DISPLAY MIRROR ASSEMBLY

• US 20170248787A1
• Filed: 02/20/2017
• Published: 08/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Lee, Ethan J., Minikey, JR., Danny L., Hamlin, Bradley R., Kern, Eric P., Fish, JR., Richard T.
• Granted Patent: US 10,018,843 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0156 with optionally usable elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a front shield having a first side and a second side. A partially reflective, partially transmissive element is mounted on the first side. A rear shield is disposed behind the front shield. A display module is mounted between the front shield and the rear shield and includes in order from the front shield: a display; an optic block; a heat sink having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and a PCB. The front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature. A housing at least partially surrounds the partially reflective, partially transmissive element, the front shield, carrier plate, display module, and rear shield.

Claims

1. A display mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a front shield having a first side and a second side, wherein an electro-optic element is mounted on the first side;

a rear shield disposed behind the front shield;

a carrier plate disposed between the front shield and the rear shield;

a display module mounted between the front shield and the rear shield, wherein the electro-optic element is adjustable to an off-axis position which approximately simultaneously changes an activation state of the display module, and wherein the electro-optic element is also adjustable an on-axis position which approximately simultaneously changes the activation state of the display, the display module including;

a display, wherein a planar extent of the display is parallel with a planar extent of the electro-optic element;

an optic block disposed behind the display;

a heat sink proximate to the optic block and having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and

a primary PCB, wherein the front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature; and

a housing which at least partially surrounds the electro-optic element, the front shield, the carrier plate, the display module, and the rear shield.

2. The display mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a graphic overlay which provides information to a viewer regarding a field of view shown in the display mirror assembly.

3. The display mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a glare sensor optic disposed adjacent to the optic block and which receives light through the electro-optic element.

4. The display mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer perimeter of the electro-optic element is frameless.

5. The display mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element is an electrochromic unit.

6. The display mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the display is one of an LCD, LED, OLED, plasma, and DLP display element.

7. The display mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a bi-modal switch disposed on a bottom side of the housing and configured to move the electro-optic element between on-axis and off-axis positions.

8. The display mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the front shield and the rear shield encapsulate the display module.

9. A display mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

an electro-optic element;

a display module disposed between a front radio frequency shield and a rear radio frequency shield, the display module including;

a display, wherein a planar extent of the display is parallel with a planar extent of the electro-optic element, and wherein the electro-optic element is adjustable to an off-axis position which approximately simultaneously changes an activation state of the display, and wherein the electro-optic element is also adjustable to an on-axis position which approximately simultaneously changes the activation state of the display;

an optic block disposed behind the display;

a heat sink proximate to the optic block and having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and

a primary PCB electrically coupled with the edge lit PCB; and

a housing which at least partially surrounds the electro-optic and the display module.

10. The display mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein the primary PCB includes side cutouts for reception of mechanical fasteners.

11. The display mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein an edge of the electro-optic element has a chrome ring edge treatment.

12. The display mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein the electro-optic element is an electrochromic unit.

13. The display mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein the display is one of an LCD, LED, OLED, plasma, and DLP display element.

14. A display mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

an electro-optic element;

a display proximate the electro-optic element, wherein a planar extent of the display is parallel with a planar extent of the electro-optic element, wherein the electro-optic element is adjustable to an off-axis position which approximately simultaneously changes an activation state of the display, and wherein the electro-optic element is also adjustable to an on-axis position which approximately simultaneously changes the activation state of the display;

a heat sink;

a primary PCB operably coupled with the heat sink; and

a housing which supports the electro-optic element and the display.

15. The display mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the electro-optic element is defined by a glass element that moves independently of the display.

16. The display mirror assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

a bi-modal switch disposed on a bottom side of the housing and configured to move the electro-optic element between on-axis and off-axis positions.

17. The display mirror assembly of claim 16, wherein the bi-modal switch rotates the electro-optic element and simultaneously changes the activation state of the display.

18. The display mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the electro-optic element is an electrochromic unit.

19. The display mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein the display is one of an LCD, LED, OLED, plasma, and DLP display element.

20. The display mirror assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

a glare sensor optic disposed adjacent to an optic block and which receives light through the electro-optic element.