Vehicular Rearview Mirror Elements And Assemblies Incorporating These Elements

• US 20090303566A1
• Filed: 07/17/2009
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Neuman, George A., Cammenga, David J., Tonar, William L., Poll, David L., Anderson, John S., Stray, Joel A., Ypma, Kenton J., Busscher, Bradley L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,004,741 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/267
• 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 17/10174 Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10321 Laminated safety glass or glazing containing liquid layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10513 Electrochromic layer
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.

Claims

9-1. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein a difference between intensity of ambient light reflected from the peripheral portion and intensity of ambient light reflected from inside the peripheral portion is less than 6 percent.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces, the second surface having a second stack of materials disposed thereon, including a spectral filter material proximate the second surface in at least a peripheral portion, the spectral filter material comprising at least one layer including chromium; and

a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces and a third stack of materials disposed on at least a portion of the third surface, the second substrate including an isolation area on the third surface, the first and second substrates being sealed together by a primary seal material with the second and third surfaces facing each other in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber therebetween,

wherein the primary seal material includes a first portion in contact with the third stack of materials and a second portion in contact with the isolation area.

20. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein at least one of the second stack of materials and the third stack of materials comprises a thin laser line defining the isolation area.

21. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein the isolation area is electrically non-conductive.

22. An apparatus as in claim 19, further comprising:

an electrical circuit board having an electrical connector; and

at least one electrical clip adhered to the second substrate, the electrical clip being in electrical communication with the electrical connector.

23. An apparatus as in claim 22, wherein the electrical clip is a J-clip.

24. An apparatus as in claim 23, wherein the J-clip comprises a stress relief area.

25. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein at least one of a second surface stack of materials and a third surface stack of materials comprises a thin laser line creating an isolation area.

26. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein a difference between intensity of ambient light reflected from the peripheral portion and intensity of ambient light reflected from inside the peripheral portion is less than 10 percent.

27. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein a difference between intensity of ambient light reflected from the peripheral portion and intensity of ambient light reflected from inside the peripheral portion is less than 6 percent.

28. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein a difference between intensity of ambient light reflected from the peripheral portion and intensity of ambient light reflected from inside the peripheral portion is less than 3 percent.

29. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein a difference between color of ambient light reflected from the peripheral portion and color of ambient light reflected from inside the peripheral portion is less than 30 C* units.

30. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein a difference between color of ambient light reflected from the peripheral portion and color of ambient light reflected from inside the peripheral portion is less than 15 C* units.

31. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein a difference between color of ambient light reflected from the peripheral portion and color of ambient light reflected from inside the peripheral portion is less than 10 C* units.

32. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein a value of n is between approximately 3.116 and approximately 3.45 and a value of k is between approximately 3.981 and approximately 4.423.

33. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein a reflectivity of a viewing area of the apparatus is greater than 55 percent.

34. An apparatus as in claim 19, further comprising a layer of transparent conductor disposed proximate to the second surface, wherein the at least one layer including chromium is disposed between the layer of transparent conductor and the second surface.

35. An apparatus as in claim 19, further comprising a layer of transparent conductor disposed between the second surface and the at least one layer including chromium.

36. An apparatus as in claim 34, wherein the at least one layer including chromium is disposed adjacent to a layer of material configured to increase an overall reflectance of the peripheral portion.

37. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein the primary seal material includes spacer beads configured to not cause bead distortion in said spectral filter material.

38. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein the primary seal material is at least partially visible when viewed through the fourth surface.

39. An apparatus as in claim 19, further comprising a plug material positioned between the first substantially transparent substrate and the second substrate, the plug material being UV curable through the second substrate.

40. An apparatus as in claim 19 configured as a rearview mirror element and further comprising at least one device selected from the group consisting of an interior illumination assembly, a digital voice processing system, a power supply, a global positioning system, an exterior light control, a moisture sensor, an information display, a light sensor, a blind spot indicator, a turning signal indicator, an approach warning, an operator interface, a compass, a temperature indicator, a voice actuated device, a microphone, a dimming circuitry, a GPS device, a telecommunication system, a navigation aid, a lane departure warning system, an adaptive cruise control, a vision system, a rear vision system and a tunnel detection system.

42. An apparatus as in claim 22, wherein the electrical clip is adhered to the fourth surface.