Switchable vanity mirror in electrochromic sun visor
AssigneeGentex Corporation
InventorsAdam R. Heintzelman, Bradley A. Bosma
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A visor assembly for an automobile includes an outer perimeter. The visor assembly further includes an electrochromic device configured to switch between a transparent state and a darkened state. The electrochromic device includes a first substrate defining a first element surface and a second element surface, a second substrate spaced away from the first substrate and defining a third element surface and a fourth element surface, and an electroactive medium positioned between the first and second substrates. The visor assembly further includes a liquid-crystal device configured to switch between a transparent state and a reflective state and a reflective polarizer positioned between the electrochromic device and the liquid-crystal device.
Claims20
A visor assembly for an automobile comprising:
- an outer perimeter;
- an electrochromic device configured to switch between a transparent state and a darkened state, the electrochromic device comprising:
- a first substrate defining a first element surface and a second element surface;
- a second substrate spaced away from the first substrate and defining a third element surface and a fourth element surface;
- and
- an electroactive medium positioned between the first and second substrates;
- a liquid-crystal device configured to switch between a transparent state and a reflective state;
- a reflective polarizer positioned between the electrochromic device and the liquid-crystal device;
- and
- a front substrate coupled to the liquid-crystal device opposite the reflective polarizer that defines a viewing surface.
A visor assembly for an automobile comprising:
- an outer perimeter;
- an electrochromic device configured to switch between a transparent state and a darkened state, the electrochromic device comprising:
- a first substrate defining a first element surface and a second element surface;
- a second substrate spaced away from the first substrate and defining a third element surface and a fourth element surface;
- and
- an electroactive medium positioned between the first and second substrates;
- a liquid-crystal device coupled to the second substrate with an index matched optical adhesive and configured to switch between a twisted state and an untwisted state;
- a reflective polarizer positioned between the electrochromic device and the liquid-crystal device;
- and
- an absorbing polarizer located on an opposite side of the liquid-crystal device than the reflective polarizer.
A visor assembly for an automobile comprising:
- an outer perimeter;
- an electrochromic device configured to switch between a transparent state and a darkened state, the electrochromic device comprising:
- a first substrate defining a first element surface and a second element surface;
- a second substrate spaced away from the first substrate and defining a third element surface and a fourth element surface;
- and
- an electroactive medium positioned between the first and second substrates;
- a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer;
- a segmented liquid-crystal device including two or more individually addressable segments sandwiched between the first and second electrode layers and configured to switch between a twisted state and an untwisted state, wherein the electrochromic device includes an EC outer perimeter and the segmented liquid-crystal device includes an LC outer perimeter that is smaller than the EC outer perimeter;
- and
- a reflective polarizer positioned between the electrochromic device and the liquid-crystal device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.