ELECTRO-OPTIC DEVICE WITH CONDUCTIVE SEAL

• US 20160077399A1
• Filed: 09/10/2015
• Published: 03/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Tonar, William L., Dozeman, Gary J., Stray, Joel A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,612,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1215 with information displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13392 spacers dispersed on the cell substrate, e.g. spherical particles, microfibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1345 Conductors connecting electrodes to cell terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• 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

Abstract

An electro-optic assembly is provided that includes a first substantially transparent substrate comprising: a first surface, and a second surface. The second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area. The assembly further includes a second substrate comprising: a third surface, and a fourth surface. The third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer. The assembly also includes a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; and an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity. The primary seal comprises a plurality of conductive spacers, the seal disposed in contact with portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers. A substantial portion of the plurality of conductive spacers is in substantial contact with the second and third surfaces.

Claims

1. An electro-optic assembly, comprising:

a first substantially transparent substrate comprising;

a first surface, and

a second surface,

wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area separating portions of the first electrically conductive layer;

a second substrate comprising;

a third surface, and

a fourth surface,

wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, wherein the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; and

an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity,

wherein the primary seal comprises a plurality of conductive spacers, the seal disposed in contact with portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers, and

further wherein a substantial portion of the plurality of conductive spacers is in substantial contact with the second and third surfaces.

2. The electro-optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive spacers comprise a conductive polymeric material.

3. The electro-optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive spacers comprise conductive particles.

4. The electro-optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive spacers comprise spacers having an outer conductive layer.

5. The electro-optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductive spacers comprises a mixture of ceramic and polymeric spacer beads.

6. The electro-optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductive spacers comprise first spacer beads and second spacer beads, the first spacer beads having a larger average radius and lower elastic modulus than the second spacer beads.

7. The electro-optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductive spacers comprise a substantial portion of beads having a shape selected from the group consisting of round, oval, triangular, cylindrical and cuboid shapes.

8. The electro-optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductive spacers comprise a substantial portion of irregularly-shaped beads.

9. The electro-optic assembly of claim 1, wherein the primary seal extends into at least one of the first and second isolation areas and the plurality of spacers are located adjacent to or outboard from the isolation areas.

10. (canceled)

11. An electro-optic assembly, comprising:

a first substantially transparent substrate comprising;

a first surface, and

a second surface,

wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area separating portions of the first electrically conductive layer;

a second substrate comprising;

a third surface, and

a fourth surface,

wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, wherein the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; and

an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity,

wherein the primary seal comprises a plurality of conductive spacers, the seal disposed in contact with portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers, and

further wherein the primary seal is configured such that a seal resistance between the portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers in contact with the primary seal is less than the cavity resistance through the cavity and between the portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers not in contact with the primary seal.

12. The electro-optic assembly of claim 11, wherein the conductive spacers comprise conductive particles.

13. The electro-optic assembly of claim 12, wherein the cavity further comprises an average cell spacing and the conductive particles are characterized by an average diameter that is at least 1/10 of the average cell spacing.

14. The electro-optic assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of conductive spacers comprises a mixture of conductive spacers and conductive particles, and the average diameter of the conductive spacers is larger than the average diameter of the conductive particles.

15. The electro-optic assembly of claim 11, further comprising:

a first contact in electrical contact with the first electrically conductive layer and disposed on the fourth surface; and

a second contact in electrical contact with the second electrically conductive layer and disposed on the fourth surface,

wherein the contact resistance between the first and second electrical contacts and along the fourth surface is greater than the seal resistance.

21. The electro-optic assembly of claim 11, wherein the conductive spacers comprise a conductive polymeric material.

16. An electro-optic assembly, comprising:

a first substantially transparent substrate comprising;

a first surface, and

a second surface,

wherein the second surface comprises a first electrically conductive layer and a first isolation area separating portions of the first electrically conductive layer;

a second substrate comprising;

a third surface, and

a fourth surface,

wherein the third surface comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal between the second and third surfaces, wherein the seal and the second and third surfaces define a substantially hermetic cavity; and

an electro-optic medium at least partially disposed in the cavity,

wherein the primary seal comprises a plurality of conductive particles, the seal disposed in contact with portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers, and

further wherein the conductive particles comprise magnetic material.

17. The electro-optic assembly of claim 16, wherein the magnetic material is a ferromagnetic material.

18. The electro-optic assembly of claim 16, wherein the conductive particles comprise a core of magnetic material and a conductive coating.

19. The electro-optic assembly of claim 16, wherein the conductive particles are substantially aligned in a direction normal to the portions of the first and second electrically conductive layers in contact with the seal.

20. The electro-optic assembly of claim 19, wherein the seal further comprises a matrix of non-conductive polymeric material.