A mirror assembly security system

A light module for positioning in an opening in an exterior mirror assembly of a vehicle, the exterior mirror assembly having a casing and a retaining structure located within said casing, said light module comprising:

• enclosure having an enclosure wall defining an inner surface;
• a pair of electrical contacts disposed on said inner surface of said enclosure wall, said contacts adapted for coupling to an external power supply;
• a light-transmitting opening in said enclosure;
• a cover extending over said light-transmitting opening for sealing said enclosure for transmitting light from a light source in said enclosure to an area adjacent the vehicle;
• a light source supported by and coupled to said contacts in said enclosure, said light source radiating light toward said light-transmitting opening and through said cover;
• said enclosure adapted for mounting in the opening of the exterior mirror housing;
• and
• said enclosure wall and portions of said contacts on said enclosure wall are flexible and are adapted to deflect prior to installation of said cover to permit insertion of said light source between said enclosure wall, said cover adding rigidity to said enclosure wall when installed on said enclosure so that said light source is rigidly supported in said enclosure between said contacts when said cover is installed.

A security light module for an exterior mirror assembly for a vehicle, the exterior mirror assembly including a mirror case and a reflective element supported in the mirror case, said security module comprising:

• a housing defining an compartment, said housing having a unitary body including a side wall and a light emitting opening in communication with said compartment, said compartment defining a central axis;
• a light source having an elongated radiating surface, said light source mounted in said compartment approximately on said central axis;
• a reflective surface at least partially straddling said light source;
• a cover sealing said compartment and adapted to transmit light from said light source, wherein at least one of said reflective surface and said cover direct light from said light source in a direction angled with respect to said central axis.

A mirror assembly security system for a vehicle comprising:

• an exterior mirror assembly including a housing and a reflective element supported by said housing;
• a light module positioned in said exterior mirror assembly, said light module for projecting light from said exterior mirror assembly on an area near the vehicle in order to create a lighted security zone in the area;
• and
• said light module including an enclosure and a light source supported in said enclosure, said enclosure having a volume that is less than approximately 100 cubic centimeters, and said light module for illuminating an area with a light level in the range of approximately 10 lux to approximately 40 lux.

A light module for positioning in an opening in an exterior mirror assembly of a vehicle, the exterior mirror assembly having a housing and a reflective element supported in the housing, the housing including an opening, said light module comprising:

• enclosure defining a compartment having an inner surface;
• a light-transmitting opening in said enclosure;
• a cover extending over said light-transmitting opening for sealing said enclosure and for transmitting light from a light source in said enclosure to an area adjacent the vehicle, said cover including at least one non-planar optic surface for directing the light in a first direction from the module for illuminating an area adjacent a first side of the vehicle;
• a light source supported in said enclosure, said light source radiating light toward said light-transmitting opening and through said cover;
• said enclosure adapted for mounting in the opening of the exterior mirror housing;
• and
• said cover adapted to be reorientated about the enclosure to redirect the light from the module in a second direction for illuminating an area adjacent a second side of the vehicle.