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US-12623589-B2 - Indirect vision system with hidden polyfunctional reflector system for vehicles

US12623589B2US 12623589 B2US12623589 B2US 12623589B2US-12623589-B2

Abstract

Indirect vision system VIS comprises mirrors and/or cameras and a mixed-function multi-focal multi-functional DS light signal device having the reflector 50 and its associated source hidden under an opaque cover Hi capable of developing an illuminating surface 3 with a line design or luminous perimeter figures, associate and combine within the light perimeter, under the Hi cover, in the H casing or in the structure, other devices and functional subassemblies. With aerodynamic profile associated with protecting and improving the perception of light signal.

Inventors

  • Alejandro Rodriguez Barros

Assignees

  • Alejandro Rodriguez Barros

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20221006

Claims (19)

  1. 1 . Indirect vision system with multifunctional hidden reflector signal for vehicles, comprising: A structure projected into the lateral vacuum of a vehicle formed by a casing body, a frame and a support arm fixed to the body, with at least one opening occupied by a rearview mirror, a camera and/or a combination thereof to reflect, capture or transmit direct and indirect images; A multifunctional luminous signal device that emits in at least two associated zones, an external zone towards the rear and another external zone to the front-side, characterized in that it has a complex optical-reflector body that comprises: A reflective substrate associated with a multipoint light source, in the form of a transparent elongated solid substrate, integrated by a plurality of sectors in a single complex optical-reflector body that substantially copies in parallel the interior shape of the housing that contains it like a second internal skin, A light entry phase with light control means with at least one light entry point of said source in each sector capable of deflecting the light from the source axis until it coincides with a guideline ray axis of reference of said reflective substrate, A position of said reflective substrate and the associated source located behind said housing or associated opaque cover, hidden, eclipsed and free from the incidence of external stray light, A secondary light output reflector comprises an inclined reflecting surface interposed in said reflecting substrate that generates a change in direction in the light and in the shape of the substrate, A light output phase with an advanced horizontal optical-reflector profile with a horizontal ray-axis, said advanced profile ends in an external illuminating surface made up of sectors arranged in al at least one opening associated with the housing capable of generating a multifocal light output of mixed activation consistent with the integrated sectors of said reflective substrate; At least one transverse reference ray axis that crosses the width of said elongated reflecting substrate, originating in a source axis limited between two lateral surfaces of tangential reflection, substantially parallel to each other that form said substrate reflector to associate and direct a series of direct, reflected, sub-reflected rays similar to said reference ray-axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to said secondary reflector, which generates a change of direction between 0° and 90° to produce at least a horizontal ray axis oriented to said illuminating surface, capable of emitting a signal with at least one horizontal reference focal axis; A mixed multifocal polyfunctional signal emission in two different focus areas visible by the environment surrounding the EV vehicle, comprising; a first external monofocal rearward emission zone with a horizontal rearward focal axis with the optical-reflective means that generate it arranged in the third furthest from the body and, a second external front-lateral emission zone with several horizontal focal axes, with the optical-reflective means and interface that generate it, upstream of the aperture of the mirror, behind the mirror on the casing, according to a horizontal plane between an upper tangent and a lower tangent to said mirror.
  2. 2 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 characterized in that the housing body H when it uses mirrors, is a block divided vertically into three vertical third blocks being the closest to the CAR body and in two upper and lower horizontal blocks by a median plane Hm, it has a frame of homogeneous width for the blocks and an 80 x widened frame for the block furthest from the body, which provides two lighting functions different, on its external side part of the signal light output backwards through the illuminating surface and horizontal reference focal axis directed backwards Sr and on its internal side an anti-stress light output with an independent illuminating surface as a locator of the mirror with a reference focal axis directed to the driver's vision, surrounded by an opaque surface part of the widening of said frame 80 x.
  3. 3 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the hidden reflective substrate has an inclined reflection surface that occupies at least part of the perimeter of said reflective substrate, forming a perimeter surface that it is the signal output reflector that provides light with said ray-axis to the external illuminating surface, extended 3 x , or integrated by sectors.
  4. 4 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 , characterized in that, the external opening on the external surface of said housing, so individually or associated with the independent cover, it is configured with variants based on the design and functions of the multifunctional signal module, selectable between; at least one opening in the housing, a gap between the casing and the associated independent cover, an opening inside the cover which in turn is the geometric figure that occupies the opening, the luminous perimeter eclipses a geometric figure that surrounds the cover, more than 10% of the perimeter of an associated cover, which is the one that occupies an opening in said casing.
