Electrochromic mirror or window displaying information

• US 20060098264A1
• Filed: 11/09/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Chem Limited (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Chem Limited (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Kee Yong
• Granted Patent: US 7,362,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/265
• 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

Abstract

Disclosed is an electrochromic mirror or window. The electrochromic mirror or window includes a first substrate including a first electrode, a second substrate including a second electrode, an electrolyte filled in a gap formed between the first and second substrates and including ions related to an electrochromic reaction, and an electrochromic layer provided on the second electrode to change its color depending on an electric signal applied thereto. The electrochromic layer is patterned on the second electrode with a predetermined configuration to display information. The electrochromic mirror or window displays information, such as messages, pictures or time, by patterning the information in the electrochromic layer.

Claims

1. An electrochromic mirror or window comprising:

a first substrate including a first electrode;

a second substrate including a second electrode;

an electrolyte filled in a gap formed between the first and second substrates and including ions related to an electrochromic reaction; and

an electrochromic layer provided on the second electrode to change its color depending on an electric signal applied thereto, wherein the electrochromic layer is patterned on the second electrode with a predetermined configuration to display information.

2. The electrochromic mirror or window as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second electrode is patterned on the second substrate matching with a predetermined configuration of the electrochromic layer.

3. The electrochromic mirror or window as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrochromic layer includes at least two patterns spaced away from each other.

4. The electrochromic mirror or window as claimed in claim 3, wherein electrochromic characteristics of the electrochromic layer having at least two patterns is adjusted by using a single common second electrode.

5. The electrochromic mirror or window as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second electrode includes at least two electrodes, which are individually controlled by a driving circuit, and at least one of the patterns of the electrochromic layer is formed on each of at least two electrodes.

6. The electrochromic mirror or window as claimed in claim 1, wherein all elements of the electrochromic mirror or window, except for the electrochromic layer, are transparent.

7. The electrochromic mirror as claimed in claim 1, wherein all elements of the electrochromic mirror, except for the electrochromic layer and the first electrode, are transparent, and the first electrode is formed with a mirror surface.

8. The electrochromic mirror as claimed in claim 6, wherein a mirror surface is formed at an outer surface of the first substrate or the second substrate.

9. The electrochromic mirror or window as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrolyte includes ionic liquid.

10. The electrochromic mirror or window as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an ion storage for storing ions having polarity opposite to that of ions related to the electrochromic reaction.