An exterior mirror mounting window structure and a vehicle

Abstract

The application discloses an outside rearview mirror mounting window structure, which comprises an outside rearview mirror shell, an inner side support and a mirror ring, the mounting window is arranged at one end of the outside rearview mirror shell, and the outside rearview mirror shell and the mirror ring are provided with a limiting structure. The outside rearview mirror mounting window structure has the advantages of uniform light distribution, high assembly reliability, cost reduction and compatibility with various vehicle models.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of automotive exterior parts, specifically, it relates to an exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure. Background Technology

[0002] The exterior rearview mirror is a core exterior component for vehicle driving safety. The side turn signals integrated into the rearview mirror are used to convey the vehicle's turning intention and are a functional component that is required by regulations.

[0003] Currently, there is significant differentiation in exterior rearview mirrors between high-end and low-end models on the same automotive platform: high-end models include side turn signals, while low-end models omit them, and the side turn signals themselves come in various LED specifications. Traditional structural solutions cannot achieve shared housings and brackets, resulting in low platformization and high production and inventory management costs. Furthermore, similar exterior rearview mirrors and side turn signals in the industry suffer from several inherent defects: 1. Uneven light distribution; 2. Low component availability and high development costs; 3. Structural and limiting defects; 4. Insufficient specification compatibility.

[0004] In existing technologies, improvements to the side turn signals of exterior rearview mirrors are mostly focused on optimizing the light guide structure of a single specification, without starting from an overall architecture. They cannot simultaneously solve comprehensive problems such as light distribution, cost, assembly, gap control, multi-specification compatibility, and adaptation to no-lamp systems, and thus cannot meet the development needs of platform-based vehicle models. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing an exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure that improves light distribution uniformity, enhances assembly reliability, reduces costs, and is compatible with the needs of various vehicle models.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure includes an exterior rearview mirror housing, an inner bracket, and a mirror ring. The mounting window is located at one end of the exterior rearview mirror housing, and the exterior rearview mirror housing and mirror ring are provided with limiting structures.

[0007] The inner bracket is connected to a side turn signal. The side turn signal includes a mounting base and a transparent face shield. The transparent face shield includes a flat face shield portion and a raised face shield portion. The raised face shield portion is located at one end of the flat face shield portion. The flat face shield portion is located inside the exterior rearview mirror housing and fits against the inner side of the exterior rearview mirror housing. The raised face shield portion is adapted to the mounting window.

[0008] The limiting structure includes a first limiting rib and a second limiting rib; there are two first limiting ribs located on both sides of the opening end of the mounting window, the first limiting rib abuts against the transparent mask, the second limiting rib is located on the mirror ring, and the inner side of the outer rearview mirror housing is provided with a limiting groove adapted to the second limiting rib.

[0009] The mounting base has a stepped mating surface, and a sealing strip is provided on the stepped mating surface. The edge of the transparent mask has a stepped flange, and the sealing strip is located between the stepped mating surface and the stepped flange.

[0010] The mounting base has a limiting flange on its edge, which abuts against the exterior rearview mirror housing. The end of the stepped flange abuts against the inner side of the mounting base. The limiting flange and the stepped flange are located on both sides of the first limiting rib.

[0011] The mounting base is equipped with a PCB light source module, which is equipped with LED beads. The transparent mask is equipped with a light guide prism and a light guide rib. The surface of the light guide prism has a sawtooth structure, and the light guide rib has a trapezoidal structure.

[0012] The lens ring is provided with multiple bracket connection holes. The inner bracket is connected to the bracket connection holes by screws. The lens ring is provided with component mounting holes near the mounting window. There are two component mounting holes. The component mounting holes and the bracket connection holes are on the same plane.

[0013] The inner bracket is connected to a plug, which is integrally injection molded. The plug includes a plug cover decorative part and a decorative part. The plug cover decorative part is located inside the outer rearview mirror housing, and the decorative part is adapted to the mounting window.

[0014] The exterior rearview mirror housing and mirror ring are both integrally injection molded.

[0015] The technical advantages of this invention are as follows: The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure of this invention employs a combined optical path structure of trapezoidal cross-section light guide ribs and built-in microprisms, along with light guide ribs and reflective structures on the bracket, forming a multi-level uniform light system. This design effectively disperses the concentrated light from the end LED light source, eliminating defects such as bright-dark discontinuities, edge spillage, and light-dark partitioning, meeting the light intensity distribution requirements of regulatory standards, and improving the uniformity of side turn signal light patterns. Through the mounting window design, no additional dedicated molds are needed, enabling the platform-based sharing of rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles with or without side turn signals. The number of molds developed is significantly reduced, lowering costs by more than 40%; simultaneously, the categories of dedicated parts are simplified, effectively reducing material inventory, production line control, and overall supply chain costs, fully adapting to the vehicle platform development model. Vehicles without side turn signals can directly equip with decorative covers of the same design, which have the same appearance as the transparent side turn signal cover and are installed on the inner bracket without modifying the base shell structure. For high- and low-spec models on the same platform, only the light source components or caps need to be replaced to achieve compatibility, resulting in high assembly efficiency and avoiding appearance defects such as gaps and color differences. Models with and without side turn signals share the same pre-assembly, assembly, testing, and sealing process. There is no need to change tooling fixtures or adjust work procedures on the production site. Only the final functional components need to be replaced, which can simultaneously improve the flexibility of the production line and the production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0016] This manual includes the following figures, which illustrate the following: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the interchangeability of the side turn signal and the plug of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the exterior rearview mirror housing of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the inner support and lens ring of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the inner support and lens ring of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the side turn signal of the present invention; Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the side turn signal of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the plug of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transparent face mask of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a side view of the transparent face mask of the present invention; Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the transparent face mask of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the side turn signal of the present invention on the outer rearview mirror housing; Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the side turn signal of the present invention mounted on the outer rearview mirror housing and mirror ring.

[0017] The following are marked in the diagram: 1. Exterior rearview mirror housing; 11. Mounting window; 12. Limiting groove; 13. First limiting rib; 2. Inner bracket; 3. Mirror ring; 31. Bracket connection hole; 32. Component mounting hole; 33. Second limiting rib; 4. Side turn signal; 41. Mounting base; 411. Stepped mating surface; 412. Limiting flange; 42. Transparent face shield; 421. Face shield flat part; 422. Face shield protrusion; 423. Stepped flange; 43. PCB light source module; 44. LED lamp bead; 45. Light guide prism; 46. Light guide rib; 47. Sealing strip; 5. Plug; 51. Plug decorative part; 52. Decorative part. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in order to help those skilled in the art to have a more complete, accurate and in-depth understanding of the inventive concept and technical solution of the present invention, and to facilitate its implementation.

[0019] Addressing the shortcomings of existing technologies, such as uneven light distribution, poor component versatility, high mold and production costs, unreasonable assembly limits, excessive gap and surface differences, difficulty in adapting to configurations without side turn signals, and incompatibility between various side turn signal specifications, this application achieves seamless adaptation between side turn signal 4 and configurations without side turn signals through the core architecture of the installation window 11, installation structure, and limit structure. Simultaneously, it optimizes cost, assembly, and sealing systems, comprehensively resolving industry pain points, realizing a platform-based design for the exterior rearview mirror assembly, improving overall product quality, and significantly reducing development, production, and management costs.

[0020] The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure includes an exterior rearview mirror housing 1, an inner bracket 2, and a mirror ring 3. A mounting window 11 is located at one end of the exterior rearview mirror housing 1, and both the exterior rearview mirror housing 1 and the mirror ring 3 are equipped with limiting structures. This exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure, by directly setting a standardized mounting window 11 at one end of the exterior rearview mirror housing 1, transforms the side turn signal 4 mounting area, which originally required separate mold design based on different configurations, into a universal mounting interface with fixed dimensions, uniform position, and standardized interface. The mounting window 11 allows the same housing to simultaneously adapt to two configuration requirements, eliminating the problem of housing specialization caused by configuration differences. The inner bracket 2 serves as the load-bearing base for the side turn signal 4 or the cover 5, providing stable structural support for the installation of functional components; the limiting structure on the mirror ring 3 ensures that the side turn signal 4 or the cover 5 achieves precise spatial positioning after assembly. Specifically, the exterior rearview mirror housing 1 provides the external styling surface and the circumferential boundary of the mounting window 11, the inner bracket 2 provides internal structural support and the mounting point for functional components, and the mirror ring 3 provides closure and secondary limiting. The mounting window 11 serves as a channel through the exterior rearview mirror housing 1, allowing the protruding part 422 of the side turn signal transparent cover 42 to protrude from the inside of the housing to the outside, thus realizing the functional layout of concealing the light source assembly and exposing the light-emitting surface.

[0021] Compared to traditional solutions, high-end models with side turn signals 4 require an irregularly shaped opening on the exterior rearview mirror housing 1 that perfectly matches the shape of the side turn signal 4, while low-end models without side turn signals require a redesigned housing without the opening, making the two incompatible. This application solves the housing customization problem by setting a standardized installation window 11 in a fixed position, making the housings of models with and without lights completely identical. The configuration is only distinguished by whether the side turn signal 4 component or the cover 5 is installed, fundamentally solving the housing customization problem.

