Electrical connections for electro-optic elements

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018024401-A1
Application number	US-201715653647-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 19, 2017
Priority date	Jul 19, 2016
Publication date	Jan 25, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A rearview mirror assembly is provided that includes a bezel, and an electro-optic element that includes a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces. The second surface includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substrate defines third and fourth surfaces and a hole extending between the third and fourth surfaces. The third surface includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. A conductive bus is positioned proximate the hole of the second substrate and an electro-optic material is disposed within the cavity. The bezel extends onto at least one of the third and fourth surfaces of the second substrate.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A rearview device, comprising:
a bezel; and an electro-optic element comprising:
a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer;
a second substrate defining third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate defining a hole extending between the third and fourth surfaces, wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer;
a primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween;
a conductive bus positioned proximate the hole of the second substrate; and
an electro-optic material disposed within the cavity,
wherein the bezel extends onto at least one of the third and fourth surfaces of the second substrate.

2 . The rearview device of claim 1 , wherein a filler is disposed within the hole, the filler comprising at least one of a metal tube, conductive polymer, solder paste, and monolithic piece of metal.

3 . The rearview device of claim 2 , and further wherein the filler is flush with the fourth surface.

4 . The rearview device of claim 2 , wherein the filler is substantially covered by the bezel.

5 . The rearview device of claim 2 , further comprising:
an insert disposed within the bezel and in electrical communication with the filler.

6 . The rearview device of claim 1 , wherein the bezel extends onto the fourth surface of the second substrate.

7 . The rearview device of claim 1 , wherein the bezel defines an aperture proximate the hole of the second substrate.

8 . The rearview device of claim 7 , wherein the aperture is filled with a conductive component.

9 . A rearview device, comprising:
a housing; and an electro-optic element positioned in the housing, comprising:
a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces and a first edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the first substantially transparent substrate, wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer;
a second substrate defining third and fourth surfaces and a second edge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the second substrate, wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer, further wherein the second substrate defines a hole disposed in the fourth surface;
a primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween;
an electro-optic material disposed within the cavity; and
a conductive filler disposed in the hole.

10 . The rearview device of claim 9 , wherein the conductive filler comprises at least one of a solder paste and a monolithic piece of metal.

11 . The rearview device of claim 9 , wherein the conductive filler comprises at least one of a metal tube and a conductive polymer.

12 . The rearview device of claim 9 , wherein the conductive filler is substantially flush with the fourth surface.

13 . The rearview device of claim 9 , wherein a distance between a surface of the conductive filler and the fourth surface is from about 0.01 mm to about 0.2 mm.

14 . The rearview device of claim 9 , wherein a surface of the conductive filler is substantially parallel with the fourth surface.

15 . An electro-optic element for a rearview device, comprising:
a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer; a second substrate defining third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate defining a hole between the third and fourth surfaces, wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer; a primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween; an electro-optic material disposed within the cavity; and a conductive filler disposed within the hole and defining a filler surface which is substantially planar with the fourth surface.

16 . The element of claim 15 , wherein the conductive filler comprises at least one of solder paste and a monolithic piece of metal.

17 . The element of claim 15 , wherein the conductive filler comprises at least one of a metal tube and a conductive polymer.

18 . The element of claim 15 , wherein the conductive filler is in electrical communication with the second electrically conductive layer.

19 . The element of claim 15 , wherein the conductive filler is in electrical communication with the first electrically conductive layer.

20 . The element of claim 15 , wherein the hole has a cross-sectional diameter of from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm.

Assignees

• Gentex Corp

Inventors

• Stray Joel A
• Tonar William L
• Cammenga David J

Classifications

• G02F1/157

  Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices · CPC title

• H04N7/18

  Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast · CPC title

• G02F1/161

  Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells · CPC title

• B60R16/02

  electric {constitutive elements} · CPC title

• G02F1/133553 Primary

  Reflecting elements (associated to illuminating devices G02F1/133605) · CPC title