Electrochromic mirror with two thin glass elements and a gelled electrochromic medium
US5940201A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2001/15145
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved electrochromic rearview mirror for motor vehicles, the mirror incorporating thin front and rear spaced glass elements having a thickness ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5. A layer of transparent conductive material is placed onto the mirror's second surface, and either another layer of transparent conductive material or a combined reflector/electrode is placed onto the mirror's third surface. A chamber, defined by the layers on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass elements and a peripheral sealing member, contains a free-standing gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix. The chamber further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent and interspersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix. The gel cooperatively interacts with the thin glass elements to form a thick, strong unitary member which is resistant to flexing, warping, bowing and/or shattering and further allows the mirror to exhibit reduced vibrational distortion and double imaging.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.