GB2313349A

GB2313349A - Blind spot mirror

Info

Publication number: GB2313349A
Application number: GB9610983A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Keating
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-24
Filing date: 1996-05-24
Publication date: 1997-11-26
Also published as: GB9610983D0

Abstract

A vehicle mirror 2a is rotatable relative to its housing 2e to provide a wider angle of view than normal to cover the driver's blind spot. The mirror is rotated automatically by a solenoid unit S in response to actuation of the appropriate indicator, and is set to retun to the normal field of view position after a set length of time.

Description

MIRROR This invention relates to a mirror and more particularly to a "blind spot" mirror.

It is a well known problem in rear view mirror arrangements provided on vehicles that a blind spot may exist, so that the driver may be unable to detect the presence of a vehicle behind that happens to be positioned in the field of view of this blind spot. If there is no facility on the vehicle to cover the blind spot then the driver must drive accordingly and always be very cautious before pulling out into another lane, for example to overtake a vehicle. Various solutions have been proposed to compensate for, or cover, the blind spot area in the rear view mirror arrangement provided on the vehicle. Even though the vehicle may have an interior driving mirror and a wing mirror or side mirror, such a combination will not usually cover the blind spot area. It is known to provide a small convexly curved "stick-on" mirror on the external mirror surface of the driver's wing mirror, to be positioned at a lower left hand corner thereof, the smaller mirror increasing the field of view for the drivercovering the blind spot, and enabling detection of a vehicle positioned in the field of view of the blind spot, in the small additional mirror. This type of blind spot mirror may tend to be disadvantageous at certain times since it may possibly interfere with the normal afield of view provided by the wing mirror; a vehicle in the normal field of view of the wing mirror, which would normally be detected in the lower left hand corner of said wing mirror may remain undetected in that mirror since it will be eventually obscured from view by the small convex mirror.

It is possible of course that such a vehicle may be detected by the driver's interior mirror although the driver will need to switch his eye back from the wing mirror to his driving mirror in order to detect such a vehicle by which time it could already be too late; the driver may have committed himself to a manoeuvre which he thought to be safe but which may in fact be dangerous due to the presence of said vehicle. Additionally, it may be disadvantageous that the image of any vehicle covered by the blind spot mirror will be of very significantly reduced size and thus less noticeable by the driver. There have been various other proposals usually in the form of additional mirrors in the rear view mirror arrangement, in order to cover the blind spot but it is believed that none of these arrangements are entirely successful or suitable in all circumstances.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a blind spot mirror which is improved in at least some respect or which at least alleviates one of more of the aforementioned or other disadvantages associated with such mirrors.

According to the present invention there is provided a mirror to be mounted in use on a vehicle, means to temporarily pan or move the mirror from a normal field of view set by the driver into a position covering the driver's blind spot present in the normal field of view, said mirror being returnable automatically to said normal field of view set by the driver.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a vehicle including at least one mirror as described in the immediately preceding paragraph.

The mirror will usually be a wing or side mirror of the vehicle. Where only one blind spot mirror is provided on the vehicle this is, preferably the driver's wing or side mirror. It is possible that the blind spot mirror could be the driver's interior rear view mirror.

The blind spot mirror may be an electric mirror, the angular position of which may be controlled from inside the vehicle. The electric mirror may also include a mirror heater and an electric mirror motor unit mounted in a housing on the outside of the vehicle where said mirror is a wing mirror.

The means to temporarily pan or move the mirror from a normal field of view into a position covering the driver's blind spot mirror may be controlled from inside the vehicle and may be activated automatically on operation of an indicator of the vehicle, for example the right hand indicator where the mirror is the driver's side or wing mirror. It is possible that the driver's interior rear view may be a blind spot mirror which is activated simultaneously or in timed relationship to the blind spot wing mirror.

The means to temporarily pan or move the mirror may be anything suitable for example a servo-control or solenoid.

In one embodiment of the present invention the means to temporarily pan or move the mirror comprises a solenoid (preferably actuatable automatically on operation of the appropriate indicator from inside the vehicle) preferably including a plunger pivotally connected to a frame on which an electric mirror motor unit is mounted. Thus, actuation of the solenoid may cause the plunger to extend thereby rotating the frame and mirror to a wider field of view covering the driver's blind spot. Preferably the solenoid is connected in such a way that on de-energisation of the solenoid (for example occurring a set time after operation of the indicator or occurring on de-activation of the indicator) the frame and mirror are returned to their previous set position providing the normal field of view for the driver.

