Multi-zone EC windows

• US 10,301,871 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2016
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Shrivastava, Dhairya, Friedman, Robin, Khosla, Vinod, Mulpuri, Rao
• Primary Examiner(s): Sahle, Mahidere S
• Application Number:
  US15/094,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20160251894A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,145 Days
• Field of Search: 359240-275
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/359 by providing a line or line pattern, e.g. a dotted break initiation line
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2405 Areas of differing opacity for light transmission control
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6715 specially adapted for increased thermal insulation or for controlled passage of light E06B3/66323 takes precedence; coating of glass pains C03C17/00; devices or arrangements for controlling the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light G02F1/00
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• 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 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/227 on windows
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/02 the advertising matter being displayed by the operation of the article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making

Abstract

Thin-film devices, for example, multi-zone electrochromic windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. In certain cases, a multi-zone electrochromic window comprises a monolithic EC device on a transparent substrate and two or more tinting zones, wherein the tinting zones are configured for independent operation.

Claims

1. An electrochromic window comprising:

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

one or more material layers sandwiched between the first and second transparent conductor layers; and

a pair of bus bars located continuously along opposing edges of the electrochromic device, one of the pair of bus bars in electrical communication with the first transparent conductive oxide layer and the other of the pair of bus bars in electrical communication with the second transparent conductive oxide layer;

wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars is configured to apply a lengthwise voltage gradient along the respective opposing edge when energized.

2. The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars varies in thickness along its length.

3. The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars varies in width along its length.

4. The electrochromic window of claim 3, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars is stepped along its length.

5. The electrochromic window of claim 3, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars varies in width by between about 10% and about 80% from the average width over its length.

6. The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein the voltage gradient along each bus bar of the pair of bus bars comprises a highest effective voltage at one end and a lowest effective voltage at the other end.

7. The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars has a material composition that varies along its length.

8. The electrochromic window of claim 7, wherein the material composition varies in electrical conductivity of materials along its length.

9. The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars comprises two portions of an electrically conductive material and an electrically resistive material establishing electrical communication between the two portions of the electrically conductive material, the electrically resistive material, although electrically conductive, having less electrical conductivity than the electrically conductive material.

10. The electrochromic window of claim 9, wherein the electrically conductive material is a silver based ink.

11. The electrochromic window of claim 9, wherein the electrically resistive material is a silver based ink.

12. The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars comprises a material that changes in morphology over its length.

13. The electrochromic window of claim 1, wherein each bus bar of the pair of bus bars comprises a material having regions of higher and lower electrical conductivity, wherein the regions of lower electrical conductivity are areas where the material is perforated.

14. An electrochromic window lite comprising:

a monolithic electrochromic device on a transparent substrate; and

at least one pair of bus bars configured to produce a tint gradient across the monolithic electrochromic device when energized, each pair of bus bars located continuously along opposing edges of the electrochromic device, each bus bar configured to apply a lengthwise voltage gradient along the respective opposing edge when energized, wherein the tint gradient is in a direction along the lengths of the bus bars.

15. The electrochromic window lite of claim 14, wherein at least one pair of bus bars vary in width along their length.

16. The electrochromic window lite of claim 15, wherein each of said at least one pair of bus bars varies in width between about 10% and about 80% from the average width over its length.

17. The electrochromic window lite of claim 14, wherein each of said at least one pair bus bars has varying material composition over its length.

18. The electrochromic window lite of claim 17, wherein each bus bar of the at least one pair of bus bars comprises two portions of an electrically conductive material and an electrically resistive material establishing electrical communication between the two portions of the electrically conductive material, the electrically resistive material, although electrically conductive, having less electrical conductivity than the electrically conductive material.

19. The electrochromic window lite of claim 18, wherein the electrically conductive material is silver based ink.

20. The electrochromic window lite of claim 18, wherein the electrically resistive material is a silver based ink.

21. The electrochromic window lite of claim 14, wherein each bus bar of said at least one pair of bus bars comprises a material that changes in morphology over its length.

22. The electrochromic window lite of claim 14, wherein each bus bar of said at least one pair of bus bars comprises a material having regions of higher and lower electrical conductivity, wherein the regions of lower electrical conductivity are areas where the material is perforated.