Gentex Corporation

Other

Andrew J LeVesque

Danny L Minikey, Jr

John B Ostreko

John K Roberts

Frederick T Bauer

William R Spence

Christian M Kemperman

Peter Wm VanderWel

John B Wallace

David J Cammenga

Robert R Turnbull

Mark R Roth

Kevin L Ash

David A Theiste

Bradley L Busscher

Jason D Hallack

Kenton J Ypma

Richard T Fish, Jr

Ethan J Lee

Timothy A Bonardi

Mark D Bugno

Michael F Lisowski

Jeremy A Fogg

David I Driscoll

Drew D Brennan

Peter N Rizk

Danny L Suman

Mark W Newton

Andrew T Mitchell

Kristi L Hooper

Kent H Frye

James E Teune

Julie A Kelley

Peter Wm Vanderwel

A window apparatus of a vehicle includes a removable panel that selectively encloses an exterior opening of the vehicle. A window having an electro-optic element is connected to the removable panel. A connection interface is configured to selectively connect the removable panel to the vehicle. The connection interface includes a first connection module configured for connection to the header of the vehicle and a second connection module in connection with an interface surface of the removable panel. The alignment of the first and second connection modules electrically connects an electrical supply of the vehicle to the at least one terminal based on an alignment between the connection modules in an assembled configuration.

Connection methods for power removable and/or movable dimmable device

The disclosure provides for a conductive connector device. The device is configured for communicating a control signal of an electro-optic element for a vehicular display device. The device comprises a spring assembly and a body having a connecting feature. The spring assembly comprises a spring and a conductive pin. The body forms an internal passage configured to at least partially house the spring assembly. A connecting feature is in connection with the body. The connecting feature is configured to engage an aperture of a circuit board configured to communicate a control signal to the electro-optic element. The engagement of the connecting feature to the aperture is configured to receive at least a portion of a force from the spring in a compressed arrangement.

Conductive connection device for vehicle display

A rearview mirror assembly is provided herein and includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and an electrical connector electrically coupled to the PCB. The assembly also includes at least one biasing member that is electrically conductive and positioned between and in contact with the PCB and the electrical connector. The at least one biasing member is configured to compress or expand in response to displacement of the electrical connector. Compression or expansion of the at least one biasing member serves to maintain an electrical connection between the PCB and the electrical connector.

Rearview mirror assembly with biased electrical connection

An imager module for a vehicle includes a support having a first side and a second side. A shroud is operably coupled with the first side. The support and the shroud define a cavity. A viewing aperture is disposed in one of the support and the shroud. An imager system is disposed in the cavity. An electrical connector is configured to provide communication with the imager system. The electrical connector is disposed outside the cavity in abutting contact with the second side of the support.

Roof mounted imager module

An inductive component having a printed circuit board ('PCB') with a first side and a second side. An aperture extends through the PCB and a conductive winding is printed onto the PCB surrounding the aperture. A core is formed by a first core member and a second core member. The first core member includes a first base member with at least one joining surface which is solderable to the first side. A first core leg extends at least partially through the aperture. The second core member includes at least a second base member and is coupled to the first core member or the second side. To manufacture the PCB, the first core member is soldered to the first side and then the PCB is inverted. The second core member is then coupled to at least one of the first core member or the second side.

Solderable planar magnetic components

An aircraft window foam mounting assembly having an exterior pressure pane frame including an inner surface and an outer surface. A pressure pane is in abutting contact with the inner surface of the exterior pressure pane frame. A foam bezel is proximate a periphery of the pressure pane and defines an inner opening. The foam bezel includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall includes a channel. An electrochromic element is disposed in the opening and is configured for reception in the channel of the inner wall. An electrically conductive member is operably coupled to the foam bezel and extends from the inner wall to the outer wall.

Electro-optic window assembly EMI shield

A vehicular rearview mirror assembly () includes an electrochromic (EC) glass element () and a printed circuit board () for mounting electrical components. A liquid crystal display (LCD) () is mounted to the printed circuit board (), while a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) () are also mounted to the same printed circuit board below the LCD () for providing backlighting.

Vehicular rearview mirror assembly including integrated backlighting for a liquid crystal display (LCD)

A rearview mirror assembly comprising a rear housing section with wiring connected to a first electrical connection device and a circuit board with a second electrical connection device, with first electrical connection device and the second electrical connection device being configured to automatically mate when the circuit board and the rear housing section are moved relatively towards each other. The rearview mirror assembly can also include a circuit board with a third electrical connection device and a reflective element with a fourth electrical connection device, with third electrical connection device and the fourth electrical connection device being configured to automatically mate when the circuit board and the reflective element are moved relatively towards each other.

Blind connector for rearview mirror

An electrochromic mirror includes a housing, a rearview mirror subassembly including a reflector in the housing, and an electrical circuit with switches adapted to interact with electrical systems in the vehicle. An elongated display area is formed in a face of the housing assembly, either under, aside or above the face. Switch buttons are positioned in the display area for operating switches in the electrical circuit. A compact display is incorporated into a face of the buttons. Specifically, a center region forms a symbol. A border is formed around the center region, and a third region is formed around the border. One of the center region, the border, and the outer region is light-transmissive, and the other two regions contrast in color. A light source is positioned to direct light toward the button face. Each light source is operably connected to the electrical circuit and the electrical circuit is configured to variably energize and de-energize the associated light source when the one switch is activated and de-activated. By this arrangement, the button is visible and identified during daylight and during night with the light source activated or de-activated.

Rearview mirror with buttons incorporating display

An electrochromic mirror includes housing, a rearview mirror subassembly including a reflector in the housing, and an electrical circuit with switches adapted to interact with electrical systems in the vehicle. An elongated display area is formed in a face of the housing assembly, either under, aside or above the face. Switch buttons are positioned in the display area for operating switches in the electrical circuit. Where compact display is needed along with the button, the buttons each have a visible portion with a front symbol-forming window that is light-transmissive, and further with a perimeter made of a visible material that outlines and creates a border around the symbol-forming window, and still further with an opaque outer region that contrasts to the visible material. A light source is positioned to direct light toward each window. Each light source is operably connected to the electrical circuit and the electrical circuit is configured to variably energize and de-energize the associated light source when the one switch is activated and de-activated. By this arrangement, the perimeter is visible during daylight with the light source de-activated, and the perimeter and the symbol-forming window are visible during daylight with the light source activated. Also, the symbol-forming window is visible during night when the light source is activated to a low level of light to show the switch in de-activated and is visible during night when the light source is activated to a high level of light to show that the switch is activated.

A rearview mirror assembly is provided for a vehicle which incorporates a self-contained magnetic field sensor in the mirror housing. When mounted to a fixed pivot point in a single ball mounting bracket, the mirror housing pivots around the magnetic field sensor. When the magnetic field sensor is mounted within the mirror housing either to the housing or to the mirror, compensation for the rotation position of the mirror about a vertical axis is provided by an empirically predetermined compensation value whereby direct reading of the angle is adjusted by a processor or by mechanically mounting the field sensor at an angle representative of the compensation value. Other ways of rotation compensation are also disclosed. Compensation for tilt about a horizontal axis is provided by an elliptical compensation algorithm in a microprocessor.

Rearview mirror with internally-mounted compass sensor

Growing community of inventors

Holland, MI, United States of America

Andrew J LeVesque