GB2048191A - Exterior mirrors for vehicles - Google Patents

Exterior mirrors for vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2048191A
GB2048191A GB8013292A GB8013292A GB2048191A GB 2048191 A GB2048191 A GB 2048191A GB 8013292 A GB8013292 A GB 8013292A GB 8013292 A GB8013292 A GB 8013292A GB 2048191 A GB2048191 A GB 2048191A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
housing
reflector member
mirror
holes
edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8013292A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SMR Automotive Mirrors UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Britax Wingard Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Britax Wingard Ltd filed Critical Britax Wingard Ltd
Priority to GB8013292A priority Critical patent/GB2048191A/en
Publication of GB2048191A publication Critical patent/GB2048191A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B60R1/06—Rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior
    • B60R1/0602—Rear-view mirror arrangements mounted on vehicle exterior comprising means for cleaning or deicing

Abstract

In order to inhibit the formation of condensation and the deposit of moisture and particles of debris on the exposed surface of an exterior mirror for a motor vehicle, the reflector member 10 thereof is mounted in a housing 12 which is formed as a blow moulding to provide an enclosed chamber 18 around the edge of the reflector member 10. Air inlet holes 24 in the back of the mirror casing and air outlet holes 26 adjacent to the edge of the reflector member 10 communicate with the chamber 18. When the vehicle on which the mirror is mounted moves forward, the ram effect forces air in through the inlet holes 24 and out through the outlet holes 26 whence a deflector 28 directs the resulting air flow over the exposed surface of the reflector member 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Exterior mirrors for vehicles This invention relates to exterior mirrors for vehicles and more particularly to mirrors having means for inhibiting the formation of condensation and the deposition of moisture and particles of debris on the exposed surface of the reflector.
According to the invention, an exterior mirror for a vehicle comprises a reflector member mounted in a housing which embraces the edge of the reflector member and forms an enclosure behind the reflector member, the housing having air inlet means and our outlet means arranged to direct a flow of air from said air inlet means over the exposed surface of the reflector member.
In one form of the invention, the outlet means may comprise a row of holes extending adjacent to one first edge of the reflector member.
When an exterior mirror is mounted on a vehicle in an appropriate orientation for use, the edge of the mirror closest to the driver is located in front of the opposite edge, with respect to direction of travel of the vehicle, this orientation being necessary to enable the driver to see images of objects located behind the vehicle. Preferably the above mentioned one edge of the reflector member is the edge located closest to the driver so that air from the outlet means emerges across the exposed surface of the reflector member from the side thereof nearest to the front of the vehicle.
The inlet means may comprise at least one hole in the housing on the opposite side of the plane of the reflector member to the exposed surface thereof. If the reflector member is a glass mirror having a reflective coating on its second surface, i.e. the surface opposite to the exposed surface, it is preferable to provide means for protecting the reflective coating from the flow of air through the housing.
Three embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a mirror in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the mirror shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line Ill-Ill in Figure 1, Figures 4 and 5 are views, corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 of another embodiment of the invention, and Figures 6 and 7 are views corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 of a further embodiment of the invention.
Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, an exterior mirror comprises a glass reflector member 10, having a reflective coating (not shown) on its second surface, mounted in a housing 12. As can best be seen from Figure 3, the housing 1 2 is formed as a blow-moulding having an outer part 14, which forms the main body of the housing, and an inner part 1 6 which forms, with the outer part 14, a closed chamber 1 8 extending around the periphery of the reflector member 10. The reflector member 10 is mounted in the housing 12 by means of a synthetic rubber seal 20 which is attached to the inner part 1 6.
A socket assembly 22, forming part of a balland-socket mounting arrangement (not shown) is mounted on the outside of the housing 12 adjacent to the edge of the mirror which is, in use, to be closest to the vehicle.
