Novel double-conducting-layer electrode and electrochromic device

Abstract

The invention discloses a novel double-conductive-layer electrode and an electrochromic device, and the novel double-conductive-layer electrode comprises transparent conductive layers which are arranged at the upper side and the lower side of the electrochromic device; the charge storage layer, the electrolyte layer and the electrochromic layer are clamped between the two transparent conductive layers and are sequentially arranged from top to bottom; the novel double-conducting-layer electrode is arranged on the peripheral edge of the electrochromic device and connected with the transparent conducting layer, and comprises an insulating layer, a transparent conducting layer and a transparent conducting layer, and a metal conductive layer. According to the novel double-conducting-layer electrode and the electrochromic device, the problems that the relative positions of metal electrodes of the upper transparent conducting layer and the lower transparent conducting layer are far away from each other (except the corners of the electrochromic device), resistance between the metal electrodes is increased, current input is affected, and the electrochromic speeds at different positions are greatly different are solved; the response speed of electrochromism is greatly increased, and the non-uniformity of electrochromism is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electrochromism, and in particular to a novel double-conductive layer electrode and an electrochromism device. Background Art

[0002] The transparent conductive layer of the electrochromic device is generally composed of conductive metal oxides, such as ITO, IZO, etc., and its surface resistance is between 1Ω / □ and 500Ω / □. When the size of the electrochromic device becomes larger, the resistance of the transparent conductive layer will affect the introduction of current, resulting in problems such as slow device color change and uneven color change. In order to solve the problem of current introduction, it is necessary to arrange high-conductivity metal electrodes at the edge of the device, such as metal wires, metal conductive strips (copper foil, aluminum foil), etc. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a traditional metal electrode structure. Its structure is simple and consists of a single conductive layer. In order to be fixed on the transparent conductive layer of the electrochromic device, a conductive adhesive is attached to one or both sides of the single conductive layer. Electrodes with a single conductive layer are collectively referred to as single conductive layer electrodes.

[0003] Since there is a huge difference in conductivity between the metal single conductive layer electrode at the edge of the transparent conductive layer of the electrochromic device and the device's transparent conductive layer, the commonly used L-shaped or "well"-shaped traditional wiring method of the single conductive layer electrode has many problems. For example, the metal single conductive layer electrodes located at the edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers are connected through the upper and lower transparent conductive layers with higher resistance, respectively, to form an electrochromic device circuit. Since the metal electrodes of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers are relatively far apart (except for the corners of the electrochromic device), the resistance between them is increased, thereby affecting the input of current, resulting in very different electrochromic speeds at different locations. These problems are particularly prominent for electrochromic devices with larger areas. Summary of the invention

[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a novel double-conductive layer electrode and an electrochromic device, which overcome the above technical problems.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention proposes the following technical solutions:

[0006] An electrochromic device, comprising:

[0007] A transparent conductive layer is provided on the upper and lower sides of the electrochromic device;

[0008] The charge storage layer, electrolyte layer and electrochromic layer are sandwiched between two transparent conductive layers and arranged in order from top to bottom;

[0009] A novel double-conductive layer electrode is arranged at the edges of the electrochromic device and connected to the transparent conductive layer;

[0010] The novel double-conductive layer electrode comprises an insulating layer and a metal conductive layer. The insulating layer is arranged at the middle position of the novel double-conductive layer electrode to play an insulating role, and the metal conductive layer covers the upper and lower sides of the insulating layer.

[0011] Furthermore, the sides of the upper and lower metal conductive layers that are away from each other are both covered with metal conductive glue.

[0012] Furthermore, the conductive surface of the transparent conductive layer on the upper side of the electrochromic device faces downward, and the conductive surface of the transparent conductive layer on the lower side of the electrochromic device faces upward.

[0013] Furthermore, a portion of at least one edge of the transparent conductive layer that contacts the novel double conductive layer electrode is serrated and is in intermittent contact with the novel double conductive layer electrode.

[0014] Furthermore, the same side serrations of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers are arranged alternately.

[0015] Furthermore, the same side serrations of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers are arranged to overlap each other.

[0016] Furthermore, the same side serrations of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers are overlapped.

[0017] Furthermore, the material of the transparent conductive layer includes but is not limited to indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide.

[0018] The novel double-conductive layer electrode and electrochromic device of the present invention solves the problem that the metal electrodes of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers are relatively far apart (except for the corners of the electrochromic device), which increases the resistance between them and affects the current input, resulting in greatly different electrochromic speeds at different locations. The response speed of the electrochromic is greatly improved, and the non-uniformity of the electrochromic is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The drawings in the specification, which constitute a part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The illustrative embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute improper limitations on the present invention.

