INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH OVERMOLDED METAL MOUNT AND ANTI-CAMOUT TAB

A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head and a mounting assembly having a mirror mount and a mounting arm, which is configured to attach at an interior portion of a vehicle. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element. The mounting arm is attached to the mirror head and the mounting arm is pivotally attached at the mirror mount via a first pivot joint. The mirror mount includes an anti-camout element protruding from an interior surface of a socket element of the first pivot joint and at least partially received in a recess of a ball member of the first pivot joint to limit pivotal movement of the ball member when the ball member engages the anti-camout element. The mirror mount comprises a metallic support element forming at least a portion of the anti-camout element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of interior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a mirror assembly that is adjustably mounted to an interior portion of a vehicle, such as via a double ball pivot or joint mounting configuration where the mirror casing and reflective element are adjusted relative to the interior portion of a vehicle by pivotal movement about the double ball pivot configuration. The mirror casing and reflective element are pivotable about either or both of the ball pivot joints by a user that is adjusting a rearward field of view of the reflective element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An interior rearview mirror assembly is configured to mount at an interior portion of a vehicle via a mounting arm attached at a mirror head of the mirror assembly and pivotally attached at a socket base or mirror mount. The mounting arm is pivotally attached at the mirror mount via a ball member of the mounting arm received within a socket of the mirror mount. An anti-camout tab protrudes from an interior surface of the socket and is at least partially received within a recess of the ball member. The anti-camout tab prevents the ball member from rotating within the socket beyond a point where the ball member engages the anti-camout tab. A metallic support structure at the mirror mount provides at least a portion of the anti-camout tab to provide increased strength and durability to the plastic material of the mirror mount.

A vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mounting assembly including a mirror mount and a mounting arm. The mirror mount is configured to attach at an interior portion of a vehicle equipped with the vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly. A mirror head includes a mirror reflective element. The mirror head is pivotally mounted at the mounting arm and the mounting arm is pivotally attached at the mirror mount. The mounting arm is pivotally attached at the mirror mount via a pivot joint that includes a ball member of the mounting arm received in a socket element of the mirror mount. The mirror mount includes an anti-camout element protruding from an interior surface of the socket element and that is at least partially received in a recess of the ball member to limit rotation of the ball member within the socket element beyond where the ball member engages the anti-camout element. The mirror mount includes a metallic support element forming at least a portion of the anti-camout element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, an interior rearview mirror assembly10for a vehicle includes a mirror head11adjustably mounted at a mounting structure or assembly18(FIG. 1). The mirror head11includes a mirror casing12and a reflective element14positioned at a front portion of the casing12. In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror assembly10is configured to be adjustably mounted to an interior portion of a vehicle (such as to an interior or in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield or a headliner of a vehicle or the like) via the mounting structure or mounting configuration or assembly18. The mirror reflective element14comprises a prismatic mirror reflective element that is flipped between a daytime position and a nighttime position via a toggle element42that controls a toggle mechanism38. Optionally, the mirror assembly may have a variable reflectance mirror reflective element that varies its reflectance responsive to electrical current applied to conductive coatings or layers of the reflective element. The mirror mounting assembly18includes a socket base or mounting base or mirror mount20that is configured to mount at a mounting plate or mirror mounting button16attached at an interior portion of the vehicle, such as at a mounting button adhered at the in-cabin side of the vehicle windshield. The mirror mount20receives a mounting arm24that is attached to the rear of the mirror head11. The mounting arm24includes a ball member26pivotally received within a socket30of the mirror mount20and the mirror mount20includes an anti-camout tab32protruding from an inner surface of the socket30and within a recess of the ball member26to limit pivotal movement of the ball member26within the socket30to prevent the ball member26and mounting arm24from pulling out or detaching or releasing from the socket and mirror mount. As described further below, the mirror mount includes a metallic support structure46integrally molded with the mirror mount20and forming at least a portion of the anti-camout tab32to provide added strength and durability to the mirror mount20.

