Reflecting mirror

• US 7,048,392 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2003
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai RIKA Denki Seisakusho
• Inventors: Nakaho, Junichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Mark A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AMARI, ALESSANDRO V
• Application Number:
  US10/663,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20040075920A1
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 359601-604, 359/838, 359/883, 359/884
• US Class Current: 359/603
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1525 characterised by a particular ion transporting layer, e.g. electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details

Abstract

In a reflecting mirror, a hydrogen storing metal or a hydrogen storing alloy is used in an electrically conductive reflecting film. When a predetermined voltage is applied from an electrically conductive reflecting film side to a transparent electrode, hydrogen stored at the electrically conductive reflecting film is released and becomes hydrogen ions, and the hydrogen ions move toward the transparent electrode. When the hydrogen ions reach a reduction coloring film between the transparent electrode and the electrically conductive reflecting film, the hydrogen ions bond with an oxide of tungsten which forms the reduction coloring film, and the reduction coloring film is thereby colored. In accordance with this structure, it is possible to do away with an oxidation coloring film.

Claims

1. A reflecting element comprising a mirror assembly consisting essentially of:

a substrate through which light passes;

an electrode film which is electrically conductive, which is substantially transparent, and which is formed at a rear surface side of the substrate;

a reduction coloring film formed at a surface of the electrode film at a side opposite a side where the substrate is disposed, the reduction coloring film coloring due to a reversible chemical reaction with hydrogen ions; and

an electrically conductive reflecting film which is formed at a surface of the reduction coloring film at a side opposite a side where the electrode film is disposed, and which reflects light at least at a substrate side surface, and which contains a hydrogen storing metal which stores hydrogen in an adsorbed state, and which, due to application of voltage, releases hydrogen and moves the hydrogen as hydrogen ions toward the reduction coloring film, and which, due to one of canceling of the application of said voltage and applying of a voltage which is reverse of said voltage, attracts the hydrogen ions that have moved toward the reduction coloring film and adsorbs and stores the hydrogen ions as hydrogen,

wherein said reflecting film is highly reflective of light regardless of whether said hydrogen storing metal releases or adsorbs said hydrogen ions.

2. The reflecting element of claim 1, wherein an ion conducting film, which contains a dielectric and through which hydrogen ions can pass, is provided between the electrically conductive reflecting film and the reduction coloring film.

3. The reflecting element of claim 2, wherein the dielectric comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), silicon oxide (SiO₂), and magnesium fluoride (MgF₂).

4. The reflecting element of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen storing metal comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), platinum (Pt), and alloys having functions equivalent to those of these hydrogen storing metals.

5. The reflecting element of claim 1, wherein the electrode film comprises ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

6. The reflecting element of claim 1, wherein the reduction coloring film comprises an oxide of tungsten.

7. The reflecting element of claim 1, wherein the reduction coloring film is colored to a bluish color due to a reversible chemical reaction with the hydrogen ions.

8. The reflecting element of claim 1, further comprising a control means, wherein the electrically conductive reflecting film and the electrode film are connected to a power source via the control means.

9. The reflecting element of claim 1, further comprising a light sensor.

10. A rearview element for a vehicle comprising the reflecting mirror of claim 1.

11. A reflecting element comprising:

a substrate through which light passes;

an electrode film which is electrically conductive, which is substantially transparent, and which is farmed at a rear surface side of the substrate;

a reduction coloring film formed at a surface of the electrode film at a side opposite a side where the substrate is disposed, the reduction coloring film coloring due to a reversible chemical reaction with hydrogen ions; and

an electrically conductive reflecting film which is formed at a surface of the reduction coloring film at a side opposite a side where the electrode film is disposed, and which reflects light at least at a substrate side surface, and which contains a hydrogen staring metal which stores hydrogen in an adsorbed state, and which, due to application of voltage, releases hydrogen and moves the hydrogen as hydrogen ions toward the reduction coloring film, end which, due to one of canceling of the application of said voltage and applying of a voltage which is reverse of said voltage, attracts the hydrogen ions that have moved toward the reduction coloring film and adsorbs and stores the hydrogen ions as hydrogen,

wherein a reflectivity of said reflecting film remains constant regardless of whether said hydrogen storing metal releases or absorbs said hydrogen ions.