Patent Description:
An external rear view assembly for a motor vehicle comprises at least one reflective element such as a mirror, and/or a camera in cooperation with a display, with the display being arranged within the external rear view assembly attached at a side of the motor vehicle or within the motor vehicle. A conventional rear view side mirror or a camera pod are examples of rear view assemblies.

A rear view assembly for a motor vehicle offers a view of the area behind the motor vehicle at least in compliance with the legal provisions and belongs to a sub-group of assemblies for an indirect view. These provide images and views of objects which are not in the driver's direct field of view, i.e., in directions opposite of, to the left of, to the right of, below and/or above the driver's viewing direction. The driver's view cannot be fully satisfactory, in particular also in the viewing direction; the view can, for example, be obstructed by parts of the driver's own vehicle, such as parts of the vehicle body, in particular, the A-pillar, the roof construction and/or the bonnet and the view may be obstructed by other vehicles and/or objects outside the vehicle that can obstruct the view to such an extent that the driver is not able to grasp a driving situation to his/her full satisfaction or only incompletely. It is also possible that the driver is not able to grasp the situation in or outside of his/her viewing direction in the way required to control the vehicle according to the situation. Therefore, a rear view assembly can also be designed in such a way that it processes the information according to the driver's abilities in order to enable him/her to grasp the situation in the best possible manner.

Different functions and devices can be built into rear view assemblies and/or controlled with the help of rear view assemblies wherein cameras are included as well. The functions and devices for improving, enhancing, and/or maintaining the functionality of the rear view assembly under normal or extreme conditions are particularly useful. They can comprise heating or cooling systems, cleaning materials such as wipers, liquid and/or gaseous sprays, actuator means for moving the rear view assembly and parts thereof such as a display, a camera system and/or parts of a camera system, for example, comprising lenses, filters, light sources, adaptive optics such as formable mirrors and/or actuator means for the induction of movements of other objects, for instance, parts of the vehicle and/or objects surrounding the vehicle.

Moreover, the rear view assembly can comprise linear guiding devices and/or rotating wheels, such as a filter wheel, for exchanging optical elements, for example, comprising lenses, mirrors, light sources, sensors, adaptive optics such as formable mirrors and/or filters.

Further devices can be integrated in rear view assemblies and/or further devices can be controlled by means of rear view assemblies, such as any kind of light module comprising an external light module, an internal light module, a front light, a rear light, fog lights, a brake light, an accelerator light, a blinking light, a logo light, an apron lighting, a ground light, a puddle light, a flash light, a navigation light, a position light, an emergency light, headlights, a green light, a red light, a warning light, a blinking light module, an approach light, a search light, an information light, an indicator and/or the like. Further examples for functions and devices which can be integrated in or controlled by rear view assemblies can be a fatigue detection system, a system to detect momentary nodding off, a distance and/or speed determination system, for example, a LIDAR (light detection and ranging) system, a blind angle indication system, a lane-change assistance system, a navigation assistance system, a tracking assistance system, a man-machine interaction system, a machine-machine interaction system, an assistance system for emergency and precautionary measures, such as an accident prevention assistance system, a countermeasure assistance system, a braking assistance system, a steering assistance system, an accelerator assistance system, an escape assistance system which, for example, comprises a catapult seat system, a direction indicator, a blind angle indicator, an approach system, an emergency brake system, a charging status indicator, a vehicle mode system, for instance, comprising a sports-mode system, an economy-mode system, an autonomous driving-mode system, a sleep mode system and/or an anti-theft system, a vehicle-locked indication system, a vehicle-stolen indicator, a warning signal system, a temperature indicator system, a weather indication system, a traffic light signal system, a fuel status system and/or any combination thereof.

Lighting devices for rear view assemblies and/or associated fibre-optic light guides are described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and in <CIT> of the applicant.

A camera module can in particular comprise a multitude of different optical elements, inter alia, comprising a multitude of different sensors and light sources as well as housing parts. The housing of a camera module can be made of plastic, metal, glass, another suitable material and/or any combination thereof and can be used in combination with the techniques for changing or modifying the properties of the material or the material surface. Housings are, for example, disclosed in <CIT>.

The camera can, for example, comprise CCD or CMOS or light field sensors as they are, for example, described in <CIT> and in <CIT>. A certain sector of the sensor can also be reserved for different purposes, for instance, for detecting a test beam, as disclosed in <CIT>.

The optical elements can be formed or designed from any type of glass or any other suitable material. Here, glass is used in the sense of a non-crystalline amorphous solid body showing a glass transition when being heated towards the liquid state. It comprises, for example, the group of polymer glasses, metal glasses, silicon oxide glasses, but also any other suitable material can be used that shows the glass transition. The glass can be either plane, wedge-shaped, rectangular, cylindrical, spherical, conical, elliptical, and/or circular, as it is, for example, described in <CIT> and <CIT>, or may be formed according to the different requirements or lens types. As non-limiting examples, camera modules can be equipped with lenses such as wide-angle or fisheye lenses, which are suited to provide peripheral pictures, as described in <CIT> and <CIT>, a Fresnel lens or micro lenses, as described in <CIT>, or a TIR (total intern reflection) lens, as described in <CIT>. Another type of optical elements which are notoriously used in camera modules, are optical fibres, in particular, in the form of fibre bundles and preferably in the form of fibre bundles with an optical head, such as described in <CIT>. Different processes can be applied in order to manufacture such optical elements, such as the process described in <CIT>. The optical elements can be transparent as, for instance, in <CIT>, in <CIT> and in <CIT>. However, the optical elements can be semi-transparent as well, as described in <CIT> and <CIT>. Furthermore, the optical elements can be completely or partly coated with different types of coatings in order to achieve different effects, such as anti-reflection coatings, see <CIT>, reflection coatings on a chrome basis, see <CIT>, and other coatings, for example, for polymeric substrates as described in <CIT> and in <CIT>. The optical elements preferably consist of a scratch-proof material, as, for example, described in <CIT>. In certain spots of the optical elements, the optical elements can have decoupling structures, and an optical film, an extrusion film for example, and a formed coating can be applied, as described in <CIT>. A coating for spectral and tension control is described in <CIT>. Different filters can be integrated in the optical elements, such as grey filters or polarisation filters, which are described in <CIT>. Electrochromic substrates, polymer electrolytes, and other charge-conductive media can be comprised for the optical elements on the basis of the descriptions, as disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>.

The camera module can also be equipped with devices for controlling the light intensity, as described, for example, in <CIT> and comprise light level amplifier tubes, as described in <CIT>. The electrochromic substrates and apparatuses used in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT> can also be used for this purpose just like a transflector for transmitting or reflecting light on the basis of a respective input signal, as described in <CIT>.

The camera module or a cover adapted to the camera module can be moved by different actuators, drive units, and/or a flexible track, as described, for instance, in <CIT> and <CIT>. Moreover, the camera module can also comprise cleaning elements in order to clean the outward pointing optical element exposed to the environment. The cleaning element can, for example, contain wipers, brushes, lips, nozzles, ventilators, and similar elements, as they are described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>. The cleaning devices are not limited as to their composition and can, for example, comprise any kind of tissues, elastomers, sponges, brushes, or combinations thereof. Special wiper elements that comprise wiper arms, wiper blades, wiping cloths, wiping tissues, and combinations thereof are described in <CIT>. A wiping element can, for example, be controlled according to the process described in <CIT>. A reservoir for keeping a cleaning liquid, as described in <CIT>, can be fixed to or integrated in the camera module in order to supply the optical elements of the camera module with the cleaning liquid.

Different processes can be used in order to detect dirt or other blurs which impede or impair the functioning of the camera module, as described in <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>. In addition, light sources can be built or integrated in the camera module in order to increase the visibility of surrounding objects, to measure distances and directions, and to detect dirt, as described in <CIT>, <CIT>, having led to <CIT>, and <CIT>.

It is known to provide such cameras with heating devices and/or protection glasses. For this purpose, heating foils are, for instance, glued onto or laminated with the protection glass. The manufacturing of such a solution is costly and, due to the low thermal mass of such a heating foil, it has only a low heating capacity. Different heating means, such as heating coils, heating devices integrated in the lens mounting or lining or other heating elements can be used in order to prevent condensation and icing on the surface of optical elements, such as described in <CIT> and <CIT>, having led to <CIT>.

Waterproof seals against weather conditions as well as against the influence of washing processes with cleaning agents, solvents, and high-pressure cleaners can be used for the housing of the camera module, as described, for example, in <CIT>. Alternatively, the housing can be made in one piece, which consists of plastic and a conductive material, the conductive material being spread in the plastic material in order to form a conductive mass, enabling a power source, preferably a DC voltage source, to be connected with the body via at least two electrodes and to warm up the body accordingly. A conductive track can be embedded in the plastic parts of the camera module, as described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

The camera module can comprise an energy collection system, as, for example, described in <CIT>. An error detection system for electric loads, as it is described in <CIT>, can be used in order to detect a failure of the camera module.

Different types of fixings can be used in order to attach the camera module to the vehicle or to other components, such as the snap-in connection described in <CIT>.

Different controlling means and analysis devices can be used, for example, the calculation units described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>. In addition, the HDR (high dynamic range) technology according to <CIT> can be used.

Additional functional elements and/or decorative elements, such as logo projectors, are thus increasingly integrated in rear view assemblies of vehicles. By means of such a logo projector, a symbol, for example the manufacturer's logo, can be projected onto the road. For this purpose, the logo projector comprises a light source, a mask, and/or a slide for determining the logo as well as a projection lens. In order to make sure that the logo can be projected onto the road without any distortions, the position of the logo projector must be exactly defined. However, since, apart from the internal tolerance of the logo projector, i.e., the relative position between the mask and the lens, there are usually further tolerances, for example between the logo projector and the mirror housing, between the mirror head and the mirror foot, as well as between the mirror foot and the vehicle body, the position of the logo projector is not always exactly defined. This may result in undesired angular deviations and/or distortions of the projected logo.