It is envisaged that the solenoid will rotate the mirror quickly from the normal field of view position to the wider field of view (for example in .5 seconds up to 1 second or more) and that the automatic return time to the set position may be much slower for example in the order of 2 seconds, to allow sufficient time for the driver to complete a manoeuvre from one driving lane to another. Of course, the time allotted for the mirror to remain in the wider angle of view can be varied to suit.

Preferably, the vehicle is fitted with a master override switch to disable the means to temporarily pan or move the mirror from a normal field of view to the wider field of view (i.e. to disable the solenoid where provided).

If preferred, rather than providing an additional solenoid to pan the mirror quickly from the normal field of view to the wider field of view, such means may be incorporated into the motor unit which electrically adjusts the position of the mirror under the control of the user from inside the vehicle.

Also, the form of blind spot mirror need not be limited to the type of wing mirror already controlled electrically; the wing mirror could, for example, be of the type which is adjustable from inside the vehicle by a stalk i.e. by mechanical means, an additional solenoid operation being provided for moving the mirror quickly into a wider field of view under the control of the user from inside the vehicle.

Thus, it is envisaged that the scope of the present invention will encompass any mirror that is usually set to the normal viewing field for the driver but which can be tilted or swung quickly into a position covering the driver's blind spot when required and which can be returned conveniently into the normal set position when needed.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a blind spot mirror having one or more of the following features: (a) the mirror being set in a first position on a vehicle to the driver's normal field of view and movable when required to a second position covering the driver's blind spot, said movement preferably being effected by the driver and preferably being effective automatically on operation of an indicator of the vehicle, (b) the mirror being movable to cover the driver's blind spots on actuation of the vehicle indicator or on actuation of independent means (such as a special switch) provided inside the vehicle, (c) the mirror being an electric wing mirror having means for adjusting the position of the mirror relative to the vehicle, said means being actuatable from inside the vehicle, and having additional means for panning the mirror quickly into a position covering the driver's blind spot.

Further advantageous features of the mirror will be evident from the following description and drawings.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a method of covering a driver's blind spot, said method comprising temporarily panning or moving the mirror from a normal field of view set by the driver into a position covering the driver's blind spot present in the normal field of view, by energising the mirror by means of a control located inside the vehicle, preferably automatically on operation of a vehicle indicator.

An embodiment of a blind spot mirror in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following, muchsimplified, diagrammatic drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a plan view of a vehicle with the driver's wing or side mirror set to the driver's normal viewing field angle; FIGURE 2 shows a plan view of the vehicle shown in FIGURE 1 during the start of a manoeuvre to pull out into another lane, for example to overtake a vehicle, said angle of the mirror to the normal axis of the vehicle now being different to that shown in FIGURE 1 to cover a wider viewing field and the driver's blind spot; FIGURE 3 shows a cross sectional plan view of the driver's mirror set to the position as shown in FIGURE 1, and FIGURE 4 shows a similar cross sectional plan view of the driver's mirror set to cover a wider viewing field and the blind spot as in FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 3 of the drawings, a vehicle 1 is provided with a driver's wing or side mirror assembly 2 including mirror 2a set at an angle covering a normal field of view for the particular driver concerned but not yet covering the driver's blind spot. It is to be appreciated that the precise angle a of the mirror 2a relative to the normal longitudinal axis la of the vehicle may be varied to suit the individual driver concerned and the mirror 2a may also be rotatable about a horizontal as well as a vertical axis (to effectively yield a Universaltype movement) to suit the particular driver concerned.

Thus the angle a shown in FIGURE 1 between the mirror 2a and the axis la of the vehicle could be varied to suit the particular driver concerned and may be closer or further away from a right angle than as shown in FIGURE 1. Thus, angle represents the normal angle of view for the driver, said angle being between the two chain dotted lines 3 and 4 of FIGURE 1 of the drawings. The chain dotted line 3 represents the side of the vehicle. Chain dotted line 4 represents the extreme angle of view that can be perceived by the driver with the mirror 2a positioned at angle a to the axis la of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the mirror 2a is mounted on an electric mirror motor unit 2b (that may also include a mirror heater) which may be of a conventional type used with known electric mirrors. Thus, it is envisaged that the mirror 2a can be controlled electrically by means of the motor unit 2b to be positioned in accordance with the individual driver's needs to cover the normal viewing angle from inside the car in the usual manner. However, the motor unit 2b is additionally mounted on frame f, which frame is pivotable about axis 2c provided by the pivotal connection 2d as shown in FIGURE 3.

