Patent Description:
A rear view device typically includes a base assembly to be attached to a vehicle and a head assembly to be moveable relative to the base assembly. Generally the head assembly of a rear view device can be rotated between a driving position and a parking position.

The term "rear view" may refer to a view of the surrounding area, which is not in the field of view of a driver of a vehicle, i.e. the directions opposing, left, right, below and above of the viewing direction, but can also comprise the view in the direction of the viewing direction of the driver and/or any combinations of the directions. The rear view can be achieved via at least one rear view element in form of a reflective element like a mirror and/or an image acquisition means like a camera. The rear view, that is the field of view of the driver, can be adjusted by moving, in particular rotating, the reflective element and/or the image acquisition means. This in turn can be realized by moving the complete head assembly together with the reflective element and/or the image acquisition means such that the head assembly of the rear view device can be rotated also between a plurality of viewing position.

For moving the head assembly, the reflective element and/or the image acquisition means an actuator assembly is comprised by the rear view device, which can be controlled by a first control unit within the vehicle. Also the image acquisition means can be controlled via a second control unit, wherein both control units may be formed together. However, for the purpose of controlling data have to be transferred between the rear view device and the control unit within the vehicle requiring a harness.

For facilitating moving the head assembly together with the reflective element and/or the image acquisition means specific pivot joint systems have been developed, see <CIT>, as well as specific actuator assemblies, see <CIT>.

The structure of the base assembly of an exterior rear view device is important as it provides means for connecting the device to a vehicle. <CIT> refers to a base assembly of an exterior rear view device, comprising a base frame; and a base cover housing the base frame and formed in at least two parts connected to each other, wherein the base assembly comprises a first opening at a first end of the base assembly at which the base frame is configured to be attached to a vehicle and a second opening at a second end of the base assembly at which a head assembly of the exterior rear view device is configured to be attached to the base frame, wherein at least one of a first sealing means at the first opening is provided comprising a two-component gasket with a hard component and a soft component, the hard component comprising: at least one first connection element configured to engage at least one first connection element of a first cover part; and at least one first connection element of a second cover part configured to provide a locking connection between the first cover part and the second cover part, and/or a second sealing means at the second opening is comprising a two-component gasket with a hard component and a soft component, the hard component comprising: at least one second connection element configured to engage at least one second connection element of the first cover part; and at least one second connection element of the second cover part to provide a locking connection between the first cover part and the second cover part.

<CIT> describes an outside mirror with a cover assembly and a base supporting a mirror housing on which a mirror is mounted. The base assembly comprises a first cover and a second cover coupled to both sides of the base. The first cover includes a clip inserted into a coupling groove formed in the base, a rib inserted into a guide groove formed in the base and a hook portion hooked to the first cover.

There is the need that a base assembly fulfills a multitude of functions, comprising:.

It is the object of the present invention to further develop the known base assembly of an exterior rear view device to be mounted to a vehicle in order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

This object is solved by the characterizing features of claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the base assembly of the present invention are described in claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

Abase assembly of an exterior rear view device to be mounted to a vehicle, may comprise a base frame and being formed with a door attachment portion for attachment to a door of the vehicle, a head attachment portion for moveably attachment of a head assembly and an arm between said attachment portions; and a cover made out of three pieces to mantle the arm from the door attachment portion to the head attachment portion only via snap, clips and/or latch connections, in particular without screws; and a camera cradle for attaching a camera to the base frame; and /or a retainer means arranged on the door attachment portion for guiding and sealing harness; and/or a sealing means attached to the door attachment portion; and/or a harness holder in form of a plastic part for attachment of a harness to the door attachment portion.

In one embodiment the three cover pieces are three plastic cover pieces, and/or the three cover pieces comprise a lower base cover, a base cover cap and an upper base cover, and/or the three cover pieces are connected by clip, snap and/or latch connections, with said connections being provided between the three cover pieces, the sealing means and the base frame.

It is proposed that the lower base cover is provided with an opening for the camera attached to the base frame and/or a drain hole , and/or the lower base cover is provided with one or more first attachment means, in particular five clips and a multi-functional assembly projection, for attachment to the base frame; and/or the lower base cover is provided with one or more second attachment means, in particular comprising three hooks, for attachment to the sealing means, in particular a door gasket substrate of the sealing means; and/or the lower base cover has an edge to engage the sealing means, in particular a door seal gasket of the sealing means and/or for an outer sealing; and/or the lower base cover is provided with one or more third attachment means for attachment to the base cover cap, in particular comprising the multi-functional assembly projection and openings, and/or the lower base cover is provided with one or more fourth attachment means for attachment to the upper base cover, in particular comprising a pocket and openings.

