US 2011/0299294 A1 · LIGHTED EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM

Abstract

A lighted exterior rearview mirror system includes an exterior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element and an electrically-operable actuator. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a breakaway joint assembly. The reflective element has an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from the reflective element. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a turn signal indicator lamp that has a light source and a lens. The lamp is included in the exterior rearview mirror assembly and unaffected by operation of the actuator. The breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes. The wire cable includes wires for operating the actuator, the heater and the lamp. The light source includes at least one light emitting diode.

Claims21

Dependent claims

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

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle;
said exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element;
said exterior rearview mirror assembly including a breakaway joint assembly;
said breakaway joint assembly including a stationary member and a pivoting member;
an electrically-operable actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis;
said reflective element provided with an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from said reflective element;
wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a lamp;
wherein said lamp comprises a light source;
wherein said lamp is unaffected by operation of said actuator;
wherein said breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes;
wherein said wire cable comprises wires for operating said actuator, said heater and said lamp;
and
wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

10 more elements

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

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle;
said exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element;
said exterior rearview mirror assembly including a breakaway joint assembly;
said breakaway joint assembly including a stationary member and a pivoting member;
an electrically-operable actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis;
said reflective element provided with an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from said reflective element;
wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a lamp and wherein said lamp comprises a turn signal indicator lamp;
wherein said turn signal indicator lamp comprises a light source;
wherein said turn signal indicator lamp is operable to emit at least one of red colored light and amber colored light;
wherein said turn signal indicator lamp is unaffected by operation of said actuator;
wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a casing, said turn signal indicator lamp having a lens portion that faces rearward of a vehicle equipped with said lighted exterior rearview mirror system and a lens portion that wraps around an outward side of the casing of said exterior rearview mirror assembly;
wherein said breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes;
wherein said wire cable comprises wires for operating said actuator, said heater and said lamp;
and
wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.

12 more elements

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

an exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for mounting to a side of a vehicle;
said exterior mirror assembly including a reflective element;
said exterior rearview mirror assembly including a breakaway joint assembly;
said breakaway joint assembly including a stationary member and a pivoting member;
an electrically-operable actuator for positioning said reflective element about at least one axis;
said reflective element provided with an electrically powered heater operable to remove ice or dew from said reflective element;
wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a lamp and wherein said lamp comprises a turn signal indicator lamp;
wherein said turn signal indicator lamp comprises a light source;
wherein said turn signal indicator lamp is operable to emit at least one of red colored light and amber colored light;
wherein said turn signal indicator lamp is unaffected by operation of said actuator;
wherein said exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a casing, said turn signal indicator lamp having a lens portion that faces rearward of a vehicle equipped with said lighted exterior rearview mirror system and a lens portion that wraps around an outward side of the casing of said exterior rearview mirror assembly;
wherein said breakaway joint assembly includes a wire-way through which a wire cable passes;
wherein said wire cable comprises wires for operating said actuator, said heater and said lamp;
and
wherein said light source comprises at least one light emitting diode;
wherein said turn signal indicator lamp is configured, with the vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly mounted to the side of the equipped vehicle and with said light source of said turn signal indicator lamp electrically powered, to emit light that is directed at least rearward of the equipped vehicle and that is observable to a driver of a second vehicle overtaking in an adjacent side lane from behind the equipped vehicle, said directed light of said turn signal indicator lamp being substantially unobserved by a driver of the equipped vehicle and providing a warning indication to the driver of the second vehicle overtaking the equipped vehicle that a lane change by the equipped vehicle is intended;
and
wherein a minor portion of light emitted by said turn signal indicator lamp is visible to the driver of the equipped vehicle in order to facilitate the driver's awareness thereof.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/209,639Filed 15 Aug 2011

Priority

1 Feb 1993

Published

8 Dec 2011

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B60Q 1/2665
Mounted on parts having other functions: on rear-view mirrors
B60R 1/1207
Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks: with lamps; with turn indicators
B60Q 2900/30
Features of lamps not covered by other groups in B60Q: lamps commanded by wireless transmissions
B60R 21/12
Occupant safety arrangements or fittings , e.g. crash pads: which protect the occupants against personal attack from the inside or the outside of…

Family

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