The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 12, 2001
Filed:
May. 17, 1999
Timothy E. Steenwyk, Jenison, MI (US);
Robert C. Knapp, Coloma, MI (US);
Gentex Corporation, Zeeland, MI (US);
Abstract
A simplified mirror sub-assembly for exterior automotive mirrors includes an electrochromic mirror element, a circuit board disposed on a rear surface of the mirror element, and a carrier plate attached to the circuit board via double-sided adhesive tape. The sub-assembly may include a conductive trace disposed on the surface of the circuit board that mates with the mirror element to dissipate heat generated by electronic components on the circuit board and act as a heater for the mirror element at the same time. The electronic components on the circuit board are arranged to lie in a void created by a peripheral edge in the carrier plate so that the inventive structure can incorporate a known carrier plate structure, if desired, to allow easy installation into a known mirror housing.