Modular exterior rearview mirror assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention discloses a housing, a mirror or glass support and a mirror element or glass body for an exterior rearview mirror for vehicles which are separately formed modules linked together by plug type and locking connectors.
Consequently, the logistic expense for manufacturing the wide variety and continuously growing diversity of exterior mirrors for varying vehicles is considerably reduced.
In the event the exterior mirror has a built-in, adjustable mechanism or actuator for the mirror or glass element or body, it is preferred that the actuator be included as an additional separate module which can be plugged into or locked with the mirror support and mirror element.
Furthermore, it is preferred to imprint electrical strip conductors on the mirror or glass support and to provide suitable electric contact pins on the actuator mechanism for contact with the strip conductors through connection with the mirror support.
A preferred version of the invention provides for integrated electric heating in the mirror glass body module with terminal lugs which make contact with the strip conductors when in connection with the mirror or glass support.
Moreover, the housing is preferably made of two separate parts, for example, an upper and lower part which, when assembled, can be locked together enclosing the mirror or glass support.
For purposes of good torsional stability, it is also preferred that the mirror or glass support and/or housing parts be in a clam-shell shape.
The mirror glass support includes an electric plug type connector whose contacts are connected with the strip conductors at a position close to the mirror base.
In other forms of the invention, a light module is attached to the front exterior mirror.
Such a module or light module can encompass particular functions such as turn, stop and position signals, or can be built as a multi-functional element which combines the previously mentioned signals, i.
e.
, incorporates all of these ways of giving signals in a single light module