VEHICLE REARVIEW MIRROR WITH SPOTTER MIRROR
First Claim
1. An exterior rearview mirror element comprising:
- a front element having a first front surface and a second rear surface, wherein a cross-section of the second rear surface defines a first line;
a rear element having a third front surface and a fourth rear surface;
electrochromic material located between the front element and the rear element;
a spotter optic in the second rear surface of the front element, wherein a cross-section of the spotter optic defines a second line;
a transition region disposed between the spotter optic and the second rear surface of the front element, wherein a distance from a surface of the transition region to an intersection of the first line and the second line is between about 0.001 mm and 0.034 mm; and
at least a portion of the spotter optic having a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the first front surface having a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being smaller than the second radius of curvature.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An exterior rearview mirror element including a front element having a first front surface and a second rear surface. A cross-section of the second rear surface defines a first line. A rear element includes a third front surface and a fourth rear surface. Electrochromic material is located between the front element and the rear element. A spotter optic is located in the second rear surface of the front element. A cross-section of the spotter optic defines a second line. A transition region is disposed between the spotter optic and the second rear surface of the front element. A distance from a surface of the transition region to an intersection of the first line and the second line is between about 0.001 mm and 0.034 mm. At least a portion of the spotter optic includes a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the first front surface includes a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being smaller than the second radius of curvature.
11 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An exterior rearview mirror element comprising:
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a front element having a first front surface and a second rear surface, wherein a cross-section of the second rear surface defines a first line; a rear element having a third front surface and a fourth rear surface; electrochromic material located between the front element and the rear element; a spotter optic in the second rear surface of the front element, wherein a cross-section of the spotter optic defines a second line; a transition region disposed between the spotter optic and the second rear surface of the front element, wherein a distance from a surface of the transition region to an intersection of the first line and the second line is between about 0.001 mm and 0.034 mm; and at least a portion of the spotter optic having a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the first front surface having a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being smaller than the second radius of curvature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An exterior rearview mirror element comprising:
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a front element having a first front surface and a second rear surface; a rear element having a third front surface and a fourth rear surface; electrochromic material located between the front element and the rear element; and a spotter optic located at the second rear surface of the front element, the spotter optic having a reflective coating; at least a portion of the spotter optic having a first radius of curvature and at least a portion of the first front surface having a second radius of curvature, the first radius of curvature being smaller than the second radius of curvature; wherein an electrical potential is applied across a first electrode coating on the second rear surface and a second electrode coating on the third front surface, changing an absorption of the electrochromic material in order to reduce a reflection off of the exterior rearview mirror element; and a transition region between the second rear surface of the front element and the spotter optic, wherein a cross-section of the second rear surface defines a first line, and a cross-section of the spotter optic defines a second line, and wherein a distance from the transition region to the intersection of the first line and the second line is between about 0.004 mm and 0.020 mm. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An exterior rearview mirror element comprising:
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a front element having a first front surface and a second rear surface, the second rear surface having a first electrode coating thereon; a rear element having a third front surface and a fourth rear surface, the third front surface having a second electrode coating thereon; electrochromic material located between the front element and the rear element; a spotter optic located at the second rear surface of the front element, the spotter optic having a reflective coating; a transition region disposed between the spotter optic and the second rear surface, wherein the transition region defines a first area and the spotter optic defines a second area, and wherein the first area is less than 20 percent of the second area; and wherein the first electrode coating and the reflective coating abut and overlap such that a line perpendicular to the first front surface of the front element extends through both the first electrode coating and the reflective coating. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification