Fabrication of cell cavities for electrooptic devices

• US 7,457,027 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ajjer, LLC
• Original Assignee: Electrochromix, Inc.
• Inventors: LeCompte, Robert S., Tonazzi, Juan Carlos Lopez
• Primary Examiner(s): MARTINEZ, JOSEPH P
• Application Number:
  US11/185,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20060027260A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/272, 345/49, 345/105, 349/154, 264/4
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 9/00 Tenebrescent materials, i.e. materials for which the range of wavelengths for energy absorption is changed as a result of excitation by some form of energy
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1503 caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/20 Light-sensitive devices

Abstract

This invention discloses methods to dispense adhesives for fabricating electrooptic devices. In addition the invention also discloses on how the cavities of these electrooptic devices may be filled using detachable tabs. The Electrooptic devices of this invention may comprise liquid or solid electrolytes.

Claims

1. A method of producing a cell for an electrochromic device comprising front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces and a seal member bonding said front and rear elements together in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber with at least one vent and one inlet that is at least partially formed in a detachable tab, wherein the method comprises injecting an electrolyte composition in liquid state into the chamber via the inlet and then closing the inlet and the vent.

2. A method of producing a cell for an electrochromic device comprising front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces and a seal member bonding said front and rear elements together in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber, wherein the method comprises injecting a liquid electrolyte in the chamber via a detachable tab, wherein a sealant is applied to at least one of the front and rear surfaces in a manner that forms a vent and a fluid inlet at the detachable tab, and injecting liquid electrolyte into the chamber via the fluid inlet at the detachable tab.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the vent is at least partially formed in the sealant.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3, including closing the vent when the chamber is filled with the liquid electrolyte.

5. A method as set forth in claim 3, including detaching the tab to form a gap in the sealant, and then closing the gap in the sealant.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the injected electrolyte comprises an electrolyte that solidifies in the chamber by formation of multiphase structure.

7. A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the injected electrolyte comprises an electrolyte that solidifies in the chamber by formation of cross links.

8. An electrochromic mirror device comprising front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces and a seal member bonding said front and rear elements together in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber with at least one vent and one inlet, wherein the said chamber is filled by injecting an electrolyte composition in liquid state via an inlet in a detachable tab.

9. An electrochromic mirror device as in claim 8 wherein the electrolyte is solidified after the chamber is filled.

10. An electrochromic mirror device as in claim 9 where the solidification occurs via any one of multpiphase formation or polymerization.

11. An electrochromic mirror device as in claim 8 wherein the electrolyte is injected at an elevated temperature.

12. An electrochromic mirror device as in claim 8, wherein the said chamber is preheated prior to the filling process.

13. An electrochromic mirror device as in claim 8, wherein the electrolyte composition is injected at a pressure between 5 and 50 psi.

14. An electrochromic mirror device as in claim 8, wherein the chamber is clamped during the injection process.

15. A method of producing a cell for an electrochromic mirror device comprising front and rear spaced elements, each having front and rear surfaces and a seal member bonding said front and rear elements together in a spaced apart relationship to define a chamber wherein the method comprises injecting an electrolyte in the liquid state into the chamber via an inlet in a detachable tab and wherein the said injection process further comprises of sealing the nozzle of the injection device against the said inlet during the said injection process.

16. A method of producing a cell for an electrochromic mirror device as in claim 15 wherein the chamber is flushed with an inert gas prior to the electrolyte injection process.