REARVIEW MIRROR ELEMENT ASSEMBLIES AND SYSTEMS

• US 20090080055A1
• Filed: 05/16/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baur, Michael J., Habibi, Hamid, McCabe, Ian A., Lynam, Niall R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,636,188 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/267
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10174 Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/1022 Metallic coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10513 Electrochromic layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10541 comprising a light source or a light guide
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10733 containing epoxy
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10798 containing silicone
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/416 Reflective
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2551/08 Mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/08 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/14 applied in spaced arrangements, e.g. in stripes
• 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 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1536 additional, e.g. protective, layer inside the cell

Abstract

A rearview mirror element assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a front generally planar substrate and a rear generally planar substrate. A reflecting mirror reflector is established at a third surface of the rear substrate and an auxiliary mirror element is positioned rearward of a perimeter region of the front substrate. The auxiliary mirror element provides a wide angle view of a blind spot to the side of a vehicle and a generally planar portion of the electrochromic reflective element provides a generally planar view rearward of the vehicle. A perimeter band or demarcating band may be established at least partially around a perimeter border region of the substrate and may traverse the substrate at the perimeter region of the front substrate behind which the auxiliary mirror element is positioned. The band may demarcate the perimeter region from the generally planar portion of the reflective element.

Claims

1. A rearview mirror element assembly suitable for use in a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly, said rearview mirror element assembly comprising:

an electrochromic reflective element having a planar portion operable to exhibit electrically variable reflectivity between a high reflectance state and a dimmed reflectance state when an electrical voltage is applied thereto;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising a front planar substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising a rear planar substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said second surface of said front substrate and said third surface of said rear substrate opposing each other in said electrochromic reflective element and spaced apart by a seal, and with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween;

a reflecting mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear substrate;

an auxiliary mirror element positioned rearward of a perimeter region of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element;

said auxiliary mirror element providing a wide angle view of a blind spot to the side of a vehicle when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle;

said planar portion of said electrochromic reflective element providing a generally planar view rearward of the vehicle when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle;

a reflective perimeter band established at least partially around a perimeter border region of said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and visible through said front substrate to a viewer when viewing said first surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said perimeter band traverses said front substrate at said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned; and

wherein a portion of said perimeter band at least one of (i) conceals a portion of said seal that is local said perimeter region from direct view by the driver when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, (ii) conceals at least one edge of said auxiliary mirror element from direct view by the driver when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, and (iii) demarcates an image reflected by said reflecting mirror reflector as viewed by the driver from an image reflected by said auxiliary mirror element as viewed by the driver when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle.

2. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein said auxiliary mirror element comprises a light-transmitting substantially flat face and an opposing light-reflecting curved face, and wherein light incident on said first surface that passes through said front substrate passes through said flat face to be reflected off said curved face.

3. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 2, wherein said flat face of said auxiliary mirror element is adhered to said electrochromic reflective element by an optical adhesive, and wherein said perimeter band circumscribes said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

4. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 3, wherein said electrochromic reflective element is devoid of said electrochromic medium and is devoid of said reflecting mirror reflector at said perimeter region of said electrochromic reflective element rearward of which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

5. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 2, wherein said flat face of said auxiliary mirror element is adhered to said fourth surface of said rear substrate of said electrochromic reflective element by an optical adhesive.

6. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein the average width dimension of said reflective perimeter band established at least partially around said perimeter border region of said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element is generally about the same as the average width dimension of a portion of said reflective perimeter band that traverses said front substrate at said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

7. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein the average width dimension of said reflective perimeter band established at least partially around said perimeter border region of said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element is larger than the width dimension of a portion of said reflective perimeter band that traverses said front substrate at said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

8. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 7, wherein said portion of said reflective perimeter band that traverses said front substrate generally demarcates at least a portion of said perimeter region of said electrochromic reflective element rearward of which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned from said planar portion of said electrochromic reflective element.

9. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein said reflective perimeter band comprises at least one metal thin film coating.

10. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein said perimeter band generally circumscribes said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

11. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein a reflecting indicia reflector is locally established at said second surface of said front substrate to form indicia at said electrochromic reflective element and wherein said indicia is significantly more discernible by a person viewing said electrochromic reflective element when said electrochromic reflective element is at a dimmed reflectance state than when said electrochromic reflective element is at a high reflectance state.

12. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 11, wherein said indicia reflector comprises a reflective metal coating, and wherein said indicia reflector is overcoated by a transparent electrically conductive coating at said second surface so as to be disposed between said second surface and said overcoating transparent electrically conductive coating.

13. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein said reflecting mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear substrate comprises a ruthenium coating.

14. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein said reflecting mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear substrate comprises a transflective reflector.

15. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 14, wherein a turn signal display element is disposed behind said transflective reflector, said turn signal display element emitting light when activated that passes through said transflective reflector and through said electrochromic medium.

16. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 14, wherein said transflective reflector comprises at least one metal thin film coating and wherein said at least one metal thin film coating comprises at least one of (a) silver and (b) a silver alloy.

17. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, said portion of said perimeter band conceals the portion of said seal that is local said perimeter region from direct view by the driver and conceals at least one edge of said auxiliary mirror element from direct view by the driver and demarcates an image reflected by said reflecting mirror reflector as viewed by the driver from an image reflected by said auxiliary mirror element as viewed by the driver.

18. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 17, wherein a display element is disposed behind said reflecting mirror reflector, said display element emitting light when activated that passes through said electrochromic medium.

19. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 18, wherein said display element comprises a turn signal display element.

20. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 18, wherein said display element comprises a blind spot alert display element.

21. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein said seal joins said rear substrate to said front substrate in a generally flush arrangement whereby the presence of said rear substrate in not readily viewable when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle.

22. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 21, wherein a dimension of said front substrate is larger than a corresponding dimension of said rear substrate so as to provide an overhang region.

23. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 1, wherein said seal joins said rear substrate to said front substrate in a generally offset arrangement and wherein a bezel is provided around the perimeter of said electrochromic reflective element when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle.

24. A rearview mirror element assembly suitable for use in a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly, said rearview mirror element assembly comprising:

an electrochromic reflective element having a planar portion operable to exhibit electrically variable reflectivity between a high reflectance state and a dimmed reflectance state when an electrical voltage is applied thereto;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising a front planar substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising a rear planar substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said second surface of said front substrate and said third surface of said rear substrate opposing each other in said electrochromic reflective element and spaced apart by a seal, and with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween;

a reflecting mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear substrate;

an auxiliary mirror element positioned rearward of a perimeter region of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element;

said auxiliary mirror element providing a wide angle view of a blind spot to the side of a vehicle when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, and wherein said auxiliary mirror element comprises a light-transmitting substantially flat face and an opposing light-reflecting curved face, and wherein light incident on said first surface that passes through said front substrate passes through said flat face to be reflected off said curved face;

said planar portion of said electrochromic reflective element providing a generally planar view rearward of the vehicle when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle;

a demarcating band visible through said front substrate to a viewer when viewing said first surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and wherein said demarcating band generally demarcates at least a portion of said perimeter region of said electrochromic reflective element rearward of which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned from said planar portion of said electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said demarcating band is established at said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element; and

wherein said electrochromic reflective element is devoid of said electrochromic medium and is devoid of said reflecting mirror reflector at said perimeter region of said electrochromic reflective element rearward of which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

25. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 24, wherein said demarcating band traverses said front substrate at said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

26. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 24, wherein said flat face of said auxiliary mirror element is adhered to said electrochromic reflective element by an optical adhesive, and wherein said demarcating band at least partially circumscribes said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

27. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 24, wherein said flat face of said auxiliary mirror element is adhered to said fourth surface of said rear substrate of said electrochromic reflective element by an optical adhesive.

28. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 24, wherein when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, said demarcating band conceals a portion of said seal that is local said perimeter region from direct view by the driver and conceals at least one edge of said auxiliary mirror element from direct view by the driver.

29. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 24, wherein a perimeter band is established at least partially around a perimeter border region of said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and visible through said front substrate to a viewer when viewing said first surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and wherein said demarcating band joins with said perimeter band.

30. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 29, wherein said perimeter band and said demarcating band commonly comprise at least one metal thin film coating.

31. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 30, wherein both said perimeter band and said demarcating band are reflective.

32. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 31, wherein said common metal thin film coating is commonly established at said second surface of said front substrate by vacuum-assisted sputter deposition.

33. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 29, wherein said perimeter band and said demarcating band cooperate to generally circumscribe said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

34. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 24, wherein said seal joins said rear substrate to said front substrate in a generally flush arrangement whereby the presence of said rear substrate in not readily viewable when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle.

35. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 34, wherein a dimension of said front substrate is larger than a corresponding dimension of said rear substrate so as to provide an overhang region.

36. An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror system comprising:

a driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly, said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising a driver-side electrochromic reflective element having a planar portion operable to exhibit electrically variable reflectivity between a high reflectance state and a dimmed reflectance state when an electrical voltage is applied thereto;

said driver-side electrochromic reflective element comprising a front planar substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said driver-side electrochromic reflective element comprising a rear planar substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said second surface of said front substrate and said third surface of said rear substrate opposing each other in said driver-side electrochromic reflective element and spaced apart by a seal, and with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween;

a driver-side reflecting mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear substrate;

a driver-side auxiliary mirror element positioned rearward of a perimeter region of said front substrate of said driver-side electrochromic reflective element;

a reflective driver-side perimeter band established at least partially around a perimeter border region of said second surface of said front substrate of said driver-side electrochromic reflective element and visible through said front substrate to a viewer when viewing said first surface of said front substrate of said driver-side electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said driver-side perimeter band traverses said front substrate at said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said driver-side auxiliary mirror element is positioned;

wherein at least a portion of said driver-side perimeter band at least one of (i) conceals a portion of said seal that is local said perimeter region from direct view by the driver when the driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted on the driver-side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, (ii) conceals at least one edge of said auxiliary mirror element from direct view by the driver when the driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted on the driver-side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, and (iii) demarcates an image reflected by said driver-side reflecting mirror reflector as viewed by the driver from an image reflected by said auxiliary mirror element as viewed by the driver when the driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly is mounted on the driver-side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle;

a passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly, said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising a passenger-side non-electrochromic reflective element comprising a light-transmitting substrate;

a passenger-side reflecting mirror reflector established at a surface of said light-transmitting substrate of said passenger-side non-electrochromic reflective element;

a reflective passenger-side perimeter band established at least partially around a perimeter border region of said light-transmitting substrate of said passenger-side non-electrochromic reflective element and visible to a viewer when viewing said passenger-side non-electrochromic reflective element;

a passenger-side auxiliary mirror element positioned rearward of a perimeter region of said passenger-side non-electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said passenger-side perimeter band traverses said light-transmitting substrate at said perimeter region of said light-transmitting substrate behind which said passenger-side auxiliary mirror element is positioned; and

wherein said passenger-side non-electrochromic reflective element exhibits an appearance of said passenger-side perimeter band that generally matches the appearance of said driver-side perimeter band of said driver-side electrochromic reflective element when both are mounted on the vehicle and viewed by a person viewing the respective reflective elements of said passenger-side exterior rearview mirror assembly and said driver-side exterior rearview mirror assembly.

37. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 36, wherein said passenger-side non-electrochromic reflective element comprises a silicon-based reflector coated at a surface of said light-transmitting substrate, and wherein said light-transmitting substrate comprises a bent glass mirror substrate.

38. The exterior rearview mirror system of claim 36, wherein said passenger-side reflecting mirror reflector and said reflective passenger-side perimeter band comprise the same thin film coating layer or stack of thin film coating layers, and wherein said reflective passenger-side perimeter band is demarcated by laser ablating a demarcating line along and through said thin film coating layer of stack of thin film coating layers and inboard of a peripheral edge of said light-transmitting substrate, said demarcating line being inboard of said peripheral edge by a dimension that substantially matches a width dimension of said driver-side perimeter band of said driver-side electrochromic reflective element.

