Particular Electrolyte Layer Patents (Class 359/270)
  • Patent number: 8059325
    Abstract: A display device is provided. The display device comprises a substrate. A first electrode layer is disposed on the substrate. An electrochromic material single layer is disposed on the first electrode layer, wherein the electrochromic material single layer has a plurality of spherical holes inside. An electrolytic layer is disposed on the electrochromic material single layer. A second electrode layer is disposed on the electrolytic layer. A power supply is electrically connected to the first and second electrode layers, respectively. The electrochromic material single layer displays red, blue or green colors according to a driving voltage provided by the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yi-Wen Chung, Chung-Hsin Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8049948
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel process for producing an electrochemical display element, which can easily form a white scattering layer between opposed electrodes, has a high level of suitability for production, and has high stability after long-term use. The production process is characterized in that a film containing a white scattering material and a polymeric binder is formed on at least one electrode in opposed electrodes, the other electrode is disposed so as to face the electrode with film formed thereon, a low-viscosity electrolyte is poured into a space between the opposed electrodes, and the polymeric binder is dissolved in or swollen in the electrolyte to form a gel-like electrolyte layer containing the white scattering material and the polymeric binder within the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hakii, Tomoo Izumi
  • Publication number: 20110222139
    Abstract: An electrochromic display apparatus is disclosed that includes a stacked body which includes a display electrode and an electrochromic layer that are stacked on each other; a film which includes through holes, and is disposed on one of the display electrode and the electrochromic layer of the stacked body; and an opposed substrate on which an opposed electrode that faces toward the display electrode is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.,
    Inventors: Yoshihisa NAIJO, Tohru Yashiro, Shigenobu Hirano, Masahiro Yanagisawa, Masahiro Masuzawa, Akishige Murakami, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Koh Fujimura, Yoshinori Okada
  • Patent number: 7990602
    Abstract: A display medium includes: a pair of substrates; an electrode arranged between the pair of substrates and on one substrate of the pair of substrates; a multilayered structure including plural color-forming layers arranged between one substrate of the pair of substrates and the electrode, each of the plural color-forming layers containing an electroconductive sheet-like porous body and an electrochromic dye which is retained by the porous body and is reversibly colored or decolored by at least one of an electrochemical oxidation reaction or a reduction reaction, and the colors when the electrochromic dyes in the respective plural color-forming layers are colored being different from one another; and an electrolytic material included in a region between the pair of substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Tatsuura, Ryojiro Akashi, Naoki Hiji
  • Patent number: 7990603
    Abstract: An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system comprises a master control circuit and user input circuits for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of slave window control circuits coupled to the master control circuit, user input circuits and the variable transmittance windows. Each slave window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit and/or user input circuits. Also disclosed are novel methods for the manufacture of an electrochromic device used in variable transmittance windows. Novel structural features for improving heat transfer away from the windows, shielding the window from external loads, and improving the electrical performance of the windows are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ash, Bradley L. Busscher, Robert R. Turnbull, George A. Neuman, David J. Cammenga, David A. Theiste
  • Publication number: 20110181939
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochromic device having controlled infrared reflection, in particular of the electrically controllable type, comprising, between a carrier substrate (1a) transparent in the infrared range and a counter-substrate (1b), a multilayer stack. The device is characterized in that this multilayer stack comprises, in succession: a) a metal grid (3) transparent in the infrared range, forming a first electrode; b) an electrochromic functional system (5) comprising a layer (EC1) of an ion-storage first electrochromic material, at least one layer (EL1, EL2) having an electrolytic function, and a layer (EC2) of a second electrochromic material; c) a metal layer (7) capable of reflecting the infrared radiation, forming a second electrode; and d) a lamination interlayer (9) made of a thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Emily Bressand, Jean-christopher Giron, Bastien Royer, Emmanuel Valentin, Samuel Dubrenat
  • Publication number: 20110170162
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides for printed display, a method of manufacturing a printed display, and a system incorporating a printed display having a porous substrate The printed display includes a porous substrate structure, a first functional layer, a second functional layer, and an electrolyte layer percolated within the porous substrate structure The porous substrate structure may be disposed between the first functional layer and the second functional layer The display may include a third functional layer disposed over or under the first functional layer Alternatively, the display may include a fourth functional layer disposed over the second functional layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicants: NTERA, INC., NTERA LIMITED
