MXPA99008944A - An electrochromic mirror with two thin glass elements and a gelled electrochromic medium - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved electrochromic rearview mirror for motor vehicles, the mirror (110) incorporating thin front and rear spaced glass elements (112, 114) having a thickness ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5. A layer of conductive material (118a-c) is placed onto the mirror's second surface (112b), and either another layer of transparent conductive material or a combined reflector/electrode (120) is placed onto the mirror's third surface (114a). A chamber (116), defined by the layers (112b, 114a) on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass elements (112, 114) and a peripheral sealing member (122), contains a free-standing gel (124) comprising a solvent and a cross-linked polymer matrix. The chamber (116) further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent and interspersed in the cross-linked polymer matrix. The gel (124) co-operatively interacts with the thin glass elements (112, 114) to form a thick, strong unitary member which is resistant to flexing, warping, bowing and/or shattering and further allows the mirror (110) to exhibit reduced vibrational distortion and double imaging.

Description

ELECTROCROMIC MIRROR WITH TWO SLIM GLASS ELEMENTS AND A GELIFIED ELECTROCROMIC MEDIUM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with an improved electrochromic mirror having two thin glass elements and a self-contained or independent gel and more particularly with a lightweight electrochromic mirror having an independent or autonomous gel interacting cooperatively with two thin glass elements to form a thick, strong unitary element that is resistant to bending, warping, arching, chipping and / or scattering. Up to now, several automatic rear-view mirrors for motor vehicles have been devised which change automatically from full reflectance mode (day) to partial reflectance modes (night) for purposes of protection against glare from light emanating from vehicle headlights that approach the back. The electrochromic mirrors described in U.S. Patent No. 4,902,108 entitled "Single-Compartment, Self-Erasing, Solution-Phase Electrochromic Devices Solutions for Use Therein, and Uses Thereof", issued February 20, 1990 to H.J. Byker; Canadian Patent No. 1,300,945, entitled "Automatic Rearview Mirror System for Automotive Vehicles", issued May 19, 1992 to J. H. Bechtel et al .; the patent REF .: 31456 North American No. 5,128,799, entitled "Variable Reflectance Motor Vehicle Mirror", issued on July 7, 1992 to H.J. Byker; U.S. Patent No. 5,202,787, entitled "Electro-Optic Device", issued April 13, 1993 to H.J. Byker et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,204,778, entitled "Control System For Automatic Rearview Mirrors", issued April 20, 1993 to J.H. Bechtel; U.S. Patent No. 5,278,693, entitled "Tinted Solution-Phase Electrochromic Mirrors", issued on January 11, 1994 to D.A. Theiste et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,280,380, entitled "UV-Stabilized Compositions and Methods", issued on January 18, 1994 to H.J. Byker, US Patent No. 5,282,077, entitled "Variable Reflectance Mirror", issued on January 25, 1994 to H.J. Byker; U.S. Patent No. 5,294,376, entitled "Bipyridinium Salt Solutions", issued March 15, 1994 to H.J. Byker; U.S. Patent No. 5,336,448, entitled "Electrochromic Devices with Bipyridinium Salt Solutions", issued August 9, 1994 to H.J. Byker; U.S. Patent No. 5,434,407, entitled "Automatic Rearview Mirror Incorporating Light Pipe", issued on January 18, 1995 to F.T. Bauer et al .; U.S. Patent No. 5,448,397, entitled "Outside Automatic Rearview Mirror for Automotive Vehicles", issued September 5, 1995 to .L. Tonar and U.S. Patent No. 5,451,822, entitled "Electronic Control System", issued September 19, 1995 to J.H. Bechtel et al. each of these patents is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and the descriptions of each of which are incorporated herein by reference, are typical of today's automatic rear-view mirrors for motor vehicles. Such electrochromic mirrors can be used in a fully integrated internal / external rear view mirror system or as an internal or external rearview mirror system. In general, in the automatic rear-view mirrors of the types described in the aforementioned US patents, the internal and external rear-view mirrors consist of a relatively thin electrochromic medium sandwiched and sealed between two glass elements. WO 96/03475 discloses an electrochromic rearview mirror similar to those described in the North American patents referred to above while also disclosing that the electrochromic rearview mirror includes an independent or autonomous gel in which the electrochromic solution is dispersed or dissolved in a polymeric matrix. The electrochromic mirror described in WO 96/03475 includes two glass elements of conventional thickness.

In most cases, when the electrochromic environment works as the means of variable transmittance in the mirrors is electrically energized, it darkens and begins to absorb light and as more light absorbs the electrochromic medium the mirror becomes darker or reflectance more low. When the electrical voltage is decreased to zero, the mirror returns to its state of high clear reflectance. In general, the electrochromic medium sandwiched and sealed between the two glass elements consists of a self-eroding system in phase solution of electrochromic materials, although other electrochromic means can be used in which a procedure is included where an electrochromic layer of oxide of tungsten is coated on an electrode with a solution containing a redox active material to provide the counter electrode reaction. When functioning automatically, rear-view mirrors of the indicated character generally incorporate light-sensing electronic circuits that are effective for changing the mirrors to attenuated reflectance modes when glare is detected, the sandwich electrochromic medium is activated and the mirror is attenuated in proportion to the amount of glare that is detected. As the glare is removed, the mirror automatically returns to its normal high-reflectance state without requiring any action by the driver of the vehicle. The electrochromic means is arranged in a sealed chamber defined by a transparent front glass element, a peripheral edge seal and a rear mirror element having a reflective layer, the electrochromic medium fills the chamber. Conductive layers are provided on the interior of the front and rear glass elements, the conductive layer on the front glass element is transparent insofar as the conductive layer on the rear glass element can be transparent or the conductive layer on the glass element can be transparent. Rear glass can be semi-transparent or opaque and can also have reflective characteristics and function as the reflective layer for mirror mounting. The conductive layers on the front glass element and the rear glass element are connected to electronic circuits which are effective to electrically energize the electrochromic medium to change the mirror to modes of decreased reflectance at night when glare is detected and after that allowing the mirror to return to high day reflectance mode when the glare is removed as described in detail in the aforementioned North American patents. For clarity of description of such structure, the front surface of the front glass element is sometimes referred to as the first surface and the interior surface of the front glass element is sometimes referred to as the second surface. The inner surface of the rear glass element is sometimes referred to as the third surface and the rear surface of the rear glass element is sometimes referred to as the fourth surface. Recently, electrochromic mirrors have become common in outdoor vehicles and suffer from the fact that they are significantly heavier than standard exterior mirrors. This increased weight with the electrochromic mirrors exerts a tension on the mechanisms used to automatically adjust the position of the exterior mirrors. One method to decrease the weight of an electrochromic mirror is by reducing the thickness of both glass elements or even eliminating the glass plate. For example, in solid-state electrochromic devices, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,973,141 issued to Baucke et al., Wherein all components comprise solid state elements, e.g., solid state electrochromic layers (W03 and Mo03), conductive solid hydrogen ion layers, etc., it has been proposed that the back plate is optional. This is possible because all the other layers are in solid phase and remain attached to the faceplate. In electrochromic devices which contain at least one electrochromic material in the solution phase on the other hand, it is not possible to remove a glass plate because the solvent and the electrochromic material would leak. Therefore, the only option for electrochromic devices that contain a solution is to decrease the thickness of the glass. Unfortunately, as the thickness is decreased, the individual glass elements become brittle and flexible and remain that way during and after the manufacture of an electrochromic mirror. This is especially true as the mirrors become larger such as is necessary in vehicles such as sport utility vehicles and very large trucks, for example tractors trailers. Accordingly, it is difficult to produce a commercially desirable electrochromic mirror containing at least one electrochromic material in the solution phase having two thin glass elements because it will be much more likely that each thin glass element will flex, bend, arch and / or splinter. The properties of an electrochromic device in the solution phase, such as at the time of coloration and clarification and optical density when they are colored, are dependent on the thickness of the electrochromic layer (for example, the spacing between the two glass elements). Maintaining uniform spacing is necessary to maintain a uniform appearance. The spacing between thin glass elements can be easily changed even after the manufacture of the device by applying a subtle pressure on one of the glass plates. This creates an undesirable un-uniformity in the appearance of the device. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved electrochromic mirror having an autonomous or separate gel containing at least one electrochromic material in the solution phase, wherein the gel cooperatively interacts with two thin glass elements to form a coarse strong unitary element. which is resistant to bending, warping, arching, chipping and / or reading dispersion to maintain a uniform spacing between the thin glass elements.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Thus, a main object of the present invention is to provide a light weight electrochromic mirror having an independent or autonomous gel containing at least one electrochromic material in the solution phase, wherein the gel interacts cooperatively with two thin glass elements to form a thick, strong unitary element that is resistant to bending, warping, arching, chipping and / or dispersion. Another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight electrochromic mirror having two thin glass elements exhibiting reduced vibration, reduced distortion and reduced double image formation.

BRDESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The above and other objects that will become apparent from the specification as a whole, in which the drawings are included, are carried out in accordance with the present invention by providing an electrochromic mirror with glass elements. spaced front and back. The front and rear spaced glass elements are preferably thin having a thickness ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. A layer of transparent conductive material is placed on the second surface and either another layer of transparent conductive material or a combined reflector / electrode is placed on the third surface. A chamber is defined by the layers on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass elements and a peripheral sealing element. According to the present invention, the chamber may contain an autonomous or independent gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix and further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent dispersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix, wherein the gel interacts cooperatively with the thin glass elements to form a thick, strong unitary element that is resistant to flexing, arcing, chipping and / or scattering and further allows the mirror to exhibit release, distortion and reduced double image.

BRDESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The material that is considered as the invention is summarized in particular and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, together with additional objects and advantages thereof can be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which the like numbers represent similar components, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation view front illustrating schematically an indoor / outdoor electrochromic rear view mirror system for motor vehicles wherein the interior and exterior mirrors incorporate the mirror assembly of the present invention and figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the interior electrochromic rear view mirror incorporating an autonomous or independent gel interacting cooperatively with two thin glass elements illustrated in figure 1, taken on line 2-2 'thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows a front elevational view schematically illustrating an interior mirror assembly 110 and two exterior rearview mirror assemblies Illa and 111b for the driver's side and the passenger's side respectively, all of which are adapted to be installed in a motor vehicle in a conventional manner and wherein the mirrors are facing the rear of the vehicle and can be visualized by the driver of the vehicle to provide a rearward view. The interior mirror assembly 110 and the exterior rearview mirror assemblies Illa and 111b may incorporate electronic light detector circuits of the type illustrated and described in Canadian Patent No. 1,300,945 referred to above; U.S. Patent No. 5,204,778 or U.S. Patent No. 5, 451,822 and other circuits capable of detecting glare and ambient light and supplying a driving voltage to the electrochromic element. The mirror assemblies 110, Illa and 111b are essentially identical since similar numbers identify components of the interior and exterior mirrors. These components may be slightly different in configuration but work substantially in the same way and obtain substantially the same results as the similarly numbered components. For example, the front glass element shape of the inner mirror 110 is generally longer and narrower than the outer mirrors Illa and 111b. There are also some different performance standards in the interior mirror 110 compared to the exterior mirrors Illa and 111b. For example, the interior mirror 110 in general, when it is fully clear, should have a reflectance value of about 70% to about 80% or greater while the exterior mirrors frequently have a reflectance of about 50% to about 65%. Also, in the United States of North America (as stipulated by the automobile manufacturers), the mirror 111b on the passenger side commonly has a convex or spherically curved shape, while the mirror Illa on the driver's side and the interior mirror 110 they must be currently flat. In Europe, the Illa mirror on the driver's side is aspheric or commonly flat while the mirror 111b on the passenger side has a convex shape. In Japan both mirrors have a convex shape. The following description is applicable in general to all mirror assemblies of the present invention. The rearview mirrors that implement the present invention preferably include a molding 144 that extends around the entire periphery of each individual assembly 110, Illa and / or 111b. The molding 144 hides and protects the spring clips (not shown) and the peripheral edge portions of the sealed element and the front and rear glass elements (described later herein). A wide variety of molding designs are well known in the art, such as for example the molding taught and claimed in U.S. Patent No. 5,448,397 referred to above. There is also a wide variety of boxes well known in the art for attaching the mirror assembly 110 to the interior front windshield of an automobile or for attaching the mirror assemblies Illa and 111b to the exterior of an automobile. A preferred box for attaching an interior assembly is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,337,948 referenced above. The electric circuit preferably incorporates an ambient light detector (not shown) and a glare detector 160, the glare detector is positioned either behind the mirror glass or is viewed through a section of the mirror with the completely or partially removed reflector material or the glare detector may be positioned outside the reflecting surfaces, for example in the molding 144. Additionally, an area or areas of the electrode and reflector, such as 146 or the area aligned with the detector 160 may be completely or partially removed in for example a dot or line configuration to allow a vacuum fluorescent screen, such as a compass, watch or other indication to be displayed to the driver of the vehicle. The US patent application filed on the same date entitled "AN INFORMATION DISPLAY ON ELECTROCHROMIC MIRRORS HAVING A THIRD SURFACE REFLECTOR" shows a currently preferred line configuration. The present invention is also applicable to a mirror that uses only a video chip light detector to measure glare and ambient light and which is also capable of determining the direction of glare. An automatic mirror inside the vehicle, constructed in accordance with this invention can also control one or both exterior mirrors as subordinates or dependents in an automatic mirror system. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the mirror assembly 110 along the line 2-2 '. The mirror 110 has a front transparent element 112 having a front surface 112a and a rear surface 112b and a rear element 114 having a front surface 114a and a rear surface 114b. Since some of the layers of the mirror are very thin, the scale has been distorted by pictorial clarity. Also, for clarity of description of such structure, the following designations will be used later in the present. The front surface of the front glass element will be referred to as the first surface and the rear surface of the front glass element as the second surface. The front surface of the rear glass element will be referred to as the third surface and the rear surface of the rear glass element as the fourth surface. The chamber 116 is defined by one or more layers of transparent conductive material 118 (disposed on the rear surface 112b of the front element), another layer disposed on the front surface 114a of the rear element comprising either a transparent conductive material 120 or a combination of reflector / electrode and an inner circumferential wall 121 of the sealing element 122. Normally, the electrochromic mirrors are made with glass elements having a thickness of approximately 2.3 mm. The preferred thin glass elements according to the present invention have thicknesses of approximately 1.0 mm, which result in weight savings of more than 50%. This decreased weight ensures that the mechanisms used to manipulate the orientation of the mirror, commonly referred to as carrier plates, are not overloaded and also provides significant improvements in the vibrational stability of the mirror. The front transparent element 112 may be any material that is thin and transparent and