Rearview device

• US 9,994,156 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2016
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Minikey, Jr., Danny L., Roth, Mark R., Lock, Nigel T., Lisowski, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US15/337,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20170120826A1
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 359265, 359267, 359268, 359270, 359275, 359632, 362135, 362140, 362494, 362503, 348 77, 348 78, 348148, 3404255, 340438, 3408154
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/258 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/025 comprising special mechanical means for correcting the field of view in relation to particular driving conditions, e.g. change of lane; scanning mirrors
• 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: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor

Abstract

A rearview device includes a housing that includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. An electro-optic element is operably coupled with the first side of the housing. A rear trim bezel is disposed on the second side of the housing. A rear trim plate is operably coupled with the second side of the housing. A peripheral gap is defined between the rear trim plate and the second side of the housing. A spacing truss is disposed in the peripheral gap. The spacing truss includes first and second lateral walls extending to the rear trim bezel.

Claims

1. A rearview device comprising:

a housing including a first side and a second side opposite the first side;

an electro-optic element operably coupled with the first side of the housing;

a rear trim bezel disposed on the second side of the housing;

a rear trim plate operably coupled with the second side of the housing;

a peripheral gap defined between the rear trim plate and the second side of the housing; and

a spacing truss disposed in the peripheral gap, the spacing truss including first and second lateral walls extending to the rear trim bezel.

2. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the rear trim plate includes an intermediate portion and a peripheral flange.

3. The rearview device of claim 2, wherein the peripheral flange extends from the intermediate portion and is angled toward a peripheral edge of the housing.

4. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a body defining a cavity configured to house a printed circuit board, wherein the body includes a peripheral wall that is generally co-planar with a planar extent of the electro-optic element.

5. The rearview device of claim 4, wherein the peripheral wall includes a bulbous rim.

6. The rearview device of claim 4, wherein the printed circuit board includes a glare sensor that receives light directed at the electro-optic element.

7. The rearview device of claim 6, wherein the glare sensor includes a light pipe that conveys light directed at the electro-optic element to the rearward side of the printed circuit board.

8. The rearview device of claim 1, wherein the rear trim bezel is visible only when viewing the second side of the housing.

9. A rearview device comprising:

a housing including a front side and a rear side opposite the front side;

an electro-optic element operably coupled with the housing and engaged with the front side;

a trim bezel disposed on the rear side of the housing, behind the electro-optic element;

a rear trim plate operably coupled with the rear side of the housing; and

a peripheral gap defined between the rear trim plate and the rear side of the housing.

10. The rearview device of claim 9, further comprising:

a decorative applique disposed on the rear side of the housing, the decorative applique extending around the rear trim plate.

11. The rearview device of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a body defining a cavity configured to house a printed circuit board, wherein the body includes a peripheral wall that is generally coplanar with a planar extent of the electro-optic element.

12. The rearview device of claim 11, wherein the peripheral wall includes a bulbous rim.

13. The rearview device of claim 11, wherein the printed circuit board includes a forward side and a rearward side, the printed circuit board including a glare sensor light pipe that conveys light directed at the electro-optic element to the rearward side of the printed circuit board.

14. The rearview device of claim 9, further comprising:

first and second trusses disposed on the rear side of the housing, the first and second trusses including a base wall and a plurality of outwardly extending lateral walls.

15. The rearview device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of outwardly extending lateral walls extend to the trim bezel.

16. A rearview device comprising:

a housing including a first side and a second side opposite the first side;

an electro-optic element operably coupled with the housing and engaged with the first side; and

a printed circuit board disposed inside the housing and including a forward side and a rearward side, the printed circuit board including a light pipe that conveys light directed at the electro-optic element to the rearward side of the printed circuit board.

17. The rearview device of claim 16, wherein the housing includes a body defining a cavity configured to house the printed circuit board, wherein the body includes a peripheral wall that is generally co-planar with a planar extent of the electro-optic element.

18. The rearview device of claim 17, further comprising:

a rear trim bezel disposed on the second side of the housing;

a rear trim plate operably coupled with the second side of the housing;

a peripheral gap defined between the rear trim plate and the second side of the housing; and

a spacing truss disposed in the peripheral gap, the spacing truss including first and second lateral walls extending to the rear trim bezel.

19. The rearview device of claim 16, wherein the printed circuit board includes a glare sensor that receives light directed at the electro-optic element.

20. The rearview device of claim 16, further comprising:

a glare sensor on the rearward side of the printed circuit board that receives light from the light pipe.