Interior rearview mirror assembly

• US 7,599,108 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2007
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Donnelly Engineering GmbH (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lawlor, Patrick J., Dowling, Patrick J., Desmond, John P., Lynam, Niall R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben; Loha
• Application Number:
  US11/957,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20080180780A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 359265-275, 359601-604, 359/839, 359/841, 359/871, 359/872, 359/876, 359/844, 359/881, 362/135, 362/140, 362/141, 362/235, 362/464, 362/492, 362/494, 362/503, 248/222.13, 248/466, 248/549, 248/900
• US Class Current: 359/267
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle 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: G02F 1/153 Constructional details

Abstract

An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle includes a bezel and a mirror element located behind the bezel and viewable through an opening formed by the bezel. A backplate, formed by molding and having a first pivot element integrally formed on a side thereof, is securely fixed to a rear portion of the mirror element by direct attachment at least at a central region of the mirror element. A support bracket for attaching the interior rearview mirror assembly to a portion of the interior cabin of a vehicle includes a second pivot element that connects with the first pivot element of the backplate to form a pivot joint that enables angular adjustment by the driver of the rearward field of view provided by the mirror element. Circuitry is supported by the backplate and a housing, principally serving as a cosmetic shroud, connects with the bezel.

Claims

1. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a bezel;

a mirror element having a front portion that is viewed by the driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said mirror element having a rear portion that is opposite to said front portion;

said rear portion having a central region that is generally midway between the leftmost region of said mirror element and the rightmost region of said mirror element;

said mirror element located behind said bezel and viewable though an opening formed by said bezel;

a backplate;

said backplate having a first side and a second side, said second side being opposite said first side;

said backplate formed by molding and having a first pivot element integrally formed at said second side;

said first side of said backplate being generally planar and wherein said first side of said backplate is securely fixed to said rear portion of said mirror element by direct attachment to said rear portion of said mirror element;

said first side of said backplate directly attaching to said rear portion of said mirror element at least at said central region of said rear portion of said mirror element;

a support bracket for attaching said interior rearview mirror assembly to a portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle to be equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said bracket having a first end and a second end;

said first end of said bracket adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle to be equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said second end of said bracket comprising a second pivot element;

wherein said first pivot element of said backplate connects with said second pivot element of said bracket to form a pivot joint that enables angular adjustment, by the driver of the equipped vehicle, of the rearward field of view provided by said mirror element;

wherein circuitry is supported by said backplate at said second side of said backplate; and

a housing;

said housing connecting with said bezel and principally serving as a cosmetic shroud.

2. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror element comprises an electrochromic mirror element including at least two glass elements with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween, and wherein said circuitry is configured to electrically operate said eletrochromic element.

3. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein said first side of said backplate is securely fixed to said rear portion of said mirror element by adhesive.

4. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein said first side of said backplate is securely fixed to said rear portion of said mirror element by clips.

5. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said first pivot element integrally formed at said second side of said backplate comprises a socket and wherein said second pivot element of said bracket comprises a ball.

6. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said pivot joint comprises a ball and socket joint.

7. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein a wireway is provided through said pivot joint,

8. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said backplate in formed by molding a polymer resin.

9. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 8, wherein at least said second pivot element of said bracket is formed by molding a polymer resin.

10. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 9, wherein said first pivot element and said second pivot element are formed by molding different polymer resins.

11. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 8, wherein said backplate comprises an electrically-conducting lead frame integrally molded therein.

12. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said first end of said bracket comprises a mirror-button mount.

13. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said mirror element comprises a transflective mirror element.

14. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 13, wherein said transflective mirror element comprises an electrochromic transflective mirror element having two glass substrates and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween.

15. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein said two glass substrates are offset one to the other.

16. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein said two glass substrates are generally flush.

17. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein said bezel overlaps said mirror element by 1.5 mm or less.

18. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 17, wherein said backplate comprises an electrically-conducting lead frame integrally molded therein, and wherein said lead frame provides management for electrical connections.

19. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a bezel;

a mirror element having a front portion that is viewed by the driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said mirror element having a rear portion that is opposite to said front portion;

said rear portion having a central region that is generally midway between the leftmost region of said mirror element and the rightmost region of said mirror element;

said mirror element located behind said bezel and viewable through an opening formed by said bezel;

a backplate;

said backplate having a first side and a second side, said second side being opposite said first side;

said backplate formed by molding a polymer resin and having a first pivot element integrally formed at said second side;

said first side of said backplate being generally planar and wherein said first side of said backplate is securely fixed to said rear portion of said mirror element by direct attachment to said rear portion of said mirror element;

said first side of said backplate directly attaching to said rear portion of said mirror element at least at said central region of said rear portion of said mirror element;

a support bracket for attaching said interior rearview mirror assembly to a portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle to be equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said bracket having a first end and a second end;

said first end of said bracket adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle to be equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said second end of said bracket comprising a second pivot element;

wherein said first pivot element of said backplate connects with said second pivot element of said bracket to form a ball and socket pivot joint that enables angular adjustment, by the driver of the equipped vehicle, of the rearward field of view provided by said mirror element;

wherein circuitry is supported by said backplate at said second side of said backplate;

wherein said mirror element comprises an electrochromic transflective mirror element having two glass substrates and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween;

wherein said circuitry is configured to electrically operate said electrochromic transflective mirror element, said circuitry including at least one light sensor; and

a housing;

said housing connecting with said bezel and principally serving as a cosmetic shroud.

20. An interior rearview mirror assembly suitable for use in a vehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising:

a bezel;

a mirror element having a front portion that is viewed by the driver of a vehicle equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said mirror element having a rear portion that is opposite to said front portion;

said rear portion having a central region that is generally midway between the leftmost region of said mirror element and the rightmost region of said mirror element;

said mirror element located behind said bezel and viewable through an opening formed by said bezel;

a backplate;

said backplate having a first side and a second side, said second side being opposite said first side;

said backplate formed by molding a polymer resin and having a first pivot element integrally formed at said second side;

said first side of said backplate being generally planar and wherein said first side of said backplate is securely fixed to said rear portion of said mirror element by direct attachment to said rear portion of said mirror element;

said first side of said backplate directly attaching to said rear portion of said mirror element at least at said central region of said rear portion of said mirror element;

a support bracket for attaching said interior rearview mirror assembly to a portion of the interior cabin of the vehicle to be equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said bracket having a first end and a second end;

said first end of said bracket adapted for attachment to an interior portion of the vehicle to be equipped with said interior rearview mirror assembly;

said second end of said bracket comprising a second pivot element;

wherein said first pivot element of said backplate connects with said second pivot element of said bracket to form a ball and socket pivot joint that enables angular adjustment, by the driver of the equipped vehicle, of the rearward field of view provided by said mirror element;

wherein a wireway is provided through said pivot joint;

wherein circuitry is supported by said backplate at said second side of said backplate;

wherein said mirror element comprises an electrochromic mirror element having a front and a rear glass substrate and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween;

wherein said rear glass substrate comprises a reflective layer disposed thereon;

wherein said circuitry is configured to electrically operate said electrochromic mirror element;

wherein said circuitry comprise at least one light sensor;

wherein wiring providing electrical power to said circuitry passes through said wireway; and

a housing;

said housing connecting with said bezel and principally serving as a cosmetic shroud.

21. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 20, wherein said electrochromic mirror element comprises a transflective electrochromic mirror element.

22. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 20, wherein said light sensor is positioned to the rear of said rear substrate and senses light incident on said front substrate.

23. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 22, wherein a portion of said reflective layer is absent in the region where said light sensor is positioned to the rear of said rear substrate.

24. The rearview mirror assembly of claim 23, wherein said electrochromic mirror element comprises a transflective electrochromic mirror element.