METHOD OF MAKING ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR AN ELECTRO-OPTIC REARVIEW MIRROR ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLE

摘要

A method for making electrical connection to a mirror reflective element for a vehicular rearview mirror assembly includes providing a mirror reflective element having a front substrate and a rear substrate with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween and in contact with a transparent conductive coating and a third surface reflector. A metallic electrical connector is provided that includes an attachment portion and a wire receiving portion. An electrical wire is inserted in the wire receiving portion such that at least one tang of the wire receiving portion engages the electrical wire to secure the electrical wire in the wire receiving portion and to make electrically-conductive connection with the electrical wire. The attachment portion is attached at the front or rear substrate to attach the electrical connector at the mirror reflective element such that the attachment portion electrically conductively connects to the transparent conductive coating or the third surface reflector.

主权项

1. A method for making electrical connection to a mirror reflective element for a vehicular rearview mirror assembly, said method comprising:
providing a mirror reflective element comprising a front substrate having first and second surfaces, and a rear substrate having third and fourth surfaces, wherein said front substrate has a transparent conductive coating established at said second surface and said rear substrate has a third surface reflector established at said third surface, and wherein an electro-optic medium is disposed between said front and rear substrates and is in contact with said transparent conductive coating and said third surface reflector; providing a metallic electrical connector comprising an attachment portion and a wire receiving portion for receiving an electrical wire therein; inserting the electrical wire in said wire receiving portion of said electrical connector such that at least one tang of said wire receiving portion engages the electrical wire to secure the electrical wire in said wire receiving portion and to make electrically-conductive connection with the electrical wire, wherein, when the electrical wire is inserted in said wire receiving portion, an edge of said at least one tang engages and bites into the electrical wire to electrically conductively connect with the inserted electrical wire; and attaching said attachment portion of said electrical connector at one of said front and rear substrates to attach said electrical connector at said mirror reflective element such that said attachment portion electrically conductively connects to one of said transparent conductive coating and said third surface reflector.