The present invention relates to a vehicle external mirror module having a mirror glass assembly, the latter having at least one mirror glass and at least one luminescent element attached thereto.
An external mirror of this type is known from DE 103 27 072. A heating film is situated behind the mirror glass, which projects beyond the meandering heating element laid thereon. LEDs, whose light exits in front of the front side of the mirror glass, are attached to the projecting part of the film, which is additionally guided around the edge of the mirror glass.
The present invention is thus based on the object of developing a vehicle external mirror module, in which at least one luminescent element is integrated in a space-saving way and is attached in such way that it may be mounted easily and securely with little wiring outlay.
This object is achieved by the features of the main claim. For this purpose, at least one of the luminescent elements is a luminescent film. The luminescent film(s) is/are situated behind the mirror glass. The mirroring of the mirror glass is partially transparent or semitransparent in at least some areas in the area of the luminescent films.
The luminescent elements incorporated in the external mirror module are typically electroluminescent films. The luminescent elements, for example, have their wiring integrated in the heating film in addition to the heating element. The heating film equipped in this way is then united with the mirror glass and a mirror glass support to form a mirror glass assembly through gluing, for example.
The luminescent element is mounted together with the mirror heater in a simple way by inserting and gluing the heating film, which is usually thin. Since the heater and the luminescent element have a shared terminal strip or a shared plug, for example, the connection of the external mirror module to the vehicle is additionally simplified.
In addition to the luminescent films, other luminescent elements, such as LEDs, are possibly also situated on the heating film. These diodes are seated on the edge of the mirror glass in front of the mirroring, for example.
Further details of the present invention result from the subclaims and the following description of multiple exemplary embodiments, which are schematically illustrated.
A partial section oriented transversely to the mirror glass (11) is shown in
As shown in
The mirror glass frame (51) and the mirror glass support (50) are permanently welded or glued to one another, for example.
The luminescent film (61) is an electroluminescent film in a flexible or rigid embodiment, which is equipped at least toward the mirror glass (11) with a self-adhesive layer as a part of the heating film (20), for example. In the area in which the luminescent film (61) is positioned, the mirroring is semitransparent, i.e., it allows the cold light generated behind the back (13) of the mirror glass (11) in the luminescent film (61) to shine through nearly unobstructed, while the transparency resulting due to the semitransparency is not perceived by the driver looking into the rearview mirror. This applies at least for the operating state in which the luminescent film (61) is not powered. The area of the semitransparent window (18) of the mirroring is smaller than the light-emitting area of the luminescent film (61). The edge of the light-emitting area is behind the completely mirrored area of the mirror.
The light color of the particular luminescent film (61-63) may be tailored to the intended purpose.
A transmitted light orientation film (70) is situated between the luminescent film (61) and the mirror glass (11) in the exemplary embodiment shown in
Depending on the intended use, the angle may be in a range from 30 to 90°. This angle of individual lamellae areas to one another may vary within a transmitted light directional opening. The opening angle (73) between two neighboring microlamellae (71) is typically 30 to 40°.
In addition to the rectangular luminescent film (61), for example, a luminescent film (62) provided as an indicator light is also located on the bottom. Its light direction (66) is oriented toward the driver. For this purpose, the transmitted light orientation film in front of it has a small lamellar angle of approximately 30 to 40° in relation to the mirror glass surface. The traffic to the rear does not perceive the light of the indicator lights. By using the microlamellae, the indicator light may still be perceived well even in bright sunlight. Via the indicator light, which, for example, comprises multiple differently shaped and separately activatable luminescent film areas—in the form of symbols or writing—information of the electronic lane change system and/or the blind spot monitor may be communicated to the driver.
A luminescent film (63), which fulfills the function of a background light, is situated in the upper mirror area. It makes getting in and out of the vehicle easier in the dark, for example, in that it illuminates the roadway surface next to the driver and/or passenger doors. The light direction (67) is directed downward for this purpose. As a result, the traffic to the rear is not disturbed.
In the exemplary embodiment, the heating web (30), shown in
The printed conductors (31, 32) run largely parallel to the edge (23) of the combination film (20). They are applied here on the side of the combination film (20) on which the heating web (30) is situated. Of course, there is also the possibility of attaching the individual printed conductors and heating web in different, electrically insulated levels of a multilayered combination or heating film (20).
In addition, ballasts for the light elements or parts of the electronic controller of the mirror adjusting drives may be situated on the combination film (20), e.g., in edge areas. If necessary, the combination film may be reinforced in some areas to receive discrete electronic components, such as ICs.
Notwithstanding the exemplary embodiments, the luminescent film (61) may also be attached separately to the mirror back (13) together with the printed conductors (31, 32)—which are possibly also applied to a film. This is the case when the external mirror is not heated, for example.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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103 49 742.0 | Oct 2003 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/DE04/02351 | 10/21/2004 | WO | 4/24/2006 |