It is also proposed that the base cover cap is provided with one or more fifth attachment means for attachment to the lower base cover, in particular comprising peg like projections and a tab; and/or the base cover cap is provided with one or more sixth attachment means for attachment to the upper base cover, in particular comprising peg like projections, a slot and two clips, preferably in form of two leaf spring clips adapted to rest on the base frame at the root and end, allowing the middle portion there between to flex downwards; and/or the base cover cap is provided with one or more seventh attachment means for attachment to the base frame, in particular comprising at least one clip.

Embodiments can be further specified in that the upper base cover is provided with one or more eighth attachment means for attachment to the lower base cover, in particular comprising location pegs and/or at least one clip; the base cover cap is provided with one or more ninth attachment means for attachment to with the base cover cap, in particular comprising clip retention extensions and at least one alignment projection, and/or the upper base cover is provided with one or more tenth attachment means, in particular a hoop clip, for engagement with the sealing element, in particular a projection of the door gasket substrate.

The retainer means may be provided as a plastic unit and/or between the sealing means and the door attachment portion, and/or with at least one opening for allowing at least one datum structural element of the door attachment portion to pass thereto, and/or with at least one guiding projection and/or at least one guiding channel portion for providing at least part of a guiding channel for routing and/or guiding the harness, and/or with at least one sealing portion for covering at least a portion of the at least one harness.

According to embodiments it may be that the at least one opening is provided by a holding portion of the retainer means, with preferably a first opening allowing a location pin of the door attachment portion to pass thereto, and/or at least one second opening allowing a T shaped location projection of the door attachment portion to pass thereto.

Further, it is proposed that at least one first hook and/or clip is provided by the holding portion for attachment to the door panel, and/or at least one second hook and/or clip is provided by the holding portion for attachment to the door attachment portion, with preferably the first and second hook(s) and/or clips(s) extending in opposite directions.

It may also be that the first hook is adapted to hold the rear view device in Y direction to assist an assembly thereof to the door panel, preferably via screws, and/or the first clip determines the final assembly Z position of the rear view device, and/or the first clip is arranged next to the first opening, and/or the first hook provides the at least one second opening, and/or there are at least two second clips.

The retainer means may be provided with at least one datum area and/or with at least one T shaped location projection within a datum area for a base cover.

According to embodiments the sealing means may be arranged between the retainer means and the door attachment portion and/or between the door attachment portion and at least one of the cover pieces, and/or be formed as a <NUM> door gasket, and/or comprise a door gasket seal and a door gasket substrate, and/or provide a <NUM>-way simultaneous sealing comprising an inner sealing to the base frame and an outer sealing to the cover of the base frame, in particular the lower base cover, and/or to the door panel.

It is proposed that the door gasket seal is formed from rubber and/or with an S shape cross-sectional geometry, and/or the door gasket substrate is formed from plastic and/or with one or more clips, openings, hook pockets, location ribs, projections, screw openings and/or datum areas, and/or the sealing means is formed in one cavity in a <NUM> tool.

In addition , it may be that the hook pockets provide location and positional control whilst assembling the sealing means to the base frame, and/or the hook pockets and/or the ribs are adapted to be assembled with the lower base cover, and/or the hook pockets and/or the ribs are adapted to lock and locate the sealing means in all three directions, and/or the clips are adapted to assemble with the base frame.

It is proposed that the clips are adapted to assemble with the base frame, with a retainer means being arranged therebetween, and/or the screw openings are adapted for screws to secure the sealing means, preferably together with the retainer means, to the base frame.

Futher, it is also proposed that the at least one datum area is adapted to locate the upper base cover and/or to provide the strength of the base frame to the cover thereof, and/or the projection is adapted to secure the whole cover assembly of the base frame by being engaged by a clip, in particular the hoop clip of the base cover.

The base frame, the retainer means and the sealing means may provide a channel being adapted for positioning and/or locating a glass run seal.

The harness holder may be provided as a plastic unit and/or comprise a fixing tie for the harness and a clip for engaging an opening of the door attachment portion.

Embodiments can be further specified in that the camera cradle is removably secured by a friction fit and without any separable attachment element; and/or the camera cradle comprises one or more location ribs in its interior surface in order to hold the camera securely in place and to provide a tuned position of the camera along an x, y, and z axes; and/or the camera cradle comprises at least one of one or more clips configured to frictionally secure the camera to the camera cradle; and/or the camera cradle comprises one or more anti-backout projections configured to fictionally secure the camera cradle to the base frame; and/or the camera cradle is provided as a plastic unit.

