Electrochromic device and electrochromic device

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrochromism device and an electrochromism device. The electrochromism device comprises a color changing layer and a heating layer which are stacked. The heating layer is used for heating the color changing layer under the condition of electric conduction, the color changing layer is used for coloring or fading under the condition of electric conduction, the color changing layer comprises a phase change electrolyte layer, and the phase change electrolyte layer is used for being melted into liquid electrolyte under the condition of heating. According to the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, the color changing layer is arranged to change color under the condition of conduction, so that the coloring or fading function is realized, the color changing layer comprises the phase change electrolyte layer formed by the phase change material, and the conductivity in the color changing layer is adjusted by utilizing a temperature control scheme of the phase change material, so that the color changing effect is improved. The coloring or fading speed of the electrochromic device is increased, and the current state maintaining capability is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of electrochromic devices, and more particularly to electrochromic devices and electrochromic apparatuses. Background Art

[0002] Electrochromism is the phenomenon that the optical properties of a material (reflectivity, transmittance, absorptivity, etc.) undergo stable and reversible color changes under the action of an applied electric field, which is manifested in appearance as reversible changes in color and transparency. Materials with electrochromic properties are called electrochromic materials, and devices made of electrochromic materials are called electrochromic devices. Because the color change is long-lasting and stable and energy is only required to produce the change, electrochromic materials are used to control the amount of light and heat allowed to penetrate windows, such as smart windows. They are also used in the automotive industry to adjust the color depth of skylights under various lighting conditions, thereby achieving visibility and temperature regulation.

[0003] The advantages of all-solid-state electrochromic devices lie in their reliability and safety, but due to the low electrical conductivity of solid electrolytes, the slow coloring / fading speed of solid-state electrochromic devices has also been criticized. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned defects or deficiencies in the prior art, it is desired to provide an electrochromic device and an electrochromic apparatus.

[0005] In a first aspect, an electrochromic device is provided, comprising: a color-changing layer and a heating layer stacked;

[0006] The heating layer is used to heat the color-changing layer in a conductive state.

[0007] The color-changing layer is used for coloring or fading in the case of electrical conduction, and the color-changing layer includes a phase-change electrolyte layer, and the phase-change electrolyte layer is used for melting into a liquid electrolyte in the case of heating.

[0008] As an implementable manner, the heating layer includes a first transparent electrode layer, and two ends of the first transparent electrode layer are connected to a power source.

[0009] As an achievable manner, the first transparent electrode layer includes a plurality of heating electrodes connected in parallel, and the plurality of heating electrodes cover the color-changing layer;

[0010] The width of the heating electrode at the middle position is smaller than the width of the heating electrodes at the two side positions.

[0011] As an achievable manner, the interval between adjacent heating electrodes is 50-100 microns.

[0012] As an achievable manner, the heating layer further comprises a metal electrode, which is disposed at the edge of the electrochromic device and electrically connected to the heating electrode, and the metal electrode is used to be connected to a power source.

[0013] As an achievable manner, the heating layer further includes a temperature measuring electrode for detecting the temperature of the heating layer.

[0014] As an achievable manner, the color-changing layer further includes: an ion storage layer and an electrochromic layer, wherein the ion storage layer and the electrochromic layer are respectively arranged on two sides of the phase-change electrolyte layer;

[0015] A second transparent electrode layer is disposed on a side of the ion storage layer away from the phase-change electrolyte layer, and a third transparent electrode layer is disposed on a side of the electrochromic layer away from the phase-change electrolyte layer.

[0016] As an achievable manner, the second transparent electrode layer or the third transparent electrode layer is multiplexed with the first transparent electrode layer.

[0017] A single-pole double-throw switch is provided between the first transparent electrode and one pole of the power supply, and a moving end of the single-pole double-throw switch is respectively connected to the first transparent electrode, the second transparent electrode layer or the third transparent electrode layer.

[0018] As an achievable manner, the invention further comprises a transparent substrate, wherein the transparent substrate is arranged on a side of the first transparent electrode layer away from the color-changing layer.

[0019] An insulating layer is further provided between the first transparent electrode layer and the color-changing layer.

[0020] In a second aspect, an electrochromic device is provided, comprising the electrochromic device described above.

[0021] According to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, the coloring or fading function is achieved by setting the color-changing layer to change color when it is turned on, wherein the color-changing layer includes a phase-changing electrolyte layer formed by a phase-change material, and the conductivity in the color-changing layer is adjusted by a temperature control scheme of the phase-change material, thereby achieving an increase in the coloring or fading speed of the electrochromic device and an improvement in the ability to maintain the current state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Other features, objects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent by reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 is a side view of an electrochromic device in one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2is a side view of an electrochromic device in another embodiment;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the heating layer electrode design in this embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the heating layer in this embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5 This is the melting curve of paraffin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the relevant invention, rather than to limit the invention. It is also necessary to explain that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0029] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , this embodiment provides an electrochromic device, comprising: a superimposed color-changing layer 10 and a heating layer 20;

[0031] The heating layer 20 is used to heat the color-changing layer 10 while conducting electricity.

[0032] The color-changing layer 10 is used for coloring or fading in a conductive state. The color-changing layer 10 includes a phase-change electrolyte layer 13 . The phase-change electrolyte layer 13 is used for melting into a liquid electrolyte in a heated state.

[0033] The device provided in this embodiment realizes the function of coloring or fading by setting the color-changing layer 10 to change color when it is turned on, wherein the color-changing layer 10 includes a phase-changing electrolyte layer 13 formed by a phase-changing material, and the temperature control scheme of the phase-changing material is used to adjust the conductivity in the color-changing layer 10, thereby achieving an increase in the coloring or fading speed of the electrochromic device and an improvement in the ability to maintain the current state.

[0034] In addition, the phase change electrolyte layer 13 is heated by setting a heating layer 20. When the heating circuit is turned on, the phase change electrolyte layer 13 melts into a liquid electrolyte. The ionic conductivity of the liquid electrolyte is much higher than that of the solid state, which can greatly increase the coloring or fading speed. When the color-changing layer 10 completes the coloring or fading process, the electrochromic device needs to maintain the current state. At this time, the heating circuit of the heating layer 20 is disconnected, the temperature is reduced, and the phase change electrolyte layer 13 solidifies into a solid electrolyte. The ionic conductivity is greatly reduced, which can help the device maintain its original state for a long time and reduce energy consumption.

[0035] Furthermore, the heating layer 20 includes a first transparent electrode layer 22 , and two ends of the first transparent electrode layer 22 are connected to a power source.

[0036] Since the phase change electrolyte layer 13 in the color-changing layer 10 needs to be heated, the present embodiment preferably sets a heating layer 20 for heating, and preferably uses an electrode layer to heat the phase change electrolyte layer 13. In order to ensure application in glass and other fields, the electrode layer is preferably set as a transparent electrode, such as ITO or FTO material, and a power source is connected at both ends of the first transparent electrode layer 22 for electric heating.

[0037] Furthermore, the first transparent electrode layer 22 includes a plurality of heating electrodes connected in parallel, and the plurality of heating electrodes cover the color-changing layer 10;

[0038] The width of the heating electrode at the middle position is smaller than the width of the heating electrodes at the two side positions.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, multiple heating electrodes are arranged in parallel, and multiple heating electrodes are arranged flat to provide heat to the plane of the entire electrochromic device. Since the heating electrodes at the edges dissipate heat quickly, the middle electrode is prone to overheating. In order to ensure that the entire device plane has a similar and stable heating temperature, multiple heating electrodes are arranged for heating, and the width of the middle electrode is slightly smaller, and the width of the electrodes on both sides is slightly larger, for example Figure 3 Five ITO strips are set for heating, among which the width of the three middle ITO strips is smaller and the width of the two sides is thicker, so as to achieve relatively uniform heat distribution. The specific number of ITO strips and the width setting method can be determined according to the area of ​​the electrochromic device.

