REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY HAVING A COMPOSITE REFLECTIVE SURFACE

• US 20100315732A1
• Filed: 06/15/2009
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMR Patents Sarl (SMR Patents)
• Original Assignee: Visiocorp Patents S.a.r.l.
• Inventors: Karpus, Michael E., Sinelli, Gary J., Henion, Paul R., Bower, Kevin D., D'Andrea, Anthony P.
• Granted Patent: US 8,047,665 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/872
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle includes a housing defining an interior and including a mirror opening oriented rearward when the exterior rearview mirror assembly is secured to the motor vehicle. A backing plate is operatively connected to the housing in the interior. The backing plate is selectively moveable within the housing. A primary mirror is fixedly secured to a first portion of the backing plate. A secondary mirror is fixedly secured to a second portion of the backing plate. The secondary mirror is spaced apart from the primary mirror. An adhesive member extends between the backing plate and the primary and secondary mirrors such that the single adhesive member secures all of the primary and secondary mirrors to the backing plate. A demarcation divider separates the primary and secondary mirrors. The demarcation divider is secured to the backing plate.

Claims

1. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a housing defining an interior and including a mirror opening oriented rearward when said exterior rearview mirror assembly is secured to the motor vehicle;

a backing plate operatively connected to said housing in said interior, said backing plate selectively movable within said housing;

a primary mirror fixedly secured to a first portion of said backing plate;

a secondary mirror fixedly secured to a second portion of said backing plate, said secondary mirror spaced apart from said primary mirror; and

a single adhesive member extending between said backing plate and both said primary and secondary mirrors such that said single adhesive member secures said primary and secondary mirrors to said backing plate.

2. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adhesive member defines an adhesive member hole extending therethrough at a location disposed adjacent each of said primary mirror and said secondary mirror.

3. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a demarcation divider extending through said adhesive member hole in said adhesive member, said demarcation divider separating said primary and secondary mirrors.

4. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said demarcation divider interlocks with said backing plate.

5. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said backing plate includes a rim extending about a periphery of said backing plate.

6. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said backing plate includes a retention hole aligned with said adhesive member hole when assembled.

7. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said demarcation divider includes a dividing body and extensions extending down from said dividing body such that said extensions extend through said retention hole to secure said demarcation divider to said backing plate.

8. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said demarcation divider includes end extensions interlocking with said rim of said backing plate.

9. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said backing plate includes a demarcation divider extending up therefrom such that said demarcation divider separates said primary and secondary mirrors.

10. An exterior rearview mirror assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said adhesive member includes a slot extending from an edge of said adhesive member inwardly to receive a portion of said demarcation divider therein.

13. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the step of securing includes the step of snapping the demarcation divider into the backing plate.

11. A method for fabricating a primary mirror and secondary mirror on a backing plate using an adhesive member, the method comprising the steps of:

applying the adhesive member to the backing plate; and

affixing the primary and secondary mirrors to the adhesive member.

12. A method for fabricating a primary mirror and secondary mirror on a backing plate using an adhesive member and a demarcation divider, the method comprising the steps of:

applying the adhesive member to the backing plate;

securing the demarcation divider to the backing plate in a position allowing the demarcation divider to separate the primary and secondary mirrors; and

affixing the primary and secondary mirrors to the layer of adhesive.