Gentex Corporation

Timothy S DeVries

John W Carter

Wayne J Rumsey

Jason D Hallack

Gregory M Ejsmont

Brian R Parker

Brian J Rees

A visual, rear viewing and rain sensing system for a vehicle comprising a windshield and a button connected to the windshield, with the button having a peripheral body defining an open area in a middle section of the button. The visual, rear viewing and rain sensing system further includes a rain sensor located in the middle section and an interior rearview mirror system connected to the button. The rain sensor is operatively coupled to the windshield independent of the interior rearview mirror system. At least a portion of the rain sensor is no longer operatively coupled to the windshield as the interior rearview mirror system is detached from the button.

Rearview mirror system for accommodating a rain sensor

A mirror construction includes an interior rearview mirror housing having a socket, and includes a mirror mount having a ball section that angularly and adjustably engages the socket to form a ball connection. The ball section has a radially open portion permitting wiring to be laid laterally into the ball section to facilitate assembly. A wedge fits in the open portion for holding the open portion so that the ball connection cannot distort and collapse over time. The mount includes a window for snap-attachment of an electrical connector for the wiring.

Mirror with split ball mount and hold-open device

A mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing defining a cavity and a front opening, and an electrochromic mirror subassembly supported in the front opening. A support plate is supported by the housing in the cavity, and a printed circuit board is supported behind the support plate. The support plate includes a front surface located proximate but spaced rearward of a rear surface of the mirror subassembly to form a thin gap of about 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm, and preferably of about 0.5 mm, therebetween. The support plate covers at least about 50%, and preferably about 80%, of glass elements in the mirror subassembly. The support plate includes forwardly-oriented biasing fingers shaped to press on a back perimeter of the mirror subassembly to maintain the gap without distorting the mirror subassembly. The support plate permits flexure of the mirror subassembly into the thin gap, but prevents excessive deformation of the mirror subassembly, thus reducing a tendency of the mirror subassembly to fracture. The support plate also includes rearwardly-oriented biasing fingers shaped to maintain compression on the printed circuit board to prevent rattling and looseness. The printed circuit board includes a control circuit operably connected to the electrochromic mirror subassembly and electrical components mounted on the circuit board, with the electrical components being visibly positioned in the front.

Growing community of inventors

Jenison, MI, United States of America

Timothy S DeVries