Anti-buffeting vehicle mirror assembly

• US 6,712,413 B1
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Flowerday, Randall B
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): ENGLE, PATRICIA LYNN
• Application Number:
  US10/247,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20040056511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 296/1.11, 296/180.1, 296/180.5, 296/206, 296/146.1, 296/152, 296/1.07, 248/475.1, 248/476, 359/507, 359/508, 359/509, 359/549, 206/573
• US Class Current: 296/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

A mirror assembly is provided for use on an external surface of a vehicle having a mirrored surface disposed in an external shell and a mirror flag operably connected to the external shell for attachment to an external surface of a vehicle. The mirror flag includes at least one spoiler disposed between the external shell and the mirror flag for directing air flow caused by forward movement of the vehicle. Specifically, the at least one spoiler serves to direct the air flow away from the mirror assembly as well as away from the vehicle surface to improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle and reduce wind noise produced by the air flow contacting the mirror.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly for directing an air flow away from an external surface of a motor vehicle, said mirror assembly comprising:

a mirrored surface;

an external shell supporting said mirrored surface;

a mirror flag operably connecting said external shell to the external surface of the vehicle; and

a first spoiler extending from said mirror flag, wherein said mirror flag includes an arm portion and a mounting bracket, said first spoiler extending from said mounting bracket along said arm and said external shell.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said first spoiler includes a planar surface and an arcuate surface, said planer surface extending from said mirror flag to said arcuate surface, said arcuate surface directing the air flow away from the vehicle.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein said external shell has a generally hemispherical outer surface to direct an airflow towards said arcuate surface of said first spoiler.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein a second spoiler extends from said mounting bracket along said arm and terminates at an intersection of said arm and said external shell.

5. A door assembly for a motor vehicle, said door assembly comprising:

an outer panel;

a window opening formed in said door; and

a side view mirror assembly including;

a mirrored surface;

an external shell supporting said mirrored surface;

a mirror flag operably connecting said external shell to said outer panel; and

a first spoiler extending from said mirror flag and directing an air flow away from said outer panel, wherein said mirror flag includes an arm portion and a mounting bracket, said first spoiler extending from said mounting bracket along said arm and said external shell.

6. The door assembly of claim 5, wherein said first spoiler includes a planar surface and an arcuate surface, said planer surface extending from said mirror flag to said arcuate surface, said arcuate surface directing the air flow away from said outer panel and said window opening.

7. The door assembly of claim 6, wherein said external shell has a generally hemispherical outer surface to direct an airflow towards said arcuate surface of said first spoiler.

8. The door assembly of claim 5, wherein a second spoiler extends from said mounting bracket along said arm and terminates at an intersection of said arm and said external shell.