the housing. In another embodiment, it is conceivable that the light entry end is arranged behind a transparent area of the housing, or is in operative connection with it.
Die Form der Lichteintrittsfläche des jeweiligenThe shape of the light entry surface of each
Lichtleitelementes kann so gewählt werden, daß sie an den gewünschten Raumwinkel angepaßt ist. Weiterhin kann die Formgebung so gewählt werden, daß sie schmutzabweisend ist, beispielsweise durch Windschat- tenkegel, schräge Flächen oder dergleichen. Das lichtleitende Element kann zwischen der Lichteintrittsfläche und der Lichtaustrittsfläche unterschiedliche Formen und Flächen aufweisen, es kann auch aus mehreren optisch hintereinander geschalteten Teilelementen bestehen.
Bevorzugterweise ist die Lichteintrittsfläche mit einer schmutzabweisenden und/oder kratzfesten Beschichtung versehen. Sie kann auch eine entspiegelte Beschichtung aufweisen.Lichtleitelementes can be chosen so that it is adapted to the desired solid angle. Furthermore, the shape can be chosen so that it is dirt-repellent, for example through slipstream cones, inclined surfaces or the like. The light-guiding element can have different shapes and areas between the light entry surface and the light exit surface, it can also consist of several optically connected sub-elements. The light entry surface is preferably provided with a dirt-repellent and / or scratch-resistant coating. It can also have an anti-reflective coating.
Damit die Tag- und Nachtsituation sowie spezielle Lichtsituationen besser erfaßt werden können, weisen die Lichteintritts- und/oder -austrittstlachen des Lichtleitelements ein selektives Absorptionsfilter oder ein Interferenzfilter auf.
In order that the day and night situation as well as special light situations can be better detected, the light entry and / or exit areas of the light guide element have a selective absorption filter or an interference filter.
Claims
1. Rückblickspiegel mit einem in einem Gehäuse aufgenommenen Schichtaufbau, der eine reflektierende Schicht und mindestens eine die Intensität der einfallenden und/oder reflektierten Strah- lung verändernden Schicht aufweist, die von einer von einer Steuereinheit gelieferten Spannung gesteuert wird und mit mindestens einem die einfallende Strahlung erfassenden Sensor, der mit der Steuereinheit verbunden ist, d a d u r c h g e k e n n z e i c h n e t , daß der mindestens eine Sensor innerhalb des Gehäuses angeordnet ist und ihm ein Lichtleitelement zugeordnet ist, dessen Austrittsfläche in unmittelbarer Nähe des Sensors liegt und dessen Lichteintrittsfläche im Bereich des Gehäuses so angeordnet ist, daß sie in Richtung zu erfassender Lichtquellen weist.1. Rearview mirror with a layer structure accommodated in a housing, which has a reflecting layer and at least one layer which changes the intensity of the incident and / or reflected radiation, which is controlled by a voltage supplied by a control unit and with at least one the incident radiation Detecting sensor, which is connected to the control unit, characterized in that the at least one sensor is arranged inside the housing and is assigned a light guide element, the exit surface of which is in the immediate vicinity of the sensor and the light entry surface is arranged in the region of the housing so that it points in the direction of the light sources to be detected.
2. Rückblickspiegel nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß mindestens zwei Sensoren mit Lichtleitelementen vorgesehen sind, von denen der eine die die Blendung bestimmende Lichtstrahlung und der andere das Umgebungslicht erfaßt.2. rearview mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two sensors are provided with light guide elements, one of which detects the glare-determining light radiation and the other the ambient light.
3. Rückblickspiegel nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Lichtleitele- ment als Lichtleitfaser, Lichtleitplatte und/oder lichtleitender Formkörper ausgebildet ist. 3. rearview mirror according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the Lichtleitele- element is designed as an optical fiber, light guide plate and / or light-guiding molded body.
4. Rückblickspiegel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis4. rearview mirror according to one of claims 1 to
3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß dem das Umgebungslicht erfassenden Sensor mehrere Lichtleitelement zugeordnet sind, die ihre Lichtein- trittsflachen an unterschiedlichen Stellen des3, characterized in that the sensor detecting the ambient light is assigned a plurality of light-guiding elements which have their light entry surfaces at different points on the
Gehäuses aufweisen.Have housing.
5. Rückblickspiegel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis5. rearview mirror according to one of claims 1 to
4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Lichteintrittsflächen der Lichtleitelemente Bestandteil des Gehäuses sind und/oder mit lichtdurchlässigen Teilen des Gehäuses in Wirkverbindung stehen.4, characterized in that the light entry surfaces of the light guide elements are part of the housing and / or are in operative connection with translucent parts of the housing.
6. Rückblickspiegel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis6. rearview mirror according to one of claims 1 to
5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Formgebung der Lichteintrittsfläche des Lichtleitelementes an den gewünschten Raumwinkel der Lichterfassung angepaßt ist.5, characterized in that the shape of the light entry surface of the light guide element is adapted to the desired solid angle of the light detection.
7. Rückblickspiegel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis7. rearview mirror according to one of claims 1 to
6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Lichtein- trittsfläche des Lichtleitelementes eine derartige Formgebung aufweist, daß Verschmutzungen verringert werden.6, characterized in that the light entry surface of the light guide element has such a shape that contamination is reduced.
8. Rückblickspiegel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis8. rearview mirror according to one of claims 1 to
7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Lichtein- trittsfläche des Lichtleitlementes eine schmutzabweisende und/oder entspiegelte und/oder kratzfeste Beschichtung aufweist.7, characterized in that the light entry surface of the light guide element has a dirt-repellent and / or anti-reflective and / or scratch-resistant coating.