39. A rearview mirror element assembly suitable for use in a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly, said rearview mirror element assembly comprising:

an electrochromic reflective element having a planar portion operable to exhibit electrically variable reflectivity between a high reflectance state and a dimmed reflectance state when an electrical voltage is applied thereto;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising a front planar substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising a rear planar substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said second surface of said front substrate and said third surface of said rear substrate opposing each other in said electrochromic reflective element and spaced apart by a seal, and with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween;

a reflecting mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear substrate;

an auxiliary mirror element positioned rearward of a perimeter region of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element;

said auxiliary mirror element providing a wide angle view of a blind spot to the side of a vehicle when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, and wherein said auxiliary mirror element comprises a light-transmitting substantially flat face and an opposing light-reflecting curved face, and wherein light incident on said first surface that passes through said front substrate passes through said flat face to be reflected off said curved face;

said planar portion of said electrochromic reflective element providing a generally planar view rearward of the vehicle when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle;

a reflecting demarcating band visible through said front substrate to a viewer when viewing said first surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and wherein said demarcating band traverses said reflective element at said perimeter region of said electrochromic reflective element rearward of which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned from said planar portion of said electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said demarcating band is established at said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said electrochromic reflective element is devoid of said electrochromic medium and is devoid of said reflecting mirror reflector at said perimeter region of said electrochromic reflective element rearward of which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned;

wherein a reflecting perimeter band is established at least partially around a perimeter border region of said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and visible through said front substrate to a viewer when viewing said first surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and wherein said demarcating band joins with said perimeter band; and

wherein said perimeter band and said demarcating band commonly comprise at least one metal thin film coating.

40. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 39, wherein said perimeter band and said demarcating band cooperate to generally circumscribe said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

41. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 39, wherein said flat face of said auxiliary mirror element is adhered to said electrochromic reflective element by an optical adhesive.

42. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 40, wherein said flat face of said auxiliary mirror element is adhered to said fourth surface of said rear substrate of said electrochromic reflective element by an optical adhesive.

43. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 39, wherein when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, said demarcating band conceals a portion of said seal that is local said perimeter region from direct view by the driver and conceals at least one edge of said auxiliary mirror element from direct view by the driver.

44. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 39, wherein said at least one metal thin film coating comprises chromium.

45. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 39, wherein said at least one metal thin film coating is commonly established at said second surface of said front substrate by vacuum-assisted sputter deposition.

46. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 39, wherein said seal joins said rear substrate to said front substrate in a generally flush arrangement whereby the presence of said rear substrate in not readily viewable when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle.

47. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 46, wherein a dimension of said front substrate is larger than a corresponding dimension of said rear substrate so as to provide an overhang region.

48. A rearview mirror element assembly suitable for use in a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly, said rearview mirror element assembly comprising:

an electrochromic reflective element having a planar portion operable to exhibit electrically variable reflectivity between a high reflectance state and a dimmed reflectance state when an electrical voltage is applied thereto;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising a front planar substrate having a first surface and a second surface,

said electrochromic reflective element comprising a rear planar substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said second surface of said front substrate and said third surface of said rear substrate opposing each other in said electrochromic reflective element and spaced apart by a seal, and with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween;

a reflecting mirror reflector established at said rear substrate;

an auxiliary mirror element positioned rearward of a perimeter region of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element;

said auxiliary mirror element providing a wide angle view of a blind spot to the side of a vehicle when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, and wherein said auxiliary mirror element comprises a light-transmitting substantially flat face and an opposing light-reflecting curved face, and wherein light incident on said first surface that passes through said front substrate passes through said flat face to be reflected off said curved face;

said planar portion of said electrochromic reflective element providing a generally planar view rearward of the vehicle when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle;

a reflecting demarcating band visible through said front substrate to a viewer when viewing said first surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and wherein said demarcating band generally demarcates at least a portion of said perimeter region of said electrochromic reflective element rearward of which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned from said planar portion of said electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said demarcating band is established at said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said electrochromic reflective element is devoid of said electrochromic medium and is devoid of said reflecting mirror reflector at said perimeter region of said electrochromic reflective element rearward of which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned;