When installed at an in-cabin side of the windshield, the mirror mounting button16may be adhesively attached to the windshield and the mirror mount20engages the mirror button16. For example, the mirror mount20may snap attach to the mirror button16or slidably engage the mirror button16. In the illustrated embodiment (and with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3), the socket base or mirror mount20receives the wedge-shaped mirror mounting button16at a button receiving portion22of the mirror mount20. A locking element or set screw44engages the mirror button16through the mirror mount20to retain the mirror mount20at the mirror mounting button16. The mirror mount20receives the first ball member26of the mounting arm24in the socket30of the mirror mount20and the mounting arm24connects to the mirror head11via a second ball member28received in a socket40in the toggle mechanism38of the mirror head.

The mounting arm24comprises a plastic 2-ball linkage piece that has the first ball member26at one end of a longitudinally curved or bent arm portion24aand the second ball member28disposed at the opposite end of the arm portion24a. The first ball member26is pivotally received at the socket30of the mirror mount20(and retained therein via a coil spring34and flexible tabs30athat define the interior surface of the socket30). The mounting arm24may be fixedly attached at the mirror head11or the second ball member28at the other end of the arm portion24amay be pivotally received at the socket40of the toggle mechanism38of the mirror head11. The plastic 2-ball linkage mounting arm24may comprise a single or unitary piece of plastic (such as made via injection molding of a plastic material). The double ball-pivot joint of the mounting arm24allows a user to pivot the mirror reflective element at the junction between the mirror casing and mounting arm and/or at the junction between the mounting arm and the mirror mount. Thus, the mirror reflective element may be pivotable by a user to a number of different configurations so as to provide a desired rearward view to a driver of the vehicle.

The socket30receives the first ball member26of the mounting arm24to provide a first pivot joint for pivoting the mounting arm24and mirror head11relative to the mirror mount20. The flexible elements or tabs30a(that, together with the inner surface30bof the mirror mount, define the socket30), during assembly and/or installation of the mounting arm at the mirror mount, flex to allow the ball26of the mounting arm24to be pressed into the socket30. As the ball26is received within the socket30, the flexible tabs30asnap back toward their initial state to retain the ball member26in the socket30. As shown in the illustrated embodiment (and with reference toFIGS. 4-7), the coil spring34is inserted into a circular slot36surrounding or circumscribing the socket30of the mirror mount to provide a constricting or biasing force on an external surface of the flexible tabs30ato further retain the ball member in the socket. The socket40at the toggle mechanism38is similarly oriented with flexing tabs and a coil spring for pivotally receiving the second ball member28to provide a second pivot joint, and the flexing tabs and/or coil spring at each socket may be selected to provide greater resistance to pivoting at one end of the mounting arm than the other. For example, the mounting arm24may have greater resistance to pivoting at the socket30of the mirror mount20as compared to the resistance to pivoting of the socket40of the toggle mechanism and mirror casing at the other end of the mounting arm. The ball members and respective sockets may be formed to resist or limit pivoting within a range of selected or appropriate pivotal movement.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the anti-camout element32protrudes from an inner surface of the socket30so that the anti-camout element32is at least partially received within a recess26aof the first ball member26when the first ball member26is disposed in the socket30. The anti-camout element32prevents the ball joint from rotating or pivoting beyond a given point where the mounting arm24may inadvertently detach or pull out of the socket30. As will be discussed further below, the plastic mirror mount20(formed from such material as a 30 percent glass filled Polyoxymethylene (POM) or acetal or the like) includes a metallic support structure or element or tab52that forms at least a portion of the anti-camout element32and provides a rigid internal element for the mirror mount20.

The ball member26of the mounting arm24includes an interior surface defining the recess26ain the upper portion of the ball member that is received within the socket30of the mirror mount20. When received in the socket30, the ball member26is free to pivot within the socket (to pivot or position the mirror reflective element as desired by the user), to a degree permitted by the anti-camout tab32. As the mounting arm24is pivoted to position the mirror reflective element at various positions, the interior surface or edge26bof the ball member recess26aengages the anti-camout tab32to prevent the ball member from pivoting beyond a point where the ball member engages the anti-camout tab. The anti-camout tab32is positioned and sized to allow a significant degree of movement of the ball member26and therefore of the mounting arm24and mirror head and also to limit or preclude the ball member26from being rotated or pivoted beyond a point where the ball member could fall or pull out of the socket. For example, if the ball joint is rotated beyond a point so that the edge26bof the ball member recess26ais external the socket (or past the edge of the socket), the ball member could pull out of the socket.