[0020] In the attached picture:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of an electrochromic device of the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 2 The top view schematic diagram of a novel double conductive layer electrode and an electrochromic device of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the new double conductive layer electrode and the upper and lower transparent electrodes of the electrochromic device.

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the segmented edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers is shown.

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a structure in which the segmented edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers do not overlap at all is shown.

[0026] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram is shown in which the segmented edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers are staggered and do not overlap.

[0027] Figure 7 The figure shows the distribution of the new double-conductive layer electrode when the upper and lower transparent conductive layers are staggered and do not overlap.

[0028] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a structure in which the upper and lower transparent conductive layers completely overlap and have no segmented edges is shown.

[0029] Fig. 9 The distribution of the new double-conductive layer electrode is shown when the upper and lower transparent conductive layers completely overlap and have no segmented edges.

[0030] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a structure in which the segmented edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers completely overlap is shown.

[0031] Fig.11 The figure shows the distribution of the new double-conductive layer electrode when the segmented edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers completely overlap.

[0032] Fig.12 A schematic structural diagram showing the overlapping edge portions of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers is shown.

[0033] Fig.13 The distribution of the new double-conductive layer electrode is shown when the segmented edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers overlap.

[0034] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0035] 1. Transparent conductive layer; 2. Charge storage layer; 3. Electrolyte layer; 4. Electrochromic layer; 5. New double conductive layer electrode; 51. Insulating layer; 52. Metal conductive layer; 53. Metal conductive glue. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is by no means intended to limit the present invention and its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0038] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of the parts and steps described in these embodiments, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​do not limit the scope of the present invention. At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to the actual proportional relationship. The technology, method and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant field may not be discussed in detail, but in appropriate cases, the technology, method and equipment should be regarded as a part of the authorization specification. In all examples shown and discussed here, any specific value should be interpreted as being merely exemplary, rather than as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters represent similar items in the following drawings, so once a certain item is defined in an accompanying drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0039] Reference below Figures 1 to 13 , the present invention is further described:

[0040] A novel double conductive layer electrode, comprising:

[0041] The insulating layer 51 is arranged at the middle of the novel double-conductive layer electrode 5 and plays an insulating role;

[0042] The metal conductive layer 52 covers the upper and lower sides of the insulating layer 51 .

[0043] The sides of the upper and lower metal conductive layers 52 that are away from each other are both covered with metal conductive glue 53 .

[0044] An electrochromic device, comprising:

[0045] A transparent conductive layer 1 is provided on the upper and lower sides of the electrochromic device;

[0046] The charge storage layer 2, the electrolyte layer 3 and the electrochromic layer 4 are sandwiched between the two transparent conductive layers 1 and arranged in sequence from top to bottom;

[0047] The novel double-conductive layer electrode 5 is arranged at the edges of the electrochromic device and connected to the transparent conductive layer 1 .

[0048] The novel double conductive layer electrode 5 has two metal conductive layers 52, with an insulating layer 51 in the middle to separate the two metal conductive layers 52 to prevent short circuit between them. In order to fix the novel double conductive layer electrode 5 on the transparent conductive layer 1 of the electrochromic device, conductive glue is attached to one or both sides of the novel double conductive layer electrode 5. Electrodes with two conductive layers are collectively referred to as novel double conductive layer electrodes 5.

[0049] The conductive surface of the transparent conductive layer 1 on the upper side of the electrochromic device faces downward, and the conductive surface of the transparent conductive layer 1 on the lower side of the electrochromic device faces upward.

[0050] The new double conductive layer electrode 5 can contact the edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1 of the electrochromic device at the same time without disconnection. Compared with the existing single conductive layer electrode, it greatly reduces the wiring difficulty, saves wiring time, and improves production efficiency.

[0051] The new double conductive layer electrode 5 is used in the electrochromic device. Its wiring mode, taking one side of the electrochromic device as an example, is that at the edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers, they are in direct contact with the new double conductive layer electrode 5, respectively constituting the positive and negative electrodes (upper and lower transparent conductive layers) of the device. The upper metal conductive layer 52 of the new double conductive layer electrode 5 is in contact with the edge of the upper transparent conductive layer 1 of the electrochromic device, and the lower metal conductive layer 52 of the new double conductive layer electrode is in contact with the edge of the lower transparent conductive layer 1 of the electrochromic device.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, according to the particularity of the electrochromic device and the operability of the preparation process, the transparent conductive layers 1 on the upper and lower sides can be cut into mutually staggered sawtooth shapes, and intermittently contact the edge of the new double conductive layer electrode 5. The portion of at least one edge of the transparent conductive layer 1 that contacts the new double conductive layer electrode 5 is sawtooth-shaped and intermittently contacts the new double conductive layer electrode 5. That is, the new double conductive layer electrode 5 has one or more segmented positions that do not contact the edge of the transparent conductive layer 1 of the device.

[0053] Here, there are several ways to prevent the edge of the transparent conductive layer of the electrochromic device from contacting the novel double conductive layer electrode 5 .

[0054] The portion of at least one edge of the transparent conductive layer 1 that contacts the novel double conductive layer electrode 5 is intermittently covered with an insulating layer, so that the transparent conductive layer 1 is in intermittent contact with the novel double conductive layer electrode 5 .

[0055] In one embodiment, the edge of the conductive layer is covered by an insulating layer 51 so that the new double conductive layer electrode 5 passing through this section does not contact the transparent conductive layer, or in the area where conductivity is not required, the edge of the transparent conductive layer 1 is directly cut off to form a segmented edge conductive layer. In particular, in the segmented edge conductive layer, two adjacent upper and lower edge conductive layers do not need additional isolation areas to prevent leakage or short circuit at the edges of the upper and lower conductive layers. In this embodiment, the insulating layers on the same side of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1 can be staggered, overlapped, or partially overlapped according to different situations and needs.

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, in one embodiment, the side lengths of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1 of the electrochromic device are L A and L B The staggered sawtooth-shaped protrusions on the edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1 are L AC and L BC , which constitute the conductive segments of the segmented edge conductive layer, and are in contact with the upper and lower metal conductive layers 52 of the novel double conductive layer electrode 5 . Figure 4 The edge of the transparent conductive layer 1 has a staggered sawtooth-shaped concave portion, L AE and L BE The non-conductive segments constitute the segmented edge conductive layer. Figure 4 X and Y in the figure are used as the starting positions of the segmented edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1. It can be seen that whether the segmented edge of the upper transparent conductive layer 1 overlaps with the segmented edge of the lower transparent conductive layer, and the length of the overlapped length are all determined by X, Y, L. AC ,L AE ,L BC , and L BE The size of the product depends on the product type.

[0057] For a specific transparent segmented edge conductive layer, the number of segments at the edge of the upper transparent conductive layer 1 is m, which can be expressed as: L AC1 , L AE1 , L AC2 , L AE2 , …, L ACi , L AEi , …, L ACm , L AEm , where L ACi represents the i-th conductive segment at the edge of the upper conductive layer; L AEi represents the i-th non-conductive segment at the edge of the upper conductive layer. Similarly, the number of segments at the edge of the lower transparent conductive layer 1 is n segments, which can be expressed as: LBC1 , L BE1 ,L BC2 , L BE2 , …, L BCi , L BEi , …, L BCn , L BEn , where L BCi represents the i-th conductive segment at the edge of the lower conductive layer; L BEi The starting position structure of each edge of the transparent conductive layer 1 is composed of X, Y, L AC1 ,L AE1 ,L BC1 , and L BE1 The end position structure of each edge of the transparent conductive layer 1 is determined by L ACm ,L AEm ,L BCn , and L BEn The number of segments at the edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1 can be equal (m=n) or unequal (m≠n). The length of the conductive segments of any two segmented edges (i, j) of the upper segmented edge conductive layer can be equal (L ACi =L ACj ), or different (L ACi ≠L ACj ); the length of the non-conductive segment can be equal (L AEi =L AEj ), or different (L AEi ≠L AEj ). Similarly, the lengths of the conductive segments of any two segmented edges (i, j) of the lower segmented edge conductive layer can be equal (L BCi =L BCj ), or different (L BCi ≠L BCj ); the length of the non-conductive segment can be equal (L BEi =L BEj ), or different (L BEi ≠L BEj ).

[0058] According to the special requirements of electrochromic devices, the structure of electrochromic devices is described as follows:

[0059] The same side serrations of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1 are arranged alternately.

[0060] like Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment, the segmented edge conductive layers on the upper and lower sides do not overlap at all. Figure 5 It shows that when Y=0, X>L BC , L BCi <LAEi , and L ACi <L BEi When X=0,Y>L AC , L BCi <L AEi , and L ACi <L BEi The structure of time.

[0061] The segmented edge conductive layers on the upper and lower sides are interlaced and do not overlap. The novel double conductive layer electrode 5 can be easily inserted into the segmented edge conductive layers on the upper and lower sides to provide current to the electrochromic device.

[0062] like Figure 6 As shown, in one embodiment, the segmented edge conductive layers are staggered and do not overlap each other, and Figure 7 The distribution of the novel double conductive layer electrode 5 in this case is shown. The novel double conductive layer electrode 5 surrounds the entire device, the upper metal conductive layer 52 contacts the upper segmented edge conductive layer of the electrochromic device, and the lower metal conductive layer 52 contacts the lower segmented edge conductive layer of the electrochromic device. The upper and lower metal conductive layers 52 of the novel double conductive layer electrode 5 are each connected to the power controller by a wire.

