Exterior Mirror Heater Pad with Integrated Electrical Traces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exterior rearview mirror assemblies require multiple electrical connections for various functions, such as heating, electrochromic control, and blind zone indicators, which increases complexity and cost during assembly.
Innovation Solution
A heater pad with multiple electrically conductive traces on a substrate at the rear of the reflective element, including heating, electrochromic control, and blind zone indicator traces, all terminating at a centralized connector, allowing for a single electrical connection to power and control multiple functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate electrical connections are used for heating, electrochromic control, and blind zone indicators, then each function can be independently controlled, but the assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate electrical connections (heating, electrochromic control, blind zone indicators) into a single integrated electrical connection system. The back plate serves as a common electrical connector that receives one wire harness containing multiple conductors, eliminating the need for multiple separate connectors and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining all required functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The back plate is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, acts as a common electrical connector for multiple functions, and serves as a mounting surface for the reflective element. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the mirror assembly.
2Reliability
If multiple separate electrical connections are used for various mirror functions, then each function has dedicated wiring, but the manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple electrical connections are merged into a single wire harness that connects to the back plate. This reduces the number of connection steps during assembly from multiple separate connector attachments to a single harness installation, significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining reliable electrical connections for all functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrical connectors are used in the mirror assembly, then each function can be independently connected, but the number of parts and assembly steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates multiple separate electrical connectors by integrating all electrical connections into a single back plate connector system. The back plate receives one wire harness that contains all necessary conductors for heating, electrochromic control, and blind zone indicators, reducing the quantity of connectors from multiple separate units to a single integrated component.
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
Simplifies the assembly process by reducing the number of electrical connections needed, lowering costs and enhancing the integration of multiple functions within the mirror assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a heating trace that, when powered, heats the substrate and the reflective element
Data Source
AI summary
A rearview mirror reflective element assembly includes a mirror reflective element, a heater pad, and a back plate. The heater pad includes a heater pad substrate having a plurality of electrically conductive traces established thereat, with the electrically conductive traces including (i) a heating trace that, when powered, heats the heater pad substrate and the mirror reflective element, and (ii) an accessory trace that, when powered, controls an accessory of the mirror reflective element assembly. The electrically conductive traces may include electro-optic control traces that, when electrically powered, darken the mirror reflective element. The heater pad is disposed between the mirror reflective element and the back plate. The accessory trace, when powered, controls a blind zone indicator that is disposed at the rear of the mirror reflective element and that is viewable, when powered, through the mirror reflective element.