Abstract: A vehicular component includes at least one light source disposed at least partially within an interior of the vehicular component and configured to emit light based on at least receiving electrical power from an electrical power source. The vehicular component further includes a transparent polymeric portion substantially enclosing the interior and the at least one light source. The transparent polymeric portion has an inner surface, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface and a chromium-based reflective coating coated on the outer surface. With the at least one light source receiving electrical power from the electrical power source, the chromium-based reflective coating is at least partially permeable to at least some light which is emitted by the at least one light source and passed through the transparent polymeric portion. At least one area of the outer surface of the transparent polymeric portion is devoid of the chromium-based reflective coating.

Abstract: A rearview device for use with a vehicle includes a first reflective element backing plate, a first reflective element positioned on the first reflective element backing plate, a second reflective element backing plate, a second reflective element positioned on the second reflective element backing plate, and an attachment mechanism including at least one of one or more tracks, snaps, clips, and projections configured to attach the first reflective element backing plate to the second reflective element backing plate.

Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to be mounted to a vehicle includes a housing configured to be coupled to a vehicle and at least one light source disposed at least partially within an interior of the housing. The lamp assembly further includes a transparent polymeric lens coupled to the housing so as to substantially enclose the interior of the housing and the at least one light source. The transparent polymeric lens has a chromium-based reflective coating coated on at least a first area of an outer surface thereof. With the at least one light source electrically-connected to the vehicle, the chromium-based reflective coating is at least partially permeable to at least some light which is emitted by the at least one light source and passed through the transparent polymeric lens. At least a second area of the outer surface of the transparent polymeric lens is devoid of the chromium-based reflective coating.

Abstract: A lighting module for a vehicular bumper includes at least one light source and a transparent polymeric portion configured to be coupled to a vehicular bumper so as to form at least part of the vehicular bumper. The transparent polymeric portion has a chromium-based reflective coating coated on an outer surface thereof configured to be at least partially permeable to light emitted by the at least one light source. At least one etching in the chromium-based reflective coating is devoid of the chromium-based reflective coating. With the at least one light source electrically-connected to a vehicle, light emitted by the at least one light source is reflected and distributed by at least one light reflector, substantially within at least one light chamber and towards the transparent polymeric portion, so as to simultaneously pass through the chromium-based reflective coating and the at least one etching in the chromium-based reflective coating.

Abstract: A lamp assembly configured to be mounted to a vehicle includes a housing configured to be coupled to a vehicle and at least one light source disposed at least partially within an interior of the housing. The lamp assembly further includes a transparent polymeric lens coupled to the housing so as to substantially enclose the interior of the housing and the at least one light source. The transparent polymeric lens has a chromium-based reflective coating coated on at least a first area of an outer surface thereof. With the at least one light source electrically-connected to the vehicle, the chromium-based reflective coating is at least partially permeable to at least some light which is emitted by the at least one light source and passed through the transparent polymeric lens. At least a second area of the outer surface of the transparent polymeric lens is devoid of the chromium-based reflective coating.

Abstract: A vehicular component includes at least one light source disposed at least partially within an interior of the vehicular component and configured to emit light based on at least receiving electrical power from an electrical power source. The vehicular component further includes a transparent polymeric portion substantially enclosing the interior and the at least one light source. The transparent polymeric portion has an inner surface, an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface and a chromium-based reflective coating coated on the outer surface. With the at least one light source receiving electrical power from the electrical power source, the chromium-based reflective coating is at least partially permeable to at least some light which is emitted by the at least one light source and passed through the transparent polymeric portion. At least one area of the outer surface of the transparent polymeric portion is devoid of the chromium-based reflective coating.

Abstract: A lighting module for a vehicular bumper includes at least one light source and a transparent polymeric portion configured to be coupled to a vehicular bumper so as to form at least part of the vehicular bumper. The transparent polymeric portion has a chromium-based reflective coating coated on an outer surface thereof configured to be at least partially permeable to light emitted by the at least one light source. At least one etching in the chromium-based reflective coating is devoid of the chromium-based reflective coating. With the at least one light source electrically-connected to a vehicle, light emitted by the at least one light source is reflected and distributed by at least one light reflector, substantially within at least one light chamber and towards the transparent polymeric portion, so as to simultaneously pass through the chromium-based reflective coating and the at least one etching in the chromium-based reflective coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to decorative coatings for plastic substrates, the decorative coatings ideally being stable and durable coatings that are spectrally tunable to permit the selection of a variety of appearances, and ideally providing a decorative metal finish. More particularly the present invention provides for a plastic substrate having a decorative coating including a spectrally controlling system and a stress controlling system. The spectrally controlling system includes alternating absorbing layers and transparent layers, and the stress controlling system controls the overall residual stress of the decorative coating to within a desired range. Further provided are methods for applying to a plastic substrate a decorative coating having a spectrally controlling system and a stress controlling system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a capacitive touch panel comprising a transparent panel substrate, a front surface of the substrate comprising a conductive translucent layer which, in use, is visible to a user; at least one light source associated with the back surface, wherein the light source is switchable between an ‘on’ state in which an illuminated icon is visible on the front surface of the cover panel and an ‘off’ state in which the illuminated icon is not visible on the front surface of the cover panel, wherein the light source is switchable from the off state to the on state by a change in capacitance of the conductive translucent layer; at least one switch associated with the back surface, wherein the switch is activable by a user pressing the touch panel in the vicinity of the illuminated icon to provide an output signal capable of performing a function.

Abstract: A head section for a rear view device for a motor vehicle includes a casing means including at least one housing section and a lid section arranged on a side of the housing section which faces away from a driving direction of the motor vehicle, at least one electronic unit arranged in a hollow area formed between the housing section and the lid section, a first rear view means for displaying an area of the motor vehicle, and a second rear view means for displaying a second are of the motor vehicle, where the second rear view means is arranged on the lid section, with the lid section and the second rear view means includes a combined, single-piece component, and where the lid section includes a polymeric substrate, which is coated with a chromium-based reflective coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mirror having a backing plate or polymeric substrate being coated with a reflective coating, for example a chromium-based reflective coating. A mirror assembly includes a mirror housing, a reflective element having a first field of view, a reflective coating having a second field of view, the second field of view being wider than the first field of view, and a multi-function backing plate supported by the mirror housing and comprising a reflective element supporting region where the reflective element is supported by the multi-function backing plate and a reflective coating supporting region where the reflective coating is applied to the backing plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric substrate being coated with a reflective coating, particularly a chromium-based reflective coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to decorative coatings for plastic substrates, the decorative coatings ideally being stable and durable coatings that are spectrally tuneable to permit the selection of a variety of appearances, and ideally providing a decorative metal finish. More particularly the present invention provides for a plastic substrate having a decorative coating including a spectrally controlling system and a stress controlling system. The spectrally controlling system includes alternating absorbing layers and transparent layers, and the stress controlling system controls the overall residual stress of the decorative coating to within a desired range. Further provided are methods for applying to a plastic substrate a decorative coating having a spectrally controlling system and a stress controlling system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a capacitive touch panel comprising a transparent panel substrate, a front surface of the substrate comprising a conductive translucent layer which, in use, is visible to a user; at least one light source associated with the back surface, wherein said light source is switchable between an ‘on’ state in which an illuminated icon is visible on the front surface of the cover panel and an ‘off’ state in which the illuminated icon is not visible on the front surface of the cover panel, wherein the light source is switchable from the off state to the on state by a change in capacitance of the conductive translucent layer; at least one switch associated with the back surface, wherein the switch is activable by a user pressing the touch panel in the vicinity of the illuminated icon to provide an output signal capable of performing a function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymeric substrate being coated with a reflective coating, particularly a chromium-based reflective coating.

Abstract: A chromium-based reflective coating for a polymeric substrate, wherein the coating has a thickness of 200 nm or less and is an alloy of chromium and a dopant material, the dopant material being selected from the hexagonally close-packed transition metals, the alloy having a crystal structure of a primary body-centered cubic phase in coexistence with a secondary omega hexagonally close-packed phase.

Abstract: A plastic mirror that includes a plastic substrate having a front surface, a hardcoating on the front surface, a reflective layer, and an intermediate zone between the hardcoating and the reflective layer, the intermediate zone including at least one layer formed from a material selected from the group consisting of metals and metalloids, oxides and nitrides of metals and metalloids, and carbon.

Abstract: A chromium-based reflective coating for a polymeric substrate, wherein the coating has a thickness of 200 nm or less and is an alloy of chromium and a dopant material, the dopant material being selected from the hexagonally close-packed transition metals, the alloy having a crystal structure of a primary body-centered cubic phase in coexistence with a secondary omega hexagonally close-packed phase.

Abstract: A plastic mirror that includes a plastic substrate having a front surface, a hardcoating on the front surface, a reflective layer, and an intermediate zone between the hardcoating and the reflective layer, the intermediate zone including at least one layer formed from a material selected from the group consisting of metals and metalloids, oxides and nitrides of metals and metalloids, and carbon.

Abstract: A system for cooling electronic equipment, especially modular electronic units mounted in racks, each having a casing with an air inlet, an air outlet and a fan for cooling the contents of the unit. The system uses a chiller unit, between adjacent racks for returning cooled air to ambient, each of which can be a piping array connected to a supply of chilled water. A baffle backing the piping array improves heat exchange and provides a more uniform transfer of heat to each array, thereby enabling optimum temperature differences to be achieved across each rack. A slidable framework supports the piping array and defines an air space on the cooled air side of the array. An auxiliary piping array extends rearwardly of racks so as to communicate with rear air spaces behind the racks and thereby cool heated air flowing in the rear air spaces.