It may be that the one or more location ribs comprise three pairs of location ribs, each pair of location ribs being formed in one of three interior walls of the camera cradle; and/or the at least one of the one or more clips comprise two clips formed at a bottom edge of the cradle, wherein, with the camera inserted in the camera cradle, the bottom edge of the camera cradle is the edge of the camera cradle closest to a lens of the camera; and/or the one or more anti-backout projections comprise two anti-backout projections formed proximal to a bottom edge of the cradle, wherein, with the camera inserted in the camera cradle, the bottom edge of the camera cradle is the edge of the camera cradle closest to a lens of the camera.

Further, it is proposed that the base frame is provided as a metal piece, preferably made out of aluminum, and/or the base frame has a modulus of elasticity of at least <NUM> GPa, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> GPa, and/or the base frame is more rigid than the three cover pieces, the camera cradle and/or the retainer and /or the harness holder.

The present invention also provides an exterior rear view device, comprising a head assembly for supporting at least one rear view element, with the head assembly being in a moveable manner, with preferably the at least one rear view element moving together with the head assembly; and a base assembly of the present invention.

Also a vehicle with a door having a door panel and supporting a window as well as a cheater panel sealed by a glass run seal is provided with the present invention, wherein the door panel also supports the exterior rear view device of the present invention.

The glass run seal may be at least partly covered by a wait finisher such that the base assembly extends from the wait finisher.

Still further, the present invention provides a method for assembling a lower base cover to a sub-assembly of a base assembly of the present invention in line with claim <NUM>, with a preferred method being described in claim <NUM>.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, certain examples of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of system, apparatuses, and methods consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the present disclosure, wherein:.

<FIG> show a base cover lower or lower base cover <NUM> and a base frame <NUM> of a base assembly <NUM> of an exterior rear view device <NUM> mounted to a vehicle <NUM> as shown in particular in <FIG> as well as a sealing means <NUM>. The sealing means <NUM> is to be attached to both, the lower base cover <NUM> and the base frame <NUM> and to be arranged between the base assembly <NUM> and the vehicle <NUM>. Before describing the attachment of the lower base cover <NUM>, the base frame <NUM> and sealing means <NUM> to each other, the structural features of each one of these three elements is described.

The lower base cover <NUM> of <FIG> is a single plastic piece with a multi-functional assembly projection <NUM>, several hooks <NUM> to <NUM>, several clips <NUM> to <NUM>, a pocket <NUM>, several openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and a wall <NUM>. Further, the lower base cover <NUM> provides an opening <NUM> for a camera <NUM>, see <FIG>, and a drain hole <NUM>.

The base frame <NUM> of <FIG> is provided in form of an aluminum unit with a plurality of clips <NUM> to <NUM> and three hook apertures <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The unit can be divided into three portions, i.e. a door attachment portion <NUM>, an arm <NUM> and a head attachment portion <NUM>, with the door attachment portion <NUM> running substantially parallelly to a door <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM> shown in <FIG>, whereas the arm <NUM> extends substantially perpendicularly away from the door attachment portion <NUM> and the head attachment portion <NUM> is provided at the end of the arm <NUM> opposite the one merging with the door attachment portion <NUM>. In the head attachment portion <NUM> a hole <NUM> for a tool (not shown) used when dis-assembling cover pieces of the base frame <NUM>. But first, the assembly of said cover pieces is described.

The sealing means <NUM> of <FIG> is provided in form of a <NUM> door gasket with a door gasket seal <NUM> and a door gasket substrate <NUM>. The door gasket substrate <NUM> is formed with several clips <NUM> (only one being shown in <FIG>), two hook pockets <NUM> and <NUM>, two location ribs <NUM> and <NUM> and one attachment projection <NUM> discussed in detail below.

<FIG> demonstrate the attachment of the lower base cover <NUM> of <FIG>, being one of three cover pieces of the base frame <NUM>, to the base frame <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The combination of the base frame <NUM>, the sealing means <NUM> and the lower base cover <NUM> is shown in <FIG> providing a locking system without the need of screws and accommodating a location as well as assembly method.

The lower base cover assembly method allows a secure mounting of the components without using screws, as.

