EXTERIOR MIRROR ELEMENT WITH WIDE ANGLE PORTION
First Claim
1. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;
a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;
wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said glass substrate;
wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;
wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess;
wherein said first surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;
wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;
wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters;
wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and
wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a glass substrate with a principal planar reflector portion having a principal mirror reflector disposed at a first or second surface of the glass substrate and with an auxiliary wide angle curved portion having an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at a curved recess established at a region of the second surface of the glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating. The curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters, and has a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters, and has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters.
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Citations
120 Claims
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1. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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21. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by grinding; wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element; wherein said first surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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28. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector comprising a metallic reflector established at said second surface of said glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said minor reflective element; wherein said first surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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35. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said first surface of said glass substrate and wherein said principal mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector and wherein said principal mirror reflector comprises a light-transmitting aperture; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element; wherein said light-transmitting aperture substantially corresponds to said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element; wherein said first surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 80 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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42. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element; wherein said first surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 70 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 3.08 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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47. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said first surface of said glass substrate, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a light-transmitting aperture; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said light-transmitting aperture substantially corresponds to said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element; wherein said first surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 70 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 3.08 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49, 50)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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51. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said second surface of said glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary minor reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said minor reflective element; wherein said first surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is in the range from about 30 millimeters to about 70 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 3.08 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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55. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a first glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a second glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said first glass substrate and said third surface of said second glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second glass substrate; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said second glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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89. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a first glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a second glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said first glass substrate and said third surface of said second glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second glass substrate; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said second glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first glass substrate; wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped; wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; and wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged. - View Dependent Claims (90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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100. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a first glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a second glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said first glass substrate and said third surface of said second glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second glass substrate; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said second glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium, said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged; and wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said first glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector. - View Dependent Claims (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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108. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a first glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a second glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said first glass substrate and said third surface of said second glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second glass substrate; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at a surface of said second glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said first glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector; wherein at least one of (i) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, (ii) said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iii) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iv) said curved recess comprises an aspherical convex-curved surface, (v) said curved recess comprises a compound curved convex-curved surface and (vi) said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element; wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess have a depth in the range from about 0.5 millimeters deep and to about 3.09 millimeters deep; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; and wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.5 millimeters to about 3.09 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (109, 110, 111, 112, 113)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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114. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a first glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a second glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said first glass substrate and said third surface of said second glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second glass substrate; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at a surface of said second glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; and wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said first glass substrate. - View Dependent Claims (115, 116, 117, 118)
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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119. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a first glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a second glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said first glass substrate and said third surface of said second glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second glass substrate; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at a surface of said second glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said first glass substrate; wherein said curved recess has a depth of at least about 0.5 millimeters deep; wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary minor reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablation before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said first glass substrate; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said second glass substrate; and wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region of said second surface of said first glass substrate immediately surrounding said curved recess, and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said generally planar surface region of said second surface of said first glass substrate immediately surrounding said curved recess.
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
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120. :
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
a first glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a second glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said first glass substrate and said third surface of said second glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said first glass substrate to said second glass substrate; a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said second glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector established at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said first glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said second glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said curved recess has a cross-dimension size that is less than or equal to about 80 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 1,000 millimeters; wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 2.26 millimeters; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said mirror reflective element as viewed through said first glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said first glass substrate; wherein at least one of (i) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, (ii) said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iii) said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and said curved recess comprises a spherical convex-curved surface, (iv) said curved recess comprises an aspherical convex-curved surface, (v) said curved recess comprises a compound curved convex-curved surface and (vi) said curved recess is canted relative to said principal planar reflector portion of said mirror reflective element; wherein said transparent conductor coating abuts said auxiliary mirror reflector and wherein said transparent conductor coating surrounds said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said first glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablation before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said first glass substrate; wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a planar substrate surface immediately surrounding said curved recess and wherein the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said curved recess is contiguous with the portion of said metallic reflector coating coated at said planar substrate surface immediately surrounding said curved recess; and wherein said first glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.
- A mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said mirror reflective element comprising;
Specification