Rearview assembly with applique

• US 10,823,882 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2018
• Issued: 11/03/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Minikey, Jr., Danny L., Hamlin, Bradley R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alexander, William R
• APPLICATION: US 20180292580A1
• Time in patent office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 359267
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior 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: G02B 1/14 Protective coatings, e.g. hard coatings
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle. The rearview assembly includes a rearview device operably coupled with a carrier. The rearview device includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate is disposed in front of the second substrate and includes a first surface and a second surface. The second substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface. A bezel extends around a peripheral edge of the rearview device. A portion of the bezel extends behind the fourth surface of the second substrate. An applique is disposed over a front surface of the rearview device proximate the peripheral edge thereof. The applique includes an aesthetic design configured to closely match trim styling of an interior of the vehicle. A protective layer is disposed over the applique.

Claims

1. A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle, the rearview assembly comprising:

a rearview device operably coupled with a carrier, the rearview device including a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate is disposed in front of the second substrate and includes a first surface and a second surface, and wherein the second substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface;

a display disposed proximate the rearview device;

a bezel extending around a peripheral edge of the rearview device;

a printed graphic applique disposed over a front surface of the rearview device; and

a protective layer disposed over the printed graphic applique.

2. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the printed graphic applique is disposed proximate the peripheral edge of the rearview device.

3. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the printed graphic applique defines a hiding layer that extends over the display.

4. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the printed graphic applique is printed directly onto the rearview device.

5. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the protective layer is a clear substrate disposed over the printed graphic applique.

6. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein a forward edge of the bezel and a forward surface of the clear substrate are substantially co-planar.

7. The rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein a forward edge of the bezel and the first surface are substantially co-planar.

8. The rearview assembly of claim 7, wherein the clear substrate extends over both the printed graphic applique and the forward edge of the bezel.

9. A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle, the rearview assembly comprising:

a rearview device operably coupled with a carrier, the rearview device including an electro-optic element having partially reflective and partially transmissive properties, the electro-optic element including a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the first substrate is disposed in front of the second substrate and includes a first surface and a second surface, and wherein the second substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electro-optic medium disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate;

a graphic applique disposed over a front surface of the rearview device, the graphic applique including a hiding layer over the electro-optic element; and

a protective layer disposed over the graphic applique.

10. The rearview assembly of claim 9 wherein the graphic applique is printed directly onto the front surface of the rearview device.

11. The rearview assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the graphic applique and the first surface of the first substrate.

12. The rearview assembly of claim 9, wherein the protective layer wraps over both the graphic applique and a forward edge of a bezel.

13. The rearview assembly of claim 9, wherein the protective layer is formed from a clear polymeric material.

14. A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle, the rearview assembly comprising:

a housing;

a carrier operably coupled with the housing and supporting a display;

a circuit board disposed in the housing and operably coupled with the display;

a rearview device operably coupled with the carrier, the rearview device disposed forward of the display; and

an at least partially translucent applique disposed on a forward surface of the rearview device, the at least partially translucent applique defining a hiding layer over the display.

15. The rearview assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

an electro-optic element disposed adjacent the display.

16. The rearview assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

a bezel abutting a peripheral edge of the rearview device proximate the at least partially translucent applique.

17. The rearview assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

a clear overmold disposed over the at least partially translucent applique.

18. The rearview assembly of claim 17, wherein a forward edge of the bezel and a forward surface of the clear overmold are substantially co-planar.

19. The rearview assembly of claim 17, wherein the clear overmold extends over both the at least partially translucent applique and a forward edge of the bezel.