[0063] For the segmented edge conductive layer, any segment i that satisfies L BCi <L AEi , and L ACi <L BEi .

[0064] like Figure 8 As shown, in one embodiment, the transparent conductive layers 1 on the upper and lower sides completely overlap without segmented edges. At this time, X=Y=0, L AC =L A ,L BC =L B , L AE =L BE = 0, the new double conductive layer electrode surrounds the device and is sandwiched between the transparent conductive layers 1 at the upper and lower edges. At this time, the distribution of the new double conductive layer electrode 5 is as follows Fig. 9 shown.

[0065] The same side serrations of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1 are arranged to overlap each other.

[0066] like Fig.10 As shown, in one embodiment, the transparent conductive layers 1 on the upper and lower sides have segmented edges and completely overlap, and in this case X=Y, L ACi =L BCi ,L AEi =L BEiThe new double conductive layer electrode 5 surrounds the device and is sandwiched between the transparent conductive layers 1 at the upper and lower edges. At this time, the distribution of the new double conductive layer electrode 5 is as follows: Fig.11 shown.

[0067] The same side serrations of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1 are overlapped.

[0068] like Fig.12 As shown, in one embodiment, the transparent conductive layers 1 on the upper and lower sides have segmented edges and the segmented edges partially overlap, and the new double conductive layer electrode surrounds the device and is sandwiched between the transparent conductive layers on the upper and lower edges. At this time, the distribution of the new double conductive layer electrode 5 is as follows Fig.13 Shown

[0069] Fig.12 It is only used as a diagram of a segmented edge conductive layer with partially overlapping segmented edges of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1. The length of the segmented edge of the upper transparent conductive layer 1 overlapping the segmented edge of the lower transparent conductive layer 1 is determined by X, Y, L AC ,L AE ,L BC , and L BE According to the special requirements of the device, the upper and lower transparent conductive layers 1 are designed to overlap each other, and the X, Y, L ACi ,L AEi ,L BCi , L BEi The lengths between them can be equal or different, where i is any segment. Moreover, according to the device requirements, the segment edges of some regions can be completely non-overlapping, the segment edges of some regions can be completely overlapping, and the segment edges of some regions can be partially overlapping. The design of the segment edge conductive layer is any combination of the above 4 forms.

[0070] According to the characteristics and functional requirements of the device, any change in the distribution of the edge structures of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers does not affect the assembly of the device by the "double conductive layer electrode" of the present invention.

[0071] In the present invention, the material of the transparent conductive layer 1 includes but is not limited to indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide, and can be flexibly selected according to actual needs and the characteristics of different materials.

[0072] In the description of the present invention, it is necessary to understand that the directions or positional relationships indicated by directional words such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "lateral, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" are usually based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific direction or be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. The directional words "inside and outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contours of each component itself.

[0073] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used here 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" can include both "above" and "below". The device can also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptions used here are interpreted accordingly.

[0074] In addition, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to limit components is only for the convenience of distinguishing the corresponding components. If not otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0075] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device, characterized in that: include: A transparent conductive layer (1) is arranged on the upper and lower sides of the electrochromic device; The charge storage layer (2), the electrolyte layer (3) and the electrochromic layer (4) are sandwiched between the two transparent conductive layers (1) and arranged in sequence from top to bottom; A novel double-conductive layer electrode (5) is arranged at the edges of the electrochromic device and connected to the transparent conductive layer (1); The novel double-conductive layer electrode (5) comprises an insulating layer (51) and a metal conductive layer (52); the insulating layer (51) is arranged at the middle position of the novel double-conductive layer electrode (5) to play an insulating role; and the metal conductive layer (52) covers the upper and lower sides of the insulating layer (51).

2. A novel double conductive layer electrode according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sides of the upper and lower metal conductive layers (52) that are away from each other are both covered with metal conductive glue (53).

3. An electrochromic device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The conductive surface of the transparent conductive layer (1) on the upper side of the electrochromic device faces downwards, and the conductive surface of the transparent conductive layer (1) on the lower side of the electrochromic device faces upwards.

4. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The portion of at least one edge of the transparent conductive layer (1) that contacts the novel double conductive layer electrode (5) is in a sawtooth shape and is in intermittent contact with the novel double conductive layer electrode (5).

5. An electrochromic device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The same side serrations of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers (1) are arranged in an interlaced manner.

6. The electrochromic device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The same side serrations of the upper and lower transparent conductive layers (1) have overlapping parts.

7. The electrochromic device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material of the transparent conductive layer (1) includes, but is not limited to, indium tin oxide and indium zinc oxide.

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