Device for keeping continuous gradient transmission state

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for maintaining a continuous gradient transmission state. An apparatus is provided that may include an electrochromic device. When the device is used, the electrochromic device can be switched from a first transmission state to a continuous gradient state and maintained in a continuous gradient transmission state. An apparatus may include an active stack having a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, an anodic electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer, and a cathodic electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of August 2, 2019, application number 201980049630.9, and invention name “Device for maintaining a continuous gradient transmission state”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to electroactive devices, and more particularly to apparatus including electrochromic devices and methods of using the apparatus. Background Art

[0003] Electrochromic devices can reduce the amount of daylight that enters a room or a passenger compartment of a vehicle. Typically, all electrochromic devices can be in a specific transmission state. For example, all electrochromic devices can be 0% tinted, all can be 100% tinted, or all can be values ​​in between. A pane of glass can be formed from different discrete electrochromic devices, each of which is controlled by its own pair of bus bars. Different electrochromic devices can each be controlled to be in a different transmission state. For example, an electrochromic device near the top of the pane can be 100% tinted, another electrochromic device near the bottom of the pane can be 0% tinted, and another electrochromic device between the other two electrochromic devices can be 50% tinted. There is a need to further improve the control of the tinting of electrochromic devices. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application relates to a device, comprising: an active stack, the active stack comprising: a first transparent conductive layer; a second transparent conductive layer; an anode electrochemical layer, the anode electrochemical layer being between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer; and a cathode electrochemical layer, the cathode electrochemical layer being between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer; a first bus bar, the first bus bar being electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer; a second bus bar, the second bus bar being electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the second bus bar is generally not parallel to the first bus bar; and a third bus bar, the third bus bar being electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer, wherein the third bus bar is generally parallel to the first bus bar. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The embodiments are shown by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings.

[0006] Figure 1 Included is an illustration of a top view of a substrate, a layer stack of an electrochromic device, and a bus bar according to one embodiment.

[0007] Figure 2 An illustration of a cross-sectional view of a portion of a substrate, a layer stack for an electrochromic device, and a bus bar along line A according to one embodiment is included.

[0008] Figure 3 An illustration of a cross-sectional view along line B of a portion of a substrate, a layer stack for an electrochromic device, and a bus bar according to one embodiment is included.

[0009] Figure 4 Included is an illustration of a top view of a substrate, a layer stack of an electrochromic device, and a bus bar according to one embodiment.

[0010] Figure 5 Included is an illustration of a top view of a substrate, a layer stack of an electrochromic device, and a bus bar according to one embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 Included is an illustration of a top view of a substrate, a layer stack of an electrochromic device, and a bus bar according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 Included is an illustration of a top view of a substrate, a layer stack of an electrochromic device, and a bus bar according to one embodiment.

[0013] Figure 8 An illustration of a perspective view of a partially disassembled structure according to another embodiment is included.

[0014] Fig. 9 An illustration of a perspective view of a partially disassembled structure according to another embodiment is included.

[0015] Fig.10 An illustration of a perspective view of a partially disassembled structure according to another embodiment is included.

[0016] Fig.11 An illustration of a cross-sectional view of an insulating glass unit (IGU) is included.

[0017] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, for simplicity and clarity, the various elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the sizes of some elements in the figures may be enlarged relative to other elements to help enhance understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is provided to help understand the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This emphasis is provided to help describe the teachings and should not be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of the teachings.

[0019] As used herein, the terms "consisting of," "including," "comprising," "having," "having" or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of features is not necessarily limited to only the corresponding features, but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In addition, unless expressly stated otherwise, "or" refers to an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or." For example, any of the following may satisfy condition A or B: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0020] The elements and components described herein are described using "a" or "an". This is done only for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise apparent, this description should be understood to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural, or vice versa.

[0021] When referring to a variable, the term "steady state" is intended to mean that the operating variable is substantially constant when the 10-second average is taken, even though the operating variable may change in a transient state. For example, when in a steady state, the operating variable may be maintained within 10%, 5%, or 0.9% of the average value of the operating variable for a particular operating mode of a particular device. The change may be due to defects in the device or supporting equipment, such as noise transmitted along the voltage line, switching transistors within the control device, operation of other components within the device, or other similar effects. In addition, the variable may change by one microsecond per second, so that variables such as voltage or current can be read; or one or more of the voltage source terminals may alternate between two different voltages (e.g., 1V and 2V) at a frequency of 1Hz or higher. Therefore, even with such changes caused by defects or when reading operating parameters, the device can be in a steady state. When changing between operating modes, one or more of the operating variables may be in a transient state. Examples of such variables may include the voltage at a specific location within the electrochromic device or the current flowing through the electrochromic device.

[0022] The use of the words "about," "approximately," or "substantially" is intended to indicate that the value of a parameter is close to the specified value or position. However, slight differences may prevent the value or position from being exactly as specified. Therefore, differences of up to ten percent (10%) in value are reasonable differences from the stated ideal target. When the difference is greater than ten percent (10%), it can be considered a significant difference.

[0023] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not limiting. To the extent not described herein, many details regarding specific materials and processing behaviors are conventional and can be found in textbooks and other sources in the field of glass, vapor deposition, and electrochromic.

[0024] The electrochromic device can be maintained in a continuous gradient transmission state for almost any period of time, such as exceeding the time required to switch between states. When the gradient is continuous, the electrochromic device can have a relatively high electric field in a region with a relatively small transmittance between the bus bars, and a relatively low electric field in another region with a relatively large transmittance between the bus bars. Compared with discrete gradients, continuous gradients allow a more visually pleasing transition between a smaller transmittance and a larger transmittance. Different bus bar positions can be provided to range from completely bleached (highest transmittance) to completely colored (lowest transmittance state), or any state between the two. In addition, the electrochromic device can be operated in the following situations: the entire area of ​​the electrochromic device has a substantially uniform transmittance state, the entire area of ​​the electrochromic device has a continuously gradient transmittance state, or a portion has a substantially uniform transmittance state and another portion has a combination of continuously gradient transmittance states.

[0025] Many different patterns of continuously varying transmission states can be achieved by appropriate selection of the following items: bus bar locations, the number of voltage source terminals coupled to each bus bar, the locations of the voltage source terminals along the bus bars, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the gaps between the bus bars can be used to achieve continuously varying transmission states.

[0026] The electrochromic device may be used as part of a window of a building or a vehicle. The electrochromic device may be used within an apparatus. The apparatus may further include an energy source, an input / output unit, and a control device for controlling the electrochromic device. Components within the apparatus may be positioned close to or away from the electrochromic device. In one embodiment, one or more of such components may be integrated with an environmental control device within a building.

[0027] The embodiments shown in the figure and described below are helpful for understanding the specific applications for implementing the concepts described herein. In the following description, the electrochromic device will be described as operating under the condition that the voltage on the bus bar is in the range of 0V to 50V. In one embodiment, the voltage may be between 0V and 25V. In another embodiment, the voltage may be between 0V and 10V. In another embodiment, the voltage may be between 0V and 3V. Such description is used to simplify the concepts as described herein. Other voltages can be used in conjunction with the electrochromic device, or when the composition or thickness of the layer in the electrochromic stack changes. The voltage on the bus bar can be a positive voltage (0.1V to 50V), a negative voltage (-50V to -0.1V), or a combination of a negative voltage and a positive voltage (-1V to 2V), because the voltage difference between the bus bars is more important than the actual voltage. In addition, the voltage difference between the bus bars may be less than or greater than 50V. After reading this specification, the technician will be able to determine the voltage difference that meets the different operating modes required or desired for a specific application. The embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

[0028] Figure 1 An illustration of a top view of a substrate 100, a stack of layers of an electrochromic device, and bus bars according to one embodiment is included. A first bus bar 110 is along a first side 102 of the substrate 100, and a second bus bar 120 is along a second side 104, which is opposite to the first side 202. In one embodiment, the first side 102 is generally parallel to the second side 104. In one embodiment, the substrate 100 may include a third side 106 that is generally orthogonal to the first side 102. In another embodiment, the substrate 100 may include a fourth side 108 that is opposite to the third side 106 and generally parallel to the third side 106. Each of the bus bars 110 and 120 has a length that extends most of the distance between the third side 106 and the fourth side 108, which is opposite to the third side 106. The third bus bar 130 may be along the third side 106 of the substrate 100, and the fourth bus bar 140 may be along the fourth side 108 of the substrate 100. Each of the bus bars 130 and 140 has a length that extends most of the distance between the first side 102 and the second side 104. In one embodiment, the first bus bar 110 and the second bus bar 120 are generally parallel to each other. As used herein, substantially parallel is intended to mean that the two bus bars are within 10 degrees of each other, such as within 5 degrees of each other, such as within 4 degrees of each other, such as within 2 degrees of each other, or such as within 1 degree of each other. As described below with respect to Figure 2 and Figure 3Discussing in more detail, the first bus bar 110 and the second bus bar 120 may both be electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer, while the third bus bar 130 and the fourth bus bar 140 may be connected to the second transparent conductive layer.

[0029] In one embodiment, the first bus bar 110 may be connected to the first voltage source terminal 160, the second bus bar 120 may be connected to the second voltage source terminal 162, the third bus bar 130 may be connected to the third voltage source terminal 163, and the fourth bus bar 140 may be connected to the fourth voltage source terminal 164. In one embodiment, the voltage source terminal may be connected to each bus bar 110, 120, 130 and 140 around the center of each bus bar. In one embodiment, each bus bar 110, 120, 130 and 140 may have one voltage source terminal. The ability to control each voltage source terminal 160, 162, 163 and 164 provides control of the gradation of light transmission through the electrochromic device 124.

