Electrochromic thin film state-of-charge detector for on-the-cell application
First Claim
1. A method for preparing a label having a battery condition tester for a battery, said battery including a first and a second external terminal, said method comprising the following steps:
- providing a label substrate as a film;
forming on said substrate a layer of a first electronically conductive material;
applying so as to contact said first electronically conductive material a component including an electrochromic material and an ionically conductive electrolyte;
applying so as to contact said component a layer of a second electronically conductive material, to thereby form said battery condition tester; and
providing on said substrate a first electrically conductive means for connecting one of said first and second electronically conductive materials of said battery condition tester to one external terminal of said battery and a second electrically conductive means for connecting the other electronically conductive material to the other external terminal of said battery, and mounting said label substrate to said battery in a manner to be left there in place and to connect at least one of said first and second electrically conductive means to one of said battery terminals and whereby said tester is disposed on said battery.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tester for use in determining the voltage and state-of-charge of a battery. The tester can be permanently mounted on the battery and employs an electrochromic cell which changes visual appearance, for example, color or intensity of color when electrically connected across the terminals of a battery. The electrochromic cell undergoes an oxidation/reduction reaction on direct application of the DC potential of the battery. The color of the electrochromic cell can be compared with a color comparison chart to determine the condition of the battery. The tester can be permanently electrically connected to the battery or, preferably, can be connected momentarily to determine the state of the battery.
75 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for preparing a label having a battery condition tester for a battery, said battery including a first and a second external terminal, said method comprising the following steps:
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providing a label substrate as a film; forming on said substrate a layer of a first electronically conductive material; applying so as to contact said first electronically conductive material a component including an electrochromic material and an ionically conductive electrolyte; applying so as to contact said component a layer of a second electronically conductive material, to thereby form said battery condition tester; and providing on said substrate a first electrically conductive means for connecting one of said first and second electronically conductive materials of said battery condition tester to one external terminal of said battery and a second electrically conductive means for connecting the other electronically conductive material to the other external terminal of said battery, and mounting said label substrate to said battery in a manner to be left there in place and to connect at least one of said first and second electrically conductive means to one of said battery terminals and whereby said tester is disposed on said battery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification