Modular light source/electronics and automotive rearview assemblies using the same

摘要

A vehicular rearview assembly comprising a light source illuminating the mirror system within the housing of the assembly. The light source is a layered structure including generally co-extensive optical elements such as a light-guiding element that accepts light from light emitters and distributes this light along an area that is not transverse with respect to a display of the assembly. Light distributed and outcoupled through the light-guiding element illuminates the whole display, while radiation from other emitters may traverse the light-guiding element in order to highlight respectively corresponding segments of the display. The display may be configured in a spatially-segmented fashion to increase brightness of displayed indicia.

主权项

1. An automotive rearview assembly having a front, the assembly comprising:
a housing; a transflective electrochromic (EC) mirror element disposed within the housing; and a light source disposed within the housing behind the mirror element with respect to the front, the light source including:
a first light emitter adapted to emit light along a first axis;a lightguide having an extent, a planar portion, and first and second light-guiding surfaces, the lightguide being in optical communication with the first light emitter and configured to outcouple light channeled by the lightguide through the first light-guiding surface, the first and second light-guiding surfaces forming a curve configured to communicate light along a second axis; a second light emitter operable to transmit light through the first and second light guiding surfaces of the planar portion of the lightguide; and a liquid-crystal display (LCD) disposed between the first light-guiding surface and the EC mirror element, the LCD having a liquid-crystal (LC) layer oriented to be substantially parallel to the first light-guiding surface, wherein the light source further includes a segmented LC-cell in optical communication with the LCD, the segmented LC-cell being disposed between the LCD and the EC mirror element.