US 2010/0165437 A1Published application

Variable Reflectance Mirrors and Windows

AssigneeGentex Corporation

InventorsWilliam L. Tonar, Frederick T. Bauer, Alan R. Watson

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Abstract

Various structures for variable reflectance rearview mirrors and variable transmittance windows are disclosed. One embodiment pertains to the provision of a polarized reflector in a rearview mirror. Another embodiment pertains to the provision of a switchable cholesteric liquid crystal element in a window. Yet another embodiment pertains to the provision of a plurality of apertures in a reflector layer of a rearview mirror where the apertures are sized and positioned in alignment with light emitting areas of a display positioned behind the reflector layer. In another embodiment, a moveable display or mirror element is attached to a rearview mirror housing.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An automotive rearview assembly for use by a viewer, the assembly comprising a switchable mirror system, the switchable mirror system including

a plurality of substrates disposed sequentially in parallel and spaced-apart relationship so as to form a plurality of chambers, each chamber defined by opposing surfaces of two sequentially disposed substrates and a seal disposed therebetween, each of the opposing surfaces having an electrically conductive layer deposited thereon, each chamber containing a corresponding electro-optical medium that is in electrical communication with adjacent electrically conductive layers,
wherein the switchable mirror system is characterized by a variable reflectance that includes at least three levels of reflectance.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/691,990Filed 22 Jan 2010
Priority: 12 Jul 2004
Published: 1 Jul 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification2 codes

B60R 1/088
Anti-glare mirrors, e.g. "day-night" mirrors: using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or…
B60R
Vehicle fittings and parts

Family

Application60/587,113Us provisional application · filed 12 Jul 2004
Application11/179,793Continuation · filed 12 Jul 2005
Application12/191,804Continuation · filed 14 Aug 2008
Application12/691,990Continuation
US 2006/0007550 A1Published application
US 2009/0002822 A1Published application
US 7,502,156 B2Related patent
US 7,679,809 B2Related patent
US 7,916,380 B2Related patent
US 2010/0165437 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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