In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-camout tab is centrally aligned with a vertical axis of the socket30of the mirror mount to provide an equally distributed range of motion for the ball member26within the socket. Optionally, the anti-camout tab and/or recess26aof the ball member may be configured to provide other ranges of motion. For example, the anti-camout tab may be positioned within the socket in such a way as to allow greater range of motion in one direction and a lesser range of motion in the opposite direction. Placing the anti-camout tab further back in the socket (further from the front surface of the mirror reflective element) may allow the mounting arm to pivot further upward (relative to a neutral position) via a ball joint that has a greater corresponding range of motion, but pivot to a lesser degree downward via the ball joints corresponding shorter range of motion.

As the ball member26is rotated or pivoted within the socket, the top edge26bof the recess26acontacts the outer surface or edge of the anti-camout tab32to prevent the ball member from further rotating or pivoting within the socket beyond the point where the edge26bor inner surface of the recess engages the anti-camout tab32. If a user attempts to pivot the mirror reflective element beyond the point permitted by the anti-camout tab32, a force may be exerted through the ball member26onto the anti-camout tab32. For example, seeFIG. 4which depicts a force25(represented by an arrow) applied at the mirror reflective element (such as to reposition the mirror reflective element to provide a desired view) and the resulting force25aapplied via the mounting arm24and ball member26upon the anti-camout tab32. Over time, repeated forces acting upon the anti-camout tab32may bend or degrade or otherwise damage the plastic portion of the tab. Thus, the metallic support structure46that forms at least a portion of the anti-camout tab32provides additional rigid support to increase the lifespan of the tab.

The metallic support structure46is overmolded by the unitary plastic element of the mirror mount20and provides rigid support to the various portions of the mirror mount, including the anti-camout tab32. The tab52of the metallic support structure46extends along and is overmolded by the plastic anti-camout tab32to provide a substantially rigid anti-camout tab that will not bend or break when a force is applied to the mounting arm at a point where the anti-camout tab32contacts the ball member to limit or preclude pivoting of the mounting arm past a given orientation relative to the mounting base.

As shown inFIGS. 8-12, the metallic support structure46comprises a piece of stamped steel having a substantially flat base portion48with curved arms or rails or lateral receiving channels50extending along opposite edges of the base portion. The tab52extends from one end of the base portion, and the pair of receiving channels50are configured to provide support to side walls of the button receiving portion22of the mirror mount20that receives the sides of the mirror mounting button when the mirror mount is attached at the mounting button at the interior portion of the vehicle (e.g., at the in-cabin side of the vehicle windshield). A threaded through hole54in the base portion48aligns with a through hole or passageway20cin the body of the mirror mount20and threadably receives the set screw44therein (such as within a screw receiving protrusion56comprising a threaded inner surface) to retain the support structure46at the mirror mounting button.

As discussed above, the support tab52protrudes from an end region of the base portion48of the support structure46and forms at least a portion of the anti-camout tab32to provide structural support to the anti-camout tab and resist forces placed on the anti-camout tab from the ball member. Optionally, the support tab52may protrude from a lower surface of the support structure46. The support tab52protrudes from the base portion48and is substantially perpendicular to the base portion of the support structure. In the illustrated embodiment (such as seen inFIG. 5), the support tab52of the support structure46is contained or overmolded entirely within the body of the anti-camout tab32and provides a rigid core for the anti-camout tab to prevent the anti-camout tab32from bending or breaking when excessive or repeated force is applied via pivoting of the ball member26. Although shown as overmolded with the plastic material of the mirror mount such that the entirety of the support tab is within the body of the anti-camout tab, the support tab of the support structure may provide any portion or the entirety of the anti-camout tab. For example, the support tab52is shown as being centrally located within the anti-camout tab32(to provide a rigid core of the anti-camout tab), but the support tab may be positioned within the overmolded plastic material of the mirror mount to provide one or more of the outer surfaces of the anti-camout tab. Optionally, the support tab52may comprise the entirety of the anti-camout tab32such that there is no plastic overmolded onto the metallic support tab. Thus, the mirror assembly includes a tab on the steel support that reinforces the plastic anti-camout feature located in the socket and/or comprises the anti-camout tab of the mirror mount. The steel tab allows higher forces to be applied to the mirror and/or ball joint in its maximum adjustment travel before damaging the plastic feature and prevents the ball from being forced out of the socket.

