Rearview assembly

• US 10,829,047 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2018
• Issued: 11/10/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Hamlin, Bradley R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duckworth, Bradley
• Application Number:
  US15/914,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20180257566A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 248481
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/03 for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems or for circuit arrangements for charging batteries H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers

Abstract

A rearview assembly includes a two ball mount. A first end is operably coupled with an inside surface of a windscreen. A wire harness is routed through the two ball mount. A second end includes a mounting plate with an electrical connector disposed thereon. A housing is operably coupled with the mounting plate at a rear wall of the housing. A circuit board is disposed within the housing and includes a circuit board connector configured for engagement with the electrical connector at the rear wall of the housing, wherein the housing is free of wiring extending through the housing. An electro-optic element is disposed within the housing and conceals the circuit board.

Claims

1. A rearview assembly comprising:

a two ball mount comprising;

a first end operably coupled with an inside surface of a windscreen;

a wire harness routed through the two ball mount; and

a second end having an external mounting plate with an electrical connector disposed thereon;

a housing operably coupled with the external mounting plate at a rear wall of the housing;

a circuit board disposed within the housing and including a circuit board connector configured for engagement with the electrical connector at the rear wall of the housing, wherein the housing is free of an internal electrical connector mount bracket and free of wiring that extends through the two ball mount and into the housing; and

an electro-optic element disposed within the housing and concealing the circuit board.

2. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the external mounting plate includes protrusions configured to engage apertures of the electrical connector.

3. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector is configured to engage the circuit board connector at the same time that the external mounting plate engages the housing.

4. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical connector extends into an opening defined in the housing.

5. The rearview assembly of claim 4, wherein the opening includes a periphery that is generally complementary to a perimeter shape of the electrical connector.

6. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes an ambient light sensor in optical communication with an exterior of the housing through an aperture defined in the rear wall of the housing.

7. The rearview assembly of claim 6, wherein the circuit board is in electrical communication with the electro-optic element by way of spring connectors.

8. A rearview assembly comprising:

a mount comprising;

a first end operably coupled with an inside surface of a windscreen;

a wire harness routed through the mount; and

a second end having an external mounting plate with an electrical connector attached directly thereto;

a housing operably coupled with the external mounting plate;

a circuit board disposed within the housing and including a circuit board connector configured for direct engagement with the electrical connector at the external mounting plate; and

an electro-optic element disposed within the housing and concealing the circuit board.

9. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein the electrical connector is configured to engage the circuit board connector at the same time that the external mounting plate engages the housing.

10. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein the electrical connector extends into an opening defined in the housing.

11. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein the external mounting plate includes a friction fit with the electrical connector.

12. The rearview assembly of claim 10, wherein the opening includes a periphery that is generally complementary to a perimeter shape of the electrical connector.

13. The rearview assembly of claim 8, wherein the circuit board includes an ambient light sensor in optical communication with an exterior of the housing through an aperture defined in the rear wall of the housing.

14. The rearview assembly of claim 13, wherein the circuit board is in electrical communication with the electro-optic element by way of spring connectors.

15. A rearview device for a vehicle comprising:

a mount configured to be operably coupled with a vehicle windshield, the mount including a channel therethrough and an electrical connector;

a wiring harness coupled with the electrical connector and routed through the channel;

a housing having a circuit board, the circuit board including a circuit board connector configured to receive the electrical connector of the wiring harness at a rear opening of the housing as the circuit board is secured to the housing; and

an ambient light sensor optic operably coupled to an interior wall of the housing.

16. The rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein a rear wall of the housing includes a rearwardly extending rim that provides a gripping surface.

17. The rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein the electrical connector extends into an opening defined in the housing.

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

a mounting plate that includes protrusions configured to engage apertures of the electrical connector.

19. The rearview assembly of claim 17, wherein the opening includes a periphery that is generally complementary to a perimeter shape of the electrical connector.