# US 9,434,312 B2 · Shaped rearview mirror assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,434,312 B2 - Document ID: US9434312B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/503,482 - Filed: 2014-10-01 - Published: 2015-02-26 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-08-24 - Assignees: Gentex Corporation - Applicants: Gentex Corporation - Inventors: David J. Cammenga; William L. Tonar; Adam R. Heintzelman; Autumn W. Trombka; Gary J. Dozeman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9434312B2 ## CPC - B60R 1/088: {using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors} - G02B 5/08: Mirrors {(vehicle mirrors involving special optical features B60R1/08)} - G02F 1/0018: {Electro-optical materials} - G02F 1/161: Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS ## Abstract A rearview mirror assembly is provided that includes a front substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface; and a rear substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface. The rear substrate defines at least one contact via and the front substrate and the rear substrate define a cavity. The mirror assembly further includes a perimeter seal between the front substrate and the rear substrate; and an electrically conductive element at least partially within said at least one contact via that electrically connects with at least one of the second surface and the third surface. The mirror assembly also includes an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity. In addition, the front substrate and the rear substrate each has a shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape. The shaped edges can also be formed by grinding the edges together. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rearview mirror assembly, comprising: a front substrate comprising: a first surface, and a second surface; a rear substrate comprising: a third surface, and a fourth surface, wherein said rear substrate defines at least one contact via and said front substrate and said rear substrate define a cavity; a perimeter seal between said front substrate and said rear substrate; an electrically conductive element at least partially within said at least one contact via, wherein said electrically conductive element electrically connects with at least one of said second surface and said third surface; and an electro-optic medium disposed in said cavity between said front substrate and said rear substrate and bounded by said perimeter seal, wherein said front substrate and said rear substrate each has a shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape of the front substrate is defined from the first surface to the second surface and the shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape of the rear substrate is defined from the third surface to the fourth surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said contact via is a slot. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said contact via is a hole. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 4, wherein said conductive element is a u-clip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said conductive element is a u-clip. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the thickness of said front substrate is approximately the same as the thickness of said rear substrate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the continuously arcuate shape has a substantially constant radius. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the continuously arcuate shape has a plurality of radii. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a perimeter ring disposed on the second surface, the ring located and sized to substantially hide the perimeter seal from view through said front substrate. ### Claim 11 A rearview mirror assembly, comprising: a front substrate comprising: a first surface, and a second surface; a rear substrate comprising: a third surface, and a fourth surface, wherein said rear substrate defines at least one contact via and said front substrate and said rear substrate define a cavity; a perimeter seal between said front substrate and said rear substrate; an electrically conductive element at least partially within said at least one contact via, wherein said electrically conductive element electrically connects with at least one of said second surface and said third surface; and an electro-optic medium disposed in said cavity between said front substrate and said rear substrate and bounded by said perimeter seal, wherein said front substrate and said rear substrate each has a shaped edge, the shaped edges characterized by a continuously arcuate shape that is formed by grinding the shaped edges together. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein the shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape of the front substrate is defined from the first surface to the second surface and the shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape of the rear substrate is defined from the third surface to the fourth surface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein said contact via is a slot. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein said contact via is a hole. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein said conductive element is a u-clip. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein said conductive element is a u-clip. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein the thickness of said front substrate is approximately the same as the thickness of said rear substrate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein the continuously arcuate shape has a substantially constant radius. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein the continuously arcuate shape has a plurality of radii. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The rearview mirror assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a perimeter ring disposed on the second surface, the ring located and sized to substantially hide the perimeter seal from view through said front substrate.