Patent ID: 8393766
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: B60Q,B60R,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A lighted exterior mirror assembly configured for attachment at a side of a vehicle, said lighted exterior mirror assembly comprising: a housing, wherein said housing houses a reflectance element; wherein, when said lighted exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached at a side of a vehicle equipped with said lighted exterior mirror assembly, said reflectance element is movably positionable via an electrically-powered actuator by a driver of the equipped vehicle to adjust its rearward field of view; a breakaway joint; wherein at least one wire passes through said breakaway joint and wherein said at least one wire supplies electrical power to at least one of (i) said actuator and (ii) a defroster heater pad for said reflectance element; a ground illumination lamp disposed at a portion of said lighted exterior mirror assembly; wherein said ground illumination lamp is disposed at said portion of said lighted exterior mirror assembly separate from said reflectance element whereby movement of said reflectance element is independent of said ground illumination light; wherein said ground illumination lamp comprises a substantially moisture-impervious unit having an enclosure and having a lens that is permanently joined with said enclosure; wherein said ground illumination lamp comprises a light source; wherein said light source is disposed within said enclosure behind said lens and wherein, when said lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached at the side of the equipped vehicle and when said light source is electrically powered, said light source emits light that passes through said lens and illuminates a ground area adjacent the side of the equipped vehicle; and wherein, when said lighted exterior mirror assembly is attached at the side of the equipped vehicle and when said light source is electrically powered, said ground illumination lamp illuminates at least a portion of the illuminated ground area with a luminance of at least approximately 5 lux.