In detail, the hook pockets <NUM> and <NUM>, provided by the door gasket substrate <NUM> and shown in region A in <FIG>, are door gasket location features with multiple functions. They provide location and positional control whilst assembling the sealing means <NUM> to the base frame <NUM>, with the hook pockets <NUM> and <NUM> of the sealing means <NUM> passing through the hook apertures <NUM> and <NUM> of the base frame <NUM> as soon as the sealing means <NUM> is attached to the base frame <NUM>, see <FIG>. Along with the two ribs <NUM> and <NUM>, shown in region B in <FIG>, the hook pockets <NUM> and <NUM> are used to assemble the lower base cover <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the hooks <NUM> and <NUM> of the lower base cover <NUM> are engaged within the hook pockets <NUM> and <NUM> of the sealing means <NUM>. Further the third hook <NUM> of the lower base cover <NUM> is located between the two ribs <NUM> and <NUM> of the sealing means <NUM>. Thus, the hook pockets <NUM> and <NUM> and the ribs <NUM> and <NUM> of the sealing means <NUM> lock and locate the door gasket seal in all X + Y + Z directions. Critically the Z direction is locked which allows an accurate positional location for the sealing strategy.

Before further describing said sealing strategy, the assembly of the base frame <NUM> with a retainer means <NUM> and to a door panel <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>.

The retainer means <NUM>, best seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, may be manufactured from a plastic material and it provides a retainer assembly <NUM>, together with the sealing means <NUM>, to be arranged between the base frame <NUM> of the base assembly <NUM> of the exterior rear view device <NUM> and the door panel <NUM> of the door <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>.

The <FIG> also show a harness <NUM> for electrically connecting in particular a power source and a control unit within the vehicle (not shown) with electric components of the exterior rear view device. Such electric components may comprise, as e.g. shown in <FIG>, an actuator assembly <NUM> suitable for moving a head assembly <NUM> together with a reflective element (not shown) relative to the base frame <NUM> supporting the head assembly <NUM>, and a camera <NUM> as well as an indicator means like a turn signal indicator <NUM> shown in particular in <FIG>. Said harness <NUM> may comprise a camera harness <NUM>.

The retainer means <NUM> is a multi-function component. The different functions will be described with respect to the other components of the exterior rear view device <NUM> as well as the vehicle <NUM> in the following.

An important function of the retainer means <NUM> is harness sealing, managing harness routing and accommodating variation in the camera harness <NUM> and cleaning systems (not shown), as described in the following.

The door attachment portion <NUM> of the base frame <NUM> is provided with an opening <NUM> for a harness holder <NUM> at its lower, free end, as best seen in <FIG>. Said harness holder <NUM> is formed with a fixing tie <NUM> for holding the harness <NUM> and a clip <NUM> for connecting the holder <NUM> to said door attachment portion <NUM> by passing through the opening <NUM>.

The base frame harness locator opening feature governs harness position length the door side and the rear view device side, and provides a strong retention eliminating risk of the harness <NUM> being misplaced e.g. by being pulled through during handling. Further, the locating feature leads to reduced tolerance of fit-to-door. In other words, the harness <NUM> is firmly located to the base frame <NUM> in all directions allowing a solid datum strategy for harness lengths and provides the ability to hold as well as transport the exterior rear view device <NUM> whilst holding on to the harness <NUM>.

The harness <NUM> as well as the camera harness <NUM> divided therefrom above the harness holder <NUM> extend between the door attachment portion <NUM> of the base frame <NUM> and a holding portion <NUM> of the retainer means <NUM> to an upper end of the door attachment portion <NUM>, which turns into the arm <NUM> of the base frame <NUM>.

The retainer means <NUM> is provided with guiding means for guiding the camera harness <NUM> to a sealing portion <NUM> of the retainer means <NUM> extending substantially perpendicularly to the holding portion <NUM> to cover the camera harness <NUM> at its bending region at the transition between the door attachment portion <NUM> and the arm <NUM>, see region A in <FIG>.

While the base frame <NUM> is provided with a harness guiding channel portion <NUM> for guiding the harness <NUM> and a camera harness guiding channel portion <NUM> for guiding the camera harness <NUM>, the holding portion <NUM> of the retainer means <NUM> also provides a camera harness guiding channel portion <NUM> to substantially close a channel <NUM> for the camera harness <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

As the retainer means <NUM> is not metallic, the sealing of the harness <NUM>, together with the camera harness <NUM>, as well as the attachment of the metallic base frame <NUM> to the door panel <NUM> becomes safer. The design of the retainer means <NUM> allows to accommodate different sets of harness and cleaning system for all variations of mirror trim level. Further, the retainer means <NUM> ensures an easy assembly to seal in particular the camera harness <NUM> after being mounted and to manage its routing along the base frame door attachment portion <NUM>, without departing from the commonly used datum system between the base frame <NUM> and the door panel <NUM>.

