EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR

• US 20110317297A1
• Filed: 06/21/2011
• Published: 12/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Inventors: Herrmann, Andreas, Szmolenszki, Istvan
• Granted Patent: US 8,602,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/871
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence

Abstract

An exterior rear view mirror for a motor vehicle, which exterior rear view mirror consists of at least two components which are connected to each other. At least one connection between the components includes at least one connecting arrangement, which is suitable for transfer of both transverse forces and compression forces and tractive forces, as well as transfer of moments from a first component to a second component. The connecting arrangement comprises a spring arranged on the first component, with inclined flanks, diverging at least in sections, seen from the first component, and a receiving groove, which is assigned to the spring, provided on the second component. The spring engages in the receiving groove. The spring and the receiving groove comprise a complementary, positive interlocking cross-section, at least in sections, so that the inclined flanks and the receiving groove form a rearward engagement normal to the receiving groove.

Claims

1. Exterior rear view mirror, for a motor vehicle, which consists of at least two components connected together, whereby at least one connecting element comprises at least one connecting arrangement, which is suitable for transfer of both transverse forces and compression forces and tractive forces, as well as transfer of moments from a first component to a second component,

wherein,

the connecting arrangement comprises a spring arranged on the first component, with inclined flanks, diverging at least in sections, seen from the first component, and a receiving groove, provided on the second component, which is assigned to the spring, whereby the spring engages with the receiving groove, and the spring and the receiving groove comprise a complementary, positive interlocking cross-section, at least in sections, in such a way that the inclined flanks and the receiving groove form a rearward engagement normal to the receiving groove.

2. Exterior rear view mirror according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

the spring and the receiving groove can interlock with each other in a dove-tail manner, or in the manner of a Christmas tree base.

3. Exterior rear view mirror according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

the receiving groove and spring are arranged conically tapering in the direction of a longitudinal extension of the connecting arrangement.

4. Exterior rear view mirror according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

the receiving groove comprises at least one section, which comprises a cross-section, which facilitates insertion of the spring perpendicular to the receiving groove.

5. Exterior rear view mirror according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

the receiving groove is open on at least one end for insertion of the spring.

6. Exterior rear view minor according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

the spring is protected from extraction by means of a locking connection in the receiving groove.

7. Exterior rear view mirror according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

the receiving groove and the spring lie locally perpendicular or at an angle to or locally inside a plane running at least partly through the components which are to be joined together.

8. Exterior rear view minor according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

the spring and the receiving groove are curved.

9. Exterior rear view minor according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

several connecting arrangements are provided for connecting two components, whose receiving grooves and springs are arranged following a curved course.

10. Exterior rear view minor according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

several connecting arrangements are provided for connecting two components, whose receiving grooves and springs have the same orientation in space, at least in sections.

11. Exterior rear view minor according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

the connection between the components comprises at least a further connecting means, in addition to the at least one connecting arrangement.

12. Exterior rear view mirror according to claim 1,

characterized in that,

at least the first component is a turn signal indicator module and the second component is an exterior rear view mirror housing, or a housing part of a multi-part exterior rear view mirror housing.