Rearview assembly having an integral crush zone
A rearview assembly comprising a rearview element, a rearview element support assembly supporting the rearview element and a mount adjacent the housing. The mount is configured to connect the rearview assembly to a windshield. At least one of the rearview element support assembly and the mount comprises a crush bracket having at least two legs adapted to be compressed as a force strikes a front of the rearview element. The crush bracket can include at least one tab contacting a heat emitting component and/or an electrically conductive component of a circuit to provide a heat sink for the heat emitting component or a ground for the electrically conductive component, respectively.
1. A rearview assembly comprising:
a rearview element having a front surface and a rear surface;
a crush bracket connected to the rear surface of the rearview element, the crush bracket including a support panel directly connected to the rear surface of the rearview element and at least two legs extending from the support panel in a direction opposite to the rearview element; and
a mount interconnected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket;
the at least two legs being configured to collapse in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount as a striking force strikes the front surface of the rearview element.
2. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the rearview element comprises an electrochromic rearview element assembly including a front glass element and a rear glass element, with electrochromic material located between the front glass element and the rear glass element;
the front surface is on the front glass element; and
the rear surface is on the rear glass element.
3. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
double-sided adhesive foam tape directly connects the support panel of the crush bracket to the rear surface of the rearview element.
4. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein: the rearview element has a portion of a circuit provided directly on the rear surface.
5. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , further including:
a printed circuit board connected to the crush bracket.
6. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , further including:
an electrical circuit including a heat emitting component;
wherein the crush bracket includes a portion thereof contacting the heat emitting component to provide a heat sink for the heat emitting component.
7. The rearview assembly of claim 6 , wherein:
the portion of the crush bracket comprises resilient fingers resiliently pressed against the heat emitting component.
8. The rearview assembly of claim 6 , wherein:
the rearview element has at least a portion of the electrical circuit provided directly on the rear surface thereof; and
the at least a portion of the electrical circuit includes the heat emitting component.
9. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , further including:
an electrical circuit including an electrically conductive component;
wherein the crush bracket includes at least a portion thereof contacting the electrically conductive component to provide a ground for the electrically conductive component.
10. The rearview assembly of claim 9 , wherein:
the portion of the crush bracket comprises resilient fingers resiliently pressed against the electrically conductive component.
11. The rearview assembly of claim 9 , wherein:
the rearview element has at least a portion of the electrical circuit provided directly on the rear surface thereof; and
the at least a portion of the electrical circuit includes the electrically conductive component.
12. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the crush bracket compresses at least 1.0 mm without breaking the rearview element as the front surface of the rearview element is subjected to a force no greater than 400 N (90 pounds) in any direction that is not more than 45° from a forward longitudinal direction of motion of a vehicle having the rearview assembly connected thereto.
13. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , further including:
a housing having the rearview element therein;
wherein the rearview element does not contact the housing.
14. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , further including:
a connection plate connected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket and the mount.
15. The rearview assembly of claim 14 , wherein:
the mount includes a ball adapted to be received within the connection plate to interconnect the mount to the crush bracket.
16. The rearview assembly of claim 14 , further including:
a first pivot ball connected to the connection plate and a sleeve connected to the first pivot ball;
wherein the mount includes a second pivot ball connected to the sleeve to interconnect the mount to the crush bracket.
17. The rearview assembly of claim 14 , further including:
a housing having the rearview element, the crush bracket and the connection plate therein;
the housing being frictionally engaged between the mount and the connection plate.
18. The rearview assembly of claim 17 , wherein:
the housing does not abut the rearview element.
19. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least two legs include connection panels on ends thereof; and
the connection panels move towards the support panel as the at least two legs are collapsed in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount.
20. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein: the at least two legs are two legs.
21. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least two legs are each bowed outwardly.
22. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the support panel is spilt and includes two separate portions.
23. The rearview assembly of claim 1 , wherein:
the rearview element has a portion of a circuit provided directly on the rear surface thereof, the circuit including a glare sensor for measuring glare.
24. The rearview assembly of claim 23 , wherein:
the rearview element comprises an electrochromic rearview element assembly including a front glass element and a rear glass element, with electrochromic material located between the front glass element and the rear glass element;
the front surface is on the front glass element;
the rear surface is on the rear glass element.
25. The rearview assembly of claim 24 , wherein:
the electrochromic rearview element assembly darkens in response to the glare sensed by the glare sensor.
26. A rearview assembly comprising:
a rearview element having a front surface and a rear surface, the rearview element having a portion of a circuit provided directly on the rear surface;
a crush bracket connected to the rear surface of the rearview element, the crush bracket including at least two legs; and
a mount interconnected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket;
the at least two legs being configured to collapse in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount as a striking force strikes the front surface of the rearview element.
27. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , wherein:
the rearview element comprises an electrochromic rearview element assembly including a front glass element and a rear glass element, with electrochromic material located between the front glass element and the rear glass element;
the front surface is on the front glass element; and
the rear surface is on the rear glass element.
28. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , wherein:
double-sided adhesive foam tape directly connects the crush bracket to the rear surface of the rearview element.
29. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , wherein:
the circuit includes a heat emitting component; and
the crush bracket includes at least a portion thereof contacting the heat emitting component to provide a heat sink for the heat emitting component.
30. The rearview assembly of claim 29 , wherein:
the portion of the crush bracket comprises resilient fingers resiliently pressed against the heat emitting component.
31. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , further including:
the circuit includes an electrically conductive component; and
the crush bracket includes at least a portion thereof contacting the electrically conductive component to provide a ground for the electrically conductive component.
32. The rearview assembly of claim 31 , wherein:
the portion of the crush bracket comprises resilient fingers resiliently pressed against the electrically conductive component.
33. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , wherein:
the, crush bracket compresses at least 1.0 mm without breaking the rearview element as the front surface of the rearview element is subjected to a force no greater than 400 N (90 pounds) in any direction that is not more than 45° from a forward longitudinal direction of motion of a vehicle having the rearview assembly connected thereto.
34. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , further including:
a housing having the rearview element therein;
wherein the rearview element does not contact the housing.
35. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , further including:
a connection plate connected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket and the mount.
36. The rearview assembly of claim 35 , wherein:
the mount includes a ball adapted to be received within the connection plate to interconnect the mount to the crush bracket.
37. The rearview assembly of claim 35 , further including:
a first pivot ball connected to the connection plate and a sleeve connected to the first pivot ball;
wherein the mount includes a second pivot ball connected to the sleeve to interconnect the mount to the crush bracket.
38. The rearview assembly of claim 35 , further including:
a housing having the rearview element, the crush bracket and the connection plate therein;
the housing being frictionally engaged between the mount and the connection plate.
39. The rearview assembly of claim 38 , wherein:
the housing does not abut the rearview element.
40. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , wherein:
the at least two legs include connection panels on ends thereof; and
the connection panels move towards the rear surface of the rearview element as the at least two legs are collapsed in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount.
41. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , wherein:
the at least two legs are two legs.
42. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , wherein:
the at least two legs are each bowed outwardly.
43. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , wherein:
the crush bracket includes a support panel that is split and includes two separate portions.
44. The rearview assembly of claim 26 , wherein:
the circuit includes a glare sensor for measuring glare.
45. The rearview assembly of claim 44 , wherein:
the rearview element comprises an electrochromic rearview element assembly including
a front glass element and a rear glass element, with electrochromic material located between the front glass element and the rear glass element;
the front surface is on the front glass element;
the rear surface is on the rear glass element.
46. The rearview assembly of claim 45 , wherein:
the electrochromic rearview element assembly darkens in response to the glare sensed by the glare sensor.
47. A rearview assembly comprising:
a rearview element having a front surface and a rear surface;
a support plate supporting the rearview element;
a crush bracket connected to the support plate, the crush bracket including a support panel connected to the support plate and at least two legs extending from the support panel; and
a mount interconnected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket;
the at least two legs being configured to collapse in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount as a striking force strikes the front surface of the rearview element.
48. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , wherein:
the rearview element comprises an electrochromic rearview element assembly including a front glass element and a rear glass element, with electrochromic material located between the front glass element and the rear glass element;
the front surface is on the front glass element; and
the rear surface is on the rear glass element.
49. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , wherein:
double-sided adhesive foam tape directly connects the crush bracket to the support plate.
50. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , wherein:
the rearview element has a portion of a circuit provided directly on the rear surface.
51. The rearview assembly of clam 47 , further including:
a printed circuit board connected to the support plate.
52. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , further including:
an electrical circuit including a heat emitting component;
wherein the crush bracket includes at least a portion thereof contacting the heat emitting component to provide a heat sink for the heat emitting component.
53. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , further including:
an electrical circuit including an electrically conductive component;
wherein the crush bracket includes at least a portion thereof contacting the electrically conductive component to provide a ground for the electrically conductive component.
54. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , wherein:
the crush bracket compresses at least 1.0 mm without breaking the rearview element as the front surface of the rearview element is subjected to a force no greater than 400 N (90 pounds) in any direction that is not more than 45° from a forward longitudinal direction of motion of a vehicle having the rearview assembly connected thereto.
55. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , further including:
a connection plate connected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket and the mount.
56. The rearview assembly of claim 55 , wherein:
the mount includes a ball adapted to be received within the connection plate to interconnect the mount to the crush bracket.
57. The rearview assembly of claim 55 , further including:
a first pivot ball connected to the connection plate and a sleeve connected to the first pivot ball;
wherein the mount includes a second pivot ball connected to the sleeve to interconnect the mount to the crush bracket.
58. The rearview assembly of claim 55 , further including:
a housing having the rearview element the crush bracket and the connection plate therein;
the housing being frictionally engaged between the mount and the connection plate.
59. The rearview assembly of claim 58 , wherein:
the housing does not abut the rearview element.
60. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , wherein:
the at least two legs include connection panels on ends thereof; and
the connection panels move towards the support panel as the at least two legs are collapsed in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount.
61. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , wherein:
the at least two legs are two legs.
62. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , wherein;
the at least two legs are each bowed outwardly.
63. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , wherein:
the support panel is split and includes two separate portions.
64. The rearview assembly of claim 47 , further including:
a circuit board connected to the support plate, the circuit board having an opening therethrough;
wherein the crush bracket extends through the opening.
65. The rearview assembly of claim 64 , wherein:
the circuit board includes a glare sensor thereon for measuring glare.
66. The rearview assembly of claim 65 , wherein:
the rearview element comprises an electrochromic rearview element assembly including a front glass element and a rear glass element, with electrochromic material located between the front glass element and the rear glass element;
the front surface is on the front glass element;
the rear surface is on the rear glass element.
67. The rearview assembly of claim 66 , wherein:
the electrochromic rearview element assembly darkens in response to the glare sensed by the glare sensor.
68. A rearview assembly comprising:
a rearview element;
a housing having the rearview element therein;
an electrical circuit in the housing, the electrical circuit including a heat emitting component; and
a crush bracket interconnected to the rearview element, the crush bracket including at least a portion thereof contacting the heat emitting component to provide a heat sink for the heat emitting component;
wherein the crush bracket is connected to a rear surface of the rearview element and the crush bracket includes at least two legs; and
further including a mount interconnected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket;
wherein the at least two legs are configured to collapse in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount as a striking force strikes the front surface of the rearview element.
69. The rearview assembly of claim 68 , wherein:
the at least two legs include connection panels on ends thereof; and
the connection panels move towards the rear surface of the rearview element as the at least two legs are collapsed in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount.
70. A rearview assembly comprising:
a rearview element;
a rearview element housing having the rearview element therein;
an electrical circuit in the rearview element housing, the electrical circuit including an electrically conductive component; and
a crush bracket interconnected to the rearview element, the crush bracket including at least a portion thereof contacting the electrically conductive component to provide a ground for the electrically conductive component;
wherein the crush bracket is connected to a rear surface of the rearview element and the crush bracket includes at least two legs; and
further including a mount interconnected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket;
wherein the at least two legs are configured to collapse in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount as a striking force strikes the front surface of the rearview element.
71. The rearview assembly of claim 70 , wherein:
the at least two legs include connection panels on ends thereof; and
the connection panels move towards the rear surface of the rearview element as the at least two legs are collapsed in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount.
72. A rearview assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a rearview element having a reflective surface;
a rearview element housing having at least a portion of the rearview element therein; and
a mount for connecting the rearview element and the rearview element housing to a windshield of the vehicle;
wherein a portion of the rearview assembly non-elastically compresses at least 1.0 mm without breaking the rearview element as the reflective surface of the rearview element is subjected to a force no greater than 400 N (90 pounds) in any direction that is not more than 45° from a forward longitudinal direction of motion of the vehicle.
73. The rearview assembly of claim 72 , wherein:
the rearview element includes a front surface and a rear surface; and
the portion of the rearview assembly comprises a crush bracket connected to the rear surface of the rearview element, the crush bracket including a support panel directly connected to the rear surface of the rearview element and at least two legs extending from the support panel in a direction opposite the rearview element;
the mount is interconnected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket; and
the at least two legs are configured to collapse in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount as a striking force strikes the front surface of the rearview element.
74. The rearview assembly of claim 73 , wherein:
the at least two legs include connection panels on ends thereof; and
the connection panels move towards the support panel as the at least two legs are collapsed in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount.
75. The rearview assembly of claim 73 , wherein:
the at least two legs are two legs.
76. The rearview assembly of claim 73 , wherein:
the at least two legs are each bowed outwardly.
77. The rearview assembly of claim 73 , further including:
an electrical circuit in the rearview element housing, the electrical circuit including a heat emitting component;
wherein the crush bracket includes a portion thereof contacting the heat emitting component to provide a heat sink for the heat emitting component.
78. The rearview assembly of claim 77 , wherein:
the portion of the crush bracket comprises resilient fingers resiliently pressed against the heat emitting component.
79. The rearview assembly of claim 77 , wherein:
the rearview element has at least a portion of the electrical circuit provided directly on the rear surface thereof; and
the at least a portion of the electrical circuit includes the heat emitting component.
80. The rearview assembly of claim 73 , further including: an electrical circuit in the rearview element housing, the electrical circuit including an electrically conductive component;
wherein the crush bracket includes at least a portion thereof contacting the electrically conductive component to provide a ground for the electrically conductive component.
81. The rearview assembly of claim 80 , wherein:
the portion of the crush bracket comprises resilient fingers resiliently pressed against the electrically conductive component.
82. The rearview assembly of claim 80 , wherein:
the rearview element has at least a portion of the electrical circuit provided directly on the rear surface thereof; and
the at least a portion of the electrical circuit includes the electrically conductive component.
83. The rearview assembly of claim 73 , further including:
a connection plate connected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket and the mount.
84. The rearview assembly of claim 83 , wherein:
the mount includes a ball adapted to be received within the connection plate to thereby interconnect the mount to the crush bracket.
85. The rearview assembly of claim 83 , further including:
a first pivot ball connected to the connection plate and a sleeve connected to the first pivot ball;
wherein the mount includes a second pivot ball connected to the sleeve to interconnect the mount to the crush bracket.
86. The rearview assembly of claim 83 , wherein:
the rearview element housing has the rearview element, the crush bracket and the connection plate therein; and
the rearview element housing is frictionally engaged between the mount and the connection plate.
87. The rearview assembly of claim 86 , wherein:
the rearview element housing does not abut the rearview element.
88. The rearview assembly of claim 72 , wherein:
the rearview element has a from surface and a rear surface;
a support plate supports the rearview element;
the portion of the rearview assembly comprises a crush bracket connected to the support plate, the crush bracket including a support panel connected to the support plate and at least two legs extending from the support panel;
the mount is interconnected to the at least two legs of the crush bracket; and
the at least two legs are configured to collapse in a direction between the rear surface of the rearview element and the mount as a striking force strikes the front surface of the rearview element.
89. The rearview assembly of claim 72 , wherein:
the rearview element comprises an electrochromic rearview assembly including a front glass element and a rear glass element, with electrochromic material located between the front glass element and the rear glass element.
90. The rearview assembly of claim 72 , wherein:
the portion of the rearview assembly comprises a crush bracket interconnected to the rearview element; and
double-sided adhesive foam tape directly connects to the crush bracket to a rear surface of the rearview element.
91. The rearview assembly of claim 72 , wherein:
the rearview element has a portion of a circuit provided directly on a rear surface thereof.
92. The rearview assembly of claim 72 , wherein: the rearview element does not contact the rearview element housing.