The base frame <NUM> is provided with a location pin <NUM> as well as a T shaped location projection <NUM> belonging to the datum system ensuring a correct assembly of the components of the exterior rear view device <NUM> and a correct attachment of the exterior rear view device <NUM> to the vehicle <NUM>. The location pin <NUM> and the T shaped location projection <NUM> extend substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the door panel <NUM>, as can be best seen in <FIG>. The retainer means <NUM> is provided with an opening <NUM> for the location pin <NUM> and a hook <NUM> with openings <NUM> for the arms of T shaped location projection <NUM>, as can be best seen in <FIG> illustrates that the location pin <NUM> as well as the T shaped location projection <NUM> pass through the respective openings <NUM>, <NUM> of the retainer means <NUM> to also pass respective openings <NUM>, <NUM> within the door panel <NUM> to engage the same, with the hook <NUM> of the retainer means <NUM> ensuring the respective engagement.

The base frame T shaped location projection <NUM> and the location pin <NUM> provide the primary and secondary datum strategy to the door datum system in X + Z directions, while the Y direction is controlled by using screws. The door panel <NUM> in <FIG> shows two screw openings <NUM> and <NUM> aligned to two screw openings <NUM> and <NUM> of the base frame <NUM>, respectively, which in turn pass openings <NUM> and <NUM> of the retainer means <NUM>.

Thus, the corresponding locating features of the base frame <NUM> and the retainer means <NUM> allow the base frame datum features to interface with the door <NUM> minimizing tolerance of datum strategy.

Further location projections <NUM> and <NUM> are provided by the door attachment portion <NUM>.

The retainer means <NUM> along with the location pin <NUM> and the T shaped location projection <NUM> not only provides an accurate assembly to the door panel datum system, but also facilitates the assembly as it provides a robust 3rd hand clip/hanger function.

The retainer means <NUM> provides a first clip <NUM>, which serves the attachment to the base frame <NUM> as best seen in <FIG>. The hook <NUM> primarily serves to hold the exterior rear view device <NUM> in Y direction to assist assembly of the screws (not shown), while the second clip <NUM> is on secondary location keyway to highlight when the exterior rear view device <NUM> is in its final assembly Z position, as best seen in <FIG>.

Next, the assembly of the base frame <NUM> and the retainer means <NUM> with a case lower or lower case <NUM> of the head assembly <NUM> of the exterior rear view device <NUM> and the sealing means <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>.

The slim design of the base frame <NUM> allows the lower case <NUM> of the head assembly <NUM> to be assembled over the door attachment portion <NUM> and the arm <NUM> of the base frame <NUM> to reach the region of the head assembly <NUM> with the actuator assembly <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In this respect it is to be noted that it is critical to assemble high gloss components like the lower case <NUM> late in the assembly sequence to minimize risk of damage. For that purpose the lower case <NUM> is provided with an opening <NUM>, preferably being substantially circular, through which the base frame <NUM> together with the retainer means <NUM> can pass.

The sealing means <NUM> is mounted after the lower case <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The sealing means location strategy is critical as it dictates the datum strategy for the corresponding base cover components.

As already mentioned above, the smaller base frame geometry and the provision of a separate <NUM> door gasket provided by the sealing means <NUM> permit the lower case <NUM> to be assembled over the base frame <NUM>. In the following the attachment of the sealing means <NUM> to the base frame <NUM> with the retainer means <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>.

Clips <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> as well as clip opening <NUM> allow to attach the sealing means <NUM> to the base frame <NUM> which is provided with complementary steps <NUM> and <NUM> and openings <NUM> and <NUM>. The base frame <NUM> also is provided with location projections <NUM> to <NUM>, with two location projections <NUM> and <NUM> extending through the retainer means <NUM> as well as the sealing means <NUM> attached on top of the retainer means <NUM>, see <FIG>.

<FIG> also shows a clip <NUM> of the retainer means <NUM> engaging a respective opening <NUM> provided by the base frame <NUM>.

The sealing means <NUM> provides a datum area <NUM> for an upper base cover <NUM> as described with respect to <FIG>, with T-slots <NUM>, <NUM> built into both the retainer means <NUM> and the sealing means <NUM>, see <FIG>, to maximize and gain strength from the base frame into the area for upper base cover assembly.

Two screw positions determined by two screw openings <NUM> and <NUM> in the sealing means <NUM>, best seen in <FIG>, and the two screw openings <NUM> and <NUM> of the base frame <NUM> shown in <FIG>, allow to secure the sealing means <NUM> together with the retainer means <NUM> to the base frame <NUM>. These are package protections only if more strength is required.

The assembly process of the lower base cover <NUM> to the sub-assembly of <FIG> is designed in such a way that the camera hole <NUM> in the lower base cover <NUM> avoids scratching or fowling the camera lens whilst rotating into final assembled condition, by first approaching the the lower base cover <NUM> to the base frame <NUM> (<FIG>), then attaching the lower base cover <NUM> to the base frame <NUM> at the door attachments portion <NUM> (<FIG>), and finally rotating the lower base cover <NUM> on the arm <NUM> (<FIG>).

