Rearview mirror constructed for efficient assembly

• US 20040095632A1
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Roberts, John K., Braun, Randall S., Ypma, Kenton J., Busscher, Bradley L., DeNave, Edward L., Bosch, Gregory A., Beute, Randall J., Jordan, Wayne M., Bonardi, Timothy A., Northman, Bradley L., Bostwick, Daniel J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,963,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/07 by electrically powered actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/08 Mirrors vehicle mirrors involving special optical features B60R1/08
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/18 Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components H05K1/0201, H05K1/023, H05K1/0243, and H05K1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09072 Hole or recess under component or special relationship between hole and component
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09081 Tongue or tail integrated in planar structure, e.g. obtained by cutting from the planar structure
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10106 Light emitting diode [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10484 Obliquely mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0058 Laminating printed circuit boards onto other substrates, e.g. metallic substrates H05K1/0281 takes precedence

Abstract

A mirror assembly includes a housing, an angularly adjustable power pack, wires for supplying power and mirror angle control, an electrochromic mirror subassembly including a heater, and a turn signal device. The components include individual connectors that plug into a multi-prong connector on the bundle of wires, or that piggyback into each other. Optionally, the heater incorporates an internal wire with end connectors for communicating power to opposite sides of the heater, and also includes layers of light-transmitting/diffusing material for diffusing light passing from the turn signal device through the diffusing material. A printed circuit board fits into a pocket in the panel-shaped carrier, and an integral retainer releasably secures the printed circuit board. The power pack is attached to the carrier via a ring of resilient fingers, and a continuous hoop flange prevents distortion of the carrier and in turn of the glass elements in the mirror subassembly.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly comprising:

an electrochromic mirror including a first connector operably connected to the electrochromic mirror;

an electrically-operated second component associated with the electrochromic mirror and that includes a second connector operably connected to the electrically-operated second component; and

primary wire bundle extending from and configured to communicate power to the electrochromic mirror and to the electrically-operated second component, the primary wire bundle including a main connector, the first connector engaging and electrically connected to the main connector, the second connector engaging and electrically connected to one of the main connector and the first connector, whereby the primary wire bundle is configured to communicate power to the electrochromic mirror and to the second component in a manner minimizing the number of electrical connections and connectors necessary during assembly to a mirror housing.