[0040] Furthermore, the distance d between adjacent heating electrodes is 50-100 microns.

[0041] Figure 3A spacing d is provided between adjacent heating electrodes, and the spacing d is set to separate multiple heating electrodes. The spacing is set between 50-100 microns, and the preferred spacing is 50 microns. The spacing needs to ensure the ease of preparing multiple heating electrodes, and should not be set too wide, which will affect the heating effect of the heating electrodes or form gaps visible to the naked eye. Preferably, the multiple heating electrodes are evenly spaced, and the spacing between adjacent heating electrodes is the same.

[0042] Furthermore, the heating layer 20 further includes a metal electrode 30 , which is disposed at the edge of the electrochromic device and is electrically connected to the heating electrode. The metal electrode 30 is used to be connected to a power source.

[0043] This embodiment provides a plurality of heating electrodes for heating, such as Figure 3 As shown, multiple heating electrodes are arranged in parallel to heat the phase change electrolyte layer 13, and the multiple heating electrodes are laid side by side on the device to provide heat to the entire surface of the device. In order to realize the parallel connection of multiple heating electrodes, metal electrodes 30 are preferably arranged at the frame of the electrochromic device for connection. The metal electrodes 30 serve as wires and circuits to realize the connection between each heating electrode and the power supply. The metal electrodes 30 are preferably made of copper or aluminum and other materials. The metal electrodes are arranged at the edge of the device, and no excessive heat is generated at the position of the non-heating electrodes.

[0044] The above provided Figure 3 and Figure 4 The connection and setting method between the metal electrode 30 and the heating electrode are given, wherein four pins are preferably set to connect with the heating electrode, wherein the pins are pin 1, pin 2, pin 3 and pin 4 from left to right, wherein pin 2 and pin 3 are connected through a metal electrode, pin 1 and pin 4 are connected through a metal electrode set on the frame, and the five laid ITO strips are respectively connected to different pins, and connected to the power supply through the pins. Specifically, the heating electrode and the metal electrode can be connected in the form of upper and lower electrical connections, for example, the ITO strips on both sides are electrically connected to the metal electrode set on the upper edge of the device, connected to pin 1 and pin 4, and the three ITO strips in the middle are electrically connected to the metal electrode set below the device (near the position of pin 2 and pin 3) and connected to pin 2 and pin 3, and no limitation is made here; Figure 3 The device in the embodiment has four-sided borders, and three-sided or less borders can be set according to specific needs.

[0045] Optionally, the heating layer 20 further includes a temperature measuring electrode for detecting the temperature of the heating layer 20 .

[0046] In this embodiment, a temperature measuring electrode is further provided on the heating layer 20 to detect the temperature of the heating layer 20. When the temperature at which the phase change electrolyte layer 13 melts into a liquid state is reached, feedback is provided and the heating layer 20 is disconnected within a certain period of time, so that the coloring or fading of the device is more sensitive and energy-saving.

[0047] Optionally, the color-changing layer 10 further includes: an ion storage layer 12 and an electrochromic layer 14, wherein the ion storage layer 12 and the electrochromic layer 14 are respectively arranged on two sides of the phase-change electrolyte layer 13;

[0048] A second transparent electrode layer 11 is disposed on a side of the ion storage layer 12 away from the phase change electrolyte layer 13 , and a third transparent electrode layer 15 is disposed on a side of the electrochromic layer 14 away from the phase change electrolyte layer 13 .

