Jeffrey A Forgette

US Patent:

6356376, Mar 12, 2002

Filed:

May 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/311955

Inventors:

William L. Tonar - Holland MI
Jeffrey A. Forgette - Jenison MI
John S. Anderson - Holland MI
Jon H. Bechtel - Holland MI
John W. Carter - Holland MI
Joseph S. Stam - Holland MI

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1153

US Classification:

359267, 359265, 359275, 362494

Abstract:

An electrochromic mirror is disclosed for use in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, at least one solution-phase electrochromic material contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlying the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a coating of electrically conductive material that is at least partially transmissive and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source that is at least partially transmissive. The electrically conductive coating may include a single transparent layer or a plurality of partially reflective and transmissive layers, or an electrically conductive dichroic coating.

US Patent:

6512624, Jan 28, 2003

Filed:

Nov 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/994218

Inventors:

William L. Tonar - Holland MI
Jeffrey A. Forgette - Jenison MI
John S. Anderson - Holland MI
Jon H. Bechtel - Holland MI
John W. Carter - Holland MI
Joseph S. Stam - Holland MI

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F 115

US Classification:

359265, 359267, 359273

Abstract:

The inventive electrochromic mirror may be used in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, an electrochromic material is contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlies the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a partially transmissive coating of and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source that is at least partially transmissive.

US Patent:

6665107, Dec 16, 2003

Filed:

Sep 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/260705

Inventors:

Jeffrey A. Forgette - Hudsonville MI
Harlan J. Byker - Holland MI
William L. Tonar - Holland MI
Frederick T. Bauer - Holland MI
David J. Cammenga - Zeeland MI

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1153

US Classification:

359267, 359265, 359275

Abstract:

An electrochromic variable reflectance mirror for a vehicle includes a front element having a rear surface with a first layer of electrically conductive material disposed thereon, and a rear element having a front surface with a second layer of electrically conductive material disposed thereon. An electrical conductor may be provided to electrically couple a portion of the first conductive layer with a portion of the second conductive layer. At least one of the first and second conductive layers may be separated into a first portion and a second portion that is electrically isolated from the first portion and is in electrical contact with an electrochromic material disposed between the elements. A seal is provided to sealably bond the elements together in a spaced-apart relationship. The seal may have at least one electrically conductive region.

US Patent:

6700692, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Apr 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/115860

Inventors:

William L. Tonar - Holland MI
Jeffrey A. Forgette - Jenison MI
John S. Anderson - Holland MI
David J. Cammenga - Zeeland MI
Robert R. Turnbull - Holland MI
Philip B. Hall - Hudsonville MI
Mark D. Bugno - Stevensville MI
Alan R. Watson - Buchanan MI

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F 115

US Classification:

359265, 250214, 340468

Abstract:

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough; and a control circuit coupled to the sensors and the display. The control circuit determines whether daytime or nighttime conditions are present as a function of the ambient light level sensed by the ambient sensor. During daytime conditions, the control circuit responds to light levels sensed by the glare sensor to control a contrast ratio of light originating from the display and light reflecting from the partially transmissive, partially reflective area of the reflector.

US Patent:

6870656, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

Jan 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/352778

Inventors:

William L. Tonar - Holland MI, US
Jeffrey A. Forgette - Hudsonville MI, US
John S. Anderson - Holland MI, US
Jon H. Bechtel - Holland MI, US
John W. Carter - Holland MI, US
Joseph S. Stam - Holland MI, US
David J. Cammenga - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F001/15

US Classification:

359265, 359267, 362494

Abstract:

The inventive electrochromic mirror may be used in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, an electrochromic material is contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlies the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a partially transmissive coating of and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source that is at least partially transmissive.

US Patent:

7009751, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Jul 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/893594

Inventors:

William L. Tonar - Holland MI, US
Jeffrey A. Forgette - Hudsonville MI, US
John S. Anderson - Holland MI, US
Jon H. Bechtel - Holland MI, US
John W. Carter - Holland MI, US
Joseph S. Stam - Holland MI, US
David J. Cammenga - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1/153
B60Q 1/12
B60L 1/00

US Classification:

359265, 359267, 359271, 359273, 362494, 307 101

Abstract:

The inventive electrochromic mirror may be used in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, an electrochromic material is contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlies the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a partially transmissive coating of and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source that is at least partially transmissive.

US Patent:

7042616, May 9, 2006

Filed:

Feb 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/777846

Inventors:

William L. Tonar - Holland MI, US
Jeffrey A. Forgette - Jenison MI, US
John S. Anderson - Holland MI, US
David J. Cammenga - Zeeland MI, US
Robert R. Turnbull - Holland MI, US
Philip B. Hall - Hudsonville MI, US
Mark D. Bugno - Stevensville MI, US
Alan R. Watson - Buchanan MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

F02F 1/15

US Classification:

359265, 359267, 359589, 359839, 359843

Abstract:

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough; and a control circuit coupled to the sensors and the display. The control circuit determines whether daytime or nighttime conditions are present as a function of the ambient light level sensed by the ambient sensor. During daytime conditions, the control circuit responds to light levels sensed by the glare sensor to control a contrast ratio of light originating from the display and light reflecting from the partially transmissive, partially reflective area of the reflector.

US Patent:

7209277, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Feb 6, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/348363

Inventors:

William L. Tonar - Holland MI, US
Jeffrey A. Forgette - Hudsonville MI, US
John S. Anderson - Holland MI, US
Jon H. Bechtel - Holland MI, US
John W. Carter - Holland MI, US
Joseph S. Stam - Holland MI, US
David J. Cammenga - Zeeland MI, US

Assignee:

Gentex Corporation - Zeeland MI

International Classification:

G02F 1/15

US Classification:

359265, 359267

Abstract:

The inventive electrochromic mirror may be used in a vehicle rearview mirror assembly having a light source positioned behind the electrochromic mirror for selectively projecting light through the mirror. The electrochromic mirror includes front and rear spaced elements each having front and rear surfaces and being sealably bonded together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, a layer of transparent conductive material disposed on the rear surface of the front element, an electrochromic material is contained within the chamber, and a second electrode overlies the front surface of the rear element in contact with the electrochromic material. The second electrode includes a layer of reflective material and a partially transmissive coating of and is disposed over substantially all of the front surface of the rear element. The second electrode further includes a region in front of the light source that is at least partially transmissive.