  5. 5 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 characterized in that, in said reflective substrate 50 , when the illuminating surface 3 is linear, the reference ray-axis 33 is transverse, crossing it widthwise, said reflective substrate 50 is on one side with respect to the illuminating surface 3 , it comprises at least one reflective parabola profile 40 , an extended reflective parabola collimator 40 c or a reflecting substrate with a similar technical reflective effect.
  6. 6 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 characterized in that the complex optical-reflector body in a vertical section when the illuminating surface is linear, represents an “L” profile, where the larger side is the main reflecting substrate, and the smaller side the advanced profile that ends in the illuminating surface.
  7. 7 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 characterized in that the complex optical-reflector body in a vertical section when the illuminating surface is a perimeter figure or two separate lines, represents an elongated “U” profile, where the base is the main reflective substrate and the upward projections are advanced profiles that end in two illuminating surfaces.
  8. 8 . Indirect vision system according to claim 7 characterized in that the illuminating surface 3 comprises designs of curved, straight luminous lines, perimeter geometric figures, open, closed, regular, irregular, continuous, discontinuous or their combination.
  9. 9 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 characterized in that the hidden reflective substrate and the reflective optical appendage apply combined optical reflective correction means selectable between; smooth and polished surfaces as means of tangential reflection, the internal parabolic of a part of the perimeter of the reflecting substrate, the parabolic collimators extended, the internal covers of dark or black color at least in part to produce an external effect on the illuminating surface that is perceived as dark or black when not working, paint or a coating on the surfaces of the reflective substrate to facilitate reflection and prevent light leaks, the thickness between said tangential reflection surfaces is less than 10 mm, holes that generate interposed surfaces in the substrate in order to create internal surfaces of reflection, retro-reflection, sub-reflectors, or etched surfaces to produce diffuse light and diffuse reflections and direct rays, reflected.
  10. 10 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the source axis that generates the backward signal is positioned between 0° and 90° with respect to the horizontal reference axis of backward emission and configures an optical body, integrated reflector that provides the rearward signal part with optical-reflective means that generate said rearward axis selectable between; a reflective substrate with gaps that form a parabolic subreflector, a reflection surface placed before the source axis, a emission LED, direct emission, or reflected, a prism or an associated cover comprising an upstream metallized reflective surface, a external light guide, or internal.
  11. 11 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the signal has said perimeter linear illuminating surface in the shape of a geometric figure at least partially closed, several luminous perimeter lines or figures, independent of each other, associated with a opaque cover independent of the casing, said cover generates an eclipse effect on the reflective substrate that hides except for its reflective perimeter that comprises said illuminating surface.
  12. 12 . Indirect vision system according to claim 11 characterized in that said independent lid cover is capable of being interchangeable with another different lid, selectable between being of different material, color, surface, aluminum, carbon, polycarbonate, with a decorated, partially opaque surface finishing pattern of a transparent or translucent material suitable for partially allowing light to pass through a logo, openwork, screen printing, film, light-dark subtractive method, pattern or degraded.
  13. 13 . Indirect vision system according to claim 12 characterized in that said independent cover or the cover part of the housing develops several selectable and combinable functions between having; a catadioptric substrate, a depression area to generate an aerodynamic channel and direct the air outwards, a protrusion area with a level above the illuminating surface, especially in the rear signal part RS close to the third third to avoid bumps and scratches; an level zone that defines a distance above the illuminating surface and the rest of the housing, especially in the third, at the farthest end of the vehicle body to avoid bumps and scratches, a part in another material, composite or bi-material with an elastomeric cover capable of sponging to absorb shocks, a logo, in low relief, openwork or added, translucent in bi-material or screen printed, an area of opaque cover at the level of the illuminating surface and the rest of the housing, above the reflector and the transparent cover at the transition between the front signal part and the rear, or between their sectors when they are linear sectors or separate figures.
  14. 14 . Indirect vision system according to the claim 1 , characterized in that the multifocal polyfunctional signal device has mixed dynamic-repetitive activation, with respect to the vehicle's circulation axis it combines; a repetitive activation with a frequency of 90+/−31 cycles per minute (bpm) with a dynamic zone, comprising; a monofocal rear zone with a rear reference axis, which extends from −5° to more than 60°, repetitive and an area oriented to the eyes of the driver of the vehicle by an independent illuminating surface with a reference focal axis such as spanning from −5° to −90°, repetitive, combined with, a multifocal front zone of dynamic activation with at least reference focal axes, ranging from 60° to more than 180°, of dynamic activation that begins when activating the focal axis closest to the body to the farthest focal axis, keeping all focal axes on at the end of the cycle for at least 200 milliseconds before turning off, synchronized each cycle with the repetitive zones and.
  15. 15 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 characterized in that the light source circuit is capable of including other functions or part of the interface of other functions selectable between; an radio frequency antenna, an integrated radio frequency amplifier circuit, integrated on the other side of said circuit or separately and its connectors, a GPS or Bluetooth locator circuit, a metal base metal plate or temperature dissipating element, the interface of a front camera and the camera, infrared lights to support the night vision of said camera, a dynamic activation frequency controller circuit that controls at least 3 LEDS, a circuit to accelerate the activation frequency to more than >120 bpm for a second function of the same door opening advance warning signal device, a cut-off diode to separate the operation of the DS signal from the rest of the vehicle's turn signals, other LEDs of different light color, wavelength or RGB so that the same illuminating surface develops another function, an activation circuit associated with emergency braking.
  16. 16 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 , characterized in that it is multifunctional capable of associating other functions in the space included within the surface surrounded by said perimeter illuminating surface, under the independent cover or in the free space between the housing and the reflective substrate hidden or in a separate module in the housing for emission or downward viewing functions or in the bracket selectable from; another lighting device such as smart light, corner light, or cornering light or auxiliary light for slow maneuvers, a temperature sensor an RFID 54 reader (radio frequency identification), a matrix keyboard for access key, activation or door opening, an front camera with forward focus to see the rolling area of the front wheel, especially the one opposite to the driver, an IR infrared light to support the night vision of any camera, a laser projector, which uses a coherent light laser LED that has a collimated optic that generates a plurality of rays and projects a light line, parallel and separated from the vehicle, to indicate how far the doors are opened, an image projector by subtractive method that uses an LED light source, a film to project a logo or an indication on the side floor of the vehicle, a side welcome or security light, a sound signal emitting device or buzzer, or mini speaker, a side marker light, with a lateral focal axis of reference, a keyboard matrix for vehicle access code.
  17. 17 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 characterized in that it assigns, combines and associates devices from another system and the VIS system with each other with another activation frequency to provide a second function independent of the intermittent signal and generate a system advance warning of door opening to visually and audibly warn the external environment and the vehicle occupants, it works; before opening the door associated with an actuator-sensor-detector on the door handles, the signal at an accelerated activation frequency greater than 120 bpm, by means of an independent controller, activates only the signal, cutting off the activation by means of an interposed diode or interface with a similar effect to the rest of the vehicle's turn signals for that side, a laser projector that projects a laser line on the side floor of the vehicle to indicate how far the front doors or rear doors are opened, a sound buzzer directed to the external environment, simultaneously alerts vehicle occupants visually and soundly; said anti-stress locator, the internal buzzer which may have other applications, an interior light preferably located on the interior panel of the door in question, the optionally associated BLIS warning device.
  18. 18 . Indirect vision system according to claim 17 characterized in that the same device is capable of performing another independent function such as BLIS, alternative blind angle presence detection warning with the same complex optical-reflector body separating the area of front signal of the rear signal zones associated with the anti-stress locator, comprises the transmittance cut-off, a circuit with a cut-off interface to activate the independent part on another frequency and associate the activation with the BLIS system and the radars.
  19. 19 . Indirect vision system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the multifunctional multifocal signal device comprises a set of internal parts and opaque background cover that has a technical effect on the illuminating surface and reflection, preventing leakage of light, giving color or not to said surface or generating a diffuse light, selectable between; a treatment covered with reflective paint, aluminum, titanium dioxide, or a reflective film, a dark or black background surface of the reflector, a background surface cover, paint or colored or white film, an interposed surface or gaps or part of the parabola profile or side surfaces with etched or diffuse surface treatment to generate diffuse light.

Description

FIELD OF THE ART Indirect vision system with multifunctional hidden reflector signal for vehicles, comprising: A structure formed by a casing body, a frame and a support arm fixed to the body, at least one opening that defines said frame occupied by a rearview mirror, a camera and/or a combination thereof to reflect, capture or transmit images.A multifunctional device emitting at least one light signal. It concerns in particular an indirect vision system for the side of a vehicle with a multifunctional, multifocal signal device that generates at least one light signal and several other combined functions of mixed activation, based on a complex optical-reflector body comprising: A main reflective substrate associated with a multipoint light source arranged as a second internal skin hidden under an opaque cover to be free from the incidence of external stray light, improving signal concentration and perception.Said main reflector is a tangential reflecting substrate in the shape of a transparent elongated ribbon with internal reflection means, divided into sectors with at least one entry point of the associated source light per sector that are integrated into a single one,A linear illuminating surface that forms a gap in at least part of the perimeter of the cover that hides the reflector, both cover and illuminating surface occupy an opening that is the surface of the housing that contains them. Said optical body has two parts, on the one hand the main reflecting substrate with a transverse main focal ray-axis in each sector and, on the other hand, an inclined surface as a secondary reflector with an advanced profile that ultimately forms an illuminating surface that defines at least one light line with a horizontal emission focal axis; said illuminating surface is always forward of the secondary reflector, the primary reflector and source being concealed in an angled position substantially perpendicular to said advanced profile, capable of: Develop designs of open, closed, continuous, discontinuous luminous perimeter figures or their combination corresponding to the shape of said inclined surface.Emit signal in three different illuminated field areas;Two external ones, front-lateral multifocal and rear mono-focal, not visible to the driver of the vehicle,A third internal zone by an independent illuminating surface visible to the driver of the vehicle,Performing the same device more than one function, capable of exchanging said cover and associating other devices or functional subassemblies under said cover, inside or outside said luminous perimeter figures or in different parts of the structure of said indirect vision system. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART Indirect vision systems that have lights and signals, or “blinker”, (market name derived from the English for the turn signal in the external mirror) are known in the state of the art. These systems have a structure projected into a vacuum on the side of the vehicle and offer the advantage of applying functional devices to “see and be seen”, emitting signals to the front, side and rear, (previously it was indicated with the arm) and at the same time capture or reflect images of the environment directly by a mirror or indirect by a camera associated with a monitor. They also occupy an exterior area associated with the doors and locks to access the vehicle. It is known that said blinkers emit a signal in one or two areas on the side of the vehicle with a signal field in front and behind that is not visible to the eyes of the driver or if it is visible that does not bother the eyes of the driver but this part of vision is still an uncontrolled parasitic light that can be dangerous on rainy or foggy days or in total darkness. The blinker, due to being in a structure projected into a vacuum, also has NON resolved problems: Receives the incidence of light from the environment in the horizontal and superior plane, —The light emitted, in many situations, is less than the ambient light received, especially during the day. The official requirement for luminous intensity in the focal axis and photometry measurement angle for this type of signal is low, 0.6 cd candela. (class 5 device Official Approval Regulation R6, ECE/UN), consequently, the external incident light that is introduced into the reflectors, parabolas, light guides or any reflective optical body is greater than the signal emitted in almost all anglesIt has little space and interior volume due to the movement of the mirror and its motors.Offers NON desired aerodynamic resistance, increases noise, turbulence and consumption.The convex shape of the structure's shell always has part of its surface exposed to a perpendicular ray of external incident light, which becomes external stray light.The light guides, used as a transmitting reflector, are always exposed to the incidence of external light due to their larger surface area. They comprise a curved transparent tube that copies the curve of the surface of the hous