lcd module for rearview mirror free sample

A:For the finished products in stock, the delivery time is within 3-7 days;No inventory for 20-25 days;For customized samples and bulk orders, the lead time is 7-30 days.

A:Since most of our products are high value products, there are no free samples.If you need to order a sample for inspection, we would like you to pay the sample fee and freight, and the sample will be sent to you upon receipt of payment.

Established in 2010, Topfoison has devoted itself to the manufacturing and development of high-quality products for the Wearable device, Smart Watch, VR, Medical device, Industrial LCD display including Color LCD modules/OLED/LCD display/Round lcd screen/Round AMOLED/ Square transflective lcd screen/ IPS full wide display/ 1080p fhd AMOLED and 2K 1440p lcd. Topfoison focus on1.22-7.0 inch small size displays, all the products produced in our company enjoys the most advanced production craft and technology as well as the strictly ISO quality management system.

The present invention relates to exterior rearview mirror assemblies and, more particularly, to an exterior rearview mirror assembly having a blind spot/object detection indicator and/or a lane change aid (LCA) indicator and/or a turn signal or indicator at the exterior rearview mirror assembly.

It is known to provide an object in a blind spot detection/LCA system for a vehicle that detects the presence of another vehicle or object in the lane next to the host vehicle, where it may be difficult for the driver of the host vehicle to determine whether or not there is another vehicle or object adjacent to the host vehicle. Such an object in a blind spot detection/LCA system often includes a visual indicator that visually indicates the detection of another vehicle or object to the driver of the host vehicle. It is also know to provide a turn signal indicator that is activated when a turn signal is activated by the driver of the host vehicle so as to provide an indication of the vehicle turning or changing lanes to the driver of a vehicle in an adjacent lane to the host or subject vehicle or to another person external to the host or subject vehicle. The visual indicator or indicators (commonly a light emitting diode or the like) of such systems is/are often located at the mirror reflective element of the exterior rearview mirror assembly.

The object/LCA visual indicator or indicators indicate or alert the driver of the host vehicle of the presence or impending presence of another vehicle or object in a blind spot in an adjacent side lane that typically cannot be readily seen within the field of view of the exterior mirror reflective element of the exterior mirror assembly mounted at that side of the vehicle and/or cannot be readily seen by the driver"s peripheral vision or the like. The object/LCA visual indicators typically are arranged to be viewable principally or solely by the driver of the host vehicle and not by drivers of other vehicles. Similarly, the turn signal visual indicator or indicators indicate or alert a person external of the host vehicle (such as the driver of another vehicle alongside or approaching the host vehicle) that the turn signal of the host vehicle is activated to indicate that the driver of the host vehicle is contemplating or commencing a turn or lane change or the like. It is desirable that such turn signal visual indicators are not readily viewable by the driver of the host vehicle when they are activated. Because of vehicle regulations and mirror and vehicle configurations and geometries, and because of the need to provide an uninterrupted reflective surface to satisfy the likes of the FMVSS 111 field of view regulation, blind spot/LCA indicators in the prior art are typically located towards or at the outboard edge, and typically towards or at the upper corner/quadrant, of the reflective mirror clement of the exterior mirror assembly.

Somewhat costly and complicated indicator constructions have been contemplated that, when placed behind and supported by the mirror reflective element, attempt to have their projected beam of emitted light directed principally to be viewed by the driver of the host vehicle (or other person external to the host vehicle for turn signal applications) through the mirror reflective element and shielded from view by other drivers (or from the driver of the host vehicle for turn signal applications). In some applications, the mirror reflective element may have a transflective reflector coating or may have a window or port formed in a non-transflective reflector coating. For example, transflective mirror coatings (such as, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,280,701; 6,855,431; 5,724,187; 5,340,503; 6,286,965; 6,196,688; 5,535,056; 5,751,489; and 6,065,840, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties) may be used, or alternately, a transmissive window or port may be formed in the reflective coating or coatings of the mirror reflective element. An illumination source or indicator may be positioned so as to direct or emit illumination through the window or display area and toward the driver of the host vehicle so as to be viewable by the driver of the host vehicle (or outwardly away from the vehicle so as to be generally not viewable by the driver of the host vehicle for turn signal applications).

Such a mirror assembly and indicator often include a baffle or other light directing element and an illumination source positioned at the rear of the mirror reflective element (and generally at the transmissive window or port if applicable). The baffle or light directing element directs the light or illumination from the illumination source toward the desired or appropriate viewer (such as the driver of the host vehicle for blind spot/LCA applications or the driver of another vehicle for turn signal applications) and away from others (such as away from other drivers for blind spot/LCA applications or away from the driver of the host vehicle for turn signal applications).

Typically, such baffles or light directing elements are adhered to the rear surface of the mirror reflective element. In some applications, the illumination source may be provided as a module to the mirror assembly facility and adhered to the rear of the mirror reflective element as a unit or module (for instance, light from LEDs facing and emitting light in the direction away from the mirror element may be reflected back towards the mirror reflector, and hence through the mirror element, using suitably angled or disposed mirrored surfaces). After the baffle or module is attached to the reflective element, the back plate of the mirror assembly may be adhered to the mirror reflective element to complete the mirror reflector sub assembly that is then assembled with the actuator and casing and other components to form the complete mirror assembly for mounting to the side of the vehicle.

A variety of interior and exterior mirror assemblies with indicators are known in the art, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,788,357; 6,257,746; 6,005,724; 5,481,409; 6,512,624; 6,356,376; 2,263,382; 2,580,014; 3,266,016; 4,499,451; 4,588,267; 4,630,904; 4,623,222; 4,721,364; 4,906,085; 5,313,335; 5,587,699; 5,575,552; 5,938,320; 6,700,692; and 5,786,772, Canadian Pat. No. CA 1,063,695, Pat. Abstracts of Japan Publication No. 0917573, published Jul. 8, 1997, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved object in a blind spot/LCA indicator that is readily viewable by a driver of the host vehicle and not visible or viewable by a driver of another vehicle and/or an improved turn signal indicator that is readily viewable by the driver of another vehicle and not visible or viewable by the driver of the host vehicle.

The present invention provides an object in a blind spot indicator or lane change assist (LCA) indicator or turn signal indicator or other indicator that is integral with the mirror reflector carrier or back plate of the mirror reflector sub-assembly so as to be positioned at and attached to the mirror reflective element as the back plate is adhered or otherwise attached at the back of the mirror reflective element. Preferably, the signal indicator is provided as a sealed or substantially sealed unit or module that can be snapped into or otherwise attached or secured (preferably mechanically but optionally adhesively) at the mirror back plate, preferably at the mirror sub-assembly manufacturing operation when the mirror reflective element (and any associated heater or other item or element) is joined to the mirror back plate. The present invention thus provides a mirror reflector carrier or back plate with an integrated blind spot indicator/indicators and/or turn signal indicator/indicators and/or other indicator/indicators.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a back plate and an indicator or display device. The back plate is attached to the rear surface of the reflective element (the surface opposite the front surface, with the front surface facing generally rearward and toward the driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle) and includes an indicator mount or mounting portion for mounting the indicator at the back plate. The indicator mounting portion extends rearward away from the reflective element and may be integrally formed with the back plate, preferably by injection molding. The indicator mounting portion is formed at an acute angle relative to the rear surface of the back plate and is generally hollow so as to provide a passageway therealong. The indicator is mounted at the indicator mounting portion and is activatable so that illumination from the indicator is directed along the angled indicator mounting portion and is thus viewable through the reflective element by a person viewing the mirror reflective element at a desired or generally corresponding angle.

The back plate may comprise a plastic molding, such as a plastic molding formed by injection molding or co-injection molding or the like. The back plate may be formed with an attaching portion, such as a raised annular ring or annular prongs or annular snaps or the like at its rear surface (opposite from the mounting face or surface that attaches to the mirror reflective element) for attaching the back plate to a mirror actuator (for manually or electrically adjusting an angle of the mirror reflective element relative to the mirror casing).

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mirror reflective element sub-assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element, a mirror back plate attached at a rear surface of the mirror reflective element, and a display element having a light source that is activatable to emit light. The mirror back plate is formed by injection molding and has a display receiving portion established thereat. The display element attaches to the display receiving portion of the mirror back plate and the light source is activatable to emit light through the display receiving portion. The mirror back plate and the display receiving portion are configured to orient the display element at a predetermined angle so that light exiting the display element when the light source is activated is directed one of (a) generally away from the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle so as to be principally viewed by drivers of other vehicles and so as to be substantially not viewed by the driver of the host vehicle, and (b) generally toward the driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is mounted to the vehicle so as to be principally viewed by the driver of the host vehicle and so as to be substantially not viewed by drivers of other vehicles.

Optionally, the light emanating from the display element when the light source is activated passes through the reflective element before exiting the mirror reflective element sub-assembly. Optionally, the light emanating from the display element when the light source is activated does not pass through the reflective element before exiting the mirror reflective element sub-assembly. The light emanating from the display element when the light source is activated thus may be directed through the display receiving portion at a location separate from the reflective element.

The display receiving portion may include at least one passageway therethrough, with the emitted light being directed through the passageway or passageways. A cover element may be disposed at a forward surface of the display receiving portion, so as to at least partially cover and preferably substantially seal the passageway or passageways of the display receiving portion.

Therefore, the present invention provides a display device or indicator at the back plate of a mirror reflector sub-assembly. The mirror reflector sub-assembly thus may achieve enhanced assembly processes, and may be supplied or provided to a mirror manufacturer or assembler as a unit that includes the indicator mounting portion (and that may also include the indicator) and display. The integrally formed back plate and indicator mount or mounting portion may be readily attached to the mirror reflective element, and the indicator may be readily plugged into or connected to or received in the indicator mount to assemble the mirror reflector sub-assembly. The back plate may include one or more indicator mounts or mounting portions for providing one or more displays at the reflective element, such as a blind spot/LCA display and/or a turn signal display and/or the like.

FIG. 1 is a view of an exterior mirror assembly with a display device or indicator in accordance with the present invention, shown as viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of a mirror reflector sub-assembly having a back plate and display device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view of another exterior mirror reflector sub-assembly with a display device or indicator in accordance with the present invention, shown as viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle;

FIG. 11 is a view of another exterior mirror reflector sub-assembly with another display device or indicator in accordance with the present invention, shown as viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle;

FIG. 13 is a view of another exterior mirror reflector sub-assembly with another display device or indicator in accordance with the present invention, shown as viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle;

FIG. 15 is a view of another exterior mirror reflector sub-assembly with a display device or indicator in accordance with the present invention, shown as viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle;

FIG. 17 is a view of another exterior mirror assembly with a display device or indicator in accordance with the present invention, shown as viewed in the direction of travel of the vehicle; and

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, an exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle includes a mirror reflector sub-assembly 12 and a mirror shell or casing 14 (FIG. 1). Mirror assembly 10 is mounted at the side 16 aof a host or subject vehicle 16. As shown in FIG. 2, mirror reflector sub-assembly 12 includes a mirror reflective element 18 and a mirror reflector carrier or back plate 20 attached to or mounted to or adhered to a rear surface 18 aof mirror reflective element 18. Mirror assembly 10 includes a display element or device 22 that is operable to provide a display or indication at the reflective element for viewing the display or indication through the mirror reflective element. Display device 22 includes a generally hollow indicator mounting portion or indicator receiving portion or extension or tube 24 (that extends rearwardly from a rear surface 20 aof back plate 20 so as to extend generally away from the mirror reflective element 18) and an illumination source or indicator 26, which is attached to or mounted to or received in or at the indicator mounting portion 24. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the mirror assembly includes a display device 22 for an object in a blind spot detection system or LCA system, as discussed below, but could also or otherwise include a display device for a turn signal indicator or other indicator device (as discussed below).

