Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for ion milling, and more particularly relates to methods and apparatus for smoothing a surface using ion milling.
Abstract:
An electro-optic assembly includes a first partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A second partially reflective, partially transmissive substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A space is defined between a first substrate and a second substrate. A seal is disposed about a perimeter of the first and second substrates. An electro-optic material is disposed between the second surface of the first substrate and the third surface of the second substrate. The electro-optic assembly is operable to change at least one of a reflectance state and a transmittance state in either a discrete or continuous manner. A transparent electrode coating is disposed between the second surface and the third surface. The transparent electrode coating includes an insulator layer, metal layer, and insulator layer (IMI) structure. The reflectance off of the transparent electrode coating is less than about 2%.
Abstract:
A vehicular rearview assembly with a mirror element having a curved or rounded edge on the first surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, a complex peripheral ring, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. The mirror element is supported by a hybrid carrier co-molded of at least two materials, a portion of which is compressible between the housing shell and an edge of the mirror element. The peripheral ring may include multiple bands. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly.
Abstract:
An electro-optic element comprises a first substrate, including first and second surfaces. The first substrate contains at least a first layer of electrically conductive material that is deposited on the second surface and is substantially transparent. The element also comprises a second substrate including third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate containing a second layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the third surface. The first and second substrates are disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to define a gap between the second and third surfaces, the gap containing an electro-optic medium, and each substrate with a width and a height such that the ratio of width to height is less than or equal to 2. In addition, the element is configured such that a relative darkening timing factor substantially across the element is less than a factor of 3.
Abstract:
An electro-optic assembly for use in a vehicle having a windshield is provided and includes a first arcuate substrate having a first surface with an anti-reflective coating and a second surface. A second arcuate substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface with an anti-reflective coating. The first and second substrates are positioned such that the second and third surfaces are at least 0.1 mm apart. A seal is disposed between the first and second substrates and located substantially about a periphery of the electro-optic assembly. An electro-optic medium is positioned in a cavity defined by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the seal, the electro-optic medium including a refractive index greater than 1.2. The second surface is configured to receive and reflect incident light projected from a projector, thereby displaying information that appears to be displayed forward of the windshield.
Abstract:
A multi-zone reflector having an opaque zone and a transflective zone. The reflector includes a supporting base, a lower reflecting layer disposed adjacent the supporting base, and an upper reflecting layer extending over the opacifying layer and the transflective zone of the reflector. The lower reflecting layer substantially completely covers the transflective zone, and the opacifying layer is disposed substantially outside the transflective zone adjacent to the lower reflecting layer. Over at least a portion of the transflective zone, the upper and lower reflecting layers have a common surface.
Abstract:
A vehicular rearview assembly with a mirror element having a curved or rounded edge on the first surface that is fully observable from the front of the assembly, a complex peripheral ring, and a user interface with switches and sensors that activate and configure pre-defined function(s) or device(s) of the assembly in response to the user input applied to the user interface. The mirror element is supported by a hybrid carrier co-molded of at least two materials, a portion of which is compressible between the housing shell and an edge of the mirror element. The peripheral ring may include multiple bands. Electrical communications between the electronic circuitry, the mirror element, and the user interface utilize connectors configured to exert a low contact force, onto the mirror element, limited in part by the strength of adhesive affixing the EC element to an element of the housing of the assembly.
Abstract:
An electro-optic system is provided that includes a front element having first and second surfaces, a rear element including third and fourth surfaces, wherein the front and rear elements are sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electro-optic medium contained in the chamber, and the electro-optic medium is adapted to be in at least a high transmittance state and a low transmittance state. The electro-optic system further includes a display device in optical communication with the electro-optic element, the display device including at least one light source and is configured to emit at least a first primary and a second primary, the first and second primaries each having a first hue (hab) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the high transmittance state and a second hue (hab′) when viewed through the electro-optic element in approximately the low transmittance state, wherein a change in the first and second hues (Δhab) for both first and second primaries is less than approximately 31 degrees.
Abstract:
Electro-optic elements are becoming commonplace in a number of vehicular and architectural applications. Various electro-optic element configurations provide variable transmittance and or variable reflectance for windows and mirrors. The present invention relates to various thin-film coatings, electro-optic elements and assemblies incorporating these elements.
Abstract:
A single-substrate mirror element defined by a transflective metal layer—non-metal layer—metal layer coating disposed on the first surface of the substrate and enabled to meet the requirements of operation in an exterior rearview assembly and to provide for stealthy appearance of a light source of the assembly disposed behind the mirror element. The appearance of the mirror element, defined in parameters of the CIELAB color system, is substantially color-neutral, while tuning of reflectance and transmittance characteristics can be achieved substantially independently from one another. Reflectance value and measure of color content of light specularly reflected by the mirror at non-zero angles remains substantially stable within wide range of angles.