# US 2010/0165437 A1 · Variable Reflectance Mirrors and Windows

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- Number: US 2010/0165437 A1
- Document ID: US20100165437A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/691,990
- Filed: 2010-01-22
- Published: 2010-07-01
- Earliest claimed: 2004-07-12
- Assignees: Gentex Corporation
- Inventors: William L. Tonar; Frederick T. Bauer; Alan R. Watson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100165437A1

## CPC

- B60R 1/088: {using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors}
- B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein adjoining chambers have a common substrate from the plurality of substrates.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one electro-optical medium is electrochromic.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

An assembly according to claim 3, wherein at least one electro-optical medium is cholesteric.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising molecule orientation layers disposed on the conductive layers of at least one chamber from the plurality of chambers.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein two adjoining chambers respectively contain an electrochromic medium and a cholesteric medium.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the reflectivity of the switchable mirror system is continuously variable.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the switchable mirror system contains a reflective polarizer for substantially transmitting light of a first polarization and substantially reflecting light of a second polarization, the second polarization being orthogonal to the first polarization.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

An assembly according to claim 8, wherein the reflective polarizer includes multiple layers of plastic film.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the reflective polarizer is laminated to a substrate from the plurality of substrates.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additional device selected from the group consisting of an illumination assembly, a display, a voice activated system, a compass system, a telephone system, a highway toll booth interface, a telemetry system, a headlight controller, a rain sensor, a tire pressure monitoring system, a navigation system, a lane departure warning system, and an adaptive cruise control system.