Clip for use with transparent conductive electrodes in electrochromic devices

• US 6,064,509 A
• Filed: 08/22/1997
• Issued: 05/16/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Stray, Joel A., Bostwick, Dan J., Tonar, William L., Bauer, Fred T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US08/917,643
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 359/272, 359/273, 359/275, 359/818, 359/265, 359/267, 439/67, 439/493, 439/495, 439/857
• US Class Current: 359/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence

Abstract

An improved electrochromic device for rearview mirror for motor vehicles and windows, the device incorporating an improved conductive clip comprising an elongated unitary member having a resilient backwall section connecting a plurality of first resilient sections separated from one another by a plurality of recesses and a plurality of second resilient sections Laterally spaced from the plurality of first resilient sections and separated from one another by a plurality of recesses, where each of the plurality of first resilient sections have at least one dimple adapted to bear against a surface of an electrozhromic device that is coated with a transparent conductor, and where each of the plurality of second resilient sections are adapted to bear against another surface of said electrochromic device, where said unitary member is capable of bending in three directions and supplying a potential to the transparent conductor in a stable manner for long periods of time. The clip may optionally contain features included into either the backwall section or the first or second sections that allow the clips to snag the bezel of an electrochromic mirror to more effectively hold the bezel on the mirror element, or to snag the glass element of an electrochromic device to more effectively hold the clip on the glass.

Claims

1. An improved conductive clip for supplying potential to an electrochromic device, comprising an elongated unitary member having a resilient backwall section integrally connecting a plurality of first resilient sections separated from one another by a plurality of recesses and a plurality of second resilient sections laterally spaced from said plurality of first resilient sections and separated from one another by a plurality of recesses, where at least one of said first resilient sections has at least one dimple adapted to bear against a transparent conductor-coated surface of an electrochromic device, and where each of said plurality of second resilient sections is adapted to bear against another surface of said electrochromic device, where said unitary member is capable of supplying a potential to said transparent conductor.

2. The clip of claim 1, wherein said resilient backwall section and said first and second resilient sections have recesses that allow said elongated member to bend in three directions.

3. The clip of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is coated with a lubricant, an antioxidant, or both said lubricant and said antioxidant.

4. The clip of claim 1, wherein said elongated member further includes a bezel snag for engaging a bezel of said electrochromic device.

5. The clip of claim 1, wherein said second resilient section includes at least one dimple adapted to bear against said another surface of said electrochromic device.

6. The clip of claim 1, wherein said elongated member further includes a glass snag for engaging a transparent element whose surface is coated with said transparent conductor.

7. The clip of claim 1, wherein said first and second resilient sections have first subsections that extend in the same plane as said backwall section, and further where said first and second resilient sections have second subsections that curve such that said elongated unitary member generally forms a "C " shape.

8. The clip of claim 7, wherein each laterally-spaced pair of said second subsections have at an electrochromic device-accepting end bowed portions that each extend into outwardly flared portions.

9. The clip of claim 8, wherein said bowed portions are spaced apart at a distance slightly less than a thickness of a transparent element whose surface is coated with said transparent conductor.

10. The clip of claim 7, wherein at least one laterally-spaced pair of said second subsections have at said electrochromic device-accepting end generally straight portions that each extend into inwardly flared portions.

11. The clip of claim 10, wherein said inwardly flared portions are spaced apart at a distance slightly less than a thickness of a transparent element whose surface is coated with said transparent conductor, such that said inwardly flared portions slide onto said transparent element, but engage said transparent element if a removal force is applied to said clip.

12. The clip of claim 1, wherein said clip is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of:

beryllium-free copper alloys;

HSLA steels; and

Silicon steels.

13. The clip of claim 1, wherein said clip has a non-symmetrical shape.

14. An improved conductive clip for supplying potential to an electrochromic device, comprising an elongated unitary member having a resilient backwall section integrally connecting a plurality of first resilient sections separated from one another by a plurality of recesses and a plurality of second resilient sections laterally spaced from said plurality of first resilient sections and separated from one another by a plurality of recesses, where each of said plurality of first resilient sections is adapted to bear against a transparent conductor-coated surface of an electrochromic device, and where each of said plurality of second resilient sections is adapted to bear against another surface of said electrochromic device, where said unitary member further comprises a bezel snag for engaging a bezel of said electrochromic device.

15. The clip of claim 14, wherein said bezel protrudes away from said backwall section.

16. The clip of claim 15, wherein said elongated member further includes a glass snag for engaging a transparent element with said transparent conductor-coated surface.

17. The clip of claim 15, wherein said first resilient section includes at least one dimple adapted to bear against said transparent conductor-coated surface of said electrochromic device and where said unitary member is capable of supplying a potential to said transparent conductor.

18. The clip of claim 15, wherein said clip is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of:

beryllium-free copper alloys;

HSLA steels; and

silicon steels.

19. The clip of claim 15, wherein said clip has a non-symmetrical shape.

20. An improved conductive clip for supplying potential to an electrochromic device, comprising an elongated unitary, member having a resilient backwall section integrally connecting a plurality of first resilient sections separated from one another by a plurality of recesses and a plurality of second resilient sections laterally spaced from said plurality of first resilient sections and separated from one another by a plurality of recesses, where each of said plurality of first resilient sections is adapted to bear against a transparent conductor-coated surface of an electrochromic device, and where each of said plurality of second resilient sections is adapted to bear against another surface of said electrochromic device, where said unitary member further comprises a glass snag for engaging a transparent element with said transparent conductor-coated surface.

21. The clip of claim 20, wherein said glass snag is made up of at least one laterally-spaced pair of said first and second sections that have at an electrochromic-device accepting end generally straight portions that each extend into inwardly flared portions and where said inwardly flared portions are spaced apart a distance slightly less than a thickness of said transparent element.

22. The clip of claim 21, wherein said elongated member further includes a bezel snag for engaging a bezel of said electrochromic device.

23. The clip of claim 21, wherein said first resilient section includes at least one dimple adapted to bear against said transparent conductor-coated surface of said electrochromic device and where said unitary member is capable of supplying a potential to said transparent conductor.

24. The clip of claim 21, wherein said clip is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of:

beryllium-free copper alloys;

HSLA steels; and

silicon steels.

25. The clip of claim 21, wherein said clip has a non-symmetrical shape.

26. An improved conductive clip for supplying potential to an electrochromic device, comprising an elongated unitary member having a resilient backwall section integrally connecting a plurality of first resilient sections separated from one another by a plurality of recesses and a plurality of second resilient sections laterally spaced from said plurality of first resilient sections and separated from one another by a plurality of recesses, where each of said plurality of first resilient sections is adapted to bear against a transparent conductor-coated surface of an electrochromic device, and where each of said plurality of second resilient sections is adapted to bear against another surface of said electrochromic device, where said unitary member is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of:

beryllium-free copper alloys;

HSLA steels; and

silicon steels.

27. The clip of claim 26, wherein said first resilient section includes at least one dimple adapted to bear against said transparent conductor-coated surface of said electrochromic device and where said unitary member is capable of supplying a potential to said transparent conductor.

28. The clip of claim 27, wherein said elongated member is coated with a lubricant, an antioxidant, or both said lubricants said antioxidant.

29. The clip of claim 27, wherein said elongated member further includes a bezel snag for engaging a bezel of said electrochromic device.

30. The clip of claim 27, wherein said elongated member further includes a glass snag for engaging a transparent element with said transparent conductor-coated surface.

31. The clip of claim 27, wherein said clip has a non-symmetrical shape.