The metallic support structure46may be designed to also support stresses in the dove tail interface between the mirror mount20and the mirror button16. As shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, the mirror mount20slidably engages the mirror button16at the button receiving portion22of the mirror mount. The button receiving portion22is defined by a recess or slot in the top surface20aof the mirror mount20and inwardly angled side surfaces22balong opposing sides of the slot. The inwardly angled side surfaces22bprovide receiving rails or guides for correspondingly angled side surfaces16bof the mirror button16. The corresponding angled relationship between the side surfaces of the button receiving portion and the mirror button form a dove tail joint so that the weight of the mirror mount (and attached mirror reflective element) is supported vertically by the mirror button. The curved arms or wings or lateral support tabs or receiving channels50of the metallic support structure46are integrally molded within the mirror mount20to align with and provide support at the dove tail joint.

The lateral support tabs50protrude upward from the base portion48within the body of the mirror mount20along the side surfaces22bof the button receiving portion22and comprise inward facing curved or folded portions50athat at least partially wrap around the angled side surfaces22b. The support structure46is positioned within the body of the mirror mount20such that the top surface22aof the button receiving portion22lies on a plane above the base portion48and below the top of the curved portion50aso that the force from supporting the weight of the mirror mount and mirror assembly (and any other forces that may be felt at the mirror mount and/or mirror button) may be dispersed within the support structure, increasing the stability of the dove tail joint. Additionally, the metallic support structure helps resist dimensional changes and breaking or cracking of the mirror mount which can be caused by excessive force and/or thermal cycling. Thus, the metallic support structure will increase the dimensional stability of the dove tail joint through environmental and thermal changes which will reduce the risk of looseness that could occur from plastic relaxation and thermal expansion. Furthermore, the metallic support structure reduces the risk of detachment of the mirror mount from the windshield button when exposed to excessive forces (such as during ECE pendulum impact testing).

Once the mirror mount20slidably engages the mirror button16(such as to a point where the front rounded edge16cof the mirror button aligns with or is stopped by the correspondingly rounded front edge22cof the button receiving portion22), the locking element or set screw44may be threaded into and through the mirror mount to retain the mirror mount at the mirror button and prevent the mirror mount from slidably detaching from the mirror button. As shown in the illustrated embodiment (such asFIGS. 11 and 12), the set screw44threadably engages the mirror mount and/or metallic support structure via the through hole20cestablished in an outer lower surface of the mirror mount20and the threaded hole54through the metallic support structure. The set screw44, when threaded into the threaded hole of the metallic support structure, may engage the mirror button16and provide a clamping force to press the mirror button into the side surfaces22bof the button receiving portion.

The through hole54of the support structure46is formed through a screw engaging protrusion56at the base portion48that aligns with the through hole20cestablished in the mirror mount. The support structure may be overmolded with the mirror mount in such a way that the internal surface of the support structure through hole and/or screw engaging protrusion is exposed to be threadably engaged with the set screw. Thus, the set screw may thread into the steel which is harder and more wear resistant than the glass filled POM material of the mirror mount. By reducing the stress in the threads, the steel support allows for increased set screw torque, which increases clamp load. That is, the steel support allows for higher torque to be applied to the fixing set screw, thereby increasing the clamp load between the mirror mount and the mirror button at the vehicle. This improves vibration performance and reduces the risk of noise caused by loose components, such as during buzz, squeak and rattle (BSR) testing. Additionally, threading into the steel allows for the majority of the clamp stress to be transferred through the steel support structure, further improving the structural integrity and stability of the connection between the mirror mount and mirror mounting button. Steel threads also allow for better durability during repeated installations as compared to threading the set screw into the plastic material of the mirror mount.

