Donnelly Corporation

Schott Donnelly LLC

Other

Magna Donnelly Corporation

Schott North America Inc.

Raymond L Zhang

Anoop Agrawal

John P Cronin

Daniel J Tarico

Juan Carlos Lopez Tonazzi

Stephan Hansen

Juan Carlos L Tonazzi

Andrew R Ingle

Jonathan M Boulton

Torsten Holdmann

Yelena Feinstein

Stephan G Hansen

Bob Lecompte

Todd J Gudgel

The invention includes many applications for electrochromic devices that require neutral colors and patterned electrodes. It uses novel materials, ways of making the materials, device configurations and applications. In one aspect, the device also includes electrical leads (), transparent conductor layers (), patterned EC layers (), an etch line () and a substrate ().

Electrochromic devices

A transparent chromogenic assembly in which color changes are selectively effectable over predefined areas comprises a pair of facing transparent substrates ( ) each covered with a conductive layer divided into individual energizeable areas each provided with a set of busbars ( ). A passive layer may be superimposed over one of the substrates, its color being chosen so that the color and the transmissivity of the passive layer accommodates the range of color change and transmissivity of the electrochromic layer to maintain the transmitted color of the panel in a warm or neutral shade. Various other chromogenic windows, devices and systems are also disclosed.

Chromogenic glazing

A user-controlled skylight window or the like in which the user can control the light transmitted through the skylight. A chromogenic filter is under automatic control of a control circuit. A user interface permits the user to set the control circuit for desired lighting. A mechanical shutter is likewise controlled to open or close the skylight under control of the user interface. A lamp within the skylight provides nighttime lighting under user control. The diffuseness of light transmitted through the skylight is improved by modifying the diffuseness of various components of the skylight including the filter. Uses of the filter in a variety of systems and with a variety of controls are disclosed.

Chromogenic light filter and controls

A transparent chromogenic panel in which color changes are selectively effectable over predefined areas comprises a pair of facing glass substrates each covered with a conductive layer divided into individual energizeable areas each provided with as set of busbars. An electrochromic electrode layer overlies at least one of the conductive layers. An insulating adhesive sealant spaces apart the substrates and insulates the busbar sets from each other and from exposure to the electrolyte and the electrochromic layer, so that each busbar set may be individually energizeable to effect a color change through a respective one of the individual areas. A passive layer is advantageously superimposed over one of the substrates, its color being chosen so that the color and the transmissivity of the passive layer accommodates the range of color change and transmissivity of the electrochromic layer to maintain the transmitted color of the panel in a warm or neutral shade.

Chromogenic glazing for automobiles and display filters

Electrochromic coating solutions are prepared by reacting a transition metal with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and an organic acid. The resulting transition metal-peroxy acid product is esterified by reacting with lower carbon alcohols to produce a peroxyester-transition metal derivative. This derivative in solution in lower carbon alcohols provides a working solution into which a substrate having a conductive surface is preferable dipped and removed at a rate sufficient to give a coating of a desired thickness over the conductive surface. Spray or spin coating can be used to apply the coating to the conductive surface of the substrate. The coating is then dried and is externally fired in an oven to complete the necessary reactions to yield an electrochromic oxide coating having exceptional electrochromic properties.

Precursor and related method of forming for use in forming

An electrochromic coating is produced by adding an organic moiety to a solution of an electrochromic precursor, said organic moiety having a decomposition temperature greater than, or a vapor pressure sufficiently low at, the temperature at which solution solvent is removed, such that said organic moiety remains integral with the electrochromic precursor coating on said substrate after said solvent evaporates, and said organic moiety having a decomposition temperature lower than, or a vapor pressure sufficiently high at, the temperature at which said electrochromic precursor coating is converted to an electrochromic coating that said moiety is substantially removed from said coating before or during said conversion.

Method for depositing high performing electrochromic layers

Electrochromic coating solutions are prepared by reacting a transition metal with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and an organic acid. The resulting transition metal-peroxy acid product is esterified by reacting with lower carbon alcohols to produce a peroxyester-transition metal derivative. This derivative in solution in lower carbon alcohols provides a working solution into which a substrate having a conductive surface is preferably dipped and removed at a rate sufficient to give a coating of a desired thickness over the conductive surface. Spray or spin coating can be used to apply the coating to the conductive surface of the substrate. The coating is then dried and is externally fired in an oven to complete the necessary reactions to yield an electrochromic oxide coating having exceptional electrochromic properties.

Method for depositing electrochromic layers

The performance and operating characteristics of electrochromic devices may be improved by the incorporation of a moisture control layer comprised of either water reservoir material or water scavenger material in conjunction with a moisture permeable intermediate barrier layer within the device. The water reservoir material provides a source of water for those electrochromic stacks which require water for proper operation. For stacks which require protection from moisture, water scavenger material may be utilized. A moisture permeable intermediate barrier layer separates the moisture control layer from the electrochromic stack. The invention is also directed towards methods of incorporating such layers into electrochromic devices during their manufacture.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Raymond L Zhang