Rearview assembly for a vehicle having visibly opaque optical element for reflecting infrared light

An imaging system for a vehicle, comprising:

• a reflective element configured to provide a driver of the vehicle with a view rearward relative to the vehicle, the reflective element substantially transparent in an infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum;
• at least one imager in connection with the rearview assembly and configured to acquire an image within a field of view of the imager, the field of view including at least part of a vehicle cabin;
• an infrared illumination source disposed behind the reflective element and configured to emit infrared light through the reflective element to illuminate at least a portion of the field of view of the imager with infrared light;
• and
• an optical element disposed behind the reflective element and configured to direct infrared light from the infrared illumination source towards the field of view, the optical element comprising:
• a molded portion comprised of a visibly opaque material that is substantially transparent to the infrared light, the molded portion having a front surface and a rear surface;
• and
• a reflector disposed on the rear surface of the molded portion and configured to substantially reflect infrared light emitted from the illumination source that passes through the molded portion, the reflector reflects the infrared light towards the field of view of the imager,
• wherein the molded portion has a recessed cup formed in the front surface with an opening through to the rear surface where the infrared illumination source is positioned.

A rearview assembly for a vehicle, the rearview assembly comprising:

• a reflective element configured to provide a driver of the vehicle with a view rearward relative to the vehicle, the reflective element substantially transparent in an infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum;
• at least one imager in connection with the rearview assembly and configured to acquire an image within a field of view of the imager, the field of view including at least part of a vehicle cabin;
• a plurality of infrared LEDs disposed behind the reflective element and configured to emit infrared light through the reflective element to illuminate at least a portion of the field of view of the imager with infrared light;
• and
• an optical element disposed behind the reflective element and configured to direct infrared light from the infrared LEDs towards the field of view, the optical element comprising:
• a molded portion comprised of a visibly opaque material that is substantially transparent to the infrared light, the molded portion having a front surface and a rear surface, and a plurality of recessed cups formed in the front surface each with an opening through to the rear surface where a corresponding one of the plurality of LEDs is positioned;
• and
• a reflector disposed on the rear surface of the molded portion and configured to substantially reflect infrared light emitted from the illumination source that passes through the molded portion, the reflector reflects the infrared light towards the field of view of the imager.