Electro-optic element
First Claim
1. An electro-optic element comprising:
- a first substrate having first and second surfaces;
a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces, the second and third surfaces disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship such to form a gap therebetween;
a sealing material circumferentially disposed along a perimeter of the third surface to sealingly affix the second and third surfaces together to form a chamber therebetween; and
an electro-optic medium in the chamber;
wherein at least one of the second and third surfaces carries a first layer of a transparent conducting oxide (TCO);
wherein the at least one of the second and third surfaces carrying the first layer additionally carries a second layer comprising a metal, the second layer being distinct from the first layer;
wherein the second layer is substantially absent at at least a portion of a surface of the first layer to define an opening through the second layer, and the first layer is exposed at substantially all of the opening; and
wherein the second layer has a sharp or abruptly terminated edge defining the opening.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicular rearview assembly with a mirror element having a curved or rounded edge on the first surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, a complex peripheral ring, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. The mirror element is supported by a hybrid carrier co-molded of at least two materials, a portion of which is compressible between the housing shell and an edge of the mirror element. The peripheral ring may include multiple bands. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An electro-optic element comprising:
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a first substrate having first and second surfaces; a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces, the second and third surfaces disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship such to form a gap therebetween; a sealing material circumferentially disposed along a perimeter of the third surface to sealingly affix the second and third surfaces together to form a chamber therebetween; and an electro-optic medium in the chamber; wherein at least one of the second and third surfaces carries a first layer of a transparent conducting oxide (TCO); wherein the at least one of the second and third surfaces carrying the first layer additionally carries a second layer comprising a metal, the second layer being distinct from the first layer; wherein the second layer is substantially absent at at least a portion of a surface of the first layer to define an opening through the second layer, and the first layer is exposed at substantially all of the opening; and wherein the second layer has a sharp or abruptly terminated edge defining the opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electro-optic element comprising:
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a first substrate having first and second surfaces; a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces, the second and third surfaces disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to form a gap therebetween; a sealing material circumferentially disposed along a perimeter of the third surface to sealingly affix the second and third surfaces together to form a chamber therebetween; and an electro-optic medium in the chamber; wherein at least one of the second and third surfaces carries a first layer of a transparent conducting oxide (TCO); wherein the at least one of the second and third surfaces carrying the first layer additionally carries a second layer comprising a metal, the second layer being distinct from the first layer; wherein the second layer is substantially absent at at least a portion of a surface of the first layer to define an opening through the second layer, and the first layer is exposed at substantially all of the opening; and wherein the first layer remains relatively undamaged at the opening. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification