WO2016193730A1

WO2016193730A1 - Vehicle mirror apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2016193730A1
Application number: PCT/GB2016/051622
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Boyle
Original assignee: John Boyle
Priority date: 2015-06-04
Filing date: 2016-06-02
Publication date: 2016-12-08
Also published as: EP3303058A1; GB2539106A; GB201509697D0; GB2539106B; GB201609748D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a lens apparatus which cooperates with a mirror housing (14) on the side of a vehicle body. The lens may be a Fresnel lens (22) which acts to refract incident light from lower and/or forward scenes (Bl, B2) obscured from a driver's line of sight (54, 56). The lens (22) may be formed integrally with the mirror housing (Figs. 6a, 6b); or may be retrofitted via resilient straps (30) such that a portion (22d) thereof projects beyond a peripheral edge (14d) of the mirror housing (14). In the case of the retrofittable version, the plane of the lens relative to the mirror housing may be adjusted via a screw adjustment mechanism (40) connected to the lens (22) proximate two of its corners.

Description

VEHICLE MIRROR APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a vehicle mirror apparatus and particularly, but not exclusively, to a vehicle mirror apparatus comprising a lens arrangement for reducing or eliminating forward and low-level blind spots.

There are strict legislative requirements in the European Union governing vehicle safety, particularly relating to commercial heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Much of the legislation is concerned with providing enhanced rear and side viewing angles enabling HGV drivers to see pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other vehicles within blind spots. For example, it is now a requirement for large goods vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) to be fitted with a number of external auxiliary reflective mirrors complying with European Directive 2007/38/EC or 2003/97/EC, i.e. in addition to standard Class II main rear view mirrors. The legislation requires Class IV (wide angle) and Class V (close proximity/kerb) passenger side mirrors to be fitted so as to achieve at least 85% field of vision; and a Class VI (front projection) mirror providing a view immediately below the vehicle windscreen.

Mirror clusters comprising the mirror types described above have undoubtedly reduced close proximity blind spots by widening a driver's viewing angles in the immediate vicinity of an HGV vehicle, particularly to the side and rear. This in turn has contributed toward a noticeable reduction in incidents such as "side-swipes". However, an unintended consequence of mirror clusters having larger and more numerous mirrors is the creation of new forward blind spots. In particular, because the mirror clusters are typically mounted to a vehicle structure at or near driver-eye-level, they have a tendency to obstruct line of sight to objects lying more distant from the vehicle. For example, prior to pulling out of a junction it is best practice for HGV drivers to physically lean back or forward and/or attempt to see under or over the obstruction caused by mirror clusters. However, this practice is not consistently adhered to by all HGV drivers all of the time, not least because seatbelts - which are now mandatory - limit a driver's freedom of movement. The inventor of the present invention has identified a potentially serious safety issue which can arise during the approach to certain types of T-junctions by larger vehicles such as HGVs and coaches. In particular, there are some T-junctions whereby there is apparently good visibility of oncoming traffic on the road to be joined as it is being approached, even from several hundred metres away. Such junctions can typically be found in generally flat open countryside where there is an absence of buildings, trees and other obstructions between the driver and approaching traffic on the other road. In such circumstances, and where no oncoming traffic has been visible during the approach, the driver may assume that it is perfectly safe to immediately pull out of the junction into the new road without further checks to confirm that the road is in fact clear.

Unfortunately, this assumption can sometimes be misplaced due to the forward line of sight obstruction caused by large mirror clusters; and the concept of constant bearing, decreasing range (CBDR). If another vehicle on the road to be joined is initially hidden behind the mirror cluster and both vehicles are converging on a junction at the same relative bearing, then the other vehicle will remain constantly hidden with the possibility that a collision or near miss will occur at the junction.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lens apparatus for retrofitting to a mirror housing on the side of a vehicle body; the lens apparatus comprising:

(i) a lens for refracting incident light from a lower and/or forward scene;

(ii) a resilient fastener connected to the lens and attachable to a mirror- housing, for urging the lens against a mirror-housing; and

(iii] an adjustment mechanism eccentrically connected to the lens comprising an engagement surface for engaging a mirror-housing;

wherein the distance between the engagement surface and the lens is user-adjustable to vary, in use, the angular displacement of the lens relative to a mirror-housing against the resilience of the fastener.

