Variable transmittance optical filter with substantially co-planar electrode system

• US 9,568,799 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2015
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solutia Canada, Inc. (Eastman Chemical Company)
• Original Assignee: Switch Materials, Inc.
• Inventors: Lam, Duhane, Branda, Neil Robin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben, Loha
• Application Number:
  US14/932,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20160070150A1
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 359/241, 359/245, 359265-267, 359/269, 359/275, 298/47
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 495/04 Ortho-condensed systems
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 2261/54 electrochromatic
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2417 Light path control; means to control reflection
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/247 Electrically powered illumination
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/23 Photochromic filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/102 Photochromic filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0126 Opto-optical modulation, i.e. control of one light beam by another light beam, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/03 based on ceramics or electro-optical crystals, e.g. exhibiting Pockels effect or Kerr effect G02F1/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1506 caused by electrodeposition, e.g. electrolytic deposition of an inorganic material on or close to an electrode
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1516 comprising organic material
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/153 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 Electrodes
• 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 2001/1552 Inner electrode, e.g. the electrochromic layer being sandwiched between the inner electrode and the support substrate
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1557 Side by side arrangements of working and counter electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/124 interdigital
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/38 : using electrochromic devices

Abstract

A variable transmittance optical filter comprising: a first layer comprising a first substantially transparent substrate with a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system disposed thereon, the SC electrode system made of transparent electrically conductive material and comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner on the first substantially transparent substrate, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, a second layer proximate to the first layer and comprising a transition material that darkens in response to a non-electrical stimulus and lightens in response to application of an electric voltage; and an electrical connection system for electrically connecting the SC electrode system to a source of electric voltage.

Claims

1. A variable transmittance optical filter comprising:

(a) a first layer comprising a first substantially transparent substrate with a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system pattern disposed thereon, the SC electrode system pattern made of transparent electrically conductive material and comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner on the first substantially transparent substrate, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode;

(b) a second layer proximate to the first layer and comprising a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic, and that darkens in response to a non-electrical stimulus and lightens in response to application of an electric voltage; and

(c) an electrical connection system for electrically connecting the SC electrode system pattern to a source of the electric voltage;

wherein the first electrode and the second electrode of each pair comprise primary finger-like structures and the primary finger-like structures of the first electrode are interdigitated with the finger-like structures of the second electrode.

2. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein the finger-like structures of the first electrode and the finger-like structures of the second electrode have substantially the same length.

3. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein the finger-like structures of the first electrode and the second electrode form a linear or curvilinear unit.

4. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein each of the interdigitated finger-like structures of the first and second electrodes have an interdigit spacing of from about 10 μ

m to about 1 mm or any amount or range therebetween.

5. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein surface area of the first electrode is substantially equal to, or greater than, surface area of the second electrode.

6. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein a width of the finger-like structures of the first electrode and that of the finger-like structures of the second electrode have a ratio of from about 2:

1 to about 100;

1 or any amount therebetween.

7. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein a space between the finger-like structures of the first electrode and second electrode is less than a width of the second electrode.

8. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode.

9. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode.

10. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein the compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic is an anodic species.

11. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein the non-electrical stimulus is light, wherein the light comprises wavelengths of about 350 to about 420 nm, or of about 365 to about 420 nm, or of about 374 to about 420 nm, or of about 375 to about 420 nm, or of about 380 to about 420 nm, or of about 385 nm to about 420 nm, or any amount or range therebetween.

12. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, comprising two or more pairs of electrically separate electrodes.

13. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein the variable transmittance optical filter is a film.

14. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein the electrode system pattern comprises a rectangular, square, triangular, wave, swirl or jelly roll pattern.

15. The variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1, wherein the electrode system pattern comprises a finger-like pattern, a swirl pattern, or a combination of a finger-like pattern and a swirl pattern.

16. An architectural window, automotive window or ophthalmic device comprising the variable transmittance optical filter of claim 1.

17. A method of preparing a variable transmittance optical filter comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first layer comprising a first substantially transparent substrate, and;

(i) etching into a layer of substantially transparent electrically conductive material disposed thereon a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system pattern, the SC electrode system pattern comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode;

or

(ii) printing onto the first substrate a substantially co-planar (SC) electrode system pattern using a conductive ink, the SC electrode system pattern comprising at least one pair of electrically separate electrodes arranged in a substantially co-planar manner, each pair of electrically separate electrodes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode;

(b) disposing a second layer proximate to the SC electrode system pattern, the second layer comprising a transition material comprising a compound that is both photochromic and electrochromic that is capable of dynamically varying the degree of visible light transmittance on application of an electric voltage; and

(c) providing an electrical connection system electrically connecting the SC electrode system pattern to a source of the electric voltage;

wherein the first electrode and the second electrode of each pair comprise primary finger-like structures and the primary finger-like structures of the first electrode are interdigitated with the primary finger-like structures of the second electrode.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the finger-like structures of the first electrode and the finger-like structures of the second electrode have substantially the same length.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the finger-like structures of the first electrode and the second electrode form a linear or curvilinear unit.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the interdigitated finger-like structures of the first and second electrodes have an interdigit spacing of from about 10 μ

m to about 1 mm or any amount or range therebetween.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein surface area of the first electrode is substantially equal to, or greater than, surface area of the second electrode.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein a width of the finger-like structures of the first electrode and that of the finger-like structures of the second electrode have a ratio of from about 2:

1 to about 100;

1 or any amount therebetween.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein a space between the finger-like structures of the first electrode and second electrode is less than a width of the second electrode.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the compound that is both photo chromic and electrochromic is an anodic species.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the non-electrical stimulus is light, wherein the light comprises wavelengths of about 350 to about 420 nm, or of about 365 to about 420 nm, or of about 374 to about 420 nm, or of about 375 to about 420 nm, or of about 380 to about 420 nm, or of about 385 nm to about 420 nm, or any amount or range therebetween.

28. The method of claim 17, further comprising two or more pairs of electrically separate electrodes.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the variable transmittance optical filter is a film.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the primary finger-like structures comprises a secondary finger-like structure.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the secondary finger-like structure comprises one or more secondary finger-like structures.

32. The method of claim 17, wherein the electrode system pattern comprises a rectangular, square, triangular, wave, swirl or jelly roll pattern.

33. The method of claim 17, wherein the electrode system pattern comprises a finger-like pattern, a swirl pattern, or a combination of a finger-like pattern and a swirl pattern.