Abstract:
A rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle wherein a mirror element is provided with a nontransmissive, electrically conductive reflective coating across the exterior viewing surface. Elongated contacts extending along the top and bottom edges of the coating provide a uniform current path across the coating when an electrical potential is applied thereacross to directly resistance heat the coating. The low-thermal conductivity of the mirror element acts as an insulating barrier which serves to retain heat at the coating, thereby improving the thermal efficiency of the assembly. A backing plate, adhesively attached the other surface of the mirror element, mounts the mirror element on a ball stud located within the cavity of a mirror support housing on the exterior of the vehicle, thereby permitting adjustable universal movement of the mirror element about the ball stud within confines of the cavity. A manual control switch is provided for selectively applying heating current to the coating.