Patent Publication Number: US-2022227294-A1

Title: Vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly with locking feature

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/199,698, filed Jan. 19, 2021, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of exterior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles and, more particularly, to extendable and retractable exterior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known to provide an automotive exterior rearview mirror assembly that may be extended and retracted, such as for trailer towing applications, where the mirror assembly may be extended to provide enhanced rearward viewing to the driver of the trailer pulling vehicle. Examples of extendable and retractable mirror assemblies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,483,385; 6,116,743; 6,213,609; 6,239,928; 6,276,808; 6,325,518; 6,394,616 and/or 6,497,491, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An exterior rearview mirror assembly (configured for mounting at a side of an equipped vehicle) includes an extending/retracting mechanism and actuator that is operable to move the mirror head between a retracted position and an extended position. The actuator may comprise a motor that is disposed at a mounting structure for mounting the mirror head at the side of the vehicle. The motor, when actuated, pivots a link that is connected between a portion of the mirror head and the actuator, whereby pivotal movement of the link moves the portion of the mirror head, which, in turn, causes pivotal movement of another link, which is connected between another portion of the mirror head and the mounting structure. The pivoting of the one or more links swings the mirror head relative to the mounting structure while also optionally pivoting or angling or canting the mirror head relative to the mounting structure and the side of the vehicle. For example, when the actuator moves the mirror head from its retracted state to its extended state, the mirror head may move outboard and may angle rearward and towards the side of the vehicle so that the reflective element is angled or canted towards the vehicle to provide enhanced viewing by the driver of the vehicle when in its extended state. The mirror assembly includes a mechanical locking mechanism to retain the mirror head in the extended position and in the retracted position. 
     For example, the mirror assembly includes an adjustment mechanism operable to adjust the mirror head relative to the mounting arm between the retracted position and the extended position. The adjustment mechanism includes a lock driving link that has a link-engaging portion that engages a portion of the link. The link-engaging portion includes a receiver that receives the portion of the link therein and that has a biasing element at each end of the receiver and at opposite sides of and engaging the received portion of the link. When the lock driving link is pivoted, the receiver moves to move the portion of the link and to pivot the link and swing the mirror head along an arcuate path between the retracted position and the extended position. When the mirror head is pivoted to the retracted position or the extended position and is at the retracted position or the extended position, further pivoting of the lock driving link moves the receiver and does not move the portion of the link. The further pivoting of the lock driving link causes the lock driving link to engage a locking arm at the mounting arm to move the locking arm into engagement with a locking tab at the mirror head to secure the mirror head in the retracted position or the extended position. 
     These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exterior rearview mirror assembly, shown in its retracted state; 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of  FIG. 1 , shown in its extended state; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an adjustment mechanism that moves and locks the mirror head relative to the mounting arm; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are plan views of a lock driving link that pivots to impart pivoting of one of the linkages that mounts the mirror head at the mounting arm; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a locking arm that functions to lock the mirror head at the extended position or the retracted position; 
         FIGS. 9-11  are views similar to the views of  FIGS. 5, 6 and 8 , respectively, showing the mirror head pivoted to the retracted position; 
         FIGS. 12-14  are views similar to the views of  FIGS. 5, 6 and 8 , respectively, showing the lock driving link being further pivoted to engage the locking arm to secure or retain the mirror head in the retracted position; 
         FIGS. 15-17  are views showing pivoting of the mirror head to the extended position; and 
         FIGS. 18-20  are views showing the further pivoting of the lock driving link to engage the other locking arm to secure or retain the mirror head in the extended position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, an exterior rearview mirror assembly  10  for a vehicle includes a mirror head  12  having a mirror reflective element and a mirror shell or casing  16 , with the mirror head  12  being adjustably mounted at a mounting structure or arm  18  and adjustable via an adjustment mechanism or device  20  that adjusts the mirror head  12  between a retracted state ( FIG. 1 ) and an extended state ( FIG. 2 ). The adjustment mechanism  20  includes a rotary actuator that is operable to pivot an inner or inboard or pivot link  22  that is connected between an inboard portion or inboard mounting post or stanchion or pin of the mirror head  12  and the actuator, which swings the inboard portion of the mirror head  12 , which causes an outer or outboard or second pivot link  24  (pivotally connected at one end to the adjustment mechanism  20  or mounting arm  18  and at the other end to an outboard mounting post or stanchion or pin of the mirror head  12 ) to swing or pivot an outboard portion (outboard of the inboard portion) of the mirror head  12 , whereby the mirror head  12  is swung or swept or arcuately moved between the extended and retracted states, as discussed below. The lengths and mounting locations of the links  22 ,  24  may be selected such that, as the mirror head  12  is swung outwards to its extended position, the mirror head  12  (and reflective element) pivot so as to be pivoted or canted rearward and inward so that the mirror reflective element is angled or canted towards the driver to provide an enhanced viewing angle to the driver, as also discussed below. The mirror assembly  10  may utilize aspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,796,334, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting structure  18  comprises an elongated arm that is pivotally mounted at a base portion  26 , which is configured to attach at a side of a vehicle. The base portion  26  of the mirror assembly  10  is mounted at the side of a host or subject vehicle, with the reflective element providing a rearward field of view along the respective side of the vehicle to the driver of the vehicle. 
