Vehicular rearview mirror assembly with forward vision optical system

US6104552A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Donnelly Corporation · US

Inventors

• Wolfgang Thau · Gevelsberg, DE
• Thomas Hempel · Erlangen, DE
• Herwig Polzer · Miltenberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 5, 1997
• Grant date: Aug 15, 2000
• Expiry date: Dec 5, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R1/10
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An exterior rearview mirror for vehicles incorporates a forward vision improving system allowing improved visibility of the opposite roadway forward of the vehicle for safer passing. Preferably, the forward vision system includes a pair of prisms mounted in a mirror housing, one of which is directed at an angle of incidence past and to the left of a front, slower vehicle, the other of which receives the image from the first, and is positioned in the driver's line of sight. In one embodiment of the vision system, the front prism of the pair of prisms is replaced by a divergent lens.