Vehicle exterior mirror system

A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle, said lighted exterior mirror system comprising:

• an exterior mirror assembly, said exterior mirror assembly comprising at least one of (a) a breakaway exterior mirror assembly and (b) a powerfold exterior mirror assembly;
• said exterior mirror assembly comprising a folding portion and a non-folding portion, wherein said non-folding portion is configured to mount to a side of a vehicle equipped with said lighted exterior mirror system, and wherein said folding portion includes a reflective element;
• wherein said folding portion is movable relative to said non-folding portion and wherein said folding portion is movable between a normal operating position and a folded position;
• a ground illumination light disposed in said non-folding portion, wherein said ground illumination light is configured to project a pattern of light from said non-folding portion of said exterior mirror assembly to provide a lighted zone on a ground area adjacent the equipped side of the vehicle at least at a front door region at the equipped side of the vehicle where occupants may enter and exit the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said lighted zone is generally unaffected by movement of said folding portion relative to said non-folding portion;
• and
• wherein said pattern of light projected by said ground illumination light provides ground illumination of at least about one lux illumination intensity at least on the ground area adjacent the front door region at the equipped side of the vehicle where occupants may enter and exit the equipped vehicle.

A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle, said lighted exterior mirror system comprising:

• an exterior mirror assembly, said exterior mirror assembly comprising at least one of (a) a breakaway exterior mirror assembly and (b) a powerfold exterior mirror assembly;
• said exterior mirror assembly comprising a folding portion and a non-folding portion, wherein said non-folding portion is configured to mount to a side of a vehicle equipped with said lighted exterior mirror system, and wherein said folding portion includes a reflective element;
• wherein said folding portion is movable relative to said non-folding portion and wherein said folding portion is movable between a normal operating position and a folded position;
• a ground illumination light configured to project a pattern of light from said exterior mirror assembly to provide a lighted zone on a ground area adjacent the equipped side of the vehicle at least at a front door region at the equipped side of the vehicle where occupants may enter and exit the equipped vehicle;
• wherein one of (a) said ground illumination light is disposed in said non-folding portion and wherein said lighted zone is unaffected by movement of said folding portion relative to said non-folding portion, and (b) said ground illumination light is disposed in said folding portion;
• and
• wherein said pattern of light projected by said ground illumination light provides ground illumination of at least about one lux illumination intensity at least on the ground area adjacent the front door region at the equipped side of the vehicle where occupants may enter and exit the equipped vehicle.

A lighted exterior mirror system for a vehicle, said lighted exterior mirror system comprising:

• an exterior mirror assembly, said exterior mirror assembly comprising at least one of (a) a breakaway exterior mirror assembly and (b) a powerfold exterior mirror assembly;
• said exterior mirror assembly comprising a folding portion and a non-folding portion, wherein said non-folding portion is configured to mount to a side of a vehicle equipped with said lighted exterior mirror system, and wherein said folding portion includes a reflective element;
• wherein said folding portion is movable relative to said non-folding portion and wherein said folding portion is movable between a normal operating position and a folded position;
• a ground illumination light configured to project a pattern of light from said exterior mirror assembly to provide a lighted zone on a ground area adjacent the equipped side of the vehicle at least at a front door region at the equipped side of the vehicle where occupants may enter and exit the equipped vehicle;
• wherein said ground illumination light comprises a unitary module;
• wherein one of (a) said ground illumination light is disposed in said non-folding portion and wherein said lighted zone is unaffected by movement of said folding portion relative to said non-folding portion, and (b) said ground illumination light is disposed in said folding portion;
• wherein said pattern of light projected by said ground illumination light provides ground illumination of at least about one lux illumination intensity at least on the ground area adjacent the front door region at the equipped side of the vehicle where occupants may enter and exit the equipped vehicle;
• and
• wherein said pattern of light projected by said ground illumination light contacts the equipped vehicle at least at the front door region of the equipped side of the vehicle, and wherein said pattern of light projected by said ground illumination light comprises a pattern of white light.