Color changing device and temperature self-adaptive color changing control method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a color changing device and a temperature self-adaptive color changing control method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of electrochromism, the color changing device comprises an electrochromism device, a power supply and a control module, the electrochromism device comprises two conductive layers and gel electrolyte arranged in the two conductive layers; the power supply is electrically connected with the two conductive layers; the control module is connected with the power supply; and a polymer-based gel electrolyte is arranged in the electrochromic device. In the application, the control module utilizes the cooperation of the photosensitive sensor and the temperature sensor, and accurately and automatically adjusts the transmittance and the reflectivity of the electrochromic device in real time according to the external light intensity change and the temperature change, so that the color changer can reach the required observation state at different temperatures, and the use requirements are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of electrochromic change, and in particular relates to a color-changing device and a temperature-adaptive color-changing control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Electrochromic technology is an advanced technology that uses electric current to control the changes in the optical properties of materials (reflection, transmission, absorption). This technology provides a possibility for realizing adaptive electrochromic windows.

[0003] In the prior art, the patent application number 202211249811.6, "A control device for a fully liquid electrochromic device and a control method thereof", relates to a control device for a fully liquid electrochromic device and a control method thereof, the control device includes a control module, a Hall sensor, and a light sensor, the light sensor is used to collect the ambient light intensity signal of the device and output it to the control module, the Hall sensor is used to collect the voltage signal of the device and output it to the control module; the control module is used to compare the light intensity signal with the set light intensity value, and the voltage signal with the target voltage value, and when the light intensity signal is greater than the set light intensity value and the voltage signal is less than or equal to the target voltage value, output a constant working current to the electrochromic device; the control module is used to stop outputting the working current to the electrochromic device when the light intensity signal is less than or equal to the set light intensity value; the control module is used to reduce the output working current to the electrochromic device when the voltage signal is greater than the target voltage value. This invention realizes the intelligent control of fully liquid electrochromic devices and solves the problem of high voltage damaging the performance and life of the device. However, the color-changing principle used in this invention is full-liquid electrochromism, which has safety issues related to leakage and limited cycle stability, and cannot adapt to complex environments with changing temperatures. In addition, this invention requires frequent detection of voltage and light intensity and requires continuous power supply, which leads to cumbersome and complicated control methods and low electrochromic efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a color-changing device and a temperature-adaptive color-changing control method thereof, which solves the problem that the existing electrochromic device cannot adapt to a complex environment with variable temperatures.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the invention, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] On the one hand, a color-changing device is provided, which includes an electrochromic device, a power supply and a control module, wherein the electrochromic device includes two conductive layers and a gel electrolyte arranged in the two conductive layers; the positive and negative poles of the power supply are electrically connected to the two conductive layers, respectively; the control module is electrically connected to the power supply, and is used to control the time for the power supply to apply voltage to the two conductive layers.

[0007] The basic principle of the color-changing device in the present invention is: when no external voltage is applied, the electrochromic device maintains its initial transparent state, the metal ions are randomly and evenly dispersed in the gel electrolyte, and the conductive layer has a high transmittance; when a negative voltage is applied to it, the metal ions in the gel electrolyte are reduced to metal ions and deposited on the surface of the conductive layer, and the density of the deposited metal particles is different, and the electrochromic device presents a series of optical states with different transmittance and reflectivity. As the duration of the applied voltage increases, the density of metal ions deposited on the conductive layer gradually increases, and the reflectivity increases. Therefore, the control module controls the different time of the negative voltage applied to the electrode, and adjusts the density of the metal nanoparticles deposited on the transparent conductive layer, so that the transmittance and reflectivity of the electrochromic device can be controlled as needed. To restore the electrochromic device to a transparent state, it is only necessary to control the power supply through the control module to apply a reverse voltage, that is, a positive voltage, to the electrochromic device, so that the deposited metal particles can be oxidized to complete the fading process.

[0008] In the present invention, a gel electrolyte is provided in the electrochromic device. The gel electrolyte is easy to package, eco-friendly, improves safety issues related to leakage and limited cycle stability, has a fast switching time, and excellent cycle stability, and operates reliably at different temperatures.

