INTERNAL REARVIEW DEVICE AND VEHICLE

Abstract

The disclosure refers to an internal rearview device (1) adapted for use with a motor vehicle, comprising: a rearview element comprising at least one of a reflective element (10) and a display element, with the rearview element having a normal state and at least one anti-glare state, in which a glare experienced by a driver of the vehicle as a result of light reflected at the rearview element is reduced; a bezel (32) surrounding the rearview element and being surrounded by a housing (60); control means comprising sensor means connected to at least one printed circuit board (40, 50), which is arranged between the housing (60) and the rearview element, for controlling at least the state of the rearview element; and a mount assembly (70) which is configured to attach the housing (60) to the vehicle; wherein the perimeter edge (31) of the bezel (32) is exposed to and is viewable by the driver of the vehicle when said device (1) is normally mounted in the vehicle; said perimeter edge (31) comprises a curved surface disposed between the front and/or reflective surface of the rearview element (10) and the housing (60); and the housing (60) is provided with a protrusion (65) projecting edgewise, beyond the curved surface of the perimeter edge (31) such that it is viewable by the driver when said device (1) is normally mounted in the vehicle. The disclosure also refers to a vehicle with such an internal rearview device.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. An interior rearview device adapted for use with a motor vehicle, comprising: a rearview element comprising at least one of a reflective element and a display element; a bezel surrounding the rearview element and being surrounded by a housing; a mount assembly which is configured to attach the housing to the vehicle; and a human machine interface (HMI) for controlling at least one function of the interior rearview device, with the HMI comprising at least one time-of-flight (ToF) sensor, between the housing and the rearview element, and at least a part of the bezel, wherein the bezel comprises a transparent or translucent substrate provided with a reflective coating, with at least one opening or region of reduced thickness of the coating being provided on the substrate, being hidden by the coating until the at least one light source is lit, and providing at least one logo, sign, mark, icon or information on a function to be actuated via the HMI.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one light source is between the housing and the rearview element for emitting light through the bezel, with the bezel acting as a light guide to illuminate at least a region between the housing and the rearview element and being comprised by the HMI.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the at least one light source comprises a light assembly configured to direct a plurality of different color lights to an entire surface of the bezel so that the entire bezel can have one color at a time, to provide a plurality of different color lights to different zones of the bezel so that different zones of the bezel can have different colors at a time, or to direct light of a selected brightness and/or color to at least one selected region or the entire surface of the bezel.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the at least one light source is comprised by the at least one ToF sensor and/or comprises LEDs.

22. The device of any of claim 19, further comprising: at least one light guide for light from and to the ToF sensor and/or the at least one light source, with the light guide being provided with at least one light receiving surface, at least one light deflection surface, and at least one light exiting surface.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the at least one light receiving surface comprises at least one lens and light coupling element for the ToF sensor light and/or LED light, the at least one light deflection surface comprises at least one light guiding element and recess, and the at least one light exiting surface comprises at least one light extraction element and the at least one logo, sign, mark, icon or information on a function to be actuated via the HMI.

24. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one opening or region of reduced thickness of the coating being provided on the substrate is in form of a laser edged element or cut-out button, and the at least one ToF sensor is provided at the bottom of the interior rearview device.

25. The device of claim 18, wherein the form of the at least one opening or region of reduced thickness of the coating is providing the at last one logo, sign, mark, icon or information on a function to be actuated via the HMI, with a plurality of openings or regions of reduced thickness said openings or regions having different forms.

26. The device of claim 18, wherein the perimeter edge of the bezel is exposed to and is viewable by the driver of the vehicle when said device is mounted in the vehicle; and the perimeter edge of the bezel comprises a curved surface disposed between the front and reflective surface of the rearview element and the housing, with the housing being provided with a protrusion projecting edgewise, beyond the curved surface of the perimeter edge such that it is viewable by the driver when said device is mounted in the vehicle.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the perimeter edge is provided with a chromium-based coating, and the perimeter edge is provided with the at least one opening or region of reduced thickness of the coating, and the perimeter edge is providing the light guide.

