Motor vehicle having an exterior mirror

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (10) having an exterior mirror (11) with a plate-like mirror foot (17); a mirror foot holder (26), which is arranged in an interior of a vehicle door (12), the mirror foot holder (26) being open on its upper side (29) such that the mirror foot (17), for its installation, can be introduced into the mirror foot holder (26) from the top downwards along an insertion direction, and at least two elongated holes (20), which are formed in the mirror foot (17) and the longitudinal openings of which extend along the insertion direction, through each of which screws (21) extend, which are screwed into the mirror foot holder (26) in order to fasten the mirror foot (17) to the mirror foot holder (26).

Description

[0001] Motor vehicle with one exterior mirror

[0002] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with an exterior mirror.

[0003] The exterior mirror 1 shown in Figure 1 is known from the prior art. It is attached to the outside of an upper section of a vehicle door 2. To attach this exterior mirror 1, a mirror base (omitted in Figure 1 for clarity) is screwed to the inside of the vehicle door 2. This assembly requires either that the exterior mirror 1 be positioned / fixed in the correct position on the outside using a tool while it is screwed in from the inside, or that one person position and hold the exterior mirror 1 on the outside while a second person screws it in from the inside. Furthermore, correct positioning is difficult because, on the one hand, excessive pressure could cause the door panel 3 to buckle, and on the other hand, it is desirable that the exterior mirror 1 be flush with the door panel 3.The outer door panel is sealed evenly and without gaps.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially eliminate the aforementioned disadvantages. This object is achieved by a motor vehicle according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] 24-2234 21.07.2025 According to an embodiment of the invention, a motor vehicle is equipped with an exterior mirror having a plate-shaped mirror base; a mirror base bracket arranged inside a vehicle door, particularly below a window sill, wherein the mirror base bracket is open at its upper side so that the mirror base can be inserted into the bracket from top to bottom along an insertion direction; and at least two elongated holes formed in the mirror base, the longitudinal openings of which extend along the insertion direction, through which screws extend which are screwed into the mirror base bracket to fasten the mirror base to the bracket. The advantage of this embodiment is that the mirror base can be inserted into the bracket from top to bottom under guidance.When inserting the mirror base into the mirror base bracket, the exterior mirror, and in particular a rubber seal, will eventually rest against the vehicle door. In this case, no holding or pressing force is required; the exterior mirror is held in a position by its own weight, allowing for secure attachment. The bracket can then be attached from the inside of the vehicle door. The elongated holes have the advantage of compensating for manufacturing tolerances. Due to these tolerances, the mirror base of one vehicle may protrude slightly further into the bracket than the mirror base of another. The elongated holes ensure that the bracket can be attached in both cases without having to adjust the position of the mirror base.Furthermore, only one person is required to install this exterior mirror.

[0006] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the

[0007] The motor vehicle must also have at least two centering pins, by means of which the

[0008] 24-2234 21.07.2025 Mirror base automatically centers itself in the mirror base holder by insertion along the insertion direction.

[0009] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the insertion direction forms no angle or an angle to a vehicle vertical axis that is no greater than 30°. In this way, the mirror base is essentially inserted vertically from top to bottom into the mirror base receptacle and is automatically held in place for the fastening step, without the need for external aids.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the mirror base, in a state in which centering is established between the mirror base and the mirror base holder by means of the centering pins, can be moved at least 3 mm into and / or out of the mirror base holder along the insertion direction while maintaining centering.

[0011] These 3 mm are to be understood as cumulative, meaning at least 3 mm upwards, or at least 3 mm downwards, or at least 3 mm both upwards and downwards combined. Naturally, this mobility presupposes that the screws are not (yet) present or fastened. This ensures that, despite tolerance compensation (movement in both directions along the insertion direction), centering is always maintained.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the mirror base is sword-shaped. That is, it is plate-shaped with a downward-tapering end section when viewed along the vehicle's transverse axis. This allows unnecessary material to be saved at the mirror base.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the invention, one of the centering pins extends downwards from a tip of the sword shape along the insertion direction.

[0014] 24-2234 21.07.2025 According to a further embodiment of the invention, the mirror base bracket is arranged below an opening in an outer door panel or outer door sheet.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a rubber seal runs between the exterior mirror and the outer door panel. This seal is designed such that, when the mirror base is inserted into the mirror base bracket, the weight of the exterior mirror is sufficient to position the elongated holes during installation so that screws can be inserted through them. This has the advantage that, due to the consistent weight of the exterior mirrors on different vehicles, the rubber seal is always pressed down optimally and uniformly on all vehicles. In this way, a vehicle mechanic can simply insert and tighten the exterior mirror without having to worry about how firmly the rubber seal needs to be pressed against the outer door panel.

[0016] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the opening in the outer door panel has a larger opening area than an opening on the top of the mirror base bracket. This prevents paint damage at the punched edge of the opening in the outer door panel (which could lead to corrosion). In particular, the opening area in the outer door panel is at least 20% larger, and more specifically, at least 30% larger.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate the following:

[0018] Figure 1 shows a state-of-the-art exterior mirror;

[0019] 24-2234 21.07.2025 Figure 2 shows a motor vehicle with an exterior mirror according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0020] Figure 3 shows a more detailed, three-dimensional view of the exterior mirror according to the embodiment of the invention;

[0021] Figure 4 shows a mirror base from Fig. 3 in a three-dimensional view;

[0022] Figure 5 shows a side view of a front, upper area of ​​a vehicle door according to the embodiment of the invention;

[0023] Figure 6 shows a mirror base bracket of the embodiment of the invention;

[0024] Figure 7 shows a sectional view through the exterior mirror parallel to the yz-plane in a state in which the mirror base is fully inserted into the mirror base bracket, and

[0025] Figure 8 shows another sectional view through the exterior mirror parallel to the yz-plane in a state in which the mirror base is fully inserted into the mirror base holder.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a motor vehicle 10, in particular a passenger car, according to an embodiment of the invention. A coordinate system shows a longitudinal axis x, a transverse axis y, and a vertical axis z, all of which are perpendicular to each other. The motor vehicle 10 has an exterior mirror 11, which is attached to a vehicle door 12, in particular a front door, for example a driver's or passenger's door, below a window sill 13 or a lower window line.

[0027] 24-2234 21.07.2025 Figure 3 shows a more detailed, three-dimensional view of the exterior mirror 11 according to an embodiment of the invention. The exterior mirror 11 has a mirror frame 14 that accommodates a mirror. This mirror frame 14 is arranged on a mirror base 15, the base foot 16 of which, in the mounted state of the exterior mirror 11, rests on an outer door panel 23 (see Fig. 5) of the vehicle door 12 with a rubber seal (not shown) between them. A mirror foot 17 extends downwards from the mirror base 15, in particular from the base foot 16. The rubber seal surrounds, for example, a downward-facing surface of the base foot 16 in a ring-like, completely closed manner.

[0028] Figure 4 shows the mirror base 17 from Fig. 3 in a three-dimensional, oblique side view. The mirror base 17 is plate-shaped, meaning that a dimension along the vehicle's transverse axis y is significantly smaller than a dimension along the vehicle's vertical axis z and also significantly smaller than a dimension along the vehicle's longitudinal axis x. For example, a dimension of the mirror base 17 along the vehicle's vertical axis z is in the range of 70% to 130% of the dimension along the vehicle's longitudinal axis x, and a dimension of the mirror base 17 along the vehicle's transverse axis y is in the range of 30% or less of the dimension along the vehicle's longitudinal axis x.

[0029] In particular, the mirror base 17 is sword-shaped, i.e., plate-shaped with a pointed downward-tapering end section (viewed along the vehicle's transverse axis y). The mirror base 17 is, for example, made of die-cast aluminum, and to save material and reduce weight, the interior of the mirror base can be designed in the form of a rib structure. A first centering pin 18 extends downward from a lower end of the mirror base 17 along an insertion direction of the mirror base 17. From a side of the mirror base 17 (pointing outwards along the vehicle's transverse axis y)

[0030] 24-2234 21.07.2025 Mirror foot 17 extends essentially along the

[0031] A second centering pin 19 extends outwards along the vehicle's transverse axis y.

[0032] Three elongated holes 20 are provided for fastening the mirror base 17. The longitudinal axes or openings of these holes extend downwards along a longitudinal direction of the mirror base 17, i.e., along the insertion direction of the mirror base 17. Screws 21 can be inserted through the elongated holes 20 from the inside of the vehicle door 12 towards the outside (from the inside of the door to the outside). Figure 4 shows the tips of the three screws 21 in the elongated holes 20.

[0033] Figure 5 shows a side view of a front, upper region of the vehicle door 12. In a lower region 22, the outer door panel 23 extends substantially parallel to an xz-plane. In the upper region 24, particularly the region between the window sill 13 and the lower region 22, the outer door panel 23 extends substantially in a plane that forms an angle between 45° and 90° with the xz-plane on the outside of the vehicle door 12.

[0034] In the upper area 24 of the vehicle door 12, an opening 25 is formed in the outer door panel 23, through which the mirror base 17 can be inserted through the outer door panel 23 into the interior of the door. A mirror base holder 26 is arranged on the inside of the opening 25.

