Multi-pane electrochromic windows

• US 9,829,763 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2016
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Friedman, Robin, Kailasam, Sridhar K., Mulpuri, Rao, Powell, Ronald A., Shrivastava, Dhairya
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, James
• Application Number:
  US15/013,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20160154289A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 359245, 359273
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/34 with at least two coatings having different compositions C03C17/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/36 at least one coating being a metal
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3657 the multilayer coating having optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3681 the multilayer coating being used in glazing, e.g. windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2643 Screens between double windows
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/28 Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1347 Arrangement of liquid crystal layers or cells in which the final condition of one light beam is achieved by the addition of the effects of two or more layers or cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1523 comprising inorganic material
• 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 2001/1555 Counter electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/013 Heaters using resistive films or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/86 the heating conductors being embedded in the transparent or reflecting material H05B3/845 takes precedence

Abstract

Window units, for example insulating glass units (IGU'"'"'s), that have at least two panes, each pane having an electrochromic device thereon, are described. Two optical state devices on each pane of a dual-pane window unit provide window units having four optical states. Window units described allow the end user a greater choice of how much light is transmitted through the electrochromic window. Also, by using two or more window panes, each with its own electrochromic device, registered in a window unit, visual defects in any of the individual devices are negated by virtue of the extremely small likelihood that any of the visual defects will align perfectly and thus be observable to the user.

Claims

1. An insulated glass unit comprising:

a first pane having an electrochromic device thereon, wherein the electrochromic device comprises a first conductive layer, an electrochromic layer, an ion conducting layer, a counter electrode layer, and a second conductive layer; and

a transparent conductive oxide layer which is not part of the electrochromic device, wherein the transparent conductive oxide layer resistively heats during operation via application of electricity, and wherein the heating function of the transparent conductive oxide layer is to aid in low temperature switching of the electrochromic device.

2. The insulated glass unit of claim 1, wherein the transparent conductive oxide layer is on a second pane.

3. The insulated glass unit of claim 1, wherein the electrochromic device is solid state and inorganic.

4. The insulated glass unit of claim 2, further comprising a sealing separator between the first and second panes, the sealing separator, together with the first and second panes, defining a thermally insulating interior region of the insulated glass unit, wherein the thermally insulating interior region contains a gas.

5. The insulated glass unit of claim 2, wherein the second pane comprises an electrochromic film thereon.

6. The insulated glass unit of claim 2, wherein the second pane comprises an infrared reflective and/or infrared absorbing coating.

7. The insulated glass unit of claim 2, wherein the second pane faces the exterior of a building when installed in the building.

8. An electrochromic device comprising:

a first transparent conducting oxide layer;

an electrochromic layer;

an ion conductor layer;

a counter electrode layer; and

a second transparent conducting oxide layer;

wherein the electrochromic device is heated during operation by electrically resistively heating a third transparent conductive oxide layer, wherein the resistive heating function of the third transparent conductive oxide layer is for aiding in low temperature switching of the electrochromic device.

9. The electrochromic device of claim 8 that is on a first pane of an insulated glass unit.

10. The electrochromic device of claim 9, wherein the insulated glass unit comprises a second pane which comprises an electrochromic film thereon.

11. The electrochromic device of claim 8 that is solid state and inorganic.

12. The electrochromic device of claim 8, wherein said third transparent conducting oxide layer configured to be electrically resistively heated comprises indium oxide, indium tin oxide, doped indium oxide, tin oxide, doped tin oxide, zinc oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, doped zinc oxide, ruthenium oxide, or doped ruthenium oxide.

13. An electrochromic window comprising:

a transparent substrate;

an electrochromic device disposed on the transparent substrate, the electrochromic device comprising a first transparent conductive oxide layer and a second transparent conductive oxide layer; and

a third transparent conductive oxide layer which is not part of the electrochromic device, wherein the third transparent conductive oxide layer is heated during operation via application of electricity, wherein the resistive heating function of the third transparent conductive oxide layer is for aiding in low temperature switching of the electrochromic device.

14. The electrochromic window of claim 13, wherein the electrochromic device is entirely solid state and organic.

15. The electrochromic window of claim 13, wherein the electrochromic window is in the form of an insulating glass unit (IGU) comprising a sealing separator between the substantially transparent substrate and another substantially transparent substrate forming a thermally insulating interior region therebetween.