[0022] The inner bracket 2 is connected to the side turn signal 4. The side turn signal 4 includes a mounting base 41 and a transparent mask 42. The transparent mask 42 includes a mask flat portion 421 and a mask protrusion 422. The mask protrusion 422 is located at one end of the mask flat portion 421. The mask flat portion 421 is located inside the exterior rearview mirror housing 1 and fits against the inner side of the exterior rearview mirror housing 1. The mask protrusion 422 is adapted to the mounting window 11. The side turn signal 4 adopts a split structure of mounting base 41 and transparent mask 42. The mounting base 41 is responsible for supporting the PCB light source module 43 and fixing it to the inner bracket 2. The transparent mask 42 is responsible for optical distribution and appearance presentation. The transparent face shield 42's flat portion 421 is located inside the exterior rearview mirror housing 1, fitting snugly against the inner side of the housing 1 to reduce light scattering within the housing 1. The face shield protrusion 422 extends from the mounting window 11 to the outside of the housing, directly exposing the light-emitting surface to the external field of vision, meeting the regulatory visibility angle requirements for turn signals. The integrated design of the face shield flat portion 421 and the face shield protrusion 422 allows the transparent face shield 42 to function as both an internal light guide and an external light emitter, eliminating the need for a separate light-emitting window assembly. The fitting of the face shield flat portion 421 to the inner side of the exterior rearview mirror housing 1 also effectively prevents light leakage from the gap between the housing and the transparent face shield 42, eliminating the edge light leakage defects commonly found in traditional structures.

[0023] The mask flat portion 421 and the mask protrusion 422 have a stepped structure. The outer contour of the mask flat portion 421 is larger than the inner contour of the mounting window 11, preventing the entire mask from being directly detached from the mounting window 11. The outer contour of the mask protrusion 422 precisely matches the inner contour of the mounting window 11, ensuring uniform gaps after assembly and achieving stable constraint. This ensures that the transparent mask 42 will neither retract into the housing nor protrude outwards after assembly, making the relative position of the mask and the housing uniquely determined and guaranteeing the consistency of gap surface differences. The connection between the mounting base 41 and the inner bracket 2 fixes the entire turn signal assembly inside the housing, while the mask protrusion 422 extends through the mounting window 11. The cooperation between the two provides the turn signal assembly with higher stability within the housing 1.

[0024] The limiting structure includes a first limiting rib 13 and a second limiting rib 33. Two first limiting ribs 13 are provided, located on either side of the opening end of the mounting window 11, and abut against the transparent faceplate 42. The second limiting rib 33 is located on the mirror ring 3, and a limiting groove 12 adapted to the second limiting rib 33 is provided on the inner side of the outer rearview mirror housing 1. By designing an integrally formed limiting rib on the outer rearview mirror housing 1, the limiting rib abuts against the side turn signal 4 lens, completing the upper and lower limiting and eliminating assembly gaps. The limiting groove 12 is integrally provided on the inner side of the mirror ring 3, and the groove and the limiting rib engage and match, thereby limiting the left and right sides of the side turn signal 4 lens and controlling the left and right assembly gaps.

[0025] The first limiting rib 13 is symmetrically arranged on both sides of the opening end of the mounting window 11, directly abutting against the edge of the mask plane 421 of the transparent mask 42, and precisely limiting the transparent mask 42 in the vertical direction. The symmetrical arrangement of the two limiting ribs ensures that the limiting force is evenly distributed on both sides of the transparent mask 42, preventing eccentric loading. The second limiting rib 33 is located inside the mirror ring 3 and forms a locking match with the limiting groove 12 inside the outer rearview mirror housing 1. After the mirror ring 3 is assembled with the outer rearview mirror housing 1, the second limiting rib 33 is embedded in the limiting groove 12, limiting the transparent mask 42 in the horizontal direction. The first limiting rib 13 and the second limiting rib 33 limit the transparent mask 42 from the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively, forming a two-dimensional positioning in the plane, so that the position of the transparent mask 42 is completely determined.

[0026] After the exterior rearview mirror housing 1, the side turn signal 4 assembly, and the mirror ring 3 are assembled, the first limiting rib 13 presses the transparent face shield 42 into a predetermined position from the top and bottom, while the second limiting rib 33 pushes the transparent face shield 42 against the side wall of the limiting groove 12 from the left and right. The limiting forces in the two directions are perpendicular to each other and act together on the edge area of ​​the transparent face shield 42, locking the position of the transparent face shield 42 in all directions. At the same time, the contact between the limiting rib and the transparent face shield 42 is a surface contact, with a large contact area and stress dispersion, preventing cracking caused by local stress concentration in the transparent face shield 42 due to point contact.

[0027] The mounting base 41 has a limiting flange 412 on its edge, and the mask flat part 421 has a stepped flange 423 on its edge. The limiting flange 412 abuts against the outer rearview mirror housing 1, and the end of the stepped flange 423 abuts against the inner side of the mounting base 41. The limiting flange 412 and the stepped flange 423 are located on both sides of the first limiting rib 13.

