Donnelly Corporation

Howard W Fant, Jr

Barry W Hutzel

Craig M Miller

Troy Inslee Vanderhoof

Troy I VanderHoof

Edward R Adams

Paul C Belding

William P Lantz

Anton C Bastiaanse

Ricky L Berens

Wayne Vandenbrink

An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises a mirror element and a mirror case having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface and a back surface enveloping an interior space. A lamp comprising a light source is positioned and fixedly held preferably in a compartment in the interior space, the light source emitting light when electrically operated. At least one opening is provided in a surface of the mirror case in order to dissipate heat generated by the light source when electrically operated. A light opening is provided in the bottom surface of the mirror case for passing light out of the mirror case into a passenger compartment of a vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted therein. The light opening in the bottom surface of the mirror case includes a lens positioned therein that directs light emitted by the light source into the passenger compartment of the vehicle; the direction of the light out of the mirror case and into the passenger compartment being non-adjustable with respect to the mirror case. The lens is received by and secures to the mirror case at the light opening and preferably is recessed into the bottom surface of the mirror case.

Rearview mirror with lighting assembly

A rearview mirror with lighting assembly for use in a vehicle, has a molded case adapted to support lights for illuminating portions of the vehicle interior, to support electrical switches, wiring, and electrical connectors, to support optical lenses for directing light, and to support a mirror element. The case includes ventilation around the lenses, past the lights, and out of the case for dissipating heat from the lighting. The electrical switches and connectors are mounted into the case. A preferred light arrangement provides illumination of areas below and outwardly of the case ends with targeted lighting areas in the lap areas of persons seated in the front seats of the vehicle, without allowing light to be directed toward the vehicle windshield or instrument panel to cause glare. A resilient sealing material is adhered to the back of the lens element for sealing with the case to prevent or minimize the emission of uncontrolled, stray light from the case. The sealing material is preferably adhered to the mirror element by an adhesive carrier layer which preferably also provides an antiscatter function for the mirror element in the event of breakage.

A day/night rearview mirror assembly for vehicles useful in varying climatic conditions provides improved control and shifting between day and night positions, reduced undesired movement between day and night positions during adjustment of the major mirror position, and improved impact and bending resistance. The assembly preferably includes a molded mirror case, a prismatic mirror element and a two piece actuator assembly which provides consistent day/night shifting pressure in all temperatures. At least one stop member on the case back is included to limit actuator movement and precisely control day/night shifting. Cam surfaces on the actuator and stop member aid assembly. Downwardly opening support members pivotally mount the actuator assembly and prevent actuator movement toward the mirror element even upon impact. Ramp shoulders adjacent the support members also restrict actuator withdrawal. An extending lip on the actuator toggle limits movement of the separate actuator pivot member toward the mirror element upon impact and aids actuator installation. An improved actuator toggle having an integral retainer for a ball joint clamping member is also disclosed.

Day/night rearview mirror assembly

Growing community of inventors

Grand Haven, MI, United States of America

Howard W Fant, Jr