has sufficient strength to have the ability to operate under conditions for example of varying temperatures and pressures commonly encountered in the automotive environment. The front element 112 can comprise any type of glass, borosilicate glass, soda lime glass, floating glass or any other material such as for example a polymer or plastic that is transparent in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The front element 112 preferably consists of a glass sheet with a thickness that ranges from 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm. More preferably, the front element 112 has a thickness that ranges from about 0.8 mm to about 1.2 mm, the currently most preferred thickness is about 1.0 mm. The rear element 114 must comply with the operational conditions summarized above, except that it does not need to be transparent and therefore may comprise polymers, metals, glass, ceramics and preferably consists of a glass sheet with a thickness in the same ranges as the element 112. When both glass elements are manufactured thin, the vibrational properties of an interior or exterior mirror improve - although the effects are more significant for the exterior mirrors. These vibrations, which result from the operation of the motor and / or the vehicle in motion, affect the rear view mirror, in such a way that the mirror acts essentially as a weight at the end of a cantilevered vibrating beam. This vibrating mirror causes blurring of the reflected image which is a safety concern as well as a phenomenon that is annoying to the driver. As the weight at the end of the cantilevered beam (that is, the mirror element attached to the carrier plate on the outer mirror assembly or the mirror assembly on the inner mirror) is decreased, the frequency at which the mirror vibrates increases. If the frequency of the mirror vibration increases to approximately 60 Hertz, the fuzziness of the reflected image is not visually unpleasant for the occupants of the vehicle. In addition, as the frequency at which the mirror vibrates increases the distance at which the mirror travels while the vibration decreases significantly. Thus, by decreasing the weight of the mirror element, the complete mirror becomes vibrationally more stable and improves the ability of the driver to see what is behind the vehicle. For example, an interior mirror with two glass elements having a thickness of 1.1 mm have a first mode horizontal frequency of approximately 55 Hertz. while a mirror with two glass elements of 2.3 mm has a horizontal frequency of first mode of approximately 45 Hertz. This difference of 10 Hertz produces a significant improvement in how a driver visualizes a reflected image. No electrochromic mirror incorporating two thin glass elements and containing an electrochromic material in the solution phase has been commercially available because thin glass has the disadvantage of being flexible and therefore prone to warpage, bending and arching, especially when is exposed to extreme environments. Thus, according to the present invention, the chamber contains an independent or stand-alone gel interacting cooperatively with the thin glass elements 112 and 114 to produce a mirror that acts as a coarse unitary element instead of two thin glass elements held together only by a seal element. In autonomous or independent gels containing a solution and a crosslinked polymer matrix, the solution is dispersed in a polymer matrix and continues to function as a solution. Also, at least one electrochromic material in the solution phase is in solution in the solvent and therefore as part of the solution is dispersed in the polymer matrix (referred to herein as "gelled electrochromic medium" 124). This makes it possible to build a rear view mirror with a thinner glass in order to reduce the overall weight of the mirror while maintaining a sufficient structural integrity, so that the mirror will survive the extreme conditions common to the automotive environment. This also helps to maintain a uniform spacing between the thin glass elements which improves the uniformity in the appearance (eg coloration) of the mirror. This structural integrity results because the autonomous or independent gel, the first glass element 112 and the second glass element 114 which individually have insufficient strength characteristics to work effectively in an electrochromic mirror, are coupled in such a way that they no longer they move independently but act as a cohesive unitary element. This stability includes, but is not limited to, resistance to bending, warping, arching and breaking, as well as to an improved image quality of the reflected image, for example less distortion, 2 double image formation, uniformity of color and independent vibration of each element of glass. However, insofar as it is important to attach the front and rear glass elements it is equally important (if not more so) to ensure that the electrochromic mirror functions properly. The autonomous or independent gel should be glued to the electrode layers (in which the reflector / electrode is included if the mirror has a third surface reflector) on the walls of such a device, but not to interfere with the transfer of electrons between the electrode layers and electrochromic materials disposed in the chamber 116. In addition, the gel should not expand or shrink, crash or run with the passage of time, in such a way that the gel itself causes a poor image quality. Ensuring that the standalone gel adheres well enough to the electrode layers to attach the front and back glass elements and does not deteriorate over time, while allowing the electrochromic reactions to be carried out as if they were in solution, it is an important aspect of the present invention. In order to function properly, a mirror must accurately represent the reflected image and this can not be done when the glass elements (to which the reflector is attached) tend to bend or arch while the driver views the reflected image. The curvature or bowing occurs mainly due to pressure points exerted by the mounting of the mirror and adjustment mechanism and by differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion of the various components that are used to house the outer mirror element. These components include a carrier plate used to attach the mirror element to the mechanism used to manipulate or adjust the position of the mirror (gluing the mirror by means of an adhesive), a molding and a box. Many mirrors also commonly have an encapsulation material as a secondary seal. Each of these components, materials and adhesives have variable thermal expansion coefficients that will expand and contract to varying degrees during heating and cooling and exert stress on the glass elements 112 and 114. In very large mirrors the hydrostatic pressure becomes a concern and can lead to problems of double image formation when the front and rear glass elements are arched at the bottom and arched at the top of the mirror. By coupling the front and rear glass elements the combination of thin glass / independent gel / thin glass acts as the coarse unitary element (while allowing proper orientation of the electrochromic mirror) and thereby reducing or eliminating the curvature, arching, flexion, double image formation and distortion problems and non-uniform coloring of the electrochromic medium. The cooperating interaction between the autonomous or independent gel and the thin glass elements of the present invention also improve the safety aspects of the electrochromic mirror 110 having thin glass elements. In addition to being more flexible, thin glass is more prone to breakage than thick glass. By coupling the autonomous or independent gel with the thin glass, the overall strength is improved (as discussed above) and further restricts splintering and dispersion and facilitates cleaning in the event of rupture or breakage of the device. The improved crosslinked polymer matrix used in the present invention is discussed in co-pending co-pending US patent application Serial No. 08 / 616,967 entitled "IMPROVED ELECTROCHROMIC LAYER AND DEVICES COMPRISING SAME" filed on March 15, 1996 and the application for International patent filed on March 15, 1997 and which claims priority with respect to this North American patent application. The full description of these two applications, which include the references contained therein, are hereby incorporated by reference.

In general, the polymer matrix results from the polymeric crosslink chains, wherein the polymer chains are formed by the vinyl polymerization of a monomer having the general formula: wherein Ri is optional and may be selected from the group consisting of: alkyl, cycloalkyl, poly-cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, carboxyl and alkyl and alkenyl derivatives thereof; alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkdienyl, poly-cycloalkdienyl, aryl and alkyl and alkenyl derivatives thereof, hydroxyalkyl; hydroxyalkenyl; alkoxyalkyl and alkoxyalkenyl wherein each of the components has from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. R2 is optional and can be selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, carboxyl, phenyl and keto wherein each of the components has 1-8 carbon atoms and oxygen. R3, R4 and R5 may be the same or different and may be selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, poly-cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl and alkyl and alkenyl derivatives thereof; alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkadienyl, poly-cycloalkadienyl, aryl and alkyl and alkenyl derivatives thereof; hydroxyalkyl; hydroxyalkenyl; alkoxyalkyl; alkoxyalkenyl; keto acetoacetyl; vinyl ether and combinations thereof, wherein each of the components has from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Finally, B can be selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl; cyanate; isocyanate; isothiocyanate; epoxide; silanes; cetain; acetoacetyl, keto, carboxylate, imino, amine, aldehyde and vinyl ether. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, if B is a cyanate, isocyanate, isothiocyanate or aldehyde it is generally preferable that Ri, R2, R3, R and R5 do not have a hydroxyl functionality. Preferred among the monomers are methyl methacrylate; methyl acrylate; isocyanatoethyl methacrylate; 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate; 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate; 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate; 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; 4-vinylphenol; acetoacetoxy methacrylate and acetoacetoxy acrylate. The electrochromic devices are sensitive to impurities, which is shown by means of a poor cycle path, the residual color of the electrochromic material in its bleached state and a stability to deficient ultraviolet radiation. Although many commercial precursors are quite pure and function properly as ordered, purification would improve their performance. However, they can not be easily purified by distillation because their low vapor pressure makes vacuum distillation difficult or even impossible. On the other hand, the monomers used to make the polymer matrix can be purified and thus are a significant advance to ensure proper performance of an electrochromic device. This purification can be by means of chromatography, distillation, recrystallization or other purification techniques well known in the art. The monomers of the preferred embodiment of the present invention should preferably also be capable of undergoing pre-polymerization, usually in the solvent used in the final electrochromic mirror. Pre-polymerization means that the monomers and / or precursors react with each other to produce relatively long and relatively linear polymers. These polymer chains will remain dissolved in the solvent and can have molecular weights ranging from about 1000 to about 300,000, although those skilled in the art will understand that molecular weights of up to 3,000,000 are possible under certain conditions. It should be understood that more than one monomer can be pre-polymerized together. Equation [1] shows the general formula for the monomers of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In general, any of the combinations of the monomers shown can be combined in one or more polymers (ie,, a polymer, a copolymer, terpolymer, etc.) in the pre-polymerization process. For example, a monomer can be polymerized to give a homogeneous polymeric material such as poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), poly (2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate) and the like. However, it is generally preferred that a species with a reactive crosslinking component (eg, hydroxyl, acetoacetyl, isocyanate, thiol, etc.) be combined with another species having either the same reactive crosslinking component or no reactive component of cross-linking (for example methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, etc.). If a copolymer is produced, the proportion of the monomers with and without the crosslinking components can range from about 200: 1 to about 1: 200. An example of these copolymers include hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) combined with methyl methacrylate (MM?) To form a copolymer. The ratio of HEMA to MMA can range from about 1: 3 to about 1:50 the preferred ratio is about 1:10. The preferred crosslinking agent for any of the prepolymers having a hydroxyl (or any reactive group having an active hydrogen, such as thiol, hydroxyl, acetoacetyl, urea, melamine, urethane, etc.) is an isocyanate, isothiocyanate and the like having a functionality greater than 1. Also, 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEMA) can be combined with MMA in the ratio of about 1: 3 to about 1:50, the preferred ratio is about 1:10. The crosslinking of any of the polymer chains containing an isocyanate can occur with any di- or polyfunctional compound containing a reactive hydrogen, such as hydroxyl, thiol, acetoacetyl, urea, melamine, urethanes, hydroxyl is currently preferred. These must have a functionality greater than 1 and may be the same as those described hereinabove, aliphatic or aromatic compounds or preferably they may be 4,4 ** -isopropylidenediphenol, 4,4'- (1-4-phenylenedisopropylidene) bisphenol, 4, 4 '- (1,3-phenylenediiso-propylidene) or bisphenol 1,3-dihydroxybenzene. Although the above description is concerned with copolymer, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that more complex structures (terpolymers, etc.) can be made by using the same teachings. Finally, two copolymers can be combined in such a way that they crosslink each other. For example HEMA / MMA can be combined with IEMA / MMA and hydroxyl groups of HEMA will react by themselves with the isocyanate groups of IEMA to form an open polymer structure. It should be understood that the rates of crosslinking for any of the polymers described herein can be controlled by appropriate selection of the reactive crosslinking species employed. For example, the reaction rates can be increased by using an aromatic isocyanate or an aromatic alcohol or both. The reaction rates can be decreased, for example, by using sterically hindered isocyanates or sterically hindered alcohols or both. It should also be noted that the rigidity of the autonomous or independent gel can be altered by changing the molecular weight of the polymer, the weight percentage of the polymer and the crosslink density of the polymer matrix. The gel stiffness is generally increased by increasing the concentration of the polymer (percent by weight) by increasing the. crosslink density and to some extent with increased molecular weight. During operation, the light rays entering through the front glass 112, the transparent conductive layers 118, the self-contained or independent gel and at least one electrochromic material in the chamber 116, the transparent conductive layer 120 and the rear glass 114 , before being reflected from the reflector 124 provided on the fourth surface 114b of the mirror 110. The light in the reflected rays comes out by the same general path traveled in the reverse direction. The incoming rays and the reflected rays are attenuated in proportion to the degree to which the gelled electrochromic means 124 is light absorbent. Alternatively, as stated above, the reflector may be placed on the third surface 114a according to the description of the North American patent application entitled "ELECTROCHROMIC REARVIEW MIRROR INCORPORATING TO THIRD SURFACE METAL REFLECTOR" filed on April 2, 1997. The complete description of this U.S. patent application is incorporated herein by reference. In this case the reflector of the third surface is duplicated as an electrode and the transparent conductive layer 120 can be optionally canceled. In addition, if the reflector is placed on the third surface 114a, a heating element 138 can be placed on the fourth surface 114b in accordance with the teachings of the US patent application referenced above. The at least one electrochromic material may consist of a wide variety of materials capable of changing the properties in such a way that the light traveling through them is attenuated but must be capable of being dissolved in the solvent. In order to balance the charge during the electrochromic reactions, another redox active material must be present. This other material may include redox of phase in solution, solid state and metal or deposition of a violet salt; however, redox in the solution phase is currently preferred, such as those described in the US patents referenced above Nos. 4,902,108; 5,128,799, 5,278,693; 5,280,380; 5,282,077; 5,294,376; 5,336,448. One or more layers of a transparent electrically conductive material 118 are deposited on the second surface 112b to act as an electrode. The transparent conductive material 118 can be any material which: adheres well to the front element 112 and maintains this bond when the epoxy seal 122 sticks thereto; be resistant to corrosion with any materials within the electrochromic device; it is resistant to corrosion by the atmosphere and has minimal diffuse or specular reflectance, high light transmission, neutral coloration and good electrical conductance. The conductive transparent material 118 may consist of tin oxide doped with fluorine, tin-doped indium oxide (ITO), ITO / metal / ITO (IMI) as described in "Transparent Conductive Multilayer-Systems for FPD Applications", by J Stollenwerk, B. Ocker, KH Kretschmer of LEYBOLD AG, Alzenau, Germany and the materials described in the aforementioned US Patent No. 5,202,787, such as TEC 20 or TEC 15, available from Libbey Owens-Ford Co. (LOF) of Toledo, OH . Similar requirements are necessary for what is deposited on the third surface 114, whether it is another layer of transparent conductive material 120 or a combined reflector / electrode. The conductivity of the transparent conductive material 118 will depend on its thickness and composition but as a general rule the coatings applied by chemical vapor deposition at atmospheric pressure (APCVD) such as TEC coatings of LOF are cheaper than vacuum deposited coatings, such as ITO coatings and more importantly are more neutral in color. This color neutrality of the coatings is especially pronounced when the mirrors are in their fully colored or darkened state because in this darkened state the main sources of reflection seen by the occupant of a vehicle are the reflections of the first and second surface of the device. Thus, the transparent coating 118 disposed on the second surface 112b has a greater influence on the neutrality of the color of the device when the device is in a high or fully dark state. Another factor to be considered is that although both ITO and TEC coatings will function as transparent conductors in mirrors that have thick glass elements, TEC coatings can not be applied to date on glass having a thickness less than about 2 mm in thickness. so much so that the glass is in the production waterline used to make glass sheets. Thus, TEC coatings are not presently available in thin glass. This leads to color matching problems because there are cases where it is beneficial to have an interior mirror with inexpensive thick glass elements and an outside mirror with lightweight thin glass elements and to have both mirrors in the same vehicle . The inner mirror (110 in FIG. 1) having thick glass can use TEC coatings that are not expensive on the second surface and therefore, when the mirror is in the darkened state, the reflected image is neutral in color. However, the outer mirrors (Illa and / or 111b of Figure 1) having thin glass must use the expensive coatings of ITO on the second surface and consequently when the mirror is in the darkened state, the reflected image is not completely neutral color and therefore do not correspond in color with the interior mirror.