It will be appreciated that refraction or bending of incident light from a forward scene - i.e. at a position generally forward of a vehicle in its direction of travel - provides a driver with visibility beyond the vehicle mirror and/or the A-pillar notwithstanding the obstruction to a driver's line of sight caused by the mirror and/or A- pillar. The invention is particularly suitable for use on larger category M or N vehicles as defined by European Directive 2007/46/EC as amended by 385/2009.

It will be appreciated that by providing the adjustment mechanism at a non-central position on the lens - e.g. proximate a peripheral edge thereof - more accurate angular adjustment can be achieved. Such an arrangement ensures that a one-size-fits-all retrofittable lens apparatus can be properly aligned and stabilised relative to a driver's line of sight notwithstanding significant variations in the shape, dimensions and contours of vehicle mirror-housings amongst different vehicle types and models.

Optionally, the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjuster screw which connects the lens to the engagement surface.

It will be appreciated that the term "adjuster screw" encompasses any rotational fasteners in which rotational motion is converted into progressive linear motion. In some embodiments, the adjuster screw will remain in a fixed position by virtue of frictional forces alone to maintain a constant separation between the engagement surface and the lens. However, in other embodiments a separate fastener may be required to lock the relative spacing of the lens and engagement surface. For example, a conventional threaded bolt fastener locked by a nut is one of several possible alternatives. More complex structural arrangements are also envisaged such as a tripod-type arrangement whereby rotation of the screw progressively deploys two, three [or more] legs which act as engagement surfaces.

Optionally, the adjustment mechanism comprises at least one fixing screw for permanently or semi-permanently fixing the lens to a mirror-housing at the desired angular displacement of the lens relative to a mirror-housing.

Optionally, the or each fixing screw extends through a pilot hole formed in both the lens and the engagement surface to facilitate engagement with an underlying mirror-housing. Optionally, the resilient fastener is provided with at least two hooks or gripping members for attaching the lens to a periphery of a mirror-housing. Optionally, a range of spacing members having different surface profiles are selectively attachable to the surface of the lens facing a mirror-housing to compensate for different mirror-housing surface profiles.

Such an arrangement ensures that a one-size-fits-all retrofittable lens apparatus can be properly aligned and stabilised relative to a driver's line of sight notwithstanding significant variations in the shape, dimensions and contours of vehicle mirror-housings amongst different vehicle types and models.

Optionally, the lens is composed of a plastics material.

Optionally, the plastics material is acrylic or polycarbonate.

Alternatively, the lens is composed of glass. Optionally, the lens is a Fresnel lens.

Optionally, the Fresnel lens is provided with an asymmetric optical centre.

Optionally, the optical centre of the Fresnel lens is at, towards or beyond an outermost peripheral edge thereof.

Advantageously, such an offset optical centre helps to redirect incident light from a forward or low level scene towards a driver thereby providing visibility beyond the vehicle mirror and/or A-pillar notwithstanding the obstruction to line of sight caused by that mirror. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mirror assembly for attaching to the side of a vehicle body; the mirror assembly comprising:

(i) a mirror surface for reflecting incident light from a rearward scene;

(ii) a mirror-housing associated with the mirror surface; and

(iii] a lens apparatus according to the first aspect retrofitted to the mirror- housing for refracting incident light from a lower and/or forward scene.

Optionally, the surface area of the lens is less than the surface area of the mirror surface. It is envisaged that the surface area of the lens which is visible to a driver in use should be kept to a minimum whilst remaining large enough to provide discernible and useful visual information to a driver.

Optionally, the lens projects beyond one or more peripheral edges of the mirror surface.

In the illustrated examples, the lens extends beyond the left or right peripheral edges of the mirror-housing, respectively. However, it is equally possible that the lens may extend beyond the upper or lower peripheral edge, or indeed beyond combination of any two or more different peripheral edges.

Optionally, the lens is located at an intermediate position between the mirror surface and a vehicle body to which the mirror apparatus is attachable.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mirror assembly for attaching to the side of a vehicle body; the mirror assembly comprising:

(i) a mirror surface for reflecting incident light from rearward scene;

(ii) a mirror-housing associated with the mirror surface; and

(iii a lens for refracting incident light from a lower and/or forward scene; wherein the lens is integrally formed within the body of the mirror housing As an alternative to the retrofittable apparatus of the first embodiment, it is envisaged that new vehicles may be provided with a lens apparatus which form an integral part of a conventional mirror-housing. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a mirror assembly according to the second or third aspects.

Optionally, the mirror assembly is provided at both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle.