Although shown as a set screw, the locking mechanism may be any suitable element for engaging the mirror mount to retain the mirror mount at the mirror button. For example, the locking mechanism may be a clip or latch or biasing member at the button receiving portion that releasably engages the mirror button (such as to provide a quick release function of the mirror mount). Additionally, the steel support may have suitable elements to allow the base to detach from the windshield. For example, the support structure may comprise an outer surface or otherwise be an exterior component that provides an integrated locking mechanism (such as a biasing member), similar to elements discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 10,744,944, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Optionally, the mounting arm may comprise one or more anti-camout features so that, when the ball member of the mounting arm is received at the socket of the mirror mount, structure of the mounting arm and/or ball member may engage corresponding structure at the mirror mount and/or socket to preclude the mounting arm and ball member from pivoting beyond a point where the ball member may pull out of the socket. Thus, and as shown inFIGS. 13-25B, a vehicular interior rearview mirror assembly110may include a mirror head111(including a mirror reflective element114and mirror casing112where the mirror reflective element114may be adhesively attached at the mirror casing112via an adhesive element113) that mounts at an interior portion of a vehicle via a mounting assembly118. The mirror reflective element114comprises a prismatic mirror reflective element that is flipped between a daytime position and a nighttime position via a toggle element142that controls a toggle mechanism138that snap attaches at the mirror head111. The mounting assembly118includes a mounting base or mirror mount120that attaches at an interior portion of the vehicle, such as at an in-cabin surface of a windshield of the vehicle, and a mounting arm124. The mounting arm124includes a first ball member126that is pivotally received in a socket130of the mirror mount120and a second ball member128pivotally received at the mirror head111(such as at a socket140of the toggle mechanism138).

As shown inFIGS. 16-20, the mirror mount120includes a socket130defined by inner surfaces of flexible tabs130a. A recess131is formed at an upper inner surface of the socket130. The first ball member126of the mounting arm124includes an anti-camout tab127protruding from an upper portion of the ball member126so that, when the first ball member126is received in the socket130of the mirror mount120, the anti-camout tab127is received in the recess131. The anti-camout tab127and recess131are configured so that, when the mounting arm124and mirror head111are pivoted to a maximum pivot position (FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 20), the anti-camout tab127of the ball member126may engage a surface of the mirror mount120defining the recess131. In other words, the inner surface of the mirror mount120defining the recess131may define the maximum pivot positions of the mounting arm124and mirror head111.

Optionally, and such as shown inFIGS. 19B and 20, the mounting arm124may be configured to engage corresponding structure of the mirror mount120at a maximum pivot position that is less than the maximum pivot position defined by the anti-camout tab127and recess131. In other words, when the mirror head111and the mounting arm124are pivoted towards the maximum pivot position, the mounting arm124may engage a portion of the mirror mount120before the anti-camout tab127engages the inner surface of the recess131. For example, the mounting arm124may include an extension or shelf125at the end of the mounting arm124nearest the first ball member126and the shelf125may be configured to engage a lip121of the mirror mount120surrounding the socket130and raised relative to the outer edge of the socket130. The anti-camout tab127may then engage the inner surface of the recess131if the load applied at the lip121deforms or bends the lip121and the mounting arm124pivots further past the maximum pivot position.

That is, when load is applied to the mirror assembly and the mounting arm124reaches the end of travel (i.e., the maximum pivot position), stress is transferred to the supporting surface of the lip121of the mirror mount120. If the load applied increases beyond a certain threshold to cause enough elastic deformation, the anti-camout feature127on the ball member126makes contact with the mirror mount120within the recess131. At this point, the stress is distributed between the lip121and the recess131to optimize the load carrying capacity in each location such that material failure is avoided.

Optionally, the second ball member128of the mounting arm124that is received at a socket140of the mirror head111or toggle mechanism138may similarly include an anti-camout tab129protruding from an outer surface of the ball member128. The anti-camout tab129of the second ball member128may engage corresponding structure of the mirror head111to preclude pivotal movement of the ball member128beyond where the anti-camout tab129engages the structure at the socket140of the mirror head111.