In addition, TEC coatings can cause difficulties when applied to glass that must then be bent or curved to a convex or aspherical shape, regardless of glass thickness, because each glass element must have a substantially similar radius of curvature . TEC coatings are applied during the manufacture of the glass next to the glass that is not in contact with the tin bath or the rollers (that is, the deposition is on the "clean" side of the glass). Since the glass bending process occurs after the glass is produced, TEC coatings are present on the surface of the glass when the glass is bent. During the bending process the glass element is heated to high temperatures and although the exact mechanism is not known, it is believed that the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the glass and the conductive coating and / or the difference in emissivity between the Coated and uncoated sides of the glass tend to alter the flexural properties of the combined glass / coating structure during cooling. If a mirror with a fourth surface reflector is produced, then the TEC coatings will be placed on the second (concave) and third (convex) surface and due to the altered bending properties, each glass element will have a different radius of curvature . If a mirror with a third surface reflector is produced, two problems arise. First, to obtain similar radii of curvature, a TEC coating must be placed over the second and fourth surfaces, but the TEC coating of the fourth surface is essentially useless and does nothing but increase the unit price of the mirror. Secondly, the reflector / electrode that is applied to the third surface has to be applied to the "dirty" side of the glass that was in contact with the tin bath and the rollers. This leads to problems well known in the art such as tin broadening, sulfur staining and roll marks, all of which cause adverse side effects in the electrochromic mirrors. ITO coatings can be applied to the second surface after the glass is bent or curved to alleviate these problems. However, this leads to the same problems of color neutrality and color correspondences summarized above. According to another aspect of the present invention, a multilayer neutral color transparent conductive coating 118 can be used on the second surface of an outer mirror (Illa and / or 111b of Figure 1) having thin or curved glass in combination with an interior mirror that has TEC coatings on the second surface in such a way that the mirror system is of neutral color and corresponding color. This transparent conductive coating of neutral color includes a first thin transparent layer 118a (for example between about 150 Á and about Á) having a high refractive index followed by a second thin transparent layer 118 b (for example between about 150 A and about 500 A) having a low refractive index, followed by a third thick transparent conductive layer 118c (eg, between about 800 A and about 3500 A) having a high refractive index. The glass has a refractive index of about 1.5; the first two thin layers generally have refractive indices of about 2.0 and about 1.5 respectively, they tend to act in combination to form a layer having an average refractive index of about 1.75. The thick top coating has a refractive index of approximately 2.0. This produces a stack that has refractive indices of approximately 1.5 / 1.75 / 2.0. The currently preferred compositions and thicknesses for each layer of the multilayer stack are: approximately 200-400 A ITO for the first layer 118a; about 200-400 A of Si02 for the second layer 118b and approximately 1500 Á of ITO for the third layer 118c.

This graduation between the low and high refractive indexes produces a transparent conductive coating that is neutral in color that matches the TEC coatings of neutral color on the second surface of the interior mirror that leads to a mirror system of corresponding internal / external color . According to still another embodiment of the present invention, an additional advantage of the thin glass construction is an improved optical image quality for the convex, aspherical and completely electrochromic mirrors that are not flat. It is difficult to bend the glass reproducibly and obtain identical local and global radius of curvature for each pair of glass elements. However, most electrochromic mirrors are made by gluing two glass elements together in a separate, nominally parallel, flat relationship and any deviation from parallelism manifests itself as distortion, double-image formation, and non-uniform spacing between the elements. two glass elements. The phenomenon of double-image formation is due to the non-correspondence in the curvature of the glass elements which results in a misalignment between the residual and secondary reflections of the front glass element and its transparent conductive coating and the reflections of the layer main reflector. This is discussed at length in the aforementioned US patent application entitled "ELECTROCHROMIC REARVIEW MIRROR INCORPORATING A THIRD SURFACE METAL REFLECTOR". By changing the reflecting layer of the fourth surface to the third surface it helps to reduce the double image formation due to the distance between the first surface, the residual reflectance and the reflectance of the main reflector is reduced. This is especially beneficial for mirrors that use curved glass. The combination of the use of a reflecting layer of the third surface with the use of a thin glass front element provides a remarkable advantage for mirrors using curved glass since the residual and main reflections are so close that there is little or no formation of double image This is the case even when the glass is bent in normal curvature processes that give rise to significant variations in the local and global radii of curvature between the two glass elements used to make the mirror. The combination of a third surface reflector / electrode and a thin glass front element provides a mirror that almost equals the optical image quality of a true third surface reflecting mirror even when the glass is curved.