    Inventors: Alain Briancon, Martin Moeller, Michael Ryan, Nigel Leyland
  • Patent number: 7965434
    Abstract: This invention provides a display element comprising an electrolyte between opposed electrodes. The electrolyte contains silver, or a compound containing silver. The opposed electrodes are driven and operated so that silver is dissolved and precipitated. The display element is characterized in that this electrolyte satisfies the following requirements a to c: a. a cyclic carboxylic acid ester having a dielectric constant of not less than 30 and not more than 50 is contained as an organic solvent; b. formula (1) is satisfied: 0<[x]/[Ag]?0.1 (1) wherein [x] represents the total molar concentration (mol/kg) of halogen ions or halogen atoms contained in halide molecules; and [Ag] represents a total molar concentration (mol/kg) of silver or a compound containing silver; and c. the concentration of silver or a compound containing silver in an organic solvent is not less than 0.2 mmol/g and not more than 0.5 mmol/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Ijima, Takeshi Hakii
  • Patent number: 7961375
    Abstract: A multi-cell electrochromic device comprises a plurality of solid-state electrochromic cells that are arranged in an optical alignment. Each electrochromic cell is separated from an adjacent electrochromic cell in the optical alignment by a transparent conductive layer that is shared by the two adjacent electrochromic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Soladigm, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 7907323
    Abstract: A predetermined image is displayed forming an electric field in an electrolytic layer comprising an electrolytic solution containing at least a metal ion, thereby, depositing the metal ion in the electrolytic solution layer as a polygonal metal particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Shimotani, Jun Kawahara, Satoshi Tatsuura, Yasuo Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20110058244
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochromic display element which is capable of forming a full color display of high quality by a simple display element structure without performing complicated operations. The electrochromic display element is characterized by comprising a plurality of electrolyte layers and containing a redox active compound which is contained in at least one of the electrolyte layers and substantially immiscible with an adjacent electrolyte layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Kobayashi, Noriyuki Kokeguchi
  • Patent number: 7903314
    Abstract: In an electrochromic mirror, an insulating film is disposed between a conductive reflective film and an electrolytic solution and the conductive reflective film and the electrolytic solution are electrically insulated from each other except inside of insulating film side small holes. Accordingly, in a portion where the insulating film side small holes are not formed, the conductive reflective film does not come into contact with the electrolytic solution, as the result, a ferrocene ion is not reduction-reacted. Thereby, a current is very effectively suppressed from steadily flowing between the conductive film and the conductive reflective film due to repetition of a redox reaction of ferrocene, resulting in very effectively suppressing a voltage from dropping due to the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Junichi Nakaho, Masaharu Hattori, Atsushi Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20110051219
    Abstract: This invention recognizes the hazards of materials used to make electrochromic devices and the resulting mirror assemblies for automotive use. The invention provides novel ways to reduce these hazards and to manufacture these mirrors using renewable resources and smaller environmental footprint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTROCHROMIX INC.
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, John P. Cronin, Juan Carlos L. Tonazzi
  • Patent number: 7894118
    Abstract: An electrochromic compound having in the molecule at least an adsorbable group, a redox chromophore and a spacer portion, and represented by the following General Formula (1): wherein A represents the adsorbable group, C represents the redox chromophore, and X represents the spacer portion represented by the following formula; wherein R1 and R3 each represent an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic derivative group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenobu Hirano, Takeshi Shibuya, Hiroshi Kondo, Yuki Nakamura, Yukiko Abe, Tohru Yashiro
  • Patent number: 7884994
    Abstract: Provided is an electrochromic device (ECD) that includes: a first transparent electrode having a first substrate having thereon a first electrically conductive layer; a second transparent electrode having a second substrate having thereon a second electrically conductive layer; a first polymeric layer on the first transparent electrode, wherein the first polymeric layer includes a cathodic electrochromic polymer and a first non-electrochromic polymeric matrix; a second polymeric layer on the second transparent electrode, wherein the second polymeric layer includes an anodic electrochromic polymer and a second non-electrochromic polymeric matrix; and an electrolyte layer disposed between the first polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer. Also provided is a process of producing the ECDs, as well as the electrochromic layers themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Fabienne Piroux
  • Patent number: 7880950
    Abstract: This invention provides a display element having a reduced white color tone variation during repeated drive. This display element contains an electrolyte between opposed electrodes. The electrolyte contains silver or a compound containing silver in its chemical structure. The opposed electrodes are driven so that silver is dissolved and precipitated. The display element is characterized in that the electrolyte contains a compound represented by general formula (A) and a compound represented by general formula (1) or (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kokeguchi
  • Patent number: 7864397
    Abstract: An electrolyte composition is described. The electrolyte composition includes at least one ionic compound; at least one polar solvent; at least one polymerizable material; at least one nanoparticle based viscosity modifier; at least one chain transfer agent; and at least one initiator. Also described are electrochromic articles and devices including an electrolyte layer including an electrolyte composition. Methods of assembling an electrochromic article are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Junjun Wu, Brian T. Weber, Duane D. Fansler
  • Publication number: 20100328751
    Abstract: An electrochromic display device including a substrate including a dividing wall and a concave portion surrounded by the dividing wall, a first conductive layer formed on a bottom surface of the concave portion, a second conductive layer formed on the dividing wall to electrically connect the first conductive layer within adjacent concave portions to each other in a predetermined direction, a third conductive layer disposed opposite to the first conductive layer, a first color-development layer and an electrolyte layer formed between the first conductive layer and the third conductive layer, and an insulating layer formed on the second conductive layer on the dividing wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: KURARAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshirou Kondou, Hirofumi Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20100309538
    Abstract: A display medium includes: a pair of substrates; an electrode arranged between the pair of substrates and on one substrate of the pair of substrates; a multilayered structure including plural color-forming layers arranged between one substrate of the pair of substrates and the electrode, each of the plural color-forming layers containing an electroconductive sheet-like porous body and an electrochromic dye which is retained by the porous body and is reversibly colored or decolored by at least one of an electrochemical oxidation reaction or a reduction reaction, and the colors when the electrochromic dyes in the respective plural color-forming layers are colored being different from one another; and an electrolytic material included in a region between the pair of substrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi TATSUURA, Ryojiro AKASHI, Naoki HIJI
  • Patent number: 7839555
    Abstract: In a display device that includes a display space provided on a display surface side and a liquid sealed inside the display space so as to be operable and is constituted so as to be able to change a display color on the display surface side according to an application of an electric field to the liquid, the liquid is an ionic liquid containing an ambient temperature molten salt combining a cation and an anion. Further, an amount of water blended in the liquid is 0 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the ionic liquid. This makes it possible both to reduce a voltage to be applied to the liquid so as to allow driving at a low voltage and to improve an operation performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakano, Akio Miyata, Tomoko Teranishi, Hiroko Niwano
  • Publication number: 20100284053
    Abstract: An electrochromic apparatus comprises a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer spaced from and disposed substantially parallel to the first electrode. An electrochromic layer is disposed between the first and second electrode layers. An electrolyte layer is disposed between the electrochromic layer and one of the electrode layers. The electrochromic layer comprises the dehydration reaction product of a hydrolyzed aromatic component. An electrochromic composition comprises an aromatic component having an aromatic core and at least two silicon-based groups pending from the aromatic core. The silicon-based groups have a silicon-bonded group selected from the group of hydrolyzable groups, hydrolyzates of hydrolyzable groups, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: David Witker, Toshio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7830585
    Abstract: In any manufacturing sequence for making a lithium ion-switching device, lithium has to be introduced at some stage into the device. An electrode inside the device is filled and depleted with lithium through an ion conductor at every use cycle of the device. Prior-art methods to introduce the lithium are: direct sputtering of lithium on the electrode, or electrochemically loading the electrode in an electrochemical cell, or indirectly loading the electrode after an ion conductor has been deposited on top of the electrode and still other methods. The inventive method disclosed makes such a separate lithiation step obsolete. The lithium is introduced at the same time as the ion-conductor is put on the electrode. This can be achieved by using an oxygen super-stoichiometric compound for the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edy Widjaja, Gerdy Delporte
  • Patent number: 7826124
    Abstract: A flexible electrochromic (EC) panel that is usable for a display device or for other applications in which at least a region of the panel is selectively caused to change opacity. An exemplary EC panel includes an electrochromic working layer or electrode formed of a PProDOT-Me2 polymer film that is deposited on an indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible substrate. Similarly, a counter electrode is formed by depositing a vanadium oxide-titanium oxide (V2O5—TiO2) composite film on another ITO PET coated flexible substrate. An ultraviolet light-cured film sealant is employed to seal the flexible panel and also serves as a spacer between the working and counter electrodes. The film sealant is patterned to define a volume for injecting an electrolyte solution through an inlet port provided in the film sealant. The inlet port is then closed. The EC panel can readily be flexed without damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Chunye Xu, Chao Ma, Minoru Taya
