EXTERIOR MIRROR ELEMENT WITH WIDE ANGLE PORTION
First Claim
1. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface;
a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;
an electrochromic medium disposed between said front and rear glass substrates, wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a seal and wherein said electrochromic medium comprises electrochromic material;
said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion;
wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate;
wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises one of (a) a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating and (b) a curved recess established at a region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating;
wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess;
wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface;
wherein said third surface of said rear 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;
wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters; and
wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion.
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Abstract
An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes front and rear glass substrates and an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. The electrochromic mirror reflective element includes a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion. The curved recess may have 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. The electrochromic medium is disposed between the second surface of the front glass substrate and the third surface of the rear glass substrate and may be in contact with the principal planar reflector portion and the auxiliary wide angle curved portion.
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Citations
201 Claims
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1. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said front and rear glass substrates, wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a seal and wherein said electrochromic medium comprises electrochromic material; said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises one of (a) a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating and (b) a curved recess established at a region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear 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; wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 4.04 millimeters; and wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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8. :
- The electrochromic mirror reflective element of 1, wherein said seal circumscribes the perimeter of said front and rear glass substrates and wherein said electrochromic mirror reflective element further comprises a hiding layer that substantially hides said seal from view by the driver of the vehicle when an exterior rearview mirror assembly equipped with said electrochromic mirror reflective element is normally mounted at the vehicle and the driver is normally operating the vehicle, and wherein said hiding layer is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate.
- View Dependent Claims (9)
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57. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear glass substrate and wherein said electrochromic medium comprises electrochromic material; 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear 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; and wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion. - View Dependent Claims (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, 89, 90)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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91. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front glass substrate; wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped; wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; 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 (92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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102. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front 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; wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; and wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front 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 (103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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110. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front 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 front 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element; wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to 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 (111, 112, 113, 114, 115)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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116. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear 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 electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front 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 front glass substrate. - View Dependent Claims (117, 118, 119, 120)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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121. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear 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 front 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front 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 front 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 mirror reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at said region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate; wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear 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 front glass substrate immediately adjacent 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 front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess.
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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122. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element and wherein said principal planar reflector portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element surrounds said auxiliary wide angle curved portion of said electrochromic mirror reflective element as viewed through said front 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 front 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element; wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; 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 front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate; wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a planar substrate surface immediately adjacent 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 adjacent said curved recess; and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters.
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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123. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of a surface of one of said front glass substrate and said rear 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element; 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; wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said generally planar surface of said second surface of said front glass substrate; and wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region immediately adjacent 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 immediately adjacent said curved recess. - View Dependent Claims (124, 125, 126, 127, 128)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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129. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises one of (a) a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating and (b) a curved recess established at a region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear 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; 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 mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; and wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region immediately adjacent 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 immediately adjacent said curved recess. - View Dependent Claims (130, 131, 132, 133, 134)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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135. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said front and rear glass substrates, wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a seal and wherein said electrochromic medium comprises electrochromic material; said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear 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; 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 electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element; wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped and comprises a spherical convex-curved surface; wherein, when a voltage is applied to said electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, (a) said electrochromic medium dims to reduce reflectivity of visible light at said principal planar reflector portion and (b) visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged; wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion disposed at said rear glass substrate is disposed at said third surface of said rear glass substrate between said rear glass substrate and said electrochromic medium; 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 front glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector, 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 front glass substrate immediately adjacent 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 front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess; and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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144. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element; wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped; wherein said auxiliary mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; 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 (145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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157. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element; 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 front glass substrate. - View Dependent Claims (158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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169. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element; 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 front glass substrate and wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element; wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface that allows said curved recess to 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 (170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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179. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear 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 800 millimeters; wherein said curved recess has a maximum recess depth that is in the range from about 0.11 millimeters to about 3.09 millimeters; wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is inboard of a perimeter edge of said electrochromic mirror reflective element; 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 front glass substrate. - View Dependent Claims (180, 181, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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187. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein, other than at said curved recess, said second surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said fourth surface of said rear 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 front 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element; 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 front glass substrate; wherein said curved recess has a depth of at least about 0.5 millimeters deep; wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front 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 front glass substrate; wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear 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 front glass substrate immediately adjacent 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 front glass substrate immediately adjacent said curved recess. - View Dependent Claims (188, 189, 190)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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191. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; an electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate; said electrochromic medium bounded by a seal, said seal joining said front glass substrate to said rear 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 rear 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 front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element; wherein a transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said front 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 electrochromic mirror reflective element; wherein said electrochromic medium disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said transparent conductor coating is in contact with said auxiliary mirror reflector, and wherein said curved recess is established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablation before said transparent conductor coating is disposed at said second surface of said front glass substrate; wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a planar substrate surface immediately adjacent 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 adjacent said curved recess; and wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (192, 193, 194)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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195. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises one of (a) a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating and (b) a curved recess established at a region of said fourth surface of said rear glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear 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; 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 mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; and wherein said metallic reflector coating is coated at said curved recess and at a generally planar surface region immediately adjacent 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 immediately adjacent said curved recess. - View Dependent Claims (196, 197, 198, 199)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
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200. :
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
a front glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a rear glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface; said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising a principal planar reflector portion and an auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said principal planar reflector portion comprises a principal mirror reflector disposed at said rear glass substrate; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises a curved recess established at a region of said second surface of said front glass substrate by at least one of grinding and ablating; wherein said auxiliary wide angle curved portion comprises an auxiliary mirror reflector coated at said curved recess; wherein said first surface of said front glass substrate comprises a generally planar surface; wherein said third surface of said rear 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 60 millimeters; wherein said curved recess comprises a radius of curvature that is in the range from about 200 millimeters to about 800 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 mirror reflector comprises a metallic reflector coating; wherein said front glass substrate has a thickness between said first surface and said second surface of less than 3 millimeters, and wherein said curved recess is generally circular-shaped, and wherein said principal mirror reflector of said principal planar reflector portion comprises a metallic reflector that is established at said third surface of said rear glass substrate via sputter deposition, and wherein, when a voltage is applied to an electrochromic medium of said electrochromic mirror reflective element, visible light reflectivity at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion is substantially unchanged, and wherein said electrochromic medium is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate and is in contact with said principal planar reflector portion and with said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; wherein said seal is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said third surface of said rear glass substrate around a perimeter border region thereof, and wherein a hiding layer is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said seal, said hiding layer comprising a perimeter metallic band that hides said seal from direct view by a driver of a vehicle viewing said electrochromic mirror reflective element as normally mounted and used in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a vehicle; wherein a further portion of said hiding layer traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion; and wherein said portion of said hiding layer that traverses said front substrate at said auxiliary wide angle curved portion demarcates said auxiliary wide angle curved portion from said principal planar reflector portion. - View Dependent Claims (201)
- An electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising;
Specification