Electro-optic device

• US 9,354,470 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2014
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Ash, Kevin L., Franz, Sue F., Heintzelman, Adam R., Cammenga, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PINKNEY, DAWAYNE
• Application Number:
  US14/494,789
• Publication Number:
  US 20150085341A1
• Time in Patent Office: 615 Days
• Field of Search: 359/296, 359/245, 359/315, 359/247, 359251-252, 359/254, 359/108, 359237-238, 359278-279, 359290-292, 359/298, 359300-302, 359/259, 359265-275, 430 31- 32, 345/49, 345/105, 345/107, 349/33, 349/38, 438/929
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133602 Direct backlight
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133626 providing two modes of illumination, e.g. day-night
• 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 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• 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 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/15145 the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/164 the electrolyte is made of polymers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 2102/3031 Two-side emission, e.g. transparent OLEDs [TOLED]
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/8426 Peripheral sealing arrangements, e.g. adhesives, sealants
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/8428 Vertical spacers, e.g. arranged between the sealing arrangement and the OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 50/86 Arrangements for improving contrast, e.g. preventing reflection of ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/50 OLEDs integrated with light modulating elements, e.g. with electrochromic elements, photochromic elements or liquid crystal elements
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8722 Peripheral sealing arrangements, e.g. adhesives, sealants
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8723 Vertical spacers, e.g. arranged between the sealing arrangement and the OLED
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 59/8791 : Arrangements for improving contrast, e.g. preventing reflection of ambient light

Abstract

An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate including first and second surfaces, at least one of which includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate includes third and fourth surfaces, at least one of which includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal is disposed around perimeter portions of the first and second substrates, which define a cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A plurality of beads are disposed in a central portion of the cavity and are movable to a perimeter portion of the cavity. A substantially transparent light emitting display is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, which is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.

Claims

1. An emissive display system, comprising:

an electro-optic device comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces comprises a first electrically conductive layer;

a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein at least one of the third and fourth surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal disposed around perimeter portions of the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween;

an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states; and

a plurality of beads disposed in a central portion of the cavity, the plurality of beads being configured to maintain a cell spacing between the first and second substrates, wherein the plurality of beads comprises a plurality of paramagnetic or ferromagnetic beads and are movable to a perimeter portion of the cavity; and

a substantially transparent light emitting display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, wherein the electro-optic device is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light, wherein the plurality of beads is moved to the perimeter portion of the cavity by the following steps;

(a) generating a magnetic field;

(b) manipulating the magnetic field such that a force is generated on the plurality of paramagnetic or ferromagnetic beads; and

(c) applying said force to move the plurality of paramagnetic or ferromagnetic beads to a position proximate the primary seal along the perimeter of the cavity.

2. An emissive display system, comprising:

an electro-optic device comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces comprises a first electrically conductive layer;

a second substantially transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof, wherein at least one of the third and fourth surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal disposed around perimeter portions of the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a cavity therebetween;

an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states; and

a plurality of beads disposed in a central portion of the cavity, the plurality of beads being configured to maintain a cell spacing between the first and second substrates, wherein the plurality of beads comprises a plurality of paramagnetic or ferromagnetic beads and are movable to a perimeter portion of the cavity; and

a substantially transparent light emitting display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, wherein the electro-optic device is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light, wherein the plurality of beads is moved to the perimeter portion of the cavity by the following steps;

(a) positioning the electro-optic device to generate an outwardly oriented hydrostatic force within the electro-optic device; and

(b) allowing the plurality of beads to gravitationally descend to a position proximate the primary seal.

3. The emissive display system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of beads comprises a plurality of glass beads.

4. An emissive display system, comprising:

an electro-optic device comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces, wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces comprises a first electrically conductive layer;

a second substantially transparent substrate spaced apart from the first substrate, the second substrate having third and fourth surfaces, wherein at least one of the third and fourth surfaces comprises a second electrically conductive layer;

a primary seal disposed around perimeter portions of the first and second substrates, wherein the seal and the first and second substrates define a substantially hermetic cavity therebetween;

an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity, the electro-optic medium being variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states; and

a plurality of substantially opaque beads disposed in a central portion of the cavity, the beads configured to separate the first and second substrates by a predetermined distance, wherein the beads are substantially concealed when the electro-optic medium is in both the substantially clear and darkened states; and

a substantially transparent light emitting display disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, wherein the electro-optic device is converted to the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.

5. The emissive display system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of beads are arranged in a grid pattern in the electro-optic medium.

6. The emissive display system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of beads are retained in the grid pattern via a constituent of the electro-optic medium.

7. The emissive display system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of beads comprises a basalt glass component.

8. The emissive display system of claim 4, wherein the light emitting display is an organic light emitting diode display.

9. The emissive display system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of beads is three-dimensionally printed onto one of the second and third surfaces.

10. The emissive display system of claim 4, wherein the substantially opaque beads have a largest dimension ranging from about 100 microns to about 1000 microns.

11. The emissive display system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of beads comprises a plurality of polymeric beads.