INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A rearview mirror assembly for vehicles comprising:
- a case having a reflective mirror element, said case including at least one opening therethrough;
a support on said assembly for mounting said assembly on a vehicle;
a modular carrier member formed separately from and mounted to said case, said carrier member including an electrically conductive circuit member and a non-electrically conducting support body, said circuit member being formed separately from and secured to said support body, said carrier member providing an integral support, electrical connections for, and an electrical distribution network to at least one lamp on said case; and
a lamp mounted on said carrier member, connected to said circuit member, and adapted to provide light through said case opening to a portion of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted thereon;
said carrier member including an edge portion defining a recess, said circuit member including a bulb holder within said recess, and a reflector secured to said carrier member and received in said recess, said recess edge portion engaging and supporting said reflector, said lamp including a bulb mounted within said recess in said bulb holder, said reflector reflecting light from said bulb through said case opening when said bulb is illuminated.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular rearview mirror assembly for vehicles incorporates one or more integrated subassembly modules or carrier members to which are connected separate electrical components such as lamps, reflectors, switches, plug receptacles and the like to simplify mirror assembly and provide integral support, electrical connections, and an electrical distribution network for the mirror assembly having added, electrically operated features. The carrier member includes a circuit member secured to and/or at least partially encased or encapsulated within a support body such that electrical connections extend therefrom. Preferably, the carrier member may include recesses at opposite ends for receiving and supporting reflectors thereon to prevent vibration while allowing interchangeability for different vehicle types. The carrier member may form a stop for a toggle actuator to limit the movement of the mirror housing between day and night positions in the event a prismatic mirror element is included. The mirror case includes a plurality of internal wall members including slots for snap-in reception of the carrier member during assembly. In addition, the plug connection includes a latch for retaining a plug in the plug connection when the assembly is connected to a vehicle electrical system. The electrically operated features may include video cameras, rain and other detectors, electro-optic reflective elements, blind spot detection systems, information displays, headlamp controllers, cellular phones, transmitters, receivers, compasses, computers, printers, and the like.
44 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A rearview mirror assembly for vehicles comprising:
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a case having a reflective mirror element, said case including at least one opening therethrough;
a support on said assembly for mounting said assembly on a vehicle;
a modular carrier member formed separately from and mounted to said case, said carrier member including an electrically conductive circuit member and a non-electrically conducting support body, said circuit member being formed separately from and secured to said support body, said carrier member providing an integral support, electrical connections for, and an electrical distribution network to at least one lamp on said case; and
a lamp mounted on said carrier member, connected to said circuit member, and adapted to provide light through said case opening to a portion of the vehicle when said mirror assembly is mounted thereon;
said carrier member including an edge portion defining a recess, said circuit member including a bulb holder within said recess, and a reflector secured to said carrier member and received in said recess, said recess edge portion engaging and supporting said reflector, said lamp including a bulb mounted within said recess in said bulb holder, said reflector reflecting light from said bulb through said case opening when said bulb is illuminated.
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Specification