POLARIZED ELECTRO-OPTIC ELEMENT

• US 20170320441A1
• Filed: 05/02/2017
• Published: 11/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Luten, Henry A., Tonar, William L., Kloeppner, Leroy J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,486,601 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• 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: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0136 for the control of polarisation, e.g. state of polarisation [SOP] control, polarisation scrambling, TE-TM mode conversion or separation G02F1/0353 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1313 specially adapted for a particular application
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133536 Reflective polarizers G02F1/13362 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1347 Arrangement of liquid crystal layers or cells in which the final condition of one light beam is achieved by the addition of the effects of two or more layers or cells
• 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 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/07 Polarisation dependent

Abstract

A vehicular rearview assembly is provided that includes a display configured to emit light of a first polarization. A reflective polarizer is positioned adjacent the display. The reflective polarizer is configured to transmit the light of the first polarization and reflect light of a second polarization and an electro-optic element is positioned on an opposite side of the reflective polarizer than the display. The electro-optic element is configured to transition between substantially clear and substantially darkened states. The electro-optic element includes a plurality of electrochromic molecules substantially aligned with the second polarization of the light such that the electro-optic element is configured to substantially absorb the light of the second polarization when in the darkened state.

Claims

1. A vehicular rearview assembly, comprising:

a display configured to emit light of a first polarization;

a reflective polarizer positioned adjacent the display, the reflective polarizer configured to transmit the light of the first polarization and reflect light of a second polarization; and

an electro-optic element positioned on an opposite side of the reflective polarizer than the display, the electro-optic element configured to transition between substantially clear and substantially darkened states, wherein the electro-optic element comprises a plurality of electrochromic molecules substantially aligned with the second polarization of the light such that the electro-optic element is configured to substantially absorb the light of the second polarization when in the darkened state.

2. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a light source, wherein the light source is positioned on an opposite side of the display than the reflective polarizer.

3. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

4. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic element is configured to be substantially free of light absorption of the first polarization.

5. A vehicular rearview assembly, comprising:

a display configured to emit light of a first polarization;

a reflective polarizer positioned adjacent the display, the reflective polarizer configured to transmit the light of a first polarization and reflect light of a second polarization; and

an electro-optic element comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer;

a second substantially transparent substrate defining third and fourth surfaces, wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity there between; and

a polymeric film disposed within the cavity and comprising a plurality of electrochromics aligned with the light of the second polarization, the polymeric film being variably transmissive to the light of the second polarization such that the electro-optic element is operable between substantially clear and darkened states relative to the light of the second polarization.

6. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the electrochromics of the polymeric film comprise a cathodic component.

7. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

an anodic gel positioned in contact with the polymeric film and the second electrically conductive layer.

8. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the electrochromics of the polymeric film comprise an anodic component.

9. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a cathodic gel positioned in contact with the polymeric film and the second electrically conductive layer.

10. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the polymer comprises cathodic and anodic components.

11. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the polymeric film comprises a plurality of polymer chains that are substantially aligned.

12. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 5, wherein the electro-optic element is configured to be substantially free of light absorption of the first polarization.

13. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 12, wherein the polymeric film is cross linked.

14. A vehicular rearview assembly, comprising:

a display configured to transmit light of a first polarization;

a reflective polarizer positioned adjacent the display, the reflective polarizer configured to transmit the light of the first polarization and reflect light of a second polarization; and

an electro-optic element comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate defining first and second surfaces, wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer;

a second substantially transparent substrate defining third and fourth surfaces, wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity there between;

a first polymeric film positioned within the cavity, the first polymeric film comprising a plurality of cathodic electrochromics aligned with the second polarization of light; and

a second polymeric film in the cavity and comprising a plurality of anodic electrochromics aligned with the second polarization of light, wherein the first and second polymeric films are variably transmissive to the light of the second polarization.

15. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

an electrolyte layer positioned between the first and second polymeric films.

16. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second polymeric films are cross linked.

17. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 14, wherein the reflective polarizer comprises at least one of a wire-grid and a polymer.

18. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 14, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

19. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 14, wherein the electro-optic element is configured to not substantially absorb light of the first polarization.

20. The vehicular rearview assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

a light source, wherein the light source is positioned on an opposite side of the display than the reflective polarizer.