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include multiple display elements or devices (such as two or more display elements or devices) for providing both an object in a blind spot/LCA indicator and display area 28 aand a turn signal indicator and display area 28 b, such as shown in FIG. 1 and such as discussed below with respect to FIG. 6. The two or more display devices may be incorporated together into a single unitary display module or unit (and thus with a common connector incorporated in the single unitary module and servicing, for example, a commonly housed turn signal indicator element and blind spot indicator element), or the two or more display devices may be separate display devices (for example, a LCA blind spot indicator unitary module may be disposed at a bottom/lower inward portion of the mirror sub-assembly and a separate turn signal indicator unitary module may be disposed at an upper outward portion of the mirror sub-assembly), while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Optionally, for example, a turn signal indicator or device or element or module of the present invention may be incorporated into a mirror sub-assembly, and the exterior rearview mirror assembly may include a blind spot or lane change assist indicating device or element at a portion of the mirror casing (such as at an inboard facing portion of the casing), such as by utilizing aspects of the indicating elements described in PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/026148, filed Jul. 5, 2006, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Indicator mounting portion 24 is unitarily or integrally formed with back plate 20 and is formed at an acute angle relative to the generally planar rear surface 20 aof back plate 20. Indicator 26 is operable or activatable or energizable to provide illumination at and through or along the indicator mounting portion 24, whereby the illumination is viewable through mirror reflective element 18 by a person viewing the mirror assembly 10. The display device 18 may comprise a blind spot or object detection indicating device that is operable to indicate to the driver of the subject or host vehicle that an object or other vehicle is detected at the side or blind spot region of the host vehicle by a blind spot detection system (or may comprise a turn signal indicating device that is operable to indicate to the driver or passenger of another vehicle that the vehicle is turning or changing lanes, or may comprise other forms or types of display or illumination or indicating devices, as discussed below).

Back plate 20 includes an attachment portion 20 b(such as an annular ring or tab or annular prongs or annular snaps or the like) for attaching the back plate to an actuator 21, which is adjustable or operable to adjust a viewing angle of mirror reflective element 18. As can be seen in FIG. 2, when the mirror reflective element is canted or angled partially toward the driver of the host vehicle (which is typically the orientation of the reflective element during use so as to provide a generally rearward field of view to the driver of the host vehicle), there is sufficient space within the mirror casing at or near the outboard portion of the mirror assembly for the indicator mounting portion. The back plate and display device of the present invention thus utilizes the space within the mirror head or casing that is already available and typically not used or occupied by other components.

Indicator 26 may include an illumination or light source (such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or the like) that is/are energized to direct or emit illumination through and along indicator mounting portion 24 so that the illumination is viewable through the reflective element. The mirror reflective element may include one or more iconistic display areas (such as the single display area 28 ashown in FIG. 3 or the two display areas 28 aand 28 bshown in FIG. 1) so that the illumination is viewable and discernible at the reflective element by the desired or targeted viewer, depending on the angle of the indicator mounting portion 24. The mirror assembly thus may provide an iconistic display for an object detection/LCA system and/or an iconistic display for a turn signal indication, and/or may provide other displays or illumination devices, without affecting the scope of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the indicator mounting portion may be angled so as to direct the light toward the vehicle and toward a driver or occupant of the host vehicle. More particularly, the light beam emitted from the indicator 26 and transmitted through the reflective element is angled so as to have its principle beam axis 27 directed generally toward the eyes of a driver seated in the interior cabin of the host vehicle.

The indicator may be activated or energized in response to a detection of an object or other vehicle approaching or adjacent to the host vehicle in order to alert or warn the driver of the host vehicle not to attempt or initiate a lane change that moves the subject or host vehicle into the already occupied (or soon to be occupied) side lane or region adjacent either the driver side or the passenger side of the host vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, display area 28 amay be for displaying or indicating to the driver of the host vehicle that an object has been detected in the blind spot, while the display area 28 bmay be for displaying or indicating a turn signal activation to the driver of another vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, display area 28 acomprises an ISO icon (showing icons representing the host vehicle and another vehicle at the side and/or rearward of the host vehicle) to indicate to the driver of the host vehicle that another vehicle has been detected at the side and/or rearward of the host vehicle.

Optionally, however, the display area may comprise other forms, such as, for example, a multi-stage indicator having multiple indicating portions or elements or devices for indicating a degree of hazard or the like of an object or vehicle detected alongside and/or rearward of the host vehicle (such as an indicating display of the types described in PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/026148, filed Jul. 5, 2006; and U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/696,953, filed Jul. 6, 2005 by Lynam for VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH BLIND SPOT INDICATOR, and Ser. No. 60/784,570, filed Mar. 22, 2006, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties), or other types of indicating means, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 3, mirror reflective element 18 comprises an electro-optic (such as electrochromic) reflective element that includes a rear substrate 30 (such as a glass substrate) with a transflective coating or layer 31 (such as a non-dichroic transflector or the like and/or such as utilizing aspects of the transflective reflective elements described below) on its front or forward surface 30 a, a front substrate 32 with a transparent conductive coating 33 (such as an indium tin oxide (HD) or the like) on its rear surface 32 a, and an electro-optic medium 34 disposed between the front substrate 32 and rear substrate 30 and contained therebetween via a perimeter seal 35, such as by utilizing aspects of electro-optic or electrochromic reflective elements or cells as discussed below. A dark or opacifying element or layer or coating or film 36 (such as black or dark color, such as dark blue or dark grey, paint or ink or film or coating or tape or lacquer or the like, and preferably a dark, light-absorbing layer that is printed or screened onto the fourth or rear surface of the electrochromic reflective element or cell) is disposed or established on a rear surface 30 bof rear substrate 30 of reflective element 18. The dark layer may be established via any suitable establishing methods or means, such as painting, printing, ink jet printing, pad printing, screening or the like.