[0009] Furthermore, each conductive layer is made of a transparent hard material or a transparent flexible material; specifically, the transparent hard material may be a hard ITO glass electrode; the transparent flexible material may be made of polyester or other materials.

[0010] Furthermore, a layer of indium tin oxide is provided on the inner surface of each conductive layer, and the positive and negative electrodes of the power supply are electrically connected to the indium tin oxide plated in the two conductive layers respectively, and the indium tin oxide plays a role in conducting electricity.

[0011] Furthermore, the gel electrolyte is a polymer-based electrolyte, and the gel electrolyte contains metal ions. The gel electrolyte is a core material for color change, and through redox reaction, it can achieve regulation from transparency to different transmittances and reflectances.

[0012] Furthermore, when the power supply does not apply voltage to the electrochromic device, the electrochromic device is in a transparent state; when the power supply applies voltage to the electrochromic device, the transmittance and reflectance of the electrochromic device are adjusted in multiple levels.

[0013] Furthermore, the coloring voltage and fading voltage of the gel electrolyte are -5V and 2V respectively.

[0014] Furthermore, the control module includes a first controller, a second controller and a storage module electrically connected to each other, the first controller is electrically connected to a temperature sensor, and the second controller is electrically connected to a photosensor; the storage module stores data on color change of light intensity corresponding to the gear and a set of data on the time required to apply voltage for color change of each gear at 25°C, and the data on the time required to apply voltage for color change of each gear at 25°C is reference data. The control module can automatically determine the corresponding gear of the electrochromic device according to the light intensity data of the environment in which the color-changing device is located, and realize the temperature-adaptive color change of the color-changing device according to the temperature data of the environment in which the color-changing device is located.

[0015] Furthermore, the control module also includes a communication module electrically connected to the storage module, and the communication module is in communication connection with the user's mobile terminal; the light intensity corresponding to the gear color change data is pre-stored or stored in the storage module by the user through the user's mobile terminal. In the light intensity corresponding to the gear color change data, the threshold value of the time when the power supply corresponding to each gear applies voltage to the electrochromic device can also be changed, and can be remotely wirelessly set by the user through the mobile phone APP, thereby improving the flexibility of product use.

[0016] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a temperature adaptive color change control method of a color change device, which comprises:

[0017] Step 1: The temperature sensor collects the temperature data of the environment where the color-changing device is located in real time, and the photosensitive sensor collects the light intensity data of the environment where the color-changing device is located in real time;

[0018] Step 2, automatically determining the corresponding gear of the electrochromic device according to the light intensity data of the environment in which the color-changing device is located and the color-changing data of the gear corresponding to the light intensity;

[0019] Step 3, calculating the actual voltage application time of the power supply to the electrochromic device according to the determined corresponding gear position and the ambient temperature data of the electrochromic device;

[0020] Step 4: The first controller controls the power supply to apply a coloring voltage to the electrochromic device. The application time is the actual voltage application time, so as to complete the temperature-adaptive color change of the color-changing device.

[0021] The existing technology is not very adaptable to complex environments with variable temperatures. The color-changing device of the present invention can achieve the same transmittance and reflectivity as those in room temperature environments by increasing the voltage application time in complex environments with variable temperatures.

[0022] Furthermore, in step 3, the calculation formula for the actual voltage application time of the power supply to the electrochromic device is:

[0023]

[0024] Among them, T ioutput is the actual voltage application time of the power supply to the electrochromic device; t is the ambient temperature of the electrochromic device collected in real time by the temperature sensor; T i base It is the time that the power supply applies voltage to the electrochromic device when the electrochromic device is in the corresponding gear in an environment of 25°C.

[0025] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. A color-changing device in the present invention has a gel electrolyte arranged in the electrochromic device. The gel electrolyte is easy to package, eco-friendly, improves safety issues related to leakage and limited cycle stability, and has a fast switching time and excellent cycle stability. It can operate reliably in a complex environment with variable temperature, and effectively solves the problem of liquid electrolyte leakage and inability to adapt to a complex environment with variable temperature.

[0026] 2. A temperature-adaptive color-changing control method for a color-changing device in the present invention utilizes a photosensitive sensor and a temperature sensor to sense the external light intensity and temperature, and then utilizes a control module to adjust the time when the voltage is applied to the electrochromic device, thereby accurately controlling the transmittance and reflectivity of the device, so that the device can achieve the desired observation state at different temperatures to meet usage requirements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 The figure is a principle block diagram of a color-changing device.

