Electrochromic rearview mirror element incorporating a third surface reflector

• US 20030231371A1
• Filed: 01/28/2003
• Published: 12/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David J. Cammenga, Jeffrey A. Forgette, John S. Anderson, John W. Carter, Jon H. Bechtel, Joseph S. Stam, William L. Tonar
• Original Assignee: David J. Cammenga, Jeffrey A. Forgette, John S. Anderson, John W. Carter, Jon H. Bechtel, Joseph S. Stam, William L. Tonar
• Inventors: Cammenga, David J., Tonar, William L., Anderson, John S., Forgette, Jeffrey A., Stam, Joseph S., Bechtel, Jon H., Carter, John W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,870,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0112 comprising device for genereting colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0114 comprising dichroic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/02 Diffusing elements; Afocal elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1506 caused by electrodeposition, e.g. electrolytic deposition of an inorganic material on or close to an electrode
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1502 complementary cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/34 reflector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/02 reflective
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/87 Arrangements for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8794 Arrangements for heating and cooling

Abstract

The inventive electrochromic mirror may be used in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, an electrochromic material is contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlies the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a partially transmissive coating of and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source that is at least partially transmissive.

Claims

1. An electrochromic rearview mirror comprising:

front and rear elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber; and

a partially transmissive, partially reflective second electrode disposed over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element, said second electrode including a transparent coating applied over a surface of said rear element and a thin reflective layer of metal applied over said transparent coating, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror exhibits a reflectance of at least about 35 percent, a transmittance of at least about 5 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum, and a C* value of less than about 20.