The coating 120 of the third surface 114a is sealably bonded to the coating 118 on the second surface 112b near its outer perimeters by a sealing element 122. Preferably, the sealing element 122 contains glass beads (not shown) to maintain the transparent elements 112 and 114 in parallel and spaced apart relationship as long as the seal material is cured or solidified. The sealing element 122 can be any material that is capable of adhesively bonding the coatings on the second surface 112b to the coatings on the third surface 114a to seal the perimeter in such a way that the electrochromic material 124 does not leak out of the chamber 116 while that a generally constant distance between them is maintained simultaneously. Optionally, the transparent conductive coating layer 118 and the layer on the third surface 120 (transparent conductive material or reflector / electrode) can be removed over a portion where the sealing element is disposed (not the entire portion, otherwise the potential drive could not be applied to the two coatings). In such a case, the sealing element 118 should stick well to the glass. The performance requirements for a perimeter sealing element 122 used in an electrochromic device are similar to those for a perimeter seal used in a liquid crystal device (LCD) that are well known in the art. The seal must have good adhesion to glass, metals and metal oxide, must have low permeabilities for oxygen, moisture vapor and other harmful gases and vapors and must not interact with or poison the electrochromic material or liquid crystal that it is proposed to contain and protect. The perimetric seal can be applied by elements commonly used in the LCD industry such as by screen printing or dosing. Fully airtight seals such as those made with glass alkaline flux or welding glass can be used, but the high temperatures involved in the processing (usually about 450 ° C) of this type of seal can cause numerous problems such as warping of the substrate of glass, changes in the properties of the transparent conductive electrode and oxidation or degradation of the reflector. Due to their lower processing temperatures, thermoplastic, thermosetting or UV curing organic resin resins are preferred. Such organic resin sealing systems for LCD are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,297,401, 4,418,102, 4,695,490, 5,596,023 and 5,596,024. Due to its excellent adhesion to glass, low oxygen permeability and good resistance to solvents, epoxy-based organic sealant resins are preferred. These epoxy resin seals can be cured by ultraviolet radiation, such as described in US Patent 4,297,401 or thermally cured, such as with mixtures of liquid epoxy resin with liquid polyamide resin or dicyandiamide or they can be homopolymerized. The epoxy resin may contain fillers or thickeners to reduce flow and shrinkage or shrinkage such as fumed silica, silica, mica, clay, calcium carbonate, alumina, etc. and / or pigments to add color. Pre-treated fillers with hydrophobic or silane surface treatments are preferred. The crosslink density of cured resin can be controlled by the use of mono-functional, difunctional and multi-functional epoxy resin blends and curing agents. Additives such as silanes or titanates can be used to improve the hydrolytic stability of the seal and spacers such as glass beads or rods can be used to control the final seal thickness and spacing or separation of the substrate. Suitable epoxy resins for use in a perimeter sealing element 122 include but are not limited to: "EPON RESIN" 813, 825, 826, 828, 830, 834, 862, 1001F, 1002F, 2012, DPS-155, 164, 1031 , 1074, 58005, 58006, 58034, 58901, 871, 872 and DPL-862 available from Shell Chemical Co., Houston, Texas; "ARALITE" GY 6010, GY 6020, CY 9579, GT 7071, XU 248, EPN 1139, EPN 1138, PY 307, ECN 1235, ECN 1273, ECN 1280, MT 0163, MY 720, MY 0500, MY 0510 and PT 810 available from Ciba Geigy, Hawthorne, NY; "D.E.R." 331, 317, 361, 383, 661, 662, 667, 732, 736, "D.E.N." 4-1, 438, 439 and 444 available from Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Michigan. Suitable epoxy curing agents include polyamides V-15, V-25 and V-40 from Shell Chemical Co .; "AJICURE" PN-23, PN-34 and VDH available from Ajinomoto Co., Tokyo, Japan; "CUREZOL" AMZ, 2MZ, 2E4MZ, C11Z, C17Z, 2PZ, 2IZ and 2P4MZ available from Shikoku Fine Chemicals, Tokyo, Japan; "ERISYS" DDA or DDA accelerated with U-405, 24EMI, U-41 0 and U-415 available from CVC Specialty Chemicals, Maple Shade, NJ; "AMICURE" PACM, 352, CG, CG-325 and CG-1200 available from Air Products, Allentown, PA. Suitable fillers include fumed silica such as "CAB-O-SIL" L-90, LM-130, LM-5, PTG, M-5, MS-7, MS-55, TS-720, HS-5, EH -5 available from Cabot Corporation, Tuscola, IL; "AEROSIL" R972, R974, R805, R812, R812 S, R202, US204 and US206 available from Degussa, Akron, OH. Suitable clay fillers include BUCKET, CATALPE, ASP NC, SATINTONE 5, SATINTONE SP-33, TRANSLINK 37, TRANSLINK 77, TRANSLINK 445, TRANSLINK 555 available from Engelhard Corporation, Edison, NJ. Suitable silica fillers are SILCRON G-130, G-300, G-100-T and G-100 available from SCM Chemicals, Baltimore, MD.

Suitable silane coupling agents to improve the hydrolytic stability of the seal are Z-6020, Z-6030, Z-6032, Z-6040, Z-6075 and Z-6076 available from Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, MI. Suitable precision glass microbead spacers or spacers are available in a range of sizes from Duke Scientific, Palo Alto, CA. In the assembly and fabrication of electrochromic devices, the polymer beads can be applied to the electrochromic mirror area over the viewing area of the second or third surface, that is to the inside of the perimeter seal to temporarily maintain the appropriate cell spacing during the process of manufacture. These beads are even more useful with devices having thin glass elements because they help to prevent distortion and double-image formation during the manufacture of the device and maintain a uniform thickness of the electrochromic medium until the gelation occurs. It is desirable that these beads comprise a material that will dissolve in the electrochromic medium and be benign to the electrochromic system so long as it is compatible with any electrochromic system contained within the chamber 116 (e.g., the constituents of the gelled layer 124). While it is known that the use of PMMA beads is not preferable because they have the following disadvantages: they require a heating cycle (generally at least 2 hours at 85 ° C) to dissolve, they do not dissolve before the preferred gels of the present invention crosslink, may cause light refractive imperfections in gelled and non-gelled electrochromic devices and may cause the electrochromic medium to color and clear more slowly near the area where the beads were before dissolving. According to another aspect of the present invention, polymer beads 117 that dissolve within an electrochromic device at ambient or near ambient temperatures without imparting refractive imperfections, are placed or sprayed onto the second or third surface within the display area of the mirror or window in such a way as to prevent distortion and maintain cell spacing during fabrication and dissolve very soon after this. The polymer beads 117 can be incorporated into an electrochromic mirror as follows: the perimeter sealant resin is loaded with glass beads of the appropriate size desired for the final cell space (typically about 135 microns in diameter for an internal phase electrochromic mirror. in solution) at a level of about 1/2% by weight. The dried polymeric beads 117 which are about 10% larger in size than the glass beads are charged to a "saline stirrer" type vessel with holes in one end. The rear glass element 114 is laid flat with the surface of the inner electrode (third surface) facing upwards. The plastic beads are sprayed onto the coating (120) disposed on the third surface 114a when using the salt stirrer at a concentration of about 5 to 10 beads per square centimeter. The perimetric sealing element 122 is applied around the edges of the surface of the transparent conductive electrode on the back surface of the front element 112 by dosing or screen printing as is typical for the manufacture of LCD, such that the stamp material covers all the perimeter except for a space of approximately 2 mm along one edge. This space in the seal will be used as a filling hole (not shown) to introduce the electrochromic medium after the mounting of the glass plates and curing of the seal. After application of the seal, the glass plates are assembled together by laying the first glass plate on top of the second glass plate and the assembly is pressed until the space between the glass plates is determined by the glass separators and plastic. Then the sealing element 122 is cured.

