Hidden mirror tether
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing and a mounting bracket connected to the housing. A mounting member extends between a member first end configured to attach to an overhead structure of the vehicle and a connection end connected to the mounting bracket. A tether includes a first end connected to the mounting bracket. The tether extends at least partially through a hollow interior of the mounting member to a second end that is configured to attach to the overhead structure of the vehicle.
1 . A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a housing;
a mounting bracket connected to the housing;
a mounting member extending between a member first end configured to attach to an overhead structure of the vehicle and a connection end connected to the mounting bracket; and
a tether including a first end connected to the mounting bracket, the tether extending at least partially through a hollow interior of the mounting member to a second end that is configured to attach to the overhead structure of the vehicle, wherein the tether is configured to structurally anchor the housing to the overhead structure in an event where the housing becomes dislodged.
2 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rearview mirror assembly includes at least one electronic component located in the housing.
3 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 2 , wherein the at least one electronic component includes a power supply wiring routed with the tether at least partially through the hollow interior of the mounting member.
4 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 3 , wherein the at least one electronic component includes an electro-optic assembly.
5 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 4 , wherein the at least one electronic component further includes a camera and a light source.
6 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection end forms a joint with the mounting bracket permitting relative articulation between the mounting bracket and the mounting member.
7 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket defines a post extending from the mounting bracket to a chamfer, and the first end of the tether is looped around the post and retained by the chamfer.
8 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 7 , wherein a structural rib extends from the post.
9 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tether includes a cord formed of a woven material extending between the first end and the second end.
10 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first end or the second end defines a loop to facilitate connection.
11 . A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a housing;
at least one electronic component and at least one printed circuit board (“PCB”) in the housing that controls functionality of the at least one electronic component;
a mounting bracket connected to the housing;
a mounting member extending between a member first end configured to attach to an overhead structure of the vehicle and a connection end connected to the mounting bracket;
a tether including a cord having a first end connected to the mounting bracket, the cord extending at least partially through a hollow interior of the mounting member to a second end that is configured to attach to the overhead structure of the vehicle; and
a power supply wiring extending at least partially through a hollow interior of the mounting member and operably coupled to the at least one PCB.
12 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 11 , wherein the cord includes a length that provides an amount of slack less than an amount of slack than the power supply wiring.
13 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 12 , wherein the at least one electronic component includes at least one of an electro-optic assembly, a camera, or a light source.
14 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 12 , wherein the at least one electronic component includes a communication module for contacting emergency services.
15 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 11 , wherein the at least one PCB includes a first PCB and a second PCB, both operably coupled to the power supply wiring.
16 . A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a housing;
a mounting bracket connected to the housing and defining a post;
a mounting member extending between a member first end configured to attach to an overhead structure of the vehicle and a connection end connected to the mounting bracket; and
a tether including cord having a first end defining a loop extending around the post, the cord extending to a second end that is configured to attach to the overhead structure of the vehicle.
17 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 16 , wherein the post defines a chamfer that retains the loop around the post.
18 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 16 , wherein a collar is connected to the cord for adjusting a size of the loop.
19 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 16 , wherein the mounting bracket is connected to the housing with a plurality of mechanical fasteners.
20 . The rearview mirror assembly of claim 16 , further including an electro-optic assembly, a camera, and a light source.