Electrocromic rearview mirror for an automobile improved in a water proof ability

• US 5,640,274 A
• Filed: 12/28/1995
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Murakami Kaimedio Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Murakami Kaimedio Company Limited
• Inventors: Iwama, Tokumitsu, Hattori, Michiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Dzierzynski, Paul M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US08/579,228
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 359/601, 359/602, 359/603, 359/604, 359/610, 359/611, 359/265, 359/270, 359/272, 219/219
• US Class Current: 359/601
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors

Abstract

An EC mirror having an end surface of layers consisting of an ECD, an output electrode, and a clip electrode, prevents attacking by water submerging through the end surface, improves sealing ability with the mirror holder, prevents the mirror from chattering and a strange noise due to a vibration of the mirror, improves an anti-impact ability of the ECD end surface. An insulating member is disposed to cover ECD periphery portions and connecting portions of an output electrode, the clip electrode and a harness cord. A water proof member is disposed on an outer periphery of the insulating member.

Claims

1. An electrochromic rearview mirror, comprising an electrochromic device including a transparent substrate forming an outside surface and having opposite surfaces provided with a pair of electrode layers on said opposite surfaces, an electrochromic layer laminated on at least one of said electrode layers, one of said electrode layers being a transparent electrode and the other of said electrode layers serving as a reflecting layer;

an electrically conductive clip attached to an output portion of said electrode layers;

a harness cord connected through a connecting piece to said electrically conductive clip; and

covering means consisting of an epoxy resin which adheres to an end of said harness cord and said connecting piece and extends to a rear surface of said electrocromic device, a fluorocarbon which covers said epoxy resin and said electrically conductive clip and surrounds said outside surface of said electrochromic device, and a butyl rubber which covers said fluorocarbon.

2. An electrochromic rearview mirror, consisting of an electrochromic device including a transparent substrate forming an outside surface and having opposite surfaces provided with a pair of electrode layers on said opposite surfaces, an electrochromic layer laminated on at least one of said electrode layers, one of said electrode layers being a transparent electrode and the other of said electrode layers serving as a reflecting layer;

an electrically conductive clip attached to an output portion of said electrode layers;

a harness cord connected through a connecting piece to said electrically conductive clip; and

covering means consisting of an epoxy resin which adheres to an end of said harness port and said connecting piece and extends to a rear surface of said electrocromic device, a fluorocarbon which covers said epoxy resin and said electrically conductive clip and surrounds said outside surface of said electrochromic device, and a butyl rubber which covers said fluorocarbon.