     The mirror assembly  10  may comprise a powerfold mirror assembly that includes an actuator that is operable to pivot the mounting structure or arm  18  and the mirror head  12  relative to the base portion  26 . The actuator may operate in response to a user input to pivot the mounting arm  18  and mirror head  12  between a use position (as shown), where the mirror head  12  and mounting arm  18  are extended from the side of the vehicle so as to provide the field of view rearward and sideward of the vehicle to the driver, and a folded position, where the arm  18  and mirror head  12  may be pivoted inward so as to be disposed generally along the side of the vehicle. Although shown as pivotally mounting at the base portion  26 , such as for a powerfold mirror application (where the mounting structure or arm  18  and the mirror head  12  may be pivoted relative to the base portion  26  via an actuator assembly or adjustment device) or breakaway mirror application, the mounting arm or structure may be fixedly mounted at a base portion or at the side of the vehicle. 
     The mounting arm or structure  18  supports or houses the adjustment mechanism  20 , and is formed so that the mirror casing  16  of the mirror head  12  engages or nests at the outer portion of the mounting structure  18  when in its retracted position, and extends from the outer portion of the mounting structure  18  when in its extended position, such as can be seen with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . The rear of the mirror casing  16  may include a channel or contour that at least partially receives a portion of the mounting arm  18 . 
     The four-link extendable trailer tow mirror mechanism relies on the cinching action of the detent system on the pivot link to retain the mirror head at the selected position (extended or retracted). Vibration input and wind load can force the mirror head off of the contact pads between the head bracket and the arm, reducing glass stability. The cinching force is limited by the detent force allowed by the manual extend/retract effort (so that a user can manually adjust mirror without too much effort). The cinching force is further limited by the friction in the bushings of the four-link mechanism. In other words, when the mirror head  12  is moved between the extended and retracted positions via the adjustment mechanism  20 , the mirror head may be maintained in the extended and retracted positions via the cinching action of the detent system of the actuator and the force provided by the cinching action is limited, for example, so that the cinching force may be overcome to manually move the mirror head  12  between the extended and retracted positions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the adjustment mechanism  20  is received in the mounting arm  18  and attached thereto, such as via a mounting bracket or brace that may be attached to the mounting arm  18  via one or more fasteners to retain the adjustment mechanism  20  and its actuator at the mounting arm or structure  18 . The inboard link or pivot or driving link  22  is pivotally mounted at one end to a pivot shaft  28  of the base or arm  18  and at the other end to a bracket  30  of the mirror head  12 , while the outboard link or follower link  24  is pivotally mounted at one end to a pivot shaft  29  of the base or arm  18  and at the other end to the bracket  30  of the mirror head  12 . The pivot link  22  may be driven by an electrically-powered actuator in a power extend application, and may be held in position by a spring loaded detent feature in a manual extend application. 
