Electrochromic layer system in particular for motorcar

• US 6,234,636 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2000
• Issued: 05/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Reflex Holding GmbH
• Original Assignee: Magna Reflex Holding GmbH
• Inventors: Macher, David, Zorn, Heinz
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US09/552,490
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 359/601, 359/602, 359/603, 359/604, 359/265, 359/267, 359/270, 359/271, 359/272, 359/273
• US Class Current: 359/601
• 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 1/1524 Transition metal compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1555 Counter electrode

Abstract

An electrochromic layer system, in particular for motorcar mirrors, comprising one first transparent, electrically conductive layer deposited on a glass carrier and serving as an electrode, one electrochromic layer, one second electrically conductive layer serving as a backplate electrode, and one reflecting layer. The electrochromic layer includes at least one oxidation-reduction layer as a metal oxide layer or a polymer layer having a conjugate double bond system, which is deposited upon the electrode. Hence, preferably a storage layer for ions is also provided.

Claims

1. An electrochromic layer system, in particular for motorcar mirrors, comprising a first transparent, electrically conductive layer serving as an electrode, which is deposited on a glass carrier, an electrochromic layer adjacent to and in direct contact with said first electrically conductive layer, a second electrically conductive layer adjacent to and in direct contact with said electrochromic layer, said second electrically conductive layer serving as both a backplate electrode and a reflecting layer, characterized by said electrochromic layer comprising an organic polymer layer having a conjugate double bond system.

2. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 1 further characterized by said organic polymer layer is dopened with a material promoting the separation of ions.

3. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 2 further characterized by said electrochromic layer comprising a storage layer for ions in addition to said organic polymer layer, said storage layer adjacent said second electrically conductive layer.

4. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 3 further characterized by said organic polymer is selected from the series of the organic materials polyparaphenylene (PPP), methyl substituted conductor-type polyparaphenylene (mLPPP), polythiophene (PT), parahexaphenyl (PHP) and polyidenefluorene (PIF).

5. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 4 further characterized by said organic polymer layer comprises a combination of two or more organic materials.

6. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 5 further characterized by two or more organic polymer layer of different organic materials are provided.

7. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 6 further characterized by said storage layer is a microporous layer of polymer.

8. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 7 further characterized by said backplate electrode (6) is simultaneously formed as a reflecting layer.

9. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 8 further characterized by said backplate electrode is sputtered upon a glass carrier.

10. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 9 further characterized by a protective layer adjacent said second electrically conductive layer for protecting said electrochromic layer system.

11. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 5 further characterized by two or more organic polymer layers of different combination of organic materials are provided.

12. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 6 further characterized by said storage layer is a nanoporous layer of polymer.

13. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 6 further characterized by said storage layer of a micropolymer layer of polymer comprises polypropylene.

14. An electrochromic layer system according to claim 12 further characterized by said storage layer of a nanoporous layer of polymer comprises PMMA.

15. An electrochromic layer system, in particular for motorcar mirrors, comprising:

a first transparent, electrically conductive layer serving as an electrode, which is deposited on a glass carrier;

a second electrically conductive layer serving as both a backplate electrode and a reflecting layer;

an electrochromic layer sandwiched between and in direct contact with each of said first electrically conductive layer and said second electrically conductive layer, said electrochromic layer comprising an organic polymer layer having a conjugate double bond system and a storage layer for ions; and

a protective layer adjacent said second electrically conductive layer for protecting said electrochromic layer system.