US5115346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Anti-scatter, ultraviolet protected, anti-misting, electro-optical rearview mirror
Assignee: Magna Donnelly Corp
•
Filing: 1990-01-16
•
Granted: 1992-05-19
•
Expires: 2010-01-16
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optic rearview mirror assembly is disclosed which is protected against scattering fragments while reducing risk of laceration if broken/damaged, against ultraviolet (UV) radiation degradation, and against fogging or misting in high humidity conditions. The mirror may include a first element incorporating specialized yellow/orange/red visible light absorbing, UV radiation reducing glass having a blue or green color to provide a consumer acceptable silvery reflection even when yellow tinted UV radiation absorbing additives are mixed in the electro-optic medium of the assembly. The first element may be laminated from a pair of optically transparent, tinted, tempered safety, or other glass panels and incorporate UV radiation reducing paint/lacquer coatings or polymeric films. The panels may be secured together with UV radiation reducing Saflex™ PVB sheeting, or other UV radiation reducing polymeric interlayers including blue or blue/green tinted, yellow/orange/red visible light absorbing sheeting or UV curable, pourable adhesive. Yellow/orange/red light absorbing dye may be incorporated in the electro-optic medium or the curable adhesive.
Inventors
- 👤 Niall R. Lynam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:18
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B17/00; B32B17/06; B32B17/10; B32B17/10005; B32B17/10009; B32B17/10064; B32B7/00; B32B7/04; B32B7/12; B32B17/10165; B32B17/10174; B32B17/10293; B32B17/10302; B32B17/1033; B32B17/10431; B32B17/10467; B32B17/10495; B32B17/10513; B32B27/00; B32B27/06; B32B27/08; B32B27/18; B32B27/20; B60; B60J; B60J3/00; B60J3/04; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/15; G02F1/1503; G02F1/153; G02F1/1533; B32B2551/00; B32B2551/08; G02F1/157; G02F2001/1536
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A reduced ultraviolet radiation transmitting, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising: first and second spaced, optically transparent elements mounted in a mirror case, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element; an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto; means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium; a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium; and ultraviolet radiation reducing means incorporated in said assembly for reducing ultraviolet radiation degradation of said electro-optic medium in said assembly; and spectrally selective absorbing means for absorbing more light in those regions of the visible spectrum from about 560 nanometers to about 780 nanometers than is absorbed in those regions of the visible spectrum from about 400 nanometers to about 560 nanometers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A reduced ultraviolet radiation transmitting, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising: first and second spaced, optically transparent elements mounted in a mirror case, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element; an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto; means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium; a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium; and ultraviolet radiation reducing means incorporated in said assembly for reducing ultraviolet radiation degradation of said electro-optic medium in said assembly; and spectrally selective absorbing means for absorbing more light in those regions of the visible spectrum from about 560 nanometers to about 780 nanometers than is absorbed in those regions of the visible spectrum from about 400 nanometers to about 560 nanometers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first element is a laminate assembly including a pair of optically transparent panels secured to one another by an intermediate layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein at least one of said panels is formed from highly light transmitting glass and includes said ultraviolet radiation reducing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The mirror assembly of claim 3 wherein said glass panel includes said spectrally selective absorbing means, said glass panel being formed from specialized glass which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has a blue tint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mirror assembly of claim 4 wherein said ultraviolet radiation reducing means and said spectrally selective absorbing means include said intermediate layer which is a polymeric interlayer which adheres said panels together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mirror assembly of claim 5 wherein said polymeric interlayer is a sheeting layer which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has a blue tint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mirror assembly of claim 5 wherein at least one of said panels in said laminate assembly includes a coating of UV radiation reducing paint or lacquer on at least one surface thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mirror assembly of claim 5 wherein at least one of said panels includes a layer of UV radiation reducing polymeric film on at least one surface thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror assembly of claim 4 wherein said specialized blue tint glass panel is the front or outermost pane in said laminate assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror assembly of claim 4 wherein said specialized blue tint glass panel is the rear or innermost panel in said laminate assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mirror assembly of claim 3 wherein both said panels of said laminate assembly have a blue tint.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The mirror assembly of claim 3 wherein said spectrally selective absorbing means include said glass panel being formed from specialized glass which absorbs more nanometers than in other higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has a green tint.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mirror assembly of claim 12 wherein said spectrally selective absorbing means also include a polymeric interlayer which is highly light transmitting and which adheres said panels to one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mirror assembly of claim 13 wherein said polymeric interlayer is a sheeting layer which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has a blue tint.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mirror assembly of claim 3 wherein at least one of said glass panels is formed from tempered safety glass.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein at least one of said panels includes said spectrally selective absorbing means, said one panel being formed from specialized glass which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has a blue tint.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein at least one of said panels includes said spectrally selective absorbing means, said one panel being formed from specialized glass which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has green tint.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein said spectrally selective absorbing means include a polymeric interlayer which is highly light transmitting and which adheres said panels to one another.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mirror assembly of claim 18 wherein said polymeric interlayer is a sheeting layer which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has a blue tint.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The mirror assembly of claim 18 wherein said polymeric interlayer is a sheeting layer which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has tint selected from the colors blue and green.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mirror assembly of claim 18 wherein said polymeric interlayer is a layer of cured adhesive incorporating a blue dye.