REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE

• US 20170129406A1
• Filed: 01/24/2017
• Published: 05/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Uken, John T., Karner, Lee, Hook, Richard R., Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,783,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/086 using a mirror angularly movable between a position of use and a non-glare position reflecting a dark field to the user, e.g. situated behind a transparent glass used as low-reflecting surface; Wedge-shaped mirrors
• 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0808 having a single reflecting layer G02B5/0883, G02B5/0891 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices

Abstract

An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate with planar front and rear surfaces. A plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about a circumferential edge of the glass substrate without overlapping onto the front surface of the glass substrate. The plane of the front surface of the glass substrate is generally flush with an outermost part of the plastic molding, which provides a curved rounded transition from the front surface of the mirror reflective element to a side surface of the plastic molding. The plastic molding includes at least a portion of a mirror housing of the interior rearview mirror assembly. The plastic molding includes structure for attaching a rear mirror casing cap portion thereat. With the rear mirror casing cap portion attached at the structure, the rear mirror casing cap portion at least partially encases a rear portion of the plastic molding.

Claims

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

an interior mirror reflective element comprising a glass substrate having a planar front surface and a planar rear surface;

wherein said glass substrate comprises a circumferential edge along the periphery of said glass substrate;

said circumferential edge spanning a thickness of said glass substrate between said front and rear surfaces, and wherein said front surface of said glass substrate comprises an outermost surface of said mirror reflective element that is viewed by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

a plastic molding;

wherein said plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about said circumferential edge of said glass substrate without overlapping onto said front surface of said glass substrate;

wherein the plane of said front surface of said glass substrate is generally flush with an outermost part of said plastic molding;

wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding provides a curved rounded transition from said front surface of said mirror reflective element to a side surface of said plastic molding;

wherein said plastic molding comprises at least a portion of a mirror housing of said interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein, when said mirror reflective element is moved to set a field of view to a desired setting of a driver of the equipped vehicle, said mirror housing moves in tandem with said mirror reflective element;

wherein said plastic molding comprises a pocket and wherein said mirror reflective element is received in said pocket, and wherein at least a portion of said plastic molding is rearward of said glass substrate when said mirror reflective element is received in said pocket;

wherein said plastic molding comprises structure for attaching a rear mirror casing cap portion thereat;

wherein said rear mirror casing cap portion is configured for attachment at said structure of said plastic molding;

wherein, with said rear mirror casing cap portion attached at said structure, said rear mirror casing cap portion at least partially encases a rear portion of said plastic molding; and

wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding curves from generally adjacent to said front surface of said glass substrate to a less-curved part of said plastic molding.

2. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the less-curved part of said plastic molding comprises a generally straight part of said plastic molding.

3. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly houses a visual indicator that, when actuated to emit visible light, is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

4. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element has a length dimension and a width dimension, and wherein said length dimension spans generally laterally across said mirror reflective element and said width dimension spans generally vertically across said mirror reflective element when said interior rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the equipped vehicle, and wherein said plastic molding includes a portion that is rearward of said mirror reflective element and that spans said width dimension of said mirror reflective element.

5. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element nests in said plastic molding.

6. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding contacts said circumferential edge of said glass substrate.

7. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein a back plate is attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element.

8. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, comprising a plurality of individual indicating elements that, when individually actuated, visually indicate through said mirror reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the equipped vehicle, wherein each of said plurality of individual indicating elements is spaced from and local to another of said plurality of individual indicating elements, and wherein said plurality of individual indicating elements comprises at least three individual indicating elements, and wherein said at least three individual indicating elements comprise first, second and third indicating elements that are generally linearly disposed to form a row of individual indicating elements at said mirror reflective element.

9. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said plastic molding has a durometer value less than about 110 Shore A.

10. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, including a toggle assembly and a double-ball mounting arm.

11. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, including a toggle assembly and a single-ball mounting arm comprising a ball pivot element with a wiring passageway therethrough.

12. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said rear mirror casing cap portion comprises a personalized rear mirror casing cap portion having indicia, and wherein said indicia comprises at least one of a logo, a school logo, a brand identification and a sponsorship identification.

13. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at said rear surface of said glass substrate of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said front surface of said glass substrate is angled relative to said rear surface of said glass substrate forming a prismatic glass substrate.

14. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said front surface of said glass substrate is parallel to said rear surface of said glass substrate, and wherein said glass substrate comprises a front glass substrate of an interior electro-optic mirror reflective element.

15. An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

an interior mirror reflective element comprising a glass substrate having a planar front surface and a planar rear surface;

wherein said glass substrate comprises a circumferential edge along the periphery of said glass substrate;

said circumferential edge spanning a thickness of said glass substrate between said front and rear surfaces, and wherein said front surface of said glass substrate comprises an outermost surface of said mirror reflective element that is viewed by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

a plastic molding;

wherein said plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about said circumferential edge of said glass substrate without overlapping onto said front surface of said glass substrate;

wherein the plane of said front surface of said glass substrate is generally flush with an outermost part of said plastic molding;

wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding provides a curved rounded transition from said front surface of said mirror reflective element to a side surface of said plastic molding;

wherein said plastic molding comprises at least a portion of a mirror housing of said interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein, when said mirror reflective element is moved to set a field of view to a desired setting of a driver of the equipped vehicle, said mirror housing moves in tandem with said mirror reflective element;

wherein said plastic molding comprises a pocket and wherein said mirror reflective element is received in said pocket, and wherein at least a portion of said plastic molding is rearward of said glass substrate when said mirror reflective element is received in said pocket;

wherein said plastic molding comprises structure for attaching a rear mirror casing cap portion thereat;

wherein said rear mirror casing cap portion is configured for attachment at said structure of said plastic molding;

wherein, with said rear mirror casing cap portion attached at said structure, said rear mirror casing cap portion at least partially encases a rear portion of said plastic molding;

wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding curves from generally adjacent to said front surface of said glass substrate to a less-curved part of said plastic molding;

wherein said mirror reflective element nests in said plastic molding; and

wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding contacts said circumferential edge of said glass substrate.

16. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at said rear surface of said glass substrate of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said front surface of said glass substrate is angled relative to said rear surface of said glass substrate forming a prismatic glass substrate.

17. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein said front surface of said glass substrate is parallel to said rear surface of said glass substrate, and wherein said glass substrate comprises a front glass substrate of an interior electro-optic mirror reflective element.

18. An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising:

an interior mirror reflective element comprising a glass substrate having a planar front surface and a planar rear surface;

wherein said front surface of said glass substrate is angled relative to said rear surface of said glass substrate forming a prismatic glass substrate;

wherein a mirror reflector is disposed at said rear surface of said glass substrate of said mirror reflective element;

wherein said glass substrate comprises a circumferential edge along the periphery of said glass substrate;

said circumferential edge spanning a thickness of said glass substrate between said front and rear surfaces, and wherein said front surface of said glass substrate comprises an outermost surface of said mirror reflective element that is viewed by a driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

a plastic molding;

wherein said plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about said circumferential edge of said glass substrate without overlapping onto said front surface of said glass substrate;

wherein the plane of said front surface of said glass substrate is generally flush with an outermost part of said plastic molding;

wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding provides a curved rounded transition from said front surface of said mirror reflective element to a side surface of said plastic molding;

wherein said plastic molding comprises at least a portion of a mirror housing of said interior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein, when said mirror reflective element is moved to set a field of view to a desired setting of a driver of the equipped vehicle, said mirror housing moves in tandem with said mirror reflective element;

wherein said plastic molding comprises a pocket and wherein said mirror reflective element is received in said pocket, and wherein at least a portion of said plastic molding is rearward of said glass substrate when said mirror reflective element is received in said pocket;

wherein said plastic molding comprises structure for attaching a rear mirror casing cap portion thereat;

wherein said rear mirror casing cap portion is configured for attachment at said structure of said plastic molding;

wherein, with said rear mirror casing cap portion attached at said structure, said rear mirror casing cap portion at least partially encases a rear portion of said plastic molding;

wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding curves from generally adjacent to said front surface of said glass substrate to a less-curved part of said plastic molding;

wherein said mirror reflective element nests in said plastic molding; and

a toggle assembly and a single-ball mounting arm comprising a ball pivot element with a wiring passageway therethrough.

19. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 18, wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding contacts said circumferential edge of said glass substrate.

20. The interior rearview mirror assembly of claim 19, wherein a back plate is attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element.