wherein a reflecting perimeter band is established at least partially around a perimeter border region of said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and visible through said front substrate to a viewer when viewing said first surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and wherein said demarcating band joins with said perimeter band;

wherein said perimeter band and said demarcating band commonly comprise at least one metal thin film coating;

wherein said at least one metal thin film coating is commonly established at said second surface of said front substrate by vacuum-assisted sputter deposition; and

wherein when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, said demarcating band conceals a portion of said seal that is local said perimeter region from direct view by the driver and conceals at least one edge of said auxiliary mirror element from direct view by the driver.

49. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 48, wherein said perimeter band and said demarcating band cooperate to generally circumscribe said perimeter region of said front substrate behind which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned.

50. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 48, wherein said flat face of said auxiliary mirror element is adhered to said electrochromic reflective element by an optical adhesive.

51. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 50, wherein said flat face of said auxiliary mirror element is adhered to said fourth surface of said rear substrate of said electrochromic reflective element by an optical adhesive.

52. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 50, wherein said seal joins said rear substrate to said front substrate in a generally flush arrangement whereby the presence of said rear substrate in not readily viewable when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle.

53. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 52, wherein said reflecting mirror reflector is established at said third surface of said rear substrate.

54. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 53, wherein said reflecting mirror reflector established at said third surface of said rear substrate comprises a transflective reflector.

55. A rearview mirror element assembly suitable for use in a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly, said rearview mirror element assembly comprising:

an electrochromic reflective element having a planar portion operable to exhibit electrically variable reflectivity between a high reflectance state and a dimmed reflectance state when an electrical voltage is applied thereto;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising a front planar substrate having a first surface and a second surface;

said electrochromic reflective element comprising a rear planar substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface;

said second surface of said front substrate and said third surface of said rear substrate opposing each other in said electrochromic reflective element and spaced apart by a seal, and with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween;

a reflecting mirror reflector established at said rear substrate;

an auxiliary mirror element positioned rearward of a perimeter region of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element;

said auxiliary mirror element providing a wide angle view of a blind spot to the side of a vehicle when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, and wherein said auxiliary mirror element comprises a light-transmitting substantially flat face and an opposing light-reflecting curved face, and wherein light incident on said first surface that passes through said front substrate passes through said flat face to be reflected off said curved face;

said planar portion of said electrochromic reflective element providing a generally planar view rearward of the vehicle when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle;

a demarcating band visible through said front substrate to a viewer when viewing said first surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element, and wherein said demarcating band generally demarcates at least a portion of said perimeter region of said electrochromic reflective element rearward of which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned from said planar portion of said electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said demarcating band is established at said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element;

wherein said electrochromic reflective element is devoid of said electrochromic medium and is devoid of said reflecting mirror reflector at said perimeter region of said electrochromic reflective element rearward of which said auxiliary mirror element is positioned;

wherein when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle, said demarcating band at least one of (i) conceals a portion of said seal that is local said perimeter region from direct view by the driver and (ii) conceals at least one edge of said auxiliary mirror element from direct view by the driver; and

wherein one of (a) said seal joins said rear substrate to said front substrate in a generally flush arrangement whereby the presence of said rear substrate in not readily viewable when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle and is normally viewed by a driver of the vehicle when operating the vehicle and (b) said seal joins said rear substrate to said front substrate in a generally offset arrangement.

56. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 55, wherein a reflecting perimeter band is established at least partially around a perimeter border region of said second surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and visible through said front substrate to a viewer when viewing said first surface of said front substrate of said electrochromic reflective element and wherein said demarcating band joins with said perimeter band.

57. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 56, wherein said demarcating band conceals a portion of said seal that is local said perimeter region from direct view by the driver and conceals at least one edge of said auxiliary mirror element from direct view by the driver.

58. The rearview mirror element assembly of claim 55, wherein a bezel is provided around the perimeter of said electrochromic reflective element when said electrochromic reflective element is mounted in an exterior rearview mirror assembly on a side of a vehicle.