Electrochromic device having a seal including an epoxy resin cured with a cycloaliphatic amine

• US 6,714,334 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2003
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Tonar, William L.
• Primary Examiner(s): LESTER, EVELYN A
• Application Number:
  US10/351,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20030133177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265-275, 252/583, 252/586, 522/71, 522/57
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2665 on rear-view mirrors lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for rear-view mirrors B60Q3/258
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/1207 with lamps; with turn indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• 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 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1502 complementary cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/34 reflector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/02 reflective
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/87 Arrangements for heating or cooling

Abstract

An electrochromic variable reflectance mirror for a vehicle includes a front element and a rear element. A seal is provided to sealably bond the elements together in a spaced-apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electrochromic material is disposed in the chamber. The seal comprises an epoxy resin cured with a cycloaliphatic amine. The cycloaliphatic amine may be a bis(cycloaliphatic) amine, or more specifically, bis(aminocyclohexyl) methane (PACM). The epoxy resin may be an epoxy novolac resin such as an epoxy phenolic novolac (e.g., DEN431) or an epoxy cresyl novolac resin, a bisphenol A epoxy resin, a bisphenol F epoxy resin, a tetraglycidyl methylenebisbenzenamine, or a glycidyl benzenamine.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device comprising:

a front element;

a rear element;

a seal provided to form a sealed chamber, the sealed chamber being between said elements; and

an electrochromic material disposed in said chamber,

wherein said seal comprises an epoxy resin at least partially cured with bis(aminocyclohexyl) methane.

2. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said epoxy resin is a bisphenol A epoxy resin.

3. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said epoxy resin is a bisphenol F epoxy resin.

4. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said epoxy resin is an epoxy novolac resin.

5. The electrochromic device of claim 4, wherein said epoxy novolac resin is an epoxy phenolic novolac resin.

6. The electrochromic device of claim 4, wherein said epoxy novolac resin is an epoxy cresyl novolac resin.

7. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said epoxy resin is a glycidyl benzenamine.

8. The electrochromic device of claim 7, wherein said glycidyl benzenamine is tetraglycidyl methylenebisbenzenamine.

9. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising the electrochromic device of claim 1, and a reflector disposed on a surface of said rear element.

10. An electrochromic device comprising:

a front element;

a rear element;

a seal provided to form a sealed chamber, the sealed chamber being between said elements; and

an electrochromic material disposed in said chamber,

wherein said seal comprises an epoxy resin at least partially cured with a cycloaliphatic amine.

11. The electrochromic device of claim 10, wherein said epoxy resin is a bisphenol A epoxy resin.

12. The electrochromic device of claim 10, wherein said epoxy resin is a bisphenol F epoxy resin.

13. The electrochromic device of claim 10 where epoxy resin is an epoxy novolac resin.

14. The electrochromic device of claim 13, wherein said epoxy novolac resin is an epoxy phenolic novolac resin.

15. The electrochromic device of claim 13, wherein said epoxy novolac resin is an epoxy cresyl novolac resin.

16. The electrochromic device of claim 10, wherein said epoxy resin is a glycidyl benzenamine.

17. The electrochromic device of claim 16, wherein said glycidyl benzenamine is tetraglycidyl methylenebisbenzenamine.

18. The electrochromic device of claim 10, wherein said cycloaliphatic amine is a bis(aminocyclohexyl) methane.

19. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising the electrochromic device of claim 10, and a reflector disposed on a surface of said rear element.

20. An electrochromic device comprising:

a front element;

a rear element;

a seal provided to form a sealed chamber, the sealed chamber being between said elements; and

an electrochromic material disposed in said chamber,

wherein said seal comprises an epoxy resin at least partially cured with a bis(cycloaliphatic) amine.

21. The electrochromic device of claim 20, wherein said epoxy resin is a (bisphenol A) epoxy resin.

22. The electrochromic device of claim 20, wherein said epoxy resin is a bisphenol F epoxy resin.

23. The electrochromic device of claim 20 where epoxy resin is an epoxy novolac resin.

24. The electrochromic device of claim 23, wherein said epoxy novolac resin is an epoxy phenolic novolac resin.

25. The electrochromic device of claim 23, wherein said epoxy novolac resin is an epoxy cresyl novolac resin.

26. The electrochromic device of claim 20, wherein said epoxy resin is a glycidyl benzenamine.

27. The electrochromic device of claim 26, wherein said glycidyl benzenamine is tetraglycidyl methylenebisbenzenamine.

28. The electrochromic device of claim 20, wherein said bis(cycloaliphatic) amine is a bis(aminocyclohexyl) methane.

29. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising the electrochromic device of claim 20, and a reflector disposed on a surface of said rear element.

30. An electrochromic device comprising:

a front element;

a rear element;

a seal provided to form a sealed chamber, the sealed chamber being between said elements; and

an electrochromic material disposed in said chamber,

wherein said seal comprises an epoxy phenolic novolac resin at least partially cured with a bis(aminocyclohexyl) methane.

31. A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle comprising the electrochromic device of claim 30, and a reflector disposed on a surface of said rear element.