TURN SIGNAL UNIT FOR AN EXTERNAL MIRROR

Abstract

A turn signal unit for an external mirror for a motor vehicle is designed to radiate a flashing light forwards in the direction of travel with the turn signal unit and the external mirror in the installation position at the side of the vehicle. The turn signal unit includes a light source and a lens disposed in front of the light source. A film with alternating light transmissive and non-light transmissive structures is clamped in the space between the light source and the lens. The film is clamped via a clamping structure which includes structure that is part of the lens and/or a housing portion of the turn signal unit.

Claims

1. A turn signal unit for an external mirror for a motor vehicle, wherein the turn signal unit is designed to radiate a flashing light forwards in the direction of travel with the turn signal unit and the external mirror in the installation position, the turn signal unit comprising: a light source and a lens disposed in front of the light source; and a film with alternating light transmissive and non-light transmissive structures, wherein the film is clamped in the space between the light source and the lens.

2. The turn signal unit according to claim 1, wherein the alternating light transmissive and non-light transmissive structures form a pattern comprising a caption and/or a logo.

3. The turn signal unit according to claim 1, wherein the turn signal unit comprises an element between the light source and the lens, and wherein the film is clamped by the element and the lens.

4. The turn signal unit according to claim 1, wherein the turn signal unit comprises a housing floor behind the light source, and wherein the film is clamped by the housing floor and the lens.

5. The turn signal unit according to claim 1, wherein the turn signal unit comprises a housing floor behind the light source and an element between the light source and the lens and that the film is clamped by the housing floor and the element.

6. The turn signal unit according to claim 1, wherein the housing floor and/or the element and/or the lens comprises at least one shape that is designed to clamp the film in a non-slip manner.

7. The turn signal unit according to claim 6, wherein the shape comprises a spring element that is configured to be partially received in a groove element, and wherein the film is clamped by the spring element and part of the film being received in the groove element.

8. The turn signal unit according to claim 1, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a light conductor and at least one light emitting diode.

9. An external mirror for a motor vehicle, the external mirror comprising: a turn signal unit, wherein the turn signal unit is designed to radiate a flashing light forwards in the direction of travel with the turn signal unit and the external mirror in the installation position; wherein the turn signal unit comprises a light source and a lens disposed in front of the light source; and wherein a film with alternating light transmissive and non-light transmissive structures is clamped in the space between the light source and the lens.

10. The external mirror according to claim 9, wherein the alternating light transmissive and non-light transmissive structures form a pattern comprising a caption and/or a logo.

11. The external mirror according to claim 9, wherein the turn signal unit comprises an element between the light source and the lens, and wherein the film is clamped by the element and the lens.

12. The external mirror according to claim 9, wherein the turn signal unit comprises a housing floor behind the light source, and wherein the film is clamped by the housing floor and the lens.

13. The external mirror according to claim 9, wherein the turn signal unit comprises a housing floor behind the light source and an element between the light source and the lens and that the film is clamped by the housing floor and the element.

14. An external mirror for a motor vehicle, wherein the external mirror is configured to be disposed at a side of a vehicle equipped with the external mirror, the external mirror comprising: a turn signal unit, wherein the turn signal unit, when the external mirror is disposed at a side of an equipped vehicle, is operable to emit light in the forward direction of travel of the equipped vehicle; wherein the turn signal unit comprises a housing portion, a light source and a lens, and wherein the lens is disposed in front of the light source and wherein the lens is attached at the housing portion; wherein a film is disposed between the lens and the housing portion so as to be in front of the light source; wherein the film is clamped in place between the light source and the lens via a clamping structure; wherein the film comprises alternating light transmissive and non-light transmissive structures; and wherein, with the external mirror disposed at the side of the equipped vehicle, light emitted by the light source, when powered, passes through the film and the lens in the direction of forward travel of the equipped vehicle.

15. The external mirror according to claim 14, wherein the alternating light transmissive and non-light transmissive structures of the film comprise structured sections such that light emitted by the light source, when powered, passes through the film and forms patterns or logos.

16. The external mirror according to claim 14, wherein the clamping structure comprises a perimeter flange of the housing portion and a perimeter flange of the lens such that the film is clamped between the perimeter flange of the lens and the perimeter flange of the housing portion.

17. The external mirror according to claim 14, wherein the turn signal unit comprises an aperture element disposed between the light source and the lens.

18. The external mirror according to claim 17, wherein the clamping structure comprises a perimeter flange of the aperture element and a perimeter flange of the lens such that the film is clamped between the perimeter flange of the lens and the perimeter flange of the aperture element, whereby light emitted by the light source, when powered, passes through the film and through an aperture of the aperture element and through the lens.

19. The external mirror according to claim 17, wherein the clamping structure comprises a perimeter flange of the aperture element and a clamping portion of the housing portion such that the film is clamped between the perimeter flange of the aperture element and the clamping portion of the housing portion, whereby light emitted by the light source, when powered, passes through the film and through an aperture of the aperture element and through the lens.

20. The external mirror according to claim 19, wherein the clamping structure comprises a groove element at one of the perimeter flange of the aperture element and the clamping portion of the housing portion and a protruding element at the other of the perimeter flange of the aperture element and the clamping portion of the housing portion, and wherein the film is clamped by the protruding element and part of the film being received in the groove element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the figures.

[0023] FIG. 1 is an exploded representation of a turn signal unit according to the invention for an external mirror.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a turn signal unit according to the invention in a further embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a turn signal unit according to the invention in a further embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] In FIG. 1, a turn signal unit according to the invention for an external mirror for a motor vehicle is shown in an exploded representation. The turn signal unit comprises—looking in the direction of travel of the vehicle and in the illumination direction of the turn signal unit, which is at the upper edge of the image in FIG. 1—the following components from the rear forwards: a housing floor 5 that acts as a support for the turn signal unit, a control unit 9, which can be implemented as a PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) and that can form an electrical input or optical input for a light source, a light source 1, which is implemented as a light conductor, an aperture or element 4 that comprises in the centre thereof an opening for the passage of light and comprises a non-light transmissive frame, a film 3 with alternating light transmissive and non-light transmissive structures, i.e. a pattern that acts as a mask for the passage of light, and an at least partly light transmissive lens 2 forming the boundary and front housing component of the turn signal unit.

[0027] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the film 3 is clamped between the flange surfaces 6 of the aperture or element 4 on the one hand and the lens 2 on the other hand and can thus in particular be simply removed from the turn signal unit following removal of the lens 2 and replaced.

[0028] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show further possibilities for the arrangement and clamping of the film 3 in a turn signal unit in sectional representations.

[0029] Here in FIG. 2 the film 3 is directly clamped between the lens 2 and the housing floor 5. In addition to mutually parallel flange surfaces 6, in said embodiment spring elements 7 are formed on the lens 2 to clamp the film 3.

[0030] The version of a turn signal unit represented in FIG. 3 comprises an aperture or element 4. The film 3 is clamped here by means of groove and spring elements 8, 7 of the aperture or element 4 and housing floor 5.

[0031] Of course, the film 3 can also be clamped by a plurality of elements, in particular by the interaction of the lens 2, aperture or element 4 and housing floor 5.

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

[0032] 1 light source

[0033] 2 lens

[0034] 3 film

[0035] 4 aperture or element

[0036] 5 housing floor

[0037] 6 flange

[0038] 7 spring element

[0039] 8 groove element

[0040] 9 control unit