Dichroic dye-nematic liquid crystal mirror
First Claim
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1. An electro-optic, light changeable mirror, comprising:
- a transparent front member and a transparent back member;
said front member having a conductive coating thereon and said back member having a conductive coating thereon;
a nematic liquid crystal located between said front transparent member and said back transparent member, said liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy;
a dichroic dye, said dichroic dye admixed in said liquid crystal;
a reflective surface, said reflective surface located in back of said nematic liquid crystal; and
a light sensitive photocell, said photocell connected to said front transparent conductive coating and to said back conductive coating.
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Abstract
A dichroic dye-containing nematic liquid crystal mirror has a photocell connected thereto to automatically change, that is, to dim or brighten, the mirror upon exposure to light. Under the preferred operating conditions, the mirror functions as an ordinary mirror but is dimmed by light. The invention is especially suited for the rearview mirror of an automobile.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electro-optic, light changeable mirror, comprising:
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a transparent front member and a transparent back member; said front member having a conductive coating thereon and said back member having a conductive coating thereon; a nematic liquid crystal located between said front transparent member and said back transparent member, said liquid crystal having a negative dielectric anisotropy; a dichroic dye, said dichroic dye admixed in said liquid crystal; a reflective surface, said reflective surface located in back of said nematic liquid crystal; and a light sensitive photocell, said photocell connected to said front transparent conductive coating and to said back conductive coating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electro-optic, light changeable mirror, comprising:
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a transparent front member and a transparent back member; said front member having a conductive coating thereon and said back member having a conductive coating thereon; a nematic liquid crystal located between said front transparent member and said back transparent member, said liquid crystal having a positive dielectric anisotropy; a dichroic dye, said dichroic dye admixed in said liquid crystal; a reflective surface, said reflective surface located in back of said nematic liquid crystal; and a light sensitive photocell, said photocell connected to said front transparent conductive coating and to said back conductive coating. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A dichroic dye-nematic liquid crystal mirror, comprising:
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a mirror, said mirror having a controlled amount of light incident thereupon, liquid crystal being of a negative or positive dielectric anisotropy material; a front transparent conductive material and a back conductive material, said liquid crystal located between said front conductive and said back conductive material; said mirror having a reflective mirror surface, said reflective mirror surface located in back of said liquid crystal; the dichroic dye admixed in said liquid crystal in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said liquid crystal; a light sensitive photocell, said photocell connected to said front and said back conductive materials so that said photocell controls the amount of reflectivity therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification