Electrochromic mirror with two thin glass elements and a gelled electrochromic medium
First Claim
1. An electrochromic device, comprising:
- front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces, wherein at least one of said front and rear spaced elements comprises a thickness ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm;
a layer of transparent conductive material associated with at least one of said front and rear spaced elements;
a seal member associated with said front and rear spaced elements, wherein said seal member comprises an epoxy resin at least partially cured with a cycloaliphatic amine; and
an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber disposed between said front and rear spaced elements which comprises a free-standing gel, wherein the free-standing gel includes a solvent, a crosslinked polymer matrix, and an electrochromic material.
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Abstract
An improved electrochromic rearview mirror for motor vehicles, the mirror incorporating thin front and rear spaced glass elements having a thickness ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5. A layer of transparent conductive material is placed onto the mirror'"'"'s second surface, and either another layer of transparent conductive material or a combined reflector/electrode is placed onto the mirror'"'"'s third surface. A chamber, defined by the layers on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass elements and a peripheral sealing member, contains a free-standing gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix. The chamber further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent and interspersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix. The gel cooperatively interacts with the thin glass elements to form a thick, strong unitary member which is resistant to flexing, warping, bowing and/or shattering and further allows the mirror to exhibit reduced vibrational distortion and double imaging.
171 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An electrochromic device, comprising:
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front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces, wherein at least one of said front and rear spaced elements comprises a thickness ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm;
a layer of transparent conductive material associated with at least one of said front and rear spaced elements;
a seal member associated with said front and rear spaced elements, wherein said seal member comprises an epoxy resin at least partially cured with a cycloaliphatic amine; and
an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber disposed between said front and rear spaced elements which comprises a free-standing gel, wherein the free-standing gel includes a solvent, a crosslinked polymer matrix, and an electrochromic material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrochromic device, comprising:
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non-planar front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces;
a layer of transparent conductive material associated with at least one of said front and rear spaced elements;
a seal member associated with said front and rear spaced elements, wherein said seal member comprises an epoxy resin at least partially cured with a cycloaliphatic amine; and
an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber disposed between said front and rear spaced elements which comprises a free-standing gel, wherein the free-standing gel includes a solvent, a crosslinked polymer matrix, and an electrochromic material. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeGentex Corporation
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Original AssigneeGentex Corporation
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InventorsTonar, William L., Bauer, Frederick T., Ash, Kevin L., Roberts, Kathy E.
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Primary Examiner(s)Lester, Evelyn A.
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Application NumberUS10/115,433Publication NumberTime in Patent Office1,238 DaysField of Search359265-275, 252/583, 252/586US Class Current359/273CPC Class CodesB60R 1/088 using a cell of electricall...C09K 9/02 Organic tenebrescent materialsG02F 1/1503 caused by oxidation-reducti...G02F 1/15165 PolymersG02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing o...G02F 2001/1502 complementary cellG02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer co...
