Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle may comprise a display module comprising a display element; a partially reflective, partially transmissive element disposed generally parallel to the display element; optical bonding adhesive having a refractive index disposed between the display element and the partially reflective, partially transmissive element; and a plurality of refracting beads having a refractive index and incorporated in or on the optical bonding adhesive; wherein the display is optically bonded to the partially reflective, partially transmissive element with the optical bonding adhesive.

Abstract: Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminated film is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a flexible plastic substrate including a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein the rear surface comprises a first conductive material; and a rigid plastic substrate including a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein the front surface comprises a second conductive material, wherein the first substrate is joined to the second substrate by a sealing member, wherein the rear surface of the first substrate and the front surface of the second substrate with the sealing member define a chamber therebetween.

Abstract: A vehicle display mirror system is disclosed. The system comprises a display device and a reflecting polarizer. The display device is operable to display image data on a display surface as display light. The reflecting polarizer comprises a light receiving surface proximate the display surface and configured to output the display light in a first polarization from an emitting surface. The system further comprises a liquid crystal element, a polarizing element, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the liquid crystal element and configured to selectively align a liquid crystal material to pass the display light through the liquid crystal element and deactivate the liquid crystal element to adjust a received light from the first polarization to a second polarization and reflect the second polarization from the emitting surface.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes one or more flame-retardant agents.

Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first flexible or rigid plastic substrate including a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein the rear surface comprises a first conductive material; and the front surface, the rear surface, or both the front surface and the rear surface of the first substrate comprises a gas diffusion barrier; and a second flexible or rigid plastic substrate including a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein the front surface comprises a second conductive material, wherein the first substrate is joined to the second substrate by a sealing member, where the rear surface of the first substrate and the front surface of the second substrate with the sealing member define a chamber therebetween.

Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror element having a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the mirror element has a refractive index RM at the rear surface of the mirror element; a display having a front surface and a rear surface where the display is positioned behind the mirror element such that the front surface of the display is spaced apart from the rear surface of the mirror element, wherein the display has a refractive index RD at the rear surface of the display; and an optical bonding layer disposed between, and in contact with, the front surface of the display and the rear surface of the mirror element, for bonding the mirror element to the display. The optical bonding layer has a refractive index refractive index of RO between about ±10% RD and ±10% RM.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, and a second surface. The second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area. The assembly further includes a second substrate comprising: a third surface, and a fourth surface. The third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The assembly also includes a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; and an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity. The primary seal comprises a plurality of conductive spacers, the seal disposed in contact with portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers. A substantial portion of the plurality of conductive spacers is in substantial contact with the second and third surfaces.

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 electrochromic device includes a first flexible or rigid plastic substrate including a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein the rear surface comprises a first conductive material; and the front surface, the rear surface, or both the front surface and the rear surface of the first substrate comprises a gas diffusion barrier; and a second flexible or rigid plastic substrate including a front surface, and a rear surface, wherein the front surface comprises a second conductive material, wherein the first substrate is joined to the second substrate by a sealing member, where the rear surface of the first substrate and the front surface of the second substrate with the sealing member define a chamber therebetween.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is provided that includes a front substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface; and a rear substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface. The rear substrate defines at least one contact via and the front substrate and the rear substrate define a cavity. The mirror assembly further includes a perimeter seal between the front substrate and the rear substrate; and an electrically conductive element at least partially within said at least one contact via that electrically connects with at least one of the second surface and the third surface. The mirror assembly also includes an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity. In addition, the front substrate and the rear substrate each has a shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape. The shaped edges can also be formed by grinding the edges together.

Abstract: A window is provided that includes a first substrate, a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate, an intermediate substrate between the first and second substrate and having a first transparent electrode on a surface proximal to the first substrate and second transparent electrode on a surface proximal to the second substrate, a first electrode on a surface of the first substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate, a second electrode on a surface of the second substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate, a light absorbing layer comprising an electrochromic medium between the first substrate and the intermediate substrate, and a light scattering layer comprising a liquid crystal material between the intermediate substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.

Abstract: An electro-optic assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, and a second surface. The second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area. The assembly further includes a second substrate comprising: a third surface, and a fourth surface. The third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The assembly also includes a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; and an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity. The primary seal comprises a plurality of conductive spacers, the seal disposed in contact with portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers. A substantial portion of the plurality of conductive spacers is in substantial contact with the second and third surfaces.

Abstract: Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.

Abstract: An electrochromic device including: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: (1) a solvent; (2) an anodic material; and (3) a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and/or the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with an antimonate photo initiator and/or is a one- or two-part plug which comprises a resin or mixture of resins that are substantially insoluble and/or substantially immiscible with an associated electrochromic medium while in the uncured state.

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: A rearview mirror assembly is provided that includes a front substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface; and a rear substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface. The rear substrate defines at least one contact via and the front substrate and the rear substrate define a cavity. The mirror assembly further includes a perimeter seal between the front substrate and the rear substrate; and an electrically conductive element at least partially within said at least one contact via that electrically connects with at least one of the second surface and the third surface. The mirror assembly also includes an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity. In addition, the front substrate and the rear substrate each has a shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape. The shaped edges can also be formed by grinding the edges together.

Abstract: An electrochromic device including: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: (1) a solvent; (2) an anodic material; and (3) a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and/or the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with an antimonate photo initiator and/or is a one- or two-part plug which comprises a resin or mixture of resins that are substantially insoluble and/or substantially immiscible with an associated electrochromic medium while in the uncured state.