Then the electrochromic cell is placed with the filling hole down in an empty container or conduit in a vacuum and evacuated container. The electrochromic fluid means are introduced into the conduit or container in such a way that the filling orifice is submerged. Then the vacuum vessel is refilled which drives the fluid electrochromic material through the filling orifice and into the chamber 116. Then the filling orifice is covered with an adhesive, usually a curing adhesive by ultraviolet light and the material of the Stopper is cured or solidified. This vacuum filling and capping process is commonly used in the LCD industry. If the appropriate polymer bead material 117 is used, the beads will dissolve in the electrochromic medium without leaving traces at room temperature or by applying moderate heat as the electrochromic medium gels to permanently fix the cell space. In general, these polymeric beads comprise a material that will readily dissolve in organic solvents such as for example propylene carbonate at room temperature or at a temperature close to room temperature. The materials must be dissolved in the electrochromic medium either at the time it takes for the independent gel to crosslink (which is generally about 24 hours) but not so fast that it does not provide a separation function during processing ( example sealed and vacuum-filled) of the mirror element. Materials that meet the above requirements include the following copolymers available from ICI Acrylecs, Wilmington, DE: "ELVACITE" 2008, an MMA / methacrylic acid copolymer, "ELVACITE" 2010, an MMA / ethyl acrylate copolymer, "ELVACITE "2013 and a copolymer of MMA / n-butylacrylate, also as poly (propylene carbonate) with" ELVACITE "2013 which is currently preferred. In addition to these copolymers, it is believed that those materials such as various polyacrylates and polyesters may be suitable for the pearls that can be dissolved. Since the beads are used to maintain the cell spacing for a short time during manufacture, they should preferably have a diameter equal to or slightly greater than the cellular spacing of the device, which can be carried out by screening through successive sieves. to obtain the desired size. Sizes of the appropriate size can be purchased from ATM, Milwaukee, Wl. If glass beads of 135 microns will be charged to the sealing resin, the preferred plastic bead size will be approximately 10% larger or 145 microns. To sift plastic pearls to the size of 148 microns, it would require a standard sieve of 145 microns and a standard sieve of 150 microns. If a narrower range is desired, sieves on request could be ordered for an additional cost. The sieve of 150 microns is placed on top of the sieve of 145 microns and the upper sieve of 150 microns is loaded with plastic pearls without sifting. Then the sieves are vibrated in such a way that the pearls less than 150 microns fall through the holes in the sieve of 150 microns. Pearls smaller than 145 microns will fall through the bottom of the sieve of 145 microns and pearls between 145 and 150 microns in size will be captured between the sieves of 145 microns and the sieves of 150 microns. If the beads are to be accumulated or adhered together, effective separation can be obtained by discharging a liquid such as water through the stack of screens while the screens are vibrated. The beads screened wet in this manner should be thoroughly dried before use such as by baking at 80 ° C for 2 hours. The following illustrative examples are not intended to limit the scope of this invention but to illustrate its application and use: EXAMPLE 1 Several electrochromic mirrors containing an autonomous or independent gel were prepared as follows. A solution of 1.5114 grams of bis (tetrafluoroborate) of bis (1, 1'-3-phenylpropyl) -4,4'-dipyridinium in 37.02 grams of a 1:10 copolymer of ethyl methacrylate isocyanate / methyl methacrylate was mixed with a solution comprising 0.7396 grams of bisphenol A, 0.4606 grams of 5, 10-dimethyl-5, 10-dihydrofenacin, 0.5218 grams of Tinuvin P (Ciba Geigy, Tarrytown, NY) in 57.36 grams of propylene carbonate. This mixture was vacuum filled in several individual mirrors having two 1.1 mm glass elements that were sealed together with an epoxy seal, with a cell spacing of 180 microns, which contained polymeric separating beads comprising poly (propylene carbonate) available from Sigma-Aldrich, "ELVACITE" 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2041 respectively. The gel formation was carried out at ambient temperatures (20-25 degrees Celsius). The mirrors were approximately 10 cm (4") X 15 cm (6") and were subjected to a vibration test consisting of an applied shock load of 100 times G (the force of gravity) with an axis of rotation 100-point random, with temperatures cycling repeatedly from 100 degrees Celsius to 100 degrees Celsius at a 4-minute rise for a total of 25 cycles. All these mirrors showed excellent vibrational resistance. Additionally, all of the separating beads were dissolved within 24 hours of when the mirrors were filled with the gel mixture.

EXAMPLE 2 Several electrochromic mirrors were prepared according to example 1, except that the size of the mirror elements was approximately 12.7 cm (5") x 22.9 cm (9"). All the separating beads were dissolved within 24 hours from when the mirrors were filled with the gel mixture. These mirrors were subjected to a pressure point resistance test. These parts, which have a significant area, have inherent points in which they are more susceptible to rupture under an externally applied pressure. One of these points (approximately 1.27 cm (0.5") from the edge) was selected for the tests.These parts did not show breakage even at 61 kg (1235 lbs), which represents the maximum pressure obtainable in the test equipment used. (a Chattilon ET-110 force gauge with a round hard plastic handle 2.5 cm (one inch) in diameter). After the release of the 61 kg (1235 lb) of pressure, it was noted that, due to extreme pressure, the gel had been forced out of an area approximately 1.27 cm (0.5") in diameter immediately below the hand of The plastic test showed that the glass elements had come into close contact with each other, and in the course of moments after the removal of the external pressure, the gel "self-healed" and returned to its original position. The test point In comparison, the parts that do not contain autonomous gel and that have glass elements with thicknesses of approximately 1.1 mm and PMMA beads showed a glass break at an average of 76 Kg (167 pounds). The invention has been described in detail herein according to certain preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and changes thereto can be made by those skilled in the art without deviating from the spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and in no way by the details and instrumentations describing the embodiments shown herein. It is noted that, in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Claims (43)

1. Claims Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. An electrochromic mirror of variable reflectance for motorized vehicles characterized because it comprises: front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces and each one it has a thickness that ranges from about 0.5 mm to about 1.5 mm; a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element; a reflector arranged on one side of the rear element provided that, if the reflector is on the rear surface of the rear element, then the front surface of the rear element contains a layer of a transparent conductive material and a perimeter sealing element that joins together the front and rear spaced elements in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber therebetween, wherein the chamber contains an independent or autonomous gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix and wherein the chamber further contains at least one electrochromic material; wherein the polymeric matrix interacts cooperatively with the front and back elements and wherein the reflector is effective to reflect light through the camera and the front element when the light reaches the reflector after passing through the front element and the camera .
2. 2. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one electrochromic material is in solution with the solvent and as part of the solution, dispersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix.
3. 3. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that the front and rear spaced elements each have a fluctuating thickness of about 0.8 mm to about 1.2 mm.
4. 4. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that the front and rear spaced elements each have a thickness of approximately 1.0 mm.
5. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that the polymer matrix results from the crosslinking of polymer chains and wherein the polymer chains are formed by the polymerization of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of: methacrylate methyl; methyl acrylate; 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate; 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate; 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate; 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate; 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate; n-butyl methyl vinyl ether methacrylate; tetraethylene glycol vinyl ether; glycidyl methacrylate; 4-vinylphenol; acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate and acetoacetoxyethyl acrylate.
6. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 5, characterized in that the polymer chains are crosslinked by reaction with a compound having a functional group selected from the group consisting of aromatic and aliphatic hydroxyl; aromatic and aliphatic cyanate; aromatic and aliphatic isocyanate; aliphatic and aromatic isothiocyanate with a functionality of at least 2.
7. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 5, characterized in that the polymer chains result from the polymerization of at least two different monomers.
8. 8. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least two monomers are selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate; methyl acrylate; 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate; 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate; 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate; 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate; 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate; n-butyl methyl vinyl ether methacrylate; divinyl tetraethylene glycol ether; glycidyl methacrylate; 4-vinylphenol; acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate and acetoacetoxyethyl acrylate.
9. 9. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 8, characterized in that at least two monomers are selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate; 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate; 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and diglycidyl methacrylate.
10. 10. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least two monomers comprise 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate.
11. 11. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 10, characterized in that the ratio of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate to methyl methacrylate is about 1:10.
12. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 10, characterized in that the polymer chains formed from at least 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate are crosslinked by a compound having more than one functional group that will react with an active hydrogen.
13. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least two monomers comprise isocyanatoethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate.
14. 14. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 13, characterized in that the ratio of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate to methyl methacrylate ranges from about 1: 3 to about 1:50.
