Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.

Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho

Junichi Shimada

Toshiyasu Ito

Takaaki Mori

Jun Minoura

Mamoru Kato

Shigeyuki Takahashi

Fujio Hayakawa

Hisaki Kato

Katsuaki Okabayashi

Shigeyuki Takahahi

Toshishige Sakamoto

Norio Fujisawa

An electrochromic element including a pair of electrochromic bases is provided. Each electrochromic base is defined by a substrate, an electrode layer disposed on the substrate, and a color-forming layer disposed on the electrode layer. The electrochromic bases are superposed such that their respective color-forming layers face each other. A solid electrolyte of ultraviolet-setting type is disposed between the color-forming layers of the electrochromic bases. The method of manufacturing the electrochromic element and the method of driving the same are also disclosed.

Electrochromic elements and methods of manufacturing and driving the same

A process for producing planar dimmer comprising a transparent base, a dimming part, capable of dimming, disposed on the base, the dimming part comprising a first electrode layer formed on the base, a second electrode layer set facing the first electrode layer, a coloring part, disposed between the two electrode layers, and colors or discolors in response to the stimulus from the two electrode layers, and a conducting part disposed between the base and the first electrode layer in such a way as to be in contact with the first electrode layer in order to apply a uniform voltage throughout the first electrode layer. The process includes forming paint stripes, electrolessly plating a metal film over each of the stripes, forming an electrode layer over the metallized stripes, and forming a color-forming layer over the electrode layer.

Process for producing a planar dimmer

A planar dimmer comprising a transparent base, a dimming part, capable of dimming, disposed on the base, the dimming part comprising a first electrode layer formed on the base, a second electrode layer set facing the first electrode layer, a coloring part disposed between the two electrode layers, and colors or discolors in response to the stimulus from the two electrode layers, and a conducting part disposed between the base and the first electrode layer in such a way as to be in contact with the first electrode layer in order to apply a uniform voltage throughout the first electrode layer.

Planar dimmer

A cover for car lamps comprising a transparent base and a transparent element with variable coloring intensity capable of coloring and discoloring by electric conduction, disposed on at least a part of the base.

Cover for car lamps

The solid electrochromic element of this invention is to be used for various types of dimmers and displays, and comprises a pair of electrode layers, an oxidation color-developing layer, an ion-donating layer and a reduction color-developing layer laminated one upon another on a substrate. In the manufacture of this type of electrochromic element, the pair of electrode layers and the ion-donating layer are formed by the ion plating technique. The dimmers of this invention for automotive sun roof, side-watching window and glare-free mirror each contains an electrochromic element manufactured by the process mentioned above. The light transmittance of the sun roof and side-watching window, as well as the intensity of reflecting light at the glare-free mirror, are appropriately controlled according to the conditions of their use by application of a variable voltage across the two electrode layers of the electrochromic element.

Growing community of inventors

Aichi, Japan

Junichi Shimada