Patent ID: 7916380
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
1. An automotive rearview assembly having a front, the assembly comprising a switchable mirror system configured to have a non-transitory changeable reflectance, the switchable mirror system including a plurality of substrates disposed sequentially in parallel and spaced-apart relationship so as to form a plurality of chambers, each chamber defined by opposing surfaces of two sequentially disposed substrates and a seal disposed therebetween, each of the opposing surfaces having an electrically conductive layer deposited thereon, each chamber containing a corresponding electro-optical medium that is in electrical communication with adjacent electrically conductive layers, wherein at least one chamber is configured to define a voltage-switchable reflective polarizer, and wherein the changeable reflectance includes at least three levels of reflectance respectively corresponding to at least three reflectance modes of operation of the switchable mirror system.