The icons or pattern that define the display may be established at the rear of the rear substrate 30 and between the rear surface 30 bof substrate 30 and the back plate 20. As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B, the icons or pattern that define the display may be established through or defined by the dark layer 36 so that icons or iconistic portions 36 aof the dark layer 36 form the icon or icons of the iconistic display area 28 a. Optionally, the iconistic portions of the display area may be established by etching the dark layer or by a mask or the like positioned at the rear surface of the substrate during the painting or screening or coating process that applies the dark layer. Optionally, the iconistic portions of the display area may be established by etching or masking at a fourth surface conductive busbar or coating (such as a fourth surface conductive busbar of the types described in U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004 by McCabe et al. for ELECTRO-OPTIC MIRROR CELL, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451; and/or Ser. No. 11/334,139, filed Jan. 18, 2006 by Byers et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH HEATER ELEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,400,435; and/or U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/644,903, filed Jan. 19, 2005 by Byers et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH HEATER ELEMENT; and Ser. No. 60/667,049, filed Mar. 31, 2005 by Byers et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH HEATER ELEMENT, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference). Optionally, the icons or pattern may be established via cutouts or holes or patterns or indicia portions formed in and through or partially through a heater pad (that may be attached to or adhered to the dark or opacifying layer at the rear surface of the reflective element, as discussed below), with the dark layer having an opening or aperture formed therethrough and generally corresponding with the indicia portions of the heater pad when the heater pad is adhered to the dark layer at the rear surface of the reflective element.

In the illustrated embodiment, mirror reflector sub-assembly 12 includes a heater pad 38 adhered or applied at the rear surface 30 bof rear substrate 30 of reflective element 18, such as over the dark or opacifying element or layer 36 as shown in FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B. The heater pad 38 includes a hole or opening or aperture 38 atherethrough that generally corresponds to the iconistic portions 36 awhen the heater pad 38 is attached to the opacifying layer 36 at the rear surface 30 bof reflective element 18. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the heater pad 38 may include an adhesive layer 40 (such as a pressure sensitive adhesive layer) at its rear surface for adhering the back plate 20 to the heater pad 38 and thus to the rear surface 30 bof the reflective element 18.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B, back plate 20 is adhered to heater pad 38 such that indicator mounting portion 24 is positioned or located generally at the aperture 38 aof heater pad 38 and the portions 36 aof dark layer 36 so as to be generally at the display area 28 aof the reflective element. Indicator mounting portion 24 is generally hollow and includes or provides a passageway 24 atherethrough or therealong, whereby illumination source or indicator 26 is mounted at or positioned at the outer or rearward end of indicator mounting portion 24 and at or at partially in passageway 24 a. Indicator mounting portion 24 is preferably molded of a plastic material, such as a dark or black plastic or polymeric material, and is preferably molded or formed when molding/forming the back plate 20.

Indicator 26 may snap into or may be threaded into the end of the indicator mounting portion 24 or may otherwise be attached or stuck at the end of the indicator mounting portion, and may have a gasket or seal at the indicator to provide a substantially water proof or water resistant or water tight seal at the indicator, whereby the indicator may be sealed at the indicator mounting portion, such as by gluing or pressing or screwing or gasketing or hermetically sealing or otherwise substantially sealing the indicator at the indicator mounting portion. The indicator may comprise a self-contained, unitary, sealed or substantially sealed, indicator module that includes an illumination source (such as one or more LEDs or the like), a DC converter with a voltage dropping resistor (such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,902,284 and 6,690,268 and/or U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties). The module thus may be connected to a power source and may be activated or energized to illuminate the display for viewing by the driver of the vehicle. Optionally, the electrical connections to the indicator or indicator module may be made while the indicator module is attached to the mirror assembly, such as via a plug and socket type arrangement or configuration, and such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror assembly described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,267, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The unitary indicator module may include or utilize aspects of various light modules or systems or devices, such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,227,689; 6,582,109; 5,371,659; 5,497,306; 5,669,699; 5,823,654; 6,176,602; and/or 6,276,821, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the module may be supplied or provided to an assembly facility (such as a mirror assembly facility or the like) from a module supplier while the back plate may be supplied or provided to the assembly facility from a back plate supplier. An operator at the assembly facility may attach the module to the back plate, preferably by snapping the module to the back plate to assemble the display or indicator to the back plate. Optionally, and desirably, electrical connection (such as to a power supply or 12 volt power wire of the vehicle battery/ignition system or to a power feed from a LIN bus controller) to the module may be made when the module is snapped or otherwise attached (preferably mechanically but optionally adhesively) to the back plate (such as by making electrical contact between the module and mirror circuitry [including circuitry associated with the reflective element and/or mirror assembly, such as electrochromic mirror circuitry, mirror lights and display circuitry and the like, typically disposed at a printed circuit board of the mirror assembly] when the module is snapped to the back plate, such as by press attaching the display module into receiving fingers or clips or snaps or the like that are integrally formed with the back plate in the injection molding operation that manufactures or forms the back plate itself) or alternately, electrical connection to the module may be made via other means, such as wires or leads or the like before or after the module is snapped or attached to the back plate.

As best seen in FIG. 3B, indicator mounting portion 24 extends at an acute angle A (such as approximately seventy to eighty degrees or thereabouts) relative to the plane defined by back plate 20 so as to direct or guide light through the passageway and in the desired direction for viewing the object/LCA indication principally or solely by the driver of the host vehicle. Indicator mounting portion 24 thus directs the illumination from indicator 26 to and through the reflective element to illuminate the display area 28 aso that the iconistic display is viewable by the driver of the vehicle.

