Patent ID: 6195194
Filing Date: 2001-02-27
Classification: B60R,G02F

Abstract:
A rearview mirror assembly for vehicles comprising:an electrochromic (EC) mirror subassembly including a rear element of less than about 1.6 mm and with front and rear surfaces, a reflector associated with one of the front and rear surfaces, and an EC material for controlled dimming of reflections from the reflector;a carrier having a support surface shaped to closely match the desired shape and surface uniformity of the rear element;a retainer holding the EC mirror subassembly on the support surface with a distributed retention force that is sufficient to securely hold the rear element to the support surface, but that avoids undesired bending and stressing of the rear element; andwherein the EC mirror subassembly includes a front element that is less than about 1.6 mm thick, and wherein the front and rear elements each have a long dimension and a thickness satisfying the equation L/T.sup.2 >75/mm. where L=a long dimension across the rear element, and where T=a thickness of a thickest one of the front and rear elements.