Electrochromic mirror reflective element for vehicular rearview mirror assembly

An interior electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an interior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said interior electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

• a first substrate and a second substrate having an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween, wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said perimeter seal is disposed between said first and second substrates;
• wherein said first substrate and said second substrate are generally sized and shaped to like dimensions, and wherein said second substrate is disposed to the rear of said second surface of said first substrate in a generally flush design;
• wherein said first substrate comprises a first substantially transparent glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface;
• wherein said second substrate comprises a second substantially transparent glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite said third surface;
• wherein a transparent electrically conductive thin film is disposed at least a portion of said second surface of said first substrate;
• wherein a perimeter coating is disposed at said second surface of said first substrate proximate at least a perimeter portion of said first substrate, and wherein said perimeter coating circumscribes the outer perimeter of said second surface of said second substrate;
• wherein said perimeter coating comprises a reflective metal thin film;
• wherein said perimeter coating generally conceals said perimeter seal from view by a person viewing said first surface of said first substrate and through said first substrate;
• wherein an at least partially reflective stack of thin films is disposed at least a portion of said third surface of said second substrate, and wherein said at least partially reflective stack of thin films comprises at least one metal thin film;
• and
• wherein said perimeter seal is at least partially visible to a person viewing said fourth surface of said second substrate and through said second substrate.

An exterior electrochromic mirror reflective element suitable for use in an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, said exterior electrochromic mirror reflective element comprising:

• a first substrate and a second substrate having an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween, wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by a perimeter seal, and wherein said perimeter seal is disposed between said first and second substrates;
• wherein said first substrate and said second substrate are generally sized and shaped to like dimensions, and wherein said second substrate is disposed to the rear of said second surface of said first substrate in a generally flush design;
• wherein said first substrate comprises a first substantially transparent glass substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface;
• wherein said second substrate comprises a second substantially transparent glass substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite said third surface;
• wherein a transparent electrically conductive thin film is disposed at least a portion of said second surface of said first substrate;
• wherein a perimeter coating is disposed at said second surface of said first substrate proximate at least a perimeter portion of said first substrate, and wherein said perimeter coating circumscribes the outer perimeter of said second surface of said second substrate;
• wherein said perimeter coating comprises a reflective metal thin film, and wherein said perimeter coating is electrically conductive;
• wherein said perimeter coating generally conceals said perimeter seal from view by a person viewing said first surface of said first substrate and through said first substrate;
• wherein an at least partially reflective stack of thin films is disposed at least a portion of said third surface of said second substrate, and wherein said at least partially reflective stack of thin films comprises at least one metal thin film;
• and
• wherein said perimeter seal is at least partially visible to a person viewing said fourth surface of said second substrate and through said second substrate.