[0030] In one embodiment, the first voltage source terminal 160 may set the voltage of the first bus bar 110 to a value less than the voltage set by the voltage source terminal 163 of the third bus bar 130. In another embodiment, the voltage source terminal 163 may set the voltage of the third bus bar 130 to a value greater than the voltage set by the voltage source terminal 164 of the fourth bus bar 140. In another embodiment, the voltage source terminal 163 may set the voltage of the third bus bar 130 to a value less than the voltage set by the voltage source terminal 164 of the fourth bus bar 140. In another embodiment, the voltage source terminal 160 may set the voltage of the first bus bar 110 to a value approximately equal to the voltage set by the voltage source terminal 162 of the second bus bar 120. In one embodiment, the voltage source terminal 160 may set the voltage of the first bus bar 110 to a value within about 0.5V, such as within 0.4V, such as within 0.3V, such as within 0.2V, such as within 0.1V relative to the voltage set by the voltage source terminal 162 of the second bus bar 120. In a non-limiting example, the first voltage source terminal 160 may set the voltage of the first bus bar 110 to 0V, the second voltage source terminal 162 may set the voltage of the second bus bar 120 to 0V, the third voltage source terminal 163 may set the voltage of the third bus bar 130 to 3V, and the fourth voltage source terminal 164 may set the voltage of the fourth bus bar 140 to 1.5V.

[0031] Figure 2An illustration of a cross-sectional view along line A including a portion of a substrate 100, a stack of layers 112, 114, 118, and 122 of an electrochemical device 124, and a bus bar according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device 124 is an electrochromic device. The electrochemical device 124 may include a first transparent conductive layer 112, a cathode electrochemical layer 114, an anode electrochemical layer 118, and a second transparent conductive layer 122. In one embodiment, the electrochromic device 124 may also include an ion conductive layer 116 between the cathode electrochemical layer 114 and the anode electrochemical layer 118. In one embodiment, the first transparent conductive layer 112 may be between the substrate 100 and the cathode electrochemical layer 114. The cathode electrochemical layer 114 may be between the first transparent conductive layer 112 and the anode electrochemical layer 118. In one embodiment, the anode electrochemical layer 118 may be between the cathode electrochemical layer 114 and the second transparent conductive layer 122.

[0032] The substrate 100 may include a glass substrate, a sapphire substrate, an aluminum oxynitride substrate, a spinel substrate, or a transparent polymer. In a specific embodiment, the substrate 100 may be a float glass or a borosilicate glass, and its thickness is in the range of 0.025 mm to 4 mm. In another specific embodiment, the substrate 100 may include an ultra-thin glass, which is a mineral glass with a thickness in the range of 10 microns to 300 microns. The first transparent conductive layer 112 and the second transparent conductive layer 122 may include a conductive metal oxide or a conductive polymer. Examples may include indium oxide, tin oxide, or zinc oxide, any of which may be doped with a trivalent element such as Sn, Sb, Al, Ga, In, etc., or a sulfonated polymer such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), etc., or one or more metal layers, or a metal mesh, or a nanowire mesh, or graphene, or a carbon nanotube, or a combination thereof. The transparent conductive layers 112 and 122 may have the same or different compositions.

[0033] The cathode electrochemical layer 114 and the anode electrochemical layer 118 may be electrode layers. In one embodiment, the cathode electrochemical layer 114 may be an electrochromic layer. In another embodiment, the anode electrochemical layer 118 may be a counter electrode layer. The electrochromic layer may include an inorganic metal oxide electrochemically active material such as WO3, V2O5, MoO3, Nb2O5, TiO2, CuO, Ir2O3, Cr2O3, Co2O3, Mn2O3, or any combination thereof, and have a thickness in the range of 20nm to 2000nm. The counter electrode layer may include any of the materials listed with respect to the electrochromic layer, and may further include nickel oxide (NiO, Ni2O3, or a combination of both) or iridium oxide and Li, Na, H, or another ion, and have a thickness in the range of 20nm to 1000nm. The ion-conducting layer 116 (sometimes referred to as the electrolyte layer) may be optional and may have a thickness of 1 nm to 1000 nm in the case of an inorganic ion conductor and may have a thickness of 5 micrometers to 1000 micrometers in the case of an organic ion conductor. The ion-conducting layer 116 may include a silicate containing or not containing lithium, aluminum, zirconium, phosphorus, boron; a borate containing or not containing lithium; a tantalum oxide containing or not containing lithium; a lanthanide-based material containing or not containing lithium; another lithium-based ceramic material, particularly LixMOyNz, where M is one or a combination of transition metals; and the like.

[0034] In one embodiment, as shown along line A, the first bus bar 110 and the second bus bar 120 are electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer 112. In one embodiment, the first transparent conductive layer 112 includes a portion that is removed so that the first bus bar 110 and the second bus bar 120 are not electrically connected to the third bus bar 130 and the fourth bus bar 140. The width of such a removed portion is typically 20nm to 2000nm. In another embodiment, the third bus bar 130 and the fourth bus bar 140 are electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer 112. In one embodiment, the first bus bar 110 is on one side of the stack of layers of the electrochemical device 124, and the second bus bar 120 is on the opposite side of the stack of layers of the electrochemical device 124. In a specific embodiment, the first bus bar 110 and the second bus bar 120 can be electrically connected to the cathode electrochemical layer 114 via the first transparent conductive layer 112. In certain embodiments, first bus bar 110 and second bus bar 120 may be electrically connected to anode electrochemical layer 118 via second transparent conductive layer 122 .

[0035] Figure 3An illustration of a cross-sectional view along line B of a portion of a substrate 100, a stack of layers 112, 114, 118, and 122 of an electrochemical device 124, and bus bars according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, as shown along line B, a third bus bar 130 and a fourth bus bar 140 are electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer 122. In one embodiment, the second transparent conductive layer 122 includes a portion that is removed so that the third bus bar 130 and the fourth bus bar 140 are not electrically connected to the first bus bar 110 and the second bus bar 120. The width of such a removed portion is typically 20nm to 2000nm. In another embodiment, the first bus bar 110 and the second bus bar 120 are electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer 122. In one embodiment, the third bus bar 130 is on one side of the stack of layers of the electrochemical device 124, and the fourth bus bar 140 is on the opposite side of the stack of layers of the electrochemical device 124. In certain embodiments, third bus bar 130 and fourth bus bar 140 may be electrically connected to anode electrochemical layer 118 via second transparent conductive layer 122. In certain embodiments, third bus bar 130 and fourth bus bar 140 may be electrically connected to cathode electrochemical layer 114 via second transparent conductive layer 122.

[0036] The first bus bar 110, the second bus bar 120, the third bus bar 130, and the fourth bus bar 140 may include a conductive material. In one embodiment, each of the bus bars 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be formed using a conductive ink (such as silver frit) printed over the transparent conductive layer 122. In another embodiment, one or more of the bus bars 110, 120, 130, and 140 may include a metal-filled polymer, such as a silver-filled epoxy.

[0037] like Figure 1 The number of bus bars shown is not limited by the configuration. Figure 4 1 includes a top view of a substrate 100, a stack of layers 112, 114, 118, and 122 of an electrochromic device 400, and a bus bar according to one embodiment. Figure 4As shown, the electrochemical device 400 may include more than three bus bars, such as more than four bus bars, such as more than five bus bars, such as more than six bus bars, such as more than seven bus bars. The electrochemical device 400 may include a first bus bar 410, a second bus bar 420, a third bus bar 430, a fourth bus bar 440, a fifth bus bar 450, a sixth bus bar 460, a seventh bus bar 470, and an eighth bus bar 480, a first voltage source terminal 491, a second voltage source terminal 492, a third voltage source terminal 493, a fourth voltage source terminal 494, a fifth voltage source terminal 495, a sixth voltage source terminal 496, a seventh voltage source terminal 497, an eighth voltage source terminal 498, a first gap 402, a second gap 404, a third gap 406, and a fourth gap 408. In one embodiment, the first bus bar 410, the second bus bar 420, the sixth bus bar 460, the seventh bus bar 470, and the eighth bus bar 480 may be connected to the first transparent conductive layer, and the third bus bar 430, the fourth bus bar 440, and the fifth bus bar 450 may be connected to the second transparent conductive layer. In one embodiment, the third voltage source terminal 493 may set the voltage of the third bus bar 430 to a value greater than the voltage set by the first voltage source terminal 491 of the first bus bar 410.

[0038] In one embodiment, the first bus bar 410 may be closer to the first side of the substrate 102 than the second side of the substrate 104. In another embodiment, the fifth bus bar 450 may be between the first bus bar 410 and the seventh bus bar 470. In another embodiment, the second bus bar 420 may be closer to the second side of the substrate 104 than the first side of the substrate 102. In one embodiment, the sixth bus bar 460 is between the second bus bar 420 and the eighth bus bar 480. In another embodiment, the third bus bar 430 is closer to the third side 106 of the substrate than the fourth side 108. In one embodiment, the fourth bus bar 440 is closer to the fourth side 108 of the substrate than the third side 106. In one embodiment, the third bus bar 430 may be substantially parallel to the fourth bus bar 440. In one embodiment, the third bus bar 430 may not be generally parallel to the first bus bar 410. In one embodiment, the third bus bar 430 may be orthogonal to the first bus bar 410. In one embodiment, the first bus bar 410 may be substantially parallel to the second bus bar 420. In one embodiment, the seventh bus bar 470 may be closer to the fourth bus bar 440 than the third bus bar 430. In another embodiment, the second bus bar 420 may be closer to the third bus bar 430 than the fourth bus bar 440. The first gap 402 may be between the first bus bar 410 and the fifth bus bar 450. The second gap 404 may be between the fifth bus bar 450 and the seventh bus bar 470. The third gap may be between the second bus bar 420 and the sixth bus bar 460. The fourth gap 408 may be between the sixth bus bar 460 and the eighth bus bar 480. The linear resistance (Ω / m) of the transparent conductive layer is about ten times the linear resistance of the bus bar. The gaps between the bus bars may allow the transparent conductive layer to act as a resistor between the gaps and allow a continuous gradient state to be maintained in the gaps under the bus bars. The gaps 402, 404, 406, 408 may have substantially the same length. In one embodiment, gaps 402, 404, 406, 408 can be different from each other. In another embodiment, gaps 402 and 406 can have substantially the same length, but have a different length than gap 404.

