Electrochromic mirrors and other electrooptic devices

• US 9,740,074 B2
• Filed: 11/02/2014
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ajjer, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ajjer, LLC
• Inventors: Agrawal, Anoop, Tonazzi, Juan Carlos Lopez, Cronin, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martinez, Joseph P
• Application Number:
  US14/530,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20160282695A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,024 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 163/00 Adhesives based on epoxy resins; Adhesives based on derivatives of epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 9/02 Organic tenebrescent materials
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1525 characterised by a particular ion transporting layer, e.g. electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

This invention focuses on electrooptic devices and in particular on electrochromic (EC) devices with several aspects directed towards automotive EC mirrors and windows. Adhesive compositions are disclosed herein which improve device processing attributes and their performance and durability.

Claims

1. An electrochromic assembly, comprising a rear element and a transparent front element bonded together by an opaque sealant in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electrochromic material contained in the said chamber, the said sealant comprising an epoxy resin formulation and a curing agent selected so as to have latent curing property and, (a) glass transition temperature in cured state in excess of 120°

C. and (b) an inorganic content of greater than 35% by weight.

2. An electrochromic assembly as in claim 1, where the said sealant comprises crystalline nano-particles of inorganic materials.

3. An electrochromic assembly as in claim 1, where the said sealant comprises UV stabilizers.

4. An electrochromic assembly as in claim 1, where the epoxy formulation comprises filler taken from a group comprising carbon black, fumed silica, colorants, inorganic fillers and oxygen scavengers.

5. An electrochromic assembly as in claim 1, wherein the said epoxy resin is cured by an anhydride curing agent.

6. An electrochromic assembly as in claim 1, wherein the said sealant further comprises a prehydrolyzed silane.

7. An electrochromic mirror assembly, comprising a rear element and a transparent front element bonded together by an epoxy sealant cured with an anhydride curing agent and containing an inorganic filler in an amount greater than 35% by weight of the sealant, wherein the said front and the rear elements are arranged in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electrochromic material contained in the said chamber, and the glass transition temperature of the cured sealant being in excess of 120°

C.

8. An electrooptic assembly, comprising a rear element and a transparent front element bonded together by an epoxy sealant in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electrooptic material contained in the said chamber, the said sealant comprising a prehydrolyzed silane.

9. An electrooptic assembly as set forth in claim 8 where the said assembly is an electrochromic mirror.

10. An electrochromic assembly, comprising a rear element and a transparent front element bonded together by a sealant in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electrochromic material contained in the said chamber, the said sealant comprising at least one of (a) crystalline nano-particles of inorganic materials and (b) silsesquioxanes.

11. An electrochromic mirror assembly, comprising a rear element and a transparent front element bonded together by a sealant in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber, and an electrochromic material contained in the said chamber, the said sealant comprises (a) an epoxy resin sealant with a functionality greater than 2, (b) is cured by an anhydride curing agent and (c) contains an inorganic filler in an amount at least 35% by weight.