Electrochromic device comprising a mesh

• US 8,289,607 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2009
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Original Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Inventors: Valentin, Emmanuel, Dubrenat, Samuel, Giron, Jean-Christophe, Jousse, Didier
• Primary Examiner(s): Lester, Evelyn A.
• Application Number:
  US12/920,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20110043887A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 359265-275
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10036 comprising two outer glass sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10174 Coatings of a metallic or dielectric material on a constituent layer of glass or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10376 Laminated safety glass or glazing containing metal wires
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/1077 containing polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes

Abstract

An electrochromic device, with controlled transparency, for example of electrically controllable type, including between a transparent carrier substrate and a counter-substrate, at least one stack of functional layers, the outermost layers of which include electroconductive layers, the conductivity of at least one electroconductive layer not in contact with the carrier substrate being reinforced by a network of conductive elements in contact with this layer. The network includes a mesh, for which the area of the intermesh free space is substantially between 0.04 mm² and 0.16 mm² or in a vicinity of 0.09 mm².

Claims

1. An electrochromic device, with controlled transparency, or of electrically controllable type, comprising:

between a transparent carrier substrate and a counter-substrate, at least one stack of functional layers, outermost layers of which comprise electroconductive layers, conductivity of at least one electroconductive layer not in contact with the carrier substrate being reinforced by a network of conductive elements in contact with this layer,

wherein the network comprises a mesh, for which an area of intermesh free space is substantially between 0.04 mm² and 0.16 mm², or in a vicinity of 0.09 mm².

2. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mesh is held by a support, or by a support made of a polymer material.

3. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stack of functional layers is successively composed, from the carrier substrate toward the counter-substrate, of an electroconductive layer, of a first layer of an electrochromic material, of at least one layer having an electrolytic function, of a second layer of an electrochromic material, and of an electroconductive layer having a reduced thickness.

4. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 3, wherein the electroconductive conductive layer is covered with a metallic fabric, links forming the fabric being offset angularly by an angle between 15 to 60°

, or between 30 to 50°

, relative to the mesh.

5. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 3, wherein the stack of functional layers receives a second stack of functional layers for which an arrangement of the layers is reversed relative to the first stack and which is successively composed of an electroconductive layer having reduced thickness, of an electrochromic layer, of at least one layer having an electrolytic function of a layer of an electrochromic material, and of an electroconductive layer.

6. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises wires that are conductive at least over their outer surface, and the diameter of which are between 10 and 30 μ

m, or in a vicinity of 20 μ

m.

7. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wires comprise a core made of a material that gives them a flexural elasticity, or formed from a polymer, or from a polyester.

8. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 7, wherein the core is covered with a material that conducts electric current, or with copper.

9. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 6, wherein the outer surface of the wires is based on a black-colored conductive oxide.

10. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wires forming the mesh are positioned so that their intermesh free space is of square or rectangular shape.

11. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wires are distributed, in a wavy shape, or along two secant directions.

12. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 11, wherein the two directions are perpendicular.

13. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 11, wherein the wavy shape comprises a succession of quarter circles, the respective directions of curvature of two successive arcs being opposite.

14. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 11, wherein points of intersection of the wires are located at points of inflection of two successive arcs.

15. The electrochromic device with controlled transparency as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparency of the mesh is between 70 and 90%, or is around 80%.

16. An electrochromic glazing unit, comprising:

the electrochemical device as claimed in claim 1, including a variable light and/or energy transmission and/or reflection, with the substrate or at least one part of the substrates which is transparent or partially transparent, made of a plastic material, or mounted as multiple and/or laminated glazing, or as double glazing.

17. The use of the glazing unit as claimed in claim 16, as an architectural glazing, automotive glazing, windows for industrial or public transport, rail, sea, air, agricultural or work site vehicles, rearview mirrors, mirrors, displays and screens, or shutters for image acquisition devices.