[0028] The limiting flange 412 is located on the edge of the mounting base 41 and abuts against the inner wall of the exterior rearview mirror housing 1 during the assembly of the side turn signal 4 assembly, forming a surface contact support between the mounting base 41 and the housing, thus preventing local deformation of the mounting base 41 under the action of screw tightening force. The stepped flange 423 is located on the edge of the mask plane portion 421 of the transparent mask 42, and its end abuts against the inner side of the mounting base 41, forming a precise axial positioning reference between the transparent mask 42 and the mounting base 41, ensuring that the relative position of the transparent mask 42 and the mounting base 41 is uniquely determined. The limiting flange 412 and the stepped flange 423 are located on both sides of the first limiting rib 13, so that the first limiting rib 13 provides support rigidity for both flanges simultaneously.

[0029] The mounting base 41 has a stepped mating surface 411, and a sealing strip 47 is provided on the stepped mating surface 411. The edge of the transparent face shield 42 has a stepped flange 423, and the sealing strip 47 is located between the stepped mating surface 411 and the stepped flange 423.

[0030] The stepped mating surface 411 forms a stepped sealing interface on the mounting base 41, which mates with the stepped flange 423 on the edge of the transparent face shield 42. Compared with traditional flat sealing, this increases the length and tortuosity of the sealing path, making it more difficult for moisture and dust to enter, and significantly improving sealing reliability. The sealing strip 47 is sandwiched between the stepped mating surface 411 and the stepped flange 423, and is uniformly compressed during assembly to form an elastic sealing barrier. The multi-stage compression surface provided by the stepped structure ensures that the sealing strip 47 contacts the mating surface at different heights. Even if one stage of the sealing surface loosens slightly due to long-term compression, other stages of the sealing surface can still maintain the sealing effect, achieving sealing redundancy. The rebound force generated when the sealing strip 47 is compressed acts on both the mounting base 41 and the transparent face shield 42, generating a slight mutual repulsive force between them. This force is transmitted to the flange through the first limiting rib 13, making the contact between the flange and the shell tighter and indirectly enhancing the limiting stability of the flange. The clearance compensation of the stepped mating surface 411 is 0.2~0.5mm. When combined with the sealing strip 47, it enables the sealing system to have a moderate elastic adjustment capability, which can absorb the slight dimensional changes caused by temperature changes and long-term use, and maintain the long-term stability of the sealing pressure.

[0031] The mounting base 41 is equipped with a PCB light source module 43, which is equipped with LED beads 44. The transparent mask 42 is equipped with a light guide prism 45 and a light guide rib 46. The light guide rib 46 is provided with serrations at equal intervals and has a trapezoidal structure.

[0032] The light guide rib 46 has a trapezoidal cross-section, unlike traditional circular or square cross-section light guides. The difference in width between the upper and lower bases of the trapezoidal structure causes asymmetric refraction of light during propagation, which helps deflect the light towards the light-emitting surface of the transparent mask 42, improving light energy utilization efficiency. The equally spaced sawtooth structure on the light guide rib 46 serves as a secondary light extraction unit, forming periodic scattering points along the path of the light propagation along the light guide rib 46. This draws some light out from inside the light guide rib 46 and guides it to the light-emitting surface of the transparent mask 42, ensuring uniform light emission along the length of the light guide rib 46. The light emitted by the LED beads 44 is first converged by the light guide prism 45 and enters the trapezoidal light guide rib 46 with a small divergence angle. As the light propagates within the trapezoidal light guide rib 46, the inclined sidewalls of the trapezoidal cross-section cause the light to deflect towards the light-emitting surface in each reflection. The equally spaced sawtooth on the propagation path periodically guides some light out, forming a uniform light-emitting dot matrix. The microprism structure further homogenizes the outgoing light, eliminating the spot-like bright spots that may be generated during serrated extraction, so that the outgoing light forms a continuous and uniform surface light source effect on the surface of the transparent mask 42.

[0033] The mirror ring 3 is provided with multiple bracket connection holes 31. The inner bracket 2 is connected to the bracket connection holes 31 by screws. The mirror ring 3 is provided with component mounting holes 32 near the mounting window 11. There are two component mounting holes 32. The component mounting holes 32 and the bracket connection holes 31 are on the same plane. The side turn signal 4 and the cover 5 are both provided with mounting seats corresponding to the component mounting holes 32.

[0034] Multiple bracket connection holes 31 on the mirror ring 3 provide multiple fixing positions for the inner bracket 2, ensuring a firm and reliable connection between the inner bracket 2 and the mirror ring 3. Two component mounting holes 32 located near the mounting window 11 are specifically used to fix the mounting base of the side turn signal 4 or the cover 5, allowing the functional components to connect directly to the inner bracket 2 rather than to the housing, avoiding insufficient connection strength due to the thinness of the housing wall. The component mounting holes 32 and the bracket connection holes 31 are on the same plane, ensuring that the assembly direction of the inner bracket 2, the side turn signal 4 assembly, and the mirror ring 3 is consistent, simplifying the assembly operation. There are a total of six mounting holes 31 and 32, providing hole selection for different specifications of the side turn signal 4. Side turn signal 4 assemblies of different power, size, and beam type can be fixed by selecting the appropriate hole combination, without needing to create new mounting points on the inner bracket 2. Both the side turn signal 4 component and the cover 5 component can be connected and fixed to the inner bracket 2 via the mounting holes 32. The structure is simplified, the assembly operation is simple, no additional auxiliary parts are required, and the assembly is highly convenient. At the same time, it can be assembled with different configuration vehicles. There are four bracket connection holes 31, that is, the six holes on the inner bracket 2 can be adapted to side turn signal 4 specifications with different power, size and beam pattern. Different configuration vehicles on the same platform can share a set of exterior rearview mirror housing 1 and bracket, which improves the universality of parts and the platform adaptability.

[0035] The consistent appearance of the plug 5 and the turn signal assembly ensures identical shape, contours, and surface differences, maintaining a uniform level of aesthetic quality and refinement across both high- and low-spec models in the rearview mirror area. The installation structure of the plug 5 is completely identical to that of the turn signal assembly, making the assembly process for models without turn signals identical to that with turn signals. There's no need to differentiate between high and low-spec models on the production line; the decision to install either the turn signal assembly or the plug 5 is made only during the component assembly stage, resulting in a high degree of flexible production.

[0036] The inner bracket 2 is connected to a plug 5, which is integrally injection molded. The plug 5 includes a plug cover decorative part 51 and a decorative part 52. The plug cover decorative part 51 is located inside the exterior rearview mirror housing 1, and the decorative part 52 is adapted to the mounting window 11. The plug cover 5 assembly is a replacement part specifically for models without side turn signals. Its appearance and outer contour dimensions are completely consistent with the transparent cover 42 of the side turn signal 4 assembly, achieving a unified appearance for the entire vehicle. Its installation structure is the same as that of the side turn signal 4 assembly, and the gap control standard is completely consistent with that of the structure with lights. The outer surface of the plug 5 is sprayed with the same color and texture as the exterior rearview mirror housing 1 assembly to eliminate color difference. When the side turn signal 4 configuration is cancelled in the model, the plug 5 can be directly installed on the window to achieve adaptation in the state without side turn signals.

[0037] Both the exterior rearview mirror housing 1 and the mirror ring 3 are integrally injection molded. This integral injection molding ensures the dimensional fit between parts is guaranteed by the precision of the injection mold, eliminating the cumulative tolerances of assembling multiple parts. The mounting window 11 and the first limiting rib 13 are simultaneously injection molded on the exterior rearview mirror housing 1, and the limiting groove 12 is simultaneously injection molded on the mirror ring 3. The relative positions of the limiting rib and the mounting window 11 are guaranteed by different cavities within the same mold, resulting in a much higher positional accuracy than the method of manufacturing and assembling parts separately. When a vehicle on the same platform needs to switch from a configuration with turn signals to one without, the injection molds for the exterior rearview mirror housing 1, mirror ring 3, and inner bracket 2 do not require modification. Only the turn signal assembly or the plug 5 assembly needs to be selected during injection molding. Example

[0038] Both the exterior rearview mirror housing 1 and the mirror ring 3 have pre-reserved side window installation space. The exterior rearview mirror housing 1, mirror ring 3, and inner bracket 2 are connected by snap-fit ​​and bolts. After assembly, the side of the assembly forms a side turn signal 4 installation window 11, which serves as a unified installation position for the side turn signal 4 and the side turn signal cover 5. The inner bracket 2 integrates the installation points of the cover 5 component and the side turn signal 4 component. At the same time, the side turn signal 4 component can be adapted to five types of N1 vehicles with different sizes, power, and light patterns, which can reduce costs, and six types of N2 vehicles with side turn signals 4, without the need to replace the bracket or modify the housing.

[0039] The side turn signal 4-component includes a PCB light source module 43, LED beads 44, sealing strip 47, transparent cover 42, and mounting base 41. The transparent cover 42 is made of PMMA material, and the trapezoidal light guide rib 46 is integrally injection molded from the transparent cover 42. The transparent cover 42 has 6 sets of microprism structures inside, forming a natural light guide structure. The microprisms disperse and concentrate the light source, solving the problems of uneven brightness, brighter ends, darker middle, and light leakage at the edges. The uniformity of light distribution is greatly improved. At the same time, it can be equipped with Category 5 or Category 6 lamps to meet the requirements of different vehicle regulations and national standard light distribution.