28. The device of claim 18, wherein the bezel is provided by a housing cover, wherein at least one printed circuit board, the at least one ToF sensor, the at least one light source, and the at least one light guide are positioned at least partly between the housing cover and the housing on a back plate of the housing cover.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the housing cover comprises a support part for the reflective element in form of a front plate, and is provided with at least one opening for wires.

30. The device of any of claim 18, wherein the at least one ToF sensor comprises a ToF camera and is connected to a control means.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the control means is suited to detect motion patterns within a first spacing interval relative to the reflective surface and provides at least one virtual button or key within a second spacing interval, with the first spacing interval being provided in the first region of the control means and the second spacing interval being provided in the second region of the control means, the second spacing interval being arranged closer to the reflective surface than the first spacing interval.

32. The device of claim 30, wherein the control means is configured to be connected to a control unit of the vehicle to take the state of the vehicle and the surroundings of the vehicle into consideration when controlling the device or the reflective element.

33. The device of claim 18, wherein the reflective element comprises an electrochromic (EC) element.

34. A vehicle equipped with an interior rearview device of claim 18.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, there is shown in the drawings certain embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of devices consistent with the present disclosure in a schematic manner and, together with the description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 1a is a front view of an internal rearview device of a first embodiment of the disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 1b is an exploded view of the internal rearview device of FIG. 1a;

[0035] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an internal rearview device of a second embodiment of the disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 3a is a front view of a housing carrying a printed circuit board;

[0037] FIG. 3b is an exploded view of the housing carrying an alternative printed circuit board with a housing cover;

[0038] FIG. 3c is an exploded view of the housing carrying the printed circuit board and the housing cover as well as an reflective element of an internal rearview device of a third embodiment of the disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 4a is a sectional view of an internal rearview device of a fourth embodiment of the disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 4b is an enlargement of a part of FIG. 4a;

[0041] FIG. 4c is an enlargement of a part alternative to the one of FIG. 4b of an internal rearview device of a fifth embodiment of the disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a part of an internal rearview device of a sixth embodiment of the disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 6a) to f) illustrates an human machine interface (HMI) provided by an internal rearview device of a seventh embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0044] FIG. 7 is a side view as well as a cross-sectional part view illustrating an example of a coupling state between the housing and the housing cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Before explaining examples of the present disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The figures and written description are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure for which patent protection is sought. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not all features of a commercial embodiment are shown for the sake of clarity and understanding. Persons of skill in the art will also appreciate that the development of an actual commercial embodiment incorporating aspects of the present disclosures will require numerous implementation—specific decisions to achieve the developer's ultimate goal for the commercial embodiment. While these efforts may be complex and time-consuming, these efforts nevertheless would be a routine undertaking for those of skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0046] In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. For example, the use of a singular term, such as, “a” is not intended as limiting of the number of items. Also the use of relational terms, such as but not limited to, “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” “down,” “up,” “side,” “corner,” are used in the description for clarity in specific reference to the figures and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or the appended claims. Further, it should be understood that any one of the features of the disclosure may be used separately or in combination with other features. Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the figures and the detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

[0047] FIGS. 1a and 1b show an internal rearview device 1 of a first embodiment of the disclosure. The respective rearview device 1 is a multi-functional rearview device with a reflective element for example in form of an electrochromic (EC) glass 11. Said EC glass 10 is attached to a double-sided adhesive tape 10 for attachment to a housing cover 30, which in turn is to be mounted to a housing 60 with an EC printed circuit board 40 and a button printed circuit board 50 arranged between the housing cover 30 and the housing 60. A button 80 is to be attached to the housing 60 and mounting means 90 are provided for that purpose, with a respective mounting been described in further detail below. The housing 60 is mounted on a mounting assembly 70 via a bolt 72 thereof, such that it can be attached to a not shown vehicle, for example the windshield thereof, and can be moved relative thereto.

[0048] A sensor 100 for example in form of a time of light (TOF) sensor is attached in the upper region of the EC glass 10, on the reflective surface thereof. Said sensor 100 is suited for controlling the dimming of the EC glass 10 and, therefore, is connected to the printed circuit board 40. For the purpose of the connection, not only of the sensor 100 but also of the electrodes of the reflective element 10 the housing cover 30 is provided with an opening 34.