[0035] Figure 6 shows the mirror base bracket 26 in more detail. The mirror base bracket 26 is, for example, made of a sheet metal part whose end sections are bent at right angles to form side walls 27. An upward-pointing end section is, for example, bent at 45° to form a top surface 29. A lower end section 28 is attached to an inner door panel 30, for example by welding or

[0036] 24-2234 21.07.2025 screwed on. The free edges of the side walls 27, the top 29 and the lower end section 28 are attached to the inner door panel 30, for example by welding, screwing or clipping, so that the mirror base bracket 26 forms a cuboid pocket open at its top, into which the mirror base 17 can be inserted from top to bottom. An outward-facing side of the mirror base bracket 26 is provided with a centimetric slot 32, into which the second centering pin 19 can be threaded along the insertion direction. On the same side, three threaded openings 33 are also formed, into which the screws 21 can be screwed to screw the mirror base 17 to the mirror base bracket 26. The threaded openings 33 are, for example, through holes with an internal thread or through holes with an externally attached (e.g. welded) nut.

[0037] Figure 7, which shows a sectional view parallel to the yz-plane through one of the elongated holes 20, depicts a base 34 of the mirror foot support 26. This base 34 is formed, for example, by an angle bracket (right-angled) which is formed on an inner side of the lower end section 28 (for example, welded on or formed integrally with it).

[0038] Figure 8 shows a sectional view parallel to the yz-plane through the first centering pin 18. As can be seen in Figure 8, the base 34 is provided with a centering opening 31 into which the first centering pin 18 can be inserted.

[0039] The mirror base bracket 26 is adapted such that the mirror base 17 is guided by the mirror base bracket 26 when inserted. The two centering elements, i.e., the first centering pin 18 in the centering opening 31 and the second centering pin 19 in the centering slot 32, are adapted such that

[0040] 24-2234 21.07.2025 that, while maintaining the respective engagement or centering, upward and / or downward movement along the insertion direction of the mirror base 17 is possible. The cumulative upward, downward, or upward and downward movement amounts to, for example, at least 3 mm, and in particular at least 5 mm. This has the advantage that a certain tolerance compensation is possible. When the mirror base 17 is inserted into the mirror base holder 26, the rubber seal of the base 16 eventually rests on the outer door panel 23. Ideally, the weight of the exterior mirror 11 is sufficient to ensure that the rubber seal rests optimally against the outer door panel 23. This would have the advantage that the rubber seal rests against the outer door panel 23 in the same way on all vehicles with the same mirror model.In this case, no holding or pressing force would be required; instead, the exterior mirror 11 is automatically held and centered in a position by its own weight, allowing for fastening (using the screws 21). In this state, the screws 21 can then be inserted through the elongated holes 20 and tightened from the inside of the vehicle door 12. The elongated holes 20 have the advantage of compensating for manufacturing tolerances. Due to these tolerances, even with identical rubber seal loads, the mirror base 17 of one vehicle may protrude slightly further into the mirror base bracket 26 than the mirror base of another. The elongated holes 20 ensure that fastening can be carried out in both cases without having to change the position of the mirror base 17.

[0041] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description, this illustration and description is to be understood as exemplary and not as limiting, and it is not intended to limit the invention to

[0042] 24-2234 21.07.2025 to limit the disclosed embodiment. The mere fact that certain features are mentioned in various dependent claims should not imply that a combination of these features could not also be used advantageously.

[0043] 24-2234 21.07.2025

Claims

Claims 1. Motor vehicle (10) with an exterior mirror (11) having a plate-shaped mirror base (17); a mirror base bracket (26) arranged inside a vehicle door (12), the mirror base bracket (26) being open at its top (29) so that the mirror base (17) can be inserted into the mirror base bracket (26) for mounting along an insertion direction from top to bottom, and at least two elongated holes (20) formed in the mirror base (17) the longitudinal openings of which extend along the insertion direction, through which screws (21) extend which are screwed into the mirror base bracket (26) to fasten the mirror base (17) to the mirror base bracket (26).

2. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1, further comprising at least two centner pins (18, 19) by means of which the mirror base (17) is automatically centered in the mirror base holder (26) by insertion along the insertion direction.

3. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 1 of 2, wherein the insertion direction forms no angle or an angle to a vehicle vertical axis (z) which is not greater than 30°.

4. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 2, wherein the mirror base (17) is movable in and / or out of the mirror base holder (26) at least 3 mm along the insertion direction while maintaining centering in a state in which centering is established between the mirror base (17) and the mirror base holder (26) by means of the centering pins (18, 19). 24-2234 21.07.2025 5. Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mirror base (17) is sword-shaped.

6. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 5 with reference to claim 2, wherein one of the centering pins (18) extends downwards from a tip of the sword shape along the insertion direction.

7. Motor vehicle (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mirror base bracket (26) is arranged below an opening (25) in an outer door panel (23).

8. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 7, wherein a rubber seal runs between the exterior mirror (11 ) and the door outer panel (23), which is designed such that, in the inserted state of the mirror base (17) into the mirror base holder (26), a weight force of the exterior mirror (11 ) is sufficient to position the elongated holes (20) during the assembly of the exterior mirror (11 ) so that screws (21 ) can be inserted through the elongated holes (20).

9. Motor vehicle (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the opening (25) in the outer door panel (23) has a larger opening area than an opening on the top (29) of the mirror base bracket (26). 24-2234 21.07.2025

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