Patent ID: 7815348

Claim:
A light module for an exterior rearview mirror assembly, the exterior rearview mirror assembly adapted for attachment to the side of a vehicle, the exterior rearview mirror assembly including a reflectance element that is movably positionable by the driver of the vehicle to adjust its rearward field of view when the exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached to the side of the vehicle, said light module comprising: an enclosure defining an enclosure cavity, said enclosure comprising a light-transmitting opening covered with a light-transmitting cover; wherein, when said light module is included in the exterior rearview mirror assembly, said enclosure is fixedly disposed in the exterior rearview mirror assembly and is separate from the movably positionable reflectance element; a plurality of light-emitting diodes within said enclosure cavity; wherein, when the exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted at the side of an equipped vehicle, and when said light module is disposed in the exterior rearview mirror assembly, and when said plurality of light emitting diodes is electrically powered, at least one of said light emitting diodes radiates light through said light-transmitting cover generally along a light-radiating axis that extends away from the side of the equipped vehicle to which the exterior mirror assembly is attached; wherein said light module comprises a turn signal light module, and wherein, responsive to actuation by the driver of a turn signal system of the equipped vehicle, said at least one of said light emitting diodes is electrically powered to provide a warning light to the driver of another vehicle passing the equipped vehicle that a lane change by the equipped vehicle is intended; wherein said light module is configured and disposed in the exterior rearview mirror assembly such that, when said turn signal light module is disposed in the exterior rearview mirror assembly of the equipped vehicle, and when said at least one of said plurality of light emitting diodes is electrically powered responsive to the driver of the equipped vehicle actuating the turn signal system of the equipped vehicle, said light module projects a pattern of light at least rearwardly of the equipped vehicle and observable to the driver of another vehicle passing from behind the side of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said projected pattern of light is substantially unobserved by the driver of the equipped vehicle; and wherein said light module is substantially moisture impervious and is removable from the exterior rearview mirror assembly.