Vehicular rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating these elements

• US 20060056003A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Neuman, George A., Cammenga, David J., Tonar, William L., Poll, David L., Anderson, John S., Stray, Joel A., Ypma, Kenton J., Busscher, Bradley L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,372,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/08 involving special optical features, e.g. avoiding blind spots , e.g. convex mirrors; Side-by-side associations of rear-view and other mirrors B60R1/025, B60R1/10 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first substantially transparent substrate having a spectral filter material on a second surface proximate at least a perimeter portion; and

a second substrate having an at least partially reflective stack of materials on at least a portion of a third surface, wherein a spectral filter material b* value is lower than an at least partially reflective stack of materials b* value.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1 configured as a rearview mirror element.

3. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a coating on a first surface of said first substantially transparent substrate that alters the contact angle of water relative to the contact angle of glass.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said coating is hydrophilic.

5. An apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said coating is hydrophobic.

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a primary seal material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said primary seal material comprises spacer beads configured to not cause bead distortion in said spectral filter material.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said spectral filter material comprises chromium.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a primary seal material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said primary seal material is at least partially visible when viewing from a fourth surface of said second substrate.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a plug material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said plug material is UV curable through said second substrate.

10. An apparatus as in claim 2 further comprising an electrical circuit board having a friction fit electrical connector and at least one electrical connection post on said mirror element, wherein said electrical connection post is in electrical communication with said friction fit electrical connector.

11. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising at least one J-clip.

12. An apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said J-clip is a formable contact material.

13. An apparatus as in claim 1 wherein at least one of a second surface stack of materials and a third surface stack of materials comprises a thin laser line creating an isolation area.

14. An apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising at least one device selected from the group comprising:

an exterior light control, a moisture sensor, an information display, a light sensor, a blind spot indicator, a turning signal indicator, an approach warning, an operator interface, a compass, a temperature indicator, a voice actuated device, a microphone, a dimming circuitry, a GPS device, a telecommunication system, a navigation aid, a lane departure warning system, an adaptive cruise control, a vision system, a rear vision system and a tunnel detection system.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a first substantially transparent substrate comprising a spectral filter material on a second surface proximate at least a perimeter portion;

a second substrate having an at least partially reflective stack of materials on at least a portion of a third surface; and

a primary seal material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said primary seal material is at least partially visible when viewing from a fourth surface of said second substrate.

16. An apparatus as in claim 15 further comprising a plug material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said plug material is UV curable through said second substrate.

17. An apparatus as in claim 15 configured as a rearview mirror element.

18. An apparatus as in claim 15 further comprising a coating on a first surface of said first substantially transparent substrate that alters the contact angle of water relative to the contact angle of glass.

19. An apparatus as in claim 18 wherein said coating is hydrophilic.

20. An apparatus as in claim 18 wherein said coating is hydrophobic.

21. An apparatus as in claim 15 further comprising a primary seal material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said primary seal material comprises spacer beads configured to not cause bead distortion in said spectral filter material.

22. An apparatus as in claim 15 wherein said spectral filter material comprises chromium.

23. An apparatus as in claim 15 further comprising at least one J-clip.

24. An apparatus as in claim 23 wherein said J-clip is a formable contact material.

25. An apparatus as in claim 15 wherein a spectral filter material b* value is lower than an at least partially reflective stack of materials b* value.

26. An apparatus as in claim 15 wherein at least one of a second surface stack of materials and a third surface stack of materials comprises a thin laser line creating an isolation area.

27. An apparatus as in claim 15 further comprising at least one device selected from the group comprising:

an exterior light control, a moisture sensor, an information display, a light sensor, a blind spot indicator, a turning signal indicator, an approach warning, an operator interface, a compass, a temperature indicator, a voice actuated device, a microphone, a dimming circuitry, a GPS device, a telecommunication system, a navigation aid, a lane departure warning system, an adaptive cruise control, a vision system, a rear vision system and a tunnel detection system.

28. An apparatus, comprising:

a first substantially transparent substrate comprising a spectral filter material on a second surface proximate at least a perimeter portion;

a second substrate having an at least partially reflective stack of materials on at least a portion of a third surface; and

a primary seal material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said primary seal material comprises spacer beads configured to not cause bead distortion in said spectral filter material.

29. An apparatus as in claim 28 configured as a rearview mirror element.

30. An apparatus as in claim 28 further comprising a coating on a first surface of said first substantially transparent substrate that alters the contact angle of water relative to the contact angle of glass.

31. An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein said coating is hydrophilic.

32. An apparatus as in claim 30 wherein said coating is hydrophobic.

33. An apparatus as in claim 28 wherein said spectral filter material comprises chromium.

34. An apparatus as in claim 28 further comprising a primary seal material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said primary seal material is at least partially visible when viewing from a fourth surface of said second substrate.

35. An apparatus as in claim 28 further comprising a plug material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said plug material is UV curable through said second substrate.

36. An apparatus as in claim 29 further comprising an electrical circuit board having a friction fit electrical connector and at least one electrical connection post on said mirror element, wherein said electrical connection post is in electrical communication with said friction fit electrical connector.

