Rearview assembly

Inventor: David M. Bostrom (Zeeland, MI)

Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION

B60R1/088 B60R11/04 B60R2011/0064 B60R2011/008 B60R2300/8006

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12703302
App. No.: 18/461,568
Granted: Aug 11, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A rearview assembly is disclosed, which may comprise a housing, a transflective element, and a mount. The housing may form a cavity and an opening. The transflective element may be substantially disposed in the opening. The mount assembly may have a first and second ends. The first end may be configured to secure to a vehicle. The second end may be secured to support the housing and may comprise a bracket extending into the cavity. Additionally, at least one of an imager and a light source may be disposed within the cavity and secured to the bracket. The bracket may remain in a substantially fixed position when the mount assembly is secured to the vehicle and the housing is articulated.

Claims (36)

1 . A rearview assembly, comprising:

a housing forming a cavity and an opening;

a transflective element substantially at least one of disposed in, proximate to, and aligned with the opening;

a mount assembly having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to secure to a vehicle, the second end secured to and configured to support the housing, the second end comprising a bracket extending into the cavity; and

an imager and a light source disposed within the cavity and secured to the bracket;

wherein the bracket remains in a substantially fixed position when the mount assembly is secured to the vehicle and the housing is articulated.

2 . The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein the imager is secured to the bracket.

3 . The rearview assembly of claim 2 , wherein the light source is secured to the bracket.

4 . The rearview assembly of claim 2 , wherein the light source is not secured to the bracket.

5 . The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein the transflective element is a variably transmissive electro-optic element.

6 . The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the second end comprises a semi-spherical ball portion;

the housing further comprises a cup configured to receive and grip the ball portion, at least in part;

the ball portion is disposed, at least in part, within the cup; and

the housing may articulate relative the mount assembly at an interface between the ball portion and the cup.

7 . The rearview assembly of claim 6 , wherein the cup comprises a plurality of fingers substantially extending about, at least part of, the ball portion.

8 . The rearview assembly of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of fingers retain the ball portion within the cup.

9 . The rearview assembly of claim 6 , wherein the cup comprises a base portion having an aperture leading to the cavity.

10 . The rearview assembly of claim 9 , wherein the bracket extends into the cavity via the aperture.

11 . The rearview assembly of claim 9 , wherein the bracket is secured to the semi-spherical ball portion via an arm extending through the aperture.

12 . The rearview assembly of claim 11 , wherein a width of the aperture is substantially greater than a width of the arm.

13 . The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein the imager is disposed within the cavity and secured to the bracket.

14 . The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light source is disposed within the cavity and secured to the bracket.

15 . The rearview assembly of claim 14 , wherein the light source is configured to project structured light into a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

16 . A rearview assembly, comprising:

a housing forming a cavity and an opening;

a transflective element substantially at least one of disposed in, proximate to, and aligned with the opening;

at least one of an imager and a light source disposed within the cavity and secured to the bracket;

wherein the bracket remains in a substantially fixed position when the mount assembly is secured to the vehicle and the housing is articulated;

wherein the second end comprises a semi-spherical ball portion, the housing further comprises a cup configured to receive and grip the ball portion, at least in part, the ball portion is disposed, at least in part, within the cup, and the housing may articulate relative the mount assembly at an interface between the ball portion and the cup;

wherein the cup comprises a base portion having an aperture leading to the cavity; and

wherein the bracket extends into the cavity via the aperture.

17 . The rearview assembly of claim 16 , wherein the bracket is secured to the semi-spherical ball portion via an arm extending through the aperture.

18 . The rearview assembly of claim 17 , wherein a width of the aperture is substantially greater than a width of the arm.

19 . The rearview assembly of claim 16 , wherein the light source is configured to project structured light into a passenger compartment of the vehicle.