Laminated electrochromic devices and processes for forming the same

• US 8,115,984 B2
• Filed: 06/16/2008
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ajjer, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ajjer, LLC
• Inventors: Agrawal, Anoop, Tonazzi, Juan Carlos L., Adams, Lori L., Cronin, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martinez, Joseph P
• Application Number:
  US12/140,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20080310007A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,338 Days
• Field of Search: 359265-275, 345/49, 345/105, 348/817
• US Class Current: 359/265
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1503 caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/15165 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1533 structural features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1502 complementary cell
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1518 Ferrocene compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/164 the electrolyte is made of polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/086 UV absorbing
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/36 Micro- or nanomaterials

Abstract

This invention discloses pre-formed electrochromic films that are used in assembly of electrochromic devices. These films are laminated to conductive substrates to form the electrochromic devices. The invention also discloses optical characteristics of the substrates for imparting durability to the electrochromic devices from solar radiation.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device formed by assembling a pair of substrates having conductive layers with a preformed multi layer film formed independently of the conductively coated substrate, wherein the device is assembled with the conductive layers of the substrates facing inwards and sandwiching the pre-formed multilayer solid film wherein the said preformed multi layer film comprises at least two layers with different compositions, and at least one of these layers having electrochromic properties and at least one layer having electrolytic properties.

2. An electrochromic device formed as in claim 1 where the multilayer polymer film comprises an anodic layer, a cathodic layer and an electrolyte layer.

3. An electrochromic device formed as in claim 1, where the pre-formed multilayer film is formed by co-extrusion.

4. An electrochromic device formed as in claim 1, where the multilayer film comprises thermoplastic and thermoset layers.

5. An electrochromic device formed as in claim 1 wherein, at least one of the layers in the multilayer film is further polymerized after assembling with the said substrates.

6. An electrochromic device formed as in claim 1 where the lamination process to assemble the substrate and the multilayer film is carried out under heat and pressure.

7. An electrochromic device formed by assembling a pair of substrates having conductive coatings with a preformed multi layer film formed independently of the conductively coated substrate, wherein the device is assembled with the conductive coatings of the substrates facing inwards and sandwiching the pre-formed multilayer solid film wherein the said preformed multilayer film comprises at least three layers with different compositions, and at least one of these layers having anodic properties, another one of these layers having electrolytic properties and another one of these layers having cathodic properties.

8. An electrochromic device formed by assembling a pair of substrates having conductive coatings with at least two preformed film layers formed independently of the conductively coated substrate, wherein the device is assembled with the conductive coatings of the substrates facing inwards and sandwiching the pre-formed layers with different compositions, and at least one of the preformed film layers having electrochromic properties and at least one layer having electrolytic properties.

9. An electrochromic device formed by assembling a pair of substrates having conductive coatings with preformed film layers formed independently of the conductively coated substrate, wherein the device is assembled with the conductive coatings of the substrates facing inwards and sandwiching at least three pre-formed layers with different compositions, and at least one of these pre-formed layers having anodic properties, another one of these pre-formed layers having electrolytic properties and another one of these pre-formed layers having cathodic properties.

10. A variable reflectivity automotive mirror formed by assembling a pair of bent substrates with a preformed multi layer film formed independently of the substrates, wherein the device is assembled with the substrates sandwiching the preformed multi layer film, and at least one of these pre-formed layers in the said film comprises a variable light modulating medium.