Frameless Rearview Mirror Assembly With Bezel-Free Glass Edge Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interior rearview mirror assemblies often have bezel portions that overlap the perimeter edge of the reflective element, compromising aesthetics and increasing size, while also potentially weakening the glass substrate due to edge stress points.
Innovation Solution
The design features a mirror assembly with a bezel portion that does not encompass the perimeter edge of the reflective element's front surface, using a beveled and curved perimeter to enclose the reflecting surface within a protective housing, enhancing appearance and durability while reducing weight and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a bezel portion overlaps the perimeter edge of the reflective element, then the mirror assembly is easier to manufacture and assemble, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and the size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional bezel portion that overlapped the reflective element's perimeter edge. Instead, a housing structure is provided that contains the reflective element with its front surface exposed, eliminating the aesthetic compromise of bezel overlap while maintaining structural support through the housing design.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a bezel portion overlaps the perimeter edge of the reflective element, then the mirror assembly structure is more robust, but the glass substrate strength deteriorates due to edge stress points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the bezel portion that created edge stress concentration points on the glass substrate. The housing structure provides support without overlapping the reflective element's front surface, thereby removing the source of edge stress while maintaining structural integrity through alternative housing design features.
3Strength
If the mirror assembly size is increased to accommodate bezel overlap, then the protective housing is more robust, but the forward vision area is reduced and the mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the unnecessary bezel portion that increased the mirror assembly's size and mass. The housing structure is redesigned to provide robust protection without the overlapping bezel, thereby reducing the overall dimensions, mass, and improving forward vision while maintaining protective robustness through optimized housing design.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the mirror assembly size is increased to accommodate bezel overlap, then the protective housing is more robust, but the forward vision area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the bezel portion that encroached on the forward vision area. By removing this overlapping structure and using a housing design that contains rather than overlaps the reflective element, the patent maximizes the forward vision area while maintaining protective housing robustness through alternative structural arrangements.
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 design provides a more aesthetically pleasing, smaller, and stronger mirror assembly with increased forward vision and reduced mass, while meeting safety regulations by eliminating bezel overlap and minimizing edge stress, thus enhancing both appearance and durability.
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. 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 of the vehicle to adjust the rearward view provided by the mirror reflective element to 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.