In accordance with the invention, a row of five air inlet holes 24 are formed in the housing part 14 into the chamber 1 8. A row of 17 outlet holes 26 are formed in the junction between the housing parts 1 4 and 1 6. A deflector 28 extends round the periphery of the mirror so as to confront the outlet holes 26.
When the mirror is mounted on a motor vehicle it is orientated so that the edge thereof in which the holes 26 are located is somewhat in front, relative to the direction of motion of the vehicle, of the opposite edge. As the vehicle travels, air flows through the holes 24 into the chamber 18, due to the ram effect. The chamber 1 8 serves as a plenum chamber for the outlet holes 26 so that air flows from the chamber 18, out through the holes 26 where it is deflected by the deflector 28 over the exposed surface of the reflector member 10.
The result of this is to create an increase in relative air pressure immediately adjacent to the exposed surface of the reflector member 10 so that spray and solid particles are deflected away. At the same time, the rapid change of air in the vicinity of the exposed surface of the reflector tends to inhibit formation of condensation thereon and to remove any condensation which may have formed when the vehicle is stationary.
The embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 3 in that the housing 30 thereof has only two inlet holes 32 of rather larger diameter than the five inlet holes 24 of the housing 14. There are eleven outlet holes 34 on the edge of the housing adjacent to the socket 22 and, in addition, two additional rows of five holes 36 and 38 in the adjacent sides. In all other respects, the mirror shown in Figures 4 and 5 is identical with that shown in Figures 1 and 3 and will therefore not be described further.
The housing 40 of the mirror shown in Figures 6 and 7 differes from that shown in Figures 4 and 5 only in that the row of holes 36 at the top edge of the mirror is ommitted. It will therefore not be described in detail.
When the invention is applied to a mirror measuring about 360 mm. x 245 mm., the outlet holes may conveniently be of about 6 mm. in diameter. Where only two inlet holes, such as the holes 32, are provided the diameter of such holes may conveniently be about 25 mm. Where there are five inlet holes, such as the holes 24, the diameter thereof may conveniently be about 12 mm.
1. An exterior mirror for a vehicle comprising a reflector member mounted in a housing which embraces the edge of the reflector member and
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Exterior mirrors for vehicles This invention relates to exterior mirrors for vehicles and more particularly to mirrors having means for inhibiting the formation of condensation and the deposition of moisture and particles of debris on the exposed surface of the reflector. According to the invention, an exterior mirror for a vehicle comprises a reflector member mounted in a housing which embraces the edge of the reflector member and forms an enclosure behind the reflector member, the housing having air inlet means and our outlet means arranged to direct a flow of air from said air inlet means over the exposed surface of the reflector member. In one form of the invention, the outlet means may comprise a row of holes extending adjacent to one first edge of the reflector member. When an exterior mirror is mounted on a vehicle in an appropriate orientation for use, the edge of the mirror closest to the driver is located in front of the opposite edge, with respect to direction of travel of the vehicle, this orientation being necessary to enable the driver to see images of objects located behind the vehicle. Preferably the above mentioned one edge of the reflector member is the edge located closest to the driver so that air from the outlet means emerges across the exposed surface of the reflector member from the side thereof nearest to the front of the vehicle. The inlet means may comprise at least one hole in the housing on the opposite side of the plane of the reflector member to the exposed surface thereof. If the reflector member is a glass mirror having a reflective coating on its second surface, i.e. the surface opposite to the exposed surface, it is preferable to provide means for protecting the reflective coating from the flow of air through the housing. Three embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a mirror in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the mirror shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line Ill-Ill in Figure 1, Figures 4 and 5 are views, corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 of another embodiment of the invention, and Figures 6 and 7 are views corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 of a further embodiment of the invention. Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, an exterior mirror comprises a glass reflector member 10, having a reflective coating (not shown) on its second surface, mounted in a housing 12. As can best be seen from Figure 3, the housing 1 2 is formed as a blow-moulding having an outer part 14, which forms the main body of the housing, and an inner part 1 6 which forms, with the outer part 14, a closed chamber 1 8 extending around the periphery of the reflector member 10. The reflector member 10 is mounted in the housing 12 by means of a synthetic rubber seal 20 which is attached to the inner part 1 6. A socket assembly 22, forming part of a balland-socket mounting arrangement (not shown) is mounted on the outside of the housing 12 adjacent to the edge of the mirror which is, in use, to be closest to the vehicle. In accordance with the invention, a row of five air inlet holes 24 are formed in the housing part 14 into the chamber 1 8. A row of 17 outlet holes 26 are formed in the junction between the housing parts 1 4 and 1 6. A deflector 28 extends round the periphery of the mirror so as to confront the outlet holes 26. When the mirror is mounted on a motor vehicle it is orientated so that the edge thereof in which the holes 26 are located is somewhat in front, relative to the direction of motion of the vehicle, of the opposite edge. As the vehicle travels, air flows through the holes 24 into the chamber 18, due to the ram effect. The chamber 1 8 serves as a plenum chamber for the outlet holes 26 so that air flows from the chamber 18, out through the holes 26 where it is deflected by the deflector 28 over the exposed surface of the reflector member 10. The result of this is to create an increase in relative air pressure immediately adjacent to the exposed surface of the reflector member 10 so that spray and solid particles are deflected away. At the same time, the rapid change of air in the vicinity of the exposed surface of the reflector tends to inhibit formation of condensation thereon and to remove any condensation which may have formed when the vehicle is stationary. The embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 3 in that the housing 30 thereof has only two inlet holes 32 of rather larger diameter than the five inlet holes 24 of the housing 14. There are eleven outlet holes 34 on the edge of the housing adjacent to the socket 22 and, in addition, two additional rows of five holes 36 and 38 in the adjacent sides. In all other respects, the mirror shown in Figures 4 and 5 is identical with that shown in Figures 1 and 3 and will therefore not be described further. The housing 40 of the mirror shown in Figures 6 and 7 differes from that shown in Figures 4 and 5 only in that the row of holes 36 at the top edge of the mirror is ommitted. It will therefore not be described in detail. When the invention is applied to a mirror measuring about 360 mm. x 245 mm., the outlet holes may conveniently be of about 6 mm. in diameter. Where only two inlet holes, such as the holes 32, are provided the diameter of such holes may conveniently be about 25 mm. Where there are five inlet holes, such as the holes 24, the diameter thereof may conveniently be about 12 mm. CLAIMS
1. An exterior mirror for a vehicle comprising a reflector member mounted in a housing which embraces the edge of the reflector member and forms an enclosure behind the reflector member, the housing having air inlet means and air outlet means arranged to direct a flow of air from said air inlet means over the exposed surface of the reflector member.
2. A mirror according to claim 1, wherein the outlet means comprises a row of holes extending adjacent to the edge of the reflector member.
3. A mirror according to claim 2, including a bracket for mounting the mirror on a vehicle, the bracket projecting on the same side of the housing as said one edge of the reflector member.
4. A mirror according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the outlet means includes at least one further row of holes on an edge adjacent to said one edge of the reflector member
5. A mirror according to any preceding claim, wherein the inlet means comprises a hole in the housing on the opposite side of the reflector member to the exposed surface thereof.
6. A mirror according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing has an outer part which forms the main body of the housing and an inner part which forms, with the outer part, a closed chamber extending around the periphery of the reflector member, the air inlet means and air outlet means communicating with said enclosed chamber.
7. An exterior mirror for a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB8013292A 1979-05-05 1980-04-22 Exterior mirrors for vehicles Withdrawn GB2048191A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8013292A GB2048191A (en) 1979-05-05 1980-04-22 Exterior mirrors for vehicles