As shown inFIGS. 21-25B, the mirror mount120includes a metallic support structure146within a body of the mirror mount120such that the metallic support structure may be overmolded by the unitary plastic element of the mirror mount120. The metallic support structure146provides rigid support to the button receiving portion122of the mirror mount (that receives the mirror button116adhesively attached at the windshield of the vehicle to mount the mirror mount120at the mirror button116). As shown inFIGS. 21-23, the metallic support structure includes a substantially flat base portion148and curved arms or rails50extending along opposite edges of the base portion148. The curved arms50are configured to extend along opposing angled side walls of the button receiving portion122to provide support to the dove tail interface between the mirror mount120and the mounting button116.

The metallic support structure146is also configured to receive a locking mechanism, such as a threaded set screw144, for retaining the mirror mount120at the mounting button116. The metallic support structure146includes a screw engaging protrusion156extending from the base portion148and including a threaded through hole that threadably receives the set screw144. The screw engaging protrusion156may be 43598732.1 exposed exterior the body of the mirror mount120for receiving the set screw116while the remaining portion of the metallic support structure146is contained within the body of the mirror mount120. Thus, the set screw116directly engages the metallic support structure146. Optionally, the set screw116may threadably engage the metallic support structure146and pass through the metallic support structure146to engage the mirror button116at the button receiving portion122of the mirror mount120. That is, the set screw144threads directly into the metallic support structure146, distributing stress caused by tightening the set screw into the metallic support structure146. Threading into the metallic support structure146improves thread life for serviceability.

When the locking mechanism144engages the metallic support structure146, the clamp load applied between the locking mechanism and mounting button116is dispersed through the metallic support structure146instead of the mirror mount120to limit or preclude stress and deformation of the plastic mirror mount120and more securely retain the mirror mount at the mounting button116. The metallic support structure includes structural supports or embossments158at an outer surface of the support structure146and spanning at least a portion of the base portion148and support rails150to preclude outward flexing of the support rails150. The embossments158wrap around the bend in the metal to improve stiffness of the metallic support structure146. The extra stiffness allows higher torque to be applied to the set screw144without damaging the mount120or mount support structure146and reducing the elastic deformation of the mounting interface.

Additionally, dimples or divots160may be formed at an inner surface of the metallic support structure146along the respective edges of the support rails150. The dimples160may allow for plastic to flow more easily around the metallic support structure146during the manufacturing process, allowing for a thinner layer of plastic between the metallic support structure146and the mirror button116. Furthermore, recesses or indentations162may be formed along the respective edges of the support rails150(such as between each of the dimples160) to provide a non-linear or wavy edge of the support rails150.

In other words, the edge of the metal support structure146is formed to improve clearance to the injection molding tool steel and allowing plastic to flow more easily. The features on the metallic support structure146are designed to reduce the thickness of 43598732.1 plastic between the windshield button116and the metallic support structure146. This reduces the loosening effects that can result from thermal expansion and contraction. Keeping the plastic thickness between the metallic support structure146and the windshield button116small also reduces the effects that dimensional creep could have on loosening and vibration performance. The features on the metallic support structure146are designed to provide multiple points of contact between the mirror mount120and the windshield button116, but also allow plastic to easily flow around the metallic support structure146during the injection molding process by only locally reducing the plastic thickness. Thus, the metallic support structure146provides improved stiffness and durability to the mounting interface between the mirror mount120and the mounting button116. The stiffness provided by the metallic support structure146reduces stress in the sharp corner of the dove tail mounting slot allowing higher screw torques to be applied without damaging the plastic mount. The added stiffness also allows more load to be applied to the mounted assembly without the mirror unintendedly detaching from the windshield during normal use.

