Solid state electrochromic device, and mirror system and CRT display using same

• US 6,710,907 B2
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Murakami Corporation
• Original Assignee: Murakami Corporation
• Inventors: Terada, Yoshiyuki, Mochizuka, Takuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOI, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US10/089,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20020149829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/267, 359/269, 359/270, 359/27, 359/1, 359/273, 359/274, 348/817
• US Class Current: 359/271
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/65 Holding-devices for protective discs or for picture masks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/72 Modifying the appearance of television pictures by optical filters or diffusing screens

Abstract

There is provided a solid-state electrochromic device including a lower transparent conductive layer (12) formed into filmy shape on a glass substrate, partially provided with a groove (12b), and insulated with the groove (12b), an electrochromic layer (13) layered on the lower transparent conductive layer (12), and an upper transparent conductive layer (14) in direct contact with an insulated portion (12a) of the lower transparent conductive layer. Metal foil terminals (17) made of a metal foil (17a) to which an electrically conductive adhesive material (17b) is applied are bonded to an end of a body portion (12c) of the lower transparent conductive layer and an end of the insulated portion (12a) of the insulated lower transparent conductive layer.

Claims

1. A solid-state electrochromic device comprising:

a lower transparent conductive layer formed into filmy shape on a glass substrate, partially provided with a groove, and separated into two portions by the groove;

an electrochromic layer layered on the lower transparent conductive layer;

an upper transparent conductive layer formed into filmy shape over a portion insulated with the groove of the lower transparent conductive layer, and a top of the electrochromic layer; and

a sealant and opposed glass plate laminated on the upper transparent conductive layer,

wherein metal foil terminals made of a metal foil to which an electrically conductive adhesive material is applied are bonded to an end of the lower transparent conductive layer and an end of the insulated portion of the lower transparent conductive layer in order to apply a driving voltage to the electrochromic layer, the metal foil terminals extending between the opposed glass plate and the end of the lower transparent conductive layer and the end of the insulated portion of the lower transparent conductive layer.

2. A solid-state electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the metal foil terminals are made of any one of copper and aluminum foils.

3. A solid-state electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the metal foil terminals have undergone anti-corrosive treatment.

4. A mirror system using a solid-state electrochromic device, the electrochromic device comprising:

a metal reflective coating formed into filmy shape on a glass substrate;

a lower transparent conductive layer formed into filmy shape on the metal reflective coating, partially provided with a groove, and separated into two portions by the groove;

an electrochromic layer layered on the lower transparent conductive layer;

an upper transparent conductive layer formed into filmy shape over a portion insulated with the groove of the lower transparent conductive layer, and a top of the electrochromic layer; and

a sealant and opposed glass plate laminated on the upper transparent conductive layer,

wherein metal foil terminals made of a metal foil to which an electrically conductive adhesive material is applied are bonded to an end of the lower transparent conductive layer and an end of the insulated portion of the lower transparent conductive layer in order to apply a driving voltage to the electrochromic layer.

5. A CRT display including:

a glass panel; and

a filter layer formed on a front face of the glass panel, the filter layer being comprised of a solid-state electrochromic device,

wherein the solid-state electrochromic device uses the glass panel for an opposed glass plate, and includes a lower transparent conductive layer and metal foil terminals to which an electrically conductive adhesive material is applied, and the metal foil terminals are located at an end portion of the lower transparent conductive layer.

6. A CRT display according to claim 5, wherein the filter layer comprised of the electrochromic device includes:

a lower transparent conductive layer formed into filmy shape on a glass substrate, partially provided with a groove, and separated into two portions by the groove;

an electrochromic layer layered on the lower transparent conductive layer;

an upper transparent conductive layer formed into filmy shape over a portion insulated with the groove of the lower transparent conductive layer, and a top of the electrochromic layer; and

a sealant and opposed glass plate laminated on the upper transparent conductive layer,

wherein metal foil terminals made of a metal foil to which an electrically conductive adhesive material is applied are bonded to an end of the lower transparent conductive layer and an end of the insulated portion of the lower transparent conductive layer in order to apply a driving voltage to the electrochromic layer.