Preferably, indicator mounting portion 24 includes light absorbing means to substantially absorb non-axially directed light rays passing through the passageway 24 a(such as illustrated via the light rays 29 in FIG. 3B). For example, the inner wall or surface 24 bof passageway 24 aof indicator mounting portion 24 may be black or dark, and may be at least partially light absorbing, and preferably substantially light absorbing, and most preferably fully light absorbing of light incident thereon. Thus, principally only light rays that pass substantially or entirely through the full length of the inner passageway exit the end of the light emitting passageway, and, therefore, the light emitting source is mainly visible only by viewing axially along or substantially along the line of direction of the passageway. This helps ensure that, for example, only a driver of the host vehicle principally sees and views the light source when actuated, such as in a blind spot detection/alert system. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the inner surface 24 bof passageway 24 aof indicator mounting portion 24 may include light absorbing elements or structure 24 c, such as graining or stippling or holes (where the light may escape or leak from the indicator mounting portion and into the mirror casing where it is not readily seen by a person viewing the mirror assembly) or dark, light absorbing cavities or fluting or the like formed at the inner surface 24 bof passageway 24 ato provide a rough surface or otherwise diffuse reflecting surface along the passageway 24 a. The walls of the indicator mounting portion passageway thus function as a light trap and/or at least partially absorb the light emitted by the indicator and, thus, limit reflecting of light along the extension or indicator mounting portion.

Thus, the indicator mounting portion or extension that is integrally formed with the back plate functions as a guide or light directing device or element for directing illumination from the indicator through the mirror reflective element and in the desired direction or angle for viewing principally by the driver of the vehicle. The angle A (FIG. 3B) of indicator mounting portion 24 relative to back plate 20 may be selected to be directed toward a typical driver"s head area when the reflective element is positioned to provide a typical or desired sideward and rearward field of view to a typical driver of the vehicle. The passageway may be generally cylindrical or may be generally conical or non-cylindrical, with a wider end at the reflective element. As shown in FIG. 3B, the width dimension B of the area at which iconistic portions 132 aare established may be wider than the dimension C at the passageway opening at the reflective element. The length D of the indicator mounting portion and passageway may be selected to provide the desired light directing function, and may be selected to be a greater length to provide enhanced directing of light in the desired direction.

Although shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as having a single indicator mounting portion for providing an object in a blind spot/LCA display/indication to the driver of the host vehicle, the mirror assembly may also or otherwise include a indicator mounting portion and indicator for providing a turn signal indicator or display that is principally viewable by the drivers of other vehicles adjacent to or rearward of the host vehicle. For example, and with reference to FIG. 5, a mirror reflector sub-assembly 112 may include a back plate 120 that has two extensions or indicator mounting portions 124 a, 124 bintegrally formed therewith. Mirror reflector sub-assembly 112 includes a reflective element with a rear substrate 130 having a transflective coating 131 at its front surface 130 aand a dark or opacifying element or layer or coating or tape or film 136 at its opposite rear surface. The dark layer 136 forms or defines two iconistic display portions 136 a, 136 b(in a similar manner as described above) to form or define two display areas 128 a, 128 b. A pair of indicators or indicator modules 126 a, 126 bare mounted to or attached to or received in the respective indicator mounting portions 124 a, 124 bas described above, and are operable or energizable to provide illumination at and along the respective indicator mounting portion so as to illuminate the respective iconistic portions 136 a, 136 band display areas 128 a, 128 b.

For example, indicator mounting portion 124 amay be angled as described above to direct the principle beam axis of emitted/transmitted illumination toward the driver of the vehicle so that the iconistic portions 136 aand display area 128 amay display an ISO type display or the like, while indicator mounting portion 124 bmay be angled so that the turn signal light beam emitted by the indicator 126 band transmitted through the reflective element has its principle beam axis directed generally away from the eyes of the driver seated in the interior cabin of the host vehicle and generally away from the side of the vehicle so as to be viewable by the driver or occupant of a vehicle that is overtaking the host vehicle. The indicator mounting portion 124 bthus directs illumination away from the driver of the vehicle so that the iconistic portions 136 band display area 128 bmay display a turn signal icon or the like for viewing by drivers of other vehicles.

The back plate 120 and indicator mounting portions 124 a, 124 band indicators 126 a, 126 band mirror reflector sub-assembly 112 may be otherwise substantially similar to the back plates and indicator mounting portions and indicators and mirror reflector sub-assemblies described above, such that a detailed discussion of the mirror reflector sub-assemblies will not be repeated herein. The indicator mounting portions or extensions may be arranged side-by-side one another (such as shown in FIG. 5) or may be vertically staggered or offset or otherwise oriented or arranged at the back plate to position the indicator at the desired location and to direct the illumination at the desired angle through the respective iconistic portions and display areas established or defined at the reflective element.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 6, a mirror reflector sub-assembly 212 includes a back plate 220 that is molded or formed with three hollow indicator mounting portions 224 a, 224 b, 224 cand associated or respective illumination sources or LEDs 226. The indicator mounting portions 224 a, 224 b, 224 cmay be generally aligned with respective indicia portions 236 a, 236 b, 236 cestablished in an opacifying element or layer or coating or film 236 sandwiched between the mirror reflector carrier or back plate 220 and the rear surface of the rear substrate 230 of the reflective element 218 (although not shown in FIG. 6, the mirror reflector sub-assembly may also include a heater pad as described above, without affecting the scope of the present invention). In the illustrated embodiment, one of the indicators 226 aand indicator mounting portions 224 afunction as an object/LCA indicator and direct the principle beam axis 227 atoward the driver of the host vehicle, while two of the indicators 226 b, 226 cand indicator mounting portions 224 b, 224 cfunction as turn signal indicators (or other indicators for indicating information to drivers of other vehicles, such as brake light indicators or hazard indicators or the like) and direct the principle beam axes 227 b, 227 caway from the host vehicle for viewing by the drivers of other vehicles alongside or overtaking the host vehicle. Optionally, the indicator mounting portion or tube 224 a, or another similarly angled indicator mounting portion or tube, may be angled so as to direct the principle beam axis or axes toward the host vehicle for conveying other vehicle information to the driver of the host vehicle.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 7, a mirror reflector sub-assembly 312 includes a hollow indicator mounting portion or tube or extension 324 that may be attached to (such as by adhering or the like) the rear surface 330 bof a rear substrate 330 of a reflective element 318. The indicator mounting portion 324 may be positioned at and attached to a mask 337 disposed at the rear surface 330 bof rear substrate 330 and between the indicator mounting portion 324 and the rear surface 330 b. The indicator mounting portion 324 comprises a hollow tube molded from a dark (such as black or dark blue or the like) plastic material, and receives or attaches to an indicator 326 at its end opposite the reflective element 318, so that illumination or light from the indicator 326 passes through a passageway 324 aof indicator mounting portion 324, such as in a similar manner as described above. The mask 337 has indicia or icons 337 aestablished therethrough so that illumination passing through the passageway of the indicator mounting portion passes through the holes or apertures formed in the mask so that the desired indicia or icon or symbol is viewable by a person viewing the reflective element.

