Emissive display system

• US 9,575,360 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2014
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Theiste, David A., Franz, Sue F., Ash, Kevin L., Kloeppner, Leroy J., Tonar, William L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PINKNEY, DAWAYNE
• Application Number:
  US14/494,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20150085339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 359/296, 359/245, 359/315, 359/247, 359251-252, 359/254, 359/108, 359237-238, 359278-279, 359290-292, 359/298, 359300-302, 359/259, 359265-275, 430 31- 32, 345/49, 345/105, 345/107, 349/33, 349/38, 438/929
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133602 Direct backlight
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133626 providing two modes of illumination, e.g. day-night
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1503 caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15165 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/164 the electrolyte is made of polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/3031 Two-side emission, e.g. transparent OLEDs [TOLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/8426 Peripheral sealing arrangements, e.g. adhesives, sealants
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/8428 Vertical spacers, e.g. arranged between the sealing arrangement and the OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/86 Arrangements for improving contrast, e.g. preventing reflection of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/50 OLEDs integrated with light modulating elements, e.g. with electrochromic elements, photochromic elements or liquid crystal elements
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8722 Peripheral sealing arrangements, e.g. adhesives, sealants
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8723 Vertical spacers, e.g. arranged between the sealing arrangement and the OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8791 : Arrangements for improving contrast, e.g. preventing reflection of ambient light

Abstract

An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate. A second substantially transparent substrate is spaced apart from the first substrate to define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed within the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states, and includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material. One or more spacing members are deposited on one of the first substrate and the second substrate and are configured to maintain a cell spacing between the first and second substrates. The one or more spacing members at least substantially dissolve upon association with the electro-optic medium. A substantially transparent light emitting display is operably coupled to the electro-optic device, which is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.

Claims

1. An emissive display system, comprising:

an electro-optic device comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate having a first electrically conductive material associated therewith;

a second substantially transparent substrate spaced apart from the first substrate to define a cavity therebetween, the second substrate having a second electrically conductive material associated therewith;

a third electrically conductive material positioned directly on a first surface of the first substrate and in electrical contact with a conductive material positioned on an edge of the first substrate;

an electro-optic medium disposed within the cavity, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states, the electro-optic medium comprising at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material;

one or more spacing members deposited on one of the first substrate and the second substrate and configured to maintain a cell spacing between the first and second substrates, wherein the one or more spacing members at least substantially dissolve upon association with the electro-optic medium; and

a substantially transparent light emitting display operably coupled to the electro-optic device, wherein the electro-optic device is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.

2. The emissive display system of claim 1, wherein the one or more spacing members comprise a free-standing gel.

3. The emissive display system of claim 2, wherein the one or more spacing members comprise a plastic mixture.

4. The emissive display system of claim 3, wherein the plastic mixture includes a polymethyl methacrylate component.

5. The emissive display system of claim 4, wherein the plastic mixture further includes a poly(propylene carbonate) component.

6. The emissive display of claim 5, wherein the first substrate includes the first surface and a second surface and the second substrate includes third and fourth surfaces, wherein the first electrically conductive material is disposed on the second surface of the first substrate and the second electrically conductive material is disposed on the third surface of the second substrate, and further wherein the cavity is defined between the second surface of the first substrate and the third surface of the second substrate.

7. The emissive display of claim 1, wherein the light emitting display is an organic light emitting diode display.

8. The emissive display of claim 1, wherein the light emitting display is operable between an ON condition, wherein the light emitting display emits light, and an OFF condition wherein both the light emitting display and the electro-optic device are substantially transparent to define a window.

9. An emissive display system, comprising:

an electro-optic device having first and second substrates with a cavity disposed therebetween;

an electro-optic medium disposed within the cavity and being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states, the electro-optic medium comprising at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material;

one or more spacing members disposed within the cavity, wherein the one or more spacing members comprise one or more deposits of a plastic mixture configured to maintain a cell spacing between the first and second substrates, and further wherein the one or more spacing members at least substantially dissolve upon association with the at least one solvent;

a substantially transparent light emitting display operably coupled to the electro-optic device, wherein the electro-optic device is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light; and

an electrically conductive layer positioned directly on a first surface of the first substrate in electrical connection with an electrically conductive material positioned on an outboard edge of the first substrate, wherein the light emitting display is operably coupled to the first surface of the first substrate.

10. The emissive display of claim 9, wherein the one or more deposits of the plastic mixture include a polymeric component selected from the group consisting of a polymethyl methacrylate component, a poly(propylene carbonate) component and combinations and co-polymers thereof.

11. The emissive display of claim 9, wherein the one or more deposits of the plastic mixture include a polymeric component comprising a backbone selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyimides, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyethers, polymethacrylates, polyacrylates, polysilanes, polysiloxanes, polyvinyl acetates, polymethacrylonitriles, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinylphenols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinylidene halides, and co-polymers and combinations thereof.

12. The emissive display of claim 9, wherein the one or more deposits of the plastic mixture are non-crosslinked gel deposits.

13. The emissive display of claim 12, wherein the electro-optic medium further comprises at least one of a cross-linked polymer matrix, a free-standing gel, and a substantially non-weeping gel.

14. The emissive display of claim 9, wherein the light emitting display is an organic light emitting diode display.

15. The emissive display of claim 9, wherein the electro-optic device exhibits a percentage of light transmission in a range from about 0.001% to about 1% when the electro-optic medium is in the darkened state.

16. An emissive display system, comprising:

an electro-optic device having first and second substrates with a cavity disposed therebetween, wherein the first substrate defines a first surface and a second surface;

a first electrically conductive material disposed on the second surface of the first substrate;

a third electrically conductive material positioned directly on the first surface of the first substrate;

a conductive material electrically connecting the third electrically conductive layer and an electrical clip;

an electro-optic medium disposed within the cavity and being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states, the electro-optic medium comprising at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material;

one or more spacing members disposed within the cavity, wherein the one or more spacing members are configured to maintain a cell spacing between the first and second substrates, and further wherein the one or more spacing members at least substantially dissolve upon association with the at least one solvent of the electro-optic medium; and

a substantially transparent light emitting display operably coupled to the electro-optic device, wherein the electro-optic device is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.

17. The emissive display of claim 16, wherein the light emitting display is operable between an ON condition, wherein the light emitting display emits light, and an OFF condition, wherein both the light emitting display and the electro-optic device are substantially transparent to define a window.

18. The emissive display of claim 16, wherein the light emitting display is an organic light emitting diode display.

19. The emissive display of claim 18, wherein the one or more spacing members comprise a plastic mixture including a polymeric component selected from the group consisting of a polymethyl methacrylate component, a poly(propylene carbonate) component and combinations and co-polymers thereof.