Rearview Mirror Assemblies With Anisotropic Polymer Laminates
First Claim
1. A variable reflectance mirror system for use in a rearview mirror assembly having a light source transmitting light of a first polarization through the mirror system, the mirror system comprising:
- a first substrate having a first electrode disposed on a surface thereof;
a second substrate having a second electrode disposed on a surface thereof, the first and second substrates placed in a spaced-apart relationship to define a gap therebetween;
an electro-optic medium deployed in the gap, the electro-optic medium characterized by transmittance changing in response to a voltage difference applied between the first and second electrodes;
a reflective polarizer including an anisotropic film, the reflective polarizer positioned between the second substrate and the light source such that the light emitted by the light source passes through the reflective polarizer, and where the reflective polarizer reflects light of a second polarization, the second polarization being opposite the first polarization,wherein the mirror system is substantially devoid of any extended distortion.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A variable reflectance mirror system for use in a rearview mirror assembly having a light source transmitting light of a first polarization through the mirror system, the mirror system comprising:
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a first substrate having a first electrode disposed on a surface thereof; a second substrate having a second electrode disposed on a surface thereof, the first and second substrates placed in a spaced-apart relationship to define a gap therebetween; an electro-optic medium deployed in the gap, the electro-optic medium characterized by transmittance changing in response to a voltage difference applied between the first and second electrodes; a reflective polarizer including an anisotropic film, the reflective polarizer positioned between the second substrate and the light source such that the light emitted by the light source passes through the reflective polarizer, and where the reflective polarizer reflects light of a second polarization, the second polarization being opposite the first polarization, wherein the mirror system is substantially devoid of any extended distortion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A variable reflectance mirror system for use in a rearview mirror assembly having a light source transmitting light of a first polarization through the mirror system, the mirror system comprising
an optical element having a proximal side and a distal side, the mirror element reflecting ambient light incident upon the proximal side; - and
a laminate including an anisotropic plastic film structure, the anisotropic plastic film structure substantially transmitting light of the first polarization and substantially reflecting light of a second polarization, the second polarization being opposite the first polarization, the anisotropic plastic film structure disposed between the distal side of the optical element and the light source such that the light emitted by the light source passes through the laminate, wherein the mirror system is substantially devoid of any extended distortion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An optical element for increasing a contrast of light generated by a light source and transmitted through a mirror structure of an automotive rearview mirror assembly, the optical element comprising:
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an optical substrate having a surface; and a layered structure adhered to the surface, the layered structure including an anisotropic layer transmitting light of a first polarization and reflecting light of a second polarization that is opposite to the first polarization, the layered structure characterized by a range of glass transition temperatures, wherein the optical element is characterized by SW and LW values that are less than 3. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification