Complementary Device Patents (Class 359/268)
  • Patent number: 7830583
    Abstract: An electrochromic element comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second substrate in spaced-apart relationship to the first substrate and having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon application of an electric field thereto. The electrochromic element further comprises a transparent electrode layer covering at least a portion of at least a select one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises an insulator/metal/insulator stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Henry A. Luten, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, Scott W. Vander Zwaag
  • Patent number: 7817326
    Abstract: An electrochrome element driver supplies electrical power to an electrochrome element and includes an amplifying circuit, a variable resistor element, and a capacitor. The amplifying circuit has a control input for controlling a supply current flow to the electrochrome element, a feedback input, and an output. The variable resistor element has a first resistor terminal, a second resistor terminal coupled to the feedback input and a resistor control terminal for controlling a resistance of the variable resistor element. The resistor control terminal is coupled to the amplifying circuit output, the first resistor terminal is coupleable to a power source, and the second resistor terminal is coupleable to the electrochrome element such that a supply current path to the electrochrome element through the variable resistor element is formed. The capacitor is coupled to the resistor control terminal for effecting a stable behavior of the supply current flow to the electrochrome element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Design and Application GmbH
    Inventors: Fred Rennig, Manuel Gaertner
  • Publication number: 20100220378
    Abstract: A device is disclosed that combines a battery system with an electrochromic system by judicious selection of electrodes and the connection of the appropriate electrodes to generate internal as well as external current flows. This system allows the elimination of a battery component reducing cost and improving manufacturing yield by reduction of the number of parts and number of interconnections. However, the design can be further extended to the combination of a battery system with a sensing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicants: NTERA, INC., NTERA LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Moeller, Henrik Lindstrom, Michael Ryan, David Corr, Alain Briancon, Micheal Cassidy
  • Publication number: 20100208325
    Abstract: This electroactive material comprises a self-supporting polymer matrix, inserted into which is an electroactive system comprising or constituted by: at least one electroactive organic compound capable of being reduced and/or of accepting electrons and cations acting as compensation charges; at least one electroactive organic compound capable of being oxidized and/or of ejecting electrons and cations acting as compensation charges; at least one of said aforementioned electroactive organic compounds being electrochromic in order to obtain a color contrast, ionic charges; and also a solubilization liquid for said electroactive system, said liquid not dissolving said self-supporting polymer matrix, the latter being chosen to provide a percolation pathway for ionic charges, this allowing, under the action of a dielectric current, oxidation and reduction reactions of said electroactive organic compounds, which reactions are necessary to obtain a color contrast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Fabienne Piroux, Pascal Petit, Annabelle Andreau-Wiedenmaier
  • Publication number: 20100172011
    Abstract: This semi-electroactive material comprises a self-supporting polymer matrix, inserted into which is an electroactive system comprising or constituted by: at least one electroactive organic compound capable of being oxidized and/or of ejecting electrons and cations acting as compensation charges; or at least one electroactive organic compound capable of being reduced and/or of accepting electrons and cations acting as compensation charges; and ionic charges; and also a solubilization liquid for said semi-electroactive system, said liquid not dissolving said self-supporting polymer matrix, the latter being chosen to provide a percolation pathway for ionic charges, this allowing, under the action of a dielectric current, oxidation and reduction reactions of said electroactive organic compounds, which reactions are necessary to obtain a color contrast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Fabienne Piroux, Gilles Bokobza, Pascal Petit, Jean-Christophe Giron
  • Publication number: 20100142027
    Abstract: A display medium is provided. The display medium includes a pair of electrodes disposed so as to have a gap therebetween, an electrolyte disposed between the pair of electrodes, an electroconductive porous layer disposed at least one of the pair of electrodes at the side facing the other electrode, a first electrochromic dye held by the porous layer, a second electrochromic dye dispersed in the electrolyte and forming a color different from the color of the first electrochromic dye. Both the first electrochromic dye and the second electrochromic dye are oxidation dyes which form colors by an electrochemical oxidation reaction and are rendered color-faded by an electrochemical reduction reaction, or reduction dyes which form colors by an electrochemical reduction reaction and are rendered color-faded by an electrochemical reduction reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi TATSUURA, Ryojiro AKASHI, Yoshinori MACHIDA, Kiyoshi SHIGEHIRO
  • Patent number: 7724416
    Abstract: An electrically programmable reticle is made using at least one electrochromatic layer that changes its optical transmissibility in response to applied voltages. Transparent conductor layers are configured to the desired patterns. The electrically programmable reticles are either patterned in continuous forms that have separately applied voltages or in a matrix of rows and columns that are addressed by row and column selects such that desired patterns are formed with the application of a first voltage level and reset with the application of a second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Randolph Miller
  • Publication number: 20100091352
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel electrochemical display element, which can realize bright white display, high-contrast black and white display, and full-color display by a simple member construction, and a method for driving the display element. The display element is characterized in that it comprises opposed electrodes, and an electrolyte, an electrochromic compound, a metal salt compound, and a white scattering material between the opposed electrodes, and multicolor display of three or more colors is carried out by black display, white display, and display of color other than black by driving the opposed electrodes by taking advantage of 1) a color change as a result of oxidation and reduction reactions of the electrochromic compound, and 2) a color change as a result of reduction precipitation and oxidation dissolution of a metallic element contained in the metal salt compound in at least one of the opposed electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kokeguchi, Takeshi Hakii, Osamu Ishige
  • Publication number: 20100091353
    Abstract: Provided is a novel electrochemical display element which performs bright white display, high contrast black/white display and full-color display with a simple member configuration. A method for driving such display element is also provided. The display element contains an electrochromic compound, which is colored or has its color disappear due to oxidation or reduction, a metallic salt compound, an electrolyte and a white scattered material, between opposing electrodes. The display element substantially performs multiple color display of three colors or more, i.e., black display, white display and colored display other than black, by driving operation of the opposing electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kokeguchi, Kaori Ono
  • Publication number: 20090231664
    Abstract: An electrochromic compound represented by the following General Formula (1). A-(CX2)n—B ??General Formula (1) In the formula, A is a monovalent binding group, B is a redox chromophore, X is a halogen atom, and n is an integer of 1 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Takeshi SHIBUYA, Shigenobu Hirano, Hiroshi Kondo, Yuki Nakamura, Yukiko Abe, Tohru Yashiro
  • Patent number: 7480088
    Abstract: A displaying method includes forming nuclear crystals of a metal on an electrode, and depositing a metal on a surface of the nuclear crystals from a solution including a metallic ion, so as to form particles having a particle diameter corresponding to a display color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Kawahara, Yasuo Yamamoto, Kei Shimotani
  • Publication number: 20090002800
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror includes an electrochromic film, an electrically conductive reflective film formed at one thickness direction side of the electrochromic film, an electrically conductive film provided at one thickness direction side of the electrochromic film and at a side of the electrically conductive reflective film that is opposite from the electrochromic film, an electrolytic solution containing lithium ions and enclosed between the electrically conductive reflective film and the electrically conductive film, and a reduction reaction compensation unit. In the electrolytic solution, due to applying a voltage such that the electrically conductive film is made positive and electrically conductive reflective film is made negative, the lithium ions move toward the side of the electrochromic film and are provided to a reduction reaction of the electrochromic film. The reduction reaction compensation unit compensates the reduction reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI-RIKA-DENKI-SEISAKUBUSHO
    Inventors: Junichi NAKAHO, Masaharu Hattori, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Nagahiro Saito, Takahiro Ishizaki, Osamu Takai
  • Patent number: 7450291
    Abstract: A multi-cell electrochromic device comprising: first and second electrochromic device sub-assemblies which each comprise; a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith and second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium comprises: at least one solvent; at least one anodic electroactive material; at least one cathodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the first and second electrochromic device sub-assemblies are in optical alignment, and further wherein the multi-cell electrochromic device exhibits a transmittance of less than approximately 1.5% in a low transmission state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Guarr, Frederick T. Bauer, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 7403319
    Abstract: An electrochromic device in which specific channel direction for the conduction of ions is implemented. As a result ionic crosstalk between display pixels is greatly reduced and unwanted transient coloration effects are minimized. Further, specific gel, polymer, or ionic liquid solutions can greatly eliminate the corrosive effects associated with the use of electrolyte salt solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: NTERA Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Leyland, David Corr, Micheal Cassidy, Francois Pichot, Nikolaos Vlachopoulos, Michael Ryan
  • Patent number: 7342708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to complementary electrochromic devices comprising poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and derivatives thereof as a cathodically coloring layer and an indium hexacyanometallate or transition metal hexacyanometallate as an anodically coloring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Tropics Enterprise Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chuan Ho, Tsai-Shih Tung, Bih-Ya Chen
  • Patent number: 7336410
    Abstract: A display of an electrochromic type, including an active matrix substrate on which a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to pixels are arranged in a matrix form; a counter substrate which is provided with a transparent electrode that is common with respect to a plurality of the pixel electrodes; and an electrochromic material which is sandwiched between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate, and is colored in a boundary either between itself and the pixel electrode or between itself and the transparent electrode; wherein the pixel electrode other than an electrode-exposed part which contacts with the electrochromic material is covered with a transparent protective film; and the electrode-exposed part has a different area from the area of the part onto which a current generated between the transparent electrode and the pixel electrode concentrates, out of the transparent electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Hirota, Tetsuya Ohshima, Tatsuya Sugita
  • Patent number: 7256924
    Abstract: A multi-cell electrochromic device comprising: first and second electrochromic device sub-assemblies which each comprise; a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith and second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium comprises: at least one solvent; at least one anodic electroactive material; at least one cathodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein the first and second electrochromic device sub-assemblies are in optical alignment, and further wherein the multi-cell electrochromic device exhibits a transmittance of less than approximately 1.5% in a low transmission state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Guarr, Frederick T. Bauer, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 7158277
    Abstract: An electrochromic device is provided comprising: (i) at least one material that is electrically conducting in at least one oxidation state and (ii) at least one electrochromic material, wherein said materials (i) and (ii) can be the same or different; at least one layer of a solidified electrolyte which is in direct electrical contact with said electrochromic element; and at least two electrodes comprising PEDOT-PSS, arranged side by side in a common plane and adapted for application of a voltage therebetween, one of said electrodes being in direct electrical contact with a component selected from said electrochromic element(s) and the other electrode(s) being in direct electrical contact with a component selected from said electrolyte layer(s) and said electrochromic element(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: ACREO AB
    Inventors: Magnus Berggren, Thomas Kugler, Tommi Remonen, Jessica Häll, Anna Malmström
  • Patent number: 7158276
    Abstract: A pressure sensitive electrochromic device at least comprises a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite; a pressure sensitive layer disposed on the first substrate; an electrochromic layer disposed on the pressure sensitive layer; and a third conductive layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second substrate. The pressure sensitive layer includes a first conductive layer disposed on the first substrate; an insulative layer in which numerous conductive grains are distributed; and a second conductive layer disposed on the insulative layer. Also, at least one of the first and second substrates is made of the flexible material. An external circuit is applied for connecting the first and third conductive layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Daxon Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Chen Peng, Pei-Yih Liu, Fung-Hsu Wu
  • Patent number: 7106489
    Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising a pair of glass, plastic plates or plastic films At least one plate or film, is provided with an electrically conductive coating. At least one plate or film and its conductive coating are transparent and the other may be mirrored. The plates or films are joined together and form a volume filled with an electrochromic medium which comprises at least one reducible electrochromic substance OX2 and at least one oxidizable electrochromic substance RED1. The OX2 corresponds to the formula in which R201 and R202, each are alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, aryl, ?[C(PQ)]? or a bivalent bridge B, Z201 is a bivalent radical of the formulae CR210R211, O, C?O or o-phenylene, R210 and R211, each are hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or CR210R211 is C3- to C7-cycloalkane-1,1-diyl. The rings C, D, E and F, each may be substituted by up to 4 alkyl and/or alkoxy radicals, or respectively, may be linked via a —(CH2)4— or —CH?CH—CH?CH— bridge. P and Q, each are —CN or —COO-alkyl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst Berneth, Ralf Neigl, Igor Shelepin, Vladimir Gavrilov
  • Patent number: 7054050
    Abstract: The invention is a display device comprising a solid top transparent, charge conducting material, positioned below the transparent solid material is an active layer comprising an electrochromic material and an electrolyte, and positioned below the active layer is a working electrode and a counter-electrode arranged to be isolated from one another, wherein the distance between the working and the counter electrode is greater than two times the thickness of the active layer between the electrode and the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Aveso, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Vincent, Derrick W. Flick
  • Patent number: 6934067
    Abstract: An improved electrochromic rearview mirror for motor vehicles, the mirror incorporating thin front and rear spaced glass elements having a thickness ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.5. A layer of transparent conductive material is placed onto the mirror's second surface, and either another layer of transparent conductive material or a combined reflector/electrode is placed onto the mirror's third surface. A chamber, defined by the layers on the interior surfaces of the front and rear glass elements and a peripheral sealing member, contains a free-standing gel comprising a solvent and a crosslinked polymer matrix. The chamber further contains at least one electrochromic material in solution with the solvent and interspersed in the crosslinked polymer matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ash, William L. Tonar, Frederick T. Bauer, Kathy E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6870657
    Abstract: This invention concerns an electochromic device comprising an electrode including a nanostructured metal oxide film, doped to metallic levels of conductivity and optionally modified by chemisorption of an electroactive compound. Such an electrochromic device is suitable for applications where optical modulation is required, such as large area static displays and automatically dimmable rear-view mirrors. The invention also concerns conducting nanostructured metal oxide films and electrodes comprising same and which are suitable for use in the electrochromic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: University College Dublin
    Inventors: Donald Fitzmaurice, David Cummins, David Corr, S. Nagaraja Rao, Gerrit Boschloo
  • Patent number: 6806989
    Abstract: Asymmetrical compounds composed of two different heterocyclic and/or carbocyclic rings linked via a conjugated chain containing an uneven number of chain atoms are useful electrochromic compounds and can be used for producing electrochromic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst Berneth
  • Patent number: 6785036
    Abstract: The invention describes an electrochromic display element in the form of an electrically dimmable mirror, an optical filter having an electrically alterable transparency or a display element which contains an electrochromic liquid between two electrode sheets, where at least one of the electrode sheets is transparent and has a transparent, electrically conductive layer and the transparent electrode sheet has a pattern of strips or grid made of a material having metallic conductivity in order to produce a uniform coloration of the electrochromic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Bayer Healthcare AG
    Inventors: Horst Berneth, Uwe Claussen, Ralf Neigl, Wolfgang Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 6744549
    Abstract: The invention is a display device comprising a solid top transparent, charge conducting material, positioned below the transparent solid material is an active layer comprising an electrochromic material and an electrolyte, and positioned below the active layer is a working electrode and a counter-electrode arranged to be isolated from one another, wherein the distance between the working and the counter electrode is greater than two times the thickness of the active layer between the electrode and the conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Vincent, Derrick W. Flick
  • Patent number: 6700693
    Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising: a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises: at least one solvent; an anodic material; a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is slow-diffusing; and an electron shuttle, wherein the electron shuttle serves to decrease switching time of the electrochromic device relative to the same without the electron shuttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kathy E. Roberts, Rongguang Lin, Kelvin L. Baumann, Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 6606184
    Abstract: An electrochromic device, such as a window or mirror, is disclosed that includes first and second substrates each having an inner surface spaced apart from one another to define a chamber, first and second electrodes carried on the inner surface of the second substrate and disposed thereon to be electrically isolated from one another, and an electrochromic medium disposed in the chamber. The electrodes may be disposed on the inner surface of the second substrate in substantially co-planar relation. Alternatively, the electrodes may be arranged in a stacked relation, with a layer of dielectric material provided therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 6594065
    Abstract: Electrochromic structures, such as windows and panels, are provided wherein privacy and changes in the color of an electrochromic medium incorporated in the structures may be either enhanced or hidden when viewed from a predetermined direction, as for example, when viewed from the outside of a building or when viewed from one side of a transparent interior panel in a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Harlan J. Byker, David J. Cammenga, John K. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6529308
    Abstract: An electrochemical device has at least one carrier substrate (1) provided with a stack (2) of functional layers, including at least one electrochemically active layer (4), which is capable of reversibly and simultaneously inserting ions and electrons and is arranged between two electroconductive layers. The device can be of the electrochromic type. The functionality of at least one of the functional layers, with the exception of one of the electroconductive layers (3,8), is locally inhibited so as to delimit inactive peripheral or non-peripheral regions in the stack (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Fabien Beteille, Jean-Christophe Giron
  • Patent number: 6507428
    Abstract: The invention relates to electrochromic arrangements in a layered structure which are characterized in that one layer contains an electrically conductive electrochromic polydioxythiophene, another layer comprises an electrolyte containing a protonic acid, and another layer comprises an ion storage or a mixture of ion storages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut-Werner Heuer, Rolf Wehrmann
  • Patent number: 6437901
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror comprising two conductive substrates, at least one of which is transparent, and both of an ion conductor layer and an electrochromic color-developing layer sandwiched between the substrates, wherein the color-developing layer contains a high-molecular compound having a biologen structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Mitsubishi Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Kobayashi, Izuru Sugiura, Yoshinori Nishikitani
  • Patent number: 6344918
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochromic contrast plate which is either arranged as a discrete unit in front of the screen or is connected to the outer surface of the screen through a common sheet, consisting of a pair of transparent glass or plastic sheets which are provided, on one side each, with an electroconductive, transparent coating, and which are joined together on the sides of their conductive coating via a sealing ring, and in which the volume formed by the two sheets and the sealing ring is filled with an electrochronic medium, characterized in that the electrochromic medium is a liquid, a gel or a polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst Berneth, Wolfgang Jacobsen, Serguei Kostromine, Ralf Neigl
  • Patent number: 6304363
    Abstract: An electrochromic glazing assembly with reduced ultraviolet (UV) radiation transmission may include at least a pair of glass panels or other elements confining an electrochromic medium therebetween. Ultraviolet radiation reducing element or material are incorporated for reducing ultraviolet radiation transmission through the assembly. The ultraviolet radiation reducing element or material comprises at least one of an ultraviolet absorber, an ultraviolet absorbing polymer, and an ultraviolet absorbing glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 6301039
    Abstract: Reversible electrochemical mirror (REM) devices typically comprise a conductive oxide mirror electrode that is substantially transparent to radiation of some wavelengths, a counter electrode that may also be substantially transparent, and an electrolyte that contains ions of an electrodepositable metal. A voltage applied between the two electrodes causes electrodeposition of a mirror deposit on the mirror electrode and dissolution of the mirror deposit on the counter electrode, and these processes are reversed when the polarity of the applied voltage is changed. Such REM devices provide precise control over the reflection and transmission of radiation and can be used for a variety of applications, including smart windows and automatically adjusting automotive mirrors. According to the present invention, measurements of the sheet resistance of the mirror electrode in a REM device are correlated with the thickness of electrodeposited mirror metal and can be used to monitor the reflectance of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Rockwell Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: D. Morgan Tench
  • Patent number: 6285486
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror (10) comprises an reflective electrically conductive substrate and a transparent electrically conductive substrate, a layer of an ion conductive material (14) disposed therebetween and at least one electrochromic chromogenic layer (13) disposed either between the ion conductive material layer and the reflective electrically conductive substrate or between the ion conductive material layer and the transparent electrically conductive substrate, said electrochromic chromogenic layer containing a compound having a viologen structure represented by the formula wherein X− and Y− may be the same or different and each indicate a counter anion selected from the group consisting of a halogen anion, ClO4−, CH3COO−, and CH3(C6H4)SO3−. The inventive mirror can be put in a various applications such as an antiglare mirror for an automobile and a decorative mirror for out door use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Oil Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Kobayashi, Yoshinori Nishikitani
  • Patent number: 6259549
