Environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly

• US 20040066568A1
• Filed: 10/02/2002
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Bauer, Frederick T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,899,437 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/838
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/02 Rear-view mirror arrangements periscope arrangements B60R1/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors

Abstract

An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is provided which incorporates a reflective element with variable reflectance. In one embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of cadmium (Cd). In another embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of lead (Pb). In yet another embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of mercury (Hg). In a further embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride (PVC). In yet a further embodiment, the environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly is substantially free of halogen producing chemicals such as bromine (Br).

Claims

1. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly, comprising:

an electrical control circuit with at least one light transducer;

a variable reflectance reflective element; and

at least one metallic component, wherein the assembly is substantially free of cadmium.

2. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, comprising a silicon-based light transducer.

3. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 2, wherein said light transducer is a photodiode.

4. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 2, wherein said light transducer is a photogate.

5. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, comprising at least one metallic component treated with a material selected from the group consisting of zink, phosphate, and black oxide.

6. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a reflective element substantially free of lead-based paint.

7. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of lead-based solder.

8. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of bromine.

9. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of mercury.

10. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1, further comprising a housing and bezel substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride.

11. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly, comprising:

a reflective element, said reflective element comprising;

at least one glass substrate with a coating containing silver on at least one surface;

wherein the assembly is substantially free of lead-based paint.

12. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 11, wherein said reflective element has variable reflectance.

13. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 11, wherein said reflective element is eletrochromic.

14. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 11, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of lead-based solder.

15. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 11, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of bromine.

16. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 11, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of mercury.

17. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 11, further comprising a housing and bezel substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride.

18. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly, comprising:

a variable reflectance reflective element; and

an electrical control circuit, wherein the assembly is substantially free of lead-based solder.

19. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 18, wherein said lead-based solder is selected from the group comprising tin-zinc alloy, tin-silver alloy, and tin-silver-copper alloy.

20. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 18, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of bromine.

21. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 18, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of mercury.

22. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 18, further comprising a housing and bezel substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride.

23. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly, comprising:

a variable reflectance reflective element;

an electrical control circuit; and

a printed circuit board, wherein the assembly is substantially free of bromine.

24. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 23, comprising a printed circuit board made of epoxy resin having a nitrogen-compound-based flame retardant.

25. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 23, comprising a printed circuit board made of epoxy resin having a phosphorus-compound-based flame retardant.

26. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 23, further comprising an electrical control circuit substantially free of mercury.

27. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 23, further comprising a housing and bezel substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride.

28. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly, comprising:

a reflective element;

a housing; and

a bezel, wherein the assembly is substantially free of poly-vinyl-chloride.

29. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 28, wherein at least one of the housing or bezel comprises Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene-Poly-Carbenate (ABSPC).

30. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 28, wherein at least one of the housing or bezel comprises Acrylonitrile-Styrene-Acrylate (ASA).

31. An environmentally improved rearview mirror assembly as in claim 28, wherein at least one of the housing or bezel comprises magnesium alloy.