9. Rückblickspiegel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis9. rearview mirror according to one of claims 1 to
8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Lichtein- trittsfläche und/oder -austrittstlache des8, characterized in that the light entry surface and / or exit surface of the
Lichtleitelementes zur selektiven Lichterfassung ein Absorptions- und/oder Interferenzfilter aufweist. Light guide element for selective light detection has an absorption and / or interference filter.
10. Rückblickspiegel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis10. rearview mirror according to one of claims 1 to
9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Lichtleitelement zwischen Lichteintrittsfläche und -aus- trittsfläche aus mehreren optisch hintereinan- dergeschalteten Teilelementen besteht.9, characterized in that the light-guiding element between the light entrance surface and exit surface consists of several optically connected partial elements.
11. Rückblickspiegel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis11. rearview mirror according to one of claims 1 to
10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Steuereinheit als Microcontroller ausgebildet ist, in dem die physiologischen Eigenschaften des Fahrers und unterschiedliche Fahrsituationen berücksichtigende Kennlinien und/oder Tabellen gespeichert sind, über die die anzulegende Spannung bestimmt wird. 10, characterized in that the control unit is designed as a microcontroller, in which the physiological properties of the driver and different driving situations and characteristic curves and / or tables are stored, via which the voltage to be applied is determined.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU39624/00A AU3962400A (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2000-03-17 | Rear-view mirror |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE1999113061 DE19913061A1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-03-17 | Rearview mirror |
DE19913061.2 | 1999-03-17 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2000055011A1 true WO2000055011A1 (en) | 2000-09-21 |
Family
ID=7902072
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2000/002376 WO2000055011A1 (en) | 1999-03-17 | 2000-03-17 | Rear-view mirror |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU3962400A (en) |
DE (1) | DE19913061A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000055011A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2005021331A1 (en) * | 2003-08-21 | 2005-03-10 | Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany Gmbh & Co. Kg | Rear-view mirror for vehicles |
DE202008000329U1 (en) * | 2008-01-09 | 2009-06-25 | Magna Mirrors Engineering Gmbh | Interior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle |
DE102004027611B4 (en) * | 2004-06-05 | 2011-06-30 | SMR Patents S.à.r.l. | Switching device for dimming an EC mirror glass of a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle |
WO2012177750A1 (en) | 2011-06-24 | 2012-12-27 | Gentex Corporation | Rearview assembly with multiple ambient light sensors |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4603946A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1986-08-05 | Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho | Reflection controllable view mirror device for motor vehicle or the like |
US5434407A (en) * | 1993-08-23 | 1995-07-18 | Gentex Corporation | Automatic rearview mirror incorporating light pipe |
DE29600859U1 (en) * | 1996-01-19 | 1996-05-30 | Hohe Gmbh & Co Kg | Light guide on the inside mirror |
US5659423A (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1997-08-19 | Donnelly Corporation | Modular variable reflectance mirror assembly |
US5677526A (en) * | 1994-08-25 | 1997-10-14 | Murakami Corporation | Rear light detection device for an automatic antiglare mirror |
DE19622002A1 (en) * | 1996-05-31 | 1997-12-04 | Cherry Mikroschalter Gmbh | Self-dimming rear-view or external mirror for motor vehicle |
-
1999
- 1999-03-17 DE DE1999113061 patent/DE19913061A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2000
- 2000-03-17 WO PCT/EP2000/002376 patent/WO2000055011A1/en active Application Filing
- 2000-03-17 AU AU39624/00A patent/AU3962400A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4603946A (en) * | 1982-09-29 | 1986-08-05 | Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho | Reflection controllable view mirror device for motor vehicle or the like |
US5434407A (en) * | 1993-08-23 | 1995-07-18 | Gentex Corporation | Automatic rearview mirror incorporating light pipe |
US5677526A (en) * | 1994-08-25 | 1997-10-14 | Murakami Corporation | Rear light detection device for an automatic antiglare mirror |
US5659423A (en) * | 1994-09-30 | 1997-08-19 | Donnelly Corporation | Modular variable reflectance mirror assembly |
DE29600859U1 (en) * | 1996-01-19 | 1996-05-30 | Hohe Gmbh & Co Kg | Light guide on the inside mirror |
DE19622002A1 (en) * | 1996-05-31 | 1997-12-04 | Cherry Mikroschalter Gmbh | Self-dimming rear-view or external mirror for motor vehicle |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2005021331A1 (en) * | 2003-08-21 | 2005-03-10 | Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany Gmbh & Co. Kg | Rear-view mirror for vehicles |
US7320525B2 (en) | 2003-08-21 | 2008-01-22 | Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany Gmbh | Rear-view mirror for vehicles |
DE102004027611B4 (en) * | 2004-06-05 | 2011-06-30 | SMR Patents S.à.r.l. | Switching device for dimming an EC mirror glass of a rearview mirror of a motor vehicle |
DE202008000329U1 (en) * | 2008-01-09 | 2009-06-25 | Magna Mirrors Engineering Gmbh | Interior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle |
WO2012177750A1 (en) | 2011-06-24 | 2012-12-27 | Gentex Corporation | Rearview assembly with multiple ambient light sensors |
EP2723612A1 (en) * | 2011-06-24 | 2014-04-30 | Gentex Corporation | Rearview assembly with multiple ambient light sensors |
EP2723612A4 (en) * | 2011-06-24 | 2014-06-11 | Gentex Corp | Rearview assembly with multiple ambient light sensors |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE19913061A1 (en) | 2000-09-21 |
AU3962400A (en) | 2000-10-04 |
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