The rear substrate 330 of reflective element 318 includes a metallic reflector or reflective coating or layer 331 disposed on its forward or third surface 330 a, and further includes an electrochromic medium 334 (and perimeter seal 335) sandwiched between the metallic reflector 331 at the rear substrate 330 and a transparent conductive coating or layer 333 at a rear surface 332 aof a front substrate 332. In the illustrated embodiment, the metallic reflective coating 331 is substantially reflective and may not comprise a transflective coating or layer. Thus, an aperture or hole 331 ais formed or established through the metallic reflective coating or layer 331 and generally at or near the location at which the indicator mounting portion 324 and mask 337 are positioned or mounted. In such an embodiment, the reflective element 318 may not include an opacifying layer, whereby a separate mask may be disposed at the rear surface of the rear substrate to establish the icons or indicia for the indicator device.

Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 8, a mirror reflector sub-assembly 312′ includes an indicator mounting portion or hollow tube 324′ and indicator 326′ located at or attached or adhered to an opacifying layer 336′ disposed at the rear surface 330 a′ of a rear substrate 330′ of a reflective element 318′, where the blind spot alert icon or indicia 336 a′ is established through the opacifying layer 336′, such as in a similar manner as described above. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear substrate 330′ includes a non-dichroic transflector or transflective coating or layer 331′ disposed on its forward or third surface 330 a′, and further includes an electrochromic medium 334 (and perimeter seal 335) sandwiched between the transflector 331′ and a transparent conductive coating or layer 333 at a rear surface 332 aof a front substrate 332. In the illustrated embodiment, the transflective coating 331′ is at least partially transmitting, and thus does not require an aperture or hole formed or established therethrough. The indicator mounting portion 324′ comprises a hollow tube molded from a dark (such as black or dark blue or the like) plastic material, and receives or attaches to indicator 326′ at its end opposite the reflective element 318′, so that illumination or light from the indicator 326′ passes through a passageway 324 a′ of indicator mounting portion, such as in a similar manner as described above. The opacifying layer 336′ has indicia or icons 336 a′ established therethrough so that illumination passing through the passageway of the indicator mounting portion passes through the holes or apertures formed in the mask and passes through the reflective element so that the desired indicia or icon or symbol is viewable by a person viewing the reflective element.

The indicator mounting portions 324, 324′ may be formed at the desired angle and may be adhered to or otherwise attached to the mask or the opacifying layer or the rear surface of the rear substrate or the like, whereby illumination from the associated indicator is guided in the desired or appropriate direction (such as generally toward the driver of the host vehicle for a blind spot alert indicator or generally away from the driver of the host vehicle for a turn signal indicator or the like) in a similar manner as described above. The plastic tube or tubes or indicator mounting portion/portions may be similar to the indicator mounting portions of the back plates discussed above, and may include light absorbing or substantially light absorbing means on or in or through or partially through the inner surface of the passageway defined along the tube, such that principally only light rays that pass substantially through the full length of the inner passageway exit the end of the light emitting passageway, whereby the light emitted by the light emitting source is mainly visible only by viewing axially along or substantially along the line of direction of the passageway. Optionally, the indicator mounting portions and indicators may be provided as an indicator module that is readily attached to the rear of the reflective element and electrically connected to the appropriate circuitry or wires of the mirror assembly.

The reflective elements 318, 318′ may be otherwise substantially similar to the reflective elements described above, such that a detailed discussion of the reflective elements will not be repeated herein. The angle and direction of the indicator mounting portions may be selected depending on the particular associated display indicia or icons and on the particular mirror application. The reflector carrier or back plate (not shown in FIGS. 7 and 8) of the mirror reflector sub-assemblies may have an aperture or opening therethrough for at least partially receiving the indicator mounting portion or portions or hollow tube or tubes therethrough when the back plate is attached to the rear surface of the reflective element, whereby the hollow tube or tubes (and associated indicator or indicators) may protrude at least partially through the back plate when the mirror reflector sub-assembly is assembled. Optionally, the icons or displays of the mirror reflector sub-assemblies described herein may be established utilizing aspects of the icons or symbols or indicia described in U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 by Karner et al. for MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE INTERIOR MIRROR; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 15, 2006, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the mirror reflector sub-assembly may include masks or baffles or light direction means or occluding means or directional filtering, such as louvers or shutters or filters or light directing film or the like, at the rear of the reflective element (such as between the back plate and the iconistic portions) for further directing or guiding the illumination from the illumination source at the desired angle and through the reflective element so as to be principally or solely viewable by the driver of the host vehicle (for blind spot/LCA applications) or so as to be principally or solely viewable by others at the side or rear of the vehicle (for turn signal applications).