Some rear view side mirrors incorporate approach lamps (also known as puddle lamps) within the side mirror housing which are used to project light downward onto the ground adjacent a vehicle. Standard (or basic) approach lamps have a light source such as an LED that is directed through an aperture in the lower surface of the side mirror. The light source is held at a desired fixed distance from the aperture and may use simple optical arrangements such as a light pipe to direct light through the aperture. More recently more sophisticated projector based approach lamps have been developed that use a lens arrangement incorporating a filter, mask, or screen (or similar) to project a logo, image symbol, message, or the like (referred to as logo in the following) through the aperture. These will be referred to as logo lamps with logo elements to distinguish them from standard approach lamps. Projection of the logo requires the use more complicated optical arrangements compared with standard approach lamps, and thus such projector approach lamps are typically physically larger and more expensive than standard approach lamps.

Still further, some mirrors incorporate both standard approach lamps and logo lamps. For example a standard approach lamp can be used to provide broad illumination for low speed maneuvering, whilst a logo lamp can be used to project a defined logo on the ground when stationery (eg when approaching or leaving the vehicle). One problem with providing both standard approach lamps and logo lamps is that the available space within a rear view side mirror for an approach lamp is typically quite limited, and the approach lamp modules must fit around or in spaces between the side mirror components such as mirrors and motors which creates design challenges. Further vehicles are requiring larger and larger illumination angles from approach lamps to both please the end user and allow camera systems to see around the car, which creates further design challenges in creating combined approach and logo lamp modules.

<CIT>, describing a combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus for use in an external rear view assembly according to the pre-amble of claim <NUM> of the present disclosure, relates to a multifunctional assembly including an external surface structure that comprises a side door and is equipped with at least one external rear-view assembly and an external handle assembly for opening the door. It also includes an external laser emitter which emits a line of laser light line in a fixed and direct manner downwards onto the ground adjacent to the vehicle, indicating a door-opening area, and performs functions in a combined manner with other blinkers, sensors and control devices upon opening the door and with an ultraviolet light emitting device.

<CIT> refers to a rearview mirror assembly having a reflector holder and a reflector housing, the reflector housing having an opening for mounting a support frame and at least one reflective element, the reflector. The housing is connected to the support frame, wherein the connecting member is a two-piece snap-on connector having a first snap-on connection member and a second snap-on connection member, It is characterized in that the latching lugs of the first snap-connecting part protrude into the second holes of the second snap-connecting part, and the second The protruding part of the snap-fit connection part extends into the first hole of the first snap-fit connection part.

The object of the present disclosure is to provide an external rear view assembly to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. This object is achieved by the features of claim <NUM>. Claims <NUM> and <NUM> describe preferred embodiments according to the present invention.

Further, there is provided a combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus for use in an external rear view assembly comprising at least one aperture, the apparatus comprising: a housing comprising a rear face and a front face with the at least one aperture; a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted adjacent the rear face, the printed circuit board further comprising a power connector, an electronic circuit, a first light source mounted in a first location on the printed circuit board and a second light source mounted in a second location on the printed circuit board; and a transparent lens component comprising a first lens portion and a second lens portion, wherein the housing and the lens component are formed, preferably as a two component moulded part, such that the first lens potion is orientated to focus light from the first light source and the second lens portion is orientated to focus light from the second light source via an optical assembly comprising a logo element, and the first lens portion is angled relative to a plane containing the PCB surface so that the distance from the first light source to an outer surface of the first lens portion is less than the distance from the second light source to an outer surface of the second lens portion, with, in use, the housing being mounted so that the first lens portion and the second lens portion are adjacent the at least one aperture in the side mirror housing.

The at least one aperture may comprise a first aperture and a second aperture separated by an opaque bridging portion; the first lens potion is located in the first aperture and the second lens portion is located in the second aperture; and the second lens portion is separated from the first lens portion by an joining portion, with the joining portion preferably being covered by the opaque bridging portion.

The PCB may have an area of at least <NUM><NUM>, preferably at least <NUM><NUM>, more preferably at least <NUM><NUM>.

The electronic circuit may be configured to separately control the output of the first light source and the output of the second light source, and the output of each light source is controlled to limit the total output under a predetermined maximum thermal dissipation limit. Both light sources can be actuated at the same time, with preferably a resettable fuse for an overheat control being provided. It is also proposed that the electronic circuit is configured to operate the combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus in at least two modes, wherein in each mode the total output remains under a predetermined maximum thermal dissipation limit, and in the first mode both the first light source and the second light source are switched on, and in the second mode only one of the first light source or second light source is switched on, and generates light with an intensity larger than an intensity of the same light source when operated in the first mode.

The first lens portion may be angled with respect to the plane containing the PCB surface, with preferably the first lens portion being angled with respect to the plane containing the PCB surface with an angle in the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>°, more preferably <NUM>° to <NUM>°, and/or the first lens portion is of the light pipe type, preferably multi faceted.

The second lens portion may be parallel to the plane containing the PCB surface and/or recessed.

The first light source may be comprised of an approach lamp; wherein the first lens portion has a first width and is mounted in a first offset position at an offset distance from the outer surface of the lower surface of the side mirror housing; and the approach lamp aperture has a second width which is wider than the first width of the first lens portion, with preferably the approach lamp projecting light both forward and rearward, in particular at a forward angle between <NUM>° and <NUM>° and a rearward angle between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

The rear surface supports the PCB with the power connector, which preferably comprises two prongs which engage with a plug which operatively connects the prongs to cables through a seal.

