Full display mirror

• US 10,179,546 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2016
• Issued: 01/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Cammenga, David J., Stray, Joel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAHLE, MAHIDERE S
• Application Number:
  US15/278,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20170088055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 839 Days
• Field of Search: 359245, 359265, 359267, 359273
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1557 Side by side arrangements of working and counter electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/02 reflective

Abstract

A display mirror assembly for a vehicle is presented that includes a full display module and an electro-optic element that includes a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. The second surface includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate has third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. The third surface includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity. The electro-optic medium is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic medium is operable between generally clear and darkened states. A first electrical connection and a second electrical connection are positioned on the same side of the electro-optic element.

Claims

1. A display mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a full display module; and

an electro-optic element including a plurality of sides defined at a periphery of the electro-optic element, the electro-optic element comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer;

a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween;

an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic medium is operable between generally clear and darkened states;

a spectral filter positioned on the first electrically conductive layer;

a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection, wherein the first and second electrical connections are each positioned on a same side of the second substrate;

a first conductor in electrical communication with the first electrical connection, wherein the first conductor extends between the spectral filter and the third surface of the second substrate;

a second conductor in electrical communication with the second electrical connection, wherein the second conductor extends between the spectral filter and the third surface of the second substrate; and

an isolation line is disposed through the first electrically conductive layer, wherein the isolation line is configured to electrically separate the second conductor from the first electrically conductive layer between the second electrical connection and an opposite side of the electro-optic element.

2. The display mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element is partially transmissive and partially reflective.

3. The display mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the full display module is positioned vehicle forward of the electro-optic element.

4. The display mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the first electrical connection is electrically coupled with a first conductor and the second electrical connection is electrically coupled with a second conductor.

5. The display mirror assembly of claim 4, wherein the second conductor extends to an opposite side of the electro-optic element than the first electrical connection.

6. The display mirror assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second conductors are positioned outboard of the primary seal.

7. A display mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a full display module; and

an electro-optic element comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof;

a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof;

a primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates;

a first conductor positioned along a top of the electro-optic element between the first and second substrates and electrically coupled to a first electrical connection and a first electrically conductive layer;

a second conductor positioned between the first and second substrates, the second conductor electrically coupled to a second electrical connection and a second electrically conductive layer, wherein the second conductor is electrically coupled to the second electrical connection on a different side of the electro-optic element than the second electrically conductive layer; and

an isolation line is disposed through the first electrically conductive layer, wherein the isolation line is configured to electrically separate the second conductor from the first electrically conductive layer between the second electrical connection and an opposite side of the electro-optic element.

8. The display mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the isolation gap has a length less than about 50 mm.

9. The display mirror assembly of claim 8, wherein an isolation gap is defined between the first conductor and the second electrical connection, the isolation gap having a length less than about 30 mm.

10. The display mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second electrical connections are positioned on a top side of the electro-optic element.

11. The display mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the second conductor is electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive layer via a conductive bus.

12. The display mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the first conductor is electrically coupled to a spectral filter positioned on the first substrate.

13. The display mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the full display module extends over at least 70% of a display surface of the display mirror assembly.

14. The display mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second conductors are positioned outboard of the primary seal.

15. A display mirror assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

a full display module; and

an electro-optic element positioned vehicle forward of the full display module, the electro-optic element comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate;

a second substantially transparent substrate;

an electro-optic medium positioned between the first and second substrates;

a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection each positioned on a same side of the second substrate;

a first conductor electrically coupled with an electrically conductive layer positioned on the first substrate and with the first electrical connection and a second conductor electrically coupled to the second electrical connection, wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are electrically coupled with the electro-optic medium on opposite sides of the electro-optic element;

an isolation gap is defined between the first conductor and the second electrical connection; and

an isolation line disposed through the electrically conductive layer and extending along and proximate to the second conductor and a perimeter of the electro-optic.

16. The display mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the electro-optic element is partially transmissive and partially reflective.

17. The display mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second conductors are positioned outboard of a primary seal.

18. The display mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second electrical connections are positioned on a top side of the electro-optic element.

19. The display mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the second conductor is electrically coupled to a second electrically conductive layer positioned on the second substrate via a conductive bus.