REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE

• US 20130088766A1
• Filed: 11/30/2012
• Published: 04/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Uken, John T., Karner, Lee, Hook, Richard R., Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,508,384 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/267
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/777 on or in sun visors
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/086 using a mirror angularly movable between a position of use and a non-glare position reflecting a dark field to the user, e.g. situated behind a transparent glass used as low-reflecting surface; Wedge-shaped mirrors
• 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 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0808 having a single reflecting layer G02B5/0883, G02B5/0891 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices

Abstract

A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic mirror reflective element having a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate, with no portion of the rear glass substrate extending beyond any portion of the front glass substrate. The reflective element includes a perimeter band disposed around a perimeter border region of a second surface of the front glass substrate. The perimeter band generally conceals the presence of a perimeter seal from view by the driver of the vehicle. A plastic molding may be circumferentially disposed about the circumferential edge of the front glass substrate without overlapping onto the first surface of the front glass substrate. The outermost part of the plastic molding may lack a sharp edge. The plane of the first surface of the front glass substrate may be generally flush with the outermost part of the plastic molding.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising:

an electro-optic mirror reflective element comprising a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate;

wherein said front glass substrate has a planar first surface and a second surface with a circumferential edge along the periphery of said front glass substrate, said circumferential edge spanning a thickness of said front glass substrate between said first and second surfaces, and wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises the outermost surface of said mirror reflective element that is closest to a driver of a vehicle equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said rear glass substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface opposite said third surface;

wherein said electro-optic mirror reflective element comprises an electro-optic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate and bounded by a perimeter seal;

wherein said mirror reflective element comprises a mirror reflector established at one of said third and fourth surfaces of said rear glass substrate of said electro-optic mirror reflective element;

wherein no portion of said rear glass substrate extends beyond any portion of said front glass substrate;

wherein said electro-optic mirror reflective element comprises a perimeter band disposed around a perimeter border region of said second surface of said front glass substrate, and wherein said perimeter band generally conceals the presence of said perimeter seal from view by the driver of the equipped vehicle when said rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the equipped vehicle and when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle and viewing said first surface of said front glass substrate of said mirror reflective element of said rearview mirror assembly;

a plastic molding;

wherein said plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about said circumferential edge of said front glass substrate without overlapping onto said first surface of said front glass substrate;

wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding lacks a sharp edge; and

wherein the plane of said first surface of said front glass substrate is generally flush with the outermost part of said plastic molding.

2. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding has an outer curved surface that extends from generally adjacent to said first surface of said front glass substrate, and wherein said outer curved surface of said plastic molding provides a curved transition generally between said plane of said first surface of said front glass substrate and a plane of a generally less-curved portion of said plastic molding, and wherein said generally less-curved portion is rearward of, adjacent to and contiguous with said outer curved surface of said plastic molding.

3. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said plastic molding comprises at least a portion of a mirror housing of said rearview mirror assembly.

4. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 3, wherein, when said mirror reflective element is moved to set the field of view to the desired setting of the driver of the equipped vehicle, said mirror housing moves in tandem with said mirror reflective element.

5. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 3, comprising another plastic molding and wherein said another plastic molding attaches to a rearward portion of said plastic molding to form said mirror housing.

6. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said rearview mirror assembly houses at least one accessory.

7. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein said accessory comprises a camera.

8. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein said accessory comprises a visual indicator.

9. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 8, wherein said visual indicator, when actuated to emit visible light, is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle.

10. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 3, comprising a mounting assembly for attaching said rearview mirror assembly to the equipped vehicle.

11. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said perimeter band comprises a reflective perimeter band.

12. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflective element has a length dimension and a width dimension, and wherein said length dimension spans generally laterally across said mirror reflective element and said width dimension spans generally vertically across said mirror reflective element when said rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the equipped vehicle, and wherein said plastic molding includes a portion that is rearward of said mirror reflective element and that spans said width dimension of said mirror reflective element.

13. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said plastic molding is integrally molded around said circumferential edge of said front glass substrate.

14. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said plastic molding comprises at least one of a soft polymer and an impact absorbing material.

15. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said rearview mirror assembly comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly.

16. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said rearview mirror assembly comprises at least one cap portion adapted to attach at said plastic molding, said at least one cap portion substantially encasing a rear portion of said mirror reflective element.

17. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror reflector is established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate and contacts said electro-optic medium.

18. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 17, wherein said electro-optic mirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic mirror reflective element and wherein said electro-optic medium comprises an electrochromic medium.

19. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 18, wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element nests in said plastic molding.

20. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 19, wherein said rear glass substrate has a circumferential edge around the periphery of said rear glass substrate, said circumferential edge of said rear glass substrate spanning a thickness of said rear glass substrate between said third and fourth surfaces, and wherein a part of said plastic molding extends at least partially across the circumferential edge of said rear glass substrate.

21. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of said front glass substrate extends beyond a corresponding portion of said rear glass substrate and wherein a portion of said plastic molding is disposed to the rear of said front substrate where said front substrate extends beyond the corresponding portion of said rear glass substrate.

22. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said outermost part of said plastic molding contacts said circumferential edge of said front glass substrate.

23. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 22, wherein said plastic molding comprises a portion of a mirror housing of said rearview mirror assembly.

24. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein said mirror housing comprises another portion that attaches to said plastic molding.

25. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 24, wherein said another portion of said mirror housing houses at least one accessory.

26. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein a back plate is attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element.

27. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 26, wherein said back plate contacts said plastic molding.

28. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 27, wherein said back plate interlocks with said plastic molding.

29. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, comprising a visual indicator disposed behind said mirror reflective element and operable, when actuated, to visually indicate for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle through said mirror reflective element.

30. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 29, wherein said visual indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode.

31. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 29, wherein said mirror reflector comprises a transflective mirror reflector and wherein said visual indicator, when actuated, is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle through said transflective mirror reflector of said mirror reflective element.

32. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, comprising a plurality of individual indicating elements that, when individually actuated, visually indicate through said mirror reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein each of said plurality of individual indicating elements is spaced from and local to another of said plurality of individual indicating elements.

33. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 32, wherein said plurality of individual indicating elements comprises at least three individual indicating elements.

34. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 33, wherein said at least three individual indicating elements comprise first, second and third indicating elements that are generally linearly disposed to form a row of individual indicating elements at said mirror reflective element.

35. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, comprising a driver assistance alert that is operable to provide an alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object.

36. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 35, wherein said alert comprises at least one of an audible alert and a visual alert.

37. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising:

an electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate;

wherein said front glass substrate has a first surface and a second surface with a circumferential edge along the periphery of said front glass substrate, said circumferential edge spanning a thickness of said front glass substrate between said first and second surfaces, and wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises the outermost surface of said mirror reflective element that is closest to a driver of a vehicle equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said rear glass substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface opposite said third surface;

wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate and bounded by a perimeter seal;

wherein said mirror reflective element comprises a mirror reflector established at one of said third and fourth surfaces of said rear glass substrate of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein no portion of said rear glass substrate extends beyond any portion of said front glass substrate;

wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprises a perimeter band disposed around a perimeter border region of said second surface of said front glass substrate, and wherein said perimeter band generally conceals the presence of said perimeter seal from view by the driver of the equipped vehicle when said rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the equipped vehicle and when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle and viewing said first surface of said front glass substrate of said mirror reflective element of said rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said perimeter band comprises a reflective perimeter band;

a plastic molding;

wherein said plastic molding comprises a portion of a mirror housing of said rearview mirror assembly; and

wherein said rearview mirror assembly houses at least one accessory comprising at least one of (i) a camera and (ii) a visual indicator.

38. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 37, wherein said plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about said circumferential edge of said front glass substrate without overlapping onto said first surface of said front glass substrate.

39. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 38, wherein the plane of said first surface of said front glass substrate is generally flush with the outermost part of said plastic molding.

40. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 39, wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding has an outer curved surface that extends from generally adjacent to said first surface of said front glass substrate, and wherein said outer curved surface of said plastic molding provides a curved transition generally between said plane of said first surface of said front glass substrate and a plane of a generally less-curved portion of said plastic molding, and wherein said generally less-curved portion is rearward of, adjacent to and contiguous with said outer curved surface of said plastic molding.

41. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 37, wherein, when said mirror reflective element is moved to set the field of view to the desired setting of the driver of the equipped vehicle, said mirror housing moves in tandem with said mirror reflective element.

42. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 37, comprising a mounting assembly for attaching said rearview mirror assembly to the equipped vehicle.

43. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 37, wherein said rearview mirror assembly comprises an interior rearview mirror assembly.

44. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 37, wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element nests in said plastic molding.

45. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 44, wherein said rear glass substrate has a circumferential edge around the periphery of said rear glass substrate, said circumferential edge of said rear glass substrate spanning a thickness of said rear glass substrate between said third and fourth surfaces, and wherein a part of said plastic molding extends at least partially across the circumferential edge of said rear glass substrate, and wherein at least a portion of said front glass substrate extends beyond a corresponding portion of said rear glass substrate and wherein a portion of said plastic molding is disposed to the rear of said front substrate where said front substrate extends beyond the corresponding portion of said rear glass substrate.

46. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 37, wherein a back plate is attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element.

47. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 46, wherein said back plate contacts said plastic molding.

48. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 37, wherein said at least one accessory comprises a visual indicator and wherein said visual indicator is disposed behind said mirror reflective element and operable, when actuated, to visually indicate through said mirror reflective element for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said visual indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode.

49. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 48, wherein said mirror reflector comprises a transflective mirror reflector and wherein said visual indicator, when actuated, is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle through said transflective mirror reflector of said mirror reflective element.

50. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 37, comprising a driver assistance alert that is operable to provide a visual alert to the driver of the equipped vehicle responsive to detection of an object.

51. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 37, wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding lacks a sharp edge.

52. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising:

an electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate;

wherein said front glass substrate has a planar first surface and a second surface with a circumferential edge along the periphery of said front glass substrate, said circumferential edge spanning a thickness of said front glass substrate between said first and second surfaces, and wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises the outermost surface of said mirror reflective element that is closest to a driver of a vehicle equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said rear glass substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface opposite said third surface;

wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate and bounded by a perimeter seal;

wherein said mirror reflective element comprises a mirror reflector established at one of said third and fourth surfaces of said rear glass substrate of said electrochromic mirror reflective element;

wherein no portion of said rear glass substrate extends beyond any portion of said front glass substrate;

wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprises a perimeter band disposed around a perimeter border region of said second surface of said front glass substrate, and wherein said perimeter band generally conceals the presence of said perimeter seal from view by the driver of the equipped vehicle when said rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the equipped vehicle and when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle and viewing said first surface of said front glass substrate of said mirror reflective element of said rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said perimeter band comprises a reflective perimeter band;

a plastic molding;

wherein said plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about said circumferential edge of said front glass substrate without overlapping onto said first surface of said front glass substrate; and

wherein at least a portion of said front glass substrate extends beyond a corresponding portion of said rear glass substrate.

53. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 52, wherein the plane of said first surface of said front glass substrate is generally flush with the outermost part of said plastic molding.

54. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 52, wherein a portion of said plastic molding is disposed to the rear of said front substrate where said front substrate extends beyond the corresponding portion of said rear glass substrate.

55. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 52, wherein said rearview mirror assembly houses at least one accessory.

56. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 55, wherein said accessory comprises a camera.

57. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 55, wherein said accessory comprises a visual indicator.

58. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 57, wherein said visual indicator is disposed behind said mirror reflective element and operable, when actuated, to visually indicate through said mirror reflective element for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said visual indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode.

59. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 58, wherein said mirror reflector comprises a transflective mirror reflector and wherein said visual indicator, when actuated, is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle through said transflective mirror reflector of said mirror reflective element.

60. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 57, wherein said visual indicator comprises a plurality of individual indicating elements that, when individually actuated, visually indicate through said mirror reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein each of said plurality of individual indicating elements is spaced from and local to another of said plurality of individual indicating elements.

61. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 60, wherein said plurality of individual indicating elements comprises at least three individual indicating elements that are generally linearly disposed to form a row of individual indicating elements at said mirror reflective element.

62. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 52, wherein a back plate is attached at the rear of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said back plate contacts said plastic molding, and wherein said back plate interlocks with said plastic molding.

63. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 52, wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element nests in said plastic molding.

64. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 52, wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding lacks a sharp edge.

65. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising:

an electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a front glass substrate and a rear glass substrate;

wherein said front glass substrate has a planar first surface and a second surface with a circumferential edge along the periphery of said front glass substrate, said circumferential edge spanning a thickness of said front glass substrate between said first and second surfaces, and wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises the outermost surface of said mirror reflective element that is closest to a driver of a vehicle equipped with said rearview mirror assembly;

wherein said rear glass substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface opposite said third surface;

wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprises an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate and bounded by a perimeter seal;

wherein said mirror reflective element comprises a mirror reflector and wherein said mirror reflector is established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate and contacts said electrochromic medium;

wherein no portion of said rear glass substrate extends beyond any portion of said front glass substrate;

wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprises a perimeter band disposed around a perimeter border region of said second surface of said front glass substrate, and wherein said perimeter band generally conceals the presence of said perimeter seal from view by the driver of the equipped vehicle when said rearview mirror assembly is normally mounted at the equipped vehicle and when the driver is normally operating the equipped vehicle and viewing said first surface of said front glass substrate of said mirror reflective element of said rearview mirror assembly;

a plastic molding;

wherein said plastic molding is circumferentially disposed about said circumferential edge of said front glass substrate without overlapping onto said first surface of said front glass substrate; and

a visual indicator disposed behind said mirror reflective element and operable, when actuated, to visually indicate for viewing by the driver of the equipped vehicle through said mirror reflective element, wherein said visual indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode.

66. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 65, wherein the plane of said first surface of said front glass substrate is generally flush with the outermost part of said plastic molding.

67. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 65, wherein said mirror reflector comprises a transflective mirror reflector and wherein said visual indicator, when actuated, is viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle through said transflective mirror reflector of said mirror reflective element.

68. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 65, wherein said visual indicator comprises a plurality of individual indicating elements that, when individually actuated, visually indicate through said mirror reflective element to be viewed by the driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein each of said plurality of individual indicating elements is spaced from and local to another of said plurality of individual indicating elements.

69. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 68, wherein said plurality of individual indicating elements comprises at least three individual indicating elements that are generally linearly disposed to form a row of individual indicating elements at said mirror reflective element.

70. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 65, wherein the outermost part of said plastic molding lacks a sharp edge.

71. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 65, wherein said perimeter band comprises a reflective perimeter band.

72. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 65, wherein said plastic molding comprises at least a portion of a mirror housing of said rearview mirror assembly, and wherein, when said mirror reflective element is moved to set the field of view to the desired setting of the driver of the equipped vehicle, said mirror housing moves in tandem with said mirror reflective element.