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mirror assembly of claim 21 wherein said adhesive is selected from the group including ultraviolet, thermally and catalytically cured adhesives.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein at least one of said panels in said laminate assembly includes a coating of UV radiation reducing paint or lacquer on at least one surface thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mirror assembly of claim 23 wherein each of said panels includes a coating of said UV radiation reducing paint or lacquer on its surface which faces the other of said panels.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mirror assembly of claim 2 wherein at least one of said panels includes a layer of UV radiation reducing polymeric film on at least one surface thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mirror assembly of claim 25 wherein each of said panels includes a layer of said UV radiation reducing polymeric film on its surface which faces the other of said panels.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said spectrally selective absorbing means include a dye incorporated in said electro-optic medium.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The mirror assembly of claim 27 wherein said dye is a blue dye.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said first element is formed from highly light transmitting glass and includes said ultraviolet radiation reducing means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
The mirror assembly of claim 29 wherein said spectrally selective absorbing means include said first glass element being formed from specialized glass which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has a blue tint.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
47 words
The mirror assembly of claim 29 wherein said spectrally selective absorbing means include said first glass element being formed from specialized glass which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has a green tint.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said spectrally selective absorbing means include said first element being formed from specialized glass which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has a blue tint.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein said spectrally selective absorbing means include said first element being formed from specialized glass which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum and has a green tint.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second elements is formed from tempered safety glass.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
190 words
A reduced ultraviolet radiation transmitting, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising: first and second spaced, optically transparent elements mounted in a mirror case, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element; an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto; means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium; a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium; and ultraviolet radiation reducing means incorporated in said assembly for reducing ultraviolet radiation degradation of said electro-optic medium in said assembly; said first element being a laminate assembly including a pair of optically transparent panels adhered to one another by a polymer layer, said polymer layer incorporating said ultraviolet radiation reducing means and polyvinylbutyral sheeting plasticized with a plasticizer in an amount comprising at least about 19 parts of plasticizer per 100 parts of polyvinylbutyral resin.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
190 words
A reduced ultraviolet radiation transmitting, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising: first and second spaced, optically transparent elements mounted in a mirror case, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element; an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto; means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium; a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium; and ultraviolet radiation reducing means incorporated in said assembly for reducing ultraviolet radiation degradation of said electro-optic medium in said assembly; said first element being a laminate assembly including a pair of optically transparent panels adhered to one another by a polymer layer, said polymer layer incorporating said ultraviolet radiation reducing means and polyvinylbutyral sheeting plasticized with a plasticizer in an amount comprising at least about 19 parts of plasticizer per 100 parts of polyvinylbutyral resin.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The mirror assembly of claim 35 wherein said plasticizer is selected from the group including triethyleneglycol dihexoate, triethyleneglycol di-2-ethyl butyrate, tetraethyleneglycol di-n-heptanoate, di-n-hexyl adipate, butyl benzyl phthalate, tetraethyleneglycol di-n-heptanoate and dibutyl sebacate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The mirror assembly of claim 35 including a UV radiation reducing coating or layer on the surface of each of said panels which faces the other of said panels.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mirror assembly of claim 37 wherein said coating or layer on each panel is a coating of UV radiation reducing paint or lacquer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror assembly of claim 37 wherein said coating or layer on each panel is a layer of UV radiation reducing polymeric film.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mirror assembly of claim 35 wherein at least one panel of said laminate assembly is formed from specialized glass which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mirror assembly of claim 35 wherein at least on of said first and second elements is formed from tempered safety glass.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
176 words
A reduced ultraviolet radiation transmitting, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising: first and second spaced, optically transparent elements mounted in a mirror case, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element; an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto; means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium; a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium; and ultraviolet radiation reducing means incorporated in said assembly for reducing ultraviolet radiation degradation of said electro-optic medium in said assembly; said first element being a laminate assembly including a pair of optically transparent panels adhered to one another by a highly transparent adhesive layer having a moderate to low modulus of elasticity, said adhesive layer comprising said ultraviolet radiation reducing means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
176 words
A reduced ultraviolet radiation transmitting, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising: first and second spaced, optically transparent elements mounted in a mirror case, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element; an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto; means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium; a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium; and ultraviolet radiation reducing means incorporated in said assembly for reducing ultraviolet radiation degradation of said electro-optic medium in said assembly; said first element being a laminate assembly including a pair of optically transparent panels adhered to one another by a highly transparent adhesive layer having a moderate to low modulus of elasticity, said adhesive layer comprising said ultraviolet radiation reducing means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein said adhesive is a curable liquid which is selected from the group including ultraviolet, thermally and catalytically curable adhesives.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mirror assembly of claim 43 wherein said adhesive layer includes a dye therein, said dye absorbing light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