37. An apparatus as in claim 28 further comprising at least one J-clip.

38. An apparatus as in claim 37 wherein said J-clip is a formable contact material.

39. An apparatus as in claim 28 wherein a spectral filter material b* value is lower than an at least partially reflective stack of materials b* value.

40. An apparatus as in claim 28 wherein at least one of a second surface stack of materials and a third surface stack of materials comprises a thin laser line creating an isolation area.

41. An apparatus as in claim 28 further comprising at least one device selected from the group comprising:

an exterior light control, a moisture sensor, an information display, a light sensor, a blind spot indicator, a turning signal indicator, an approach warning, an operator interface, a compass, a temperature indicator, a voice actuated device, a microphone, a dimming circuitry, a GPS device, a telecommunication system, a navigation aid, a lane departure warning system, an adaptive cruise control, a vision system, a rear vision system and a tunnel detection system.

42. An apparatus, comprising:

a first substantially transparent substrate comprising a spectral filter material on a second surface proximate at least a perimeter portion;

a second substrate having an at least partially reflective stack of materials on at least a portion of a third surface;

an electrically conductive epoxy in electrical communication with said at least partially reflective stack of materials; and

a J-clip in electrical communication with said electrically conductive epoxy.

43. An apparatus as in claim 42 configured as a rearview mirror element.

44. An apparatus as in claim 42 further comprising a coating on a first surface of said first substantially transparent substrate that alters the contact angle of water relative to the contact angle of glass.

45. An apparatus as in claim 44 wherein said coating is hydrophilic.

46. An apparatus as in claim 44 wherein said coating is hydrophobic.

47. An apparatus as in claim 42 further comprising a primary seal material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said primary seal material comprises spacer beads configured to not cause bead distortion in said spectral filter material.

48. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein said spectral filter material comprises chromium.

49. An apparatus as in claim 42 further comprising a primary seal material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said primary seal material is at least partially visible when viewing from a fourth surface of said second substrate.

50. An apparatus as in claim 42 further comprising a plug material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said plug material is UV curable through said second substrate.

51. An apparatus as in claim 43 further comprising an electrical circuit board having a friction fit electrical connector and at least one electrical connection post on said mirror element, wherein said electrical connection post is in electrical communication with said friction fit electrical connector.

52. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein said J-clip is a formable contact material.

53. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein a spectral filter material b* value is lower than an at least partially reflective stack of materials b* value.

54. An apparatus as in claim 42 wherein at least one of a second surface stack of materials and a third surface stack of materials comprises a thin laser line creating an isolation area.

55. An apparatus as in claim 42 further comprising at least one device selected from the group comprising:

an exterior light control, a moisture sensor, an information display, a light sensor, a blind spot indicator, a turning signal indicator, an approach warning, an operator interface, a compass, a temperature indicator, a voice actuated device, a microphone, a dimming circuitry, a GPS device, a telecommunication system, a navigation aid, a lane departure warning system, an adaptive cruise control, a vision system, a rear vision system and a tunnel detection system.

56. An apparatus, comprising:

a first substantially transparent substrate having a spectral filter material on a second surface proximate at least a perimeter portion;

a second substrate having an at least partially reflective stack of materials on at least a portion of a third surface, configured as a rearview mirror element; and

an electrical circuit board having a friction fit electrical connector and at least one electrical connection post on said mirror element, wherein said electrical connection post is in electrical communication with said friction fit electrical connector.

57. An apparatus as in claim 56 further comprising a coating on a first surface of said first substantially transparent substrate that alters the contact angle of water relative to the contact angle of glass.

58. An apparatus as in claim 57 wherein said coating is hydrophilic.

59. An apparatus as in claim 57 wherein said coating is hydrophobic.

60. An apparatus as in claim 56 further comprising a primary seal material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said primary seal material comprises spacer beads configured to not cause bead distortion in said spectral filter material.

61. An apparatus as in claim 56 wherein said spectral filter material comprises chromium.

62. An apparatus as in claim 56 further comprising a primary seal material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said primary seal material is at least partially visible when viewing from a fourth surface of said second substrate.

63. An apparatus as in claim 56 further comprising a plug material positioned between said first substantially transparent substrate and said second substrate, wherein said plug material is UV curable through said second substrate.

64. An apparatus as in claim 56 further comprising at least one J-clip.

65. An apparatus as in claim 64 wherein said J-clip is a formable contact material.

66. An apparatus as in claim 56 wherein a spectral filter material b* value is lower than an at least partially reflective stack of materials b* value.

67. An apparatus as in claim 56 wherein at least one of a second surface stack of materials and a third surface stack of materials comprises a thin laser line creating an isolation area.

68. An apparatus as in claim 56 further comprising at least one device selected from the group comprising:

an exterior light control, a moisture sensor, an information display, a light sensor, a blind spot indicator, a turning signal indicator, an approach warning, an operator interface, a compass, a temperature indicator, a voice actuated device, a microphone, a dimming circuitry, a GPS device, a telecommunication system, a navigation aid, a lane departure warning system, an adaptive cruise control, a vision system, a rear vision system and a tunnel detection system.