Exterior rearview mirror for vehicles

Abstract

The exterior rearview mirror has a mirror mounting bracket attached to the vehicle, to which bracket is attached a folding mirror head. The mirror also has, arranged in the mirror mounting bracket, a perimeter light with a lighting means, preferably an LED. In order to design the exterior rearview mirror so that heat produced by the lighting means does not have an adverse effect, the lighting means is arranged on a thermally conductive carrier, which carrier is in thermally conductive connection with the mirror mounting bracket. The heat generated by the lighting means is transmitted by the carrier to the mirror mounting bracket so that excessive heating of the perimeter light and mirror mounting bracket is avoided in a simple manner. The exterior rearview mirror is especially suitable for motor vehicles.

Description

The invention concerns an exterior rearview mirror for vehicles, more particularly motor vehicles, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Exterior rearview mirrors are known in which the mirror mounting bracket is provided with a perimeter light containing at least one lighting means. Such lighting means develop relatively intense heat which can lead to damage to the perimeter light and/or the exterior rearview mirror.

The object of the invention is to design an exterior rearview mirror of this type such that the heat generated by the lighting means has no adverse effects.

This object is attained in accordance with the invention in an exterior rearview mirror of the generic type with the characterizing features of claim 1.

As a result of the inventive design, the heat generated by the lighting means is transmitted by the carrier to the mirror mounting bracket. In this way, excessive heating of the perimeter light and mirror mounting bracket is avoided.

Additional features of the invention are apparent from the other claims, the description, and the drawings.

The invention is explained in detail below on the basis of several example embodiments shown in the drawings. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 a perspective view in cross-section of a mirror mounting bracket of an inventive exterior rearview mirror with a perimeter light,

FIGS. 2-6 each show an additional embodiment of an inventive exterior rearview mirror in views similar to that of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a mirror mounting bracket 1 with a cover 2 and a perimeter light 3 of an exterior rearview mirror that is attached to a vehicle (not shown) by the mirror mounting bracket 1. Fastened to the mirror mounting bracket 1 in an articulated fashion is a mirror head (not shown) that can be swiveled from an operating position into a non-operating position adjacent to the vehicle. An area beneath the exterior rearview mirror and adjacent to the vehicle or vehicle doors can be illuminated by means of the perimeter light 3.

The mirror mounting bracket 1 has a receptacle 4 for the light 3, preferably composed of a surrounding ridge 5. The receptacle 4 may have a round or angular cross-section. The height of the ridge 5 varies over its extent to correspond to the varying overall height of the mirror mounting bracket 1 in the vicinity of the installation space for the perimeter light 3. In the example embodiment, the receptacle 4 is located in the vicinity of a hole 7 that accommodates a bearing pin for swivel mounting of the mirror head.

The mirror mounting bracket 1 has a support 1′, which preferably is made of metal or rigid plastic. The support 1′ is covered with respect to the outside by the cap-like cover 2, which has an opening 9 for an optical window 10 of the light 3. In advantageous fashion, the cover 2 is made of plastic. Said cover is held on the support 1′ by one or more interlocking connectors 11. The cover has a curved edge section 12 and, extending approximately parallel thereto and spaced apart from it, an inner ridge 13, the two of which define a receptacle opening 14 for a free edge 15 of the support 1′.

As lighting means, the perimeter light 3 has an LED 16, which is arranged on a printed circuit board 17, and a light housing 18 that has the optical window 10. The printed circuit board 17 is a flat plastic plate that contains a metal core (not shown) as a thermal conductor, preferably a metal plate having a regular outer contour. In the installation position, the full surface of the metal-core circuit board 16 rests on the flat bottom 8 of the receptacle 4.

The light housing 18 is manufactured as a single piece with the optical window 10 of a light-transmissible plastic. The housing has a circular cross-section with a surrounding edge 19, which edge is L-shaped in cross-section and defines an annular groove 20 for a ring seal 21. The free end of the ridge 5 of the receptacle 4 of the support 1′ projects into the annular groove 20. In this way, the housing 18 is secured against rotation in the receptacle 4 in the assembled position. The printed circuit board 17 closes the housing 18 at the end opposite the optical window 10.

A central section 22 of the optical window 10 projects into the housing opening 9 such that the end face 25 of the section 22 is located in the outer side of the cover 2. The housing section 22 completely fills the opening 9 and transitions into the remaining part of the housing through a shoulder 24. The end face 25 is domed outward in an arc with a large radius of curvature over the adjoining wall 30 of the cover 2. In the assembled position of the cover 2, the optical window 10 projects into the opening 9 of the cover 2 so that the rim 26 of the opening is located in the shoulder 24. The light housing 18 rests against the inside of the cover 2 adjacent to the rim 26 of the opening. The height of the light housing 18 is slightly greater than the distance between the cover 2 in the vicinity of the housing and the bottom 8 of the receptacle 4 of the support 1′. As a result, the light housing 18 is preloaded with respect to the printed circuit board 17 in the assembled position and with cover 2 installed, so that said circuit board rests, with preloading, against the bottom 8 of the mirror mounting bracket receptacle 4. Since the LED 16 produces very high lumen values per watt, intense heat is developed; said heat is transmitted through the metal core in the printed circuit board 17 directly to the support 1′ or conducted to it. In this way, the perimeter light 3 and its housing 18 are protected from excessive heat or overheating.

The cover 2 is pushed over the preassembled optical window 10. During this process, the cover 2 slides over the end face 25 of the optical window 10 with elastic expansion until the rim 26 of the opening snaps into the shoulder 24 of the optical window. In this way, the optical window 10 is braced and held against the carrier 17. Hence additional fastening means for the optical window 10 are unnecessary.

Due to the preloading of the light housing 18, the seal 21 is also elastically compressed between the ridge 5 and the housing 18, thus reliably preventing the penetration of moisture into the housing 18.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 differs from the embodiment described above only in that the light housing 18 has a preferably ring-shaped cavity 27 provided between the housing walls 29, 29′ and a central midsection 28. This midsection 28 has at its free end a recess 28′ into which the LED 16 projects in a form-fitting manner in the assembled light housing 18. The optical window 10 has the central, protruding housing section 22, which rests in the opening 9. In contrast to the embodiment described above, the end face 25 of the central housing section 22 is designed with a convex curvature so that it lies approximately in a plane with the adjacent wall 30 of the cover 2. In this embodiment as well, the light housing 18 is made of light-transmissible plastic.

The housing 18 has, directly adjoining the outside shoulder 24, another outside shoulder 43 in which is arranged a ring seal 42. In the installation position, said ring seal lies with elastic deformation between the light housing 18 and the inner side of the cover 2, and prevents moisture and/or dirt from entering the mirror mounting bracket 1 through the opening 9. The design of this embodiment is otherwise the same as the previous example embodiment. The metal-core circuit board 17 is again pressed firmly against the bottom 8 of the receptacle 4 of the support 1′, so the heat produced when the LED 16 is turned on is reliably conducted into the support 1′.

The embodiment in FIG. 3 corresponds to the one in FIG. 2 with the sole difference that the light housing 18 is designed without the midsection 28. Together with the LED 16, the printed circuit board 17 with the metal core once again rests with its entire surface against the bottom 8 of the receptacle 4 of the support 1′ under pressure. In the assembled position, the housing 18 in FIG. 3 is loaded by the cover 2 in the direction of the support 1′. As a result, the ring seal 21 is elastically deformed in the annular groove 20 and the circuit board 17 is pressed against the bottom 8 of the receptacle 4, ensuring rapid and complete heat conduction and reliable sealing of the housing 18.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment corresponding to that in FIG. 3, wherein the housing 18 has a reflector as an insert 31. It rests against the inner wall of the housing 18 and is provided with an opening 32 through which the LED 16 projects. The reflector 31 has a reflective surface 33, which reflects the light emitted by the LED 16 to the optical window 10. The reflector 31 can have various designs depending on the desired lighting effect, for example it can take the shape of a paraboloid. The free edge of the reflector 31 is supported on an inner shoulder 34 of the housing 18, which shoulder is also present in the housings in FIGS. 2 and 3. The inner shoulder 34 is recessed inward with respect to the outer shoulder 24. The reflector 31 also rests on the printed circuit board 17. The reflector 31 is preferably made of heat-resistant plastic. The design of the perimeter light 3 is otherwise the same as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

The reflector 31 can also be designed as a heat-dissipating element. In this case, it is made of metallic material and is designed such that it has the shape of the light housing 18. The annular groove 20 is then located on the outside of the reflector 31. A lens is then set into the free end of such a reflector. In such a design, not only is the heat generated by the LED 16 conducted into the support 1′ through the carrier 17, it is also conducted through the reflector 31 into the ridge 5.

Here, too, the heat generated by the LED 16 is rapidly and completely conducted into the support 1′ through the printed circuit board 17 of the perimeter light 3.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the light housing 18 largely corresponds to that in FIG. 3. However, the end face 25 of the central section 22 of the optical window has a concave curvature as in the embodiment in FIG. 1. The inner side of the optical window 10 is provided with an optical structure 38 which can be used to achieve a directed guidance of the light emitted by the LED 16. Located a distance behind the optical window 10 is an optical element 39, which is designed as a Fresnel lens, for example. A lens 40 is accommodated in the housing 18 between the optical element 39 and the LED 16. The optical elements 38 through 40 can, of course, also be built into the housing in a different arrangement. Different combinations of these optical elements can also be employed to achieve directed guidance of the light.

The optical elements 38 through 40 are provided in the embodiment in FIG. 6 as in the previous example embodiment. In addition, the end face 25 of the optical window 10 is provided with an optical structure 41.

In place of the light housing 18, an optical waveguide or a combination of an optical waveguide and the housing 18 can also be used. The installation depth of the LED 16 can likewise be varied with appropriate adjustment of the mirror mounting bracket in order to change the illuminated area.

Finally, the position of the perimeter light 3 on the mirror mounting bracket 1 can also be changed as desired depending on which area next to the vehicle and on the ground is to be illuminated.

Of course, additional LEDs, for example arranged next to one another in rows, can also be used in place of the one LED 16 to increase the light intensity.

In all the embodiments described, there may be built into the exterior rearview mirror, in particular into the mirror head, lighting means as auxiliary turn signals, transmitters and/or receivers for garage door openers and/or for navigation systems, sensors as part of the control system for an EC or LCD glass, antennas for automotive radios, compasses and the like, loudspeakers and the like. Additional components, such as transmitters and/or receivers for garage door openers or for navigation systems, may also be built into the mirror mounting bracket.

Claims

1. Exterior rearview mirror for vehicles, comprising a mirror mounting bracket for attachment to the vehicle, to which bracket is attached a folding mirror head, and having, arranged in the mirror mounting bracket, at least one perimeter light with at least one light source, wherein the light source is arranged on a thermally conductive carrier, which carrier is in thermally conductive connection with the mirror mounting bracket.

2. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the carrier contains at least one metallic thermally conductive element.

3. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the thermally conductive element is plate-like in design.

4. Amended) Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 2, wherein the thermally conductive element is arranged embedded in the carrier, which carrier is preferably composed of a printed circuit board.

5. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light source forms a modular unit with the carrier.

6. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein a light housing which accommodates the light source is arranged on the carrier.

7. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light housing has an optical window.

8. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light housing is made of heat-resistant material.

9. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light housing and the optical window are embodied as a single piece.

10. Exterior rearview mirror, in particular according to claim 1, wherein, in the assembled position, the light housing is preloaded with respect to the carrier.

11. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light housing rests against the mirror mounting bracket with at least one seal interposed.

12. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 11, wherein the seal is a ring seal.

13. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 11, wherein the seal lies in an annular groove.

14. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light housing is held secure against rotation in the mirror mounting bracket.

15. Exterior rearview mirror, in particular according to claim 1, wherein the light housing is preloaded with respect to the carrier by a cover of the mirror mounting bracket.

16. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 15, wherein the cover is secured on a support of the mirror mounting bracket by means of a locking connection, preferably a snap-in connection.

17. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 15, wherein an additional seal is arranged between the cover and the light housing.

18. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 7, wherein the optical window transitions into the remaining part of the housing through an outside shoulder.

19. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the cover engages with a rim in the outside shoulder of the light housing.

20. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 17, wherein the additional seal is located in an additional outside shoulder of the light housing.

21. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light housing is supported on the inside of the cover.

22. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light housing is designed to be solid.

23. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light housing has, on its rear side facing away from the optical window, a recess into which the light source projects when the light housing is assembled.

24. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light housing is designed in the shape of a dish.

25. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the light housing has a midsection.

26. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 25, wherein the midsection has the recess for accommodating the light source.

27. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein a reflector is placed in the light housing.

28. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 27, wherein the light source projects into the reflector.

29. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 27, wherein the reflector is seated on the carrier.

30. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 27, wherein the reflector is supported on an inner shoulder of the light housing.

31. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 27, wherein the reflector is made of heat-resistant material, preferably plastic.

32. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 27, wherein the reflector is made of heat-dissipating material, preferably metal.

33. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 32, wherein the reflector constitutes a part of the light housing.

34. Exterior rearview mirror according claim 1, wherein the light housing has at least one, preferably multiple, optical elements.

35. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 7, wherein the optical window lies in an opening of the mirror mounting bracket, in particular of the cover.

36. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the end face of the optical window lies essentially in the outer side of the cover.

37. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 1, wherein the support of the mirror mounting bracket has a receptacle for the light housing.

38. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 37, wherein the receptacle is defined by ridges of the support.

39. Exterior rearview mirror according to claim 37, wherein the carrier rests with its entire surface against the bottom of the receptacle under pressure applied by the light housing