The mirror assembly of claim 44 wherein said dye is a blue dye.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein each of said panels of said first element is formed from glass; said adhesive having an index of refraction similar to that of said glass panels.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein said adhesive includes a UV radiation absorbing additive.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein said adhesive includes an additive for lowering its modulus of elasticity, said additive being selected from the group including clear plasticizers, reactive diluents, reactive flexibilizers and low molecular weight epoxies.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein at least one of said glass panels is formed from tempered safety glass.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
40 words
The mirror assembly of claim 42 wherein at least one panel of said laminate assembly is formed from specialized glass which absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
183 words
A reduced ultraviolet radiation transmitting, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising: first and second spaced, optically transparent elements mounted in a mirror case, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element; an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto; means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium; a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium; and ultraviolet radiation reducing means incorporated in said assembly for reducing ultraviolet radiation degradation of said electro-optic medium in said assembly; said first element being a laminate assembly including a pair of optically transparent panels adhered to one another by a highly light transmitting interlayer therebetween; said ultraviolet radiation reducing means including a UV radiation reducing coating or layer on at least one surface of one of said panels.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
183 words
A reduced ultraviolet radiation transmitting, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising: first and second spaced, optically transparent elements mounted in a mirror case, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element; an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto; means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium; a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium; and ultraviolet radiation reducing means incorporated in said assembly for reducing ultraviolet radiation degradation of said electro-optic medium in said assembly; said first element being a laminate assembly including a pair of optically transparent panels adhered to one another by a highly light transmitting interlayer therebetween; said ultraviolet radiation reducing means including a UV radiation reducing coating or layer on at least one surface of one of said panels.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mirror assembly of claim 51 wherein said ultraviolet radiation reducing means include a UV radiation reducing coating or layer on the surface of each of said panels which faces the other of said panels.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
The mirror assembly of claim 52 wherein said coating or layer on each panel is a coating of UV radiation reducing paint or lacquer.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
43 words
The mirror assembly of claim 53 wherein at least one of said panels is formed from specialized glass which has a blue tint and absorbs more visible light in wavelengths higher than about 560 nanometers than in other regions of the visible spectrum.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
47 words
The mirror assembly of claim 54 wherein said electro-optic medium includes a UV radiation absorbing additive therein; said blue tint specialized glass absorbing yellow tint imparted to light reflected through said electro-optic medium whereby light reflected from said assembly appears silvery to silvery-blue in tint or color.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
14 words
The mirror assembly of claim 51 including a blue dye in said electro-optic medium.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mirror assembly of claim 51 wherein at least one of said glass panels is formed from tempered safety glass.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
156 words
A reduced ultraviolet radiation transmitting, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising: first and second spaced, optically transparent elements mounted in a mirror case, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element; an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto; means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium; a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium; and ultraviolet radiation reducing means incorporated in said assembly for reducing ultraviolet radiation degradation of said electro-optic medium in said assembly; said assembly including tinted means for causing said assembly to have a blue tint in the visible light which is reflected.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
156 words
A reduced ultraviolet radiation transmitting, electro-optic rearview mirror assembly comprising: first and second spaced, optically transparent elements mounted in a mirror case, said elements each having front and rear surfaces and defining a space between the rear surface of said first element and the front surface of said second element; an electro-optic medium confined in said space whose light transmittance is variable upon the application of an electric field thereto; means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic medium to cause variation in the light transmittance of said medium; a reflective coating on one surface of said second element adapted to reflect light incident thereon through said first element and said electro-optic medium; and ultraviolet radiation reducing means incorporated in said assembly for reducing ultraviolet radiation degradation of said electro-optic medium in said assembly; said assembly including tinted means for causing said assembly to have a blue tint in the visible light which is reflected.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mirror assembly of claim 58 wherein said tinted means are included in at least one of said first and second elements and said electro-optic medium.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
47 words
The mirror assembly of claim 59 wherein said first element is a laminate assembly including a pair of optically transparent panels secured to one another by an intermediate layer; said tinted means including at least one of said pair of optically transparent panels being blue tinted glass.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
21 words
The mirror assembly of claim 60 wherein both of said optically transparent panels of said laminate assembly are blue tinted glass.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mirror assembly of claim 59 wherein said first element is a laminate assembly including a pair of optically transparent panels secured to one another by an intermediate layer; said tinted means including said intermediate layer being blue tinted.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mirror assembly of claim 59 wherein said electro-optic medium includes a blue dye and is blue tinted.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mirror assembly of claim 58 wherein said tinted means comprise at least one of the following: a) a blue glass member; b) a blue tinted polymer layer; and c) as blue dye.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-19 | 1995-11-18 | 1996-05-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-19 | 1999-11-18 | 2000-05-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-19 | 2003-11-18 | 2004-05-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |