Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a back plate, and an attaching element having first and second spring-loaded electrical connectors disposed thereat. The attaching element includes a cover element with the spring-loaded electrical connectors disposed thereat. The attaching element includes electrical leads that electrically connect to the spring-loaded electrical connectors and that electrically connect to an electrical connector. With the cover element attached at the attachment portion of the back plate, and with the back plate attached at the rear side of the mirror reflective element, the spring-loaded electrical connectors contact and are biased into electrical contact with respective electrically conductive elements disposed at the rear side of the mirror reflective element, and the electrical connector is disposed at the back plate and configured to electrically connect to a connector of a wire harness of the mirror assembly or of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes providing an electro-optic reflective element and a back plate. First and second spring-loaded electrical connectors are disposed in respective passageways of the back plate. A circuit element is provided that has an electrically conductive trace electrically connected to control circuitry. The back plate is attached at the reflective element, and the circuit element is attached at the back plate. With the back plate attached at the reflective element and with the circuit element attached at the back plate, the spring-loaded electrical connectors are biased into electrical contact with a respective electrically conductive element at the reflective element and a respective electrically conductive trace at the circuit element to electrically connect the electrically conductive trace to the electrically conductive element.

Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a blind zone indication module that includes a plastic housing having a front end configured for attaching the blind zone indication module at the rear side of the mirror reflective element. When at least one light emitting diode of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode exits the blind zone indication module via a light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing of the blind zone indication module. With the blind zone indication module disposed at the mirror reflective element, and with the light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing juxtaposed with a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes through the mirror reflective element.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic reflective element, a back plate, and an attaching element having first and second spring-loaded electrical connectors disposed thereat. The attaching element attaches at the back plate such that the first spring-loaded connector contacts and is biased into electrical contact with a first electrically conductive element at a fourth surface of a rear substrate and the second spring-loaded connector contacts and is biased into electrical contact with a second electrically conductive element at the fourth surface of the rear substrate. The first and second spring-loaded connectors are electrically connected to a connector disposed at the back plate and are configured to electrically connect to a connector of a wire harness of the rearview mirror assembly or of the vehicle to electrically connect the first and second spring-loaded connectors to an electrical power source.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element, and a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of a vehicle. A receiving portion of the mirror head is configured for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module at least partially thereat. The module is operable to wirelessly transmit a radio frequency signal responsive to actuation of a user input of the module. With the module at the receiving portion of the mirror head, the user input is accessible by the vehicle driver. A cover element is configured to detachably attach at the mirror casing at the receiving portion to releasably secure the module at the mirror head, with the module being releasable from the mirror head when the cover element is detached from the mirror casing.

Abstract: A vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a blind zone indication module that includes a plastic housing having a front end configured for attaching the blind zone indication module at the rear side of the mirror reflective element. When at least one light emitting diode of the blind zone indication module is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode exits the blind zone indication module via a light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing of the blind zone indication module. With the blind zone indication module disposed at the mirror reflective element, and with the light-transmitting portion of the front end of the plastic housing juxtaposed with a light-transmitting aperture of the mirror back plate, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes through the mirror reflective element.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and an electro-optic mirror reflective element. A mirror casing sidewall has a terminal end region that circumscribes an open end of the mirror casing and has a rounded end region surface. A first substrate of the reflective element has a rounded circumferential perimeter region extending at least partially between a front surface and a rear surface of the first substrate and having a first radius of curvature. The rounded surface of the mirror casing has a second radius of curvature. The substrate thickness of the first substrate is less than the first radius of curvature. The rounded surface of the mirror casing and the rounded circumferential perimeter region of the first substrate combine to provide a curved transition between the front surface and the outer surface of the mirror casing.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element, and a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of a vehicle. A receiving portion is configured for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module at least partially thereat. The module includes a user input and a housing that houses (i) circuitry, (ii) a transmitter and (iii) a battery. The module is operable to wirelessly transmit responsive to actuation of the user input. With the module at the receiving portion of the mirror assembly, the user input is accessible by the vehicle driver. The module is configured to cooperate with the receiving portion to releasably secure the module at the interior rearview mirror assembly, with the module being releasable from the interior rearview mirror assembly.