[0039] In one embodiment, the voltage source terminals 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, and 498 may set the voltages of their corresponding bus bars such that the third bus bar 430 is greater than the fifth bus bar 450, greater than the fourth bus bar 440, and greater than the first bus bar 410 (430>450>440>410). In another embodiment, the voltage source terminals 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, and 498 may set the voltages of their corresponding bus bars such that the fourth bus bar 440>the fifth bus bar 450>the third bus bar 430>the first bus bar 410 (440>450>430>410). In another embodiment, the first voltage source terminal 491 can set the voltage of the first bus bar 410 to a value approximately equal to the voltage set by the voltage source terminals 492, 496, 497, 498 of the second bus bar 420, the sixth bus bar 460, the seventh bus bar 470, and the eighth bus bar 480. In one embodiment, the first voltage source terminal 491 can set the voltage of the first bus bar 410 to a value within about 0.5V, such as within 0.4V, such as within 0.3V, such as within 0.2V, such as within 0.1V relative to the voltage set by the voltage source terminals 492, 496, 497, 498 of the second bus bar 420, the sixth bus bar 460, the seventh bus bar 470, and the eighth bus bar 480.

[0040] In one embodiment, the electrochemical device 400 may include a first region, a second region, and a third region. The first region may be defined by a first voltage source terminal 491 and a first bus bar 410, a second voltage source terminal 492 and a second bus bar 420, and a third voltage source terminal 493 and a third bus bar 430. The second region may be defined by a fifth voltage source terminal 495 and a fifth bus bar 450, and a sixth voltage source terminal 496 and a sixth bus bar 460. The third region may be defined by a fourth voltage source terminal 494 and a fourth bus bar 440, a seventh voltage source terminal 497 and a seventh bus bar 470, and an eighth voltage source terminal 498 and an eighth bus bar 480. In operation, region 1, region 2, and region 3 may have different coloring states. In a non-limiting example, the third voltage source terminal 493 can set the voltage of the third bus bar 430 to 3V, the fifth voltage source terminal 495 can set the voltage of the fifth bus bar 450 to 1.5V, the fourth voltage source terminal 494 can set the voltage of the fourth bus bar 440 to 0.5V, the first voltage source terminal 491 can set the voltage of the first bus bar 410 to 0V, the second voltage source terminal 492 can set the voltage of the second bus bar 420 to 0V, the sixth voltage source terminal 496 can set the voltage of the sixth bus bar 460 to 0V, the seventh voltage source terminal 497 can set the voltage of the seventh bus bar 470 to 0V, and the eighth voltage source terminal 498 can set the voltage of the eighth bus bar 480 to 0V. By doing so, region 1 can be in a full color state, region 3 can be in a transparent state, and region 2 can be between the full color and transparent states, so that the entire electrochromic device presents a continuous gradient state.

[0041] In another embodiment, Figure 5As shown, the first bus bar 410, the second bus bar 420, the seventh bus bar 470 and the eighth bus bar 480 may be connected to the first transparent conductive layer, and the third bus bar 430, the fourth bus bar 440, the fifth bus bar 450 and the sixth bus bar 560 may be connected to the second transparent conductive layer. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device 500 may include a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region and a fifth region. The first region may be defined by the first voltage source terminal 491 and the first bus bar 410, the second voltage source terminal 492 and the second bus bar 420, and the third voltage source terminal 493 and the third bus bar 430. The second region may be defined by the fifth voltage source terminal 495 and the fifth bus bar 450, and the sixth voltage source terminal 496 and the sixth bus bar 460. The third region may be defined by the fourth voltage source terminal 494 and the fourth bus bar 440, the seventh voltage source terminal 497 and the seventh bus bar 470, and the eighth voltage source terminal 498 and the eighth bus bar 480. The fourth region may be defined by the first gap 402 and the third gap 406. The fifth region may be defined by the second gap 404 and the fourth gap 408. In operation, region 1, region 2, region 3, region 4, and region 5 may have different coloring states. In a non-limiting example, the third voltage source terminal 493 can set the voltage of the third bus bar 430 to 3V, the fifth voltage source terminal 495 can set the voltage of the fifth bus bar 450 to 1.5V, the sixth voltage source terminal 496 can set the voltage of the sixth bus bar 460 to 1.5V, the fourth voltage source terminal 494 can set the voltage of the fourth bus bar 440 to 0.5V, the first voltage source terminal 491 can set the voltage of the first bus bar 410 to 0V, the second voltage source terminal 492 can set the voltage of the second bus bar 420 to 0V, the seventh voltage source terminal 497 can set the voltage of the seventh bus bar 470 to 0V, and the eighth voltage source terminal 498 can set the voltage of the eighth bus bar 480 to 0V. By doing so, region 1 can be in a full color state, region 3 can be in a transparent state, and region 2 can be between the full color and transparent states, so that the entire electrochromic device includes two gradient regions, region 4 and region 5.

[0042] Figure 6An illustration of a top view of a substrate 100, a stack of layers of an electrochemical device, and bus bars according to one embodiment. The electrochemical device may include a first bus bar 610, a second bus bar 620, a third bus bar 630, a fourth bus bar 640, a fifth bus bar 650, a sixth bus bar 660, a first voltage source terminal 615, a second voltage source terminal 625, a third voltage source terminal 635, and a fourth voltage source terminal 645. The first bus bar 610 and the second bus bar 620 may be electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer, while the third bus bar 630, the fourth bus bar 640, the fifth bus bar 650, and the sixth bus bar 660 may be connected to the second transparent conductive layer. The first voltage source terminal 615 may control the voltage of both the first bus bar 610 and the fifth bus bar 650. The second voltage source terminal 625 may control the voltage of both the second bus bar 620 and the sixth bus bar 660. In one embodiment, the first bus bar 610 is closer to the first side 102 of the substrate than the second side 104. The fifth bus bar 650 may be generally parallel to the first bus bar 610. The fifth bus bar 650 may be between the first bus bar 610 and the sixth bus bar 660. In one embodiment, the fifth bus bar 650 is closer to the first bus bar 610 than the sixth bus bar 660. In one embodiment, the second bus bar 620 may be closer to the second side 104 of the substrate 100 than the first side 102. The sixth bus bar 660 may be between the second bus bar 620 and the first bus bar 610. The sixth bus bar 660 may be closer to the second bus bar 620 than the first bus bar 610. The third bus bar 630 may not be parallel to the first bus bar 610. In one embodiment, the third bus bar 630 may be generally orthogonal to the first bus bar 610. The fourth bus bar 640 may be parallel to the third bus bar 630. In one embodiment, the fourth bus bar 640 may be closer to the fourth side 108 than to the third side 106 .

[0043] In one embodiment, the first bus bar 610 may include an electrically isolated region 611 from a stack of layers of an electrochemical device. In one embodiment, the second bus bar 620 may include an electrically isolated region 621 from a stack of layers of an electrochemical device. In one embodiment, the isolated region 611 is parallel to the fifth bus bar 650. In one embodiment, the isolated region 611 extends for a length greater than the length of the fifth bus bar 650, thereby forming a gap 602 between the end of the first bus bar 610 and the end of the fifth bus bar 650. In one embodiment, the isolated region 621 is parallel to the sixth bus bar 660. In one embodiment, the isolated region 621 extends for a length greater than the length of the sixth bus bar 660. In one embodiment, the third voltage source terminal 635 may set the voltage of the third bus bar 630 to a value greater than the voltage set by the fifth voltage source terminal 615 of the fifth bus bar 650. The fifth voltage source terminal 615 may set the voltage of the fifth bus bar 650 to a value greater than the voltage set by the fourth voltage source terminal 645 of the fourth bus bar 640. By doing so, the voltage source terminals may form a gradient at gaps 602 , 604 , 606 , and 608 .

[0044] In another embodiment, Figure 7 As shown, the first bus bar 710 and the second bus bar 720 may be connected to the first transparent conductive layer, and the third bus bar 730, the fourth bus bar 740, the fifth bus bar 750, the sixth bus bar 760, the seventh bus bar 770 and the eighth bus bar 780 may be connected to the second transparent conductive layer. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device 700 may include a first region, a second region, a third region, a fourth region and a fifth region. The first region may be defined by the first voltage source terminal 791 and the first bus bar 710, the second voltage source terminal 792 and the second bus bar 720, and the third voltage source terminal 793 and the third bus bar 730. The second region may be defined by the first voltage source terminal 791 and the fifth bus bar 750, the second voltage source terminal 792 and the sixth bus bar 760. The third region may be defined by the first voltage source terminal 791 and the first bus bar 770, the second voltage source terminal 792 and the eighth bus bar 780, and the fourth voltage source terminal 794 and the fourth bus bar 740. The fourth region may be defined by the first gap 702 and the third gap 706. The fifth region may be defined by the second gap 704 and the fourth gap 708. In operation, the first voltage source terminal may control the voltage to the first bus bar and the fifth bus bar, the second voltage source terminal may control the voltage to the second bus bar and the sixth bus bar, the third voltage source terminal may control the voltage to the third bus bar, and the fourth voltage source terminal may control the voltage to the fourth bus bar. In one embodiment, the voltage applied to the third bus bar may be greater than the voltage applied to the fourth bus bar, the voltage applied to the fourth bus bar may be greater than the voltage applied to the sixth bus bar, and the voltage applied to the sixth bus bar may be greater than the voltage applied to the first bus bar.

