Sealed mirror head

• US 9,796,333 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2016
• Issued: 10/24/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Schmierer, Arne
• Primary Examiner(s): MCNICHOLS, ERET C
• Application Number:
  US15/000,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20160129841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• 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 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/20 characterised by the type of display used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 45/37 specially adapted for signal lamps

Abstract

A head section for a rear view device such as an internal or external mirror, for a motor vehicle that includes at least one housing section having a lid section arranged on a side of the housing section which faces away from the direction of driving of the motor vehicle, at least one electronic unit arranged in a hollow area formed between the housing section and the lid section, and at least one rear view means arranged on the lid section for displaying a side or rear area of the motor vehicle in relation to the direction of driving.

Claims

1. A head section for an exterior side and rear view mirror device for a motor vehicle comprising:

at least one housing section comprising a first housing part and a second housing part, and having a curved lid section arranged on a side of the housing section which faces away from a driving direction of the motor vehicle;

at least one electronic unit arranged in a hollow area formed between the housing section and the curved lid section;

at least one rear view means arranged on the curved lid section for displaying a side or rear area of the motor vehicle in relation to the driving direction; and

a sealing means which is disposed between and in contact with an entire circumference of a portion of the housing section and the curved lid section,

wherein the sealing means, the housing section, and the curved lid section seal the hollow area of the exterior side and rear view mirror from an outside environment over an entire circumference of the hollow area, and

wherein the curved lid section and the rear view means comprise a combined, single-piece component so that the rear view means extends along the curved lid section.

2. The head section according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic unit is arranged without housing in the hollow area.

3. The head section according to claim 1, wherein the housing section and the curved lid section are capable of being locked relative to each other at a coupling portion in such a manner that they overlap each other, and in particular form an undercut.

4. The head section according to claim 1, wherein the rear view means is capable of being locked relative to the housing section.

5. The head section according to claim 1, wherein the housing section, in particular on the side facing towards the driving direction includes at least one light window or the electronic unit has a lighting unit arranged in the hollow area and comprises at least one printed circuit board and at least one lamp.

6. The head section according to claim 5, wherein the first housing part of the housing section is a plastic part which is immediately adjacent to the hollow area and has a coloring which is in particular essentially opaque or non-translucent, and wherein the first housing part comprises an opening in the area of the light window.

7. The head section according to claim 5, wherein the second housing part of the housing section is a plastic part that is arranged in such a manner that the second housing part lies on a surface of the first housing part which faces away from the hollow area, and is essentially translucent or transparent in the area of the light window.

8. The head section according to claim 1, wherein the rear view means comprises a reflective means or a display means such as a screen, in particular an LED or LCD screen.

9. A rear view device for a motor vehicle with at least one head section according to claim 1.

10. A head section for an external side and rear view mirror device for a motor vehicle comprising:

at least one housing section comprising a first housing part and a second housing part, and having a curved lid section arranged on a side of the housing section which faces away from a driving direction of the motor vehicle;

at least one electronic unit arranged in a hollow area formed between the housing section and the curved lid section;

at least one rear view means arranged on the curved lid section for displaying a side or rear area of the motor vehicle in relation to the driving direction; and

a sealing means which is disposed between and in contact with an entire circumference of a portion of the first housing part and the curved lid section,

wherein the sealing means, the housing section, and the curved lid section seal the hollow area of the exterior side and rear view mirror from an outside environment over an entire circumference of the hollow area,

wherein the first housing part of the housing section is opaque or non-translucent and the second housing part of the housing section is translucent or transparent, and

wherein the curved lid section and the rear view means comprise a combined, single-piece component so that the rear view means extends along the curved lid section.

11. The head section according to claim 10, wherein the at least one electronic unit is arranged without housing in the hollow area.

12. The head section according to claim 10, wherein the housing section and the curved lid section are capable of being locked relative to each other at a coupling portion in such a manner that they overlap each other, and in particular form an undercut.

13. The head section according to claim 10, wherein the rear view means is capable of being locked relative to the housing section.

14. The head section according to claim 10, wherein the housing section, in particular on the side facing towards the driving direction includes at least one light window or the electronic unit has a lighting unit arranged in the hollow area and comprises at least one printed circuit board and at least one lamp.

15. The head section according to claim 14, wherein the first housing part of the housing section is a plastic part which is immediately adjacent to the hollow area, and wherein the first housing part comprises an opening in the area of the light window.

16. The head section according to claim 14, wherein the second housing part of the housing section is a plastic part that is arranged in such a manner that the second housing part lies on a surface of the first housing part which faces away from the hollow area.

17. The head section according to claim 10, wherein the rear view means comprises a reflective means or a display means such as a screen, in particular an LED or LCD screen.

18. A head section for an exterior side and rear view mirror device for a motor vehicle comprising:

at least one housing section comprising a first housing part and a second housing part, and having a curved lid section arranged on a side of the housing section which faces away from a driving direction of the motor vehicle;

at least one electronic unit arranged in a hollow area formed between the housing section and the curved lid section;

at least one rear view means arranged on the curved lid section for displaying a side or rear area of the motor vehicle in relation to the driving direction; and

a sealing means which is disposed between and in contact with an entire circumference of a portion of the first housing part and the curved lid section,

wherein the sealing means, the housing section, and the curved lid section seal the hollow area of the exterior side and rear view mirror from an outside environment over almost an entire circumference of the hollow area,

wherein the housing section, in particular on the side facing towards the driving direction includes at least one light window,

wherein the first housing part of the housing section is a plastic part which is immediately adjacent to the hollow area, and the first housing part comprises an opening in the area of the light window,

wherein the second housing part of the housing section is a plastic part that is arranged in such a manner that the second housing part lies on a surface of the first housing part which faces away from the hollow area, and

wherein the curved lid section and the rear view means comprise a combined, single-piece component so that the rear view means extends along the curved lid section.

19. The head section of claim 18, further comprising an O-ring which is positioned between the housing section and the curved lid section for sealing the hollow area from the outside environment.

20. A head section for an exterior side and rear view mirror device for a motor vehicle comprising:

at least one housing section comprising a first housing part and a second housing part, and having a curved lid section arranged on a side of the housing section which faces away from a driving direction of the motor vehicle;

at least one electronic unit arranged in a hollow area formed between the housing section and the curved lid section;

at least one rear view means arranged on the curved lid section for displaying a side or rear area of the motor vehicle in relation to the driving direction; and

an O-ring which is disposed between and in contact with an entire circumference of a portion of the housing section and the curved lid section,

wherein the O-ring, the housing section, and the curved lid section seal the hollow area of the exterior side and rear view mirror from an outside environment over an entire circumference of the hollow area, and

wherein the curved lid section and the rear view means comprise a combined, single-piece component so that the rear view means extends along the curved lid section.