Optionally, the mirror apparatus is provided proximate a driver's eye level.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which: -

Fig. 1 shows a typical driver's view from within an HGV's cabin;

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration showing the forward blind spot created by a vehicle mirror cluster which increases with increasing distance from the vehicle;

Figs. 3a and 3b show front and rear views of a conventional mirror cluster comprising a class II (plain rear view mirror] above a smaller class IV (wide-angle rear view mirror};

Figs. 4a and 4bshow front and rear views of a generally oblong Fresnel lens;

Fig. 4c shows a sectional view of an adjustment mechanism for changing the angle of the Fresnel lens relative to a mirror-housing;

Figs. 5a and 5b show the mirrors of Figs. 3a and 3b with a retrofitted Fresnel lens of the general type shown in Figs. 4a and 4b secured thereto; Figs. 6a and 6b show front and rear views of a mirror cluster having an integrated Fresnel lens arrangement;

Figs. 7a and 7b are schematic illustrations showing Fresnel lenses extending beyond different peripheral edges of a mirror-housing and indicating the vastly reduced forward blind spots created by a vehicle mirror cluster of the present invention which are eliminated entirely within a relatively short distance from the vehicle.

Fig. 1 exemplifies the problem referred to in the introductory paragraphs above whereby a relatively large cluster of eye-level mirrors impedes a driver's far distance view forward, and to the side of, a vehicle. In particular, the close proximity of the larger class II and smaller class IV mirrors 10, 12 create a line-of-sight obstruction; an obstruction sometimes made even worse when both mirrors are joined together as a single unit and/or are positioned proximate the A-pillar (as shown in Fig. 7a].

This problem is shown schematically in Fig. 2 where a driver 50 in the cabin 52 of a right hand drive vehicle cannot see the blind spots Bl and B2 which, since the mirrors 10, 12 and A-pillar 13 are typically at eye-level, extend into the far distance forward and left of the vehicle. It will be appreciated that the blind spots increase in both vertical height and horizontal width with increasing distance from the vehicle. The increase in horizontal width is exemplified in Fig. 2 by the diverging sight lines 54, 56 which pass the widest lateral extremities of the mirrors 10, 12.

Figs. 3a and 3b show front and rear views respectively of a conventional mirror cluster comprising a larger class II mirror 10 above a smaller class IV mirror 12. The reflective mirrors are each recessed within mirror housings 14 having connecting arms 16 for connecting the mirror cluster to a vehicle chassis, e.g. a door or A-pillar.

Fig. 4a shows a generally oblong and relatively thin plastics material which readily permits transmission of visible wavelength radiation. One side of the material is substantially smooth whilst the opposite side is provided with a series of concentric ridges 20 in the manner of a Fresnel lens 22. A virtual optical centre 24 of the Fresnel lens 22 is located outside the lens surface along a line running perpendicular to approximately the mid-point of its left peripheral edge. As is described in more detail below, the position of the optical centre defines the manner in which driver sight lines are re-directed. Engagement surfaces 44 of an adjustment mechanism 40 (see Fig. 4c) are positioned proximate two adjacent corners of the Fresnel lens 22. In use, the engagement surfaces 44 abut against a mirror-housing 14. The function of the adjustment mechanism 40 and its engagement surfaces 44 is described in detail below. As will become apparent below, the opposing two adjacent corners nearest the virtual optical centre 24 project beyond the peripheral edge of a mirror-housing 14 so as to be visible to a driver of a vehicle.

Fig 4b shows the opposite side surface of the Fresnel lens 22 of Fig. 4a. This view shows the connection between the Fresnel lens and its associated resilient straps 30. Also visible in this view is the adjustment mechanisms 40, parts of which - indicated in dotted lines - are sandwiched between the Fresnel lens 22 and the engagement surfaces 44.

Fig. 4c shows the structure of the adjustment mechanism 40 and the manner of its connection between the Fresnel lens 22 and the mirror-housing 14 in more detail. A base member 42 is attached - e.g. by adhesive - to the mirror-facing surface of the Fresnel lens 22. A separate engagement surface 44 is separated from the base member 42 by an adjuster screw 46 which extends through, and rotates freely within, both the Fresnel lens 22 and the base member 42. The distal end of the adjuster screw is embedded within the engagement surface 44 and fixed relative thereto by means of a nut 50. The relative separation between the base member 42 and engagement surface 44 is therefore user-controllable via rotation of the adjuster screw 46 which converts to a linear displacement of the engagement surface 44. Once the desired amount of linear displacement is achieved - i.e. an amount which corresponds to a required angular displacement of the Fresnel lens 22 as described below - the adjustment mechanism 40 can be permanently or semi-permanently fixed in position. This is achieved by: (i) tightening the nut 48 against the surface of the Fresnel lens 22; and (if) passing screws 52 through respective aligned pilot holes 22e, 42a and 44a (formed in the Fresnel lens 22, the underlying base member 42, and engagement surface 44 respectively) and embedding them into the surface of the mirror-housing 14.

