Exterior accessory module for vehicular modular door

• US 6,969,101 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2003
• Issued: 11/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lynam, Niall R., Whitehead, Peter J., Renkema, Loren B., Nestell, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US10/727,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20050099034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 727 Days
• Field of Search: 296/1.11, 296/146.1, 296/146.5, 296/191, 296/196, 296/197, 359/871, 359/841, 359/843, 248/475.1, 495/02, 362/494
• US Class Current: 296/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/76 for window sashes; for glass run channels
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/78 adjacent to corner pieces, mirror supports or quarter windows
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0404 Outside rear view mirror support
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0405 Inboard or outboard side of window frame formed integrally with the lower door structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0406 window frame formed separately as module
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0411 Beltline
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/0416 Assembly panels to be installed in doors as a module with components, e.g. lock or window lifter, attached thereto
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/04 External Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices thereon fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12

Abstract

An exterior accessory assembly or module for a vehicle door assembly comprises an exterior rearview mirror and/or door cap assembly, which may further include a cover member, a door handle, window frame, window seal and/or an exterior rearview mirror assembly. The vehicle door assembly includes a door frame, which includes a cap and/or mirror mounting region, a lock and/or latch mechanism, a mirror connector, electronic controls, regulators, trim pieces, and/or the like, and is mountable to a vehicle at the vehicle assembly plant as a single unit. The exterior rearview mirror and/or the cap assembly may mount to the modular door and provide an exterior rearview mirror, a window frame and/or door handle. The exterior mirror and/or cap assembly and door frame may include corresponding electrical connectors for connecting electrical accessories of the accessory module to a door wiring or harness.

Claims

1. A vehicular modular door system comprising:

a vehicular door assembly which comprises a vehicular door frame and an exterior mirror body mount at an exterior side of said door assembly;

said exterior mirror body mount of said door assembly including a mirror mounting portion;

an exterior mirror body which is mountable to said mirror mounting portion of said exterior mirror body mount of said door assembly;

said exterior mirror body comprising a casing and a reflective element; and

a first connecting portion at said mirror mounting portion of said exterior mirror body mount of said door assembly and a second connecting portion at said exterior mirror body, said first and second connecting portions being configured to positively secure said exterior mirror body to said exterior mirror body mount of said door assembly upon engagement of said first and second connecting portions, said first connecting portion being connectable to said second connecting portion to secure said exterior mirror body to said exterior body mount of said door assembly from the exterior side of said door assembly.

2. The vehicular modular door system of claim 1, wherein said first and second connecting portions are configured to provide a snap fit connection between said exterior mirror body and said exterior mirror body mount.

3. The vehicular modular door system of claim 2, wherein said first connecting portion comprises at least one locking tab for insertion into said second connecting portion and engagement with a correspondingly formed receiving portion of said second connecting portion to secure said first connecting portion to said second connecting portion.

4. The vehicular modular door system of claim 1, wherein said first connecting portion includes a first electrical connector for providing electrical connection for at least one electronic accessory within said exterior mirror body, said second connecting portion including a corresponding second electrical connector, said first and second electrical connectors comprising a plug and socket connection.

5. The vehicular modular door system of claim 4, wherein said first electrical connector is secured to said exterior mirror body mount of said first connecting portion to engage said second electrical connector of the exterior mirror body as said first connecting portion engages said second connecting portion at the exterior of said door assembly.

6. The vehicular modular door system of claim 4, wherein said first electrical connector provides electrical connection to at least one of a mirror reflector positioning actuator, an electrochromic control, a powerfold actuator, a signal light, a security light, a camera, and an exterior temperature sensor.

7. The vehicular modular door system of claim 4, wherein said first connecting portion and said second connecting portion provide a snap lit connection between said mirror body mount and said exterior mirror body, said first electrical connector and said second electrical connector providing a snap fit connection therebetween.

8. The vehicular modular door system of claim 4, wherein at least one of said first and second electrical connectors is integrally formed with a respective one of said first and second connecting portions.

9. The vehicular modular door system of claim 1, wherein said vehicular door assembly is assembled remotely from a vehicle assembly line and installed as a unit to a vehicle at the vehicle assembly line, said exterior mirror body being connectable to said mirror body mount at the vehicle assembly line.

10. The vehicular modular door system of claim 1, wherein said exterior mirror mount is positioned at a cap assembly, said cap assembly being mountable to said door frame from said exterior side of said door assembly.

11. The vehicular modular door system of claim 10, wherein said cap assembly is mountable to said door frame from said exterior side of said door assembly via a snap connection.

12. The vehicular modular door system or claim 10, wherein said cap assembly includes at least one of a door handle, a lock device, a window frame and window seals.

13. The vehicular modular door system of claim 12, wherein said cap assembly includes said window frame and seals, said cap assembly being mountable to said door frame and an upper window frame portion of said door frame.

14. The vehicular modular door system of claim 13, wherein said cap assembly includes a fixed window positioned within at least a portion of said window frame of said cap assembly.