[0049] While the EC glass 10 is received in the housing cover 30 with a bezel 32 thereof surrounding the periphery of the reflective element 10, the housing cover 30 in turn is receives in the housing 60 with the housing 60 surrounding the periphery of the housing cover 30, which will be explained in further detail below.

[0050] In order to obtain a frameless like impression of the internal rearview mirror 1 in a front view as shown in FIG. 1a, the bezel 32 of the housing cover 30 at least can be covered by reflective coating, in particular a chromium-based coating as described for example in WO 2018/167096 A1. In addition, also the housing 60 can, at least partly, be provided with such a coating. However, it is to be noted and will be described later that a front view of the rearview device 1 provides a direct view not only of the EC glass 10 but also of the bezel 32 and the housing 60 surrounding the bezel 32.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows the major components of an alternative internal rearview device 1 of the disclosure, which differs with respect to the one shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b in that the sensor 100 is arranged behind the EC glass 10 allowing a transmission of radiation, which can either be by choosing a respectively reduced reflectivity of the EC glass 10 as such or by providing a window 12 of the reflective layer of the EC glass 10 in the region of the sensor 100.

[0052] FIG. 2 also shows that the EC printed circuit board 40 is fixed to the housing 60. This is shown in further detail in FIG. 3a, according to which the printed circuit board 40 is provided with two screw holes 42 and connected via a plurality of hooks 64 of the housing 60 to the housing 60. The housing 60, in addition, is provided with support ribs 62 for supporting the printed circuit board 40.

[0053] In addition, the printed circuit board 50 is also fixed to the housing 60 and connected to a button 80 of an HMI.

[0054] FIG. 3b shows the housing 60 with an alternative EC circuit board 40, with said alternative EC circuit board 40 being provided with a cut-out 44 in order to avoid any interference with the bolt 72 of the mount assembly 70 via which the housing 60 is mounted to the vehicle.

[0055] FIG. 3b also shows further details of the housing cover 30, not only being provided with the bezel 32 and a support part 33 for the EC glass 10 and the opening 34, but also with a through hole 36 to an additional or alternative sensor discussed below and with screw holes 38 and attachment means 39 facilitating an easy assembly.

[0056] FIG. 3c shows the embodiment of FIG. 3b together with the EC glass 10 in an exploded view.

[0057] FIG. 4a illustrates still further features in particular of the housing cover 30. Before turning to those features, it can, again, be seen in said figure that the EC printed circuit board 40 is overlapping the opening 34 provided in the support part 33 of the housing cover 30. The bezel 32 of the housing cover 30 surrounding the EC glass 10 is provided with rounded edges 31 at its periphery between the front of the EC glass 10 and the housing 60 in order to avoid injuries. Accordingly, the perimeter edge 31 comprises a curved surface disposed between the EC glass 10 and the housing 60 with a radius r of curvature of preferably 2.8 mm.

[0058] As can be best seen in FIG. 4b, the housing cover 30 is form fit to the housing 60 by being provided with a step 37 mating with a step 61 of the housing 60. The housing 60 also is provided with a protrusion 65 sideways extending beyond the housing cover 30 and, thus, the bezel 32 as well as the protrusion 65 are seen in a front view of the internal rearview device. The protrusion 65 also comprises a step with a height h of e.g. 1 mm. This structure allows for a multitude of functionalities as explained below.

[0059] FIG. 4c shows one of said functionalities, with a light assembly 300 being arranged to emit light into the bezel 32 acting a light guide 400. For that purpose, a light receiving surface 410 with additional lens function is provided by the light guide 400, and the light guide 400 directs the light from the light assembly 300 to a light emitting surface 420 in the region of the rounded edge 31 between the EC glass 10 and the housing 60. This arrangement allows, for example, to provide a plurality of different optical effects with light of different intensities and/or colors being provided between the reflective element 10 and the housing 60.

[0060] Both, the intensity and the color of the light can provide information to the driver or just serve to enhance the appeal of the internal rearview device 1.

