Electrochromic mirror assembly

• US 6,678,083 B1
• Filed: 02/11/2000
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Original Assignee: Schefenacker Vision Systems USA Incorporated (The Sumi Motherson Group)
• Inventors: Anstee, Christopher John
• Primary Examiner(s): LESTER, EVELYN A
• Application Number:
  US09/502,841
• Time in Patent Office: 1,432 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265-275
• US Class Current: 359/265
• 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

Abstract

An electrochromic mirror assembly is described that is substantially resistant to seal breaches caused by dendrite formation along adjacent layers of the laminate structure of the assembly. The laminate structure is preferably assembled in a water free environment and includes materials that prevent or inhibit the formation of dendrites between adjacent layers of the laminate structure. By way of a non-limiting example, an electrically conductive layer comprised of gold-containing material is disposed between the adhesive layer and the glass layer so as to prevent ionic migration from the reflective layer through a terminal strip.

Claims

1. An electrochromic mirror assembly comprised of:

a laminate structure;

wherein the laminate structure is substantially resistant to dendritic formation between adjacent layers of the laminate structure;

wherein the laminate structure includes;

first and second glass layers;

an electrochromic material layer disposed between the first and second glass layers;

a reflective layer adjacent to either of the first and second glass layers;

at least one spacer element disposed between the first and second glass layers, whereby the at least one spacer element prevents migration of the electrochromic material layer;

at least one electrically conductive layer disposed between the first and second glass layers; and

at least one adhesive layer;

wherein the at least one spacer element is disposed between the at least one adhesive layer and the at least one electrically conductive layer;

wherein the at least one adhesive layer does not abut the at least one electrically conductive layer.

2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the laminate structure further includes at least one other electrically conductive layer, wherein the at least one other electrically conductive layer is disposed between the at least one adhesive layer and at least one of the first and second glass layers, wherein at least one surface of the at least one electrically conductive layer abuts at least one surface of the at least one other electrically conductive layer.

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the at least one other electrically conductive layer is comprised of materials selected from the group consisting of gold, copper, nickel and combinations thereof.

4. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the laminate structure further includes at least one electrically conductive member, wherein the at least one electrically conductive member is in contact with at least one of the following:

the first and second glass layers, the reflective layer, and the at least one other electrically conductive layer.

5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the reflective layer, the at least one adhesive layer, the at least one other electrically conductive layer, and the at least one electrically conductive member are comprised of materials which do not promote dendritic formation.

6. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the laminate structure is substantially water free.

7. An electrochromic mirror assembly comprised of:

a sealed laminate structure;

wherein the sealed laminate structure is substantially resistant to breaches in the seals between adjacent layers of the laminate structure;

wherein the sealed laminate structure includes;

first and second glass layers;

an electrochromic material layer disposed between the first and second glass layers;

a reflective layer adjacent to either of the first and second glass layers;

at least one spacer element disposed between the first and second glass layers, whereby the at least one spacer element prevents migration of the electrochromic material layer;

at least one electrically conductive layer disposed between the first and second glass layers; and

at least one adhesive layer;

wherein the at least one spacer element is disposed between the at least one adhesive layer and the at least one electrically conductive layer;

wherein the at least one adhesive layer does not abut the at least one electrically conductive layer.

8. The invention according to claim 7, wherein the sealed laminate structure further includes at least one other electrically conductive layer, wherein the at least one other electrically conductive layer is disposed between the at least one adhesive layer and at least one of the first and second glass layers, wherein at least one surface of the at least one electrically conductive layer abuts at least one surface of the at least one other electrically conductive layer.

9. The invention according to claim 7, wherein the at least one other electrically conductive layer is comprised of materials selected from the group consisting of gold, copper, nickel and combinations thereof.

10. The invention according to claim 7, wherein the sealed laminate structure further includes at least one electrically conductive member, wherein the at least one electrically conductive member is in contact with at least one of the following:

the first and second glass layers, the reflective layer, and the at least one other electrically conductive layer.

11. The invention according to claim 10, wherein the reflective layer, the at least one adhesive layer, the at least one other electrically conductive layer, and the at least one electrically conductive member are comprised of materials which do not promote dendritic formation.

12. The invention according to claim 7, wherein the sealed laminate structure is substantially water free.

13. An electrochromic mirror assembly comprised of:

a laminate structure substantially resistant to dendritic formation between adjacent layers of the laminate structure, wherein the laminate structure comprises;

at least one adhesive layer;

a spacer element adjacent to the at least one adhesive layer;

a first electrically conductive layer adjacent to the adhesive layer, wherein the at least one adhesive layer is disposed between the spacer element and the first electrically conductive layer; and

a second electrically conductive layer adjacent to the first electrically conductive layer, wherein the at least one adhesive layer does not abut the second electrically conductive layer, wherein the first electrically conductive layer is comprised of materials that do not promote dendritic formation.

14. The invention according to claim 13, further comprising at least one glass layer adjacent to either the first or second electrically conductive layers.

15. The invention according to claim 13, further comprising an electrochromic material layer adjacent to either the first or second electrically conductive layers.

16. The invention according to claim 13, further comprising a reflective layer adjacent to the at least one glass layer.

17. An electrochromic mirror assembly comprised of:

a laminate structure substantially resistant to dendritic formation between adjacent layers of the laminate structure, wherein the laminate structure comprises;

first and second spaced and opposed adhesive layers;

a spacer element disposed between the first and second adhesive layers;

a first electrically conductive layer adjacent to either the first or second adhesive layers, wherein either the first or second adhesive layers is disposed between the spacer element and the first electrically conductive layer; and

a second electrically conductive layer adjacent to the first electrically conductive layer, wherein neither the first or second adhesive layers abut the second electrically conductive layer, wherein the first electrically conductive layer is comprised of materials that do not promote dendritic formation.

18. The invention according to claim 17, further comprising at least one glass layer adjacent to either the first or second electrically conductive layers.

19. The invention according to claim 17, further comprising an electrochromic material layer adjacent to either the first or second electrically conductive layers.

20. The invention according to claim 17, further comprising a reflective layer adjacent to the at least one glass layer.

21. An electrochromic mirror assembly comprised of:

a laminate structure substantially resistant to dendritic formation between adjacent layers of the laminate structure, wherein the laminate structure comprises;

first and second spaced and opposed adhesive layers;

a spacer element disposed between the first and second adhesive layers;

first and second spaced and opposed electrically conductive layers adjacent to the first and second adhesive layers, wherein the first and second adhesive layers are disposed between the first and second electrically conductive layers; and

third and fourth electrically conductive layers adjacent to the first and second electrically conductive layers, wherein neither the first or second adhesive layers abut the third and fourth electrically conductive layers, wherein the first and second electrically conductive layers are comprised of materials that do not promote dendritic formation.

22. The invention according to claim 21, further comprising at least one glass layer adjacent to either the first or second electrically conductive layers.

23. The invention according to claim 21, further comprising an electrochromic material layer adjacent to either the first or second electrically conductive layers.

24. The invention according to claim 21, further comprising a reflective layer adjacent to the at least one glass layer.