Electrical connections for electro-optic elements

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.

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.