Therefore, the present invention provides a back plate that includes one or more indicator mounting portions or display receiving portions integrally formed therewith, so that the display element or device may be readily assembled to the mirror reflector sub-assembly via attachment or adherence of the back plate to the mirror reflective element. The present invention thus provides a display element or device that is readily assembled to a mirror reflector sub-assembly, and thus facilitates assembly of the mirror reflector sub-assembly at a facility remote from the mirror assembly facility, such that the mirror reflector sub-assembly (including the back plate and indicator mounting portion) may be provided or supplied to the mirror manufacturer as a unit. The mirror manufacturer then may install or attach the indicator or indicator module to the indicator mounting or receiving portion (or may electrically connect an already installed indicator to a wire or lead of the mirror assembly), and may attach the mirror reflector sub-assembly to the mirror actuator. The present invention thus provides enhanced assembly processing of the mirror assembly, while taking advantage of the otherwise typically unused space within the casing and behind the back plate of the exterior rearview mirror assembly.

Although shown and described as being located at a driver side exterior mirror, the blind spot/LCA/turn signal indicator of the present invention may also or otherwise be located at the passenger side exterior mirror, if desired. Optionally, a blind spot indicator in accordance with the present invention may be located at both the driver side mirror assembly and the passenger side mirror assembly of the host vehicle. The indicator at either side may be selectively activated or illuminated to indicate to the driver of the host vehicle that an object or other vehicle has been detected at that particular side lane region of the host vehicle. Optionally, the blind spot indicator may be associated with a blind spot detection and indication system that includes one or more indicators at the interior rearview mirror assembly of the host vehicle. The blind spot indicators may utilize aspects of the blind spot indicators and/or blind spot detection systems described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,198,409; 5,929,786; and 5,786,772, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/026148, filed Jul. 5, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH BLIND SPOT INDICATOR, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Such an indicator or indicators may function as a lane change assist (LCA) indicator or indicators and/or a blind spot indicator or indicators. Such blind spot indicators are typically activated when an object is detected (via a side object or blind spot detection system or the like such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,038,577; 6,882,287; 6,198,409; 5,929,786; and 5,786,772, and/or U.S, patent application, Ser. No. 11/315,675, filed Dec. 22, 2005 by Higgins-Luthman for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,720,580; and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/026148, filed Jul. 5, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. et al. for VEHICLE EXTERIOR MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH BLIND SPOT INDICATOR, and published Apr. 16, 2009 as PCT Publication No. WO 2007/005942, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties) at the side and/or rear of the vehicle (at the blind spot) and when the turn signal is also activated, so as to provide an alert to the driver of the host vehicle that there is an object or vehicle in the lane next to the host vehicle at a time when the driver of the host vehicle intends to move over into the adjacent lane. Optionally, and alternately, the indicator or indicators may function as a lane change assist indicator or indicators, where the host vehicle may be detected to be moving into an adjacent lane without the turn signal being activated, and an object or vehicle may be detected at the adjacent lane, whereby the LCA indicator or indicators may be activated to provide an alert to the driver of the lane change to assist the driver in avoiding unintentional lane changes and/or lane changes when a vehicle or object is detected in the adjacent lane.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a mirror reflector sub-assembly 412 includes a mirror reflective element 418 and a mirror reflector carrier or back plate 420 attached to or mounted to or adhered to a rear surface 418 aof mirror reflective element 418. The mirror reflector sub-assembly 412 includes a display device or display element 422 that is operable to provide a display or indication at the reflective element for viewing the display or indication through the mirror reflective element when the display device is electrically actuated. Display element 422 includes a light source 434, which is disposed at a display portion or a display mounting or attaching portion or display receiving portion or structure 430 (such as a corner portion or region, such as an upper outside/far quadrant or corner portion or region that is outboard of and separate from the reflective element so that light emitted by the light source or sources of the display element does not impinge on or pass through any portion of the reflective element 418, and is desirably at the outer or far side of the reflective element and away from the vehicle at which the mirror assembly is mounted) of the back plate 420 and is located at a perimeter region of the reflective element sub-assembly so as to be operable to emit light outside of the perimeter of the reflective element 418 and not through the reflective element 418, such as discussed below. Since the back plate itself is mounted on the mirror actuator, the back plate, reflective element and display element move in tandem when the mirror actuator is actuated to adjust the rearward field of view as reflected by the mirror reflective element.

Back plate 420 is molded or formed, such as by injection molding, so as to provide the display receiving portion 430 and a generally planar backing portion 420 athat attaches to the rear surface 418 aof the reflective element 418 (such as via adhesive or other suitable attachment means). Preferably, back plate 420, including display receiving portion 430, is molded of a substantially dark or opaque or black material, such as from an ABS or polycarbonate polymeric resin material or from any other suitable material such as known in the exterior rearview mirror art, so as to be substantially opaque such that light does not pass through the opaque back plate and display receiving portion. An attachment element or elements 420 bmay be formed or established at the rear of the backing portion 420 afor attaching the back plate 420 and reflective element to a mirror actuator, such as a mirror actuator as known in the art and/or as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,080,914; 7,073,914; 6,916,100; 6,755,544; 6,685,864; 6,467,920; 6,362,548; 6,243,218; 6,229,226; 6,213,612; 5,986,364 and 5,900,999, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference herein in their entireties.

Optionally, a heater pad 437 may be provided at the rear surface 418 aof the reflective element 418 and between the backing portion 420 aof back plate 420 and the reflective element 418 to provide an anti-fogging of de-fogging feature to the exterior mirror assembly (such as by utilizing aspects of the heater elements or pads described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/334,139, filed Jan. 18, 2006 by Byers et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH HEATER ELEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,400,435, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The back plate and/or heater pad may include suitable electrical connectors and connections incorporated therein (such as by utilizing aspects of the mirror assembly described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/334,139, filed Jan. 18, 2006 by Byers et al. for MIRROR ASSEMBLY WITH HEATER ELEMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,400,435, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) for electrically connecting the heater pad and/or display element (or other suitable electrical connectors may be utilized, such as electrical leads or wire harnesses or pigtails or other separate connectors or cables or the like).