  • Patent number: 7808693
    Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first conductive layer, a single-layer or dual-layer ion conductor layer, and a second conductive layer. The layers are deposited using PVD, CVD, PECVD, atomic layer deposition, pulsed laser deposition, plating, or sol-gel techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Soladigm, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7800807
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho, National University Corporation Nagoya University
    Inventors: Junichi Nakaho, Masaharu Hattori, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Nagahiro Saito, Takahiro Ishizaki, Osamu Takai
  • Patent number: 7773285
    Abstract: A display element that excels in electrode durability. This display element is one having opposed electrodes and, interposed therebetween, an electrolyte containing either silver or a compound containing silver in its chemical structure, the opposed electrodes driven and operated so as to induce dissolution and precipitation of silver, characterized in that of the opposed electrodes, the electrode at a face not lying on an image observation side, after hermetic charging of the electrolyte, is plated with silver with the use of the electrolyte as a silver plating solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kokeguchi
  • Publication number: 20100188726
    Abstract: The present invention provides an all-solid-state type reflection light controllable electrochromic device having a buffer layer, and the constitution thereof comprises an all-solid-state reflective dimming electrochromic device in which a transparent conductive film layer, an ion storage layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a buffer layer, catalyst layer, and a reflective light controllable layer of a magnesium alloy thin film, in particular a multilayer thin film that uses a magnesium-nickel alloy, magnesium-titanium alloy or magnesium-niobium alloy, are formed on a transparent base that uses a glass or resin sheet, and a method for manufacturing the device, and an optical switchable component that incorporates the reflective light controllable electrochromic device, and according to the present invention, a reflective light controllable electrochromic device having a novel multilayer structure can be provided that enables high transmittance when it is transparent and enables switching in a short time over a w
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TEHCNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshimura, Yasusel Yamada, Kazuki Tajima
  • Publication number: 20100182673
    Abstract: Provided are display devices using electrochromism and PDLC and methods of driving the display devices. A display device may include a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer between the first electrodes and the second electrodes; a plurality of third electrodes and a plurality of fourth electrodes; a plurality of electrochromic layers between the third electrodes and the fourth electrodes; and an electrolyte layer between the third electrodes and the fourth electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Jae-eun Jang, Seung-nam Cha, Jae-eun Jung, Yong-wan Jin
  • Patent number: 7760413
    Abstract: A display element comprising an electrolyte layer containing silver or a compound containing silver in a chemical structure thereof and a porous white scattering layer between opposed electrodes, and carrying out driving operation for the opposed electrodes to induce silver dissolution and deposition, wherein the porous white scattering layer is structured of at least 2 layers and an average particle diameter of main component particles forming a first layer is larger than that of main component particles forming a second layer, provided that a porous white scattering layer adjacent to the electrode is designated as the first layer and a porous white scattering layer, located on a side farther than the first layer when viewed from the electrode, is designated as the second layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Takeshi Hakii
  • Patent number: 7742216
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrochromic display device comprising a pair of transparent substrates facing each other, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode respectively formed on the transparent substrates, an electrolytic layer disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, an electrochromophore layer of a nano structure formed on at least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and a redox promoter layer coated with a conductive compound, on the other electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Ho Noh, Sung Hen Cho, Ki Yong Song, Tae Rim Choi, Tamara Byk
  • Publication number: 20100134864
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel process for producing an electrochemical display element, which can easily form a white scattering layer between opposed electrodes, has a high level of suitability for production, and has high stability after long-term use. The production process is characterized in that a film containing a white scattering material and a polymeric binder is formed on at least one electrode in opposed electrodes, the other electrode is disposed so as to face the electrode with film formed thereon, a low-viscosity electrolyte is poured into a space between the opposed electrodes, and the polymeric binder is dissolved in or swollen in the electrolyte to form a gel-like electrolyte layer containing the white scattering material and the polymeric binder within the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS ,INC.