     The adjustment mechanism  20  includes a locking mechanism  21  between the mounting arm  18  and the mirror head bracket  30  to prevent the head bracket  30  from coming off the contact pads on the arm  18  under wind load or vibration input. The locking mechanism  21  may include a locking arm, lever, cam or hook that may be activated after the mirror head bracket  30  makes contact with the arm  18 , and locking may require a separate action that is additional to or separate from the movement of the head bracket  30  relative to the mounting arm  18  when moving the mirror head  12  between the retracted and extended positions, as discussed below. The pivot linkage  22  (previously driven directly by an actuator or held in place by a spring loaded detent feature) is driven by a lock driving link  32 , which is driven directly by an actuator or held in place by a spring loaded detent feature. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the link  22  is pivoted relative to the shaft  28  via pivotal movement of the lock driving link  32 , which may be rotatably driven via an actuator shaft or which may be rotated via movement of a tab  32   a  of the lock driving link  32 . The tab  32   a  may extend downward and may be accessible at a lower region of the mirror head  12  and/or mounting arm  18  and may move along an arcuate slot at the lower region (such as at the lower region of the mirror casing  16  of the mirror head  12 ), whereby movement of the tab  32   a  along the arcuate slot results in pivotal movement of the lock driving link  32 . The lock driving link  32  includes a receiving portion or receiver or an arcuate link-engaging portion  34 , which has an arcuate slot that receives a pin or portion  22   a  of the link  22 . The link-engaging portion  34  includes a pair of biasing elements  34   a ,  34   b  (e.g., coil springs or other suitable compressible and extendable biasing elements) that engage a respective end portion of the link-engaging portion  34  and that engage a respective side of the pin or portion  22   a  of the link  22 . For example, and as shown in  FIG. 6 , the pin  22   a  of the link  22  is received within the arcuate slot of the link-engaging portion  34 . A first biasing element  34   a  engages a first side or portion of the pin  22   a  at a first side and engages a first edge or side or portion of the slot at a second side. A second biasing element  34   b  engages a second side of the pin  22   a  opposite the first side of the pin and engages a second edge of the slot. Thus, the pin  22   a  is sandwiched between the biasing elements  34   a ,  34   b  within the arcuate slot of the link-engaging portion  34 . The pin  22   a  may have respective engaging portions or flattened surfaces on opposite sides of the pin  22   a  for engaging the biasing elements  34   a ,  34   b , and the respective engaging portions may comprise, for example, substantially flat portions or any suitable engaging feature for receiving the biasing elements  34   a ,  34   b . Thus, when the lock driving link  32  is pivoted, one of the biasing elements  34   a ,  34   b  is urged against the pin  22   a  to impart pivotal movement of the link  22  to swing the mirror head  12  relative to the mounting arm  18 . 
     When the mirror head  12  is pivoted or swung toward the extended or retracted position, the mirror head bracket  30  engages the mounting arm  18  to limit movement of the mirror head  12  relative to the mounting arm  18  at the extended position or the retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment, the mirror head bracket  30  includes a plurality of tabs or protrusions or pads  30   a  that engage corresponding tabs or protrusions or pads  18   a  of the mounting arm. 
     The mirror head bracket  30  also includes a locking tab  36  that is engaged by a respective locking arm or hook  38 ,  40  pivotally mounted at the base  18  to maintain the mirror head  12  in the extended or retracted position. The respective locking arms or hooks may correspond to a first arm or hook  38  and a second arm or hook  40  spaced from the first arm  38  so as to engage the locking tab  36  and maintain the mirror head in different positions relative to the mounting arm  18 . For example, engagement of the locking tab  36  and the first arm or hook  38  may maintain the mirror head  12  in the retracted position and engagement of the locking tab  36  and the second arm or hook  40  may maintain the mirror head  12  in the extended position. The locking arm  38 ,  40  is pivoted into engagement with the locking tab  36  when the mirror head  12  is at the extended position or retracted position, and when the lock driving link  32  is further pivoted so that a portion of the locking mechanism engages a tab  38   a ,  40   a  of the respective locking arm  38 ,  40 . When the lock driving link  32  engages the tab  38   a ,  40   a , the locking arm  38 ,  40  pivots to move a locking end  38   b ,  40   b  of the locking arm  38 ,  40  into engagement with the locking tab  36  of the mirror head bracket  30  so as to retain the mirror head bracket and the mirror head at the extended position or retracted position. For example, the link-engaging portion  34  of the lock driving link  32  may include respective tabs or protrusions or portions on opposing ends of the link-engaging portion  34  for engaging the respective tabs  38   a ,  40   a  when the lock driving link  32  is further pivoted to lock or secure the mirror head  12  in the extended or retracted position. 
