Variable reflectance mirrors and windows
First Claim
1. A variable reflectance mirror element for use in a rearview mirror assembly having an electronic device positioned behind the mirror element for transmitting/receiving light of a first polarization, said mirror element comprising:
- a first substrate;
a second substrate;
a first electrode provided on a surface of said first substrate;
a second electrode provided on a surface of said second substrate;
an electro-optic medium provided between said first and second substrates that changes transmittance in response to a voltage applied across said first and second electrodes; and
a polarized reflector provided on a surface of said second substrate for transmitting light of the first polarization and reflecting light of a second polarization opposite the first polarization.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various structures for variable reflectance rearview mirrors and variable transmittance windows are disclosed. One embodiment pertains to the provision of a polarized reflector in a rearview mirror. Another embodiment pertains to the provision of a switchable cholesteric liquid crystal element in a window. Yet another embodiment pertains to the provision of a plurality of apertures in a reflector layer of a rearview mirror where the apertures are sized and positioned in alignment with light emitting areas of a display positioned behind the reflector layer. In another embodiment, a moveable display or mirror element is attached to a rearview mirror housing.
-
Citations
58 Claims
-
1. A variable reflectance mirror element for use in a rearview mirror assembly having an electronic device positioned behind the mirror element for transmitting/receiving light of a first polarization, said mirror element comprising:
-
a first substrate;
a second substrate;
a first electrode provided on a surface of said first substrate;
a second electrode provided on a surface of said second substrate;
an electro-optic medium provided between said first and second substrates that changes transmittance in response to a voltage applied across said first and second electrodes; and
a polarized reflector provided on a surface of said second substrate for transmitting light of the first polarization and reflecting light of a second polarization opposite the first polarization. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:
-
an electro-optic element comprising first and second electrodes, said electro-optic element changes reflectance in response to a voltage applied across said first and second electrodes, wherein said second electrode comprises a polarized reflector for transmitting light of a first polarization and reflecting light of a second polarization opposite the first polarization; and
an electronic device positioned behind said polarized reflector for transmitting/receiving light of the first polarization through said polarized reflector. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. An electrochromic element comprising:
-
a first substrate;
a second substrate spaced apart from said first substrate;
a first electrode provided on a surface of said first substrate;
a second electrode provided on a surface of said second substrate;
an electrochromic medium provided between said first and second substrates; and
a polarized reflector provided on a surface of one of said first and second substrates, said polarized reflector transmits light of a first polarization and reflects light of a second polarization opposite the first polarization. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
-
-
25. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:
-
a housing adapted for attachment to the vehicle;
a display positioned within the housing; and
a mirror element moveably mounted to said housing, said mirror element movable between a first position in front of said display, and a second position away from said display.
-
-
26. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:
-
a housing adapted for attachment to the vehicle;
a mirror element positioned within the housing; and
a display moveably mounted to said housing, said display movable between a first position where said display may be viewed by a vehicle occupant, and a second position where said display may not be readily viewed by a vehicle occupant. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29)
-
- 30. An electro-optic variable transmittance window comprising a switchable cholesteric element having a pitch that varies in response to an applied voltage so as to vary the transmittance of the electro-optic variable transmittance window.
-
44. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:
-
a substrate;
a reflective layer applied to a surface of said substrate; and
a display having a plurality of light emitting areas, wherein said reflective layer has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, each aperture being associated and substantially aligned with the light emitting regions of said display. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
-
-
52. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:
-
a substrate;
a reflective layer applied to a surface of said substrate, wherein said reflective layer has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough;
a display positioned behind said reflective layer; and
a material that is at least partially reflective disposed in said apertures. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
-
Specification