[0045] Figure 8 800 includes a perspective view of a partially disassembled structure 800 according to another embodiment. Structure 800 includes substrates 802 and 804, transparent conductive layers 822 and 828, and cathode electrochemical layer 824 and anode electrochemical layer 826. An ion conductive layer may be present, but in Figure 8 Not shown. The composition of the transparent conductive layers 822 and 828, the cathode electrochemical layer 824 and the anode electrochemical layer 826, and the ion conductive layer may have a composition as described above and a polymer-based composition. The first bus bar 810, the second bus bar 820, the fifth bus bar 850, the seventh bus bar 870 may be formed on the substrate 802 before forming any subsequent layers, and the third bus bar 830, the fourth bus bar 840 and the sixth bus bar 860 may be formed on the layer 828 before the substrate 804 is bonded to the substrate 802. There may be gaps between the bus bars. During operation, the bus bar on the substrate 802 may be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and the bus bar on the substrate 804 may select its voltage to achieve a desired light-transmitting state. In another embodiment, the bus bar on the substrate 804 may be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and the bus bar on the substrate 802 may select its voltage to achieve a desired light-transmitting state. In one embodiment, the voltage of the third bus bar 830 is greater than the voltage of the sixth bus bar 860, and the voltage of the sixth bus bar 860 is greater than the voltage of the fourth bus bar 840. In another embodiment, the voltage of the fourth bus bar 840 is greater than the voltage of the sixth bus bar 860, and the voltage of the sixth bus bar 860 is greater than the voltage of the third bus bar 830.

[0046] Fig. 9A perspective view of a partially disassembled structure 900 according to another embodiment is included. A first bus bar 910, a second bus bar 920, a seventh bus bar 970, and an eighth bus bar 980 may be formed on substrate 802 before forming any subsequent layers, and a third bus bar 930, a fourth bus bar 940, a fifth bus bar 950, and a sixth bus bar 860 may be formed on layer 828 before substrate 804 is joined to substrate 802. There may be gaps between the bus bars. During operation, the bus bars on substrate 802 may be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and the bus bars on substrate 804 may select their voltages to achieve a desired light-transmitting state. In another embodiment, the bus bars on substrate 804 may be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and the bus bars on substrate 802 may select their voltages to achieve a desired light-transmitting state. In one embodiment, the voltage of the third bus bar 930 is greater than the voltage of the fifth bus bar 950, the voltage of the fifth bus bar 950 is greater than the voltage of the fourth bus bar 940, and the voltage of the fourth bus bar 940 is greater than the voltage of the first bus bar 910. In another embodiment, the voltage of the fourth bus bar 940 is greater than the voltage of the fifth bus bar 950, the voltage of the fifth bus bar 950 is greater than the voltage of the third bus bar 930, and the voltage of the third bus bar 930 is greater than the voltage of the first bus bar 910.

[0047] Fig.10 A perspective view of a partially disassembled structure 1000 according to another embodiment is included. A first bus bar 1010, a second bus bar 1020 may be formed on substrate 802 before forming any subsequent layers, and a third bus bar 1030, a fourth bus bar 1040, a fifth bus bar 1050, and a sixth bus bar 1060 may be formed on layer 828 before substrate 804 is joined to substrate 802. There may be gaps between the bus bars. During operation, the bus bars on substrate 802 may be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and the bus bars on substrate 804 may select their voltages to achieve a desired light-transmitting state. In another embodiment, the bus bars on substrate 804 may be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and the bus bars on substrate 802 may select their voltages to achieve a desired light-transmitting state. In one embodiment, the voltage of the third bus bar 1030 is greater than the voltage of the fifth bus bar 1050, the voltage of the fifth bus bar 1050 is greater than the voltage of the fourth bus bar 1040, and the voltage of the fourth bus bar 1040 is greater than the voltage of the first bus bar 1010. In another embodiment, the voltage of the fourth bus bar 1040 is greater than the voltage of the fifth bus bar 1050, the voltage of the fifth bus bar 1050 is greater than the voltage of the third bus bar 1030, and the voltage of the third bus bar 1030 is greater than the voltage of the first bus bar 1010.

[0048] Fig.11An illustration of a cross-sectional view of an insulating glass unit (IGU) 1100 including Figure 1 , 2 and 3. The IGU 1100 further includes a relative substrate 1120 and a solar control film 1112 disposed between the electrochromic device 1110 and the relative substrate 1120. A seal 1122 is disposed between the substrate 100 and the relative substrate 1120 and around the electrochromic device 1110. The seal 1122 may include a polymer, such as polyisobutylene. The relative substrate 1120 is coupled to a pane 1130. Each of the relative substrate 1120 and the pane 1130 may be tempered glass or tempered glass and have a thickness of 2 mm to 9 mm. A low-emissivity layer 1132 may be disposed along an inner surface of the pane 1130. The relative substrate 1120 and the pane 1130 may be spaced apart by a spacer bar 1142 surrounding the substrate 100 and the electrochromic device 124. The spacer bar 1142 is connected to the relative substrate 1120 and the window pane 1130 via a seal 1144. The seal 1144 may be a polymer, such as polyisobutylene. The seal 1144 may have the same or different composition than the seal 1122. The adhesive joint 1150 is designed to fix the relative substrate 1120 and the window pane 1130 together and is arranged along the entire periphery of the edge of the relative substrate 1120 and the window pane 1120. The internal space 1160 of the IGU 300 may include a relatively inert gas, such as a rare gas or dry air. In another embodiment, the internal space 1160 may be evacuated. The IGU may include an energy source, a control device, and an input / output (I / O) unit. The energy source may provide energy to the electrochromic device 124 via a control device. In one embodiment, the energy source may include a photovoltaic cell, a battery, other suitable energy sources, or any combination thereof. The control device may be connected to the electrochromic device and the energy source. The control device may include a logic component for controlling the operation of the electrochromic device. The logic components of the control device may be in the form of hardware, software or firmware. In one embodiment, the logic components may be stored in a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other permanent memory. In one embodiment, the control device may include a processor that can execute instructions stored in a memory within the control device or received from an external source. An I / O unit may be connected to the control device. The I / O unit may provide information from a sensor, such as light, motion, temperature, other suitable parameters, or any combination thereof. The I / O unit may provide information about the electrochromic device 124, energy, or control device to another part of the device or another target outside the device.

