Electrochromic rearview mirror incorporating a third surface metal reflector and a display/signal light

• US 6,356,376 B1
• Filed: 05/14/1999
• Issued: 03/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Tonar, William L., Anderson, John S., Forgette, Jeffrey A., Stam, Joseph S., Bechtel, Jon H., Carter, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US09/311,955
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/267, 359/275, 359/271, 359/273, 362/494, 362/30, 362/135, 307/10.1, 318/466
• US Class Current: 359/267
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• 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 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0112 comprising device for genereting colour display
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0114 comprising dichroic elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/012 comprising devices for attenuating parasitic image effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/02 Diffusing elements; Afocal elements
• 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 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• 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 2001/1502 complementary cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/34 reflector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/02 reflective
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/87 Arrangements for heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8794 Arrangements for heating and cooling

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 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.

Claims

1. An electrochromic rearview mirror comprising:

front and rear elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber; and

a partially transmissive, partially reflective second electrode disposed over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element, said second electrode including a transparent electrically conductive coating applied over a surface of said rear element and a thin reflective layer of metal applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror exhibits a reflectance of at least about 35 percent, a transmittance of at least about 5 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum, and a C* value of less than about 20.

2. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror has a C* value less than about 15.

3. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror has a C* value less than about 10.

4. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror has a b* value less than about 15.

5. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror has a b* value less than about 10.

6. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrochromic mirror has a reflectance of at least about 65 percent.

7. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrochromic mirror has a reflectance of at least about 70 percent.

8. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said electrochromic mirror has a transmittance of at least about 10 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum.

9. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said thin reflective layer is made of a silver alloy including a combination of silver and an element selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, rhodium, and palladium.

10. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said thin reflective layer is made of a silver alloy including about 94 percent silver and about 6 percent gold.

11. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said thin reflective layer has a thickness of between about 180 and 500 Å

.

12. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said transparent conductive coating includes a layer of fluorine-doped tin oxide.

13. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said transparent conductive coating includes a layer of indium tin oxide.

14. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 13, wherein said transparent conductive coating includes a second layer of transparent material between said layer of indium tin oxide and said rear element.

15. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 14, wherein said second layer is made of silicon.

16. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 14, wherein said second layer is made of titanium dioxide.

17. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 16, wherein said transparent conductive coating further includes a third layer of silica and a fourth layer of indium tin oxide between said first indium tin oxide layer and said reflective layer.

18. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said reflective layer includes a layer of silver and said mirror further includes a flash layer of silver alloy disposed over said layer of silver.

19. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said transparent conductive coating includes a layer of silicon.

20. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said first electrode is disposed on the rear surface of said front element.

21. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said transparent electrically conductive coating having an optical thickness of mλ

/4, where λ

equals about 500 nm and m is a positive, odd integer.

22. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 1, wherein said second electrode includes a layer of indium tin oxide and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said indium tin oxide layer, said indium tin oxide layer having one of a ¼

wave, ¾

wave, 1¼

wave, and 1¾

wave thickness.

23. An electrochromic rearview mirror comprising:

front and rear elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber; and

a partially transmissive, partially reflective second electrode disposed over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element, said second electrode including a transparent electrically conductive coating applied over a surface of said rear element and a thin reflective layer of metal applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror exhibits a reflectance of at least about 35 percent, a transmittance of a least about 5percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum, and a b* value of less than about 15.

24. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror has a b* value less than about 10.

25. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror has a C* value less than about 20.

26. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror has a C* value less than about 15.

27. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said electrochromic rearview mirror has a C* value less than about 10.

28. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said second electrode including a layer of indium tin oxide and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said indium tin oxide layer, said indium tin oxide layer having one of a ¼

wave, ¾

wave, 1¼

wave, and 1¾

wave thickness.

29. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said electrochromic mirror has a reflectance of at least about 50 percent and a transmittance of at least about 10 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum.

30. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said electrochromic mirror has a reflectance of at least about 65 percent and a transmittance of at least about 10 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum.

31. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said lectrochromic mirror has a reflectance of at least about 70 percent and a transmittance of at least about 15 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum.

32. The electrochoromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said thin reflective layer is made of a silver alloy including a combination of silver and an element selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, rhodium, and palladium.

33. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said thin reflective layer is made of a silver alloy including about 94 percent silver and about 6 percent gold.

34. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said thin reflective layer has a thickness of between about 180 and 500 Å

.

35. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said reflective layer includes a layer of silver and said mirror further includes a flash layer of silver alloy disposed over said layer of silver.

36. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 23, wherein said first electrode is disposed on the rear surface of said front element.

37. An electrochromic rearview mirror comprising:

front and rear elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber; and

a partially transmissive, partially reflective second electrode disposed over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element, said second electrode including a transparent electrically conductive coating applied over a surface of said rear element and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating, said second electrode having a reflectance of at least about 35 percent, a transmittance of at least about 5 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum, and a C* value of less than about 20.

38. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said second electrode has a C* less than about 15.

39. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said second electrode has a C* less than about 10.

40. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said second electrode has a b* less than about 15.

41. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said second electrode has a b* less than about 10.

42. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said second electrode has a reflectance of at least about 50 percent.

43. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said second electrode has a reflectance of at least about 65 percent.

44. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said second electrode has a transmittance of at least about 10 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum.

45. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said thin reflective layer is made of a silver alloy including a combination of silver and an element selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, rhodium, and palladium.

46. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said thin reflective layer is made of a silver alloy including about 94 percent silver and about 6 percent gold.

47. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said thin reflective layer has a thickness of between about 180 and 500 Å

.

48. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said transparent conductive coating includes a layer of fluorine-doped tin oxide.

49. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said transparent conductive coating includes a layer of indium tin oxide.

50. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 49, wherein said transparent conductive coating includes a second layer of transparent material between said layer of indium tin oxide and said rear element.

51. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 50, wherein said second layer is made of silicon.

52. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 50, wherein said second layer is made of titanium dioxide.

53. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 52, wherein said transparent conductive coating further includes a third layer of silica and a fourth layer of indium tin oxide between said first indium tin oxide layer and said reflective layer.

54. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said reflective layer includes a layer of silver and said mirror further includes a flash layer of silver alloy disposed over said layer of silver.

55. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said transparent conductive coating includes a layer of silicon.

56. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 37, wherein said first electrode is disposed on the rear surface of said front element.

57. An electrochromic rearview mirror comprising:

front and rear elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber; and

a partially transmissive, partially reflective second electrode disposed over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element, said second electrode including a transparent electrically conductive coating applied over a surface of said rear element and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating, said second electrode having a reflectance of at least about 35 percent, a transmittance of at least about 5 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum, and a b* value of less than about 15.

58. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 57, wherein said second electrode has a b* value less than about 10.

59. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 57, wherein said second electrode has a C* value less than about 20.

60. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 57, wherein said second electrode has a C* value of less than about 15.

61. The electrochromic rearview mirror as defined in claim 57, wherein said second electrode has a C* value of less than about 10.

62. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle;

front and rear elements mounted in said housing, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber;

a second electrode disposed on said front surface of said rear element; and

a light emitting display assembly mounted in said housing, said display assembly having a front surface and being mounted behind said rear surface of said rear element such that said front surface of said display assembly is not parallel with said rear surface,

wherein either said second electrode is a reflective electrode or a separate reflector is disposed over substantially all of said rear surface of said rear element, said reflective electrode/reflector being partially transmissive and partially reflective in at least a location in front of said display assembly.

63. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 62 and further including a light absorbing layer provided on said rear surface of said rear element, said light absorbing layer having an aperture window formed therein through which said display assembly emits light, wherein said display assembly is mounted at an angle behind said rear surface of said rear element such that any light emitted from said display assembly that is reflected back through said rear element from said reflective electrode/reflector impinges upon and is substantially absorbed by said light absorbing layer.

64. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 62, wherein said display assembly is mounted at an angle behind said rear surface of said rear element such that any light emitted from said display assembly that is reflected back through said rear element from said reflective electrode/reflector reflects off of said front surface of said display assembly in a direction not within a viewer'"'"'s field of vision.

65. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 62, wherein said second electrode is a reflective electrode being partially transmissive and partially reflective over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element.

66. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 65, wherein said reflective electrode includes a transparent electrically conductive coating, and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating.

67. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 66, wherein said reflective electrode is partially transmissive and partially reflective with a reflectance of at least about 50 percent and a transmittance of at least about 10 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum.

68. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 62, wherein said display assembly includes a display device and an optical element positioned between said display device and said rear surface of said rear element, wherein said front surface of said display assembly that is not parallel with said rear surface of said rear element is a surface of said optical element.

69. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 68, wherein said optical element is a mirror.

70. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle;

front and rear elements mounted in said housing, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber;

a second electrode disposed on said front surface of said rear element; and

a light emitting display assembly mounted in said housing, wherein said display assembly has a non-specular front surface that is mounted adjacent said rear surface of said rear element,

wherein either said second electrode is a reflective electrode or a separate reflector is disposed over substantially all of said rear surface of said rear element, said reflective electrode/reflector being partially transmissive and partially reflective in at least a location in front of said display assembly.

71. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 70, wherein any light emitted from said display assembly that is reflected back through said rear element from said reflective electrode/reflector and impinges upon said non-specular front surface of said display assembly is not reflected back through said rear element.

72. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 70, wherein said second electrode is a reflective electrode being partially transmissive and partially reflective over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element.

73. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 72, wherein said reflective electrode is formed over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element, said reflective electrode including a transparent electrically conductive coating, and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating.

74. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 72, wherein said reflective electrode is partially transmissive and partially reflective with a reflectance of at least about 50 percent and a transmittance of at least about 10 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum.

75. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle;

front and rear elements mounted in said housing, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber;

a second electrode disposed on said front surface of said rear element;

a light emitting display assembly mounted in said housing, said display assembly having a front surface that is mounted adjacent said rear surface of said rear element; and

an anti-reflection coating applied to said front surface of said display assembly,

wherein either said second electrode is a reflective electrode or a separate reflector is disposed over substantially all of said rear surface of said rear element, said reflective electrode/reflector being partially transmissive and partially reflective in at least a location in front of said display assembly.

76. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 75, wherein said second electrode is a reflective electrode being partially transmissive and partially reflective over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element.

77. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 76, wherein said reflective electrode is formed over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element, said reflective electrode including a transparent electrically conductive coating, and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating.

78. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 76, wherein said reflective electrode is partially transmissive and partially reflective with a reflectance of at least about 50 percent and a transmittance of at least about 10 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum.

79. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle;

front and rear elements mounted in said housing, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber;

a second electrode formed on said front surface of said rear element; and

a light emitting display assembly mounted in said housing, said display assembly having a front surface that is mounted adjacent said rear surface of said rear element,

wherein either said second electrode is a reflective electrode or a separate reflector is disposed over substantially all of said rear surface of said rear element, said reflective electrode/reflector being partially transmissive and partially reflective in at least a location in front of said display assembly,

said display assembly including at least one masking component for minimizing light that is emitted from said display assembly from reflecting off of said reflective electrode/reflector back toward said display assembly and then reflecting back off said front surface of said display assembly toward said front surface of said front element and a viewer.

80. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 79, wherein said second electrode is a reflective electrode partially transmissive and partially reflective over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element.

81. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 80, wherein said reflective electrode is formed over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element, said reflective electrode including a transparent electrically conductive coating, and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating.

82. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 80, wherein said reflective electrode is partially transmissive and partially reflective with a reflectance of at least about 50 percent and a transmittance of at least about 10 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum.

83. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle;

front and rear elements mounted in said housing, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber;

a second electrode disposed on said front surface of said rear element;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber; and

a light emitting display assembly mounted in said chamber or to said front surface of said front element,

wherein either said second electrode is a reflective electrode or a separate reflector is disposed over substantially all of said rear surface of said rear element.

84. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 83, wherein said light emitting display assembly is mounted in said chamber.

85. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 83, wherein said light emitting display assembly is mounted in front of said reflective electrode/reflector.

86. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 83, wherein said light emitting display assembly includes an organic light emitting diode display.

87. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 83, wherein said light emitting display assembly is substantially transparent.

88. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 83, wherein said second electrode is a reflective electrode that is formed over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element, said reflective electrode including a transparent electrically conductive coating, and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating.

89. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle;

front and rear elements mounted in said housing, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber;

a second electrode disposed on said front surface of said rear element;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber; and

an organic light emitting diode display mounted to one of the surfaces of said front and rear elements,

wherein either said second electrode is a reflective electrode or a separate reflector is disposed over substantially all of said rear surface of said rear element.

90. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 89, wherein said organic light emitting diode display is mounted in said chamber.

91. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 89, wherein said light emitting display is mounted in front of said reflective electrode/reflector.

92. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 89, wherein said light emitting display is substantially transparent.

93. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle;

front and rear elements mounted in said housing, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber;

a second electrode disposed on said front surface of said rear element, wherein either said second electrode is a reflective electrode or a separate reflector is disposed over substantially all of said rear surface of said rear element, said reflective electrode/reflector being partially transmissive and partially reflective over substantially all of one of the surfaces of said rear element;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber; and

a light sensor mounted in said housing behind said rear element and behind said partially transmissive, partially reflective electrode/reflector.

94. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 93, wherein said light sensor includes a sensor component and a collector component disposed between said rear surface of said rear element and said sensor component, said collector component serving to collect light over an area greater than a sensing area of said sensor component so as to direct at least a portion of the collected light to said sensor component.

95. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 94, wherein said collector component is a lens that condenses the collected light towards a focal plane of the lens.

96. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 95, wherein said sensor component is positioned in front of the focal plane of said lens.

97. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 93, wherein said second electrode is a partially reflective, partially transmissive electrode that is formed over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element, and includes a transparent electrically conductive coating, and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating.

98. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 93, wherein said reflective electrode/reflector has a reflectance of at least about 35 percent.

99. An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the exterior of the vehicle;

a first element mounted in said housing, said first element having a front and rear surface;

a reflector disposed on one of the surfaces of said first element; and

a light source mounted in said housing behind said rear surface of said first element, said light source being positioned within said housing so as to emit light, when activated, through said first element, and through a region of said reflector that is at least partially transmissive toward a side of the vehicle.

100. The exterior rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 99, wherein said light source emits light towards the door handle and/or locking mechanism of the vehicle.

101. The exterior rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 99 and further including:

a second element mounted in said housing in front of said first element, said second element having a front and rear surface and being sealably bonded to said first element in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber; and

a second electrode disposed on said front surface of said first element,

wherein said light source is mounted behind said first element so as to emit light, when activated, through said first and second elements, said electrochromic material, said first and second electrodes, and through a region of said reflector that is at least partially transmissive toward a side of the vehicle.

102. The exterior rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 101, wherein said second electrode is reflective to thereby serve as said reflector and constitute a reflective electrode.

103. The exterior rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 102, wherein said reflective electrode is formed over substantially all of said front surface of said first element, said reflective electrode including a transparent electrically conductive coating, and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating.

104. The exterior rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 103, wherein said reflective electrode is partially transmissive and partially reflective with a reflectance of at least about 50 percent and a transmittance of at least about 10 percent in at least portions of the visible spectrum.

105. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle;

front and rear elements mounted in said housing, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber;

a transparent first electrode including a layer of conductive material carried on a surface of one of said elements within said chamber;

a second electrode disposed on said front surface of said rear element;

an electrochromic material contained in said chamber; and

a graphic display positioned in said housing behind said rear element,

wherein either said second electrode is a reflective electrode or a separate reflector is disposed over substantially all of said rear surface of said rear element, said reflective electrode/reflector being partially transmissive and partially reflective in at least a location in front of said graphic display.

106. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 105, wherein said graphic display includes a masking layer provided behind said rear surface of said rear element and having an indicia formed therein that is at least partially transmissive, said graphic display further including at least one light source mounted behind said masking layer for selectively projecting light through said indicia and through said front and rear elements, said electrochromic material, said first and second electrodes, and through said partially reflective, partially transmissive region of said reflective electrode/reflector.

107. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 106, wherein said at least one light source is a light emitting diode.

108. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 106 wherein said masking layer is substantially light absorbent over its entire surface with the exception of those areas of the indicia.

109. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 105, wherein said graphic display is a graphic compass display.

110. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 109, wherein said graphic compass display includes a masking layer provided behind said rear surface of said rear element and having an indicia formed therein that is at least partially transmissive, said indicia including at least the letters N, E, S, and W arranged in a circle, said graphic display further including at least four light sources mounted behind said masking layer each for selectively projecting light through a respective one of said letters of said indicia and through said front and rear elements, said electrochromic material, said first and second electrodes, and through said partially reflective, partially transmissive region of said reflective electrode/reflector.

111. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 110, wherein said indicia further includes the letters NE, SE, SW, and NW and said graphic compass display further including four additional light sources each associated with one of the letters NE, SE, SW, and NW.

112. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 111, wherein said light sources are light emitting diodes.

113. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 112, wherein said light emitting diodes are mounted on a printed circuit board behind said rear element and said masking layer.

114. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 111 and further including a compass circuit mounted in said housing for selectively activating said light sources of said graphic compass display so as to illuminate one of said letters of said indicia and display the vehicle'"'"'s current heading.

115. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 110, wherein said indicia further includes an emblem in the center of the circle of letters and said graphic compass display further includes a light source mounted behind said emblem for selectively projecting light therethrough.

116. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 115, wherein said second electrode is a reflective electrode that is partially reflective, partially transmissive over substantially all of said front surface of said rear element.

117. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 116, wherein said reflective electrode includes a transparent electrically conductive coating, and a thin reflective layer of silver or silver alloy applied over said transparent electrically conductive coating.

118. The rearview mirror assembly as defined in claim 116, wherein said reflective electrode has a reflectance of at least about 35 percent.