     During operation, the lock driving link  32  (which may be rotated via an electrically operated actuator) pushes the driving linkage  22  into position via one of the springs  34   a ,  34   b  and the respective end of the arcuate link-engaging portion  34 . The spring is disposed between the lock driving link  32  and the portion  22   a  of the driving linkage  22 , and may be positioned on a protrusion at the respective end of the arcuate link-engaging portion  34 . When the head bracket  30  makes contact with the arm  18 , the lock driving link  32  must travel further to engage the locking hook  38 , and can do so via compression of one of the springs  34   a ,  34   b  as the lock driving link  32  is further pivoted after the mirror head bracket  30  engages the arm  18  (with such further pivoting moving the link-engaging portion  34  and not moving the portion  22   a  of the linkage  22 ). The set of locking hooks  38  are attached to the arm  18  and pivot upwards to engage the locking tab  36  or feature on the head bracket  30  when they are activated by the lock driving link  32 . 
     Thus, and such as can be seen with reference to  FIGS. 9-14 , when the mirror head  12  is moved toward the retracted position by pivoting or rotating the lock driving link  32  to move the pin  22   a  of the pivot link  22  and thus to pivot the pivot link  22  (and mirror head), the pin  22   a  is generally centered in the arcuate slot of the link-engaging portion  34  of the lock driving link  32  via the spring forces acting on both sides of the pin  22   a . The mirror head  12  is pivoted or moved until the pads  30   a  of the mirror head bracket  30  engage the pads  18   a  of the arm  18  (see  FIG. 9 ) to stop further movement of the mirror head  12  relative to the arm  18 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , at this point, the locking arm  38  is not engaged with the tab  36  of the mirror head bracket  30  and the link-engaging portion  34  is spaced from the tab  38   a  of the locking arm  38 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , after the mirror head bracket  30  engages the arm  18  and does not move further, the lock driving link  32  continues to travel, whereby the biasing element  34   a  compresses to allow for further movement of the lock driving link  32  while the mirror head bracket  30  and the pivot link  22  and pin  22   a  remain in position relative to the arm  18 . The further movement of the lock driving link  32  causes the end of the link-engaging portion  34  of the lock driving link  32  to engage the tab  38   a  of the locking arm  38 , which causes the locking arm  38  to pivot upward so that the locking end  38   b  of the locking arm  38  engages the tab  36  of the mirror head bracket  30 , thereby retaining the mirror head bracket  30 , and the mirror head  12 , in the retracted position. 
     When it is desired to extend the mirror head  12  from the retracted position, the lock driving link  32  is pivoted in the opposite direction, which disengages the end of the link-engaging portion  34  of the lock driving link  32  from the tab  38   a  of the locking arm  38 , thereby allowing the locking arm  38  to pivot downward and to disengage the locking end  38   b  from the tab  36  of the mirror head bracket  30 . The lock driving link  32  may be rotated in the opposite direction via operation of the actuator, or the lock driving link  32  may be rotated in the opposite direction via manual movement of the tab  32   a , which may be moved enough to disengage the link-engaging portion  34  from the locking arm  38  to allow the locking arm  38  to pivot downward. Optionally, the locking arm  38  may be biased toward the disengaged or downward position, such as via a biasing element or torsional spring or the like. Biasing the locking arm  38  toward the disengaged position may ensure that the mirror head  12  is not stuck in the locked position when the link-engaging portion  34  disengages the tab  38   a  of the locking arm  38 . After the locking end  38   b  of the locking arm  38  disengages the tab  36  of the mirror head bracket  30 , the mirror head bracket  30  and the mirror head  12  may then be freely swung toward the extended position. 
