Electrochromic mirrors and other electrooptic devices

• US 8,947,758 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2011
• Issued: 02/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ajjer, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ajjer, LLC
• Inventors: Agrawal, Anoop, Tonazzi, Juan Carlos Lopez, LeCompte, Robert S., Cronin, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martinez, Joseph P
• Application Number:
  US13/084,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20110255141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,394 Days
• Field of Search: 359/266, 359/271, 359/274
• US Class Current: 359/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 163/00 Adhesives based on epoxy resins; Adhesives based on derivatives of epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 9/02 Organic tenebrescent materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1525 characterised by a particular ion transporting layer, e.g. electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

This invention focuses on automotive electrochromic (EC) mirrors. There are several ways to improve the attribute of this product and also use superior processing methods. This invention improves on busbars which are used to power these devices. This discloses novel busbar designs, materials and busbar deposition methods. This invention also addresses the composition of transparent conductor coatings which can be used in an advantageous configuration for third surface mirrors, and corrosion resistant reflective coating compositions for EC mirrors. Processing methods to deposit coatings for third surface mirrors are also disclosed. Insignias may also be incorporated in EC mirrors by using conductive materials deposited on the second surface of an EC mirror configuration that is formed by two substrates.

Claims

1. An electrochromic variable reflectance mirror for vehicles with an insignia, wherein the said mirror comprising front and rear spaced elements, said rear surface of the front element having a layer of transparent conductive coating disposed thereon, and said front surface of said rear element comprises a at least one layer of conductive coating, where the front and the rear elements are sealably bonded together by a spaced apart relationship defining a chamber there between, said chamber containing an electrochromic medium, and the insignia formed by deposition of a conductive material in contact with the transparent conductive coating of the said front element.

2. An electrochromic variable reflectance mirror for vehicles with an insignia as in claim 1, wherein the conductive material is a light absorber.

6. An electrochromic variable reflectance mirror as in claim 1, wherein the said conductive coating on the rear element comprises a transparent conductive coating, wherein the said transparent conductive coating comprises zinc in its composition and the said transparent conductive coating OD the front element has a different composition.

7. An electrochromic variable reflectance mirror as in claim 6, wherein the said transparent conductive oxide on the rear element has a lower conductivity as compared to the transparent conductive oxide on the front substrate.

8. An electrochromic variable reflectance mirror as in claim 1 wherein the said reflective rear element comprises at least one reflective metal coating on a substrate that has been treated by at least one of an ion beam treatment and a plasma treatment.

9. An electrochromic variable reflectance mirror as in claim 8, wherein the ion beam treatment comprises treatment by ions selected from at least one of argon ions, oxygen ions, nitrogen ions and xenon ions or the plasma treatment comprises treatment my a plasma formed from at least one of argon, oxygen, ammonia and xenon.

10. A variable reflectance mirror as in claim 9, wherein the metal coating comprises a deposition coating in which an on beam is used during deposition of the said metal coating.

11. A variable reflectance mirror as in claim 1, wherein the said rear element has a reflective layer comprising at least one of (a) silver alloyed with a lanthanide element and (b) aluminum alloyed with at least one of manganese, iron, silicon, magnesium, zinc and chromium elements.

3. An electrochromic variable reflectance mirror for vehicles with an insignia, wherein the said mirror comprising front and rear spaced elements, said rear surface of the front element having a layer of transparent conductive coating disposed thereon, and said front surface of said rear element comprises a at least one layer of conductive coating, the front and the rear elements are sealably bonded together by a spaced apart relationship defining a cavity there between, said cavity containing an electrochromic medium, and the said insignia is formed by a conductive material located on the same side of the cavity as the front element.

4. A process to make a electrochromic variable reflectance mirror for vehicles comprising front and rear spaced elements, said rear surface of the front element having a layer of transparent conductive coating disposed thereon, and said front surface of said rear element comprises a at least one layer of conductive coating with reflective properties deposited on its front surface thereof;

and the front and the rear elements are sealably bonded together by a spaced apart relationship defining a chamber there between, said chamber containing an electrochromic medium; and

wherein the said reflective rear element comprises of deposition of at least one reflective metal coating on a substrate after an ion beam treatment of the underlying surface is conducted.

5. A process to make a electrochromic variable reflectance mirror as in claim 4, wherein the ion beam comprises of ions selected from at least one of argon ions, oxygen ions, nitrogen ions and xenon.