[0028] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the electrochromic device preparation process.

[0029] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the color of the electrochromic device being transparent.

[0030] Figure 4 Schematic diagram for changing the transmittance and reflectance of an electrochromic device.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the electrochromic device in the mirror state.

[0032] Among them, 1. electrochromic device; 101. conductive layer; 102. gel electrolyte; 103. U-shaped gasket; 2. power supply; 3. control module; 301. first controller; 302. second controller; 303. storage module; 304. temperature sensor; 305. photosensor; 306. communication module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are described below so that those skilled in the art can understand the present invention. However, it should be clear that the present invention is not limited to the scope of the specific implementation modes. For those of ordinary skill in the art, as long as various changes are within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined and determined by the attached claims, these changes are obvious, and all inventions and creations utilizing the concept of the present invention are protected.

[0034] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the present invention provides a color-changing device, which includes an electrochromic device 1, a power supply 2 and a control module 3. The electrochromic device 1 includes two conductive layers 2 and a gel electrolyte 102 disposed in the two conductive layers 2; each conductive layer 2 is a transparent hard material or a transparent flexible material. Specifically, the transparent hard material can be a hard ITO glass electrode; the transparent flexible material can be a polyester or other material, so that the entire electrochromic device 1 can be hard or soft, and can be applied to astronaut windows, car canopies, ski goggles, LED lamp covers, etc.

[0035] The inner surface of each conductive layer 2 is provided with a layer of indium tin oxide, and the positive and negative electrodes of the power source 2 are respectively electrically connected to the indium tin oxide plated in the two conductive layers 2. The gel electrolyte 102 is a polymer-based electrolyte, and the gel electrolyte 102 contains metal ions. The positive and negative electrodes of the power source 2 are respectively electrically connected to the two conductive layers 2; the control module 3 is electrically connected to the power source 2, and is used to control the time for the power source 2 to apply voltage to the two conductive layers 2.

[0036] like Figure 2 Specifically, in this embodiment, each conductive layer 2 uses a hard ITO glass electrode, and then a U-shaped gasket 103 is set between the two conductive layers 2, and finally the gel electrolyte 102 is injected into the U-shaped gasket 103, and the electrochromic device 1 is completed after packaging.

[0037] like Figure 3 to Figure 5As shown, when no external voltage is applied, the electrochromic device 1 maintains its initial transparent state, the metal ions are randomly and evenly dispersed in the gel electrolyte 102, and the conductive layer 2 has a high transmittance; when a negative voltage is applied, the metal ions in the gel electrolyte 102 are reduced to metal particles and attached to the surface of the conductive layer 2, reducing the transmittance of the conductive layer 2. As the duration of the applied voltage increases, the metal attached to the conductive layer 2 increases, the transmittance decreases, and the reflectivity increases. The reason why the device can present different transmittances and reflectivities is that the deposition of metal nanoparticles of different densities on the electrochromic device 1 can induce the device to produce different transmittances and reflectivities, and the density of the metal nanoparticles is controlled by adjusting the time of applying voltage to the device. Therefore, the control module 3 controls the duration of the negative voltage applied to the electrode, thereby adjusting the density of the metal nanoparticles deposited on the transparent conductive layer 2, thereby controlling the transmittance and reflectivity. To restore the electrochromic device 1 to a transparent state, it is only necessary to control the power supply 2 through the control module 3 to apply a reverse voltage to the electrochromic device 1, so that the deposited metal particles can be oxidized to complete the fading process. Specifically, the coloring voltage and the fading voltage of the gel electrolyte 102 are -5V and 2V, respectively.

[0038] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the power supply does not apply voltage to the electrochromic device, the electrochromic device is in a transparent state; the power supply applies voltage to the electrochromic device to adjust the transmittance and reflectance of the electrochromic device in multiple levels.