     As the mirror head  12  is extended by pivoting or rotating the lock driving link  32  to move the pin  22   a  of the pivot link  22  and thus to pivot the pivot link  22  (and mirror head  12 ), the pin  22   a  is again generally centered in the arcuate slot of the link-engaging portion  34  of the lock driving link  32  via the spring forces acting on both sides of the pin  22   a . The mirror head  12  is pivoted or moved until the pads  30   a  of the mirror head bracket  30  engage the pads  18   a  of the arm  18  (see  FIG. 15 ) to stop further movement of the mirror head  12  relative to the arm  18 . As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , at this point, the locking arm  40  is aligned with but not engaged with the tab  36  of the mirror head bracket  30 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , after the mirror head bracket  30  engages the arm  18  and does not move further, the lock driving link  32  continues to travel, whereby the biasing element  34   b  compresses to allow for further movement of the lock driving link  32  while the mirror head bracket  30  and the pivot link  22  and pin  22   a  remain in position relative to the arm  18 . The further movement of the lock driving link  32  causes the end of the link-engaging portion  34  of the lock driving link  32  to engage the tab  40   a  of the locking arm  40 , which causes the locking arm  40  to pivot upward so that the locking end  40   b  of the locking arm  40  engages the tab  36  of the mirror head bracket  30 , thereby retaining the mirror head bracket  30 , and the mirror head  12 , in the extended position. 
     Thus, the drive mechanism locks the mirror head bracket relative to the mounting arm to reduce head looseness in the retracted position and in the extended position. The manual extend/retract effort can be significantly reduced, since the locking arms are disengaged when it is desired to change the position of the mirror head. The locking links can be disengaged in order to manually extend/retract the mirror head by actuating or moving the lock driving link in the opposite direction. 
     Thus, the extension/retraction mechanism or device is operable to extend or retract or move the mirror head between its retracted and extended positions or states, and the locking mechanism provides mechanical securement and retention of the mirror head in each position. Optionally, the mechanism may allow bypassing the locking link by lifting the head bracket up out of locking position (spring loaded down by default) so that manually activating the lock driving link by hand would not be necessary for the manual extend/retract function. 
     The “4-link” lock mechanism provides improved vibration performance of the 4-link power extend trailer tow mirror. The mechanism achieves this by locking the mirror head to the arm bracket once the mirror head is cinched to the arm bracket by the power extend actuator or manual detent system. The mechanism locks the mirror head to the arm bracket with a set of pivoting hooks, which are activated by a linkage that is driven by the power extend actuator (or is driven manually in the case of a manual extending mirror). The linkage that activates the hooks can be combined with the linkage that extends and retracts the mirror head. To activate the hooks, the linkage (if combined) must travel past the position where the mirror head is cinched to the arm bracket. This can be accomplished by adding a set of springs to the linkage, which allows the linkage to travel to the point at which it can cinch the mirror head to the arm, then continue to travel to the point at which it activates the locking hooks. 
     The mirror assembly may comprise any suitable mirror assembly or structure or housing. Optionally, the mirror assembly may utilize aspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Publication No. US-2015-0224930, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror assembly may include a spotter mirror element to provide a wide angle rearward field of view to the driver of the vehicle equipped with the mirror assembly. The spotter mirror element may utilize aspects of the mirrors described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,917,437; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 6,717,712; 7,126,456; 6,315,419; 7,097,312; 6,522,451; 6,315,419; 5,080,492; 5,050,977; 5,033,835; 8,736,940; 8,021,005; 7,934,844; 7,887,204; 7,824,045 and/or 7,748,856, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror assembly may include a turn signal indicator or the like for indicating to drivers of other vehicles that the driver of the equipped vehicle has actuated a turn signal of the vehicle. The turn signal indicator of the exterior rearview mirror assembly may utilize aspects of the mirror systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,198,409; 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, and/or International Publication Nos. WO 2007/005942 and/or WO 2008/051910, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The signal indicator or indication module may include or utilize aspects of various light modules or systems or devices, such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,764,256; 7,581,859; 6,227,689; 6,582,109; 5,371,659; 5,497,306; 5,669,699; 5,823,654; 6,176,602 and/or 6,276,821, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2013-0242586 and/or US-2015-0224919, and/or International Publication Nos. WO 2006/124682 and/or WO 2015/148611, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     Such an indicator or indicators may function as a lane change assist (LCA) indicator or indicators and/or a blind spot indicator or indicators. Such blind spot indicators are typically activated when an object is detected (via an object detection or side object or blind spot detection system or the like such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,760,962; 6,097,023; 5,796,094; 5,715,093; 7,526,103; 6,250,148; 6,341,523; 6,353,392; 6,313,454; 5,670,935; 6,201,642; 6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,717,610; 6,757,109; 7,005,974; 7,038,577; 6,882,287; 6,198,409; 5,929,786; 5,786,772; 7,038,577; 6,882,287; 6,198,409; 5,929,786; 5,786,772; 7,881,496 and/or 7,720,580, and/or International Publication Nos. WO 2007/005942 and/or WO 2004/047421, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties) at the side and/or rear of the vehicle (at the blind spot) and when the turn signal is also activated, so as to provide an alert to the driver of the host vehicle that there is an object or vehicle in the lane next to the host vehicle at a time when the driver of the host vehicle intends to move over into the adjacent lane. 