Back plate 420 may include a perimeter framing portion or bezel portion 420 cthat extends around the perimeter edges of the reflective element 418 to support the reflective element and frame the reflective element at the mirror assembly. The perimeter bezel portion may be narrow or small depending on the particular application of the reflective element and mirror reflector sub-assembly. Optionally, the mirror reflector sub-assembly may comprise a bezelless or frameless reflective element (such as the types described in U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 11/226,628, filed Sep. 14, 2005 ; Ser. No. 10/533,762, filed May 4, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,190; and/or Ser. No. 11/021,065, filed Dec. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,451, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 15, 2006 by Donnelly Corp. et al., which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties), whereby the back plate may not include a perimeter framing portion or bezel portion around the perimeter of the reflective element.

Optionally, and as shown in phantom in FIG. 10, the bezel portion 420 cmay include a lip or tab or shelf 420 dat a portion thereof. The lip 420 dprotrudes forward of the bezel portion and over a portion of a forward surface of the reflective element when the reflective element is attached to the back plate. Thus, the reflective element and heater pad may be inserted or loaded into the back plate by inserting a perimeter region of the reflective element into the back plate and under or behind the tab 420 dand pivoting the reflective element into position whereby the reflective element is at least partially recessed within the frame or bezel portion of the back plate.

In the illustrated embodiment, display receiving portion 430 of back plate 420 is formed or established or disposed at the outer and upper corner of the reflective element sub-assembly 412 so as to be readily viewable by drivers of other vehicles at the side of or rearward of the host vehicle, while not unduly interfering with the primary rearward field of view of the driver of the host vehicle via the mirror reflector of the mirror reflective element. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, display receiving portion 430 may be received at a corner region or cut-out region of the reflective element 418 so as to be viewable outside of the reflective element and not through the reflective element. The size and shape of the display receiving portion and display area may be selected depending on the particular application of the mirror reflector sub-assembly, and may be nested in a corner region of the mirror reflective element (or could be located along a side region, such as the outer or inner side region of the reflective element, or an upper or lower region of the reflective element), and may be formed to have a reduced or minimum size or footprint at the perimeter or corner of the reflective element.

Thus, because the display element is separate from the reflective element and does not project or emit light through the reflective element (so that light emitted by the light source and emanating from the display element does not pass through the reflective element before exiting the mirror sub-assembly), the mirror reflector manufacturer does not have to specially modify the mirror reflector of the reflective element, such as by creating apertures or windows in the reflective coating or reflector or by making the reflector a transflective or transreflective mirror reflector. Thus, the mirror reflector may comprise a mirror reflector that does not require any etching or removal of the reflector coating and does not require any special coatings that may provide a transmissive function as well as a reflective function. Such a mirror assembly and display is thus in stark contrast to known mirror assemblies with through-the-glass displays such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,788,357 and 6,700,692, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

As shown in FIG. 10, a rear surface 430 aof display receiving portion 430 may be angled or canted or slanted and may receive or support display element 422 thereat. For example, rear surface 430 amay receive and support a circuit board or circuit element 432 (such as a printed circuit board or the like) thereat or thereon, while a front surface 430 bof display receiving portion 430 may be generally flush with the front or outer surface 418 bof the reflective element 418 (the surface that faces rearward when the mirror assembly is mounted at the vehicle). Circuit element 432 is thus located at the rear surface 430 aof display receiving portion 430 and includes or supports one or more illumination sources or light sources or indicators 434 (preferably light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like, which emit or project light through display receiving portion 430, such as via one or more passageways 430 cformed or established through display receiving portion 430. The LEDs 434 may be received at a recess or rearward end of the passageways 430 cso that light emitted by the LEDs 434 is directed along the passageways 430 cand through the display receiving portion 430 and not through the reflective element 418.

In the illustrated embodiment, the passageways 430 care angled through display receiving portion 430 and are generally normal to circuit element 432. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the passageways 430 care angled outward and away from the reflective element and thus away from the host vehicle and away from the driver of the host vehicle. The illumination sources or LEDs 434 are located at circuit element 432 and at or near the end of passageways 430 cso that light 434 aemitted by LEDs 434 is emitted through passageways 430 cand away from the view of the driver of the host vehicle sitting in the vehicle cabin. The angle of the rear surface and/or the passageways may be selected to provide the desired angle of the light path as the light exits the display receiving portion, depending on the particular application of the display device and reflective element sub-assembly. The passageways or slots may be established to provide the desired indicator form or shape, such as a chevron shape or arrowhead shape or other suitable shape or form (such as five or seven individual segments or indicating elements (or more or less) that are configured and/or arranged to form the selected icon or chevron shape or arrow shape or the like), and may be readily viewable and discernible and recognizable when the indicators or LEDs are activated. Because the back plate 420 and display receiving portion 430 of back plate 420 are substantially opaque, the passageways and indicators are not readily viewable and discernible when the indicators or LEDs are deactivated.

Although shown and described as having hollow passageways, it is envisioned that the display receiving portion may include tubes or pipes through the display portion, whereby light emitted by the light sources passes through the tubes or pipes disposed at or in or through the display receiving portion. Also, although shown and described as having hollow passageways, it is envisioned that the display receiving portion may be filled with a transparent light conducting material or optical plastic, such as polycarbonate or acrylic or acrylate or polystyrene or COC olefin or the like, or other suitable optical medium, such as via co-injection molding of such materials, whereby light emitted by the light sources passes through the optical medium of the display receiving portion. The light conducting passageways or light pipes or light tubes or light conducting material may be configured to provide the desired or appropriate icon or display, and may provide a solid arrow display (or other suitable solid shape) or may provide a series of individual holes or apertures or pipes or tubes or the like that combine to form an arrow (or other suitable shape), while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is further envisioned that if the passageways are filled or partially filled with a light conducting material or other optical medium, the passageways would not be open at the exterior end of the passageways and thus, the light conducting material would limit or substantially preclude dirt or debris or water or other environmental elements from entering or blocking the passageways, whereby a cover plate (discussed below) may not be needed at the outer surface of the display element.

Thus, the back plate of the mirror sub-assembly may be molded or formed to include the display portion at i