Integration of electrochromic films on a substrate

• US 10,392,301 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2017
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Furcifer, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Furcifer, Inc.
• Inventors: Wang, Jian, Zhou, Yan
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi, William
• Application Number:
  US15/399,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20170298682A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 359265, 359274, 359290, 359293
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/02 Layer formed of wires, e.g. mesh
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 15/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10513 Electrochromic layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10779 containing polyester
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10788 containing ethylene vinylacetate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/412 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/50 having particular mechanical properties
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/546 Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/12 Photovoltaic modules
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/006 Transparent parts other than made from inorganic glass, e.g. polycarbonate glazings
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/22 using plasticisers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/28 comprising synthetic resins not wholly covered by any one of the sub-groups B32B27/30 - B32B27/42
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/34 with at least two coatings having different compositions C03C17/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3655 the multilayer coating containing at least one conducting layer
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/366 Low-emissivity or solar control coatings
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 17/3668 the multilayer coating having electrical properties
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/94 Transparent conductive oxide layers [TCO] being part of a multilayer coating
• CPC Class Codes: C03C 2217/948 : Layers comprising indium tin oxide [ITO]
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 : featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• 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 1/15 : based on an electrochromic effect
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1524 : Transition metal compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/164 : the electrolyte is made of polymers

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to methods for the integration of electrochromic films onto a substrate, such as a glass window, and the systems/structures formed via such methods.

Claims

1. A method for forming a structure having an electrochromic device therein, the method comprising:

interposing an electrochromic device between a first adhesive interlayer and a second adhesive interlayer, wherein the first adhesive interlayer is interposed between the electrochromic device and a first substrate, and the second adhesive interlayer is interposed between the electrochromic device and a second substrate, wherein the electrochromic device comprises an electrochromic material, a solid state electrolyte, and a charge storage layer; and

bonding the electrochromic device to the first substrate via the first adhesive interlayer, and to the second substrate via the second adhesive interlayer, to form a laminated structure having the electrochromic device therein,

wherein the solid state electrolyte comprises;

an electrolyte salt selected from the group of LiTFSI, LiPF₆, LiBF₄, LiClO₄, LiCF₃SO₃, LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂, LiSbFg, LiAsF₆, LiN(CF₃CF₂SO₂)₂, (C₂H₅)₄NBF₄, (C₂H₅)₃CH₃NBF₄, and LiI; and

a polymer matrix including one or more polar polymers crosslinked to form a network, wherein the one or more polar polymers have a semi-crystalline or crystalline microstructure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first adhesive interlayer and the second adhesive interlayer includes a thermosetting polymer material.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first substrate, the second substrate, the first adhesive interlayer, and the second adhesive interlayer is transparent.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising attaching one or more peripheral portions of the laminated structure having the electrochromic device therein to a support unit to form a module, wherein the support unit comprises one or more electrical components configured to control operation of the electrochromic device disposed within the laminated structure.

5. A structure comprising at least one electrochromic device, the structure comprising:

a first panel having a first surface and a second surface;

a second panel having a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface of the second panel facing toward the second surface of the first panel;

a spacer interposed between the first panel and the second panel;

a low-emissivity coating deposited on at least one of the second surface of the first panel and the third surface of the second panel; and

an electrochromic device deposited on at least one of the first surface of the first panel, the second surface of the first panel, the third surface of the second panel, and the fourth surface of the second panel, with the proviso that the electrochromic device and the low-emissivity coating are not deposited on a same surface at a same time, wherein the electrochromic device comprises an electrochromic material, a solid state electrolyte, and a charge storage layer; and

wherein the solid state electrolyte comprises;

an electrolyte salt selected from the group of LiTFSI, LiPF₆, LiBF₄, LiClO₄, LiCF₃SO₃, LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂, LiSbFg, LiAsF₆, LiN(CF₃CF₂SO₂)₂, (C₂H₅)₄NBF₄, (C₂H₅)₃CH₃NBF₄, and LiI; and

a polymer matrix including one or more polar polymers crosslinked to form a network, wherein the one or more polar polymers have a semi-crystalline or crystalline microstructure.

6. The structure of claim 5, wherein the low-emissivity coating is deposited on the second surface of the first panel, and wherein the electrochromic device is deposited on the first surface of the first panel, the third surface of the second panel, or the fourth surface of the second panel.

7. The structure of claim 5, wherein the low-emissivity coating is deposited on the third surface of the second panel, and wherein the electrochromic device is deposited on the first surface of the first panel, the second surface of the first panel, or the fourth surface of the second panel.

8. The structure of claim 5, wherein the low-emissivity coating is deposited on the second surface of the first panel, and another low-emissivity coating is deposited on the third surface of the second panel, and wherein the electrochromic device is deposited on the first surface of the first panel or on the fourth surface of the second panel.

9. A structure comprising at least one laminated structure having an electrochromic device disposed therein, the structure comprising:

a first panel having a first surface and a second surface;

a second panel having a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface of the second panel facing toward the second surface of the first panel;

a spacer interposed between the first panel and the second panel; and

a low-emissivity coating deposited on at least one of the second surface of the first panel and the third surface of the second panel,

wherein at least one of the first panel and the second panel comprises a laminated structure having an electrochromic device disposed therein, wherein the electrochromic device comprises an electrochromic material, a solid state electrolyte, and a charge storage layer; and

wherein the solid state electrolyte comprises;

an electrolyte salt selected from the group of LiTFSI, LiPF₆, LiBF₄, LiClO₄, LiCF₃SO₃, LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂, LiSbFg, LiAsF₆, LiN(CF₃CF₂SO₂)₂H₅)₃CH₃NBF₄, and LiI; and

a polymer matrix including one or more polar polymers crosslinked to form a network, wherein the one or more polar polymers have a semi-crystalline or crystalline microstructure.

10. The structure of claim 9, wherein the laminated structure having the electrochromic device disposed therein comprises:

a first substrate;

a first adhesive interlayer;

the electrochromic device;

a second adhesive interlayer; and

a second substrate,

wherein the first adhesive interlayer is interposed between the electrochromic device and the first substrate, and the second adhesive interlayer is interposed between the electrochromic device and the second substrate.

11. The structure of claim 10, wherein the first panel comprises the laminated structure having the electrochromic device disposed therein, and wherein the low-emissivity coating is deposited on the third surface of the second panel or on the second surface of the first panel.

12. The structure of claim 10, wherein the second panel comprises the laminated structure having the electrochromic device disposed therein, and wherein the low-emissivity coating is deposited on the third surface of the second panel or on the second surface of the first panel.

13. A multi-panel structure having an electrochromic device associated with at least one panel, the structure comprising:

a first panel having a first surface and a second surface;

a second panel having a third surface and a fourth surface;

a central panel interposed between the first panel and the second panel, the central panel having a fifth surface facing toward the second surface of the first panel, and a sixth surface facing toward the third surface of the second panel, wherein the first panel, the second panel and the central panel are in spaced relation with each other;

a low-emissivity coating deposited on at least one of the second surface of the first panel and the third surface of the second panel; and

an electrochromic device associated with the central panel, wherein the electrochromic device comprises an electrochromic material, a solid state electrolyte, and a charge storage layer; and

wherein the solid state electrolyte comprises;

an electrolyte salt selected from the group of LiTFSI, LiPF₆, LiBF₄, LiClO₄, LiCF₃SO₃, LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂, LiSbFg, LiAsF₆, LiN(CF₃CF₂SO₂)₂, (C₂H₅)₄NBF₄, (C₂H₅)₃CH₃NBF₄, and LiI; and

a polymer matrix including one or more polar polymers crosslinked to form a network, wherein the one or more polar polymers have a semi-crystalline or crystalline microstructure.

14. The structure of claim 13, wherein the low-emissivity coating is deposited on the second surface of the first panel, and wherein the electrochromic device is deposited on the fifth surface or the sixth surface of the central panel.

15. The structure of claim 13, wherein the low-emissivity coating is deposited on the third surface of the second panel, and wherein the electrochromic device is deposited on the fifth surface or the sixth surface of the central panel.

16. The structure of claim 13, wherein the low-emissivity coating is deposited on the second surface of the first panel, and another low-emissivity coating is deposited on the third surface of the second panel, and wherein the electrochromic device is deposited on the fifth surface or the sixth surface of the central panel.

17. The structure of claim 13, wherein the central panel comprises a laminated structure having the electrochromic device disposed therein, the laminated structure comprising:

a first substrate;

a first adhesive interlayer;

the electrochromic device;

a second adhesive interlayer; and

a second substrate,

wherein the first adhesive interlayer is interposed between the electrochromic device and the first substrate, and the second adhesive interlayer is interposed between the electrochromic device and the second substrate.

18. The structure of claim 17, wherein the low-emissivity coating is deposited on the third surface of the second panel or on the second surface of the first panel.