Pneumatically Operated, Dimmable Mirror Assembly
First Claim
1. A dimmable mirror assembly comprising:
- a first, light-transmitting plate, and a flexible sealing member, wherein the first plate and the flexible sealing member are operatively coupled to define a central cavity;
a second, light-reflecting plate coupled with the flexible sealing member and contained within the central cavity;
a light-absorbing optical fluid contained within the central cavity, and between the first plate and the second plate; and
an expandable element operatively coupled with the first plate and the second plate and separating the first plate and the second plate, for moving the second plate relative to the first plate and between a non-activated position in which the second plate is adjacent to the first plate and an activated position in which the second plate is spaced from the first plate, wherein the optical fluid fills a gap developed between the first plate and the second plate.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A dimmable mirror assembly operates responsive to changes in the thickness of a light absorbing fluid contained between a transparent glass plate and a high reflectance, first surface mirror. The thickness of the light absorbing fluid layer is pneumatically or hydraulically controlled. Variations in pressure are typically developed responsive to a compressible element which can be controlled manually, or responsive to an electrically operated solenoid or motor, to control pressures for creating desired actuation forces. The actuation forces produced by the resulting assembly can be controlled locally, or can be controlled remotely by the driver. The dimmable mirror assembly is suitable for locations within the interior of a vehicle and outside of the vehicle.
-
Citations
49 Claims
-
1. A dimmable mirror assembly comprising:
-
a first, light-transmitting plate, and a flexible sealing member, wherein the first plate and the flexible sealing member are operatively coupled to define a central cavity;
a second, light-reflecting plate coupled with the flexible sealing member and contained within the central cavity;
a light-absorbing optical fluid contained within the central cavity, and between the first plate and the second plate; and
an expandable element operatively coupled with the first plate and the second plate and separating the first plate and the second plate, for moving the second plate relative to the first plate and between a non-activated position in which the second plate is adjacent to the first plate and an activated position in which the second plate is spaced from the first plate, wherein the optical fluid fills a gap developed between the first plate and the second plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
-
Specification