Luminaire for installing in the cover cap of an exterior rearview mirror for motor vehicles

• US 20030174507A1
• Filed: 03/13/2003
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fur Elektrische Gluhlampen mbH (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft Fur Elektrische Gluhlampen mbH (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Reiners, Thomas, Fiegler, Matthias
• Granted Patent: US 6,893,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/487
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators

Abstract

A luminaire for installing in the cover cap of an exterior rearview mirror for motor vehicles, has a luminaire housing and an electrical lamp arranged therein. The housing is entirely or partly of transparent design, such that in the installed state light exit surfaces of the housing are arranged both on the front side and on the rear side of the exterior rearview mirror. The lamp has a tubular, sealed lamp vessel, at least a portion of the lateral surface of the lamp vessel and an end face of the lamp vessel being of transparent design. Light directing elements for focusing the light emerging from the lateral surface and for deflecting the light emerging from the end face are provided such that the light emerging from the end face is directed toward a light exit surface arranged opposing the light emerging from the lateral surface.

Claims

1. A luminaire for installing in the cover cap of an exterior rearview mirror for motor vehicles, having a luminaire housing and an electrical lamp arranged therein, said luminaire housing being entirely or partly of transparent design, such that in the installed state light exit surfaces of the luminaire housing are arranged both on the front side and on the rear side of the exterior rearview mirror, wherein

said lamp has a tubular, sealed lamp vessel, at least a portion of the lateral surface of the lamp vessel and an end face of the lamp vessel being of transparent design, and

light directing means for focusing the light emerging from said lateral surface and for deflecting the light emerging from said end face being provided such that the light emerging from the end face is directed toward a light exit surface arranged opposing the light emerging from the said lateral surface.

2. The luminaire as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light directing means comprise an optical conductor that is arranged on the end face of the lamp vessel.

3. The luminaire as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light directing means comprise a reflecting coating that is applied to the lateral surface of the lamp vessel such that a transparent aperture extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the lateral surface, in order to direct the light emerging from the lateral surface in the direction of a light exit surface of the luminaire.

4. The luminaire as claimed in claim 1, wherein the luminaire is designed as a direction indicator.

5. The luminaire as claimed in claim 1, wherein the luminaire is designed as a parking luminaire.