VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR WITH SPOTTER MIRROR

• US 20110194185A1
• Filed: 01/04/2011
• Published: 08/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian J. Steenwyk, David J. Cammenga, Michael L. Mclarty, Randall S. Braun
• Original Assignee: Brian J. Steenwyk, David J. Cammenga, Michael L. Mclarty, Randall S. Braun
• Inventors: McLarty, Michael L., Cammenga, David J., Steenwyk, Brian J., Braun, Randall S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,264,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/604
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/072 for adjusting the mirror relative to its housing
• 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 1/153 Constructional details

Abstract

A mirror element comprising a front element, a rear element, electrochromic material therebetween, and a spotter optic located at the rear surface of the front element. At least a portion of the spotter optic has a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the front surface of the front element has a greater second radius of curvature. A line perpendicular to the front surface extends through both the electrochromic material and the spotter optic. A first electrode coating and a second electrode coating are activated to activate the electrochromic material in order to dim a reflection off of the mirror element. A reflective coating of the spotter optic can form a portion of the first electrode coating. The first electrode coating and the reflective coating can overlap.

Claims

1-7. -7. (canceled)

8. An exterior rearview mirror element comprising:

a front element defining a first surface and a second surface;

a rear element defining a third surface and a fourth surface;

electrochromic material located between the front element and the rear element;

a seal abutting the front element and the rear element, the seal defining a perimeter substantially surrounding the electrochromic material; and

a spotter optic disposed at the front element inside the perimeter defined by the seal, wherein at least a portion of the spotter optic has a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the first surface has a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being smaller than the second radius of curvature.

9. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 8, wherein the first surface is substantially planar.

10. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 8, wherein the spotter optic is located at the second surface of the front element.

11. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 8, further comprising:

a spectral filter material covering a periphery of the second surface of the front element.

12. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 11, wherein the spectral filter material at least partially covers the seal.

13. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 11, wherein the spotter optic includes a reflective coating that is substantially similar in reflectivity to the spectral filter material.

14. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 11, wherein the spotter optic includes a reflective coating that is contiguous with the spectral filter material.

15. An exterior rearview mirror element comprising:

a front element defining a first surface and a second surface, wherein a first electrode coating is disposed on the second surface;

a rear element defining a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the third surface faces the fourth surface and wherein a second electrode coating is disposed on the third surface;

electrochromic material located between the front element and the rear element; and

a spotter optic located at the second surface of the front element at a position wherein the second surface is substantially devoid of the first electrode coating, the spotter optic having a reflective coating; and

at least a portion of the spotter optic having a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the first surface having a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being smaller than the second radius of curvature, wherein the reflective coating of the spotter optic is electrically coupled with the first electrode coating in contact with the electrochromic material.

16. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 15, wherein the first surface is substantially planar.

17. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 15, further comprising:

a housing disposed about a periphery of the exterior rearview mirror element.

18. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 15, further comprising:

a spectral filter material covering a periphery of the second surface of the front element.

19. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 18, wherein the spectral filter material at least partially covers the seal.

20. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 18, wherein the spotter optic includes a reflective coating that is substantially similar in reflectivity to the spectral filter material.

21. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 18, wherein the spotter optic includes a reflective coating that is contiguous with the spectral filter material.

22. An exterior rearview mirror element comprising:

a front element defining a first surface and a second surface, the second surface having a first electrode coating thereon;

a rear element defining a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface having a second electrode coating thereon;

electrochromic material located between the front element and the rear element; and

a spotter optic located at the second surface of the front element, the spotter optic having a reflective coating; and

at least a portion of the spotter optic having a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the first surface having a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being smaller than the second radius of curvature, wherein the first electrode coating and the reflective coating abut and overlap such that a line perpendicular to the first surface of the front element extends through both the electrochromic material and the reflective coating.

23. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 22, wherein the first electrode coating completely overlaps the reflective coating.

24. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 22, further comprising:

a spectral filter material covering a periphery of the second surface of the front element.

25. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 24, wherein the spectral filter material at least partially covers the seal.

26. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 24, wherein the spotter optic includes a reflective coating that is substantially similar in reflectivity to the spectral filter material.

27. The exterior rearview mirror element of claim 24, wherein the spotter optic includes a reflective coating that is contiguous with the spectral filter material.