Further there may be a power connector housing, in particular in a proximal face, provided by the housing, which preferably is opaque and further comprises a first side face, a second side face, and a distal face, the proximal face comprising an aperture for receiving at least one cable.

Still further, there may be a mounting flange for mounting the combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus to an interior housing of the rear view side mirror through a mirror aperture, with the mounting flange preferably being located on either the first side face or the second side face, and the rear surface engages with the housing to form a rear face and the rear surface; and/or further comprising connection means, in particular for a screw, snap and/or clip connection, for mounting the combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus to the external rear view assembly, preferably via a mirror adaptor.

Still further, an adjusting device for spatially adjusting the apparatus relative to a housing part of the rear view assembly may be used, in particular relative to a housing cap and/or a foot cover, wherein the adjusting device preferably comprises at least one first adjusting element being arranged at the apparatus or formed together with an apparatus housing and/or provides at least one translational degree of freedom along at least one shifting axis and/or at least one rotational degree of freedom around at least one rotational axis.

The external rear view assembly may comprise the combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus. This external rear view assembly may comprise at least one second adjusting element of the adjusting device that is arranged at or formed together with a holding device for the apparatus and/or the housing part, and/or the adjusting device comprises at least one fixing element for fixing the apparatus in a position adjusted by means of the adjusting device, preferably via at least one fixing screw and/or bonding.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the schematic accompanying drawings wherein:.

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures.

Referring now to <FIG>, there is shown an isometric view of the interior of an interior housing <NUM> of an external rear view assembly in form of a rear view side mirror <NUM> through the mirror aperture <NUM>. The mirror and mirror support and actuators have been omitted from this view to show the location of an embodiment of a combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM> within the interior housing <NUM>. The combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM> comprises a mounting plate or flange <NUM> on one side to mount the combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM> to the interior housing <NUM>. The interior housing <NUM> further comprises a mounting aperture <NUM> for mounting the mirror to a vehicle, and provides an aperture through which power and command cables <NUM> can be provided to the approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM> and other components located within the interior of the side mirror <NUM>.

<FIG> is an isometric view showing the underside surface <NUM> of the exterior housing <NUM> of the rear view side mirror <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The underside surface <NUM> comprises an approach lamp aperture <NUM> for projecting a broad spot beam <NUM> of light on the ground from the approach lamp <NUM> (in the combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM>). The underside surface <NUM> also comprises a logo lamp aperture <NUM> for projecting a logo <NUM> of light on the ground from the logo lamp <NUM> (in the combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM>). Additional apertures may be provided in the underside surface <NUM> for projecting other beams, including both visible and invisible (eg IR) beams for sensing or illumination.

The size and shape of the projected spot beam <NUM> is determined by the optics of the approach lamp lens as well as the offset distance of the lens from the approach lamp aperture <NUM>. Similarly the size and shape of the projected logo <NUM> is determined by the optics of the logo lamp lens as well as the offset distance of the lens from the logo lamp aperture <NUM>. The approach lamp beam and logo may be projected forward and/or rearward of the side mirror and may be local to the side door, or it may extend along the full length of the vehicle. The approach lamp spot beam <NUM> may be used for general ground illumination for example to provide broad illumination for camera systems during low speed manoeuvring, whilst the logo lamp may be used to provide light to passengers when entering or exiting the vehicle. In other embodiments the approach lamp spot beam <NUM> can be used for passenger illumination, while a separate lamp can be used for manoeuvring. The approach lamp <NUM> and logo lamp <NUM> are spatially separated from each other within the combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM> and thus the approach lamp aperture <NUM> and logo lamp aperture <NUM> may be separate apertures in the underside surface <NUM>. In another embodiment the approach lamp aperture <NUM> and the logo lamp aperture <NUM> are the same aperture which is an elongated aperture in which the approach lamp projection <NUM> projects out of a different portion of the aperture to the logo lamp projection <NUM>. That is both the approach lamp <NUM> and logo lamp <NUM> utilise the same exit (or projection) aperture in the underside surface <NUM>. In most embodiments the approach lamp and logo lamp are recessed from the lower surface to meet regulatory requirements. However in some alternative embodiments, the approach lamp and logo lamp could be configured to be flush with the underside surface <NUM>.

An embodiment of the combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM> is shown in greater detail in <FIG> though <NUM>. <FIG> show a first and second isometric view of an embodiment of a combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM>. <FIG> shows a similar view to <FIG> with the housing hidden (or removed) to show the arrangement of internal components including the lens component <NUM> and <FIG> is an exploded isometric view. <FIG> are front, rear, first side, second side, top and bottom views. <FIG> is a sectional view through section AA of <FIG>.

The combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM> comprises an opaque housing <NUM> with a front face <NUM>, a first side face <NUM>, a second side face <NUM>, a top or distal face <NUM>, and a bottom or proximal face <NUM>. A rear surface <NUM> engages with the housing to form a rear face <NUM>. The front face <NUM> comprises a first aperture for the approach lamp <NUM> and a second aperture for the logo lamp <NUM> which are separated by an opaque bridging portion <NUM>. When installed in a side mirror the front face <NUM> faces the inner surface of the underside surface <NUM>. The location of the power connector housing <NUM> can act as a reference point such that the bottom face <NUM> is a proximal face with respect to location of the power connector and thus the top face <NUM> is the distal face. The mounting plate or flange <NUM> is located on the second side face <NUM> and is also proximal to the power connector <NUM> (and bottom or proximal face <NUM>). Additionally the top face <NUM> comprises a pair of mounting fingers which abut a support in the interior of the mirror housing (not shown).

A printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> is mounted on or adjacent the rear surface <NUM> and comprises a power connector <NUM>, an electronic circuit <NUM> and a first light source <NUM> mounted in a first location on the printed circuit board, and a second light source <NUM> mounted in a second location on the printed circuit board. In this embodiment the first and second light sources are both LED light sources, but other light sources including laser or incandescent light sources could be used. The first light source is the light source for the approach lamp <NUM> and the second light sources is for the logo lamp <NUM>. As can be seen in <FIG>, the two light sources are spaced apart on the PCB.

The light sources are controlled via the electronic circuit <NUM> which receives power and control signals via wires of the cables <NUM> operatively connector to power connector <NUM>. The power connector <NUM> comprises two prongs which engage with a plug <NUM> which operatively connects the prongs to wires <NUM> through seal <NUM>. The seal <NUM> is inserted into power connector housing <NUM> in the proximal face <NUM>. The electronic circuit <NUM> may comprise a single circuit which can concurrently control each light source, for example to switch one or both light sources on or off via control signals sent on a single wire <NUM>, or the electronic circuit may comprise two separate circuits, one for each light source allowing individual and independent control of the lamps via signals sent on two separate wires <NUM>. In one embodiment the LEDs have ratings in the range <NUM>-<NUM>. 5Watts each. The LED's may have the same ratings or different ratings. The use of two light sources generates heat, and to ensure adequate thermal dissipation of heat generated from the light sources, the PCB has a total area (or projected area) of at least <NUM><NUM>. Preferably the PCB has a total (or projected) area of at least <NUM><NUM>. The size of the PCB effectively sets the size of the rear surface.

The electronic circuit <NUM> may also allow adjustment of the relative light output, for example over a range from <NUM> - <NUM> %. This adjustment may be performed individually for both light sources, or jointly. In some embodiments, the electronic circuit is configured to separately control the output of the light sources <NUM><NUM>, and the output of each light source is controlled to limit the total output under a predetermined maximum thermal dissipation limit (or capability) hmax. Individual control of the light output (or intensity) is used to provide different lighting levels for different functions. For example for cases where the user is approaching the vehicle the logo and approach lamp may both be illuminated at similar intensities such <NUM>% of a maximum intensity (or up to ). However when manoeuvring with a camera the logo lamp may be turned off, and the approach lamp portion may be activated at a higher brightness (<NUM>%) in order to provide better vision or illumination for the camera. This higher brightness will generate additional heat (compared to the <NUM>% brightness case) and thus this higher intensity can only be used when the logo lamp is not switched on otherwise the heat dissipation limit may be exceeded. In other modes, the lamps have different intensities (eg <NUM>% logo, <NUM>% approach), in which case the output of each light source is controlled to limit the total output under a predetermined maximum thermal dissipation limit (or capability) hmax. For example if the lamps are identical and generate heat at the same rate for the same input current, then we can define imax as the total current corresponding to the maximum thermal dissipation capability (hmax) and i<NUM> and i<NUM> are the approach lamp and logo lamp currents. Then the lamps are operated such that the sum of the individual lamp currents satisfy: i<NUM> + i<NUM> ≤ imax. This can be rearranged to i<NUM>/imax + i<NUM>/imax ≤ <NUM>, so that maximum intensity corresponds to imax and the intensity is relative to this value. That is the light intensities are controlled to <NUM>-<NUM>% of imax (more generally the current symbols i could be replaced with intensity or brightness measurements I). More generally if the ratings of the lamps are different, or generate heat at different rates then we have f<NUM> + f<NUM> ≤ hmax where functions f<NUM> and f<NUM> are functions mapping an input parameter (eg current, voltage, etc) to heat output for each lamp. These may be obtained from fitting a function or creating a look up table from experimental test data and/or the theoretical estimates. The electronic circuit is then configured to ensure that in each mode the total heat output from both lamps stays within the acceptable limit hmax. For example the relationship between brightness or intensity and input current may be non-linear (or it may deviate from linear at larger currents). In further embodiments one or more temperature sensors are included in the electronic circuit, and the temperature is used in either the heat output estimates (ie inputs to f<NUM> and f<NUM>) or to set the maximum heat dissipation limit. For example the maximum heat dissipation limit may depend upon (or vary with) the ambient temperature. As outlined above, the electronic circuit can be configured with a range of operational modes such that in each mode the total output remains under a predetermined maximum thermal dissipation limit. For example in the first mode both the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> are switched on with the same intensity, for example both at <NUM>% of maximum intensity (or both at some level less < <NUM>%). In a second mode only one of the first light source <NUM> or second light source <NUM> is switched on (for example approach lamp light source <NUM>), and generates light with an intensity larger than an intensity of the same light source when operated in the first mode (eg > <NUM>% of maximum intensity).

The combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM> comprises a transparent lens component <NUM> which comprises a first lens portion <NUM> and a second lens portion <NUM> separated from the first lens portion by an joining portion <NUM>. The first lens potion <NUM> is located in the first aperture of the front face of the housing, and orientated to focus light from the first light source <NUM>. Similarly the second lens portion <NUM> is located in the second aperture and orientated to focus light from the second light source <NUM> via an optical assembly comprising a logo element, and the joining portion <NUM> is covered by the opaque bridging portion <NUM> to prevent stray light from one lens/ lamp affecting the other lens/lamp. Additionally a support area <NUM> surrounding the lens is opaque to further reduce stray light emissions. That is whilst the first lens portion and second lens portions are joined, there is no overlap in light output through the lens component <NUM> so that the approach lamp and logo lamp project through different areas of the one lens component <NUM>.

The opaque housing <NUM> and transparent lens component <NUM> are formed as a two component injection moulded part. An injection moulding plug <NUM> is located below joining portion <NUM>. This allows both lens portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the lens component <NUM> to be formed as a single transparent (or translucent) part and the housing to formed as an opaque part so that an opaque lens bridging portion <NUM> can be provided to both separate the two lens portions <NUM> and <NUM> and prevent stray light from one lamp affecting the other lamp. The surrounding support area <NUM> is also opaque further assisting in reducing stray light emissions.

The first lens portion <NUM> is angled relative to a plane containing the PCB surface <NUM> so that the distance <NUM> from the first light source <NUM> to an outer surface of the first lens portion <NUM> is less than the distance <NUM> from the second light source <NUM> to an outer surface of the second lens portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>, when the housing is mounted in the side mirror housing <NUM>, the combined approach lamp and logo lamp housing <NUM> is mounted so that the first lens portion <NUM> and the second lens portion <NUM> are adjacent the approach lamp aperture <NUM> and logo lamp aperture <NUM> respectively (or adjacent a single aperture if a single common aperture is provided in the side mirror housing). In this embodiment first lens portion <NUM> is angled with respect to the plane containing the PCB surface <NUM> and second lens portion <NUM> is parallel to the plane containing the PCB surface <NUM>. In this embodiment the first lens portion <NUM> is angled with respect to the plane containing the PCB surface <NUM> with an angle of around <NUM>°. In other embodiments the angle is in the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>° and more preferably in the range of <NUM>° to <NUM>° to maximise approach lamp efficiency and to fit to the side mirror. Angling of the first lens portion <NUM> improves the fit of the combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM> to the side mirror housing <NUM>.

The first light source <NUM> and first lens portion <NUM> form the approach lamp <NUM>. The first lens portion is formed as a semi-circular Fresnel lens to form a wide spot beam capable of projecting light forward and rearward of the lens at angles as large as <NUM>° to the vertical. In other embodiments the lens could be a freeform or total internal reflection lens, in particular in form of a light pipe. The second light source <NUM>, optical assembly and second lens portion <NUM> form the logo lamp <NUM>. The optical assembly comprises a first spacer housing <NUM>, a logo plate <NUM> and a second spacer housing <NUM>. The first spacer housing <NUM> comprises a pair of projections <NUM> which locate into matching mounting apertures <NUM> in the PCB <NUM>. The first spacer housing <NUM> comprises a first logo lamp lens <NUM> which is located above second light source <NUM> (or aligned to collect light from second light source <NUM>), and logo plate mounting projections <NUM>. The logo plate <NUM> comprises logo plate mounting apertures <NUM> which receive the logo plate mounting projections <NUM>, and a logo element <NUM> which receives light from the first logo lamp lens <NUM>. The second spacer housing <NUM> comprises a second logo lamp lens <NUM> which directs light passing through the logo element <NUM> towards the second lens portion <NUM>. The second spacer housing <NUM> further comprises spacer projections <NUM> to support the second lens portion <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The first spacer housing <NUM> and second spacer housing <NUM> are formed as moulded pieces with the logo lamp lenses and mounting features moulded in the same piece.

As shown in <FIG> the vehicle side mirror <NUM> comprises a side mirror housing <NUM> with a lower surface <NUM> (that is when installed the lower surface <NUM> is proximal to the ground). The combined approach lamp and logo lamp <NUM> is mounted within the housing <NUM> such that the lens component <NUM> is mounted such the first lens portion <NUM> is parallel to the lower surface <NUM> and the first lens portion projects light through an approach lamp aperture <NUM> in the lower surface <NUM>. This is further illustrated in <FIG> which is a side sectional view of the combined approach lamp and logo lamp of <FIG> mounted above the lower surface <NUM> of a mirror housing <NUM>. The first lens portion <NUM> has a first width <NUM>, and is mounted in a first offset position at an offset distance <NUM> from the outer surface of the lower surface <NUM> of the side mirror housing. The approach lamp aperture <NUM> has a second width <NUM> which is wider than the first width <NUM> of the first lens portion <NUM>. In this embodiment the approach lamp projects light both forward and rearward at a forward angle <NUM> and a rearward angle <NUM>. Vehicles are requiring larger illumination angles to both please the end user and allow camera systems to see around the car. For example in the case of a <NUM> long vehicle with the side mirror <NUM> from the front and <NUM> from the ground, then the required forward angle <NUM> is <NUM>° and the required rearward angle <NUM> is <NUM>°.

As will be shown below, the use of an angled approach lamp lens <NUM> compared to an approach lamp lens parallel to the PCB surface can dramatically affect the required width of the approach lamp aperture <NUM>. A shown in <FIG>, an angled approach lamp lens <NUM> is used. In the case that the first width <NUM> of the first lens portion is <NUM>, and located at a first offset distance <NUM> of <NUM> then the required second width <NUM> of the approach lamp aperture <NUM> is <NUM>. <FIG> shows a similar arrangement with an approach lamp lens <NUM>' with the same first width <NUM> of <NUM>, but aligned to be parallel with the PCB surface. This effectively recesses the approach lamp lens <NUM>' with respect to the lower surface <NUM>' and this has a dramatic effect on the size of the aperture <NUM>' in the lower surface <NUM>'. In the scenario shown in <FIG> the combined approach and logo lamp uses an approach lamp lens (first lens potion <NUM>) which is parallel to the PCB and the lower surface <NUM>. Due to the size of the optical assembly of the logo lamp this forces and increase in the offset distance between the lower surface <NUM>' and the first lens portion <NUM>' by <NUM> - from a second offset distance <NUM> of <NUM> in <FIG> to a second offset distance <NUM>' of <NUM> in <FIG>. This has a dramatic effect on the required width of the approach lamp aperture <NUM>', as to maintain the require opening angles <NUM> and <NUM>, the second width <NUM>' must be increased to <NUM> - an increase of <NUM> which is more than double the size of the second width <NUM> in <FIG>. For reference the location of the lower surface <NUM>, initial offset distance <NUM> and initial width <NUM> shown in <FIG>, all with respect to the first lens surface <NUM>, are shown in <FIG> as dotted lines.

This is undesirable as using a larger opening can compromise styling or induce wind noise. Alternatively if a large recess (offset distance) is used with a small aperture then this reduces the range of illumination angles thus reducing performance (ie less of the car is illuminated). These effects are particularly important when the combined approach and logo lamp is used in small mounting locations, such as in a camera pod rather than a side mirror, or in a small side mirror. Thus the use of an angled approach lamp lens portion <NUM>, rather than a lens parallel to the PCB provides the advantage of enabling small openings in the lower surface of the side mirror housing (or similar housing).

The above embodiments have been described in relation to mounting in a side mirror housing. In one embodiment a side mirror apparatus is provided comprising a housing comprising a lower surface which in use is proximal to the ground, and the lower surface comprises at least one aperture <NUM>, and a combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus mounted within the housing such that PCB <NUM> is angled with respect to the lower surface <NUM> and the first lens portion <NUM> is parallel to the lower surface <NUM> and projects light through one of the at least one aperture <NUM>. However the combined logo and approach lamp could be provided in other similar vehicle structures such as a camera pod or sensing pod mounted on the exterior of a vehicle (whether on the side, front, rear, or other location).

Other variations are possible. In the above embodiment the housing <NUM> forming part of the two component injection moulded part comprises the front face <NUM>, the first side face <NUM>, the a second side face <NUM>, the top face <NUM>, and the bottom face <NUM>, which engages with a separate rear surface, and the entire housing is opaque. In one embodiment the housing <NUM> and lens component <NUM> are a multi component injection moulded part, such that lens component <NUM> is a transparent part, the front face <NUM> of the housing is one part and is opaque, and the remaining part of the housing is at least another part which is not necessarily opaque. In another embodiment the PCB <NUM> forms the rear surface <NUM>. In another embodiment the housing forming part of the two component moulded part comprises just the front face <NUM> with apertures for the first and second lens portions (ie the approach and logo lamp lens of the lens component <NUM>). This housing could be received on second housing comprising the first side face <NUM>, the second side face <NUM>, the top face <NUM>, the bottom face <NUM> and the rear face <NUM>.

The combined approach lamp and logo lamp apparatus has a number of advantages. First the use of a two component moulded opaque housing and transparent lens component provides improved separation of the two light exiting faces (the approach lamp lens portion <NUM> and logo lamp lens portion <NUM>) whilst maintaining a low part count. The two component moulded part allows both lens to be formed as a single transparent (or translucent) part and the housing to formed as an opaque part so that an opaque lens bridging portion <NUM> can be provided to both separate the two lens portions <NUM> and <NUM> and prevent stray light from one lamp affecting the other lamp. The surrounding support area <NUM> is also opaque further assisting in reducing stray light emissions. Further the PCB is sized for adequate thermal management, and angling the approach lamp lens <NUM> with respect to the PCB <NUM> plane allows the approach lamp lens to be parallel with an opening in the side mirror housing, which minimises the size of the opening (ie enables a small opening) in the lower surface of the side mirror housing. This also allows for a better fit of the combined approach lamp and logo lamp to the mirror housing.

A rear view assembly according to the invention can have a mirror head movably attached to a mirror foot (not shown) and an adjustable module <NUM> for a combined approach lamp and logo lamp surface, with the module <NUM> being attached to an inner surface of a mirror housing part in form of a mirror head cup <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The mirror head cup <NUM>, when mounted to a vehicle (not shown), is forward facing in the direction of the vehicle's longitudinal axis. Components such as the module <NUM> are mounted to the mirror head cup <NUM> either directly or indirectly linked with it by means of holding elements. In the example shown in <FIG>, the mounting is directly made at the mirror head cup <NUM>.

In order to be able to correct tolerance-related position deviations of the module <NUM>, an adjusting screw <NUM> is provided which is inserted in a screw boss <NUM> of the mirror head cup <NUM>. Snap-in elements <NUM> are provided at the adjusting screw <NUM> which engage with complementary snap-in elements <NUM> of the module <NUM>.

By turning the adjusting screw <NUM>, the module <NUM> can be tilted so that its position relative to the mirror head cup <NUM> can be corrected. In this process, the movement of the module <NUM> is controlled by means of a link bracket <NUM> which is formed at a housing <NUM> of the module <NUM> and comprises a bent elongated hole <NUM>. A fixing screw <NUM> being inserted in a screw boss <NUM> of the mirror head cup <NUM> is led through the elongated hole <NUM>. As soon as the module <NUM> is moved to its target position by turning the fixing screw <NUM>, it can be fixed in this position by tightening the fixing screw <NUM>.

An alternative embodiment not forming part of the invention is shown in <FIG> in cross section, with the module <NUM> being indirectly linked with the mirror head cup <NUM> by means of a holding device <NUM>. Adjusting elements <NUM> are provided as well by means of which the position of the module <NUM> relative to the mirror head cup <NUM> can be adjusted.

<FIG> illustrates in top view the tilting of the projector module <NUM>, guided via the link bracket <NUM>. The maximum tilt angle in the illustrated example is approx. +/- <NUM>° around a centre position of the module <NUM>, limited by the stops of the elongated hole <NUM>. The dashed outlines each show the end positions of the module <NUM>.

A further embodiment of a rear view assembly is shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows an external view of a mirror head cup <NUM> which, on the one hand, carries an adjustable module <NUM> with its integrated projector or logo lamp <NUM> and an ambient or approach lamp <NUM> and, on the other hand, provides a window <NUM> for a manoeuvring light <NUM>, shown in more detail in <FIG>. The additional manoeuvring light <NUM> projects light through the window <NUM>, the emission area being determined by a plastic aperture <NUM>. The latter comprises an opaque partial area <NUM>, for example made from polycarbonate, and a transparent coloured partial area <NUM>, for example made from polymethyl methyl acrylate coloured in blue.

<FIG> shows the mirror head cup <NUM> of <FIG>, from the mirror head inside, with the module <NUM> with being fixed to the mirror head cup <NUM> by means of a holding device <NUM>. The holding device <NUM>, in turn, is attached to the mirror head cup <NUM> by means of clip connectors <NUM>. Further clip connectors <NUM> fix the module <NUM> to the holding device <NUM>. The link bracket <NUM> for adjusting the position of the projector module <NUM> can also be seen.

In the illustration in <FIG> the manoeuvring light <NUM> is shown as a module and in a mounted condition. The module comprises a circuit board <NUM> with lighting elements that emit light in the direction of the window <NUM> by means of fibre-optic light guides <NUM>. The manoeuvring light <NUM> is included in a two-component housing <NUM> consisting of transparent acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene-copolymer towards the window <NUM> and comprising cooling fins <NUM> made from aluminium for heat dissipation. An ambient lighting is possible by means of the manoeuvring light <NUM>, in addition to the combined approach lamp and logo lamp module <NUM>.

All in all, a rear view assembly is thus created that enables an exact adjustment of the position of the module <NUM> so that this can provide a projection of a logo onto the road free from distortions. At the same time, further lighting variants are connected with or even integrated in the module <NUM>. This increases the application area in a minimum space.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claim 1:
An external rear view assembly (<NUM>), having a mirror head movably attached to a mirror foot and an adjustable module (<NUM>), with the module (<NUM>) being attached to an inner surface of a mirror housing part in form of a mirror head cup (<NUM>),
characterized in that,
in order to be able to correct tolerance-related position deviations of the module (<NUM>), an adjusting screw (<NUM>) is provided which is inserted in a screw boss (<NUM>) of the mirror head cup (<NUM>), snap-in elements (<NUM>) are provided at the adjusting screw (<NUM>) which engage with complementary snap-in elements (<NUM>) of the module (<NUM>); and
by turning the adjusting screw (<NUM>), the module (<NUM>) can be tilted so that its position relative to the mirror head cup (<NUM>) can be corrected, wherein the movement of the module (<NUM>) is controlled by means of a link bracket (<NUM>) which is formed at a housing (<NUM>) of the module (<NUM>) and comprises a bent elongated hole (<NUM>).