[0040] The light guide ribs 46 have a trapezoidal cross-section, which, unlike traditional round / square light guides, provides a focusing effect. The light guide ribs 46 are evenly spaced within the grooves of the transparent mask 42, with a spacing of 2-6mm. The transparent mask 42, as a mounting component, also functions as a light guide, reflector, and diffuser, assisting in the uniform propagation of light without the need for additional reflectors, simplifying components and reducing costs.

[0041] Depending on the specifications, the PCB light source module 43 can use LED beads 44 with different power ratings from 1W to 3W to adapt to different light patterns of Category 5 or Category 6 side turn signals 4. Specifically: for Category 6 side turn signals 4, 6 LED beads are soldered and installed on the transparent cover 42 of the PCB light source module 43, corresponding to 6 sets of microprisms, adapting to N2 category vehicles; for Category 5 side turn signals 4, 3 LED beads are soldered and installed on the transparent cover 42 of the PCB light source module 43, corresponding to 3 sets of microprisms arranged at intervals, adapting to N1 category vehicles. Therefore, only the specifications of the PCB light source module 43 and the number of LED beads need to be changed, and the housing and bracket do not need to be structurally modified, realizing one-click switching and adaptation of multiple specifications of lamp groups.

[0042] The stepped mating surface 411 and the elastic sealing strip 47 provide clearance difference control. The elastic sealing strip 47 has a Shore hardness of 60A~70A, and the clearance compensation of the stepped mating surface 411 is 0.2~0.5mm. The unique stepped stop structure and adjustable clearance compensation keep the clearance difference between the transparent mask 42 / plug 5 and the shell stably controlled at ±0.1mm, which is better than the traditional ±0.3mm. At the same time, it has a self-sealing function, preventing water ingress, preventing light leakage, and ensuring high appearance consistency.

[0043] The assembly process of the exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure is as follows: 1. Component Assembly: ① Assembly of side turn signal 4 components for vehicles with side turn signals: Select the corresponding specifications of side turn signal 4 components according to the vehicle configuration, install the PCB light source module 43 on the corresponding component mounting hole of the mounting base 41, fill the gap between the transparent cover 42 and the outer rearview mirror housing 1 and mirror ring 3 with sealing strip 47, embed the whole into the mounting window 11, and fix the screw on the component mounting hole 32 of the inner bracket 2 of the outer rearview mirror, and limit the position with the limiting structure; ② Assembly of vehicles without side turn signals: Install the decorative cover 5 on the inner bracket 2 with buckle, and seal the mating surface of the cover 5 and the housing with elastic sealing strip 47; the microprism structure of the light guide rib 46 is evenly distributed along the length of the light guide rib, and the apex angle of the microprism is 90°~120°.

[0044] 2. Gap surface difference detection: A gap gauge tool is used to detect the gap surface difference between the side turn signal transparent cover 42 / plug 5 and the housing; to achieve precise X / Y / Z three-way limit of the side turn signal, and to prevent misalignment, loosening and abnormal noise during driving.

[0045] 3. Sealing performance test: The sealing performance of the side turn signal 4 components / cap 5 and the housing is tested through a rain test. The surface difference control accuracy is ±0.1mm, and the gap is evenly distributed within the range of 0.2~0.5mm.

[0046] This structure, through the platform-based sharing of the rearview mirror housing 1, mirror ring 3, and inner bracket 2, allows vehicle manufacturers to achieve unified management and rapid switching of parts across multiple models and high / low configurations. This shortens the development cycle of new models, reduces the cost of dedicated molds and material management, and consequently lowers the overall vehicle procurement and manufacturing costs. Secondly, the application of the limiting structure and stepped sealing system eliminates common quality problems in traditional turn signal assembly, such as misalignment, looseness, abnormal noise, and excessive gap / surface difference, improving the overall static perceived quality and dynamic NVH performance of the vehicle, thus enhancing product market competitiveness. The improved uniformity of turn signal light distribution ensures clear and conspicuous turn signals, reducing the risk of traffic accidents caused by unclear signals; while the high-sealing design effectively prevents moisture and dust from entering the lamps and rearview mirrors, avoiding electrical faults caused by short circuits or corrosion, thus improving the long-term reliability and safety of the entire vehicle at the system level.

[0047] Traditional technical solutions have the following inherent drawbacks: Uneven light distribution: Traditional side turn signals mostly use a single LED light source + light guide rib structure. The light source is concentrated at the end, resulting in a large difference in brightness between the middle and the end of the light guide rib. This leads to problems such as brightness gaps and edge light leakage, which cannot meet the uniformity requirements of the side turn signal light intensity distribution in GB 5920 standard.

[0048] Low component interchangeability and high development costs: Existing models require separate design of exterior rearview mirror housings and internal support brackets for models with and without side turn signals, and corresponding development of dedicated molds. The large number of dedicated components and the significant investment in molds result in a wide variety of materials, leading to high production, warehousing, and supply chain management costs. Furthermore, component interchangeability cannot be achieved between models on the same platform.

[0049] Structural and limiting defects: The assembly of the side turn signal and the exterior rearview mirror housing is mostly fixed by clips and screws. The limiting structure is complex, difficult to install, and prone to assembly misalignment, loosening and abnormal noise. In addition, it is difficult to control the mold gap, resulting in excessive gap difference between the transparent cover of the side turn signal and the exterior rearview mirror housing, affecting the appearance consistency and sealing performance.

[0050] Insufficient specification compatibility: The existing side turn signal structure is not compatible with six different types of side turn signal specifications in terms of power, size, and light pattern. Different configuration models require separate design and installation structures, which further exacerbates the problem of component specialization.

[0051] In summary, the exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure of this application is compared with traditional technical solutions as follows: Traditional side turn signals are often assembled with exterior rearview mirror housings using a snap-fit ​​and screw-fixing method. This method has a complex limiting structure, requiring multiple snaps and positioning pins to work together. Deformation or wear of any snap can lead to misalignment. This application integrates the limiting function into the housing structure by using a limiting rib integrally molded on the exterior rearview mirror housing 1 and the mirror ring 3. This eliminates the need for additional positioning parts, and the limiting accuracy is directly guaranteed by the injection mold precision, eliminating assembly deviations caused by the cumulative tolerances of multiple parts. The contact between the limiting rib and the transparent cover 42 is rigid, eliminating the elastic deformation and long-term creep problems of snaps, ensuring long-term stable limiting performance.

[0052] Traditional side turn signals typically employ a single LED light source and a light guide rib structure. The light source is concentrated at the end, and the light guide rib causes significant light attenuation during transmission, resulting in a brightness gap between the end and the center. This application extends the light-emitting surface to the outside of the housing through the protrusion 422 of the transparent mask 42. Combined with the trapezoidal light guide rib 46 and the microprism light-uniforming structure, the light is fully mixed and homogenized throughout its entire path from the light source to the emitting surface, thus eliminating the brightness gap problem at the structural level.

[0053] In traditional structures, the gap between the transparent face mask and the shell is maintained entirely by the screw tightening force and the preload of the clips. Due to the creep of the plastic parts and vibration, the gap gradually increases after long-term use. This application uses the rigid positioning of the limiting flange 412 and the stepped flange 423 to ensure that the relative position between the transparent face mask 42 and the shell is determined by the structure itself rather than maintained by fasteners. Even if the screws loosen slightly, the Z-axis position of the transparent face mask 42 is still guaranteed by the mechanical limiting of the flange, which greatly improves the stability of the gap.

[0054] Traditional side turn signals typically use ordinary round or square strips for their light guides. Light propagates within the light guide through total internal reflection, resulting in high light density and brightness near the light source at the end, while the light attenuates significantly further away, creating a bright-dark discontinuity. This application utilizes the focusing effect of a trapezoidal cross-section and the equidistant extraction of light from a sawtooth structure to uniformly guide light along the length of the light guide 46. Combined with secondary light homogenization using six sets of microprisms, the concentrated light from the LED beads 44 is fully diffused and mixed in space, eliminating the bright-dark boundary and edge light leakage.

[0055] Traditional side turn signals rely on a single sealing ring or gasket for sealing the housing. This results in a short sealing path and a single sealing interface, making them susceptible to water and dust ingress once the sealing ring ages or experiences insufficient local compression. The sealing structure of this application extends the sealing path, forming a multi-level protective barrier. Aging of a single sealing level will not lead to overall seal failure, significantly improving sealing reliability and durability.

[0056] In traditional solutions, side turn signals with different power, size, and beam patterns require individually designed mounting brackets and housing structures, with each specification corresponding to a dedicated mold and parts list. This application, by unifying the size of the mounting window 11 and standardizing the layout of the 32 component mounting holes, allows multiple specifications of side turn signals 4 to share the same housing, bracket, and lens ring 3, with only the PCB light source module 43 differing. This significantly simplifies the types of parts, reduces the number of molds to be developed, and lowers the unit cost by more than 40%.

[0057] Traditionally, the exterior rearview mirror housings of vehicles without side turn signals typically feature a closed design, resulting in a noticeable difference in appearance compared to vehicles with side turn signals, creating a visually less premium feel. If a plug is used to seal the opening, controlling the surface difference between the plug and the housing is often difficult, easily leading to uneven gaps, protrusions, or dents. This application addresses this by ensuring that the outer contour of the plug 5 perfectly matches the protruding portion 422 of the side turn signal transparent cover 42, and they share the same limiting structure. This ensures that the surface difference control standard between the plug 5 and the housing is identical to that of vehicles with side turn signals, resulting in high aesthetic consistency.