Figs. 5a and 5b show the conventional mirror cluster of Fig. 3a and 3b having a Fresnel lens assembly 22 retrofitted to the housing 14 of mirror 10. As best viewed in Fig. 5b, this is achieved by connecting four resilient straps 30 to adjacent corners of the plastics material of the Fresnel lens 22, i.e. proximate the junction of the peripheral top, bottom and side edges 22a, 22b and 22c. An opposite distal end of each of the straps is provided with a gripping means such as a hook 32. The Fresnel lens 22 is retrofitted to the housing 14 of mirror 10 by holding its ridged surface against the rear surface of the housing 14 and sequentially extending each resilient strap 30 away from the lens to the extent that their hooks 32 can be engaged with opposing side peripheral edges 14c, 14d of the housing 14 surrounding mirror 10. Once each hook is so engaged, its resilient strap is gently released so as to shorten in length and firmly attach the Fresnel lens 22 via the opposing peripheral edges of the mirror housing 14. In doing so, the Fresnel lens 22 may be suitably laterally arranged such that its free peripheral edge 22d nearest to its virtual optical centre 24 protrudes beyond the inner peripheral edge 14d of mirror 10. In doing so, a portion of the Fresnel lens 22 is visible to a driver in the space between the mirror housing 14 and the vehicle chassis or A-pillar.

Though not illustrated, the Fresnel lens 22 may be arranged so as to be adjustable in terms of the extent of its lateral protrusion beyond the inner peripheral edge 14d of mirror 10. For example, the Fresnel lens 22 may be slidably mounted with a housing affixed to the mirror housing 14. Such an arrangement would allow the lens to be adjustable by extending or retracting it relative to the housing 14.

The pair of adjustment mechanisms 40 described above allow pitch and/or yaw angles of the Fresnel lens to be varied relative to the mirror-housing 14. The Fresnel lens 22 could be secured in a desired position by means of screws or other fixings removably locatable within slots or apertures provided along its surface. Figs. 6a and 6b show a mirror cluster having a Fresnel lens 22 permanently integrated within the inner peripheral edge 14d of the housing 14 of mirror 10. Though not illustrated, such an integrated Fresnel lens 22 may also be arranged so as to be adjustable in terms its pitch and yaw angles relative to the housing 14 of adjacent mirror 10. Such adjustment would, for example, allow drivers of different heights (e.g. using different seating positions] to optimise the viewing angles through the Fresnel lens 22.

It will be appreciated that the Fresnel lens 22 shown in Figs. 5a/b and 6a/b may be arranged at any peripheral edge of the housing 14 of mirror 10 other than the inner peripheral edge 14d. Indeed, Figs. 7a and 7b schematically illustrate how a Fresnel lenses 22 attached at opposing outer peripheral edges 14c and 14d may each serve to vastly reduce the forward blind spots B3 and/or B4 created by mirror 10 and A-pillar 13. Indeed, in contrast to those shown in Fig. 2, the sight lines 54, 56 are re-directed by the Fresnel lens 22 thus eliminating entirely the blind spots within a comparatively short distance from the vehicle. Indeed, by selecting one or more Fresnel lenses 22 with appropriate optical qualities both forward and lower level blind spots may be substantially eliminated. Indeed, it will be appreciated that viewing through the lower half of the Fresnel lens 22 will allow a driver to view a scene lying forward and downwards towards the ground (i.e. the contours of the concentric ridges 20 redirect incident light from the ground and forwards of the mirror apparatus towards the driver), whereas viewing through the middle part of the Fresnel lens 22 will allow a driver to view a more distant scene (i.e. the contours of the concentric ridges 20 redirect incident light from a more distant forward scene towards the driver). In use, a driver of a large vehicle such as an HGV or coach is able to view both reflected incident light from a rearward scene via mirrors 10, 12; and refracted incident light from a forward scene which is obscured from direct sight by the mirror cluster and A-pillar 13. Conveniently, the refracting surface of the Fresnel lens 22 is situated immediately adjacent to the mirror 10, or indeed is integrated within its housing 14. This means that a driver can readily view both the forward and rearward scenes without the need to lean forwards, backwards and/or raise or lower the head to compensate for the obstruction and regain line of sight into the blind spot. Safety is therefore improved and the risk of constant bearing, decreasing range (CBDR) incidents can be eliminated, or at least greatly reduced. The ability to adjust the angle of the Fresnel lens 22 relative to the mirror- housing ensures that an optimum viewing angle is always achievable irrespective of driver height or seating position, and irrespective of whether the Fresnel lens 22 is retrofitted or form an integral part of a mirror housing 14.

Modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. For example, the position of the optical centre 24 of the Fresnel lens 22 may be varied to provide alternative, or indeed multiple different, driver sight lines through the lens appropriate to a driver's height and eye level, and the forward distance from the vehicle to be viewed. It will be appreciated that the number, height, shape and spacing of the grooves or ridges within the Fresnel lens 22 - which are shown in a simplified form for ease of illustration only - may also be adapted to alter the desired optical qualities.

Whilst the retrofit Fresnel lens 22 is described above as having four resilient straps 30 extending away from two peripheral corners, other suitable arrangements are of course possible. For example, upper and lower peripheral edges 22a/b of the Fresnel lens 22 may be connected by single looped resilient strap 30 having hooks 32 connected at its opposite distal ends. To reduce the likelihood that Fresnel lens 22 would become detached from the mirror housing 14 additional semi-permanent double-sided adhesive pads may be employed between the lens and housing.

Furthermore, shaped inserts (or shaped adhesive pads] may be provided between the Fresnel lens 22 and the mirror housing 14 to ensure correct angular alignment of the lens by accommodating different surface contours found of different mirror housings. A range of different inserts may be provided for the mirrors associated with different vehicle models. Finally, the retrofit Fresnel lens 22 may be mounted in such a way that it is slidably adjustable and perhaps completely retractable behind the mirror housing 14 when not in use.

Claims

1. A lens apparatus for retrofitting to a mirror housing on the side of a vehicle body; the lens apparatus comprising:

(i) a lens for refracting incident light from a lower and/or forward scene;

2. A lens apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjuster screw which connects the lens to the engagement surface.

3. A lens apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises at least one fixing screw for permanently or semi-permanently fixing the lens to a mirror-housing at the desired angular displacement of the lens relative to a mirror- housing.

4. A lens apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the or each fixing screw extends through a pilot hole formed in both the lens and the engagement surface to facilitate engagement with an underlying mirror-housing.

5. A lens apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the resilient fastener is provided with at least two hooks or gripping members for attaching the lens to a periphery of a mirror-housing.

6. A lens apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a range of spacing members having different surface profiles are selectively attachable to the surface of the lens facing a mirror-housing to compensate for different mirror-housing surface profiles.

7. A lens apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the lens is composed of a plastics material.

8. A lens apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the plastics material is acrylic or polycarbonate.

9. A lens apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lens is composed of glass.

10. A lens apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the lens is a Fresnel lens.

11. A lens apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the Fresnel lens is provided with an asymmetric optical centre.

12. A lens apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the optical centre of the Fresnel lens is at, towards or beyond an outermost peripheral edge thereof.

13. A mirror assembly for attaching to the side of a vehicle body; the mirror assembly comprising:

(i) a mirror surface for reflecting incident light from a rearward scene;

(ii) a mirror-housing associated with the mirror surface; and

(iii) a lens apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12 retrofitted to the mirror-housing for refracting incident light from a lower and/or forward scene.

14. A mirror assembly according to claim 13, wherein the surface area of the lens is less than the surface area of the mirror surface.

15. A mirror assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the lens projects beyond one or more peripheral edges of the mirror surface.

16. A mirror assembly according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the lens is located at an intermediate position between the mirror surface and a vehicle body to which the mirror apparatus is attachable.

17. A mirror assembly for attaching to the side of a vehicle body; the mirror assembly comprising:

(i) a mirror surface for reflecting incident light from rearward scene;

(ii) a mirror-housing associated with the mirror surface; and

(iii) a lens for refracting incident light from a lower and/or forward scene; wherein the lens is integrally formed within the body of the mirror housing

18. A vehicle comprising a mirror assembly according to any of claims 13 to 17.

19. A vehicle comprising a mirror assembly according to claim 18, wherein the mirror assembly is provided at both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle.

20. A vehicle comprising a mirror assembly according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the mirror apparatus is provided proximate a driver's eye level.