Electrochromic device

• US 6,185,034 B1
• Filed: 09/24/1999
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Murakami Corporation
• Original Assignee: Murakami Corporation
• Inventors: Nakamura, Masatoshi, Kikuchi, Hideyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US09/404,976
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/267, 359/269, 359/270, 359/273, 359/274, 359/275, 359/321, 359/614
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices

Abstract

An electrochromic layer consisting of an electrochromic material film and an electrolyte is provided between transparent electrode films of two glass substrates. An ultraviolet radiation stabilizing agent is not added to the electrolyte. A photocatalytic layer and a porous inorganic hydrophilic layer are formed on the front surface side of the front side glass substrate to make the surface of the device hydrophilic. The photocatalytic layer is excited by irradiation of ultraviolet radiation and decomposes dirt deposited on the surface of the porous inorganic hydrophilic layer, thereby maintaining the hydrophilic property. Since the photocatalytic layer absorbs ultraviolet radiation, occurrence of a photochromism in the electrochromic material film can be prevented.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device comprising:

transparent substrates;

an electrochromic layer provided between said transparent substrates, said electrochromic layer containing no ultraviolet radiation stabilizing agent or containing less than 1 weight % of ultraviolet radiation stabilizing agent; and

a transparent photocatalytic layer performing a photocatalytic reaction formed on the front surface of a front side substrate of said transparent substrates.

2. An electrochromic device as defined in claim 1 wherein said photocatalytic layer is made of a film comprising TiO₂.

5. An electrochromic device as defined in claim 1 wherein a reflecting film is formed on the rear surface side, as viewed from the front side substrate, of a rear side substrate of said transparent substrates whereby said electrochromic device constitutes a dimming mirror.

6. An electrochromic device as defined in claim 1 wherein an electrode on the side of a rear side substrate of said transparent substrates applying voltage to said electrochromic layer is made of a metal film which constitutes also a reflecting film whereby said electrochromic device constitutes a dimming mirror.

7. An electrochromic device as defined in claim 1 wherein a reflecting film is formed on the rear surface side, as viewed from the front side substrate, of a rear side substrate of said transparent substrates and a resistance heat generating element is provided on further rear surface side of the rear side substrate, said resistance heat generating element being supplied with electricity whereby said electrochromic device constitutes a dimming mirror.

8. An electrochromic device as defined in claim 1 wherein an electrode on the side of a rear side substrate of said transparent substrates applying voltage to said electrochromic layer is made of a metal film which constitutes also a reflecting film and a resistance heat generating element is provided on further rear surface side of the rear side substrate, said resistance heat generating element being supplied with electricity whereby said electrochromic device constitutes a dimming mirror.

9. An electrochromic device as defined in claim 5 which is adapted to be an exterior rearview mirror.

3. An electrochromic device comprising:

transparent substrates;

an electrochromic layer provided between said transparent substrates, said electrochromic layer containing no ultraviolet radiation stabilizing agent or containing less than 1 weight % of ultraviolet radiation stabilizing agent;

a transparent photocatalytic layer performing a photocatalytic reaction formed on the front surface of a front side substrate of said transparent substrates; and

a transparent porous inorganic hydrophilic layer formed on the front surface side of said transparent photocatalytic layer.

4. An electrochromic device as defined in claim 3 wherein said photocatalytic layer is made of a film comprising TiO₂ and said porous inorganic hydrophilic layer is made of a porous SiO₂ film.