Exterior rear view mirror for vehicles, more particularly for motor vehicles

• US 20050207041A1
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany GmbH & Co. KG.
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany GmbH & Co. KG.
• Inventors: Apfelbeck, Robert
• Application Number:
  US10/506,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20050207041A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/871
• 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

In order to configure an exterior rear view mirror (1) in such a way that area next to the vehicle is perfectly illuminated by the surround light (6) in a simple, constructive manner even when the mirror head (2) is folded, said light is fixedly arranged in relation to the mirror head (2). Said mirror head (2) also has a passage hole (18) for the beams coming out of the surround light (6) due to the fact that the position of the surround light (6) remains unchanged when it is in working position or in folded position. The exterior rear view mirror (1) ensures optimum illumination in the area below the mirror and next to the vehicle in every position of the mirror head (2).

Claims

1. Exterior rearview mirror for vehicles, comprising;

a mirror head, having a mirror base attached to the vehicle, said mirror head being coupled to the mirror base in a folding manner, at least one perimeter light for illuminating an area next to the vehicle, said perimeter light being arranged in a fixed position with respect to the mirror head and said mirror head having at least one through-opening for the rays emitted by the perimeter light.

2. Mirror according to claim 1, wherein the perimeter light is attached to an articulation that joins the mirror base and the mirror head.

3. Mirror according to claim 1, further comprising an optical window being set into the through-opening of the mirror head.

4. Mirror according to claim 3, wherein the optical window of the mirror head is provided a distance below the perimeter light.

5. Mirror according to claim 1 wherein the perimeter light is accommodated in an articulation cover.

6. Mirror according to claim 5, wherein the articulation cover projects from the mirror base and extends into the mirror head.

7. Mirror according to claim 5 wherein the articulation cover has at least one through-opening for the rays emitted by the perimeter light.

8. Mirror according to claim 7, wherein the through-opening of the articulation cover and the through-opening of the mirror head are located one above the other when the mirror head is in the operating position.

9. Mirror according to claim 7 wherein an optical window is set into the through-opening of the articulation cover.

10. Mirror according to claim 9, wherein a projecting section of the optical window extends into the through-opening of the housing cover.

11. Mirror according to claim 1 wherein the perimeter light has a housing in which is located at least one source.