THIN-FILM COATINGS, ELECTRO-OPTIC ELEMENTS AND ASSEMBLIES INCORPORATING THESE ELEMENTS

• US 20150124308A1
• Filed: 10/10/2014
• Published: 05/07/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Neuman, George A., Kar, Kevin B., Anderson, John S., Tonar, William L., Cammenga, David J., Dozeman, Gary J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,529,214 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/274
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/084 using a removable filtering or hiding screen associated with windows or windscreens B60J3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0808 having a single reflecting layer G02B5/0883, G02B5/0891 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0018 Electro-optical materials
• 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: Y10T 428/24355 Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2495 Thickness [relative or absolute]

Abstract

An electro-optic element comprises a first substrate, including first and second surfaces. The first substrate contains at least a first layer of electrically conductive material that is deposited on the second surface and is substantially transparent. The element also comprises a second substrate including third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate containing a second layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the third surface. The first and second substrates are disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to define a gap between the second and third surfaces, the gap containing an electro-optic medium, and each substrate with a width and a height such that the ratio of width to height is less than or equal to 2. In addition, the element is configured such that a relative darkening timing factor substantially across the element is less than a factor of 3.

Claims

1. An electro-optic element, comprising:

a first substrate including first and second surfaces, the first substrate containing at least a first layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the second surface, wherein the first layer is substantially transparent; and

a second substrate including third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate containing a second layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the third surface,

wherein the first and second substrates are disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to define a gap between the second and third surfaces, the gap containing an electro-optic medium, and each substrate with a width and a height such that the ratio of width to height is less than or equal to 2, and

further wherein the element is configured such that a relative darkening timing factor substantially across the element is less than a factor of 3, the relative darkening timing factor given by a darkening time at a position within the element divided by a fastest darkening time within the element.

2. The electro-optic element of claim 1, wherein the darkening time at a position within the element is defined by the time elapsed between a change in reflectance from 55% to 15% at the position within the element.

3. The electro-optic element of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic medium comprises a solution phase medium or a hybrid solution phase and solid state medium.

4. The electro-optic element of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic medium comprises an electro-chromic material.

5. The electro-optic element of claim 1, wherein the element is configured for use in an electro-chromic mirror device.

6. The electro-optic element of claim 1, wherein the relative darkening timing factor at a plurality of positions in proximity to the center of the element and a first and second electrical contact in electrical communication with the respective first and second layers of electrically conductive material is less than a factor of 3.

7. The electro-optic element of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises an indium-tin-oxide (ITO) layer, the layer having a thickness of less than about a half-wave optical thickness.

8. The electro-optic element of claim 1, wherein the relative darkening timing factor is less than a factor of 1.5.

9. The electro-optic element of claim 1, wherein the first layer has a sheet resistance of less than 11.5 ohms per square and the second layer has a sheet resistance of less than about 3 ohms per square.

10. The electro-optic element of claim 1, wherein the element is configured to exhibit a change in reflectance from a maximum reflectance value to a minimum reflectance value in response to voltage applied between a first electrical contact in electrical communication with the first layer and a second electrical contact in electrical communication with the second layer.

11. The electro-optic element of claim 10, wherein the maximum reflectance value corresponds to zero voltage applied between the first and second electrical contacts and is at least 55%.

12. An electro-optic element, comprising:

a first substrate including a perimeter length and first and second surfaces, the first substrate containing at least a first layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the second surface, wherein the first layer is substantially transparent;

a second substrate including third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate containing a second layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the third surface, wherein the first and second substrates are disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to define a gap between the second and third surfaces, the gap containing an electro-optic medium; and

a first bus with a first bus length that is arranged in electrical communication with the first layer,

wherein a contact percentage between the first bus length and the perimeter length is greater than about 40%, and

further wherein the element is configured such that a relative darkening timing factor substantially across the element is less than a factor of 3, the relative darkening timing factor given by a darkening time at a position within the element divided by a fastest darkening time within the element.

13. The electro-optic element of claim 12, wherein the relative darkening timing factor at a plurality of positions in proximity to the center of the element, the first bus and a second electrical contact in electrical communication with the second layer of electrically conductive material is less than a factor of 3.

14. The electro-optic element of claim 12, wherein the contact percentage is greater than about 58%.

15. An electro-optic element, comprising:

a first substrate including first and second surfaces, the first substrate containing at least a first layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the second surface, wherein the first layer is substantially transparent;

a second substrate including third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate containing a second layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the third surface, wherein the first and second substrates are disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to define a gap between the second and third surfaces, the gap containing an electro-optic medium;

a first bus with a first bus length that is arranged in electrical communication with the first layer; and

a second bus with a second bus length that is arranged in electrical communication with the second layer, the second bus length less than about 2 cm in length,

wherein a bus ratio between the first bus length and the second bus length is greater than 5;

1, and

further wherein the element is configured such that a relative darkening timing factor substantially across the element is less than a factor of 3, the relative darkening timing factor given by a darkening time at a position within the element divided by a fastest darkening time within the element.

16. The electro-optic element of claim 15, wherein the relative darkening timing factor at a plurality of positions in proximity to the center of the element, the first bus and the second bus is less than a factor of 3.

17. The electro-optic element of claim 15, wherein the bus ratio is greater than 9:

1.

18. An electro-optic element, comprising:

a first substrate including first and second surfaces, the first substrate containing at least a first layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the second surface, wherein the first layer is substantially transparent;

a second substrate including third and fourth surfaces, the second substrate containing a second layer of electrically conductive material deposited on the third surface, wherein the first and second substrates are disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship to define a gap between the second and third surfaces, the gap containing an electro-optic medium; and

a distance between the geometrical center of the element and an edge of the element is no less than 5 cm,

wherein the element is configured such that a relative darkening timing factor substantially across the element is less than a factor of 3, the relative darkening timing factor given by a darkening time at a position within the element divided by a fastest darkening time within the element.

19. The electro-optic element of claim 18, wherein the relative darkening timing factor at a plurality of positions in proximity to the center of the element and a first and second electrical contact in electrical communication with the respective first and second layers of electrically conductive material is less than a factor of 3.

20. The electro-optic element of claim 18, wherein the distance between the geometrical center of the element and an edge of the element is no less than 10 cm.