Abstract: A blind zone indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a hollow housing that includes a front end for attaching the indicator module at the rear of a mirror reflective element configured for use by an exterior rearview mirror assembly, a rear end opposite the front end, and an intermediate portion between the front end and the rear end. The hollow housing comprises an inner surface that is white and is diffusely reflective of light incident thereat. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the hollow housing and closes the front end of the housing. Potting material is disposed at and over a circuit board to seal the circuit board in the module. Light emitted by a light emitting diode, when activated, reflects off the white inner surface of the hollow housing and passes through the diffuser element to exit the indicator module.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element disposed at an outer end region of a sidewall of the mirror casing. The mirror reflective element includes a first glass substrate having a front surface and a rear surface and a substrate thickness spanning between the front and rear surfaces. The first glass substrate includes a flat region and a rounded perimeter edge circumscribing the flat region. Curvature of a rounded outside surface of the outer end region of the sidewall matches curvature of the rounded perimeter edge of the first glass substrate whereby the rounded outside surface of the outer end region of the sidewall and the rounded perimeter edge of the first glass substrate combine to provide a curved transition between the front surface of the flat region and a principal outside surface of the sidewall of the mirror casing.

Abstract: A blind zone indicator module for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a hollow housing that includes a front end for attaching the indicator module at the rear of a mirror reflective element configured for use by an exterior rearview mirror assembly, a rear end opposite the front end, and an intermediate portion between the front end and the rear end. The hollow housing comprises an inner surface that is white and is diffusely reflective of light incident thereat. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the hollow housing and closes the front end of the housing. Potting material is disposed at and over a circuit board to seal the circuit board in the module. Light emitted by a light emitting diode, when activated, reflects off the white inner surface of the hollow housing and passes through the diffuser element to exit the indicator module.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes providing an electro-optic reflective element and a back plate. First and second spring-loaded electrical connectors are disposed in respective passageways of the back plate. A circuit element is provided that has an electrically conductive trace electrically connected to control circuitry. The back plate is attached at the reflective element, and the circuit element is attached at the back plate. With the back plate attached at the reflective element and with the circuit element attached at the back plate, the spring-loaded electrical connectors are biased into electrical contact with a respective electrically conductive element at the reflective element and a respective electrically conductive trace at the circuit element to electrically connect the electrically conductive trace to the electrically conductive element.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror stay configured to attach at an in-cabin portion of a vehicle equipped with the mirror mounting system. The mirror stay is formed by injection molding a thermoplastic polymeric molding resin using a gas assist molding process. The thermoplastic polymeric molding resin includes a reinforced polyamide polymeric molding resin. A mirror head is pivotally mounted at a pivot element of the mirror stay. The mirror head includes a mirror reflective element and a mirror casing.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electro-optic reflective element with first and second conductive pads established at a fourth surface of the reflective element and in electrical connection to respective electrically conductive coatings of the reflective element. A back plate has first and second spring-loaded connectors disposed in passageways established through the back plate. A circuit element includes first and second conductive traces in electrical connection with the electro-optic control circuitry.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes providing a hollow housing formed by injection molding of plastic material and providing a circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, with at least one light emitting diode disposed at the first side of the circuit board. The circuit board is disposed between a rear end and a front end of the housing such that the first side of the circuit board faces the front end of the housing. With the circuit board disposed between the rear and front ends of the housing, potting material is disposed at and over the second side of the circuit board to seal the rear side of the circuit board. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the housing and closes the front end of the housing.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an indicator module for an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes providing a hollow housing formed by injection molding of plastic material and providing a circuit board having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, with at least one light emitting diode disposed at the first side of the circuit board. The circuit board is disposed between a rear end and a front end of the housing such that the first side of the circuit board faces the front end of the housing. With the circuit board disposed between the rear and front ends of the housing, potting material is disposed at and over the second side of the circuit board to seal the rear side of the circuit board. A diffuser element is attached at the front end of the housing and closes the front end of the housing.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element disposed at an outer end region of a sidewall of the mirror casing. The mirror reflective element includes a first glass substrate having a front surface and a rear surface and a substrate thickness spanning between the front and rear surfaces. The first glass substrate includes a flat region and a rounded perimeter edge circumscribing the flat region. Curvature of a rounded outside surface of the outer end region of the sidewall matches curvature of the rounded perimeter edge of the first glass substrate whereby the rounded outside surface of the outer end region of the sidewall and the rounded perimeter edge of the first glass substrate combine to provide a curved transition between the front surface of the flat region and a principal outside surface of the sidewall of the mirror casing.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head having a mirror casing and a mirror reflective element, and a mirror mounting structure configured to adjustably mount the mirror head at an interior portion of a vehicle. A receiving portion is configured for receiving a portable self-contained garage door opening module at least partially thereat. The module includes a user input and a housing that houses (i) circuitry, (ii) a transmitter and (iii) a battery. The module is operable to wirelessly transmit responsive to actuation of the user input. With the module at the receiving portion of the mirror assembly, the user input is accessible by the vehicle driver. The module is configured to cooperate with the receiving portion to releasably secure the module at the interior rearview mirror assembly, with the module being releasable from the interior rearview mirror assembly.