[0039] For example, when the power source 2 applies voltage to the electrochromic device 1 for 0.5 seconds, the transmittance of the electrochromic device 1 is 75%; when the power source 2 applies voltage to the electrochromic device 1 for 1 second, the transmittance of the electrochromic device 1 is 65%. When the power source 2 applies voltage to the electrochromic device 1 for 20 seconds, the electrochromic device 1 is in a mirror state, with a transmittance of 5% and a reflectivity of 70%.

[0040] Since silver nanoparticles of different densities are deposited on the electrochromic device 1, the transmittance and reflectance of the entire electrochromic device 1 can be changed. Therefore, when the entire electrochromic device is applied to the car sunroof, it can achieve a sun protection effect. When applied to ski goggles, different transmittance and reflectance can be switched to adapt to different ski resorts and weather. When applied to motorcycle helmets, different transmittance and reflectance can be switched to suit different usage scenarios.

[0041] like Figure 1As shown in the figure, as a specific setting mode of the control module 3, the control module 3 includes a first controller 301, a second controller 302 and a storage module 303 which are electrically connected to each other, the first controller 301 is electrically connected to a temperature sensor 304, and the second controller 302 is electrically connected to a photosensor 305; the storage module 303 stores the color change data of the gear corresponding to the light intensity and a set of voltage application time data required for the color change of each gear at 25°C. The control module 3 can automatically determine the corresponding gear of the electrochromic device 1 according to the light intensity data of the environment where the color change device is located, and at the same time, according to the temperature data of the environment where the color change device is located, realize the temperature adaptive color change of the color change device.

[0042] The control module 3 also includes a communication module 306 electrically connected to the storage module 303, and the communication module 306 is in communication connection with the user's mobile terminal; the light intensity corresponding to the gear color change data is pre-stored or stored by the user through the user's mobile terminal in the storage module 303. In the light intensity corresponding to the gear color change data, the threshold value of the time when the power source 2 corresponding to each gear applies the voltage to the electrochromic device 1 can also be changed, and the user can remotely wirelessly set it through the mobile phone APP, thereby improving the flexibility of product use.

[0043] In summary, a color-changing device in the present invention has a gel electrolyte 102 arranged in the electrochromic device 1. The gel electrolyte 102 is easy to package, eco-friendly, and improves safety issues related to leakage and limited cycle stability. It also has a fast switching time and excellent cycle stability, and can operate reliably in a complex environment with variable temperature, effectively solving the problem of liquid electrolyte leakage and inability to adapt to a complex environment with variable temperature.

[0044] The present invention also provides a temperature adaptive color change control method for a color change device, which comprises:

[0045] Step 1, the temperature sensor 304 collects the temperature data of the environment where the color-changing device is located in real time, and the light sensor 305 collects the light intensity data of the environment where the color-changing device is located in real time;

[0046] Step 2, automatically determining the corresponding gear of the electrochromic device 1 according to the light intensity data of the environment in which the color-changing device is located and the color-changing data of the light intensity corresponding gear;

[0047] Step 3: Calculate the actual voltage application time of the power source 2 to the electrochromic device 1 according to the determined corresponding gear position and the ambient temperature data of the electrochromic device.

[0048] Specifically, the electrochromic device 1 at a lower temperature needs a longer voltage application time to achieve the same transmittance and reflectance state as at a higher temperature, because the migration speed of metal ions in the gel polymer is slower at a lower temperature. Therefore, in actual production applications, in order to make the optical properties (transmittance and reflectance, etc.) of the entire color-changing device consistent at different temperatures, it is necessary to calculate the actual voltage application time of the power source 2 to the electrochromic layer 1.

[0049] Step 4: The first controller 301 controls the power supply 2 to apply a coloring voltage to the electrochromic device 1. The application time is the actual voltage application time, so as to complete the temperature-adaptive color change of the color-changing device.

[0050] The existing technology is not very adaptable to complex environments with changing temperatures. Although the electrical properties of the gel electrolyte 102 of the color-changing device of the present invention will change in environments with different temperatures, the same transmittance, reflectivity and other indicators as those in room temperature environments can be achieved by increasing the voltage application time.

[0051] Furthermore, in step 3, the calculation formula for the actual voltage application time of the power source 2 to the electrochromic device 1 is:

[0052]

[0053] Among them, T i output is the actual voltage application time of the power source 2 to the electrochromic device 1; t is the ambient temperature of the electrochromic device collected in real time by the temperature sensor 304; T i base is the time that the power source 2 applies voltage to the electrochromic device 1 when the electrochromic device is in the corresponding gear in an environment of 25°C.