Additionally, means for panning or rotating the motor 2b and mirror 2a affixed thereto, about axis 2c is provided by solenoid unit S having a plunger S1 axially moveable in a cylinder S2 , said cylinder being pivotally mounted to a bracket B on housing 2e (to pivot about a vertical axis) as should be evident from FIGURE 3. The lower end of the plunger S1 is pivotally connected to one end of the frame f on which the mirror motor unit 2b is mounted, said pivotal connection being at S3 in FIGURE 3 of the drawings.

Thus, actuation of the solenoid S will cause the plunger S1 to extend thereby rotating the frame f and mirror 2a about axis 2c to the angle as shown in FIGURE 4, thereby effectively panning the mirror between the angles shown in FIGURE 3 and FIGURE 4.

The actuation or energisation of the solenoid S to effect panning of the mirror 2a to cover the driver's blind spot will be described later on in this specification.

FIGURE 2 shows the vehicle 1 having moved into a position to pull out into another lane or to overtake another vehicle (not shown). The direction at which the vehicle is travelling is indicated by the chain dotted rectangles 5,6,7 and 8 which show the position of the tyres of the vehicle (compare with those positions shown in FIGURE 1). The mirror 2a has been rotated into a position to provide a wider angle of view for the driver which will cover the driver's blind spot. Thus, the angle of the mirror 2a relative to the axis la of the vehicle has increased to angle al (which is greater than 90 ) and the angle of view has increased to l defined between the side of the vehicle 3 and the chain dotted line 9 as shown in FIGURE 2.

Referring to FIGURE 4, it will be seen that the frame f has been rotated in an outward direction (from the inner end closest to the vehicle) about axis 2c by the solenoid S, the plunger S1 now being in a fully extended position.

A blind spot mirror or means of covering the driver's blind spot is generally required just before the vehicle makes a manoeuvre to change lanes and it is envisaged that the driver will be able to energise the solenoid S to swiftly pan the mirror 2a through an angle to cover the blind spot just prior to manoeuvring the vehicle, for example as shown in FIGURE 2.

Thus, it is believed that the most convenient way of panning the mirror 2a to the required angle will be to link the operation of the vehicle right-hand indicator to the operation of the solenoid S, i.e. it is envisaged that as the driver initiates the vehicle's right-hand indicator that action in itself will energise the solenoid S to swiftly pan the mirror 2a to the angle as shown in FIGURE 4, rather than the driver necessarily having to engage an entirely separate operating mechanism for the solenoid just prior to manoeuvring the vehicle. Thus, it is envisaged that the response time of the solenoid S to pan the mirror 2a to the required angle will be relatively fast (for example 0.5 sec.) and that after this time the mirror 2a will be automatically returned to the set position as shown in FIGURE 3 (i.e. the normal viewing angle set for the driver) over a slower time during which it is contemplated the driver's manoeuvre will have taken place, said slower time being, for example, in the order of 2 or 3 seconds.

As the plunger S1 is pivotally connected to the frame f it should be evident that on de-energisation of the solenoid the plunger S1 will return into its cylinder S2 and the frame f will be rotated to the position as shown in FIGURE 3 owing to the positive attachment of the end of the plunger S1 to the frame f at the pivotal connection 53.

It is to be appreciated that the time allotted for the mirror 2a to remain in the position shown in FIGURE 4 covering the blind spot could be varied to suit and may be linked to the length of time that the indicator itself is engaged, the mirror 2a perhaps only beginning to return to the normal viewing position after the indicator is disengaged.

Also, it is possible that the left-hand wing mirror assembly 10 may be provided with a mirror (not shown) that can be panned in a similar way to mirror 2a (for example when steering the vehicle 1 into a left-hand lane rather than into a right-hand lane). Similarly, the left-hand mirror 10 can be provided with a solenoid to pan the mirror in wing mirror assembly 10 automatically on initiation of the left-hand indicator.

The mirror glass of the mirror 2a may be any suitable type such as flat or convex or as normally used for wing mirrors.

It is envisaged that the vehicle may be provided with a master over-ride switch to disable the solenoid S of the right-hand mirror assembly 2 and/or the solenoid of the left-hand mirror assembly 10 as required, in case the driver wishes to temporarily disable the blind spot coverage facility of one or both of the wing mirrors.

