LIGHTED EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM

• US 20100302792A1
• Filed: 08/11/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Koops, Roger L., Pastrick, Todd W., Molenkamp, Linda K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,997,777 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: B60Q 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/12 which protect the occupants against personal attack from the inside or the outside of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A lighted exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element and an electrically-operable actuator. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a breakaway joint assembly. The reflective element has an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from the reflective element. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp that has a light source and a lens. The lamp is included in the exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of the actuator. The breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes. The wire cable includes wires for operating the actuator, the heater and the lamp. The lens of the lamp has a portion that faces rearward of the vehicle and a portion that wraps around an outward side of a casing of the exterior rearview mirror assembly.

Claims

1. A lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said lighted exterior rearview mirror system comprising:

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle;

said exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element;

said exterior rearview mirror assembly including a breakaway joint assembly;

said breakaway joint assembly including a stationary member and a pivoting member;

an electrically-operable actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis;

said reflective element provided with an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from said reflective element;

wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp;

wherein said lamp comprises a light source and a lens;

wherein said lamp is fixedly included in said exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of said actuator;

wherein said breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes;

wherein said wire cable comprises wires for operating said actuator, said heater and said lamp; and

wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a casing, and wherein said lens of said lamp comprises a portion that faces rearward of the vehicle and a portion that wraps around an outward side of said casing of said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

2. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said lamp comprises a reflector.

3. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 2, wherein said lens comprises a segmented lens.

4. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said lens comprises at least one of (a) a prismatic lens and (b) a Fresnel lens.

5. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said lamp comprises a light pipe.

6. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element, and wherein said wire cable comprises wires for operating said electrochromic reflective element.

7. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

8. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 7, wherein, when said at least one light emitting diode is actuated, light emitted by said lamp comprises at least one of red light and amber light.

9. A lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said lighted exterior rearview mirror system comprising:

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle;

said exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element;

said exterior rearview mirror assembly including a breakaway joint assembly;

said breakaway joint assembly including a stationary member and a pivoting member;

an electrically-operable actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis;

said reflective element provided with an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from said reflective element;

wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp;

wherein said lamp comprises a light source and at least one of a lens and a reflector;

wherein, when said light source is actuated, light emitted by said lamp comprises at least one of red light and amber light;

wherein said lamp is fixedly included in said exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of said actuator;

wherein said breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes;

wherein said wire cable comprises wires for operating said actuator, said heater and said lamp; and

wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a casing, and wherein said lens of said lamp comprises a portion that faces rearward of the vehicle and a portion that wraps around an outward side of said casing of said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

10. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein said lens comprises a segmented lens.

11. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein said lens comprises at least one of (a) a prismatic lens and (b) a Fresnel lens.

12. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element, and wherein said wire cable comprises wires for operating said electrochromic reflective element.

13. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 9, wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

14. A lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said lighted exterior rearview mirror system comprising:

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle;

said exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element;

wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element;

said exterior rearview mirror assembly including a breakaway joint assembly;

said breakaway joint assembly including a stationary member and a pivoting member;

an electrically-operable actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis;

said reflective element provided with an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from said reflective element;

wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp;

wherein said lamp comprises a light source and at least one of a lens and a reflector;

wherein said lamp is fixedly included in said exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of said actuator;

wherein said breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes;

said wire cable comprises wires for operating said actuator, said heater, said lamp and said electrochromic reflective element; and

wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a casing, and wherein said lens of said lamp comprises a portion that faces rearward of the vehicle and a portion that wraps around an outward side of said casing of said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

15. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 14, wherein said lens comprises a segmented lens.

16. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 14, wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

17. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 14, wherein, when said light source is actuated, light emitted by said lamp comprises at least one of red light and amber light.

18. A lighted exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said lighted exterior rearview mirror system comprising:

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle;

said exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element;

said exterior rearview mirror assembly including a breakaway joint assembly;

said breakaway joint assembly including a stationary member and a pivoting member;

an electrically-operable actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis;

said reflective element provided with an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from said reflective element;

wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp;

wherein said lamp comprises a light pipe and at least one light emitting diode;

wherein said lamp is fixedly included in said exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of said actuator;

wherein said breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes;

wherein said wire cable comprises wires for operating said actuator, said heater and said lamp; and

wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a casing, and wherein a lens of said lamp comprises a portion that faces rearward of the vehicle and a portion that wraps around an outward side of said casing of said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

19. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein, when said at least one light emitting diode is actuated, light emitted by said lamp comprises at least one of red light and amber light.

20. The lighted exterior rearview mirror system of claim 18, wherein said reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element, and wherein said wire cable comprises wires for operating said electrochromic reflective element.