Electrochrome cell

• US 6,366,391 B1
• Filed: 07/14/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayer AG
• Original Assignee: Bayer AG
• Inventors: Hurtz, Jörg
• Primary Examiner(s): MACK, RICKY LEVERN
• Application Number:
  US09/600,357
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/267, 359/268, 359/269, 359/273, 359/275
• US Class Current: 359/267
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells

Abstract

An electrochromic cell typically comprises two parred, transparent plates (1, 2) with a spacing between them, which are each provided on the side facing the other with an electrically conductive electrode layer (3, 4) which extends over the entire area of the plate and is in each case connected to an external electric connection, which are joined to one another so as to form a seal by means of a bead of adhesive (6) running round the edge region of the plates (1, 2) and in each case leaving a narrow margin (7a, 7b) free, and between which an electrochromic medium (5) is located.

According to the invention, a laminate (8) of metal/solid nonconductor/metal layers is located around the periphery in the space between the two margins (7a, 7b).

This laminate ensures firstly a predetermined spacing of the two plates forming the cell walls and, secondly, serves for making a contact with the planar electrodes (3, 4).

Claims

1. Electrochromic cell comprising two paired, transparent plates (1,2) with a spacing between them

which are each provided on the side facing the other with an electrically conductive electrode layer (3,4) which extends over the entire area of the plate and is in each case connected to an external electric connection,

which are joined to one another so as to form a seal by means of a bead of adhesive (6) running round the edge region of the plates (1,2) and in each case leaving a narrow margin (7a,7b) free, and

between which an electrochromic medium (5) is located,

characterized in that a laminate (8) of metal/solid nonconductor/metal layers is located around the periphery in the space between the two margins (7a,7b).

2. Cell according to claim 1, characterized in that a predetermined part of the laminate (8) projects as a contact strip (11) beyond the edge of the plates (1, 2) of the cell.

3. Cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the solid nonconductor is formed by a plastic.

4. Cell according to claim 1, containing a liquid electrochromic medium (5), characterized in that the laminate (8) and the bead of adhesive (6) have a closable opening (9a, 9b) at at least one point for filling the cell with the electrochromic medium (5).

5. Cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal layers (8b, 8c) are formed by a metal foil.

6. Cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the plates (1, 2) are made of float glass.