Coverage of a blind spot is perhaps most useful when pulling onto a motorway or during motorway driving and may not be so desirable in heavy traffic conditions with constant lane changes and it is perhaps in this sort of scenario a driver may wish to temporarily disable the blind spot mirror action of one or both wing mirrors.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced by an equivalent or generic term. Further, it is to be understood that the individual features, method or functions relating to the blind spot wing mirror might be individually patentably inventive. The singular may include the plural and vice versa.

In particular, any disclosure in this specification of a range for a variable or parameter shall be taken to include a disclosure of any selectable or derivable subrange within that range and shall be taken to include a disclosure of any value for the variable or parameter within or at an end of the range.

Claims

1. A mirror to be mounted in use on vehicle, means to temporarily pan or move the mirror from a normal field of view set by the driver into a position covering the driver's blind spot present in the normal field of view, said mirror being returnable automatically to said normal field of view set by the driver.

2. A mirror as claimed in Claim 1 which is a wing or side mirror of the vehicle.

3. A mirror as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 which is an electric mirror.

4. A mirror as claimed in Claim 3 in which, in use, the angular position of the mirror is controlled from inside the vehicle.

5. A mirror as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 when dependent upon Claim 2 including a mirror heater and an electric mirror motor unit mounted, in use, in a housing on the outside of the vehicle.

6. A mirror as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said means to temporarily pan or move the mirror from a normal field of view into a position covering the driver's blind spot is controlled, in use, from inside the vehicle.

7. A mirror as claimed in Claim 6 in which the panning or movement of the mirror is activated automatically, in use, on operation of an indicator of the vehicle, for example the right hand indicator where the mirror is the driver's side or wing mirror.

8. A mirror as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which said means to temporarily pan or move the mirror is a servo-control or solenoid.

9. A mirror as claimed in Claim 8 in which the means to temporarily pan or move the mirror comprises a solenoid including a plunger pivotally connected to a frame on which an electric mirror motor unit is mounted.

10. A mirror as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9 in which the solenoid is, in use, actuable automatically on operation of an appropriate indicator from inside the vehicle.

11. A mirror as claimed in Claim 10 in which the solenoid is connected in such a way that on de-energisation of the solenoid (for example occurring a set time after operation of the indicator or occurring on de-activation of the indicator) the frame and mirror are returned to their previous set position providing the normal field of view for the driver.

12. A mirror as claimed in any one Claims 8 to 11 in which the solenoid can rotate the mirror quickly from the normal field of view position to a wider field of view (for example in .5 seconds up to 1 second or more) and that the automatic return time to the set position is much slower for example in the order of 2 seconds, to allow sufficient time for the driver to complete a manoeuvre from one driving lane to another.

13. A mirror as claimed in Claim 12 in which the time allotted for the mirror to remain in the wider angle of view can be varied.

14. A mirror as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a master override switch to disable said means to temporarily pan or move the mirror from a normal field of view to said position covering the driver's blind spot.

15. A mirror as claimed in Claims 6 or Claim 7 in which said means to pan or move the mirror from a normal field on view is incorporated into a, or the, motor unit which electrically adjusts the position of the mirror under the control of the user from inside a vehicle fitted with the mirror, in use.

16. A mirror substantially as herein described with reference to the FIGURES of the drawings.

17. A vehicle including at least one mirror as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

18. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 17 in which said at least one mirror is a driver's wing mirror and/or a driver's interior rear view mirror.

19. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 18 having a driver's interior rear view mirror activated simultaneously or timed relationship to a wing mirror.

20. A blind spot mirror having one or more of the following features: (a) the mirror being set in a first position on a vehicle to the driver's normal field of view and movable when required to a second position covering the driver's blind spot, said movement preferably being effected by the driver and preferably being effective automatically on operation of an indicator of the vehicle, (b) the mirror being movable to cover the driver's blind spots on actuation of the vehicle indicator or on actuation of independent means (such as a special switch) provided inside the vehicle, (c) the mirror being an electric wing mirror having means for adjusting the position of the mirror relative to the vehicle, said means being actuable from inside the vehicle, and having additional means for panning the mirror quickly into a position covering the driver's blind spot.

21. A method of covering a driver's blind spot, said method comprising temporarily panning or moving a mirror from a normal field of view set by the driver into a position covering the driver's blind spot present in the normal field of view, by energising the mirror by means of a control located inside the vehicle, preferably automatically on operation of a vehicle indicator.

22. A method as claimed in Claim 21 and substantially as herein described.