Exterior Mirror for a Vehicle

• US 20080084703A1
• Filed: 05/23/2007
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schefenacker Patents S.A.R.L.
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Patents S.A.R.L.
• Inventors: Hezinger, Klaus-Dieter, Liesener, Alf, Schmierer, Arne, Apfelbeck, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,594,742 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/494
• 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

The invention relates to an exterior mirror of a vehicle with an opening facing rearward in assembled state, in a housing, with a cavity, into which a mirror can be received, and a forward facing rear wall, confining the cavity, with an exterior surface. At least two different light functions can be performed on the outer surface and/or the mirror, wherein the light functions comprise illuminants, which are grouped in one or several modules within the housing.

Claims

1. An exterior mirror of a vehicle with an opening facing rearward in assembled state, in a housing with a cavity, into which a mirror can be received, and a forward facing rear wall confining the cavity with an exterior surface, characterized in that, at least two different light functions can be performed on the exterior surface and/or on the mirror, wherein the light functions comprise illuminants, which are grouped into one or several modules within the housing.

2. An exterior mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that, the module(s) have a common light control unit in the housing.

3. An exterior mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that, the module(s) are disposed on the interior side of the rear wall.

4. An exterior mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that, the module(s) have electrical elements, for activating the various light functions, which are distributed over few circuit boards in the cavity.

5. An exterior mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that, the illuminants are disposed in an insert, forming one of the modules, which is integrated into the rear wall.

6. An exterior mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that, at least one rearward facing indentation is disposed in the rear wall, which has a opening for an illuminant, which faces outward from the cavity.

7. An exterior mirror according to claim 5, characterized in that, the at least one indentation is provided oval.

8. An exterior mirror according to claim 5, characterized in that, the at least one indentation is provided round.

9. An exterior mirror according to one of the claims 5, characterized in that, the at least one indentation serves as a reflector of the illuminant.

10. An exterior mirror according to one of the claims 5, characterized in that, the oval indentation is provided approximately horizontal, wherein the illuminant is disposed in the area of the rim close to the mirror, and the indentation extends away from the rim.

11. An exterior mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that, the indentation is deep enough, so that a lateral recognition of the light function is provided.

12. An exterior mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that, each illuminant is provided with a seal sealing towards the outside.

13. An exterior mirror according to claim 11, characterized in that, the seal is provided as a clear layer over the illuminants.

14. An exterior mirror according to claim 11, characterized in that, the seal (40) is placed onto the housing as a cover.

15. An exterior mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that, the light functions are at least two out of the group comprising signal light, day running light, side marking light, parking light, position light, boundary light, curb light, blind angle monitoring light.

16. An exterior mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that, the illuminants are provided so that various colors can be emitted.

17. An exterior mirror of a vehicle with an opening facing rearward in assembled state, in a housing, with a cavity, into which a mirror can be received, and a forward facing rear wall, confining the cavity with an exterior surface, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at least two different light functions can be performed on the outer surface and/or the mirror, wherein the light functions comprise illuminants, which are grouped in one or several modules within the housing, and at least one rearward facing indentation is disposed in the rear wall, which has an opening for an illuminant, which points outward from the cavity.

18. An exterior mirror of a vehicle with an opening facing rearward in assembled state, in a housing with a cavity, into which a mirror can be received, and a forward facing rear wall, confining the cavity, with an exterior surface, in particular according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at least two different light functions can be performed on the outer surface and/or the mirror, wherein the light functions comprise illuminants, which are grouped in one or several modules within the housing, and the illuminants are disposed in an insert forming one of the modules, which is integrated into the rear wall.