     Optionally, the exterior mirror element of the mirror assembly may include heater pad or film or element at a rear surface of the mirror reflective element. The heater pad or element at the rear surface of the glass substrate may comprise a mirror defrost/demisting heater and may provide an anti-fogging of de-fogging feature to the exterior mirror assembly, and may utilize aspects of the heater elements or pads described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,058,977; 7,400,435; 5,808,777; 5,610,756 and/or 5,446,576, and/or U.S. Pat. Publication Nos. US-2008-0011733 and/or US-2011-0286096, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     The reflective elements of 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 U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,503,061; 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. 
     Optionally, it is envisioned that aspects of the mirror assemblies may be suitable for a rearview mirror assembly that comprises a non-electro-optic mirror assembly (such as a generally planar or optionally slightly curved mirror substrate) or an electro-optic or electrochromic mirror assembly. Optionally, the rearview mirror assembly may comprise a mirror assembly of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,420,756; 7,289,037; 7,274,501; 7,338,177; 7,255,451; 7,249,860; 6,318,870; 6,598,980; 5,327,288; 4,948,242; 4,826,289; 4,436,371 and/or 4,435,042, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. A variety of mirror accessories and constructions are known in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,555,136; 5,582,383; 5,680,263; 5,984,482; 6,227,675; 6,229,319 and/or 6,315,421 (which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties), and can benefit from aspects of the mirror assemblies described herein. 
     Optionally, the reflective element of the mirror assembly may include an opaque or substantially opaque or hiding perimeter layer or coating or band disposed around a perimeter edge region of the front substrate (such as at a perimeter region of the rear or second surface of the front substrate) to conceal or hide or the perimeter seal from viewing by the driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle. Such a hiding layer or perimeter band may be reflective or not reflective and may utilize aspects of the perimeter bands and mirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,066,112; 7,626,749; 7,274,501; 7,184,190; 7,255,451; 8,508,831 and/or 8,730,553, and/or U.S. Pat. Pub. No. US-2006-0061008, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror assembly may include an imaging sensor (such as a sideward and/or rearward facing imaging sensor or camera that has a sideward/rearward field of view at the side of the vehicle at which the exterior mirror assembly is mounted) that may be part of or may provide an image output for a vehicle vision system, such as a lane departure warning system or object detection system or blind zone alert system or surround view vision system other vehicle vision system or the like, and may utilize aspects of various imaging sensors or imaging array sensors or cameras or the like, such as a CMOS imaging array sensor, a CCD sensor or other sensors or the like, such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,786,704; 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,760,962; 6,498,620; 6,396,397; 6,222,447; 6,201,642; 6,097,023; 5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,715,093; 6,922,292; 6,757,109; 6,717,610; 6,590,719; 6,320,176; 6,559,435; 6,831,261; 6,806,452; 6,822,563; 6,946,978; 7,038,577; 7,004,606 and/or 7,720,580, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Optionally, for example, the vehicle vision system (utilizing a forward facing camera and a rearward facing camera and other cameras disposed at the vehicle with exterior fields of view) may be part of or may provide a display of a top-down view or birds-eye view system of the vehicle or a surround view at the vehicle, such as by utilizing aspects of the vision systems described U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,099,614; 10,071,687; 9,900,522; 9,834,153; 9,762,880; 9,596,387; 9,380,219; 9,376,066; 9,233,641; 9,126,525 and/or 9,041,806, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2015-0022664 and/or US-2014-0092252, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments may be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law.