Rearview mirror assemblies with anisotropic polymer laminates
First Claim
1. A variable reflectance mirror system having a front, for use in a rearview mirror assembly having a light source adapted to transmit light of a first polarization through the mirror system towards the front, the mirror system comprising:
- a first substrate having a first electrode disposed on a surface thereof;
a second substrate having a second electrode disposed on a surface thereof, the first and second substrates placed in a spaced-apart relationship to define a gap therebetween;
an electro-optic medium deployed in the gap, the electro-optic medium characterized by transmittance changing in response to a voltage difference applied between the first and second electrodes;
a reflective polarizer including an anisotropic film, the reflective polarizer disposed between the second substrate and the light source such thatthe light emitted by the light source passes through the reflective polarizer, and where the reflective polarizer is configured to reflect light of a second polarization, the second polarization being orthogonal with respect to the first polarization, andan optical distortion, caused by a surface distortion representing said reflective polarizer, when measured from the front is characterized by one or more of(a) curvature units of ONDULO phase-shifting deflectometry that quantify surface distortions and that do not exceed about 0.04, and(b) an optical power value, measured in reflection, that does not exceed 1,000 millidiopters.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A variable reflectance mirror system having a front, for use in a rearview mirror assembly having a light source adapted to transmit light of a first polarization through the mirror system towards the front, the mirror system comprising:
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a first substrate having a first electrode disposed on a surface thereof; a second substrate having a second electrode disposed on a surface thereof, the first and second substrates placed in a spaced-apart relationship to define a gap therebetween; an electro-optic medium deployed in the gap, the electro-optic medium characterized by transmittance changing in response to a voltage difference applied between the first and second electrodes; a reflective polarizer including an anisotropic film, the reflective polarizer disposed between the second substrate and the light source such that the light emitted by the light source passes through the reflective polarizer, and where the reflective polarizer is configured to reflect light of a second polarization, the second polarization being orthogonal with respect to the first polarization, and an optical distortion, caused by a surface distortion representing said reflective polarizer, when measured from the front is characterized by one or more of (a) curvature units of ONDULO phase-shifting deflectometry that quantify surface distortions and that do not exceed about 0.04, and (b) an optical power value, measured in reflection, that does not exceed 1,000 millidiopters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A variable reflectance mirror system having a front, for use in a rearview mirror assembly having a light source transmitting light of a first polarization through the mirror system towards the front, the mirror system comprising:
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an optical element having a proximal side and a distal side, said optical element configured to reflect ambient light incident upon the proximal side; and a laminate including an anisotropic plastic film structure, the anisotropic plastic film structure adapted to substantially transmit light of the first polarization and substantially reflect light of a second polarization, the second polarization being orthogonal to the first polarization, the anisotropic plastic film structure configured between the distal side of the optical element and the light source to enable the light emitted by the light source to pass through the laminate, and realize a surface distortion of said mirror system that has a corresponding optical distortion which, when measured from the front, is characterized by one or more of (a) curvature units, of ONDULO phase-shifting deflectometry, that quantify surface distortions and that do not exceed 0.04, and (b) an optical power value that quantifies surface distortions of the mirror system in reflection and that does not exceed 1,000 millidiopters. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An optical element for increasing a contrast of light generated by a light source and transmitted through a mirror system of an automotive rearview mirror assembly, the optical element comprising:
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an optical substrate having a surface; and a layered structure adhered to the surface, the layered structure including an anisotropic layer substantially transmitting light of a first polarization and substantially reflecting light of a second polarization that is orthogonal to the first polarization, the layered structure characterized by a range of glass transition temperatures, an optical distortion of said optical element, corresponding to a surface distortion of said optical element and measured from the front, which optical distortion is characterized by one or more of (a) curvature units, of ONDULO phase-shifting deflectometry, that quantify surface distortions and that do not exceed 0.04, and (b) an optical power value that quantifies surface distortions of the mirror system in reflection and that does not exceed 1,000 millidiopters, and wherein a contrast ratio, defined by light transmitted from said light source through the mirror system and ambient light reflected by said optical element, is greater than 1. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification