Variable reflectance automobile mirror
First Claim
1. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, (A) wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance which is a single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic device, wherein the solution of reversibly variable transmittance is between and in contact with two planar, parallel, spaced-apart walls, at least one of which is transparent and each of which, on the side in contact with said solution, is coated with an electrode layer of electrically conductive material, wherein the separation between the electrode layers is between about 0.0025 cm and about 0.050 cm, provided that, if one of said walls is not transparent, said non-transparent wall comprises a reflecting layer of high reflectance material which reflects, through said solution and the transparent wall, light which reaches said reflecting layer after entering the solution through the transparent wall, and wherein the solution of reversibly variable transmittance is held in a space defined by said two planar, parallel, spaced-apart walls, and a periphery defined by an epoxy seal in which are embedded glass beads, which are in contact with the sides of said walls, which are in contact with said solution, and which hold apart said walls and (B) wherein, if both of said walls are transparent, the mirror comprises a reflecting layer of high reflectance material which reflects, through the solution of the electrochromic device, light which reaches said reflecting layer after passing through said solution.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides variable reflectance automobile mirrors wherein the component of variable transmittance is a single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic device.
30 Citations
109 Claims
- 1. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, (A) wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance which is a single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic device, wherein the solution of reversibly variable transmittance is between and in contact with two planar, parallel, spaced-apart walls, at least one of which is transparent and each of which, on the side in contact with said solution, is coated with an electrode layer of electrically conductive material, wherein the separation between the electrode layers is between about 0.0025 cm and about 0.050 cm, provided that, if one of said walls is not transparent, said non-transparent wall comprises a reflecting layer of high reflectance material which reflects, through said solution and the transparent wall, light which reaches said reflecting layer after entering the solution through the transparent wall, and wherein the solution of reversibly variable transmittance is held in a space defined by said two planar, parallel, spaced-apart walls, and a periphery defined by an epoxy seal in which are embedded glass beads, which are in contact with the sides of said walls, which are in contact with said solution, and which hold apart said walls and (B) wherein, if both of said walls are transparent, the mirror comprises a reflecting layer of high reflectance material which reflects, through the solution of the electrochromic device, light which reaches said reflecting layer after passing through said solution.
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7. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which is a single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic device, wherein the solution of reversibly variable transmittance comprises:
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(A) a non-aqueous solvent; (B) a cathodic electrochromic compound; (C) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine; and (D) if all cathodic compounds in their zero-potential equilibrium states are not ionic, an inert, current-carrying electrolyte. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which is a single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic device, wherein the solution of reversibly variable transmittance comprises:
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(A) a non-aqueous solvent; (B) a viologen salt; and (C) an anodic electrochromic compound which is neutral in its zero-potential equilibrium state. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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- 55. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, (A) wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance which is a self-erasing electrochromic device, wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance is between and in contact with two planar, parallel, spaced-apart walls, at least one of which is transparent and each of which, on the side in contact with said medium, is coated with an electrode layer of electrically conductive material, provided that, if one of said walls is not transparent, said non-transparent wall comprises a reflecting layer of high reflectance material which reflects, through said medium and the transparent wall, light which reaches said reflecting layer after entering the medium through the transparent wall, and wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance is held in a space defined by said two planar, parallel, spaced-apart walls, and a periphery defined by an epoxy seal in which are embedded glass beads, which are in contact with the sides of said walls, which are in contact with said medium, and which hold apart said walls and (B) wherein, if both of said walls are transparent, the mirror comprises a reflecting layer of high reflectance material which reflects, through the medium of the electrochromic device, light which reaches said reflecting layer after passing through said mediums and wherein the reflectance is capable of being reduced from greater than 70% to less than 20% in less than 10 seconds with a potential difference of less than 1.4 volts between the electrode layers of the electrochromic device.
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57. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which is a self-erasing electrochromic device having a layer of reflective material which reflects, through said reversibly variable transmittance component of said electrochromic device, light which reaches said reflecting layer after passing through said component, wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises:
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(A) a non-aqueous solvent; (B) a viologen salt; and (C) an anodic electrochromic compound which is neutral in its zero-potential equilibrium state. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66)
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- 67. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, which has a range of reflectance from greater than 70% to less than lot and wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which is a self-erasing electrochromic device.
- 76. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which is a self-erasing electrochromic device, wherein the sheet resistance of a transparent electrode layer is 40 ohms per square or less.
- 90. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for an automobile, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which is a self-erasing electrochromic device wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises a gel.
- 97. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for an automobile, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittances which is a self-erasing electrochromic device wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises an acrylic material.
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98. A mirror according to claim 98 which has a range of reflectance from greater than 70% to less than 10%.
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104. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which is a self-erasing electrochromic device, and wherein, in said electrochromic device, there is a medium of reversibly variable transmittance which is between and in contact with two planar parallel, spaced-apart walls, each of which, on the side in contact with said medium, is coated with an electrode layer of electrically conductive material, one of which is transparent and the other of which has as its electrode layer in contact with said medium a reflecting layer of high reflectance material, which layer reflects, through said medium and the transparent wall, light which reaches said layer after entering the medium through the transparent wall and which reflectance material is selected from the group consisting of rhodium and inconel.
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105. A variable reflectance rearview mirror for a motor vehicle, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which is a self-erasing electrochromic device, wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises:
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(A) a non-aqueous solvent; (B) a cathodic electrochromic compound; (C) 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazine; and (D) if all cathodic compounds in their zero-potential equilibrium states are not ionic, an inert, current-carrying electrolyte. - View Dependent Claims (106, 107, 108, 109)
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Specification