Electro-optic structures having a glass strip as a seal

• US 9,766,496 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2014
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Cammenga, David J., Tonar, William L., Morgan, Tammy G., Theiste, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Malsawma, Lex
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jones, Eric W
• Application Number:
  US14/494,834
• Publication Number:
  US 20150084024A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 247 40, 257 40, 257787-790, 257794
• 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 including first and second surfaces. At least one of the first and second surfaces includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate includes third and fourth surfaces, at least one including a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal between the second and third surfaces includes a first epoxy layer and a second epoxy layer. A gasket is disposed between the first and second epoxy layers. The seal and the first and second substrates define a substantially hermetic cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A substantially transparent light emitting display is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, which is converted to 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 first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein a first electrically conductive layer is positioned on the second surface of the first substrate and a third electrically conductive layer is directly positioned on the first surface of the first substrate to define a dual coated substrate;

a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein at least one of the third and fourth surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal between the second and third surfaces comprising;

a first epoxy layer and a second epoxy layer,

a plurality of beads disposed within the first and second epoxy layers, and

a gasket disposed between the first and second epoxy layers,

wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a substantially hermetic cavity therebetween; and

an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states; and

a substantially transparent light emitting display in contact with the third electrically conductive layer, wherein the electro-optic device is converted to the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light and converted to the substantially clear state when the light emitting display is not emitting light.

2. The emissive display system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of beads comprises a plurality glass beads.

3. The emissive display system of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the beads of the plurality of beads ranges from about 1 micron to about 250 microns.

4. The emissive display system of claim 3, wherein the diameter of the beads of the plurality of beads ranges from about 50 microns to about 100 microns.

5. The emissive display system of claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises a glass gasket.

6. The emissive display system of claim 1, wherein the gasket includes a conductive material and is electrically coupled to the first or second electrically conductive layer to define an electrical bus disposed along a perimeter of the electro-optic device.

7. The emissive display system of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the gasket ranges from about 0.25 millimeters to about 0.75 millimeters.

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

9. The emissive display system of claim 1, wherein the gasket is a continuous unitary gasket.

10. An emissive display system, comprising:

an electro-optic device comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces, wherein a first electrically conductive layer is positioned on the second surface of the first substrate and a third electrically conductive layer is directly positioned on the first surface of the first substrate to define a dual coated substrate;

a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces, wherein at least one of the third and fourth surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal disposed around perimeter portions the first and second substrates, the primary seal comprising;

a first epoxy layer and a second epoxy layer, and

a unitary glass gasket disposed between the first and second epoxy layers, wherein the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; and

an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states; and

a substantially transparent light emitting display coupled to the third electrically conductive layer, wherein the electro-optic device is converted to the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light and converted to the substantially clear state when the light emitting display is not emitting light.

11. The emissive display system of claim 10, wherein the first and second epoxy layers comprise a plurality of beads.

12. The emissive display system of claim 10, wherein the light emitting display is an organic light emitting diode display.

13. The emissive display system of claim 11, wherein each bead of the plurality of beads includes a diameter ranging from about 1 micron to about 250 microns.

14. The emissive display system of claim 10, wherein a thickness of the gasket ranges from about 0.25 millimeters to about 0.75 millimeters.

15. An emissive display system, comprising:

an electro-optic device comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces, wherein a first electrically conductive layer is positioned on the second surface of the first substrate and a third electrically conductive layer is directly positioned on the first surface of the first substrate to define a dual coated substrate;

a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces, wherein at least one of the third and fourth surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal disposed around perimeter portions of the second and third surfaces comprising;

a first epoxy layer and a second epoxy layer, and

a glass portion disposed between the first and second epoxy layers, the glass portion configured to maintain a predetermined cell spacing between the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the second and third surfaces define a cavity; and

an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states; and

a substantially transparent light emitting display operably coupled to the third electrically conductive layer, wherein the light emitting display is configured to emit light in an ON condition, and further wherein the electro-optic device is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light and converted to the substantially clear state when the light emitting display is not emitting light.

16. The emissive display system of claim 15, wherein the first and second epoxy layers further include a plurality of glass beads.

17. The emissive display system of claim 16, wherein each bead of the plurality of beads has a diameter ranging from about 1 micron to about 250 microns.

18. The emissive display system of claim 15, wherein the glass portion defines a unitary gasket.

19. The emissive display system of claim 15, wherein the light emitting display is an organic light emitting diode display.