    Abstract: A laminated glass pane assembly with electrically controllable reflectivity, especially for controlling the entry of sunlight and solar heat into vehicles or buildings. The laminated glass pane comprises a first glass pane, an electroreflective functional layer made of an alloy of the hydride of a rare earth metal and magnesium, an antioxidation layer made of a proton-conducting transparent oxide or fluoride, an anhydrous proton-conducting solid electrolyte, a proton storage layer, a transparent conducting coating, and a second glass pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Dornier GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Leupolz, Monika Golly, Thomas Kränzler, Werner Scherber
  • Patent number: 6239898
    Abstract: Electrochromic windows and panels are provided which have first and second spaced elements that are optically transparent to visible light. The first and second elements each have first and second sides, and the windows and panels define a sealed chamber disposed between the second side of the first element and the first side of the second element. The sealed chamber is filled with an electrochromic medium, and the transmission of visible light through the electrochromic medium is variable when an electrical potential is applied to electrically conductive coatings that are provided on the second side of the first element and the first side of the second element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Harlan J. Byker, David J. Cammenga, John K. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6208452
    Abstract: The electrochromic device which has an ion conductive layer obtained by curing a composition comprising (a) a bipyridinium compound represented by formula (1), (b) a specific amine compound and (c) a precursor component of a polymeric solid electrolyte, disposed between two electrically conductive substrates at least one of which is transparent, said formula (1) being wherein X— and Y— are the same or different and are each independently a counter anion selected from the group consisting of an halogen anion, ClO4—, BF4—, PF6—, CH3COO— and CH3(C6H4)SO3—, R1 is hydrogen or a C1-C5 alkyl group, R2 is a C1-C30 divalent hydrocarbon or oxygen-containing hydrocarbon group, R3 is a C1-C20 hydrocarbon or oxygen-containing hydrocarbon group and a is an integer of 0 or 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Mitsubishi Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Nishikitani, Izuru Sugiura, Masaaki Kobayashi, Hiroshi Imafuku
  • Patent number: 6203154
    Abstract: An electrochromic element composed of an electrochromic layer comprising a specified electrically conductive polymer and an ionically conductive substance layer containing a viologen compound, both sandwiched between two electrically conductive substrates at least one of which is transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Mitsubishi Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Kobayashi, Izuru Sugiura, Yoshinori Nishikitani
  • Patent number: 6204953
    Abstract: Polymeric coating materials used to protect electrochromic devices from environmental and mechanical damage are provided. The protective polymeric coating materials are physically, chemically and optically compatible with the electrochromic cell layers of electrochromic devices. The polymeric coating materials are polymers having generic polymer back-bones selected from the group of polyimides, polybenzimidazoles, polybenzothiazoles, polybenzoxazoles, poly(phenylene ethers), polyquinolines, polycarbonates, and polysulfones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Zieba, Curtis Ross Hruska, Steven P. Sapers, Michael J. Cumbo, Nada A. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6195193
    Abstract: An improved seal member is provided as a part of an electrochromic device to bond two glass elements together in a spaced-apart relationship. In one embodiment the seal member provides improved adhesion to a reflector/electrode on the third surface of an electrochromic mirror, or to a layer of metal on the second or third surface for an electrochromic light filter. This seal member comprises a mixture of an organic resin scaling system and an adhesion promoter, where the adhesion promotor comprises a first and a second region, where the first region interacts with the reflector/electrode or the metal layer, and a second region that interacts with the organic resin sealing system, and may even chemically react with the organic resin sealing system. In another embodiment the seal member is provided with a coefficient of thermal expansion that is closer to glass than a standard epoxy sealing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Anderson, William L. Tonar, Kevin L. Ash, Thomas F. Guarr
  • Patent number: 6111685
    Abstract: A reversible electrochemical mirror (REM) includes a first electrode and a second electrode, one of which is substantially transparent to at least a portion of the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. An electrolytic solution, disposed between the first and second electrodes, contains ions of a metal which can electrodeposit on the electrodes. The electrolytic solution also contains halide and/or pseudohalide anions having a total molar concentration ratio of at least 6:1 compared to that of the electrodepositable metal. A negative electrical potential applied to the first electrode causes deposited metal to be dissolved from the second electrode into the electrolytic solution and to be electrodeposited from the solution onto the first electrode to form a mirror deposit, thereby affecting the reflectivity of the REM device for electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Rockwell Science Center, LLC
