Exterior rear view mirror for vehicles, in particular motor vehicles

The invention relates to an exterior rearview mirror for vehicles, preferably for motor vehicles, according to the preamble of claim 1.

There are known external rear-view mirror in which the mirror housing a turn signal is provided. As a light source is an incandescent lamp used, the light through the light exit window occurs outwards. The bulb produces a significant Heat inside the mirror housing and has a relatively short lifetime. Moreover, the bulb a large amount of space and can only be consuming within the mirror housing mount.

The invention has for its object, the generic An exterior rear view mirror in such a way that a simple and economical ensures mounting the light source in the mirror housing is.

This object is the generic exterior rearview mirror according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 1 dissolved.

When exterior rearview mirror according to the invention, the light exit opening at least partially, preferably completely, from Optical fiber filled. Via the light guide which can from the light source light emitted simply directed to the light exit opening will. The use of an optical fiber has the advantage that as Light source advantageously at least one LED can be used can. On it, the light guide is connected. With the optical fiber is a very simple mounting of the mirror housing, and thus the An exterior rearview mirror possible. The light guide with the light source is advantageously used as a turn signal repeater.

Further features of the invention result from the further Claims, the description and the drawings.

The invention will be with reference to an illustrated in the drawings explained embodiment example. Show it<dl tsize="7"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a cross section of a mirror housing of an inventive An exterior rear view mirror,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a section along the line II-II in Fig. 1,</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a section through a fastening point of a light guide the exterior rear view mirror according to the invention,</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a rear view of the mirror housing of the present invention An exterior rear view mirror.</dd></dl>

The exterior rear-view mirror has a (not shown) mirror, with which it to a vehicle, preferably a motor vehicle, is attached. On mirror a mirror head 1 is mounted, the opposite advantageous in and against the direction of travel of the vehicle is the mirror folding. The mirror head 1 has a Mirror housing 2 (not shown) in the known manner in a Glass carrier plate is mounted adjustable, which mirrors a wearing. The glass carrier plate by means of a in FIG. 1 is only indicated pivoted ball joint 3 in the mirror housing 2 and can be adjusted manually or by electric motor.

The mirror housing 2 has on its in the driving direction F of the vehicle forward-looking wall 4 at least one opening 5, in which at least one consisting of light guide material Light windows 6 is accommodated. extends the embodiment the light window 6 transverse to the direction horizontally. It is ribbon-shaped and extends over more than half the Width of the holder. 2

The light window 6 is formed so that its outer surface 7 (Fig. 2 and 3) at least approximately one continuous extension of the wall 4 of the mirror housing 2 forms in the region of the opening. 5 The Light window 6 has a circumferential, in the thickness reduced Rim 8, with which it rests on the inner side 9 of the mirror housing 2 (Fig. 2 and 3). Of course, the border must not over 8 extend the entire circumference of the light window. 6 For this its rim 8 also only provided in sections. Advantageous However, the edge 8 extends over the entire circumference of the light window 6 and thereby closing the gap between the edge of the Port 5 and the light window 6, so that dirt and the like can not enter the mirror housing 2 to the inside. Of the Edge 8 extends over its width corresponding to the curvature of the Wall 4 of the mirror housing 2 is curved so that it on its Width lies flat against the inner side 9 of the mirror housing second The light window 6 from the inside of the mirror housing 2 5 so far inserted into the opening until the edge 8 on the inside 9 of the mirror housing 2 rests. The light of the window 8 may with an adhesive and the like at the inner side 9 of the mirror housing 2 are adhered. However, a simple replacement to ensure the light window 6, it is advantageous releasably held to the mirror housing. 2 For this purpose, at least a holder member 10 is provided, which on the rear side of the light window 6 abuts and is releasably secured to the mirror housing. 2 The support member 10 is advantageously formed so that it only at the edge 8 of the light window 6 is applied, but otherwise distance has the light window. The supporting member 10 is for this purpose with a Edge 11 is provided which rests on the edge 8 of the light window. 6 advantageously extends the edge 11 around the circumference of the holding part 10. There is at least one screw 12 (Fig. 3) attached to the mirror housing. 2 It is this, with one of its Inside 9 projecting lug 13 is provided, in which the screw 12 is screwed. In addition, the holder member 10 is provided with a Sealing member 14 is provided, which on the inside 9 of the mirror housing 2 is present (FIG. 2 and 3). The sealing part 14 is over the edge 11 the holding part 10 before and prevents light from the Light windows 6 exiting into the interior of the mirror housing 2, and is radiated to the rear.

The light window 6 is provided with at least one light source 15 (Fig. 1) connected, the LED is advantageous. She sits on a printed circuit board 16, in a housing 17 on the inner side 9 of the mirror housing 2 is arranged. The light source 15 is at a Short side of the provided substantially rectangular light window. 6 The light box 6 is advantageously made of clear Plastic and passes the light emitted by the light source 15 light to an end portion 18, which on the inside with a profiling 19 is provided. At her the light is focused or concentrated and directed to the outside. As shown in FIG. 1, the end portion 18 facing away from the vehicle end of the light window 6. The End 18 is to the contour of the mirror housing 2 left out. The transverse to the direction F measured length of End portion 18 may vary depending on the desired requirements be different. The profile 19 may extend over the whole Length of the light window 6 extend, so that the light on the all of the light window length is radiated outward.

The emitted light is clearly visible. Since the light window 6 on the front in the driving direction F side of the mirror housing 2 is, the light is from the front and clearly excited characterized a lot of attention. The end portion 18 of the light window 6 is in the embodiment shown close to the the vehicle facing away from the outer edge of the mirror housing 2 provided so that the emitted light can also be seen from the side is.

The use of LEDs as the light source 15 has the advantage that only a low heat in the mirror housing 2 occurs and that the LED has a very long lifetime. Furthermore it is insensitive, requires little space and can be easily be attached. The LED can be on the circuit board 16 by means Soldering without difficulties mount.

The electrical supply to the circuit board 16 is made by the (Not shown) mirror the exterior rear view mirror. Therefore is an additional hole in the vehicle body for this electrical supply not necessary. Since an LED not replaced like a bulb needs occur no contact and / or Corrosion problems.

The light window 6 may, in deviation from the embodiment according to Fig. 4, have any other suitable shape. So it is quite possible, several light window at the back of the mirror housing 2 provide. The light window 6 must not rectangular well have cross-section but may have any suitable contour. The light source 15 may be colored, so that over the Light window 6 light emitted with a different color tone can.