Electrochromic Rearview Mirror Incorporating a Third Surface Reflector
First Claim
1. A rearview mirror assembly for use in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- a first substantially transparent substrate and a second substantially transparent substrate secured behind the first substrate, said second substrate includinga layer of reflective material being proximate a surface of said second substrate that is closest to said first substantially transparent substrate, anda first layer of substantially transparent conductive material positioned between the layer of reflective material and the first substantially transparent substrate,wherein the assembly exhibits a transmittance of at least about 5 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum, and relative color neutrality.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The inventive electrochromic mirror may be used in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror and/or a light sensor positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively receiving light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, an electrochromic material is contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlies the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a partially transmissive coating of and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source and/or light sensor that is at least partially transmissive.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A rearview mirror assembly for use in a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
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a first substantially transparent substrate and a second substantially transparent substrate secured behind the first substrate, said second substrate including a layer of reflective material being proximate a surface of said second substrate that is closest to said first substantially transparent substrate, and a first layer of substantially transparent conductive material positioned between the layer of reflective material and the first substantially transparent substrate, wherein the assembly exhibits a transmittance of at least about 5 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum, and relative color neutrality. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for operating a rearview mirror assembly, the method comprising:
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transmitting light, from a light source within the assembly, through an optical system to a field of view outside the assembly, wherein the optical system includes a first substrate having first and second surfaces, the first surface corresponding to an outside portion of the assembly, and a second substrate having a third surface, the second substrate secured to the first substrate, the third surface facing the second surface and partially transmitting light incident on the third surface in such a manner as to provide for transmittance, by the optical system, of the light from the light source, of at least 5 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum, wherein the assembly exhibits relative color neutrality perceived in reflected ambient light. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification