Multi-pane electrochromic windows

• US 10,088,731 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2015
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Friedman, Robin, Kailasam, Sridhar K., Mulpuri, Rao, Powell, Ronald A., Shrivastava, Dhairya
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, James
• Application Number:
  US14/796,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20150316827A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 359296, 359273
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/34 with at least two coatings having different compositions C03C17/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/36 at least one coating being a metal
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3657 the multilayer coating having optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3681 the multilayer coating being used in glazing, e.g. windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2643 Screens between double windows
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/28 Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1347 Arrangement of liquid crystal layers or cells in which the final condition of one light beam is achieved by the addition of the effects of two or more layers or cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1523 comprising inorganic material
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1555 Counter electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/86 the heating conductors being embedded in the transparent or reflecting material H05B3/845 takes precedence

Abstract

Window units, for example insulating glass units (IGU'"'"'s), that have at least two panes, each pane having an electrochromic device thereon, are described. Two optical state devices on each pane of a dual-pane window unit provide window units having four optical states. Window units described allow the end user a greater choice of how much light is transmitted through the electrochromic window. Also, by using two or more window panes, each with its own electrochromic device, registered in a window unit, visual defects in any of the individual devices are negated by virtue of the extremely small likelihood that any of the visual defects will align perfectly and thus be observable to the user.

Claims

1. A window unit comprising:

a. a first substantially transparent substrate with an electrochromic device disposed thereon, the electrochromic device comprising a first conductive layer, an electrochromic layer, an ion conducting layer, a counter electrode layer, and a second conductive layer; and

b. a second substantially transparent substrate with a heatable transparent conductive oxide layer disposed thereon, and wherein the heatable transparent conductive oxide layer is configured to be heated by application of electricity;

wherein the electrochromic device is solid state and inorganic.

2. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the window unit is in the form of an insulating glass unit (IGU) comprising a sealing separator between the first and second substantially transparent substrates forming a thermally insulating interior region therebetween, and wherein the thermally insulating interior region contains a gas.

3. The window unit of claim 2, wherein the electrochromic device and the heatable transparent conductive oxide layer face the thermally insulating interior region of the insulated glass unit.

4. The window unit of claim 1, wherein a transparent conductive oxide of the electrochromic device can also be heated, independently of operation of the electrochromic device tinting function.

5. The window unit of claim 2, wherein the thermally insulating interior region contains an inert gas.

6. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the electrochromic device comprises a tungsten oxide or a doped tungsten oxide electrochromic layer and a nickel tungsten oxide counter electrode layer, optionally doped with tantalum.

7. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the second substantially transparent substrate further comprises a UV absorbing and/or reflecting coating and/or an IR absorbing and/or reflecting coating and/or a low-E coating.

16. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the heatable transparent conductive oxide layer is configured to be heated in order to aid transitioning of the electrochromic device.

17. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the heatable transparent conductive oxide layer is separate from the electrochromic device.

8. A window unit comprising:

a. a first substantially transparent substrate with a first electrochromic device disposed thereon; and

b. a second substantially transparent substrate with a second electrochromic device disposed thereon;

wherein each of the first and second electrochromic devices comprises a tungsten oxide or doped tungsten oxide electrochromic layer and a nickel tungsten oxide counter electrode layer, optionally doped with tantalum,

wherein the window unit is in the form of an insulating glass unit comprising a sealing separator between the first and second substantially transparent substrates forming a thermally insulating interior region therebetween,

wherein the thermally insulating interior region contains a gas; and

wherein the ratio of the tungsten oxide or doped tungsten oxide electrochromic layer to the nickel tungsten oxide counter electrode layer, optionally doped with tantalum, is between about 1.7;

1 and about 2.3;

1.

9. The window unit of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second electrochromic devices has intermediate state capability.

10. The window unit of claim 8, wherein the first and second electrochromic devices face the thermally insulating interior region of the insulated glass unit.

11. The window unit of claim 8, further comprising a third substantially transparent substrate to form of a three-pane insulating glass unit.

12. The window unit of claim 11, wherein the third substantially transparent substrate comprises a heatable transparent conductive oxide thereon.

13. The window unit of claim 8, wherein the first electrochromic device faces the thermally insulating interior region of the insulated glass unit.

14. The window unit of claim 8, wherein each of the first and second electrochromic devices does not tint to less than 10% transmissivity.

15. A window unit comprising:

a. a first substantially transparent substrate with a first electrochromic device disposed thereon; and

b. a second substantially transparent substrate with a second electrochromic device disposed thereon;

wherein each of the first and second electrochromic devices comprises a tungsten oxide or doped tungsten oxide electrochromic layer and a nickel tungsten oxide counter electrode layer, optionally doped with tantalum,

wherein each of the first and second electrochromic devices are two-state devices and the window unit has at least four optical states, wherein the at least four optical states are;

overall transmittance of between about 60% and about 90%;

overall transmittance of between about 15% and about 30%;

overall transmittance of between about 5% and about 10%; and

overall transmittance of between about 0.1% and about 5%.

18. A window unit comprising:

a. a first substantially transparent substrate with a first electrochromic device disposed thereon;

b. a second substantially transparent substrate with a second electrochromic device disposed thereon; and

c. a third substantially transparent substrate,

wherein the second electrochromic device faces the third substantially transparent substrate and the third substantially transparent substrate comprises a heatable transparent conductive oxide thereon, wherein the heatable transparent conductive oxide faces the second electrochromic device;

wherein each of the first and second electrochromic devices comprises a tungsten oxide or doped tungsten oxide electrochromic layer and a nickel tungsten oxide counter electrode layer, optionally doped with tantalum,

wherein the window unit is in the form of a three-pane insulating glass unit comprising a sealing separator between the first and second substantially transparent substrates forming a thermally insulating interior region therebetween, and

wherein the thermally insulating interior region contains a gas.