The sub-assembly of the base frame <NUM>, the retainer means <NUM>, the sealing means <NUM> and the lower base cover <NUM> is shown in <FIG>, attached to the door panel <NUM>. <FIG> shows a cross-section taken along the line A-A in <FIG>. From <FIG> the functions of the sealing means <NUM> as a <NUM> door gasket, including an integrated <NUM>-way simultaneous sealing function as well as providing datum, location and positional controls for matching the lower base cover <NUM>, can be best seen.

In detail, the <NUM>-way simultaneous sealing is achieved due to the more or less S shape cross-sectional geometry of the door gasket seal <NUM>, which may be a rubber part formed together with the door gasket substrate <NUM>, to allow sealing in three areas with only one cavity in a <NUM> tool. The three sealing areas are marked with I, II and III in <FIG>:.

The sealing means geometry between the exterior rear view device <NUM> and vehicle door <NUM> provides a tolerant and accurate sealing strategy when considering the assembly direction. The tolerance between door panel <NUM> and door datum system may be large as sealing lip of the door gasket seal <NUM> of the sealing means <NUM> accommodates for such variations.

The sub-assembly shown in <FIG> is also shown in <FIG>, whereas <FIG> show details of the rotational attachment of the lower base cover <NUM>, referred to above with respect to <FIG>:.

The rotational attachment of the lower base cover <NUM> ensures that the camera, in particular its lens, remains untouched by the lower base cover <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate a camera cradle <NUM> for assembling in the base frame <NUM> for holding the camera <NUM> securely within the base assembly <NUM> of the exterior rear view device <NUM>. Thus, the camera <NUM> is installed in the base frame <NUM> using the camera cradle <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The camera cradle <NUM> is symmetrical along at least one axis and no screws are needed to attach the camera cradle <NUM> to the base frame <NUM>. Further the body of the camera <NUM> is protected from contacting the metallic base frame <NUM> as the camera cradle <NUM> is made out of a plastic material in order to isolate the camera housing. The camera cradle <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is a one-piece element which is preferably formed by a molding process.

The camera cradle <NUM> include one or more location ribs <NUM> inside the interior surface of the cradle <NUM> which hold the camera <NUM> securely in place to provide an accurate and tuneable positioning of the camera along the X, Y, and Z axes. In the example shown in <FIG>, the location ribs <NUM> include six ribs formed as two pairs of ribs on three interior walls of the camera cradle <NUM>; however, any number of ribs <NUM> may be used.

It can be seen in <FIG> that the camera cradle <NUM> also includes one or more anti-backout projections <NUM> and one or more clips <NUM>. The anti-backout projections <NUM> are frictionally fit into the walls of the base frame <NUM> when the cradle <NUM> is inserted. When the walls of the base frame <NUM> push against the projections <NUM> and the cradle <NUM> is inserted, this also "locks" the clips <NUM> to tighten the attachment of the camera <NUM> to the camera cradle <NUM>.

In the shown example, there are two anti-backout projections <NUM> and two clips <NUM> which are formed closer to a bottom edge of the cradle <NUM>, i.e. the edge of the cradle <NUM> closer to the camera lens. However, any number of anti-backout projections <NUM> and clips <NUM> may be used in a variety of different positions. This ensures a tight lock of the camera <NUM> and stops the camera body from contacting the base frame <NUM>.

The sub-assembly of <FIG> is also shown in <FIG>, but mounted to the vehicle <NUM> and with the completed head assembly <NUM> attached, as well as from another perspective. <FIG> shows further details of the vehicle <NUM> in the region of the door <NUM>, namely a cheater panel <NUM> as well as a window <NUM>, with a glass run seal <NUM> as well as a wait finisher <NUM>. In <FIG> the final rear view device <NUM> attached to the vehicle <NUM> can be seen. Accordingly, the exterior rear view device <NUM> holds the glass run seal <NUM> in a solid position and, thereby, provides a very pleasing overall appearance suggesting that the exterior rear view device <NUM> extends or rather grows out of the wait finisher <NUM> covering a part of the glass run seal <NUM>.

In the following it is described how to finalize the exterior rear view device <NUM>. Next, starting from the sub-assembly of <FIG>, the assembly of a base cover cap <NUM>, being another one of the three cover pieces of the base frame <NUM> and being formed with projections <NUM>, <NUM> and clips <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is described with respect to <FIG>. Said assembly process of the base cover cap <NUM> is designed in such a way that the base cover cap <NUM> slides in along a ramp on the lower base cover <NUM> to lock in behind the base cover cap <NUM> creating a rotation point to rotate the base cover cap <NUM> into its final position.

Said sliding will be discussed in further detail with respect to <FIG>. But next, in order to better understand the assembly of the base cover cap <NUM> as part of the base cover, <FIG> illustrate its attachment step by step, by starting in <FIG> with a part view of the sub-assembly of <FIG> attached to the door panel in order to be arranged next to the glass run seal <NUM>, and showing attachment features of the base cover cap <NUM> in <FIG>. Accordingly, the base cover cap <NUM> is provided with a tab <NUM> in addition to the clips <NUM> to <NUM>.

The tab <NUM> of the base cover cap <NUM> is to be entered into an opening <NUM> of the lower base cover <NUM> provided on one side of the clip <NUM>, shown in <FIG>. Said tab <NUM> defines the attachment direction and locks in behind the lower base cover <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, for creating said rotation point.

The next step is to rotate the base cover cap <NUM> into final position. The rotation has been created such that no surrounding parts are scratched, by the outboard area of the base cover cap <NUM> being forced to flex outboard while rotating, as indicated in <FIG>.

<FIG> shows the peg type projection <NUM> of the base cover cap <NUM> entering into a slot in the multi-functional assembly projection <NUM> of the lower base cover <NUM>, while the other peg type projection <NUM> of the base cover cap <NUM> enters into another slot in the multi-functional assembly projection <NUM> of the lower base cover <NUM> as well as flexing back into the opening <NUM> of the lower base cover <NUM> for controlling the final fit of the base cover cap <NUM>.

The sub-assembly of the base frame <NUM>, the retainer means <NUM> and the sealing means <NUM> shown in <FIG> also forms a channel <NUM>, see <FIG>, for positioning as well as locating the glass run seal <NUM> in particular allocated to the cheater panel <NUM> as shown e.g. in <FIG>.

In the following the attachment of the base cover cap <NUM> and the base cover upper or upper base cover <NUM> are described with reference to <FIG>.

The combination the base frame <NUM>, the retainer means <NUM> and the sealing means <NUM> forms the channel <NUM> which locates the glass run seal <NUM> on to the exterior rear view device <NUM>. The glass run seal <NUM> runs along the cheater panel <NUM> and is an extension of the glass run seal running along the window <NUM> and being covered by the wait finisher <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

The base cover cap <NUM> clips to the base frame <NUM>, see <FIG>, and also the upper base cover <NUM>, providing the last and third cover piece of the base frame <NUM>, is attached by clip connection, see <FIG>. The clip connection may be located behind a chrome wait finisher (not shown) and will be described below with respect to <FIG>.

The cheater panel <NUM> pushes the glass run seal <NUM> into the correct position inside the channel <NUM> while being assembled. The base cover <NUM> and the upper base cover <NUM> assemble in such a way that when rotating into their position a sealing lip <NUM> of the glass run seal <NUM> is pushed against the cheater panel <NUM> sealing the gap between the base cover cap <NUM> and the upper base cover <NUM> on the one side and the cheater panel <NUM> on the other side, see <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate details of the attachment of the upper base cover <NUM> with the lower base cover <NUM> and the base cover cap <NUM> to assemble the cover of the base frame <NUM>. For that purpose, <FIG> shows the different attachment features of the upper base cover <NUM> with four location projections <NUM> to <NUM>, a clip <NUM>, a hoop clip <NUM>, two location pegs <NUM>, <NUM>, two clip retention extensions <NUM> and <NUM> as well as three aligns projections <NUM> to <NUM>.

To assemble the upper base cover <NUM>, the two location pegs <NUM> and <NUM> need to be fitted into two corresponding slots, one being provided by the opening <NUM> in lower base cover <NUM> and the other by a slot <NUM> being formed in the projection <NUM> of the base cover cap <NUM>, see <FIG>. The peg <NUM> pulls the base cover cap <NUM> into the final position and defines the rotation axis for the components. Rotating the components results in engagement of the four location projections <NUM> to <NUM> and <NUM> to position the upper base cover <NUM>, see <FIG>.

Three alignment features are provided by the upper base cover <NUM> in form of the projections <NUM> to <NUM> to align and lead two clip retention features in form of the clip retention extensions <NUM> and <NUM> onto the corresponding clips <NUM> and <NUM> of the base cover cap <NUM>, see <FIG>.

The bottom clip <NUM> of the upper base cover <NUM> goes into the pocket <NUM> in the lower base cover <NUM> and locates the bottom parts of the components <NUM> and <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The last cover engagement feature is the hoop clip <NUM> of the upper base cover <NUM> which is shown in <FIG> and secures the whole assembly by engaging the projection <NUM> of the door gasket substrate <NUM>.