    Inventors: Takeshi Hakii, Tomoo Izumi
  • Patent number: 7729034
    Abstract: An ionic colored liquid according to the present invention moves with a voltage application, and contains as principal components at least a coloring material whose base material is a pigment, and an ambient temperature molten salt combining a cation and an anion. The coloring material has a mean volume particle diameter of equal to or smaller than 5 ?m and a coefficient of variation in a volume particle size distribution of equal to or smaller than 50. In an image display apparatus according to the present invention, a surface energy of the ionic colored liquid (21) is varied according to whether or not a voltage is applied to the ionic colored liquid (21), thereby moving the ionic colored liquid (21) or increasing/decreasing a surface area of the liquid on a display surface side, so that an image is displayed. In this manner, the ionic colored liquid can be dispersed stably in a dispersion medium and applied to an electric-field induction type electronic paper display or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinich Nakano, Hiroko Niwano
  • Publication number: 20100097684
    Abstract: A display element containing at least 1 type of electrochromic compound, which is reversibly subjected to coloration or decoloration by at least either of electrochromic oxidation and reduction reaction, and an electrolyte between a pair of a display electrode and an opposed electrode; and undergoing a color tone change by an electrode driving operation, wherein a compound represented by following Formula (1) is held on the opposed electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Kaori ONO, Osamu ISHIGE, Takeshi HAKII, Akihito HISAMITSU
  • Patent number: 7702434
    Abstract: A motor vehicle and an indicating apparatus for a motor vehicle, includes a display for optical depiction of information concerning the motor vehicle by the emission of light, and having a decorative layer positioned on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Cedric Dupont, Arne Stoschek, Sven Strohband
  • Patent number: 7697189
    Abstract: There is provided a display element which is constituted of simple members, can achieve low-voltage drive and exhibits high display contrast and superior response speed. The display element comprises opposed electrodes having therebetween an electrolyte layer containing silver or a silver-containing compound, wherein the opposed electrodes are driven so that silver is dissolved and deposited and the electrolyte layer further contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by formula (1), (2) or (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kokeguchi
  • Patent number: 7692843
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror includes an electrically conductive reflective film capable of reflecting light that is incident thereto and having electrical conductivity in which plural fine penetration holes are formed, an electrochromic film that is provided at a side of the electrically conductive reflective film at which the light is incident and reflected, an electrically conductive film that is provided at a side of the electrically conductive reflective film that is opposite from the electrochromic film, and an electrolytic solution that contains lithium ions and is enclosed between the electrically conductive film and the electrically conductive reflective film. The plural penetration holes formed in the electrically conductive reflective film penetrate in a thickness direction thereof, and a ratio between a distance between respective centers of the penetration holes and an inner peripheral diameter dimension of the penetration holes is 7 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho, National University Corporation Nagoya University
    Inventors: Junichi Nakaho, Masaharu Hattori, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Nagahiro Saito, Takahiro Ishizaki, Osamu Takai
  • Publication number: 20100079845
    Abstract: An all-solid-state electrochromic device comprises a transparent base material, and an electrochromic multilayer-stack structure formed on the transparent base material. The electrochromic multilayer-stack structure comprises a first transparent-conductive film formed on the transparent base material, an ion-storage layer formed on the first transparent-conductive film, a solid-electrolyte layer formed on the ion-storage layer, and an electrochromic layer formed on the solid-electrolyte layer. The electrochromic layer comprises a reflection-controllable electrochromic layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic layer comprises a reflection-controllable layer that comprises at least one of antimony and an antimony-based alloy. A second transparent-conductive film can be formed on the reflection-controllable layer, or between the reflection-controllable layer and the solid-electrolyte layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, Paul P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7663797
    Abstract: Multicolor display elements are disclosed that are adapted to full color electric papers, which comprises a display electrode, counter electrode, electrolyte, and display layer, wherein the counter electrode is disposed oppositely to the display electrode, the electrolyte is filled into a space provided between the display electrode and the counter electrode, the display layer is disposed on the surface, which faces the counter electrode, of the display electrode, the display layer contains plural electrochromic compositions in a condition that the plural electrochromic compositions are separated into plural layers within the display layer or are mixed together within the display layer, and at least one of threshold voltage for coloring condition and threshold voltage for decoloring condition, or at least one of charge amount required for coloring into a sufficient color density and charge amount required for sufficiently decoloring, are substantially different each other between the plural electrochromic com
