Multi-color electrochromic apparatus and methods

• US 7,450,294 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2004
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Weidner, Arthur P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stultz; Jessica T
• Application Number:
  US10/974,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20050200937A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 359/275
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1484 Windows B64C1/1492 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0061 Windows displaying outside view, artificially generated
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15165 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1525 characterised by a particular ion transporting layer, e.g. electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for multi-color electrochromic devices. In one embodiment, pixels of a first color electrochromic material (i.e. pigment) are arranged in first areas on a substrate with pixels of a second color electrochromic material in second areas to define a two-dimensional pattern of the first and second color on the substrate. When the applied electric field or current supplied to each pixel is changed, the device may produce the respective colors of the electrochromic materials and may produce a blended color because of the arrangement of the pixels. In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the electrochromic materials may form a design, pattern, logo, or picture when the electrochromic materials are activated. In yet further aspects of the invention, a substrate is masked and unmasked as a plurality of colors are applied to the substrate to produce a multi-color electrochromic display.

Claims

1. A multi-color eletrochromic device, comprising:

a first transparent electrode;

a second transparent electrode spaced apart from the first transparent electrode;

an eletrochromic layer disposed on the first transparent electrode and positioned between the first and second transparent electrodes, the electrochromic layer including;

a first color eletrochromic material adjacent to the first transparent electrode; and

a second color electrochromic material adjacent to the first transparent electrode, the second color electrochromic material being in a common layer with and laterally proximate to the first color eletrochromic material to produce an appearance of a plurality of colors when at least one of the first color electrochromic material and the second color eletrochromic material changes between states.

2. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein the eletrochromic layer further comprises:

a third color electrochromic material adjacent to the first transparent electrode, the third color eletrochromic material being in the common layer with and laterally proximate to the first color electrochromic material and the second color electrochromic material to produce an appearance of a plurality of colors when at least one of the first color electrochromic material, the second color eletrochromic material, and the third color electrochromic material change states.

3. The eletrochromic device of claim 1, wherein the first color electrochromic material and the second color eletrochromic material are substantially co-planar, and wherein the electrochromic device further comprises an electrolyte layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second transparent electrode.

4. A multi-color electrochromic panel, comprising:

a first transparent electrode;

a second transparent electrode spaced apart from the first transparent electrode;

an electrochromic layer disposed on the first transparent electrode and positioned between the first and second transparent electrodes, the eletrochromic layer including a plurality of eletrochromic materials configured in a common layer and laterally interspersed in a pattern to display an appearance of a plurality of visual colors; and

a frame coupled to the electrochromic layer and the first and second transparent electrodes.

5. The eletrochromic panel of claim 4, wherein the plurality of electrochromic materials includes a plurality of substantially co-planar electrochromic materials.

6. The electrochromic panel of claim 4, further comprising an electrolyte layer disposed between the eletrochromic layer and the second transparent electrode.

7. The electrochromic panel of claim 6, wherein the electrolyte layer includes a GBL electrolyte.

8. The electrochromic panel of claim 4, wherein the frame is adapted to hold the eletrochromic layer in a vehicle.

9. The electrochromic panel of claim 8, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

10. The electrochromic panel of claim 8, wherein the frame is adapted to hold the eletrochromic layer within a passenger compartment divider.