Electrochromic windows and method of making the same

• US 6,671,080 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2003
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Tonar, William L., Guarr, Thomas F., Poll, David L., Ash, Kevin L., Theiste, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US10/349,829
• Publication Number:
  US 20030137715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/267, 359/273, 359/274, 359/275, 359/271, 439/493, 439/857
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66 Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together reforming and uniting glass sheets by fusing C03B23/00; joining glass to glass or to other materials C03C27/00; laminated glass B32B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66366 specially adapted for units comprising more than two panes or for attaching intermediate sheets
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6775 Evacuating or filling the gap during assembly
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/264 Combinations of lamellar blinds with roller shutters, screen windows, windows, or double panes; Lamellar blinds with special devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• 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 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 359/90 Methods

Abstract

An electrochromic window assembly is disclosed that includes a first substrate and a second substrate that is maintained in a parallel and spaced relation from the first substrate by means of a window frame and spacer. The window assembly further includes an electrochromic device mounted within the airtight chamber formed between the first and second substrates. Electrochromic device 22 may be mounted so as to provide an air chamber between first substrate 12, which is the external substrate, and electrochromic device 22. At least one of the chambers formed between substrates 12 and 14 and electrochromic device 22 may be filled with an insulating gas such as argon. Also disclosed are novel methods for manufacture of an electrochromic device for incorporation into such a window assembly. A novel electrochromic device is also disclosed having electrical bus clips secured about the entire periphery of the electrochromic device. Also disclosed is the use of steel bus clips for the electrochromic device.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device comprising:

a first substrate and a second substrate spaced apart and joined by a seal to form a sealed chamber between inner surfaces of said substrates, said substrates being positioned to have at least a first edge aligned with the first edge of the other substrate;

a first electrode disposed on the inner surface of said first substrate;

a second electrode disposed on the inner surface of said second substrate, said first and second electrodes being electrically isolated from one another;

an electrochromic medium disposed within said sealed chamber;

a first electrical connector clip electrically coupled to said first electrode and physically coupled to said first substrate along at least the first edge thereof; and

a second electrical connector clip electrically coupled to said second electrode and physically coupled to said second substrate along at least the first edge thereof,

wherein said first and second electrical connector clips include a plurality of spaced-apart fingers that respectively contact said first and second electrodes, the fingers of one connector clip being spaced apart from one another by a distance greater than the width of the fingers of the other connector clip such that the fingers of said both the connector clips intermesh without physically contacting the fingers of the other connector clip.

2. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said first electrical connector clip is electrically coupled to said first electrode about the entire perimeter of said first electrode and said second electrical connector clip is electrically coupled to said second electrode about the entire perimeter of said second electrode.

3. The electrochromic device of claim 1, wherein said first and second connector clips are made of steel.

4. A window comprising a window frame and the electrochromic device of claim 1 mounted to said frame.

5. A window comprising the electrochromic device of claim 1 and further including first and second transparent substrates and a spacer for spacing and maintaining said first and second transparent substrates in a parallel, spaced-apart relation with said electrochromic device provided between said transparent substrates.

6. The window of claim 5 and further including a seal for providing an airtight cavity between said transparent substrates, wherein said electrochromic device is disposed in said cavity.

7. The window of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the airtight cavity is filled with argon.

8. An electrochromic device comprising:

first and second transparent elements joined by a seal in a parallel, spaced-apart relation to form a chamber therebetween;

a first transparent electrode disposed over the inner surface of said first element;

a second transparent electrode disposed over the inner surface of said second element, said first and second electrodes being electrically isolated from one another;

an electrochromic medium disposed within said sealed chamber;

a first electrical conductor electrically coupled to said first electrode about the entire perimeter of said first electrode; and

a second electrical conductor electrically coupled to said second electrode about the entire perimeter of said second electrode.

9. The electrochromic device of claim 8, wherein at least one of said first and second conductors is a connector clip that includes a plurality of spaced-apart fingers that respectively extend from a spine and contact said first and second electrodes.

10. The electrochromic device of claim 8, wherein at least one of said first and second conductors is an exposed wire.

11. The electrochromic device of claim 8, wherein at least one of said first and second conductors is foil strip.

12. The electrochromic device of claim 8, wherein said first and second conductors are made of steel.

13. A window comprising a window frame and the electrochromic device of claim 8 mounted to said frame.

14. A window comprising the electrochromic device of claim 8 and further including first and second transparent substrates and a spacer for spacing and maintaining said first and second transparent substrates in a parallel, spaced-apart relation with said electrochromic device provided between said transparent substrates.

15. The window of claim 14 and further including a seal for providing an airtight cavity between said transparent substrates, wherein said electrochromic device is disposed in said cavity.

16. The window of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the airtight cavity is filled with argon.