Contact Rocker Electrical Connection for Dimmable Rear View Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical contacting methods for liquid crystal arrangements in rear-view mirrors require significant installation space and are costly due to complex configurations and extensive connections, making them inefficient for compact and cost-effective implementation.
Innovation Solution
A direct electrical contact system using contact rockers that bridge the distance between a conductor track carrier and a liquid crystal arrangement, with recessed contact areas allowing for minimal space usage and simplified assembly, enabling easy and reliable connection for controlling light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex electrical contacting methods are used for liquid crystal arrangements, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but installation space requirement increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the contact rocker element: it serves as both the electrical contact means and the positioning element that bridges the gap between conductor track carrier and liquid crystal arrangement. This merging eliminates the need for separate connection components and complex assembly mechanisms, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact rocker acts as an intermediary element that mediates the electrical connection between the conductor track carrier and the liquid crystal arrangement. It bridges the physical and electrical gap between these components, providing reliable contact through its resilient design that allows for self-adjustment and stable connection without requiring extensive installation space.
2Reliability
If complex electrical contacting methods are used for liquid crystal arrangements, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact rocker integrates multiple functions (electrical contact, positioning, and connection) into a single component, reducing the total number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled. This simplification lowers production costs while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the combined functionality of the rocker element.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient design of the contact rocker allows for parameter changes in terms of flexibility and adaptability, enabling the component to self-adjust to manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations. This parameter flexibility ensures reliable electrical connection without requiring precision manufacturing at high cost.
3Area of stationary object
If contact rockers are used to bridge distance between conductor track carrier and liquid crystal arrangement, then installation space is reduced, but electrical contact complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact rocker merges the functions of gap bridging and electrical contact into a single simple component. Its resilient design inherently provides the necessary electrical connection without requiring additional complex structures, thereby reducing installation space while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact rocker is designed to self-adjust and self-position through its resilient properties, automatically establishing reliable electrical contact as it bridges the gap between components. This self-service capability eliminates the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or additional alignment features, keeping the overall structure simple despite the space-saving design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces installation space requirements and production costs while ensuring reliable and efficient electrical contacting, facilitating the use of liquid crystal arrangements for electrically dimmable rear-view mirrors with improved assembly and manufacturing simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
LC glasses are based on a liquid crystal arrangement consisting of a liquid, optical medium placed as a thin film between two transparent, electrically conductive substrates, the transparency of which can be changed by applying an electrical voltage to the medium
Implementation Method 2
it is known to provide the mirror glass with an electrochromic coating that is arranged in the beam path of the light to the reflecting surface of the mirror glass and from this back again, the light transmission of which at least in the area of the that part of the spectrum of electromagnetic waves that is visible to the human eye, referred to briefly as visible light, is electrically controllable by changing a voltage applied to the electrochromic coating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically dimmable rearview mirror glass (08) having a reflective surface (07) and a liquid crystal assembly (03) having electrically controllable light transmission, an electrical contacting (01) of a corresponding liquid crystal assembly (03) and of a conductor path carrier (02), and a rearview mirror for a vehicle provided with a rearview mirror glass (08) of this type and a corresponding electrical contacting (01). The electrical contacting (01) provides that the liquid crystal assembly (03) comprises a liquid crystal film (30) which is arranged between two electrically conductive layers (31, 32) and which can be electrically controlled in terms of its light transmission in accordance with a variable voltage applied at the two electrically conductive layers (31, 32), wherein an electrically insulating seal (34) between the two electrically conductive layers (31, 32) is arranged in a peripheral edge region (33) of the liquid crystal assembly (03). The conductor path carrier (02) comprises at least one first conductor path and at least one second conductor path, which function to supply the variable voltage. Each of the first and second conductor paths is connected to at least one contact arm (20) at a distance from the conductor path carrier (02). The conductor path carrier (02) is arranged on one side of the liquid crystal assembly (03). The contact arms (20) extend from the conductor path carrier (02) to the liquid crystal assembly (03). On the side of the liquid crystal assembly (03) facing the conductor path carrier (02), at least one first contact region (311) is formed that is electrically connected to a first layer (31) of the two electrically conductive layers (31, 32). Via the first contact region (311), the first layer (31) is electrically contactable for a contact arm (20) connected to a first conductor path of the conductor path carrier (02) for the establishment of an electrical connection required for transmitting the variable voltage. On the side of the liquid crystal assembly (03) facing the conductor path carrier (02), at least one second contact region (321) is formed in the edge region (33), in which the seal (34) and the first electrically conductive layer (31) are at least partially hollow, such that, via the second contact region (321), the second layer (32) is electrically contactable for a contact arm connected to a second conductor path of the conductor path carrier (02).