Electrode design for electrochromic devices

• US 6,606,184 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Guarr, Thomas F., Theiste, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LESTER, EVELYN A
• Application Number:
  US09/949,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20020005977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265-275
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1552 Inner electrode, e.g. the electrochromic layer being sandwiched between the inner electrode and the support substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1557 Side by side arrangements of working and counter electrodes

Abstract

An electrochromic device, such as a window or mirror, is disclosed that includes first and second substrates each having an inner surface spaced apart from one another to define a chamber, first and second electrodes carried on the inner surface of the second substrate and disposed thereon to be electrically isolated from one another, and an electrochromic medium disposed in the chamber. The electrodes may be disposed on the inner surface of the second substrate in substantially co-planar relation. Alternatively, the electrodes may be arranged in a stacked relation, with a layer of dielectric material provided therebetween.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device comprising:

a transparent first substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a second substrate having an inner surface spaced apart from said inner surface of said first substrate;

a perimeter seal, which, with said inner surfaces of said first and second substrates, defines a chamber therebetween;

a first electrode carried on said inner surface of said second substrate;

a second electrode also carried on said inner surface of said second substrate, said second electrode being electrically isolated from said first electrode;

a UV radiation attenuating material associated with said device; and

an electrochromic medium disposed in said chamber between said inner surface of said first substrate and said inner surface of said second substrate, wherein said UV radiation attenuating material reduces the amount of UV radiation impacting a portion of said electrochromic medium.

2. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said UV radiation attenuating material is provided in said chamber.

3. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said UV radiation attenuating material is provided on a surface of said first substrate.

4. The electrochromic device of claim 3, wherein said UV radiation attenuating material is provided in a film applied to a surface of said first substrate.

5. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said first and second electrodes are substantially coplanar.

6. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said electrochromic medium includes cathodic and anodic species, wherein the ratio of cathodic to anodic species within said in electrochromic medium is a function of the ratio of the surface areas of said first electrode and said second electrode.

7. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said electrochromic medium includes anodic and cathodic species exhibiting substantially similar color transitions.

8. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said electrochromic device is a mirror.

9. A window comprising the electrochromic device of claim 1.

10. The window of claim 9 and further including a window pane, wherein said UV attenuating material is carried on a surface of said window pane.

11. An electrochromic device comprising:

a transparent first substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a second substrate having an inner surface spaced apart from said inner surface of said first substrate;

a perimeter seal, which, with said inner surfaces of said first and second substrates, defines a chamber therebetween;

a first electrode carried on said inner surface of said second substrate;

a second electrode also carried on said inner surface of said second substrate, said second electrode being electrically isolated from said first electrode, wherein said second electrode comprises a series of conductive members that are electrically isolated from one another; and

an electrochromic medium disposed in said chamber between said inner surface of said first substrate and said inner surface of said second substrate.

12. The electrochromic device of claim 11, wherein said second electrode further comprising a contact strip electrically coupled to each of said series of conductive members.

13. The electrochromic device of claim 11 and further including a UV attenuator associated with said device.

14. The electrochromic device of claim 11, wherein said first and second electrodes are substantially coplanar.

15. The electrochromic device of claim 11, wherein said electrochromic medium includes cathodic and anodic species, wherein the ratio of cathodic to anodic species within said electrochromic medium is a function of the ratio of the surface areas of said first electrode and said second electrode.

16. The electrochromic device of claim 11, wherein said electrochromic medium includes anodic and cathodic species exhibiting substantially similar color transitions.

17. The electrochromic device as defined in claim 11, wherein said device is configured such that said electrochromic medium becomes colored when a current flows through said first and second electrodes.

18. The electrochromic device as defined in claim 11, wherein said electrochromic medium comprises a cathodic and anodic species.

19. An insulated glass window comprising:

a first glass pane;

a second glass pane sealably bonded to said first glass pane to define a chamber therebetween;

a low heat conducting gas provided in said chamber; and

an electrochromic device disposed within said chamber, said electrochromic device comprising;

first and second electrodes carried on a single surface of a substrate, said first and second electrodes being electrically isolated from one another, each electrode having a first surface facing the substrate, and a second surface opposite said first surface, wherein said first and second electrodes are substantially coplanar; and

an electrochromic medium in electrical contact with said first and second electrodes.

20. The insulated glass window of claim 19, wherein said second glass pane functions as said substrate.

21. The insulated glass window of claim 19, wherein said electrochromic medium is disposed over said second surfaces of said first and second electrodes.

22. The insulated glass window of claim 19, wherein said substrate is attached to a surface of one of said first and second glass panes within said chamber.

23. The insulated glass window of claim 19, wherein said electrochromic element includes a second substrate spaced apart from the other substrate, which, with a seal, defines a sealed second chamber therebetween, said electrochromic medium being disposed in said second chamber.

24. The insulated glass window of claim 23, wherein said second substrate is spaced apart from said first and second glass panes.

25. An insulated glass window comprising a first glass pane;

a second glass pane sealably bonded to said first glass pane to define a chamber therebetween;

a low heat conducting gas provided in said chamber; and

an electrochromic device disposed within said chamber, said electrochromic device comprising;

first and second electrodes carried on a single surface of a substrate, said first and second electrodes being electrically isolated from one another, each electrode having a first surface facing the substrate, and a second surface opposite said first surface; and

an electrochromic medium in electrical contact with said first and second electrodes and further including an ultraviolet attenuator carried on a surface of one of said first glass pane and said electrochromic device.

26. An electrochromic mirror comprising:

a transparent first substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface;

a second substrate having an inner surface spaced apart from said inner surface of said first substrate, which, with a seal, defines a chamber therebetween;

a first electrode carried on said inner surface of said second substrate;

a second electrode also carried on said inner surface of said second substrate, said second electrode being electrically isolated from said first electrode;

an electrochromic medium disposed in said chamber between said inner surface of said first substrate and said inner surface of said second substrate, which carries said first and second electrodes; and

a reflector provided on a surface of said second substrate.

27. The electrochromic mirror of claim 26, wherein said reflector is provided on an outer surface of said second substrate.

28. The electrochromic mirror of claim 26, wherein said reflector is provided on said inner surface of said second substrate.

29. The electrochromic mirror of claim 28, wherein said reflector includes an electrically conductive layer that functions as said second electrode.