Gentex Corporation

Christopher D Pollack

Danny L Minikey, Jr

Eric S Lundy

Eric S Sloterbeek

William M Vanden Bos

Jason D Hallack

Richard Allen Berry

Joel D Geerlings

Elliot M Busta

Jeffery E Irvin

Danny L Minikey

Richard A Berry

A rearview device having a housing that defines a cavity. The rearview device additionally includes an electro-optic element. In some embodiments, the housing may comprise a peripheral flange. The peripheral flange may have a mounting surface and a lip. The electro-optic element may be associated with the mounting surface. Further, the lip may substantially circumscribe the electro-optic element. In other embodiments, the rearview device may further comprise a mounting assembly having one or more mechanical fastener acceptors. One or more mechanical fasteners may be received by the mechanical fastener acceptors and extend through holes both in a holder and a circuit board disposed in the cavity. In yet other embodiments, the one or more mechanical fasteners may be received by the mechanical fastener acceptors and extend through and be supported by a washer disposed in the cavity.

Rearview device

Rearview mirror housing

A method of making a rearview assembly includes operably coupling a rearview device with a front housing. A bonding material is applied to the front housing and a printed circuit board is operably coupled with the front housing. A rear housing is engaged with the front housing. Energy is applied to bond the front housing with the rear housing.

Rearview assembly housing with radio frequency activated bond

A rear view assembly includes a housing, an electro-optic assembly disposed within the housing, and an ambient light sensor operably coupled with the electro-optic assembly. An at least partially light transmissive light sensor lens is integrally formed as part of the housing proximate the ambient light sensor. The light sensor lens is free of mechanical fasteners.

Insert-molding of lens into rear view mirror housing

A rearview device includes a connector assembly that has a body that includes a plurality of electrical leads that extend therefrom and are removably coupled therewith. A plurality of contact-receiving apertures extend through the body and receive a plurality of spring contacts on a circuit board. The plurality of spring contacts abut and are compressed between the circuit board and the body. The plurality of spring contacts directly engage the plurality of electrical leads when inserted into the plurality of contact-receiving apertures. A plurality of peripheral walls are adjacent the circuit board.

Low profile connector with spring contacts

A connector assembly is operably coupled with a circuit board for a rearview device. The connector assembly includes a body having a plurality of electrical leads extending therefrom. A plurality of contact-receiving apertures are defined through the body. A plurality of spring-biased contacts extend into the contact-receiving apertures and are guided by a plurality of columns. The plurality of spring-biased contacts are in electrical communication with the plurality of electrical leads when inserted into the contact-receiving apertures of the body.

A rearview mirror includes a housing defining an interior cavity and an opening to an exterior of the housing, a notch extending from an edge of the opening and an actuation mechanism coupled within the interior of the housing. The actuation mechanism has a toggle barrel rotatably positioned within the interior cavity of the housing and a lever extending from the toggle barrel through the opening. The lever defines a first major surface and includes a locking rib extending from the first major surface adjacent the barrel. The lever and toggle barrel are rotatable between a first position and a second position, the locking rib being positioned within the notch of the housing when the lever and the toggle barrel are in the first position and being positioned away from the notch when the lever and the toggle barrel are in the second position.

Growing community of inventors

Zeeland, MI, United States of America

Christopher D Pollack