Vehicular rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating these elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.

1 . A rearview mirror comprising
 a mirror element having a perimeter, the mirror element comprising:
 a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces, a first edge surface adjoining the first and second surfaces, and a peripheral area, the first surface corresponding to a front of the rearview mirror, the first substrate including a strip of substantially optically opaque material disposed substantially circumferentially proximate the peripheral area on at least one of the first and second surfaces; 
 a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces and a second edge surface adjoining the third and fourth surfaces, the fourth surface corresponding to a back of the mirror element, the second substrate including a layer of reflective material disposed on at least one of the third and fourth surfaces and covering at least a central portion of the at least one of the third and fourth surfaces; 
 a seal substantially circumferentially disposed between the first and second substrates proximate the periphery area so as to sealably bond the second and third surfaces to one another in a spaced-apart relationship and to define a gap therebetween; 
 a bezel disposed along at least one of the first and second edge surfaces so as to have the first surface is unobstructed by the bezel when viewed from the front of the rearview mirror; and 
 a carrier plate supporting the back of the mirror element. 
   
   
   
       2 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein the front carrier surface is adheringly bonded to the back of the mirror element in a laminar arrangement. 
   
   
       3 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein the bezel forms a continuous loop extending around the perimeter of the mirror element. 
   
   
       4 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein the seal is invisible behind the strip of substantially opaque optical material when viewed from the front of the rearview mirror. 
   
   
       5 . The rearview mirror of  claim 1 , wherein the bezel is mechanically interlockingly engaged with the carrier and wherein said mirror element is adhered to the carrier with an adhesive foam tape. 
   
   
       6 . The rearview mirror of  claim 1 , wherein the bezel comprises a leg member and a first lip, the leg member extending from said carrier to the first lip that is closer to said first surface than said carrier. 
   
   
       7 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 6 , wherein the bezel further comprises a second lip adjoining the leg member and the carrier comprises an edge flange with a recess, the second lip being affixed to the recess. 
   
   
       8 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein said carrier and said bezel are separate members that are joined together to form an integral unit. 
   
   
       9 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein the bezel includes a lip having a radius of greater than approximately 2.5 mm. 
   
   
       10 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , further including a housing defining an interior and a front opening, wherein said carrier secures said mirror element substantially in said front opening so as to make the first surface visible when viewed from the front of the rearview mirror. 
   
   
       11 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 10  configured as a part of rearview assembly and comprising an attachment component configured to vary an angular position of said rearview mirror within the assembly. 
   
   
       12 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first edge surface is optically diffusive. 
   
   
       13 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein a perimeter portion of said first substantially transparent substrate comprises a durable characteristic. 
   
   
       14 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein said opaque material is reflective and wherein said first surface is observable in its entirety when viewed from the front of the rearview mirror. 
   
   
       15 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1  configured as part of a rearview assembly and further comprising at least one device selected from the group consisting of a light source positioned to project light from the second substrate through the first substrate, an interior illumination assembly, a digital voice processing system, a power supply, a global positioning system, an exterior light control, a moisture sensor, an information display, a light sensor, a blind spot indicator, a turning signal indicator, an approach warning, an operator interface, a compass, a temperature indicator, a voice actuated device, a microphone, a dimming circuitry, a GPS device, a telecommunication system, a navigation aid, a lane departure warning system, an adaptive cruise control, a vision system, a rear vision system and a tunnel detection system. 
   
   
       16 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein said opaque material comprises at least one of chromium, rhodium, a platinum group metal, and a silver alloy. 
   
   
       17 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein the mirror element further comprises a transparent electrode overlying the second surface. 
   
   
       18 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 17 , wherein the mirror element further comprises a color-suppression material layer between the transparent electrode and the second surface such that the color difference measured between first ambient light from the periphery area and second ambient light reflected from inside the periphery area does not exceed 5 C* units. 
   
   
       19 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein the mirror element further comprises a reflective electrode on the third surface, the reflective electrode being electrically extended to the back of the mirror element through a conductive section. 
   
   
       20 . The rearview mirror according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the bezel is metallized.