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenobu Hirano, Takuji Kato, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Ikue Kawashima, Takeshi Shibuya
  • Patent number: 7660029
    Abstract: Tunable photonic crystals offer an interesting possibility to adjust the photonic band gap (PBG) as per requirement. Various methods of achieving this have been tried that include polarization of liquid crystals, thermal effects and more. Chromogenic devices provided in accordance with the present invention include combinations and subcombinations of electrochromic, photochromic, thermochromic devices featuring TMO based inverse opals having tunable photonic band gaps (PBG) for certain frequencies. Electrochromic (EC) materials in which a reversible optical property change can be induced with the application of a small electric field offer a novel possibility to tune the PBG in a controlled and reversible way. The reversible chemical change and the ensuing change of optical constants in these periodically arranged EC materials make the PBG tunability possible. In a recent work we have demonstrated for the first time the PBG tunability of EC materials deposited in the form of periodic inverse opals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Universite de Moncton
    Inventors: Pandurang Ashrit, Sulan Kuai
  • Publication number: 20100027098
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolyte material for an electrically-controllable device having variable optical/energy properties, characterized in that it comprises a self-supporting polymer matrix containing ionic fillers and a liquid for solubilizing said ionic fillers, said liquid not solubilizing said self-supporting polymer matrix, the latter being selected so as to provide a percolation path for said ionic fillers; to an electrically-controllable device having variable optical/energy properties, comprising such an electrolyte material; and to a method for fabricating such an electrically-controllable device, characterized in that the various layers thereof are assembled by calendering or lamination, optionally with heating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Fabienne Piroux, Pascal Petit, Annabelle Andreau
  • Patent number: 7643201
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror includes a transparent electrode film, an electrochromic film formed at one thickness direction side of the transparent electrode film, a light reflective film that reflects light that has transmitted through the transparent electrode film and the electrochromic film, a lithium ion transmissive film provided between the electrochromic film and the light reflective film, an electrically conductive film provided at the one thickness direction side of the transparent electrode film and at a side of the light reflective film opposite from the lithium ion transmissive film, and an electrolytic solution that comprises lithium ions and is enclosed between the light reflective film and the electrically conductive film. The lithium ion transmissive film transmits lithium ions and imposed diffusion of silver from the side of the light reflective film to the side of the electrochromic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho, National University Corporation Nagoya University
    Inventors: Junichi Nakaho, Masaharu Hattori, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Nagahiro Saito, Takahiro Ishizaki, Osamu Takai
  • Publication number: 20090323159
    Abstract: The present invention provides an all solid state type reflection light control electrochromic element and a light control member that uses this element, relates to an all solid state type reflection light control electrochromic element, which is a magnesium/titanium alloy reflection type light control element in which a multilayer thin film is formed on a transparent substrate, wherein at least a transparent conductive film layer, an ion storage layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a catalyst layer, and a reflection light control layer employing a magnesium/titanium alloy thin film are formed on the substrate; and a light control member which is incorporated with this reflection light control electrochromic element, and the present invention allows a reflection light control electrochromic element, which has a novel multilayer structure that is colorless when transparent and can be switched in a short time over a wide area, as well as a light control member incorporated with this element to be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: National Institute of Adv Industrial Sci and Tech
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshimura, Kazuki Tajima, Shanhu Bao, Yasusei Yamada
  • Publication number: 20090323158
    Abstract: An electrochromic switching device comprises a counter electrode, an active electrode and an electrolyte layer disposed between the counter electrode and the active electrode. The active electrode comprises at least one of an oxide, a nitride, an oxynitrides, a partial oxide, a partial nitride and a partial oxynitride of at least one of Sb, Bi, Si, Ge, Sn, Te, N, P, As, Ga, In, Al, C, Pb and I. Upon application of a current to the electrochromic switching device, a compound comprising at least one of the alkali and the alkaline earth metal ion and an element of the active electrode is formed as part of the active electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, Paul P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7639415
    Abstract: Disclosed are an electrochromic device and a method for fabricating the same. The electrochromic device comprises a transparent electrode, on which an electrochromic layer is formed, a counter electrode on which a reflective layer is formed, and an electrolyte layer interposed between the transparent electrode and the counter electrode. Since the electrolyte layer is formed in only an active region of unit pixels, neither crosstalk nor image diffusion occurs and only the selected region of unit pixels is operated. Thus, the electrochromic device can realize passive matrix displays capable of representing a desired color. Furthermore, the electrochromic device can be utilized in a variety of applications including flexible displays and electrical papers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Eun Jung, Jae Eun Jang, Chang Ho Noh
  • Patent number: 7633669
    Abstract: Electrolyte solutions for electrochromic devices such as rear view mirrors and displays with low leakage currents are prepared using inexpensive, low conductivity conductors. Preferred electrolytes include bifunctional redox dyes and molten salt solvents with enhanced stability toward ultraviolet radiation. The solvents include lithium or quaternary ammonium cations, and perfluorinated sulfonylimide anions selected from trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF3SO3?), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3SO2)2N?), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3CF2SO2)2N?) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF3SO2)3C?). Electroluminescent, electrochromic and photoelectrochromic devices with nanostructured electrodes include ionic liquids with bifunctional redox dyes. Some of the electrolyte solutions color to red when devices employing the solutions are powered, leading to red or neutral electrooptic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony K. Burrell, Anoop Agrawal, John P. Cronin, Juan C. L. Tonazzi, Benjamin P. Warner, T. Mark McCleskey
  • Patent number: 7630117
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrolyte for electrochromic devices, which includes a eutectic mixture comprising: (a) a compound having an acidic functional group and basic functional group; and (b) an ionizable lithium salt. An electrochromic device using the same electrolyte is also disclosed. Because the electrochromic device uses the electrolyte comprising the eutectic mixture, which is cost-efficient and has excellent thermal and chemical stability, there are no problems related with evaporation and exhaustion as well as flammability of electrolyte. Additionally, it is possible to minimize side reactions with constitutional elements of an electrochromic device and electrolyte, thereby improving the safety. Further, it is also possible to improve the quality of an electrochromic device by virtue of a broad electrochemical window and high electroconductivity of the eutectic mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Seung Oh, Byoung Bae Lee, Jae Duk Park, Su Jin Mun
  • Patent number: 7630116
    Abstract: An ion conductor has fine particles of an organic polymer including 20 to 80% by mass of ultra-fine particles of an inorganic compound, and an electrolytic solution impregnated into the fine particles of the organic polymer, wherein the fine particles of the organic polymer have a specific surface area measured by the BET method of 30 m2/g or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Michiya Nakashima, Toshihiro Ebine, Kazunari Kawai, Naohito Saito
  • Publication number: 20090237769
    Abstract: A display element comprising an electrolyte layer containing silver or a compound containing silver in a chemical structure thereof and a porous white scattering layer between opposed electrodes, and carrying out driving operation for the opposed electrodes to induce silver dissolution and deposition, wherein the porous white scattering layer is structured of at least 2 layers and an average particle diameter of main component particles forming a first layer is larger than that of main component particles forming a second layer, provided that a porous white scattering layer adjacent to the electrode is designated as the first layer and a porous white scattering layer, located on a side farther than the first layer when viewed from the electrode, is designated as the second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Takeshi Hakii
  • Patent number: 7586663
    Abstract: An electrochromic cell is disclosed which can include a first electrically conducting transparent electrode bonded to an electrochemically formed first electrochromic electrode on the surface of the electrode; a second electrically conducting transparent electrode bonded to an electrochemically formed second electrochromic electrode on the surface of the second electrode and a transparent gel polymer electrolyte formed from one or more macromomoners mixed with a plasticizer and an electrolyte salt, the gel polymer electrolyte in contact with both the first and second electrochromic electrodes; the first and second electrochromic electrodes are separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Triton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Radmard, Gregory A. Sotzing
  • Patent number: 7586665
    Abstract: A flexible electrochromic device is disclosed, the device including a flexible substrate with at least one electrically conductive surface, and an electrochromic layer comprising particles of water-insoluble metal ferrocyanide with an average particle size less than about one micron, and polymer, the electrochromic layer deposited on a conductive surface of the flexible substrate, wherein the device is capable of being deformed and returned to “flatness” in an undamaged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Chameleon Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Martin