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB7915736 1979-05-05
GB8013292A GB2048191A (en) 1979-05-05 1980-04-22 Exterior mirrors for vehicles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2048191A true GB2048191A (en) 1980-12-10

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8013292A Withdrawn GB2048191A (en) 1979-05-05 1980-04-22 Exterior mirrors for vehicles

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2048191A (en)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0069164A1 (en) * 1981-07-08 1983-01-12 Clemente Abbondanti Nonfogging rearview outside mirror for motor-driven vehicles
GB2127366A (en) * 1982-09-21 1984-04-11 Maschf Augsburg Nuernberg Ag Vehicle rear view mirrors
GB2153315A (en) * 1984-01-25 1985-08-21 James Winstanley Non-misting rear view mirror
GB2175552A (en) * 1985-05-28 1986-12-03 Roland James Davis Airflow protector for vehicle rear view mirror
GB2175554A (en) * 1985-05-09 1986-12-03 Geoffrey Colin Darlow Cleaning device for vehicle rear-window
GB2191982A (en) * 1986-06-27 1987-12-31 Arthur John Stapley Vehicle mirror
GB2213785A (en) * 1987-12-16 1989-08-23 William Marshall Penhaligon Rearview mirror with mirror glass water repelling means
US4898458A (en) * 1989-01-01 1990-02-06 Mcdonald William H Laminar air flow exterior adjustable rearview mirror
GB2243586A (en) * 1990-04-20 1991-11-06 Alfred Engelmann Metallwarenfa External vehicle mirror
GB2253599A (en) * 1991-03-09 1992-09-16 Richard John Curwen Water dispersing automobile mirror
US5418643A (en) * 1991-10-07 1995-05-23 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Mirror assembly for use in automobile having water drops removing apparatus
US5903389A (en) * 1996-08-13 1999-05-11 Daimler-Benz Ag Outside rear view mirror for a motor vehicle
WO2000046072A1 (en) * 1999-02-05 2000-08-10 Schefenacker Vision Systems Australia Pty Ltd Vehicle external mirror assembly and method of manufacture
US8167442B1 (en) 2008-09-05 2012-05-01 Hidden Frank L Vehicle side-view mirror and window clearing device and associated methods
US9211839B2 (en) 2013-02-15 2015-12-15 Dialectic Flow Technologies, Llc Low drag low noise devices using jet flow control
US9216779B2 (en) 2013-02-15 2015-12-22 Dialectric Flow Technologies, LLC Low drag low noise devices using jet flow control
US9676427B2 (en) 2013-02-15 2017-06-13 Dialectic Flow Technologies, Llc Low drag low noise devices using jet flow control

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0069164A1 (en) * 1981-07-08 1983-01-12 Clemente Abbondanti Nonfogging rearview outside mirror for motor-driven vehicles
GB2127366A (en) * 1982-09-21 1984-04-11 Maschf Augsburg Nuernberg Ag Vehicle rear view mirrors
GB2153315A (en) * 1984-01-25 1985-08-21 James Winstanley Non-misting rear view mirror
GB2154969A (en) * 1984-01-25 1985-09-18 James Winstanley Illuminated roar view mirror
GB2175554A (en) * 1985-05-09 1986-12-03 Geoffrey Colin Darlow Cleaning device for vehicle rear-window
GB2175552A (en) * 1985-05-28 1986-12-03 Roland James Davis Airflow protector for vehicle rear view mirror
GB2191982A (en) * 1986-06-27 1987-12-31 Arthur John Stapley Vehicle mirror
GB2213785A (en) * 1987-12-16 1989-08-23 William Marshall Penhaligon Rearview mirror with mirror glass water repelling means
US4898458A (en) * 1989-01-01 1990-02-06 Mcdonald William H Laminar air flow exterior adjustable rearview mirror
GB2243586A (en) * 1990-04-20 1991-11-06 Alfred Engelmann Metallwarenfa External vehicle mirror
GB2253599A (en) * 1991-03-09 1992-09-16 Richard John Curwen Water dispersing automobile mirror
US5418643A (en) * 1991-10-07 1995-05-23 Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho Mirror assembly for use in automobile having water drops removing apparatus
US5903389A (en) * 1996-08-13 1999-05-11 Daimler-Benz Ag Outside rear view mirror for a motor vehicle
WO2000046072A1 (en) * 1999-02-05 2000-08-10 Schefenacker Vision Systems Australia Pty Ltd Vehicle external mirror assembly and method of manufacture
US6969038B1 (en) 1999-02-05 2005-11-29 Schefenacker Vision Systems Australia Pty Ltd Vehicle external mirror assembly and method of manufacture
US8167442B1 (en) 2008-09-05 2012-05-01 Hidden Frank L Vehicle side-view mirror and window clearing device and associated methods
US9211839B2 (en) 2013-02-15 2015-12-15 Dialectic Flow Technologies, Llc Low drag low noise devices using jet flow control
US9216779B2 (en) 2013-02-15 2015-12-22 Dialectric Flow Technologies, LLC Low drag low noise devices using jet flow control
US9676427B2 (en) 2013-02-15 2017-06-13 Dialectic Flow Technologies, Llc Low drag low noise devices using jet flow control

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Legal Events

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)