Abstract: A liquid crystal cell is interposed between a vehicle driver and at least one of the vehicle's side view mirrors. It resides within the cabin of the vehicle and is warmed by the vehicle's interior. The cell is placed over the windowpane to dim headlight beams impinging on the driver and minimize eye discomfort. The liquid crystal cell operating temperature is maintained by cabin heating. Means are provided to detachably mount the liquid crystal cell over the windowpane. The liquid crystal cell can be dimmed manually dimmed or dimmed automatically in response to a sensor located in a position, which views the headlight directly or through a reflection. This liquid crystal cell dimming device affords a greater than 90 percentile reflection, and glare reduction for trucks, truck cabs and sport utility vehicles.

Abstract: A side rear-view mirror for land vehicles comprises a liquid crystal cell formed by applying a liquid crystal coating over a pair of transparent conducting electrodes positioned in front of a reflecting mirror. Heating means cooperate with a temperature sensor to maintain the temperature of the liquid crystal cell substantially constant within operating limits of liquid crystals therewithin. Dimming means electrically connected to said liquid crystal cell apply dimming voltage to the liquid crystals. Insulating means encapsulate the liquid crystal cell within an envelope, thereby insulating the liquid crystals from high velocity air flow surrounding said mirror. Sensor means responsive to vehicle headlight beams impinging on said reflective element cooperate with the dimming means to increase the dimming voltage in direct proportion to impinging light intensity.