Exterior rearview mirror assembly

• US 20050047160A1
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Automotive USLLC (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Automotive USLLC (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Evans, Peter A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,986,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/494
• 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

An exterior rearview mirror assembly (10, 110) for a vehicle includes a housing (14, 114) connectable to a vehicle (12). A mirror (18) is disposed in an opening (16) in the housing (14, 114). A member (70, 170) connected to the housing (14, 114) has a reflective portion (78, 178) for reflecting light from another vehicle. The member (70, 170) also has a turn signal lens (88, 188) through which a turn signal light (36, 136) shines. A second lens (46) may direct light from the turn signal light (36) to the turn signal lens (88).

Claims

1. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing connectable to the vehicle, said housing having an opening;

a mirror disposed in said opening;

a member connected to said housing, said member having a reflective portion for reflecting light from another vehicle.

2. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reflective portion includes a rear portion facing in a rearward direction of the vehicle.

3. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reflective portion has a front portion facing in a forward direction of the vehicle.

4. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reflective portion has a side portion facing in a lateral direction of the vehicle.

5. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said reflective portion has a front portion facing in a forward direction of the vehicle.

6. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said reflective portion has a rear portion facing in a rearward direction of the vehicle.

7. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said reflective portion has a front portion facing in a forward direction of the vehicle.

8. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said member includes a turn signal lens through which a turn signal light shines.

9. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said reflective portion and said turn signal lens are formed as one-piece.

10. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 8 further including a second lens directing light from said turn signal light to said turn signal lens.

11. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said second lens is a frenel lens.

12. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said member includes an opening through which a lamp shines.

13. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said member includes a turn signal lens through which a turn signal light shines.

14. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said member is L-shaped, said member having a vertical portion for connecting to a vertical portion of said housing and a horizontal portion extending from said vertical portion for connecting to a horizontal portion of said housing, said reflective portion being located on said vertical portion of said member.

15. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said member includes a turn signal lens through which a turn signal light shines, said turn signal lens being located on said horizontal portion of said member.

16. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing connectable to the vehicle, said housing having an opening;

a mirror disposed in said opening

a member connected to said housing having a turn signal lens through which a turn signal light shines;

a second lens directing light from the turn signal light to said turn signal lens.

17. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said second lens is a frenel lens.

18. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 16 wherein said member includes a reflective portion for reflecting light from another vehicle.

19. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said reflective portion includes a rear portion facing in a rearward direction of the vehicle, a front portion facing in a forward direction of the vehicle, and a side portion facing in a lateral direction of the vehicle.

20. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said reflective portion and said turn signal lens are formed as one-piece.

21. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said member is L-shaped, said member having a vertical portion for connecting to a vertical portion of said housing and a horizontal portion extending from said vertical portion for connecting to a horizontal portion of said housing, said turn signal lens being located on said horizontal portion of said member and said reflective portion being located on said vertical portion of said member.

22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said member includes an opening through which a lamp shines.