    Inventors: D. Morgan Tench, Leslie F. Warren, Jr., Michael A. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6016215
    Abstract: Single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic devices, solutions of electrochromic compounds for use as media of variable transmittance in such devices, and electrochromic compounds for such solutions are provided. The devices of the invention are surprisingly stable to cycling between light and dark states, have continuously variable transmittance to light as a function of electrical potential applied across the solution in a device, and have transmittance that can be varied over more than a factor of 10, from clear to dark or from dark to clear, in several seconds. Thus, the devices are especially suitable as variable transmittance components of variable transmission light filters, including windows, and variable reflectance mirrors, including anti-glare rearview mirrors in automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventor: Harlan J. Byker
  • Patent number: 5997776
    Abstract: A coloring layer composition for a chromatic device of the present invention contains an oxide such as tungsten oxide or niobium oxide and so on as a solute, water and an organic solvent such as propanol. In the step of forming a reduction coloring layer, a film is formed by using a peroxotungstic acid solution containing 100 parts by weight of WO.sub.3.aNb.sub.2 O.sub.5.bH.sub.2 O.sub.2.cH.sub.2 O (wherein a, b and c are each a positive number) as a solute, 20 to 120 parts by weight of water and 80 to 800 parts by weight of n-propanol as an organic solvent. At this time, a dip coating method is used, and the vertical pulling-up speed is less than 15 cm/min. The present invention can effectively prevent unevenness and separation of the reduction coloring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidishokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Toshiki Inoue, Yoshifumi Kato, Hisashi Shiraki, Takanori Murasaki
  • Patent number: 5986797
    Abstract: An electrochromic glazing assembly is disclosed with reduced near-infrared radiation transmission and reduced ultraviolet (UV) radiation transmission. The assembly may include at least a pair of glass or other elements confining an electrochromic medium therebetween. Ultraviolet radiation reducing means are incorporated for reducing ultraviolet radiation transmission through the assembly. A polymeric antilacerative layer is disposed on one surface of one of the glass elements for preventing lacerative injuries. Reduced near-infrared radiation transmission means may also be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 5923457
    Abstract: An improved electro-optic device for rearview mirror for motor vehicles and windows, the device incorporating a multi-layer transparent electrode having a first layer of tin-doped indium oxide and a second layer of fluorine-doped tin oxide. This multi-layer transparent conductive coating stack, which may also include additional coatings to provide color suppression, exhibits sheet resistances as low as about 10.OMEGA./.quadrature., while still being high in visible light transmission. This coating stack has surprising advantages for use in electro-optic devices. First, ITO base coat provides low sheet resistance and high light transmission, which is particularly valuable for large area electro-optic mirrors and windows, where resistance in the transparent coating limits speed and uniformity of coloration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Harlan J. Byker, Frederick T. Bauer, William L. Tonar
  • Patent number: 5877888
    Abstract: An electrochromic display device and method are disclosed. The device comprises an ionically isolative layer containing an electrochromic material in contact with an electrolyte layer and a working electrode. The working electrode is positioned on a first side of a substrate, while a counter electrode is positioned on an opposite side of the substrate. The counter electrode is electrically coupled to the electrolyte layer on the substrate first side through one or more openings extending through the substrate. In another embodiment, ionically isolative and electrolyte layers are also provided in contact with the counter electrode on the backside of the substrate to create a double sided display. The method comprises reversible electrochromic effects of the electrochromic materials contained in either the ionically isolative layers or the electrolyte layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventor: James P. Coleman
  • Patent number: 5864419
    Abstract: An electrochromic glazing assembly is disclosed with reduced near-infrared radiation transmission and reduced ultraviolet (UV) radiation transmission. The assembly may include a pair of glass or other elements confining an electrochromic medium therebetween. Near-infrared reflective means are preferably included as at least one of a semitransparent, elemental thin metal film and a low emittance coating. Preferably, the assembly reflects at least about 30% of the solar energy for Air Mass 2 in the spectral region from about 800 nanometers to about 2500 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventor: Niall R. Lynam
  • Patent number: 5825526
    Abstract: A tape that includes an electronically conductive flexible substrate, a release layer, and an adhesive comprising an ion-intercalating material, and electrochromic devices and glazing units prepared using this tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Silvia L. Bommarito, Kejian Chen, Peter F. Cullen, L. Charles Hardy, Paul S. Lugg