[0058] The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure employs a combined optical path structure of trapezoidal cross-section light guide ribs 46 and built-in microprisms, along with light guide ribs and reflective structures on the bracket, forming a multi-level uniform light system. This design effectively disperses the concentrated light from the end LED light source, eliminating defects such as bright-dark discontinuities, edge spillage, and light-dark partitioning, meeting the light intensity distribution requirements of regulatory standards, and improving the uniformity of the side turn signal 4 light pattern. Through the mounting window 11 design, no additional dedicated molds are needed to achieve platform-based sharing of rearview mirror assemblies for models with or without side turn signals. The number of molds developed is significantly reduced, and costs are reduced by more than 40%; at the same time, the categories of dedicated parts are simplified, effectively reducing material inventory, production line control, and overall supply chain costs, fully adapting to the vehicle platform development model. Models without side turn signals can be directly equipped with decorative covers 5 of the same shape. These covers 5 have the same appearance as the transparent side turn signal cover 42 and are installed on the inner bracket 2 without modifying the base shell structure. For high- and low-spec models on the same platform, only the light source components or plugs need to be replaced to achieve compatibility, resulting in high assembly efficiency and avoiding appearance defects such as gaps and color differences. Models with and without side turn signals share the same pre-assembly, assembly, testing, and sealing process. There is no need to change tooling fixtures or adjust work procedures on the production site. Only the terminal functional components need to be replaced, which can achieve simultaneous improvement in production line flexibility and production efficiency.

[0059] The present invention has been described above by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-described manner. Any non-substantial improvements made using the inventive concept and technical solution; or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other situations without modification, are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror mounting window structure, characterized in that: It includes an exterior rearview mirror housing (1), an inner bracket (2), and a mirror ring (3). The mounting window (11) is located at one end of the exterior rearview mirror housing (1), and the exterior rearview mirror housing (1) and the mirror ring (3) are provided with limiting structures.

2. The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner bracket (2) is connected to a side turn signal (4). The side turn signal (4) includes a mounting base (41) and a transparent face shield (42). The transparent face shield (42) includes a face shield flat part (421) and a face shield protrusion (422). The face shield protrusion (422) is located at one end of the face shield flat part (421). The face shield flat part (421) is located inside the outer rearview mirror housing (1) and fits against the inner side of the outer rearview mirror housing (1). The face shield protrusion (422) is adapted to the mounting window (11).

3. The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The limiting structure includes a first limiting rib (13) and a second limiting rib (33); the first limiting rib (13) is provided in two parts and is located on both sides of the opening end of the mounting window (11); the first limiting rib (13) abuts against the transparent mask (42); the second limiting rib (33) is provided on the mirror ring (3); the inner side of the outer rearview mirror housing (1) is provided with a limiting groove (12) that matches the second limiting rib (33).

4. The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting base (41) is provided with a stepped mating surface (411), and a sealing strip (47) is provided on the stepped mating surface (411). The transparent face shield (42) has a stepped flange (423) on its edge, and the sealing strip (47) is located between the stepped mating surface (411) and the stepped flange (423).

5. The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mounting base (41) has a limiting flange (412) on its edge. The limiting flange (412) abuts against the outer rearview mirror housing (1). The end of the stepped flange (423) abuts against the inner side of the mounting base (41). The limiting flange (412) and the stepped flange (423) are located on both sides of the first limiting rib (13).

6. The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mounting base (41) is provided with a PCB light source module (43), the PCB light source module (43) is provided with LED beads (44), the transparent mask (42) is provided with a light guide prism (45) and a light guide rib (46), the surface of the light guide prism (45) is a sawtooth structure, and the light guide rib (46) is a trapezoidal structure.

7. The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lens ring (3) is provided with multiple bracket connection holes (31). The inner bracket (2) is connected to the bracket connection holes (31) by screws. The lens ring (3) is provided with component mounting holes (32) on the side near the mounting window (11). There are two component mounting holes (32). The component mounting holes (32) and the bracket connection holes (31) are on the same plane.

8. The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner bracket (2) is connected to a plug (5), which is integrally injection molded. The plug (5) includes a plug decorative part (51) and a decorative part (52). The plug decorative part (51) is located inside the outer rearview mirror housing (1), and the decorative part (52) is adapted to the mounting window (11).

9. The exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The exterior rearview mirror housing (1) and mirror ring (3) are both integrally injection molded.

10. A vehicle, characterized in that: Includes the exterior rearview mirror mounting window structure as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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