Patent ID: 7310177
Filing Date: 2007-12-18
Classification: B60Q,B60R,F21S,F21Y,G02B,G02F

Abstract:
1. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said rearview mirror assembly comprising: an electro-optic reflective element, said reflective element providing a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle when a vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly; said electro-optic reflective element comprising an electro-optic medium disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate; said first substrate being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second substrate when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly; said first substrate having a first surface and a second surface; said first surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said second surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly; said second substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; said third surface being closer to the driver of the vehicle than said fourth surface when the vehicle is equipped with said rearview mirror assembly; an overhang region at an edge region of said first substrate that extends beyond a corresponding edge region of said second substrate; a transparent electrical conductor disposed at said second surface of said first substrate; an electrically conductive mirror reflector disposed at said third surface of said second substrate; said mirror reflector including a tab portion that at least partially encompasses an edge dimension of said second substrate; said second substrate having a non-conductive perimeter region at said third surface and devoid of said mirror reflector except at said tab portion; a non-conductive seal disposed between said first and second substrates and encompassing at least a portion of said mirror reflector and at least a portion of said non-conductive perimeter region; at least one hiding layer disposed around a perimeter region of said second surface of said first substrate; said at least one hiding layer being substantially non-transparent so as to render the presence of said non-conductive seal substantially not noticeable to a viewer directly viewing said rearview mirror assembly when the vehicle is normally equipped with said rearview mirror assembly; a first electrical connector in electrical connection with said transparent electrical conductor, said first electrical connector connecting to said transparent electrical conductor via said overhang region; and a second electrical connector in electrical connection with said tab portion of said mirror reflector.