[0049] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the color-changing layer 14 provided includes a stacked ion storage layer 12, a phase change electrolyte layer 13 and an electrochromic layer 14, wherein the ion storage layer 12 is generally made of NiO, the electrochromic layer 14 is generally made of WO3, the phase change electrolyte layer 13 uses a phase change material as an electrolyte solvent component, and is combined with organic solvents such as alcohols and lithium salts to form the phase change electrolyte layer 13. These materials also need to be packaged by UV glue to form the phase change electrolyte layer 13 shown in the figure. The phase change material used is generally selected from materials with a melting point in the range of room temperature to 100°C, preferably a material with a melting point of 50°C-60°C, such as paraffin, dimethyl dodecanedioate, etc., which can undergo solid-liquid phase change at room temperature and in a higher range. Figure 5 The DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) melting curve of paraffin is given. Pure paraffin melts at about 55° and can be used as a raw material for the phase change electrolyte layer 13;

[0050] Electrode layers are also arranged on both sides of the color-changing layer 10, which are generally transparent electrode structures and can be applied to smart glass and other aspects. The transparent electrodes are generally made of ITO or FTO materials, and the second transparent electrode layer and the third transparent electrode layer arranged on the two sides are respectively connected to the two ends of the power supply. When the power is turned on, the color-changing layer 10 changes color to achieve a coloring or fading effect.

[0051] Furthermore, the second transparent electrode layer 11 or the third transparent electrode layer 14 is multiplexed with the first transparent electrode layer 22.

[0052] A single-pole double-throw switch is provided between the first transparent electrode 21 and one pole of the power supply, and a moving end of the single-pole double-throw switch is connected to the first transparent electrode layer 22, the second transparent electrode layer 11 or the third transparent electrode layer 15 respectively.

[0053] The device provided in this embodiment includes a color-changing layer 10 and a heating layer 20. Both the color-changing layer 10 and the heating layer 20 are provided with an electrode layer for conduction. Figure 1 In the structure shown, the color-changing layer 10 and the heating layer 20 are respectively connected using corresponding electrode layers, the second transparent electrode layer 11 and the third transparent electrode layer 15 of the color-changing layer 10 are respectively connected to the two ends of the power supply for conduction and color change, and the second transparent electrode layer 11 of the heating layer 20 is connected to the two ends of the power supply for conduction and heating;

[0054] Or form Figure 2 In the structure shown, any transparent electrode layer on the color-changing layer 10 is reused with the first transparent electrode layer 22 on the heating layer 20. Figure 2 The third transparent electrode layer 15 is omitted, and a single-pole double-throw switch is used for connection, which reduces the use of one layer of transparent electrode, making the thickness of the device thinner. The non-moving end of the single-pole double-throw switch is connected to one end of the power supply, and the moving end is connected to the two layers of transparent electrodes respectively. When the device is in use, the single-pole double-throw switch line is connected to the first transparent electrode to heat the color-changing layer 10, and then the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode layer / the third transparent electrode layer are switched to achieve the coloring or fading effect of the color-changing layer 10.

[0055] Furthermore, it also includes a transparent substrate 23, and the transparent substrate 23 is arranged on a side of the first transparent electrode layer 22 away from the color-changing layer 10.

[0056] An insulating layer 21 is further disposed between the first transparent electrode layer 22 and the color-changing layer 10 .

[0057] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the device provided in this embodiment includes a transparent substrate 23, a first electrode layer 22 is arranged on the transparent substrate 23, and then an insulating layer 21 is arranged between the first electrode layer 22 and the color-changing layer 10 for isolation.

[0058] like Figure 4 The figure shows a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the heating layer 20. First, a transparent substrate 23 is provided, preferably a glass substrate. Then, a metal electrode 30 is arranged on the glass substrate. The metal electrode 30 is generally arranged at the edge of the device. Then, an insulating layer 40 is arranged on the metal electrode 30, and a via hole is opened on the insulating layer 40. The via hole exposes the metal electrode 30. A first transparent electrode layer 22 is arranged on the insulating layer 40. It is preferably made of ITO. The transparent electrode is in contact with the metal electrode through the hole. Then, a silicon oxide encapsulation layer 21 is formed on the metal electrode layer. The formed heating layer 20 is superimposed on the color-changing layer 10 to form an electrochromic device. Figure 4In order to show the positional relationship between the layers, the thickness of the actual metal electrode layer is generally about 1 micron, and no Figure 4 The pit structure shown in .