Accordingly, the sealing means <NUM> plays a central role due to in particular.

<FIG> demonstrate the attachment of the upper base cover <NUM> assisted by the base cover cap <NUM> while being assembled to the base frame <NUM> by providing a ramp guiding the rotational movement of the upper base cover <NUM>. The ramp is provided by the two clips <NUM> and <NUM> the base cover cap <NUM> which also fulfill location and clips functions, simultaneously. Said clips <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged closer to the door attachment portion <NUM> of the base frame <NUM> than the third clip <NUM>. The two integrated leaf spring features provided by the clips <NUM> and <NUM>, acting on the base frame <NUM>, align and pre load the cover assembly.

As best seen in <FIG>, the base cover cap leaf spring clips <NUM> and <NUM> rest on the base frame <NUM> at the root and end of each clip <NUM> and <NUM>, allowing the middle portion of each clip <NUM> and <NUM> to flex downwards. Such a downward flex of the leaf spring clips <NUM> and <NUM> allows the upper base cover <NUM> to assemble and clip into position by rotating in the direction of the arrow B in <FIG>. The leaf spring interface with the upper base cover <NUM> allows pre load and tolerant fit of the three cover pieces <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

With respect to the <FIG> the realization of the camera service requirement is described.

In <FIG> the assembled exterior rear view device <NUM> mounted to the vehicle <NUM> is shown. To access the camera <NUM>, all the three cover pieces are easily removable while the exterior rear view device <NUM> remains mounted to the door <NUM>, see <FIG>.

To gain access to a camera connector <NUM> at the end of the camera harness <NUM>, the head assembly <NUM> must be set into a knock forward position and locked into place so two hands can be used to remove the camera <NUM> and its connector <NUM>, with <FIG> and <FIG> demonstrating the rotation of the head assembly <NUM> into said knock forward position, and details of the camera connector access is shown in the enlarged illustrations of <FIG> of parts of <FIG>, respectively.

To dis-assemble all three cover pieces <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> only one tool is needed for dis-lodging or dis-engaging clip connections, as explained in the following with respect to <FIG>. In <FIG> the assembled exterior rear view device <NUM> mounted to the vehicle <NUM> is shown, in another perspective compared to <FIG> and the following five steps as required for the dis-assembly:.

The tool <NUM> needed for dis-lodging or dis-engaging the clip connections to dis-assemble all three cover pieces <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is explained in the following with respect to <FIG>.

To avoid the mirror head assembly <NUM> rotating back into its nominal position, that is from the position shown e.g. in <FIG> and <FIG> into the position shown e.g. in <FIG>, due to a self-return spring mechanism (not shown) and via a pivot joint <NUM>, the tool <NUM> with a maximum diameter of <NUM> may be used to lock the base frame <NUM> relative to the head assembly <NUM>. For that purpose the recess or hole <NUM> is designed into the base frame <NUM>, which provides easy access to a mechanical stop <NUM> of a case frame <NUM> from the bottom of the base assembly <NUM>, after removing the three cover pieces <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>.

All parts the tool <NUM> interfaces with are made from aluminum for maximal strength and security. Also the tool <NUM> itself may be made out of aluminium.

In summary, the three cover pieces of the present disclosure, namely the lower base cover <NUM>, the base cover cap <NUM> and the upper base cover <NUM> are designed.

Claim 1:
A base assembly (<NUM>) of an exterior rear view device (<NUM>) to be mounted to a vehicle (<NUM>), comprising a base frame (<NUM>) and a cover,
• the base frame (<NUM>) being formed with a door attachment portion (<NUM>) for attachment to a door (<NUM>) of the vehicle (<NUM>), a head attachment portion (<NUM>) for moveably attachment of a head assembly (<NUM>) and an arm (<NUM>) between said attachment portions; and
characterized in that
• the base assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a camera cradle (<NUM>) being in form of a unit for attaching a camera (<NUM>) to the base frame (<NUM>);
• the cover is made out of three cover pieces to mantle the arm (<NUM>) from the door attachment portion (<NUM>) to the head attachment portion (<NUM>) only via snap, clips and/or latch connections, the three cover pieces comprising a lower base cover (<NUM>), a base cover cap (<NUM>) and an upper base cover (<NUM>), where the lower base cover (<NUM>) is provided with an opening (<NUM>) for the camera (<NUM>) attached to the base frame (<NUM>), where the base assembly is adapted to allow a rotational attachment of the lower base cover (<NUM>) ensuring that the camera (<NUM>) remains untouched by the lower base cover (<NUM>).