Exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element for a vehicular rearview mirror assembly

• US 20070184284A1
• Filed: 01/16/2007
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Agrawal, Anoop, Allemand, Pierr-Marc, Dornan, Craig, Lynam, Niall, Varaprasad, Desaraju, Zhao, Mingtag
• Granted Patent: US 7,349,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/426
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/06 comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10697 being cross-linked
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2900/40 Several lamps activated in sequence, e.g. sweep effect, progressive activation
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1007 Non-condensed systems
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1011 Condensed systems
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1014 bridged by heteroatoms, e.g. N, P, Si or B
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1029 containing one nitrogen atom as the heteroatom
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1033 with oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2211/1037 with sulfur
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 9/02 Organic tenebrescent materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1503 caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1516 comprising organic material
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15165 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1502 complementary cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1518 : Ferrocene compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/58 : Arrangements comprising a monitoring photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/022 : polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24785 : including layer embodying mechanically interengaged strands, strand portions or strand-like strips [e.g., weave, knit, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/26 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31551 : Of polyamidoester [polyurethane, polyisocyanate, polycarbamate, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31649 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31678 : Of metal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31935 : Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/0419 : By distorting within elastic limit

Abstract

An exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly comprises an electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate. The electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film contacts a transparent conductive layer of the first substrate and a conductive layer comprising a metallic reflective layer of the second substrate. A visual indicator display is disposed to the rear of said second substrate and is part of a blind spot detection and display system and is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane. Light emitted by the visual indicator display passes through the second substrate, through the electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film and through the first substrate to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element.

Claims

1-22. -22. (canceled)

23. An exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element comprising:

a first transparent substrate having a transparent conductive layer on a surface thereof;

a second substrate having a conductive layer on a surface thereof, said conductive layer of said first substrate opposing said second conductive layer of said second substrate in a spaced-apart relationship thereby forming an interpane distance between said substrates;

a boundary seal interposed between said first and second substrates spacing apart said substrates and forming a cavity wherein said interpane distance is at least about 10 microns;

an electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film within said cavity, said electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film disposed between and contacting said transparent conductive layer of said first transparent substrate and said conductive layer of said second substrate;

said electrochromic cross-linked solid polymeric film formed from an electrochromic monomer composition, said electrochromic monomer composition including at least one cathodic electrochromic compound;

said second conductive layer comprising a metallic reflective layer;

a visual indicator display disposed to the rear of said second substrate;

said visual indicator display being part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the vehicle equipped with the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element; and

wherein light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said second substrate, through said electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film and through said first substrate to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element.

24. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said monomer composition includes at least one of (A) a monofunctional monomer and a cross-linking agent and (B) a polyfunctional monomer capable of cross-linking.

25. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said monomer composition includes (i) at least one anodic electrochromic compound and (ii) a plasticizer.

26. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said metallic reflective layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, palladium, platinum, titanium, gold, chromium, silver and steel.

27. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said metallic reflective layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, palladium, platinum, chromium and silver.

28. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said metallic reflective layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of palladium, chromium and silver.

29. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said electrochromic monomer composition includes a monomer component selected from the group consisting of a urethane, a heterocyclic and an acrylate.

30. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said electrochromic monomer composition comprises a component selected from the group consisting of a photoinitiator, a photosensitizer, an ultraviolet stabilizing agent, a coloring agent, a spacer, an anti-oxidizing agent, a flame retarding agent, a heat stabilizing agent, a compatibilizing agent, a humectant, a lubricating agent, an adhesion promoting agent, and a coupling agent.

31. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said electrochromic monomer composition comprises a cross-linking agent.

32. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 31, wherein said cross-linking agent is selected from the group consisting of a polyfunctional hydroxy compound, a polyfunctional primary or secondary amino compound, a polyfunctional mercapto compound and combinations thereof.

33. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 31, wherein said cross-linking agent comprises a polyfunctional hydroxy compound.

34. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 33, wherein said polyfunctional hydroxy compound comprises a polyol.

35. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said monomer composition comprises a monomer component which polymerizes by addition polymerization or ring opening polymerization selected from the group consisting of a monofunctional monomer, a difunctional monomer, a trifunctional monomer, a polyfunctional monomer or mixtures thereof.

36. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said cathodic electrochromic compound comprises a viologen or an anthraquinone.

37. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 25, wherein said anodic electrochromic compound is selected from the group consisting of a phenothiazine, a phenazine, and a metallocene.

38. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film comprises a cross-linked urethane, a cross-linked epoxy, a cross-linked acrylate, a cross-linked vinyl or a combination thereof.

39. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein visual indicator display comprises at least one light emitting diode.

40. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said visual indicator display comprises a plurality of light diodes.

41. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said visual indicator display comprises at least a first indicator at a first location to the rear of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element and a second indicator at a second location to the rear of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element and wherein said first location is proximate to and spaced from said second location.

42. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 41, wherein said first indicator comprises a first light source at said first location and wherein said second indicator comprises a second light source at said second location.

43. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 42, wherein said first light source comprises a light emitting diode and said second light source comprises a light emitting diode.

44. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 42, wherein a first portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed at said first location in order to establish an at least partially transmissive first portion of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element at said first location and wherein a second portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed at said second location in order to establish an at least partially transmissive second portion of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element at said second location.

45. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 42, wherein a first portion of said metallic reflective layer is removed at said first location in order to establish a fully transmissive first portion of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element at said first location and wherein a second portion of said metallic reflective layer is removed at said second location in order to establish a fully transmissive second portion of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element at said second location.

46. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is modulated in accordance with the light level surrounding the vehicle as sensed by a light sensor.

47. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is adjusted as a function of the reflectance level of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element.

48. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein said visual indicator display comprises an icon indicative of detection by a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element.

49. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 23, wherein another visual indicator display is disposed to the rear of said second substrate, said another visual indicator display being part of a turn signaling system of the vehicle wherein said another visual indicator display is actuated to emit light upon actuation by the driver of a turn signal of the vehicle and wherein light emitted by said another visual indicator display passes through said second substrate, through said electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film and through said first substrate.

50. An exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element comprising:

a first transparent substrate having a transparent conductive layer on a surface thereof;

a second substrate having a conductive layer on a surface thereof, said conductive layer of said first substrate opposing said second conductive layer of said second substrate in a spaced-apart relationship thereby forming an interpane distance between said substrates;

a boundary seal interposed between said first and second substrates spacing apart said substrates and forming a cavity wherein said interpane distance is at least about 10 microns;

an electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film within said cavity, said electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film disposed between and contacting said transparent conductive layer of said first transparent substrate and said conductive layer of said second substrate;

said electrochromic cross-linked solid polymeric film formed from an electrochromic monomer composition, said electrochromic monomer composition including at least one cathodic electrochromic compound;

said second conductive layer comprising a metallic reflective layer;

a visual indicator display disposed to the rear of said second substrate;

said visual indicator display being part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the vehicle equipped with the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element;

wherein light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said second substrate, through said electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film and through said first substrate to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element;

wherein said visual indicator display comprises at least a first indicator at a first location to the rear of the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element and a second indicator at a second location to the rear of the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element and wherein said first location is proximate to and spaced from said second location;

wherein said first indicator comprises a first light source at said first location and wherein said second indicator comprises a second light source at said second location; and

wherein a first portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed at said first location in order to establish an at least partially transmissive first portion of the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element at said first location and wherein a second portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed at said second location in order to establish an at least partially transmissive second portion of the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element at said second location.

51. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 50, wherein said first light source comprises a light emitting diode and said second light source comprises a light emitting diode.

52. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 51, wherein a first portion of said metallic reflective layer is removed at said first location in order to establish a fully transmissive first portion of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element at said first location and wherein a second portion of said metallic reflective layer is removed at said second location in order to establish a fully transmissive second portion of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element at said second location.

53. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 52, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is modulated in accordance with the light level surrounding the vehicle as sensed by a light sensor.

54. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 53, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is adjusted as a function of the reflectance level of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element.

55. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 50, wherein said visual indicator display comprises an icon indicative of detection by a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element.

56. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 50, wherein another visual indicator display is disposed to the rear of said second substrate, said another visual indicator display being part of a turn signaling system of the vehicle wherein said another visual indicator display is actuated to emit light upon actuation by the driver of a turn signal of the vehicle and wherein light emitted by said another visual indicator display passes through said second substrate, through said electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film and through said first substrate.

57. An exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element comprising:

a first transparent substrate having a transparent conductive layer on a surface thereof;

a second substrate having a conductive layer on a surface thereof, said conductive layer of said first substrate opposing said second conductive layer of said second substrate in a spaced-apart relationship thereby forming an interpane distance between said substrates;

a boundary seal interposed between said first and second substrates spacing apart said substrates and forming a cavity wherein said interpane distance is at least about 10 microns;

an electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film within said cavity, said electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film disposed between and contacting said transparent conductive layer of said first transparent substrate and said conductive layer of said second substrate;

said electrochromic cross-linked solid polymeric film formed from an electrochromic monomer composition, said electrochromic monomer composition including at least one cathodic electrochromic compound;

said second conductive layer comprising a metallic reflective layer;

a visual indicator display disposed to the rear of said second substrate;

said visual indicator display being part of a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle wherein said visual indicator display is actuated to emit light responsive to a detection by a blind spot detection detector of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of the vehicle equipped with the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element;

wherein light emitted by said visual indicator display passes through said second substrate, through said electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film and through said first substrate to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle equipped with the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element; and

wherein another visual indicator display is disposed to the rear of said second substrate, said another visual indicator display being part of a turn signaling system of the vehicle wherein said another visual indicator display is actuated to emit light upon actuation by the driver of a turn signal of the vehicle and wherein light emitted by said another visual indicator display passes through said second substrate, through said electrochromic cross-linked polymeric solid film and through said first substrate.

58. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 57, wherein said visual indicator display comprises a first light source and a second light source to the rear of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element, said first light source being spaced from said second light source.

59. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 58, wherein said first light source is proximate to said second light source.

60. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 58, wherein a first portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed in order to establish an at least partially transmissive first portion for light emitted by said first light source and wherein a second portion of said metallic reflective layer is at least partially removed in order to establish an at least partially transmissive second portion for light emitted by said second light source.

61. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 58, wherein a first portion of said metallic reflective layer is fully removed in order to establish a fully transmissive first portion for light emitted by said first light source and wherein a second portion of said metallic reflective layer is fully removed in order to establish a fully transmissive second portion for light emitted by said second light source.

62. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 60, wherein said first light source comprises a light emitting diode and said second light source comprises a light emitting diode.

63. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 57, wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is modulated in accordance with the light level surrounding the vehicle as sensed by a light sensor and

wherein the intensity of light emitted upon actuation of said visual indicator display is adjusted as a function of the reflectance level of said exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element.

64. The exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element according to claim 57, wherein said visual indicator display comprises an icon indicative of detection by a blind spot detection and display system of the vehicle of another overtaking vehicle in a side lane adjacent the side of a vehicle equipped with the exterior electrochromic reflective mirror element.