Emissive display system

• US 9,575,359 B2
• Filed: 09/24/2014
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Theiste, David A., Kloeppner, Leroy J., Franz, Sue F., Ash, Kevin L., Tonar, William L., Cammenga, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PINKNEY, DAWAYNE
• Application Number:
  US14/494,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20150085340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 881 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, 345/107, 345/105, 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 disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the first and second surfaces includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate includes third and fourth surfaces disposed on opposite sides thereof. At least one of the third and fourth surfaces includes a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal disposed between the first and second substrates. The seal and the first and second substrates 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 substantially transparent light emitting display is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, which is converted to 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 an electrically conductive layer is positioned directly on the first surface of the first substrate and in electrical contact with a conductive material positioned on an edge of the first substrate;

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 between 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 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.

2. The emissive display system of claim 1, wherein the substantially transparent light emitting display is an organic light emitting diode display.

3. The emissive display system of claim 1, wherein the electro-optic medium is an electrochromic medium.

4. The emissive display system of claim 3, wherein the electrochromic medium includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, and at least one cathodic material.

5. The emissive display system of claim 4, wherein the at least one anodic material and the at least one cathodic material are electroactive materials.

6. The emissive display system of claim 5, wherein at least one of the at least one anodic material and the at least one cathodic material is an electrochromic material.

7. The emissive display system of claim 4, wherein the at least one anodic material and the at least one cathodic material are bonded to one another.

8. The emissive display system of claim 7, wherein the at least one anodic material and the at least one cathodic material are bonded to one another using a bridge member.

9. An emissive display system, comprising:

an electro-optic device comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces, wherein a first electrically conductive layer is disposed on the second surface of the first substrate and a third electrically conductive layer is positioned directly on the first surface of the first substrate to define a dual coated substrate;

an electrically conductive material positioned on an outboard edge of the first substrate;

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 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 substantially transparent light emitting display operably coupled to the electro-optic device, wherein the light emitting display is configured to emit light in an ON condition, and further wherein the electro-optic device is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.

10. The emissive display system of claim 9, wherein the light emitting display is operably coupled to the first surface of the dual coated substrate.

11. The emissive display system of claim 10, wherein the second electrically conductive layer is disposed on the third surface of the second substrate, and further wherein the cavity is defined between the second surface of the dual coated substrate and the third surface of the second substrate.

12. The emissive display system of claim 9, wherein the second electrically conductive layer is disposed on the third surface of the second substrate and a third electrically conductive layer is disposed on the fourth surface of the second substrate to define a dual coated substrate.

13. The emissive display system of claim 9, wherein the light emitting display is an organic light emitting diode display.

14. The emissive display system of claim 13, wherein the first electrically conductive layer is disposed on the second surface of the first substrate, and further wherein the cavity is defined between the second surface of the first substrate and the third surface of the dual coated substrate.

15. The emissive display system of claim 9, wherein the first and second substrates are spaced apart approximately 0.5 millimeters.

16. The emissive display system of claim 9, wherein one of the first substrate and the second substrate include a body portion having an approximately 52 inch width, an approximately 29 inch height, and an approximately 60 inch diagonal.

17. An emissive display system, comprising:

an electro-optic device comprising;

a first substantially transparent substrate having first and second surfaces, wherein an electrically conductive layer is positioned directly on the first surface;

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

a conductive material electrically connecting the electrically conductive layer and an electrical clip;

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

a light emitting display operably coupled to the electro-optic device, wherein the light emitting display is configured to emit light in an ON condition, and further wherein the electro-optic device is in the darkened state when the light emitting display is in the ON condition.

18. The emissive display system of claim 17, wherein the electrochromic medium includes:

(a) a solvent;

(b) a cross-linked polymer matrix that results from crosslinking polymer chains, where said polymer chains are formed prior to crosslinking by polymerizing at least one monomer; and

(c) at least one electrochromic compound in solution in said solvent and interspersed in said polymer matrix.

19. The emissive display system of claim 17, wherein the light emitting display is a substantially transparent organic light emitting diode display.