[0059] This embodiment also provides an electrochromic device, including the above-mentioned electrochromic device.

[0060] The above electrochromic device is used to prepare a corresponding electrochromic device, which has the same advantages and effects as the above electrochromic device. The electrochromic device can be a smart glass, which has the adjustability of light absorption and transmission under the action of the electric field, and can selectively absorb or reflect external thermal radiation and internal heat diffusion, reducing the large amount of energy that must be consumed to keep office buildings and residential buildings cool in summer and warm in winter, while improving the degree of natural light and preventing peeping, and can solve the problem of modern urban light pollution that is constantly worsening. It is a development direction of energy-saving building materials;

[0061] Alternatively, the electrochromic device is a car sunroof, which allows passengers to adjust the transmittance of the sunroof under different external light conditions to achieve light and heat regulation and save energy consumption of the car's air conditioning;

[0062] Or the electrochromic device is a wearable electronic product, such as photochromic glasses or AR glasses, etc. Since the driving voltage of the electrochromic device is relatively low, generally a voltage of 2-5V can achieve color change driving, and adjustment is achieved with lower voltage and lower power, which can be applied to wearable electronic devices.

[0063] It should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like used above to indicate orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention; the orientation words "inside" and "outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contours of the components themselves. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features.

[0064] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship between a device or feature and other devices or features as shown in the figure. It should be understood that spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation described in the figure. For example, if the device in the accompanying drawings is inverted, the device described as "above other devices or structures" or "above other devices or structures" will be positioned as "below other devices or structures" or "below other devices or structures". Thus, the exemplary term "above" may include both "above" and "below". The device may also be positioned in other different ways, rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations, and the spatially relative descriptions used herein are interpreted accordingly.

[0065] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and an explanation of the technical principles used. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in the present application is not limited to the technical solution formed by a specific combination of the above technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above technical features or their equivalent features without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the above features are replaced with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in the present application.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device, characterized in that: include: Superimposed color-changing layer and heating layer; The heating layer is used to heat the color-changing layer in a conductive state. The color-changing layer is used for coloring or fading in the case of electrical conduction, and the color-changing layer includes a phase-change electrolyte layer, and the phase-change electrolyte layer is used for melting into a liquid electrolyte in the case of heating.

2. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating layer includes a first transparent electrode layer, and both ends of the first transparent electrode layer are connected to a power source.

3. The electrochromic device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first transparent electrode layer includes a plurality of heating electrodes connected in parallel, and the plurality of heating electrodes cover the color-changing layer; The width of the heating electrode at the middle position is smaller than the width of the heating electrodes at the two side positions.

4. The electrochromic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The distance between adjacent heating electrodes is 50-100 microns.

5. The electrochromic device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The heating layer further comprises a metal electrode, which is arranged at the edge of the electrochromic device and electrically connected to the heating electrode, and the metal electrode is used to be connected to a power source.

6. The electrochromic device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating layer also includes a temperature measuring electrode for detecting the temperature of the heating layer.

7. The electrochromic device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: The color-changing layer further comprises: an ion storage layer and an electrochromic layer, wherein the ion storage layer and the electrochromic layer are respectively arranged on two sides of the phase-changing electrolyte layer; A second transparent electrode layer is disposed on a side of the ion storage layer away from the phase-change electrolyte layer, and a third transparent electrode layer is disposed on a side of the electrochromic layer away from the phase-change electrolyte layer.

8. The electrochromic device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second transparent electrode layer or the third transparent electrode layer is multiplexed with the first transparent electrode layer, A single-pole double-throw switch is provided between the first transparent electrode and one pole of the power supply, and a moving end of the single-pole double-throw switch is respectively connected to the first transparent electrode, the second transparent electrode layer or the third transparent electrode layer.

9. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a transparent substrate, which is arranged on a side of the first transparent electrode layer away from the color-changing layer. An insulating layer is further provided between the first transparent electrode layer and the color-changing layer.

10. An electrochromic device, characterized in that: The invention comprises the electrochromic device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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