[0054] In a specific embodiment, the ambient temperature of the color-changing device is -15°C, and the light intensity of the environment in which the color-changing device is located is detected. It is necessary to change the electrochromic device 1 into a mirror state. At 25°C, it takes 20 seconds for the electrochromic device 1 to become a mirror. According to the calculation formula of the actual voltage application time of the power supply 2 to the electrochromic device 1, a -5V voltage is applied to the -15°C gel electrolyte 102 for 30 seconds, and a -3V voltage is applied to the 25°C gel electrolyte 102 for 20 seconds. The changes in transmittance and reflectivity are observed. It is found that the amplitudes of the transmittance (≈82%) and reflectivity (≈68%) at -15°C are comparable to those observed at 25°C. The optical properties of the entire color-changing device are kept consistent at different temperatures.

[0055] In summary, the temperature-adaptive color-changing control method of a color-changing device in the present invention utilizes the cooperation of a photosensor 305 and a temperature sensor 304 to adjust the transmittance and reflectivity of the electrochromic device 1 in real time and automatically according to changes in external light intensity, thereby achieving the optimal observation state and meeting usage requirements.

Claims

1. A color-changing device, characterized in that: It includes an electrochromic device, a power supply and a control module. The electrochromic device includes two conductive layers and a gel electrolyte arranged in the two conductive layers; the positive and negative electrodes of the power supply are electrically connected to the two conductive layers respectively; the control module is electrically connected to the power supply and is used to control the time for the power supply to apply voltage to the two conductive layers.

2. The color-changing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each conductive layer is made of a transparent hard material or a transparent flexible material.

3. The color-changing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: A layer of indium tin oxide is disposed on the inner surface of each conductive layer, and the positive and negative electrodes of the power source are electrically connected to the indium tin oxide-plated layers in the two conductive layers respectively.

4. The color-changing device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The gel electrolyte is a polymer-based electrolyte and contains metal ions.

5. The color-changing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the power source does not apply voltage to the electrochromic device, the electrochromic device is in a transparent state; when the power source applies voltage to the electrochromic device, the transmittance and reflectance of the electrochromic device are adjusted in multiple levels.

6. The color-changing device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The coloring voltage and fading voltage of the gel electrolyte are -5V and 2V, respectively.

7. The color-changing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The control module includes a first controller, a second controller and a storage module that are electrically connected to each other, the first controller is electrically connected to a temperature sensor, and the second controller is electrically connected to a photosensor; the storage module stores data on color change of light intensity corresponding to gears and a set of data on the voltage application time required for color change of each gear at 25°C.

8. The color-changing device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The control module also includes a communication module electrically connected to the storage module, and the communication module is in communication connection with the user mobile terminal; the light intensity corresponding gear color change data is pre-stored or stored in the storage module by the user through the user mobile terminal.

9. A temperature adaptive color change control method for a color change device according to claim 8, characterized in that: include: Step 1: The temperature sensor collects the temperature data of the environment where the color-changing device is located in real time, and the photosensitive sensor collects the light intensity data of the environment where the color-changing device is located in real time; Step 2, automatically determining the corresponding gear of the electrochromic device according to the light intensity data of the environment in which the color-changing device is located and the color-changing data of the gear corresponding to the light intensity; Step 3, calculating the actual voltage application time of the power supply to the electrochromic device according to the determined corresponding gear position and the ambient temperature data of the electrochromic device; Step 4: The first controller controls the power supply to apply a coloring voltage to the electrochromic device. The application time is the actual voltage application time, so as to complete the temperature-adaptive color change of the color-changing device.

10. The temperature adaptive color change control method of the color change device according to claim 9, characterized in that: In step 3, the calculation formula for the actual voltage application time of the power supply to the electrochromic device is: Among them, T i output is the actual voltage application time of the power supply to the electrochromic device; t is the ambient temperature of the electrochromic device collected in real time by the temperature sensor; T i base It is the time that the power supply applies voltage to the electrochromic device when the electrochromic device is in the corresponding gear in an environment of 25°C.

Images