Electrochromic windows and method of making the same

• US 6,972,888 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2005
• Issued: 12/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Tonar, William L., Guarr, Thomas F., Poll, David L., Ash, Kevin L., Theiste, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinh, Jack
• Application Number:
  US11/032,642
• Publication Number:
  US 20050117193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 330 Days
• Field of Search: 359265-275, 252/582, 252/583, 252/586, 439/493, 439/857
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66 Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together reforming and uniting glass sheets by fusing C03B23/00; joining glass to glass or to other materials C03C27/00; laminated glass B32B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66366 specially adapted for units comprising more than two panes or for attaching intermediate sheets
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6775 Evacuating or filling the gap during assembly
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/264 Combinations of lamellar blinds with roller shutters, screen windows, windows, or double panes; Lamellar blinds with special devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• 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: G02F 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

An electrochromic window assembly is disclosed that includes a first substrate and a second substrate that is maintained in a parallel and spaced relation from the first substrate by means of a window frame and spacer. The window assembly further includes an electrochromic device mounted within the airtight chamber formed between the first and second substrates. Electrochromic device 22 may be mounted so as to provide an air chamber between first substrate 12, which is the external substrate, and electrochromic device 22. At least one of the chambers formed between substrates 12 and 14 and electrochromic device 22 may be filled with an insulating gas such as argon. Also disclosed are novel methods for manufacture of an electrochromic device for incorporation into such a window assembly. A novel electrochromic device is also disclosed having electrical bus clips secured about the entire periphery of the electrochromic device.

Claims

1. A method of making an electrochromic device comprising the steps of:

providing an assembly including a first substrate and a second substrate spaced apart and joined by a seal to form a sealed chamber between inner surfaces of said substrates, one of said first and second substrates including an aperture extending between the outer surface of the substrate and the chamber;

filling said chamber with an electrochromic solution or an electrolytic solution through said aperture;

placing a plug in said aperture; and

adhering a thin plate over the plugged aperture.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said plug is a ball.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said plug is deformable.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said plug is made of one of polyisobutylene, polyolefin, and butylnitrile.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said plug is made of tetrafluoroethylene fluorocarbon, fluorinated ethylene-propylene, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon, fluorinated ethylene polypropylene, or copolymers thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said thin plate is transparent to UV radiation and is adhered over the plugged aperture using a UV-curable adhesive.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said thin plate is glass.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said thin plate is impermeable to oxygen.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said aperture has a conical shape.

10. An electrochromic device made using the method of claim 1.

11. A window comprising an electrochromic device made using the method of claim 1.

12. An electrochromic device comprising:

a first substrate and a second substrate spaced apart and joined by a seal to form a sealed chamber between inner surfaces of said substrates, one of said first and second substrates including an aperture extending between the outer surface of the substrate and said chamber;

an electrochromic medium disposed in said chamber;

a plug disposed in said aperture; and

a thin plate disposed over the plugged aperture.

13. The electrochromic device of claim 12, wherein said plug is a ball.

14. The electrochromic device of claim 12, wherein said plug is a soft deformable ball.

15. The electrochromic device of claim 14, wherein said ball is made of one of polyisobutylene, polyolefin, and butylnitrile.

16. The electrochromic device of claim 14, wherein said ball is made of tetrafluoroethylene fluorocarbon, fluorinated ethylene-propylene, or copolymers thereof.

17. The electrochromic device of claim 12, wherein said thin plate is transparent to UV radiation and is adhered to the outer surface of one of said substrates using a UV-curable adhesive.

18. The electrochromic device of claim 12, wherein said thin plate is a microscope slide.

19. The electrochromic device of claim 12, wherein said thin plate is impermeable to oxygen.

20. The electrochromic device of claim 12, wherein said aperture has a conical shape.

21. A window comprising the electrochromic device of claim 12.

22. The window of claim 21 and further comprising:

a first glass pane;

a second glass pane; and

a spacer for spacing and maintaining said first and second glass panes in a parallel, spaced-apart relation,

said electrochromic device is disposed between and spaced apart from said first and second glass panes thereby defining a first chamber between said first glass pane and said electrochromic device, and a second chamber between said second glass pane and said electrochromic device.