VEHICULAR OUTSIDE REARVIEW ASSEMBLY

• US 20180186292A1
• Filed: 12/29/2017
• Published: 07/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Granted Patent: US 10,730,436 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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: B60R 1/06 mounted on vehicle exterior B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/082 using a single wide field mirror or an association of rigidly connected 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 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15 based on an electrochromic effect
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/56 Substrates having a particular shape, e.g. non-rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/167 Driving aids for lane monitoring, lane changing, e.g. blind spot detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

A rearview assembly includes a housing having a front defining an opening. An external band extends laterally about a rear of the housing. A turn signal is defined in the external band. An electro-optic device includes a front substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A rear substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A peripheral seal contains the electro-optic medium between the front substrate and the rear substrate. An imager is adjacent the electro-optic device. A viewing window is disposed on an outboard corner of the electro-optic device. The imager is in optical communication with the viewing window.

Claims

1. A rearview assembly comprising:

a housing having a front defining an opening;

an external band extending laterally about a rear of the housing;

a turn signal defined in the external band;

an electro-optic device including;

a front substrate defining a first surface and a second surface;

a rear substrate defining a third surface and a fourth surface;

an electro-optic medium disposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate; and

a peripheral seal containing the electro-optic medium between the front substrate and the rear substrate;

an imager adjacent the electro-optic device; and

a viewing window disposed on an outboard corner of the electro-optic device, wherein the imager is in optical communication with the viewing window.

2. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the rear substrate defines a recess at the viewing window, and wherein the imager receives image data through the front substrate.

3. The rearview assembly of claim 2, wherein the peripheral seal follows at least a portion of a perimeter of the recess.

4. The rearview assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a graphic disposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate.

5. The rearview assembly of claim 4, wherein the graphic includes indicia that communicates information to a driver and which is disposed above the imager.

6. The rearview assembly of claim 4, wherein the graphic extends about a periphery of the viewing window.

7. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the front substrate is at least partially reflective at the viewing window, to at least partially conceal the imager.

8. The rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the imager includes a field of view that covers a blind spot zone of a vehicle.

9. A rearview assembly comprising:

a housing having a front defining an opening;

an external band extending laterally about a rear of the housing;

a turn signal defined in the external band;

an electro-optic device disposed within the housing, the electro-optic device operable between a darkened state and a clear state;

an imager adjacent the electro-optic device; and

a viewing window disposed on an outboard corner of the electro-optic device, wherein the imager is in optical communication with the viewing window.

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

a graphic disposed between a front substrate and a rear substrate of the electro-optic device.

11. The rearview assembly of claim 10, wherein the graphic includes indicia that communicates information to a driver and which is disposed above the imager.

12. The rearview assembly of claim 10, wherein the graphic extends about a periphery of the viewing window.

13. The rearview assembly of claim 10, wherein the front substrate is at least partially reflective at the viewing window, to at least partially conceal the imager.

14. The rearview assembly of claim 9, wherein the imager includes a field of view that covers a blind spot zone of a vehicle.

15. An external rearview assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing;

an external band extending laterally about a rear of the housing;

an electro-optic device disposed within the housing, the electro-optic device including a front substrate and a rear substrate wherein the rear substrate defines a recess;

an imager adjacent the electro-optic device; and

a viewing window disposed on an outboard corner of the electro-optic device, wherein the viewing window extends through the front substrate proximate the recess of the rear substrate, and wherein the imager is in optical communication with the viewing window.

16. The external rearview assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

a turn signal defined in the external band.

17. The external rearview assembly of claim 16, wherein the turn signal includes a plurality of linearly aligned light emitting diodes.

18. The external rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein the imager includes a field of view that covers a blind spot zone of a vehicle.

19. The external rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein a graphic includes indicia that communicates information to a driver and which is disposed above the imager.

20. The external rearview assembly of claim 15, wherein the front substrate is at least partially reflective at the viewing window, to at least partially conceal the imager.