Electrochromic windows and method of making the same

• US 7,154,657 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2005
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• 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
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinh, Jack
• Application Number:
  US11/273,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20060077511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 359265-275, 252/582, 252/583, 252/586, 439/493, 439/857
• US Class Current: 359/265
• 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.

Claims

1. A method of making an electrochromic device comprising the steps of:

providing a first substrate;

adhering a first surface of a pre-formed seal gasket onto a first surface of said first substrate proximate the periphery thereof, said seal gasket having adhesive pre-applied to a second surface opposite the first surface, and having a release liner attached to the adhesive on the second surface of said seal gasket;

removing the release liner from the second surface of said seal gasket; and

aligning a second substrate with said first substrate and pressing a first surface of said second substrate onto the adhesive on the second surface of the seal gasket.

2. The method of claim 1 and further including the step of filling an area between the first surfaces of said first and second substrates with an electrochromic solution.

3. The method of claim 1 and further including the step of filling an area between the first surfaces of said first and second substrates with an electrolytic solution.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second substrates each include a transparent conductive layer on the first surfaces thereof.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the seal gasket is made of silicone, ethylene propylene diene methylene rubbers, tetrafluoroethylene fluorocarbon, fluorinated ethylene-propylene, or copolymers thereof.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the seal gasket is made of butyl rubber.

7. The method of claim 1 and further including the step of applying a sealant to the periphery of the joined first and second substrates.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the sealant is impermeable to air and moisture.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sealant is an epoxy resin.

10. An electrochromic device made using the method of claim 1.

11. A window comprising an electrochromic device made using the method of claim 1.