The toggle mechanism may snap attach at the mirror casing and thus may enable quick and easy installation of the mounting assembly to the mirror casing. The toggle mechanism controls flipping of the prismatic mirror reflective element between the daytime position and the nighttime position via the toggle element and receives the mounting arm at the socket of the toggle mechanism. The socket receives the second ball member of the mounting arm in a similar manner as to how the socket receives the first ball member. However, it should be understood that the second ball member of the mounting arm may be received in any suitable manner at the mirror casing or the mounting arm may be fixed or otherwise attached at the mirror casing. For example, the mirror assembly may comprise or utilize aspects of other types of casings or the like, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,338,177; 7,289,037; 7,249,860; 6,439,755; 4,826,289 and/or 6,501,387, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. For example, the mirror assembly may utilize aspects of the flush or frameless or bezelless reflective elements described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,626,749; 7,360,932; 7,289,037; 7,255,451; 7,274,501 and/or 7,184,190, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The mirror casing may include a bezel portion that circumscribes a perimeter region of the front surface of the reflective element, or the perimeter region of the front surface of the reflective element may be exposed (such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror reflective elements described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,508,831 and/or 8,730,553, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2014-0022390; US-2014-0293169 and/or US-2015-0097955, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties).

The mirror assembly may comprise any suitable construction, such as, for example, a mirror assembly with the reflective element being nested in the mirror casing and with a bezel portion that circumscribes a perimeter region of the front surface of the reflective element, or with the mirror casing having a curved or beveled outermost exposed perimeter edge around the reflective element and with no overlap onto the front surface of the reflective element (such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,184,190; 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,289,037; 7,360,932; 7,626,749; 8,049,640; 8,277,059 and/or 8,529,108, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties) or such as a mirror assembly having a rear substrate of an electro-optic or electrochromic reflective element nested in the mirror casing, and with the front substrate having a curved or beveled outermost exposed perimeter edge, or such as a mirror assembly having a prismatic reflective element that is disposed at an outer perimeter edge of the mirror casing and with the prismatic substrate having a curved or beveled outermost exposed perimeter edge, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,827,913; 9,174,578; 8,508,831; 8,730,553; 9,598,016 and/or 9,346,403, and/or U.S. Des. Pat. Nos. D633,423; D633,019; D638,761 and/or D647,017, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties (and with electrochromic and prismatic mirrors of such construction are commercially available from the assignee of this application under the trade name INFINITY™ mirror).

As discussed above, the mirror assembly may comprise an electro-optic or electrochromic mirror assembly that includes an electro-optic or electrochromic reflective element. The perimeter edges of the reflective element may be encased or encompassed by the perimeter element or portion of the bezel portion to conceal and contain and envelop the perimeter edges of the substrates and the perimeter seal disposed therebetween. The electrochromic mirror element of the electrochromic mirror assembly may utilize the principles disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,274,501; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 7,184,190; 6,690,268; 5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002,544; 5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756; 5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012; 5,117,346; 5,724,187; 5,668,663; 5,910,854; 5,142,407 and/or 4,712,879, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The mirror reflective element may attach at a backplate within or comprising the mirror casing where the backplate may comprise any suitable construction. Optionally, for example, a common or universal backplate may be provided, whereby the appropriate or selected socket element or pivot element (such as a socket element or such as a ball element or the like) is attached to the backplate to provide the desired pivot joint for the particular mirror head in which the backplate is incorporated. Optionally, when molding the backplate, a different insert may be provided to integrally mold a portion of or all of a ball member or the like (such as a portion of a base of a ball member, whereby the ball member may comprise a metallic ball member that is insert molded at the base and at the rear of the backplate during the injection molding process that forms the backplate, such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,855,755; 7,249,860 and 6,329,925 and/or U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US-2006-0061008, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties).

The reflective element and mirror casing are adjustable relative to a base portion or mounting assembly to adjust the driver's rearward field of view when the mirror assembly is normally mounted at or in the vehicle. The sockets and ball members of the mounting structure may utilize aspects of the pivot mounting assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,318,870; 6,593,565; 6,690,268; 6,540,193; 4,936,533; 5,820,097; 5,100,095; 7,249,860; 6,877,709; 6,329,925; 7,289,037; 7,249,860 and/or 6,483,438, and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2018-0297526, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.