Clear bezel

• US 8,827,517 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Cammenga, David J., Minikey, Danny L. Jr., Roth, Mark R., Tonar, William L., Fogg, Jeremy A., Lisowski, Michael F., Rizk, Peter N.
• Primary Examiner(s): McManmon, Mary
• Application Number:
  US13/271,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20120268961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 362/494, 362/135, 359/601, 359/838, 359871-877, 359/841, 359/844
• US Class Current: 362/494
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• 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 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens

Abstract

A rearview assembly having a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle. A housing is operably connected with the mounting structure and a rearward viewing device is supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure. The rearward viewing device provides a rearward view to a vehicle driver and includes a front substrate and a rear substrate. The entire front surface of the front substrate is exposed and the entire rear substrate is positioned behind the front substrate. A concealing layer is disposed about a periphery of the rearward viewing device between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A partially optically transparent bezel is disposed adjacent to both the rearward viewing device and the housing, the optically transparent bezel having an edge radius greater than 2.5 mm and the optically transparent bezel being substantially flush with the front surface of the front substrate.

Claims

1. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with an interior windshield of a vehicle;

a housing operably connected with the mounting structure;

a rearward viewing device supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure, the rearward viewing device providing a rearward view to a vehicle driver and including a front substrate, defining first and second surfaces and a rear substrate defining third and fourth surfaces, wherein the entire first surface of the front substrate is exposed and wherein the entire rear substrate is positioned behind the front substrate;

a peripheral concealing layer disposed about a periphery of the rearward viewing device on the second surface of the front substrate;

a bezel including a rear wall that supports the rear substrate, the bezel extending around the entire periphery of the rearward viewing device adjacent to both the rearward viewing device and the housing, wherein the entire bezel is light transmissive, and further wherein the bezel is substantially flush with the first surface of the front substrate such that the first surface of the front substrate is unobstructed by the bezel; and

a light source proximate the bezel.

2. The rearview assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a hiding layer disposed between one of;

the bezel and rearward viewing device; and

the bezel and the housing.

3. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the bezel includes an outer perimeter that is larger than an outer perimeter of the housing edge.

4. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the bezel includes a rear wall and wherein at least one total internal reflection reflector is disposed on the rear wall.

5. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with an interior windshield of a vehicle;

a housing operably connected with the mounting structure;

a rearward viewing device having a front substrate defining first and second surfaces and a rear substrate defining third and fourth surfaces and being supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure, the rearward viewing device being adapted to provide a rearward view to a vehicle driver;

a peripheral concealing layer disposed about a periphery of the rearward viewing device on the second surface of the front substrate;

a bezel that extends completely around a periphery of the rearward viewing device, wherein the entire bezel is light transmissive and is disposed adjacent to both the rearward viewing device and the housing such that the entire first surface is unobstructed b the bezel the bezel including a rear wall that supports the rear surface of the rearward viewing device;

a hiding layer disposed between one of;

the bezel and rearward viewing device, about a majority of a forward periphery of the rearward viewing device; and

the bezel and the housing, about a majority of a peripheral edge of the housing; and

a light source proximate the bezel.

6. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the hiding layer at least partially reduces the visibility of a peripheral portion of the rearward viewing device.

7. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the rearward viewing device includes one of an electrochromic element and a prism-type element.

8. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the bezel includes a bulbous peripheral frame that extends around an outer edge of the rearward viewing device.

9. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein the bulbous peripheral frame includes a multi-radius arcuate outer edge.

10. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the bezel is constructed from at least one of a transparent plastic, transparent elastomer, acrylic, polycarbonate, cyclic polyolefin, polyolefin, polysulfone, PVC, epoxy, silicone, polyurethane.

11. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the rear wall only extends behind a periphery of the rearward viewing device.

12. The rearview assembly of claim 11, wherein the rear wall includes a plurality of connecting members separated by slots.

13. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the bezel includes a plurality of flexible protuberances that flex against the rearward viewing device.

14. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the hiding layer is a reflective layer that is formed from one of an opaque, diffuse, reflective, and translucent material.

15. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the hiding layer is integrally formed in the bezel.

16. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the light source includes a plurality of distinct lighting elements spaced substantially uniformly about the bezel.

17. The rearview assembly of claim 16, wherein the light source is disposed proximate an interior portion of the rear wall.

18. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the

light source is in optical communication with the bezel via a light pipe.

19. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein a forward edge of the bezel is substantially flush with the first surface of the rearward viewing device.

20. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the bezel includes an arcuate outer edge substantially flush with a forward edge of the rearward viewing device and a side edge of the housing.

21. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with an interior windshield of a vehicle;

a housing operably connected with the mounting structure;

a rearward viewing device having a front surface and a rear surface and being operably coupled with the housing proximate a forward edge of the housing, wherein the rearward viewing device is configured to provide a rearward view to a vehicle driver;

a peripheral concealing layer disposed between the front surface and rear surface;

a bezel having a rear wall supporting the rear surface of the rearward viewing device, the bezel being disposed adjacent to the rearward viewing device and the housing, the bezel having a forward edge that is light transmissive and that is substantially flush with the front surface of the rearward viewing device and an outer perimeter that is larger than an outer perimeter of the forward edge of the housing and further comprising a hiding layer between one of;

the bezel and the rearward viewing device, about a majority of a periphery of the rearward viewing device; and

the bezel and the housing, about a majority of a peripheral edge of the housing.

22. The rearview assembly of claim 21, wherein the hiding layer is a reflective layer that is formed from one of an opaque, diffuse, reflective, or translucent material.

23. The rearview assembly of claim 21, wherein the rearward viewing device includes one of an electrochromic element and a prism-type construction.

24. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with an interior windshield of a vehicle;

a housing with an outer wall operably connected to the mounting structure;

a rearward viewing device having a front surface and a rear surface, the rearward viewing device being operably connected to the housing and adapted to provide a rearward view to a vehicle driver;

a peripheral concealing layer disposed between the front surface and rear surface;

a bezel that supports the rear surface of the rearward viewing device and that extends completely around a periphery of the rearward viewing device adjacent to both the rearward viewing device and the housing, wherein the entire bezel is light transmissive and has a forward edge that is substantially flush with the front surface of the rearward viewing device such that the front surface of the rearward viewing device is unobstructed by the bezel, the bezel further having a side edge that is substantially flush with the outer wall of the housing; and

a hiding layer disposed on the bezel proximate a forward edge of the outer wall.

25. The rearview assembly of claim 24, wherein the hiding layer at least partially reduces the visibility of a peripheral portion of the rearward viewing device.

26. The rearview assembly of claim 24, wherein the hiding layer is a reflective layer that is formed from one of an opaque, diffuse, reflective, or translucent material.

27. The rearview assembly of claim 24, wherein the rearward viewing device includes one of an electrochromic element and a prism-type construction.

28. The rearview assembly of claim 24, further comprising:

a light source adjacent to the bezel and configured to illuminate a portion of the bezel.

29. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with an interior windshield of a vehicle;

a housing operably connected with the mounting structure;

a rearward viewing device supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure, the rearward viewing device having a front surface and a rear surface, and being adapted to provide a rearward view to a vehicle driver;

a peripheral concealing layer disposed between the front surface and rear surface;

a bezel including a rear wall that supports the rearward viewing device, the bezel extending completely around a periphery of the rearward viewing device and includes an arcuate outer wall and an inner wall adjacent to an outer periphery of the rearward viewing device, wherein the entire arcuate outer wall of the bezel is light transmissive, and wherein a front surface of the rearward viewing device is unobstructed by the bezel; and

a light source adjacent the bezel and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the bezel.

30. The rearview assembly of claim 29, wherein the bezel is constructed from a first material that is substantially optically clear and from a second material that is not substantially optically clear.

31. The rearview assembly of claim 29, wherein the bezel further includes a recess that encompasses a forward edge of the housing.

32. The rearview assembly of claim 29, wherein the inner wall includes a stepped construction.

33. The rearview assembly of claim 29, wherein the inner wall includes an angled portion that defines a triangular void between the inner wall and the rearward viewing device.

34. The rearview assembly of claim 29, wherein the inner wall includes an arcuate portion that defines an arcuate void between the inner wall and the rearward viewing device.

35. The rearview assembly of claim 29, wherein the inner wall includes a reflective layer disposed thereon.

36. The rearview assembly of claim 29, wherein the inner wall includes a plurality of channels disposed thereon.

37. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with an interior windshield of a vehicle;

a housing operably connected with the mounting structure;

a rearward viewing device supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure, the rearward viewing device having a front surface and a rear surface, and being adapted to provide a rearward view to a vehicle driver;

a peripheral concealing layer disposed between the front surface and rear surface;

a bezel including a rear wall that supports the rearward viewing device, the bezel being adjacent to and unobstructing the rearward viewing device, wherein the entire bezel is light transmissive;

a decorative treatment disposed between the bezel and the rearward viewing device; and

and a light source proximate the bezel that optically communicates with first and second light receiving ends of the bezel to illuminate a periphery of the bezel.

38. The rearview assembly of claim 37, wherein one of the bezel and the forward edge of the rearward viewing device includes an arcuate portion, thereby defining an arcuate void between the bezel and the forward edge.

39. The rearview assembly of claim 37, wherein one of the bezel and the forward edge of the rearward viewing device includes an angled portion, thereby defining a triangular void between the bezel and the forward edge.

40. The rearview assembly of claim 37, wherein one of the bezel and the forward edge of the rearward viewing device includes a plurality of acute channels.

41. The rearview assembly of claim 37, wherein the bezel is operably connected to the housing via a snap-fit connection.

42. The rearview assembly of claim 37, wherein the bezel is operably connected to a carrier disposed inside the housing via a snap-fit connection.

43. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mounting structure configured to be operably coupled with an interior windshield of a vehicle;

a housing operably connected with a mounting structure;

a rearward viewing device supported by one of the housing and the mounting structure, the rearward viewing device having a front surface and a rear surface, and being adapted to provide a rearward view to a vehicle driver;

a peripheral concealing layer disposed between a front surface and rear surface;

a bezel having a rear wall that supports the rear surface of the rearward viewing device, the bezel being adjacent to and obstructing the rearward viewing device, wherein the entire bezel is light transmissive;

a decorative treatment disposed between the bezel and the rearward viewing device;

and a light source proximate the bezel and a reflector proximate the light source, wherein the reflector is adapted to reflect light from the light source to a light pipe that is in optical communication with the bezel, resulting in illumination of a forward peripheral edge of the bezel.

44. The rearview assembly of claim 43, wherein the reflector is a total internal reflection reflector.