Patent ID: 9340161
Filing Date: 2016-05-17
CPC Classification: B60R,G02B,G02F

Claim Text:
1. An extended field of view exterior mirror element suitable for use in a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly on a vehicle, said extended field of view exterior mirror element comprising: a reflective single glass element comprising a substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and a curved outboard reflective glass portion; said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion having a radius of curvature greater than at least approximately 12,000 millimeters; wherein said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides a first primary field of view rearward of a vehicle equipped with a driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly equipped with said extended field of view exterior mirror element; wherein said reflective single glass element comprises a rear substrate of a laminate-type electrochromic exterior mirror element and wherein said laminate-type electrochromic mirror element comprises a front glass substrate that is joined to and is spaced from said rear substrate by a perimeter seal; wherein said front substrate comprises a first surface and a second surface and wherein an electrochromic medium is disposed between said second surface of said front glass substrate and said rear substrate and wherein said electrochromic medium is bounded by said perimeter seal; wherein a reflective perimeter coating is disposed at the perimeter region of said second surface of said front glass substrate and wherein said reflective perimeter coating is configured and dimensioned to hide the presence of said perimeter seal from view by a viewer viewing through said front glass substrate when said electrochromic exterior mirror element is used on the equipped vehicle; wherein, when joined together and spaced apart by said perimeter seal, no part of said rear substrate protrudes beyond any part of said front glass substrate; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion provides to a driver of the equipped vehicle a rearward field of view that subtends an angle that is not greater than approximately 20 degrees with respect to the driver-side of the equipped vehicle; wherein said curved outboard reflective glass portion provides a second auxiliary field of view rearward of the equipped vehicle; wherein said second auxiliary rearward field of view encompasses a blind spot of said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion in a side lane adjacent the driver-side of the equipped vehicle at which said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached; wherein said curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to an outermost most curved region of said rear substrate; wherein the radius of curvature of said curved outboard reflective glass portion decreases as said curved outboard reflective glass portion curves from said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion to said outermost most curved region of said rear substrate; wherein said exterior mirror element comprises a demarcation that generally demarcates said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion from said curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein a reflective metallic layer commonly coats said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said curved outboard reflective glass portion; wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said curved outboard reflective glass portion is farther from the driver-side of the equipped vehicle than is said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion; and wherein said exterior mirror element is disposed at a mirror backing plate element and wherein said mirror backing plate element is adapted for attachment at an electrically-operable actuator and wherein, when said driver-side exterior sideview mirror assembly is attached at the driver-side of the equipped vehicle, said mirror backing plate element is movable by said electrically-operable actuator and wherein movement of said mirror backing plate element by said actuator simultaneously and similarly moves said substantially flat inboard reflective glass portion and said curved outboard reflective glass portion.