[0061] In addition to the above described light effects, the structure shown in FIG. 4c also allows for very simple HMI by providing the light emitting surface 410 e.g. with a laser cut-out virtual button 430 and, thus, providing actuation means. For example, when touching the virtual button 430 or even only coming close to said button with a finger light will be reflected back into the light guide 400 and in case the light assembly 300 is also provided with sensor means can be detected in order to detect an actuation.

[0062] Different HMIs in connection with the multi-functional rearview device 1 of the disclosure are possible. FIG. 5 shows an alternative possibility with buttons 80, 82 and 84 extending beyond the bezel 32.

[0063] With respect to FIG. 6 in the following one example of an HMI of the multi-functional rearview device 1 of the disclosure is described. As can be seen in FIG. 6a), three sensors 102, 104 and 106 are provided on the reflective surface of the EC glass 10. A first sensor 102 can be in form of a TOF sensor, a second sensor 104 can be in form of a touch sensor as described with respect to FIG. 4c, whereas the third sensor 106 can be a photo electric sensor.

[0064] FIGS. 6b) and c) explain the functioning of the photo electric sensor 106. For example such a sensor can be provided as a photo coupler emitting and receiving light, such that as long as no light is detected, as shown in FIG. 6b), no actuation is detected. However, as soon as the hand 200 of for example the driver approaches the sensor 106 as shown in FIG. 6c) a reflection takes place as a finger blocks the light and reflects the same. In this case, an actuation intention of the driver is detected and, for example, the dimming of the EC glass 10 is changed as a result thereof.

[0065] In order to better detect a gesture of a hand 200 in front of an internal rearview device 1 of the disclosure, in addition to the sensor 102 a camera 120 might be used as shown in FIG. 6d).

[0066] Instead of providing sensors on the EC glass 10, it is also possible to arrange a further sensor 108 under the bottom of the housing 60 as shown in FIG. 6e). The respective sensor 108 can be a photo electric sensor and function identical to the sensor 106 detecting the actuation when the finger of the hand 200 approaches as shown in FIG. 6f).

[0067] Accordingly, with the disclosure a huge plurality of different actuation means or better alternative HMIs are possible, as the sensors not only have to be placed on the reflective element but also can be placed on the bezel or housing due to the fact that the bezel 32 surrounds the periphery of the reflective element 10 and the housing 60 surrounds the periphery of the bezel 32, as explained with respect in particular in FIG. 4b above.

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the housing 60′ according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is formed to be larger than the housing cover 30′, with the peripheral length of the housing 60′ being formed larger than a peripheral length of the housing cover 30′. For example, a predetermined protrusion or step 65′ may be present between the housing 60′ and the housing cover 30′. A peripheral surface extending from the housing 60′ toward the housing cover 30′ may form a naturally curved surface. Therefore, at least a portion of the periphery of the housing 60′ is exposed to the driver.

[0069] The various embodiments of the internal rearview device 1 of the disclosure described above illustrate not only the multi-functionality thereof, comprising lighting functions for decorative and/or informative purposes, a dimming function, HMI function and the like, but also the design variety providing a particular pleasing appeal paired with implemented security features.

[0070] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosure is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present disclosure restricted in its preferred embodiments with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth and defined by the following claims.

[0071] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0072] 1 multi-function rearview device [0073] 10 EC glass [0074] 12 window [0075] 20 double sided adhesive tape [0076] 30, 30′ housing cover [0077] 31 rounded edge [0078] 32 bezel [0079] 33 support part [0080] 34 opening [0081] 35 window [0082] 36 through hole [0083] 37 step [0084] 38 screw hole [0085] 39 attachment means [0086] 40 EC printed circuit board [0087] 42 screw hole [0088] 44 cut-out [0089] 50 button printed circuit board [0090] 60, 60′ housing [0091] 61 step [0092] 62 support rib [0093] 64 hook [0094] 65, 65′ protrusion [0095] 70 mount assembly [0096] 42 bolt [0097] 80-84 button [0098] 100 sensor [0099] 101 sensor area [0100] 102 sensor [0101] 103 cover layer [0102] 104-108 sensor [0103] 110 sensor [0104] 120 camera [0105] 200 hand [0106] 300 light assembly with sensor means [0107] 400 light guide [0108] 410 light receiving surface [0109] 420 light emitting surface [0110] 430 laser cut out virtual button