Frameless Rearview Mirror Assembly Without Bezel View Obstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interior rearview mirror assemblies with bezels encroaching on the perimeter region of the reflective element's front surface obstruct the driver's view and do not meet safety standards for head impact during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A frameless interior rearview mirror assembly design where the electro-optic reflective element is attached to a casing with no bezel portion overlapping the perimeter edge or front surface of the reflective element, featuring a beveled front perimeter and a slanted rear perimeter edge to accommodate the casing and ensure safety standards are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bezel portion of the casing overlaps or encompasses the perimeter edge of the reflective element, then the reflective element is protected and enclosed, but the driver's view is obstructed and safety standards for head impact are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional bezel portion that overlapped the reflective element's perimeter edge. Instead, the reflective element is enclosed within the casing body without any protruding bezel, extracting the obstructive element while maintaining protective enclosure through the casing's internal structure and the reflective element's recessed positioning.
2Reliability
If a bezel portion overlaps the perimeter region of the reflective element, then the reflective element is enclosed within the casing, but the assembly does not meet safety standards for head impact during collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the traditional bezel structure that created safety hazards during head impact. The reflective element is enclosed through the casing's internal geometry without any protruding elements, removing the safety hazard while preserving protective enclosure.
3Reliability
If a bezel portion encompasses the perimeter edge of the reflective element, then the reflective element is securely held, but the appearance is obstructed and modern aesthetic is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional bezel portion that compromised aesthetic appearance. The reflective element is securely held through the casing's internal structure and recessed positioning, achieving a modern, clean appearance without protruding elements while maintaining secure holding through alternative structural means.
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
The design provides a modern, unobstructed appearance with enhanced visibility for the driver, meets safety standards by ensuring the reflective element's edge is enclosed within a protective housing with a radius of curvature greater than or equal to 2.5 mm, and offers a stronger reflective element substrate due to reduced edge stress points.
Implementation Method 1
an automatically dimming electro-optic interior rearview mirror assembly, such as an electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular frameless interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head and a mounting portion. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing. The mirror reflective element includes a glass substrate having a planar front side and a planar rear side. No portion of the mirror casing overlaps the planar front side of the glass substrate of the mirror reflective element. A camera is disposed within the mirror casing behind the mirror reflective element. With the mounting portion of the mirror assembly mounted at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, the camera views a driver of the vehicle, and when the mirror head is moved by the driver to adjust a rearward view of the driver, the camera moves in tandem with movement of the mirror head. The camera is part of a driver monitoring system of the vehicle.