Vehicular Mirror with Heater Circuit Module

• US 20080011733A1
• Filed: 07/17/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Donnelly Mirrors North America, LLC (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rawlings, Don
• Granted Patent: US 7,858,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 219/219
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/0602 comprising means for cleaning or deicing
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors

Abstract

A vehicular mirror system includes an exterior mirror assembly having a reflective element for providing a rearward view to an occupant of a vehicle and a power distributor for distributing power from a single electrical power connector to a plurality of functional elements associated with the reflective element. The power distributor has a plurality of electrical leads corresponding to each functional element of the plurality of functional elements; the plurality of functional elements includes at least two functional elements selected from the group consisting of a dimming device, a heater, and a turn signal. The power distributor has at least one power lead for operative connection of the power distributor to an onboard power supply of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicular mirror system comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly, said mirror assembly including a reflective element for providing a rearward view to an occupant of the vehicle, the reflective element comprising an electrochromic dimming element and at least one dimming element contact for providing electric power to the electrochromic dimming element;

a support member for supporting the reflective element;

a heater pad for heating the reflective element;

at least one indicator;

a power distributor for distributing power from a single electrical power connector to the electrochromic dimming element and to the heater pad and to the at least one indicator;

said power distributor comprising a plurality of electrical leads corresponding to each of the electrochromic dimming element and the heater pad and the at least one indicator;

wherein power is selectively provided to the electrochromic dimming element, the heater element, and the at least one indicator.

2. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the electrical power connector is adapted to be interconnected with an onboard power supply of the vehicle.

3. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 2, wherein the electrical power connector comprises a ribbon cable.

4. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one indicator comprises a turn signal indicator.

5. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heater pad comprises an array of conductive elements which abut the reflective element.

6. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 4, wherein the turn signal indicator abuts the reflective element.

7. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the power distributor comprises a planar member having a periphery in register with the periphery of the reflective element.

8. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the heater pad comprises an array of conductive material associated with the power distributor and corresponding to an effective imaging area of the reflective element, and wherein the array of conductive material is operatively connected to a first one of a plurality of electrical leads.

9. A vehicular mirror system comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly, said mirror assembly including a reflective element for providing a rearward view to an occupant of the vehicle, the reflective element comprising an electrochromic dimming element and at least one dimming element contact for providing electric power to the electrochromic dimming element;

a support member for supporting the reflective element;

a heater pad for heating the reflective element;

a turn signal indicator;

a power distributor for distributing power from a single electrical power connector to the electrochromic dimming element and to the heater pad and to the at least one indicator;

said power distributor comprising a plurality of electrical leads corresponding to each of the electrochromic dimming element and the heater pad and the at least one indicator;

wherein power is selectively provided to the electrochromic dimming element, the heater element and the at least one indicator.

10. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the electrical power connector is adapted to be interconnected with an onboard power supply of the vehicle.

11. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 10, wherein the electrical power connector comprises a ribbon cable.

12. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the turn signal indicator abuts the reflective element.

13. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the power distributor comprises a planar member having a periphery in register with the periphery of the reflective element.

14. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 9, wherein the heater pad comprises an array of conductive material associated with the power distributor and corresponding to an effective imaging area of the reflective element, and wherein the array of conductive material is operatively connected to a first one of a plurality of electrical leads.

15. A vehicular mirror system comprising:

an exterior mirror assembly, said mirror assembly including a reflective element for providing a rearward view to an occupant of the vehicle, the reflective element comprising an electrochromic dimming element and at least one dimming element contact for providing electric power to the electrochromic dimming element;

a support member for supporting the reflective element;

a heater pad for heating the reflective element;

at least one indicator;

a power distributor for distributing power from a single electrical power connector to the electrochromic dimming element and to the heater pad and to the at least one indicator;

said power distributor comprising a plurality of electrical leads corresponding to each of the electrochromic dimming element and the heater pad and the at least one indicator;

wherein power is selectively provided to the electrochromic dimming element, the heater element, and the at least one indicator;

wherein the electrical power connector is adapted to be interconnected with an onboard power supply of the vehicle; and

wherein the electrical power connector comprises a ribbon cable.

16. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the at least one indicator comprises a turn signal indicator.

17. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the heater pad comprises an array of conductive elements which abut the reflective element.

18. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 16, wherein the turn signal indicator abuts the reflective element.

19. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the power distributor comprises a planar member having a periphery in register with the periphery of the reflective element.

20. A vehicular mirror system in accordance with claim 15, wherein the heater pad comprises an array of conductive material associated with the power distributor and corresponding to an effective imaging area of the reflective element, and wherein the array of conductive material is operatively connected to a first one of a plurality of electrical leads.