Multi-color electrochromic apparatus and methods

• US 7,782,519 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• 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): Choi; William C
• Application Number:
  US12/146,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20080259433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/275, 359/273
• US Class Current: 359/273
• 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 disclosure 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 disclosure, the electrochromic materials may form a design, pattern, logo, or picture when the electrochromic materials are activated. In yet further aspects of the disclosure, 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. An electrochromic layer for a multi-color electrochromic device, comprising:

a first area of a first color electrochromic composition arranged within a layer on a substrate; and

a second area of a second color electrochromic composition arranged within the layer and laterally positioned with respect to the first area on the substrate;

wherein the second composition is different than the first composition.

2. The electrochromic layer of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller arranged to electrically activate the first area and arranged to electrically activate the second area.

3. The electrochromic layer of claim 1, wherein the first area and the second area are approximately co-planar and are arranged on the substrate to form a two-dimensional pattern of a first color and a second color on the substrate.

4. The electrochromic layer of claim 1, further comprising:

a third area of a third color electrochromic composition arranged on the substrate, the third area being approximately co-planar with the first area and the second area.

5. The electrochromic layer of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrolyte including gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).

6. An electrochromic layer for an electrochromic device, comprising:

a plurality of first pixels of a first color electrochromic composition arranged on a substrate; and

a plurality of second pixels of a different second color electrochromic composition arranged on the substrate and laterally positioned with respect to the plurality of first pixels, the plurality of second pixels interspersed in a common layer with the plurality of first pixels;

wherein the plurality of the first pixels and the plurality of the second pixels in the layer are interspersed such that they are collectively perceived as having a color based on areal color densities or percentages of the first and second colors.

7. The electrochromic layer of claim 6, wherein the plurality of first pixels are approximately co-planar with the plurality of second pixels.

8. The electrochromic layer of claim 6, further comprising:

a plurality of third pixels of a third color electrochromic composition arranged within the common layer and laterally positioned with respect to at least a portion of the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels on the substrate, the plurality of third pixels interspersed at least in part with the plurality of first pixels, wherein the third electrochromic composition is different than the first and second electrochromic compositions.