Patent ID: 9013288
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: B60Q,B60R,F21V,F21Y,G08G

Abstract:
1. A mirror reflective element sub-assembly suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element sub-assembly comprising: a mirror reflective element; said mirror reflective element comprising a transparent glass substrate with a mirror reflector disposed at a surface thereof; a mirror back plate comprising a plastic molding formed in a plastic injection molding operation; said mirror back plate comprising a first side and a second side; said mirror reflective element attached at said second side of said mirror back plate; said mirror back plate comprising an indicator unit mounting portion that is established at said first side by said plastic injection molding operation; said mirror back plate comprising a mirror actuator attaching portion that is established at said first side by said plastic injection molding operation; wherein said mirror actuator attaching portion comprises structure for attaching said mirror back plate to a mirror actuator of an exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein said mirror actuator comprises an electrically operable mirror actuator; wherein an aperture is established through said mirror back plate generally at said indicator unit mounting portion; wherein said aperture is established through said mirror back plate by said plastic injection molding operation; a heater pad disposed between said mirror reflective element and said second side of said mirror back plate; wherein said heater pad has a light transmitting portion that is generally aligned with said aperture of said mirror back plate; wherein said mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting window at a portion thereof that is generally aligned with said light transmitting portion of said heater pad; an indicator unit having a light source that is activatable to emit light; wherein said indicator unit is mounted at said indicator unit mounting portion; wherein said indicator unit is associated with a blind spot detection system of a vehicle equipped with an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said mirror reflective element sub-assembly; and wherein, when the exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said mirror reflective element sub-assembly is mounted at a side of the equipped vehicle and with said light source activated, light emitted by said light source transmits through said aperture of said mirror back plate and through said light transmitting portion of said heater pad and through said light-transmitting window of said mirror reflector and exits said mirror reflective element to be viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle who is driving the equipped vehicle and who is viewing said mirror reflective element.