US 7,543,946 B2
Dimmable rearview assembly having a glare sensor
Harold C. Ockerse, Holland, Mich. (US); Jon H. Bechtel, Holland, Mich. (US); Joseph S. Stam, Holland, Mich. (US); Darin D. Tuttle, Byron Center, Mich. (US); Wayne J. Rumsey, Holland, Mich. (US); and Jeremy A. Walser, Grand Rapids, Mich. (US)
Assigned to Gentex Corporation, Zeeland, Mich. (US)
Filed on Apr. 28, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/833,900.
Application 10/833900 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/068540, filed on Feb. 06, 2002, granted, now 6,831,268.
Application 10/068540 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/043977, filed on Jan. 10, 2002, granted, now 6,679,608.
Prior Publication US 2005/0024729 A1, Feb. 03, 2005
Int. Cl. G02B 5/08 (2006.01); B60R 1/08 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 359—604  [250/216; 250/239] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
3. A rearview assembly for use in a vehicle, said rearview assembly comprising:
a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle;
a rearview element disposed in said housing for providing an image to the driver of the rearward view from the vehicle; and
a glare sensor device mounted behind said rearview element so as to sense light passing through said rearview element, said glare sensor device comprising:
a support structure;
a sensing circuit mounted on said support substrate for sensing light and generating an electrical output signal in response thereto; and
an encapsulant encapsulating said sensing circuit on said support structure, said encapsulant being configured to define a lens portion for focusing incident light onto an active surface of said sensing circuit, and a light collector portion surrounding the lens portion for collecting and redirecting light that is not incident on the lens portion onto the active surface of said sensing circuit, wherein said light collecting portion includes a parabolic surface.