US5801873A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable reflectance automobile mirror
Assignee: Gentex Corp
•
Filing: 1993-12-30
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Granted: 1998-09-01
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Expires: 2013-12-30
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides variable reflectance automobile mirrors wherein the component of variable transmittance is an electrochromic device wherein the medium of variable transmittance comprises an electrochromic compound in a gel or a thickened solution.
Inventors
- 👤 Harlan J. Byker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:30
CPC Classifications
C; C07; C07D; C07D498/00; C07D498/02; C07D498/04; B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; C09; C09K; C09K9/00; C09K9/02; G; G01; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/40; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/15; G02F1/1503; G02F1/153; G02F1/1533; G02F1/157; G02F2001/1502; G02F1/1514; G02F2001/15145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A variable reflectance rearview mirror for an automobile, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which component is an electrochromic device comprising a medium of reversibly variable transmittance which is a gel comprising at least one electrochromic compound, and wherein there is an highly reflecting layer which reflects through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device light which reaches the highly reflecting layer after passing through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A variable reflectance rearview mirror for an automobile, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which component is an electrochromic device comprising a medium of reversibly variable transmittance which is a gel comprising at least one electrochromic compound, and wherein there is an highly reflecting layer which reflects through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device light which reaches the highly reflecting layer after passing through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A variable reflectance rearview mirror for an automobile, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which component is an electrochromic device comprising a medium of reversibly variable transmittance which comprises an acrylic material and at least one electrochromic compound, and wherein there is an highly reflecting layer which reflects through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device light which reaches the highly reflecting layer after passing through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
86 words
A variable reflectance rearview mirror for an automobile, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which component is an electrochromic device comprising a medium of reversibly variable transmittance which comprises an acrylic material and at least one electrochromic compound, and wherein there is an highly reflecting layer which reflects through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device light which reaches the highly reflecting layer after passing through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mirror according to claim 1 wherein the gel comprises a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mirror according to claim 2 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises a solvent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror according to claim 2 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror according to claim 4 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror according to claim 2 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance is thickened.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror according to claim 4 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance is thickened.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror according to claim 5, wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance is thickened.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror according to claim 6 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance is thickened.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mirror according to claim 2 wherein the acrylic material is an acrylic sheet material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mirror according to claim 4 wherein the acrylic material is an acrylic sheet material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror according to claim 11 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror according to claim 12 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror according to claim 11 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance is thickened.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror according to claim 12 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance is thickened.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror according to claim 13 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance is thickened.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mirror according to claim 14 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance is thickened.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The mirror according to any one of claims 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11-18, 1 and 2, wherein the electrochromic device is self-erasing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mirror according to claim 1, wherein the gel comprises a solvent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
86 words
A variable reflectance rearview mirror for an automobile, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which component is an electrochromic device comprising a medium of reversibly variable transmittance which comprises a thickening material and at least one electrochromic compound, and wherein there is an highly reflecting layer which reflects through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device light which reaches the highly reflecting layer after passing through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
86 words
A variable reflectance rearview mirror for an automobile, wherein the variable reflectance is provided by a component of reversibly variable transmittance, which component is an electrochromic device comprising a medium of reversibly variable transmittance which comprises a thickening material and at least one electrochromic compound, and wherein there is an highly reflecting layer which reflects through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device light which reaches the highly reflecting layer after passing through the medium of reversibly variable transmittance of the electrochromic device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The mirror according to claim 21 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises a solvent.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror according to claim 22 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mirror according to claim 21 wherein the medium of reversibly variable transmittance comprises a cathodic electrochromic compound and an anodic electrochromic compound.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The mirror according to claim 21 wherein the thickener comprises an acrylic material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-08-31 | 2002-03-02 | 2002-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-31 | 2006-03-02 | 2006-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-31 | 2010-03-02 | 2010-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |