Electrochromic device

• US 7,397,595 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2005
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Kojima, Kyoko
• Primary Examiner(s): Lester; Evelyn A.
• Application Number:
  US11/209,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20060262377A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 359265-275, 348/775, 348/817
• US Class Current: 359/271
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1557 Side by side arrangements of working and counter electrodes

Abstract

This invention provides an electrochromic device which has superior coloration repeat properties, high light transmittance and small thickness. A film is provided comprising a first electrode and second electrode in the same plane, and an electrochromic region and electrolyte region laminated in this plane. The electrochromic region is provided on the second electrode, the electrolyte region is provided on the first electrode, and the boundary between the electrochromic region and electrolyte region lies in the planar direction of the film.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device, comprising:

an insulating substrate;

first and second electrodes installed on said substrate, each of said first and second electrodes being installed in an in-plane direction of said substrate at a given distance apart;

an electrochromic layer installed on said substrate without being in contact with said first electrode and being in contact with said second electrode;

an electrolyte layer installed on said substrate in contact with said first electrode; and

an insulating protective layer formed on the electrochromic layer and the electrolyte layer;

wherein a boundary between said electrochromic layer and said electrolyte layer lies on said substrate and between said first electrode and said second electrode; and

wherein said insulating protective layer is installed in contact with both of said electrochromic layer and said electrolyte layer.

2. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein said boundary is situated on said second electrode.

3. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein said electrolyte is a liquid, said device having an insulating member for forming a sealed space on said substrate and said electrolyte being sealed in said sealed space.

4. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein said electrochromic layer is displayed as pixels.

5. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein said second electrode is a circular plane electrode having a circular aperture at its center, and said first electrode is an annular electrode situated inside said circular aperture.

6. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein plural groups of said first electrode and said second electrode are disposed on said substrate.

7. An electrochromic device comprising:

an insulating substrate;

first and second electrodes installed on said substrate, each of said first and second electrodes being installed in an in-plane direction of said substrate at a given distance apart;

a conductive layer installed on said first electrode;

an electrochromic layer installed on said substrate without being in contact with said first electrode and, being in contact with said second electrode; and

an electrolyte layer installed on said substrate in contact with said conductive layer and said electrochromic layer,

wherein a boundary between said electrochromic layer and said electrolyte layer lies on said substrate.

8. The electrochromic device according to claim 7, wherein said boundary is situated on said second electrode.

9. The electrochromic device according to claim 7, wherein said conductive layer comprises an electrochromic material.

10. The electrochromic device according to claim 7, wherein said electrochromic layer is displayed as pixels.

11. The electrochromic device according to claim 7, wherein said second electrode is a circular plane electrode having a circular aperture at its center, and said first electrode is an annular electrode situated inside said circular aperture.

12. The electrochromic device according to claim 7, wherein plural groups of said first electrode and said second electrode are disposed on said substrate.