Reflecting mirror

• US 6,480,335 B1
• Filed: 01/18/2000
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Yoshida, Hiroshi, Nakaho, Junichi, Takai, Noriyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): ASSAF, FAYEZ G
• Application Number:
  US09/484,182
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 359/838, 359/582, 359/584, 359/585, 428/912.2, 428/913
• US Class Current: 359/584
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0808 having a single reflecting layer G02B5/0883, G02B5/0891 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0866 incorporating one or more organic, e.g. polymeric layers

Abstract

A reflecting mirror is obtained which prevents double images from being formed and provides sufficient the hydrophilic property. The hydrophilic coating is approximately 15 nm in thickness and the photocatalytic coating between the hydrophilic coating and the glass substrate is approximately 240 nm in thickness. This setting of dimensions reduces the surface optical reflectance of light having a wavelength ranging from approximately 550 nm to 580 nm. This also reduces the deterioration of the photocatalytic action caused by the diffusion of sodium ions contained in the glass substrate into the photocatalytic coating. Furthermore, the aforementioned setting of dimensions turns the color of surface reflected light to whitish. Even when images formed by the surface reflected light or images formed by reflected light from the reflecting film interfered by surface reflected light are viewed, the after-image thereof hardly remains.

Claims

1. A reflecting mirror comprising:

a substantially transparent glass substrate having opposite sides,

a reflecting film which provided on one side of said glass substrate for reflecting light incident on the other side of said glass substrate,

a hydrophilic coating predominantly composed of silicon dioxide, provided on the side of said glass substrate opposite said reflecting film, having a thickness ranging from 5 nm to 20 nm, and

a photocatalytic coating predominantly composed of titanium dioxide, provided between said hydrophilic coating and said glass substrate, having a thickness ranging from 220 nm to 280 nm, for decomposing organic substances adhered on said hydrophilic coating by photocatalytic action.

2. A reflecting mirror according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of said photocatalytic coating ranges from 250 nm to 280 nm.

3. A reflecting mirror according to claim 2, selectively reflecting light of a wavelength ranging from 430 nm to 490 nm.

4. A reflecting mirror according to claim 3, wherein said reflecting film includes:

a reflecting film body for reflecting incident light, and

an optical thin film, for selectively absorbing light of a wavelength other than a wavelength ranging mainly from 430 nm to 490 nm, provided between said reflecting film body and said glass substrate.

5. A reflecting mirror according to claim 3, wherein said glass substrate selectively absorbs light of a wavelength other than a wavelength ranging mainly from 430 nm to 490 nm of transmitted light.

6. A reflecting mirror comprising:

a substantially transparent glass substrate having opposite sides,

a reflecting film provided on one side of said glass substrate and which reflects light incident on the other side of said glass substrate,

a hydrophilic coating and provided on the other side of said glass substrate, and

a photocatalytic coating, predominantly composed of titanium oxide, having a thickness ranging from 230 nm to 270 nm, provided between said hydrophilic coating and said glass substrate, for decomposing organic substances on said hydrophilic coating by photocatalytic action.

7. A reflecting mirror according to claim 6, wherein an electrochromic coating comprising a conductive coating which is colored or discolored by being energized or not energized is provided between said reflecting film and said glass substrate.