Abstract: A mounting element for a rearview assembly may comprise a mount capable of being removably attachable to a button and having a tapered channel in a first end; a pivot comprising a first end capable of supporting the rearview assembly and a pivot ball; a pivot cup disposed at least partially within the tapered channel of the mount, having fingers extending from a first end and an annular surface having an outer diameter at a second end, the pivot cup being operable to at least partially accept and to exert a pivot torque on the pivot ball; and a coil spring having a first end, a second end, and an outer diameter similar to the diameter of the annular surface of the pivot cup, the coil spring disposed within the mount, the first end of the coil spring pressing against the annular surface of the pivot cup.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing and a partially reflective, partially transmissive element is located in the housing. A bezel assembly includes at least one localized region that is substantially opaque to a visible spectrum of light and substantially transmissive to an infrared spectrum of light. At least one illumination element is located in the housing and oriented to project infrared illumination through the at least one localized region.

Abstract: A full display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a housing and a partially reflective, partially transmissive element is located in the housing. A bezel assembly includes at least one localized region that is substantially opaque to a visible spectrum of light and substantially transmissive to an infrared spectrum of light. At least one illumination element is located in the housing and oriented to project infrared illumination through the at least one localized region.

Abstract: A mirror assembly for a vehicle including a housing. An electro-optic assembly is located in the housing, the electro-optic assembly includes a partially reflective, partially transmissive front substrate. The front substrate defines a first surface and a second surface. A rear substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. An electro-optic medium is disposed between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A display module is located in the housing and a camera unit is located outside the housing and includes a camera. The camera is configured to capture an image. An electronic control unit (“ECU”) is located in the housing and is configured to send instructions to the camera to capture the image and to generate information about the image on the display module. A flexible conductor is at least partially located in the housing and electrically coupled between the ECU and the camera.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a mirror assembly. An imager is centrally disposed on the mirror assembly and configured to acquire an image of a biometric feature of a vehicle occupant within a field of view of the imager. A first light source is disposed within the mirror assembly and configured to project a ray of light onto a target surface corresponding to an eye of the vehicle occupant. The first light source is spaced from the target surface by a first distance. The first light source is spaced from the imager by a second distance. The ray of light forms an angle of incidence having legs extending from the target surface to the first light source and to the imager, and wherein the first distance and the second distance are operable to define the angle of incidence in the range of 5° to 15°.

Abstract: A mounting element for a rearview assembly may comprise a mount capable of being removably attachable to a button and having a tapered channel in a first end; a pivot comprising a first end capable of supporting the rearview assembly and a pivot ball; a pivot cup disposed at least partially within the tapered channel of the mount, having fingers extending from a first end and an annular surface having an outer diameter at a second end, the pivot cup being operable to at least partially accept and to exert a pivot torque on the pivot ball; and a coil spring having a first end, a second end, and an outer diameter similar to the diameter of the annular surface of the pivot cup, the coil spring disposed within the mount, the first end of the coil spring pressing against the annular surface of the pivot cup.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a mount assembly for a rearview assembly, which may comprise a member, a pivot, a cup, and/or a spring. The member may have a cavity with a tapered opening. The pivot may comprise a ball and be configured to support the rearview assembly. The cup may have an end portion, a wall portion, and a cavity. The cavity may be defined, at least in part, by the end and wall portions. Further, the cup may be disposed within the member and the ball portion may be disposed, at least in part, within the cavity of the cup. The spring may be disposed within the member and exert a force on the end portion of the cup. The force exerted onto the cup may be operable to jam the wall portion into the taper, causing the cup's wall portion to deflect and grip the ball portion.

Abstract: A rearview device having a housing that defines a cavity. The rearview device additionally includes an electro-optic element. In some embodiments, the housing may comprise a peripheral flange. The peripheral flange may have a mounting surface and a lip. The electro-optic element may be associated with the mounting surface. Further, the lip may substantially circumscribe the electro-optic element. In other embodiments, the rearview device may further comprise a mounting assembly having one or more mechanical fastener acceptors. One or more mechanical fasteners may be received by the mechanical fastener acceptors and extend through holes both in a holder and a circuit board disposed in the cavity. In yet other embodiments, the one or more mechanical fasteners may be received by the mechanical fastener acceptors and extend through and be supported by a washer disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: A rear view assembly includes a housing with a mount extending therefrom, a circuit board disposed on the housing, and an air mover proximate a heatsink. The air mover is configured to draw ambient air from an inlet into the housing. A channel in fluid communication with the air mover is configured to direct the air drawn into the housing across a top portion of the heatsink. The rear view assembly also includes an outlet in fluid connection with the channel, adjacent to the mount.

Abstract: A rearview assembly comprises a rearview device; a housing supporting the rearview device; a cavity defined by the housing and the rearview device; a first printed circuit board having a processor and disposed within the cavity; a second printed circuit board in communication with the first printed circuit board and disposed within the cavity; at least one rib having an outer edge and extending from the housing into the cavity; and a channel whose sidewalls are defined by a portion of the housing, the at least one rib, and a portion of the second printed circuit board. An air moving device may draw air through the channel. A seal may be employed to make the sidewalls of the channel generally airtight.

Abstract: A rearview device having a housing that defines a cavity. The rearview device additionally includes an electro-optic element. In some embodiments, the housing may comprise a peripheral flange. The peripheral flange may have a mounting surface and a lip. The electro-optic element may be associated with the mounting surface. Further, the lip may substantially circumscribe the electro-optic element. In other embodiments, the rearview device may further comprise a mounting assembly having one or more mechanical fastener acceptors. One or more mechanical fasteners may be received by the mechanical fastener acceptors and extend through holes both in a holder and a circuit board disposed in the cavity. In yet other embodiments, the one or more mechanical fasteners may be received by the mechanical fastener acceptors and extend through and be supported by a washer disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: A rear view assembly includes a housing, an electro-optic assembly disposed within the housing, and an ambient light sensor operably coupled with the electro-optic assembly. An at least partially light transmissive light sensor lens is integrally formed as part of the housing proximate the ambient light sensor. The light sensor lens is free of mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: A video recording system for a vehicle comprises a rearview mirror assembly and at least one imager. The rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing; a mirror element supported by the housing; and a processor disposed within the rearview mirror assembly. The at least one imager is capable of capturing images and of being in communication with the processor. The processor is configured to process data from the captured images.

Abstract: A rearview assembly comprises a rearview device; a housing supporting the rearview device; a cavity defined by the housing and the rearview device; a first printed circuit board having a processor and disposed within the cavity; a second printed circuit board in communication with the first printed circuit board and disposed within the cavity; at least one rib having an outer edge and extending from the housing into the cavity; and a channel whose sidewalls are defined by a portion of the housing, the at least one rib, and a portion of the second printed circuit board. An air moving device may draw air through the channel. A seal may be employed to make the sidewalls of the channel generally airtight.

Abstract: A rear view assembly includes a housing, an electro-optic assembly disposed within the housing, and an ambient light sensor operably coupled with the electro-optic assembly. An at least partially light transmissive light sensor lens is integrally formed as part of the housing proximate the ambient light sensor. The light sensor lens is free of mechanical fasteners.