# US 11,305,696 B2 · Rearview device and vehicle with such rearview device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,696 B2 - Document ID: US11305696B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/799,238 - Filed: 2020-02-24 - Published: 2020-06-18 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-25 - Assignees: SMR Patents S.à.r.l. - Applicants: SMR Patents S.à.r.l. - Inventors: Steve Horne; Andrew Lettis; Graham Rehill; Andreas Herrmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305696B2 ## CPC - B60R 1/1207: {with lamps; with turn indicators} - B60Q 1/2665: {on rear-view mirrors (lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258)} - F21S 43/14: Light emitting diodes [LED] - F21S 43/19: Attachment of light sources or lamp holders - F21S 43/237: rod-shaped - F21S 43/245: emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces - F21S 43/246: {having two or more output branches} - F21S 43/249: with two or more light sources being coupled into the light guide - F21S 43/2492: {having two or more input branches} - F21S 43/27: Attachment thereof - B60Q 9/005: {using a video camera} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - F21S: NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS ## Abstract An external rearview device for a motor vehicle includes a housing, and one or more of at least one light emitting or a receiving device, including one or more of at least one light producing device or at least one camera device arranged within the housing, and at least one at least partially transparent element closing an opening provided by the housing, the at least partially transparent element being provided in form of a first module attached to the housing, and the one or more of the light producing device or the camera device being provided in form of a second module attached to the first module, the first module and the second module being mechanically releaseably coupled. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An external rearview device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing; and one or more of at least one light emitting or a receiving device, comprising: one or more of at least one light producing device or at least one camera device arranged within the housing; and at least one at least partially transparent element closing an opening provided by the housing, wherein the at least partially transparent element is provided in form of a first module attached to the housing, the one or more of the light producing device or the camera device is provided in form of a second module attached to the first module, the first module and the second module being mechanically releaseably coupled, the first module is formed with a main body and an extension, and at least one of the main body provides a shoulder from which an arm forming the extension extends, and the arm provides a head at its free end, with the second module being arranged between the shoulder and the head, or the extension provides a recess or cavity into which the second module is at least partly inserted; wherein, the first module provides: a first light exit surface flush to the outside of the housing, a second light exit surface flush with a front portion of at least one of a display element or reflective element, and a third light exit surface connects the first light exit surface to the second light exit surface, and wherein the third light exit surface provides a smooth edge of the first module. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein the first module provides at least one first contact surface facing to an interior side of said housing and engaging at least one wall of the housing, and at least one second contact surface facing to the second module and engaging the second module. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a casing with at least one wall and a bezel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The rearview device according to claim 3, wherein the second module is supported by one or more of the at least one wall or the bezel, with the housing together with the first module providing a tight unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the display element or reflective element, in form of a mirror element, is fixed to the housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The rearview device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the display element or reflective element, in form of a mirror element, is fixed to the bezel, with the bezel at least one of supporting or embracing the said element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The rearview device according to claim 3, wherein the first module protrudes from at least one outer surface of the housing over an imaginary contour line that connects the outer surface of the at least one wall and the outer surface of the bezel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1, 6) The rearview device according to any one of claims 1 or 6 wherein the first module is flush with an outer surface of the housing or the at least one of the display element or reflective element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein the light producing device, comprises: at least one light source comprising a light emitting diode; and a body within which the light source is arranged. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The rearview device according to claim 6, wherein the body comprises a printed circuit board, a lower half, and an upper half, and at least one of the upper half is transparent, the lower half is formed together with the printed circuit board, or the circuit board comprises at least one control unit for controlling the light source. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The rearview device according to claim 9, wherein the body has at least one at least partially transparent portion which is at least one of provided by the upper half or engaging the first module. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein the light producing device comprises at least one optical fibre for guiding light emitted from at least one light source to a dome-shaped end portion which is coupled to the first module. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein the light producing device comprises at least one light source having a dome-shaped exit surface coupled via a coupling element to at least one optical fibre, with the coupling element having a H-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein the light producing device comprises at least one light source having a light exit surface provided by an inner protrusion surrounded by an outer ring-shaped wall for coupling to at least one optical fibre. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of first modules are provided, with each first module being coupled to a separate second module or to a common second module. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The rearview device according to claim 1, wherein a single first module is at least one of coupled to a plurality of second modules or provided with a plurality of light trunks for inputting or outputting light, with each trunk being coupled to a separate module or to a common second module. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A vehicle, comprising the external rearview device of claim 1. ### Claim 18 An external rearview device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing; and one or more of at least one light emitting or a receiving device, comprising: one or more of at least one light producing device or at least one camera device arranged within the housing; and at least one at least partially transparent element closing an opening provided by the housing, wherein the at least partially transparent element is provided in form of a first module attached to the housing, the one or more of the light producing device or the camera device is provided in form of a second module attached to the first module, the first module and the second module being mechanically releaseably coupled, the housing comprises a casing with at least one wall and a bezel, and the first module protrudes from at least one outer surface of the housing; and wherein, the first module provides: a first light exit surface flush to the outside of the housing, a second light exit surface flush with a front portion of at least one of a display element or reflective element, and a third light exit surface connects the first light exit surface to the second light exit surface, and wherein the third light exit surface provides a smooth edge of the first module. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein the first module provides at least one first contact surface facing to an interior side of said housing and engaging at least one wall of the housing, at least one second contact surface facing to the second module and engaging the second module. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein the first module is formed with a main body and an extension, and at least a portion of the main body acts as a lens that serves to focus or disperse light. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The rearview device according to claim 20, wherein the main body provides a shoulder from which an arm forming the extension extends, and the arm provides a head at its free end with the second module being arranged between the shoulder and the head. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The rearview device according to claim 20, wherein the extension provides a recess or cavity into which the second module is at least partly inserted. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein the second module is supported by one or more of the at least one wall or the bezel, with the housing together with the first module providing a tight unit. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the display element or reflective element, in form of a mirror element, is fixed to the housing. ### Claim 25 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the display element or reflective element, in form of a mirror element, is fixed to the bezel, with the bezel at least one of supporting or embracing the said element. ### Claim 26 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to any one of claims 18, or 25 wherein the first module is flush with at least one of an outer surface of the hosing or the at least one of the display element or reflective element. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein the light producing device comprises: at least one light source comprising a light emitting diode; and a body within which the light source is arranged. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The rearview device according to claim 27, wherein the body comprises a printed circuit board, a lower half, and an upper half, and at least one of the upper half is transparent, the lower half is formed together with the printed circuit board, or the circuit board comprises at least one control until for controlling the light source. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The rearview device according to claim 28, wherein the body has at least one at least partially transparent portion which is at least one of provided by the upper half or engaging the first module. ### Claim 30 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein the light producing device comprises at least one optical fibre for guiding light emitted from at least one light source to a dome-shaped end portion which is coupled to the first module. ### Claim 31 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein the light producing device comprises at least one light source having a dome-shaped exit surface coupled via a coupling element to at least one optical fibre, with the coupling element having a H-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 32 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein the light producing device comprises at least one light source having a light exit surface provided by an inner protrusion surrounded by an outer ring-shaped wall for coupling to at least one optical fibre. ### Claim 33 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein a plurality of first modules are provided, with each first module being coupled to a separate second module or to a common second module. ### Claim 34 (depends on 18) The rearview device according to claim 18, wherein a single first module is at least one of coupled to a plurality of second modules or provided with a plurality of light trunks for inputting or outputting light, with each trunk being coupled to a separate second module or to a common second module. ### Claim 35 (depends on 18) A vehicle, comprising the external rearview device of claim 18. ### Claim 36 An external rearview device for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing; and one or more of at least one light emitting or a receiving device, comprising: one or more of at least one light producing device or at least one camera device arranged within the housing; and at least one at least partially transparent element closing an opening provided by the housing, wherein the at least partially transparent element is provided in form of a first module attached to the housing, the one or more of the light producing device or the camera device is provided in form of a second module attached to the first module, the first module and the second module being mechanically releaseably coupled, and at least one of the light producing device comprises at least one optical fibre for guiding light emitted from at least one light source to an end portion which is coupled to the first module, or the light producing device comprises at least one light source having a dome-shaped exit surface coupled via a coupling element to at least one optical fibre with the coupling element having a H-shaped cross-section, or the light producing device comprises at least one light source having a light exit surface provided by an inner protrusion surrounded by an outer ring-shaped wall for coupling to at least one optical fibre; and wherein, the first module provides: a first light exit surface flush to the outside of the housing, a second light exit surface flush with a front portion of at least one of a display element or reflective element, and a third light exit surface connects the first light exit surface to the second light exit surface, and wherein the third light exit surface provides a smooth edge of the first module. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The rearview device according to claim 36, wherein the first module provides at least one first contact surface facing to an interior side of said housing and engaging at least one wall of the housing, at least one second contact surface facing to the second module and engaging the second module. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The rearview device according to claim 36, wherein the first module is formed with a main body and an extension, and at least a portion of the main body acts as a lens that serves to focus or disperse light. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The rearview device according to claim 38, wherein the main body provides a shoulder from which an arm forming the extension extends, and the arm provides a head at its free end with the second module being arranged between the shoulder and the head. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) The rearview device according to claim 38, wherein the extension provides a recess or cavity into which the second module is at least partly inserted. ### Claim 41 (depends on 36) The rearview device according to claim 36, wherein the housing comprises a casing with at least one wall and a bezel. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) The rearview device according to claim 40, wherein the second module is supported by one or more of the at least one wall or a bezel, with the housing together with the first module providing a tight unit. ### Claim 43 (depends on 36) The rearview device according to claim 36, wherein at least one of the display element or reflective element, in form of a mirror element, is fixed to the housing. ### Claim 44 (depends on 36) The rearview device according to claim 36, wherein at least one of the display element or reflective element, in form of a mirror element, is fixed to the bezel, with the bezel at least one of supporting or embracing the said element. ### Claim 45 (depends on 41) The rearview device according to claim 41, wherein the first module protrudes from at least one outer surface of the housing over an imaginary contour line that connects the outer surface of the at least one wall and the outer surface of the bezel. ### Claim 46 (depends on 36) The rearview device according to any one of claims 36, or 44, wherein the first module is flush with at least one of an outer surface of the housing or the at least one of the display element or reflective element. ### Claim 47 (depends on 36) The rearview device according to claim 36, wherein a plurality of first modules are provided, with each first module being coupled to a separate second module or to a common second module. ### Claim 48 (depends on 36) The rearview device according to claim 36, wherein a single first module is at least one of coupled to a plurality of second modules or provided with a plurality of light trunks for inputting or outputting light, with each trunk being coupled to a separate second module or to a common second module. ### Claim 49 (depends on 36) A vehicle, comprising the external rearview device of claim 36.