Electrochromic inks

• US 6,294,111 B1
• Filed: 08/20/1998
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steinbeis PPL GmbH
• Original Assignee: Steinbeis PPL GmbH
• Inventors: Anthony, Robert, Snyder, Richard, Shacklett, James H. III, Henry, Philip M.
• Primary Examiner(s): KOPEC, MARK T
• Application Number:
  US09/136,951
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 252/518.1, 252/520.4, 252/520.5, 205/78, 205/109, 205/158
• US Class Current: 252/518.1
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1506 caused by electrodeposition, e.g. electrolytic deposition of an inorganic material on or close to an electrode
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1508 using a solid electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1525 characterised by a particular ion transporting layer, e.g. electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for manufacturing electrochromic cells. Layers of various inks are printed on substrates by high speed printing means. The electrochromic cells comprise layers of electrode, electrolyte, and counter electrode ink materials which are printed on at least one substrate. When an electrical voltage differential is introduced between the electrode and counter electrode layers, an electrochemical reaction occurs in the electrochemical cell.

Claims

1. A printable electrolytic ink for an electrochromic cell, said electrolytic ink comprising:

a plating agent;

a humectant;

a solvent; and

a binding agent,

wherein

said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, nitrocellulose, polysaccharide, hydroxyethyl cellulose, vinyl and a copolymer of vinyl chloride,

said plating agent is selected from the group consisting of WO₃, MoO₃, V₂O₅, and BiCl₃, and

said plating agent comprises from about 0.2 to about 1.0 weight percent of said ink.

2. The electrolytic ink of claim 1, wherein said plating agent is BiCl₃.

3. The electrolytic ink of claim 1, wherein said humectant is lithium bromide.

4. The electrolytic ink of claim 1, wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol and an aqueous alcohol solution.

5. The electrolytic ink of claim 4, wherein said solvent is a water and isopropyl alcohol solution.

6. The electrolytic ink of claim 4, wherein said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide, nitrocellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, acrylic, vinyl and a copolymer of vinyl chloride.

7. The electrolytic ink of claim 6, wherein said binding agent is polysaccharide.

8. A printable electrolytic ink for an electrochromic cell, said electrolytic ink comprising:

a plating agent;

a humectant;

a solvent; and

a binding agent,

wherein

said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, nitrocellulose, polysaccharide, hydroxyethyl cellulose, vinyl and a copolymer of vinyl chloride, and

said humectant is lithium bromide comprising from about 4 to about 10 percent of said electrolytic ink.

9. The electrolytic ink of claim 8, wherein said plating agent is selected from the group consisting of WO₃, MoO₃, V₂O₅, and BiCl₃.

10. The electrolytic ink of claim 8, wherein said solvent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, an acetate, an alcohol and acetate blend, a ketone, and toluene.

11. The electrolytic ink of claim 10, wherein

said alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, isopropyl, normal propyl and methyl alcohol,

said acetate is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, isopropyl, normal propyl, and methyl acetate, and

said alcohol and acetate blend is an ethyl alcohol and normal propyl acetate blend.

12. The electrolytic ink of claim 10, wherein said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, nitrocellulose and a copolymer of vinyl chloride.

13. The electrolytic ink of claim 12, wherein said binding agent is polyvinyl butyral.

14. A printable electrolytic ink for an electrochromic cell, said electrolytic ink comprising:

a plating agent;

a humectant;

a solvent; and

a binding agent,

wherein

said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, nitrocellulose, polysaccharide, hydroxyethyl cellulose, vinyl and a copolymer of vinyl chloride,

said solvent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, an acetate, an alcohol and acetate blend, a ketone, and toluene,

said alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, isopropyl, normal propyl an methyl alcohol,

said acetate is selected from the group consisting of ethyl, isopropyl, normal propyl, and methyl acetate,

said alcohol and acetate blend is an ethyl alcohol and normal propyl acetate blend, and

said solvent is an ethyl alcohol and normal propyl acetate blend.

15. A printable electrolytic ink for an electrochromic cell, said electrolytic ink comprising:

a plating agent;

a humectant;

a solvent; and

a binding agent,

wherein

said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, nitrocellulose, polysaccharide, hydroxyethyl cellulose, vinyl and a copolymer of vinyl chloride,

said solvent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, an acetate, an alcohol and acetate blend, a ketone, and toluene, and

said solvent comprises for about 10 to a about 60 weight percent of said electrolytic ink.

16. A printable electrolytic ink for an electrochromic cell, said electrolytic ink comprising:

a plating agent;

a humectant;

a solvent; and

a binding agent,

wherein

said solvent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, an acetate, an alcohol and acetate blend, a ketone, and toluene,

said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, nitrocellulose and a copolymer of vinyl chloride, and

said binding agent comprises from about 2 to about 30 weight percent of said electrolytic ink.

17. A printable electrolytic ink for an electrochromic cell, said electrolytic ink comprising:

a plating agent;

a humectant;

a solvent; and

a binding agent,

wherein

said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, nitrocellulose, polysaccharide, hydroxyethyl cellulose, vinyl and a copolymer of vinyl chloride,

said solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol and an aqueous alcohol solution, and

said solvent comprises from about 15 to about 50 weight percent of said electrolytic ink.

18. A printable electrolytic ink for an electrochromic cell, said electrolytic ink comprising:

a plating agent;

a humectant;

a solvent; and

a binding agent,

wherein

said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, nitrocellulose, polysaccharide, hydroxyethyl cellulose, vinyl and a copolymer of vinyl chloride,

said solvent is selected from the group consisting of water, alcohol and an aqueous alcohol solution,

said binding agent is selected from the group consisting of polysaccharide, nitrocellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, acrylic, vinyl and a copolymer of vinyl chloride, and

said binding agent comprises from about 2 to about 30 weight percent of said electrolytic ink.

19. The electrolytic ink of claim 18, further comprising a scrubbing agent.

20. The electrolytic ink of claim 19, wherein said scrubbing agent is copper (II) chloride.

21. The electrolytic ink of claim 18, further comprising means for resisting compression of said electrolytic ink when said electrolytic ink is deployed as a component of an electrochormic cell.

22. The electrolytic ink of claim 18, further comprising means for resisting compression of said electrolytic ink when said electrolytic ink is deployed as a component of an electrochromic cell.

23. The electrolytic ink of claim 22, wherein said means for resisting compression comprise a plurality of spheres.

24. The electrolytic ink of claim 23, wherein said spheres are formed from substantially rigid material.

25. The electrolytic ink of claim 23, wherein the diameter of said spheres is less than about 50 μ

m.