Electrochromic rearview mirror incorporating a third surface metal reflector and a display/signal light
First Claim
1. A partially reflective, partially transmissive electrode for an electrochromic rearview mirror having first and second transparent substrates each having front and rear surfaces, said electrode comprising:
- a first layer of a first material having a relatively high refractive index;
a second layer of a second material having a relatively low refractive index disposed on said first layer; and
a third layer of a third material disposed on said second layer, said third material having a relatively high refractive index,wherein said first, second, and third layers together exhibit partial reflectance and partial transmittance.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrochromic mirror is disclosed for use 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, at least one solution-phase electrochromic material contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlying the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of highly reflective material and a coating of electrically conductive material that is at least partially transmissive 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. The electrically conductive coating may include a single transparent layer or a plurality of partially reflective and transmissive layers, or an electrically conductive dichroic coating. The light source may be an information display, such as a compass/temperature display as used in an inside rearview mirror, or may be a signal light as used in an outside rearview mirror.
413 Citations
37 Claims
-
1. A partially reflective, partially transmissive electrode for an electrochromic rearview mirror having first and second transparent substrates each having front and rear surfaces, said electrode comprising:
-
a first layer of a first material having a relatively high refractive index; a second layer of a second material having a relatively low refractive index disposed on said first layer; and a third layer of a third material disposed on said second layer, said third material having a relatively high refractive index, wherein said first, second, and third layers together exhibit partial reflectance and partial transmittance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
-
-
22. A partially reflective, partially transmissive electrode for an electrochromic rearview mirror having a first and second transparent substrates each having front and rear surfaces, said electrode comprising:
-
a first layer of a first material having a relatively high refractive index; a second layer of a second material having a relatively low refractive index disposed on said first layer; and a third layer of an electrically conductive third material disposed on said second layer, wherein said first, second, and third layers together exhibit partial reflectance and partial transmittance. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
-
Specification