Carrier plate for mirror assembly

• US 20040114263A1
• Filed: 08/18/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Original Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
• Inventors: Lang, Heinrich, Stenzel, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 6,840,641 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/879
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0605 specially adapted for mounting on trucks, e.g. by C-shaped support means

Abstract

An external rearview mirror includes a holder for affixing the mirror to a motor vehicle. A carrier plate is located in a housing that is secured to the holder. At least one mirror assembly with a mirror pane is mounted pivotally on the carrier plate in the housing. At least one means of adjustment is mounted on the carrier plate and bound to the mirror assembly. A base plate is attached to the carrier plate, the base plate having a honeycomb structure with a multiplicity of cells on at least one side. The cells are integral and normal to the base plate and may vary in both height and diameter.

Claims

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

a housing defining an interior therein, a rim, and a covering;

a holder depending through the housing into the interior, the holder configured for attachment to the vehicle;

a carrier plate defining a base portion with a clamping recess thereon and a plurality of openings therethrough, the carrier plate attachable within the interior by clamping the clamping recess to the holder, the carrier plate spaced apart from the rim and the covering such that the carrier plate is connected to the holder but not to the covering, the plurality of openings selected from the group consisting of offset openings, spaced-apart openings, elevated openings, recessed openings, openings configured for electrical connections, openings configured for attaching devices and combinations thereof;

a mirror adjustment assembly mountable to the carrier plate; and

a mirror arrangement having a mirror glass extending substantially in a given plane, the mirror arrangement mountable to one of the mirror adjustment assembly and the carrier plate by one of a sliding attachment, a screw attachment, a snap-in attachment, a shape-fit attachment, a clamping attachment and combinations thereof, wherein one of the housing, the carrier plate and combinations thereof are cooperable to provide structural support for one of the mirror adjustment assembly and the mirror arrangement.

2. The external rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings is adjacent cells configured to dampen vibration of the mirror assembly.

3. The external rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the clamping recess is shaped complementary to the holder such that the holder grippingly protrudes into the clamping recess.

4. The external rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a peripheral rim configured to limit pivoting of the mirror assembly.

5. The external rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings vary in diameter and in height.

6. A method for assembling a mirror assembly having a mirror element and a housing defining an interior therein, a rim, and a covering, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a carrier plate having a plurality of openings therethrough and a clamping recess thereon;

b) clamping the clamping recess to a holder, the carrier plate spaced apart from the rim and the covering;

c) mounting a mirror adjustment assembly to the carrier plate; and

d) mounting the mirror element to one of the mirror adjustment assembly and the carrier plate.

7. The method as in claim 6, wherein the step of mounting the mirror element is by one of a sliding attachment, a screw attachment, a snap-in attachment, a shape-fit attachment, a clamping attachment and combinations thereof.

8. The method as in claim 6, wherein the plurality of openings are configured to dampen vibration of the mirror assembly.

9. The method as in claim 6, further including the housing, wherein the housing defines a peripheral rim configured to limit pivoting of the mirror assembly.

10. An external rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing defining an interior therein, a rim, and a covering;

a holder depending through the housing into the interior, the holder configured for attachment to the vehicle;

a carrier plate defining a base portion with a clamping recess thereon and a plurality of openings therethrough, the carrier plate attachable within the interior by clamping the clamping recess to the holder, the carrier plate spaced apart from the rim and the covering such that the carrier plate is connected to the holder but not to the covering;

a mirror adjustment assembly mountable to the carrier plate; and

a mirror arrangement having a mirror glass extending substantially in a given plane, the mirror arrangement mountable to one of the mirror adjustment assembly and the carrier plate wherein one of the housing, the carrier plate and combinations thereof are cooperable to provide structural support for one of the mirror adjustment assembly and the mirror arrangement.

11. The external rearview mirror assembly as in claim 10, wherein the plurality of openings are selected from the plurality of openings selected from the group consisting of offset openings, spaced-apart openings, elevated openings, recessed openings, openings configured for electrical connections, openings configured for attaching devices and combinations thereof.

12. The method as in claim 10, wherein the mirror arrangement is mountable to one of the mirror arrangement assembly or carrier plate by one of a sliding attachment, a screw attachment, a snap-in attachment, a shape-fit attachment, a clamping attachment and combinations thereof.