MIRROR REFLECTIVE ELEMENT

• US 20120287495A1
• Filed: 05/11/2012
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: McCabe, Ian A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,988,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/263
• 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 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• 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 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells

Abstract

A variable reflectance vehicular electro-optic rearview mirror reflective element assembly includes a front substrate and a rear substrate and a perimeter seal disposed therebetween. The front substrate has a first surface and a second surface that has a transparent electrically conductive coating disposed thereat. The rear substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface, with the third surface having a conductive coating disposed thereat. The perimeter seal spaces the front and rear substrates apart and forms an interpane cavity therebetween. The third surface conductive coating includes a plurality of layers, which includes a first layer of nickel chromium. The first layer of nickel chromium is overcoated with a silver or silver alloy layer, and the silver or silver alloy layer is overcoated with a second layer of nickel chromium, and the second layer of nickel chromium is overcoated with a reflective layer.

Claims

1. A variable reflectance vehicular electro-optic rearview mirror reflective element assembly comprising:

a front substrate having a first surface that generally faces a driver of a vehicle equipped with a mirror assembly that incorporates said rearview mirror reflective element assembly;

said front substrate having a second surface opposite said first surface, wherein said second surface of said front substrate has a transparent electrically conductive coating disposed thereat;

a rear substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein said third surface has a conductive coating disposed thereat;

a perimeter seal disposed between said front and rear substrates, said perimeter seal spacing said front and rear substrates apart and forming an interpane cavity therebetween; and

wherein said third surface conductive coating comprises a plurality of layers, and wherein said plurality of layers comprises (i) a first layer of nickel chromium, (ii) a silver or silver alloy layer established at said first layer of nickel chromium, (iii) a second layer of nickel chromium established at said silver or silver alloy layer, and (iv) a reflective layer established at said second layer of nickel chromium.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said reflective layer comprises one of ruthenium, rhodium, platinum and palladium.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said first layer of nickel chromium has a thickness of no more than around 300 angstroms.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 3, wherein said silver or silver alloy layer has a thickness of between about 100 angstroms and about 1,000 angstroms.

5. The mirror assembly of claim 4, wherein said second nickel chromium layer has a thickness of no more than about 300 angstroms.

6. The mirror assembly of claim 5, wherein said reflective layer comprises a ruthenium layer having a thickness of about 200 angstroms to about 400 angstroms.

7. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of layers are disposed over a perimeter region of said fourth surface of said rear substrate.

8. The mirror assembly of claim 7, wherein said plurality of layers has a sheet resistance of less than about 0.5 ohms per square.

9. The mirror assembly of claim 8, wherein electrical connection is established at said plurality of layers at said fourth surface at a central location of said perimeter region of said fourth surface of said rear substrate.

10. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein said front substrate has a perimeter band disposed along a perimeter region of said second surface.

11. The mirror assembly of claim 10, wherein said perimeter band comprises (i) a layer of chromium established at said second surface, (ii) a first layer of nickel chromium established at said layer of chromium, (iii) a layer of silver or silver alloy established at said first layer of nickel chromium, and (iv) a second layer of nickel chromium established at said layer of silver or silver alloy.

12. The mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein said perimeter band has a sheet resistance of less than about 0.5 ohms per square.

13. The mirror assembly of claim 12, wherein electrical connection is established at said perimeter band at said second surface at a central location of said perimeter region of said second surface of said front substrate.

14. A variable reflectance vehicular electro-optic rearview mirror reflective element assembly comprising:

a front substrate having a first surface that generally faces a driver of a vehicle equipped with a mirror assembly that incorporates said rearview mirror reflective element assembly;

said front substrate having a second surface opposite said first surface, wherein said second surface of said front substrate has a transparent electrically conductive coating disposed thereat;

wherein said front substrate has a perimeter band disposed along a perimeter region of said second surface;

wherein said perimeter band comprises (i) a layer of chromium established at said second surface, (ii) a first layer of nickel chromium established at said layer of chromium, (iii) a layer of silver or silver alloy established at said first layer of nickel chromium, and (iv) a second layer of nickel chromium established at said layer of silver or silver alloy;

a rear substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein said third surface has a conductive coating disposed thereat;

a perimeter seal disposed between said front and rear substrates, said perimeter seal spacing said front and rear substrates apart and forming an interpane cavity therebetween; and

wherein said third surface conductive coating comprises a plurality of layers, and wherein said plurality of layers comprises (i) a first layer of nickel chromium, (ii) a silver or silver alloy layer established at said first layer of nickel chromium, (iii) a second layer of nickel chromium established at said silver or silver alloy layer, and (iv) a reflective layer established at said second layer of nickel chromium, wherein said reflective layer comprises one of ruthenium, rhodium, platinum and palladium.

15. The mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein said first layer of nickel chromium has a thickness of no more than around 300 angstroms.

16. The mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein said silver or silver alloy layer has a thickness of between about 100 angstroms and about 1,000 angstroms.

17. The mirror assembly of claim 16, wherein said second nickel chromium layer has a thickness of no more than about 300 angstroms.

18. The mirror assembly of claim 17, wherein said reflective layer comprises a ruthenium layer having a thickness of about 200 angstroms to about 400 angstroms.

19. The mirror assembly of claim 14, wherein said plurality of layers has a sheet resistance of less than about 0.5 ohms per square and wherein said perimeter band has a sheet resistance of less than about 0.5 ohms per square.

20. The mirror assembly of claim 19, wherein said plurality of layers are disposed over a perimeter region of said fourth surface of said rear substrate and wherein electrical connection is established at said plurality of layers at said fourth surface at a central location of said perimeter region of said fourth surface of said rear substrate, and wherein electrical connection is established at said perimeter band at said second surface at a central location of said perimeter region of said second surface of said front substrate.