15. 15. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 14, characterized in that the ratio of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate to methyl methacrylate is about 1:20.
16. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 14, characterized in that the polymer chains formed from at least isocyanatoethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate are crosslinked by a compound having a functional group containing more than one active hydrogen.
17. 17. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 5, characterized in that the polymer matrix is formed from at least two different polymer chains, each of the at least two different polymer chains comprises a monomer selected from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate polymerized with at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of: 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate; 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate; 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate; 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate; 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate; glycidyl methacrylate; 4-vinylphenol; acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate; n-butyl methyl vinyl ether methacrylate and acetoacetoxyethyl acrylate, wherein the first and second polymer chains can be the same or different.
18. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 17, characterized in that the first of the at least two polymer chains comprises copolymer of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate and wherein the second of the at least two polymer chains comprise a copolymer of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate.
19. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 18, characterized in that the proportion of isocyanatoethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate ranges from about 1: 3 to about 1:50 and wherein the proportion of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate it fluctuates from about 1: 3 to about 1:50.
20. 20. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 2, characterized in that the front and rear spaced elements each have a thickness ranging from about 0.8 mm to about 1.2 mm.
21. 21. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises polymer beads arranged inside the chamber.
22. 22. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 21, characterized in that the beads comprise material that will dissolve within an electrochromic device at room temperature or at temperatures close to room temperature within about 24 hours.
23. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 22, characterized in that the beads comprise a copolymer selected from the group consisting of: methyl methacrylate (MMA) / methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate (MMA) / ethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate (MMA) / n-butyl acrylate and poly (propylene carbonate).
24. 24. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 22, characterized in that the beads do not impart any imperfection of refraction to the mirror.
25. 25. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element is a multilayer stack having a first layer with a high refractive index, a second layer with a low index of refraction and a third layer with a high refractive index.
26. 26. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 25, characterized in that the first layer comprises tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) having a thickness between about 200 Á and about 400 Á, the second layer comprises Si02 and has a thickness between about 200A and about 400A and the third layer comprises tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) and has a thickness of about 1500A.
27. 27. A matching indoor / outdoor mirror system characterized in that it comprises: a first electrochromic mirror according to claim 1, the first mirror is adapted to be installed on the outside of a motor vehicle, wherein the layer of conductive material transparent arranged on the rear surface of the front element is of neutral color; a second electrochromic mirror adapted to be installed inside a motor vehicle, comprising: front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces; a layer of transparent conductive material of neutral color disposed on the rear surface of the front element; a reflector disposed on one side of the rear element provided that, if the reflector is on the rear surface of the rear element, then the front surface of the rear element contains a layer of transparent conductive material; and a perimeter sealing element that joins the spaced front and rear elements together in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber therebetween, wherein the chamber contains at least one electrochromic material; wherein the reflective material is effective to reflect light through the camera and the front element when light arrives from the reflector after passing through the front element and the camera.
28. 28. The matching color mirror system according to claim 27, characterized in that the transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element of the second electrochromic mirror is applied at atmospheric pressure via chemical vapor deposition.
29. 29. The matching color mirror system according to claim 27, characterized in that the layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the first mirror is a multilayer stack having a first layer with a high refractive index., a second layer with a low refractive index and a third layer having a high refractive index.
30. 30. The matching color mirror system according to claim 29, characterized in that the first layer comprises ITO and has a thickness of between about 200 A and about 400 A, the second layer comprises SiO2 and has a thickness of between about 200 Á and approximately 400 Á and the third layer comprises indium oxide doped with ITO tin and has a thickness of approximately 1500 Á.
31. 31. The matching color mirror system according to claim 28, characterized in that the layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the second mirror is deposited on a glass-making flotation line.
32. 32. The matching color mirror system according to claim 28, characterized in that the layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the second mirror consists of tin oxide doped with fluorine.
33. 33. A matching interior / exterior mirror system characterized in that it comprises: a first electrochromic mirror adapted to be installed on the outside of a motor vehicle, comprising: front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces and each one is curved; a layer of transparent conductive material of neutral color disposed on the rear surface of the front element; a reflector disposed on one side of the rear element provided that, if the reflector is on the rear surface of the front element, then the front surface of the rear element contains a layer of a transparent conductive material; and a perimeter sea element that joins the spaced front and rear elements together in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber therebetween, wherein the chamber contains at least one electrochromic material; wherein the reflector is effective to reflect light through the camera and the front element when the light reaches the reflector after passing through the front element and the camera and a first electrochromic mirror adapted to be installed inside a vehicle motorized, comprising: front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces; a layer of transparent conductive material of neutral color disposed on the rear surface of the front element; a reflector disposed on one side of the rear element provided that, if the reflector is on the rear surface of the rear element, then the front surface of the rear element contains a layer of transparent conductive material and a perimeter sealing element that joins together the front and rear spaced elements in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber therebetween, wherein the chamber contains at least one electrochromic material; wherein the reflector is effective to reflect light through the camera and the front element when the light reaches the reflector after passing through the front element and the camera; wherein the first and second electrochromic mirrors are made to match or correspond in color.
34. 34. The matching color mirror system according to claim 33, characterized in that the layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the first mirror is a multilayer stack having a first layer with a high refractive index, a second layer with a low refractive index and a third layer with a high refractive index.
35. 35. The matching color mirror system according to claim 34, characterized in that the first layer comprises tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) and has a thickness of between about 200 Á and about 400 Á, the second layer comprising Si02 and has a thickness of between about 200A and about 400A and the third layer comprises tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) and has a thickness of about 1500A.
36. 36. The matching color mirror system according to claim 34, characterized in that the layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the second mirror is deposited on a glass-making flotation line.
37. 37. The matching color mirror system according to claim 36, characterized in that the layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the second mirror consists of tin oxide doped with fluorine.
38. 38. A variable reflectance electrochromic mirror for motor vehicles, characterized in that it comprises: front and rear curved spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, a reflector disposed on the front side, a reflector disposed on the front side of the rear element of the rear element and a perimeter sealing element joining together the front and rear spaced elements in a spaced apart relation to define a chamber therebetween, wherein the chamber contains an autonomous or independent gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix and wherein the chamber further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent and as part of the solution, interspersed or dispersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix and wherein matrix The polymer interacts cooperatively with the front and rear elements and wherein the reflector is effective to reflect light through the camera and the front element when the light reaches the reflector after passing through the front element and the camera.
39. 39. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 38, characterized in that the front and rear spaced elements are bent to a convex shape.
40. 40. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 38, characterized in that the front and rear spaced elements are bent into an aspherical shape.
41. 41. A variable reflectance electrochromic mirror for motor vehicles, characterized in that it comprises: front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces; a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element; a reflector disposed on one side of the front element provided that, if the reflector is on the rear surface of the rear element, then the front surface of the rear element contains a layer of transparent conductive material and a perimeter sealing element joining together the front and rear spaced elements in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber therebetween, wherein the chamber comprises at least one electrochromic material; wherein the variable reflectance mirror has a horizontal frequency of a first mode greater than about 45 Hertz.
42. 42. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 41, characterized in that the first mode of the horizontal frequency is greater than about 55 Hertz.
43. 43. The electrochromic mirror according to claim 41, characterized in that the first mode of the horizontal frequency is greater than about 60 Hertz.