Flexible panel based on electrochromic polymers
First Claim
1. A method for producing a flexible electrochromic panel, comprising the steps of:
- (a) depositing a working electrochromic polymer film layer comprising insoluble polymer chains of an organic material exhibiting electrochromic properties on a first flexible polymer substrate using electrochemical polymerization, the working electrochromic polymer film layer being selected for its ability to repetitively change between at least;
(i) a first state in which the working electrochromic polymer film layer exhibits a first transmittance characteristic; and
(ii) a second state in which the working electrochromic polymer film layer exhibits a second transmittance characteristic, where the first and second transmittance characteristics are substantially different, as a result of the working electrochromic film undergoing a redox process;
(b) depositing an ion storage film on a second flexible polymer substrate, the ion storage film chemically interacting with the working electrochromic polymer film layer during the redox process, wherein the first and the second flexible polymer substrates are selected for a characteristic flexibility that enables them to be readily bent in an arc;
(c) coupling the first and the second flexible polymer substrates together with a film sealant such that the film sealant is disposed between the working electrochromic polymer film layer deposited on the first flexible polymer substrate and the ion storage film deposited on the second flexible polymer substrate, the film sealant being configured to space the working electrochromic polymer film layer apart from the ion storage film and defining a patterned opening and an inlet port in fluid communication with the opening, wherein the opening is disposed between the working electrochromic polymer film layer and the ion storage film, and wherein the opening has a larger volume than the inlet port;
(d) introducing an electrolyte into the opening defined by the film sealant; and
(e) sealing the flexible electrochromic panel to exclude moisture and oxygen, and to maintain the electrolyte within the opening, the flexible electrochromic panel being capable of being bent in a substantial curve without experiencing damage.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible electrochromic (EC) panel that is usable for a display device or for other applications in which at least a region of the panel is selectively caused to change opacity. An exemplary EC panel includes an electrochromic working layer or electrode formed of a PProDOT-Me2 polymer film that is deposited on an indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible substrate. Similarly, a counter electrode is formed by depositing a vanadium oxide-titanium oxide (V2O5—TiO2) composite film on another ITO PET coated flexible substrate. An ultraviolet light-cured film sealant is employed to seal the flexible panel and also serves as a spacer between the working and counter electrodes. The film sealant is patterned to define a volume for injecting an electrolyte solution through an inlet port provided in the film sealant. The inlet port is then closed. The EC panel can readily be flexed without damage.
18 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for producing a flexible electrochromic panel, comprising the steps of:
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(a) depositing a working electrochromic polymer film layer comprising insoluble polymer chains of an organic material exhibiting electrochromic properties on a first flexible polymer substrate using electrochemical polymerization, the working electrochromic polymer film layer being selected for its ability to repetitively change between at least; (i) a first state in which the working electrochromic polymer film layer exhibits a first transmittance characteristic; and (ii) a second state in which the working electrochromic polymer film layer exhibits a second transmittance characteristic, where the first and second transmittance characteristics are substantially different, as a result of the working electrochromic film undergoing a redox process; (b) depositing an ion storage film on a second flexible polymer substrate, the ion storage film chemically interacting with the working electrochromic polymer film layer during the redox process, wherein the first and the second flexible polymer substrates are selected for a characteristic flexibility that enables them to be readily bent in an arc; (c) coupling the first and the second flexible polymer substrates together with a film sealant such that the film sealant is disposed between the working electrochromic polymer film layer deposited on the first flexible polymer substrate and the ion storage film deposited on the second flexible polymer substrate, the film sealant being configured to space the working electrochromic polymer film layer apart from the ion storage film and defining a patterned opening and an inlet port in fluid communication with the opening, wherein the opening is disposed between the working electrochromic polymer film layer and the ion storage film, and wherein the opening has a larger volume than the inlet port; (d) introducing an electrolyte into the opening defined by the film sealant; and (e) sealing the flexible electrochromic panel to exclude moisture and oxygen, and to maintain the electrolyte within the opening, the flexible electrochromic panel being capable of being bent in a substantial curve without experiencing damage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A flexible electrochromic panel, comprising:
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(a) a first flexible polymer substrate on which a working electrochromic polymer film layer comprising insoluble polymer chains of an organic material exhibiting electrochromic properties is electrochemically polymerized, the working electrochromic polymer film layer being selected for its ability to repetitively change between at least; (i) a first state in which the working electrochromic polymer film layer exhibits a first transmittance characteristic; and (ii) a second state in which the working electrochromic polymer film layer exhibits a second transmittance characteristic, where the first and second transmittance characteristics are substantially different, as a result of the working electrochromic film undergoing a redox process; (b) a second flexible polymer substrate on which is deposited an ion storage film, the ion storage film chemically interacting with the working electrochromic polymer film layer during the redox process, wherein the first and the second flexible polymer substrates are characterized by being relatively flexible and readily bent in an arc; (c) a film sealant that couples the first and the second flexible polymer substrates together, the film sealant being configured to space the working electrochromic polymer film layer and the ion storage film apart from one another, the film sealant including a patterned opening and an inlet port in fluid communication with the opening, wherein the opening is disposed between the working electrochromic polymer film layer and the ion storage film, and wherein the opening has a larger volume than the inlet port; and (d) an electrolyte disposed within the opening defined by the film sealant, the electrolyte providing and conducting ions between the working electrochromic polymer film layer and the ion storage film during the redox process, to enable the working electrochromic polymer film layer to change between the first and the second states. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification