Addressable electro-optic device

• US 10,754,219 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2018
• Issued: 08/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Ash, Kevin L., Franz, Sue F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, James C.
• Application Number:
  US16/024,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20190004387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 359275
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• 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 2201/122 having a particular pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/56 Substrates having a particular shape, e.g. non-rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/025 thermocurable
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/48 Variable attenuator

Abstract

An electro-optic device includes a front substrate defining a first surface and a second surface. A rear substrate defines a third surface and a fourth surface. A seal is disposed about a periphery of the second surface and the third surface. A space is defined between the front substrate, the rear substrate, and the seal. An electro-optic medium is disposed within the space. A first conductive material is disposed on the second surface of the front substrate. A second conductive material is disposed on the third surface of the rear substrate. At least one isolation line extends across at least one of the first conductive material and the second conductive material to define independently controlled dimming regions.

Claims

1. An electro-optic device comprising:

a front substrate defining a first surface and a second surface;

a rear substrate defining a third surface and a fourth surface;

a seal disposed about a periphery of the second surface and the third surface, wherein a space is defined between the front substrate, the rear substrate, and the seal;

an electro-optic medium disposed within the space;

a first conductive material disposed on the second surface of the front substrate;

a second conductive material disposed on the third surface of the rear substrate; and

at least one horizontal isolation line extending across the front substrate and at least one vertical isolation line extending across the rear substrate, wherein the at least one horizontal isolation line and the at least one vertical isolation line define independently controlled dimming regions, and wherein the independently controlled dimming regions are configured to be selectively darkened or lightened.

2. The electro-optic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal and the at least one vertical isolation lines are defined by mechanical removal of a portion of at least one of the first conductive material and the second conductive material.

3. The electro-optic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal and the at least one vertical isolation lines are laser ablated onto at least one of the second surface and the third surface.

4. The electro-optic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal and the at least one vertical isolation lines are at least three microns wide.

5. The electro-optic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal and the at least one vertical isolation lines are disposed in a position such that a first independently controlled dimming region is less than half the size of a second independently controlled dimming region.

6. The electro-optic device of claim 1, wherein the at least one horizontal isolation line and the at least one vertical isolation line define three or more independently controlled dimming regions.

7. An electro-optic window comprising:

a front substrate defining a first surface and a second surface;

a rear substrate defining a third surface and a fourth surface;

a seal disposed about a periphery of the second surface and the third surface, wherein a space is defined between the front substrate, the rear substrate, and the seal;

an electro-optic medium disposed within the space;

a first conductive material disposed on the second surface of the front substrate;

a second conductive material disposed on the third surface of the rear substrate; and

a secondary seal extending between the front substrate and the rear substrate, wherein the secondary seal is configured to separate independently controlled dimming regions.

8. The electro-optic window of claim 7, wherein the secondary seal includes a clear epoxy.

9. The electro-optic window of claim 7, wherein the secondary seal includes a thermally cured epoxy seal.

10. The electro-optic window of claim 7, wherein at least one isolation line extends across at least one of the first conductive material and the second conductive material in proximity of the secondary seal.

11. The electro-optic window of claim 7, wherein the secondary seal is disposed in a position such that a first independently controlled dimming region is less than half the size of a second independently controlled dimming region.

12. An electro-optic window comprising:

a first independently electro-optically dimmable region defined between first and second substrates;

a second independently electro-optically dimmable region defined between the first and second substrates;

a controller configured to operate one or both of the first and second independently electro-optically dimmable regions;

horizontal isolation lines disposed on the first substrate and vertical isolation lines disposed on the second substrate, wherein the horizontal and vertical isolation lines define the first and second independently electro-optically dimmable regions; and

a barrier extending between the first and second substrates, wherein the barrier is configured to separate the first and second independently electro-optically dimmable regions.

13. The electro-optic window of claim 12, further comprising:

a third independently electro-optically dimmable region defined between the first and second substrates.

14. The electro-optic window of claim 12, wherein the horizontal and vertical isolation lines are disposed in a position such that the first independently electro-optically dimmable region is less than half the size of the second independently electro-optically dimmable region.

15. The electro-optic window of claim 12, wherein the horizontal and vertical isolation lines are defined by mechanical removal of a portion of at least one of a first conductive material disposed on the first substrate and a second conductive material disposed on the second substrate.

16. The electro-optic window of claim 12, wherein the barrier extends between the first and second substrates through an electro-optic medium to define the first and second independently electro-optically dimmable regions.

17. The electro-optic window of claim 12, wherein the barrier includes a thermally cured epoxy seal.

18. The electro-optic window of claim 12, wherein the barrier is a secondary seal that extends across the first and second substrates and which is operably coupled with a seal disposed about a periphery of the first and second substrates.

19. The electro-optic window of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to simultaneously and uniformly dim the first and second independently electro-optically dimmable regions.