[0049] Embodiments as shown and described above can allow the continuous gradient electrochromic device to be maintained for almost any time period after the switching transmission state is completed. Additional designs can be used to reduce power consumption, provide higher flexibility, simplify connections, or a combination thereof. The electrochromic device may have a portion in a continuous gradient transmission state and another portion with a substantially uniform transmission state. It may be difficult to see the exact point of the transition between the continuous gradient transmission state and the substantially uniform transmission state. For example, the portion with the continuous gradient transmission state can be completely bleached at one end and completely colored at the other end. Other portions can be completely bleached and located next to the completely bleached end of the continuous gradient portion, or other portions can be completely colored and located next to the completely colored end of the continuous gradient portion. Without departing from the concepts described herein, embodiments with discrete gradients between portions can be used. For example, the electrochromic device may have a portion that is completely bleached near the top of the window, and a continuous gradient from a completely colored transmission state closer to the top of the window to the remainder of the completely bleached transmission state near the bottom of the window. Such embodiments can be used to allow more light to enter, so as to reduce glare while allowing for better color balance indoors. In another embodiment, the electrochromic device may be maintained in a continuously gradient state, with no portion maintained in a substantially uniform transmissive state. Obviously, many different transmissive modes of electrochromic devices are possible.

[0050] Many different aspects and embodiments are possible. Some of those aspects and embodiments are described below. An exemplary embodiment may be according to any one or more of the embodiments listed below.

[0051] Embodiment 1. A device may include an active stack. The active stack may include a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, an anode electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer, and a cathode electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer. The device may further include: a first bus bar electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer; a second bus bar electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the second bus bar is generally non-parallel to the first bus bar; a third bus bar electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer, wherein the third bus bar is generally parallel to the first bus bar.

[0052] Embodiment 2. A device may include an active stack. The active stack may include a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, an anode electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer, and a cathode electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer. The device may further include: a first bus bar electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer; a second bus bar electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the second bus bar is generally not parallel to the first bus bar; a third bus bar electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer, wherein the third bus bar is generally parallel to the first bus bar; a fourth bus bar electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the fourth bus bar is generally parallel to the second bus bar; and a fifth bus bar electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the fifth bus bar is generally parallel to the first bus bar.

[0053] Embodiment 3 The device of Embodiment 1, further comprising a fourth bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the fourth bus bar is generally parallel to the second bus bar.

[0054] Embodiment 4. The device of any of Embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the active stack comprises a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side generally non-parallel to the first side, and a fourth side parallel to the third side.

[0055] Embodiment 5. The apparatus of Embodiment 4, wherein the second bus bar is closer to the third side of the active stack than to the fourth side of the active stack.

[0056] Embodiment 6. The apparatus of Embodiment 4, wherein the third bus bar is closer to the second side of the active stack than to the first side of the active stack.

[0057] Embodiment 7 The apparatus of Embodiment 4, wherein the fourth bus bar is closer to the fourth side of the active stack than to the third side of the active stack.

[0058] Embodiment 8 The apparatus of Embodiment 4, wherein the first bus bar is closer to the first side of the active stack than to the second side of the active stack.

[0059] Embodiment 9 The apparatus of Embodiment 4, wherein the fifth bus bar is closer to the first side of the active stack than to the second side of the active stack.

[0060] Embodiment 10 The apparatus of Embodiment 4 further comprising a sixth bus bar parallel to the fifth bus bar.

[0061] Embodiment 11 The apparatus of Embodiment 10, wherein the sixth bus bar is closer to the third side of the active stack than to the fourth side of the active stack.

[0062] Embodiment 12 The device of Embodiment 10, wherein the sixth bus bar is electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer.

[0063] Embodiment 13 The device of Embodiment 10, wherein the sixth bus bar is electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer.

[0064] Embodiment 14 The device of Embodiment 10, further comprising a seventh bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, wherein the fifth bus bar is between the first bus bar and the seventh bus bar.

[0065] Embodiment 15 The apparatus of Embodiment 14, wherein the seventh bus bar is closer to the first side of the active stack than to the second side of the active stack.

[0066] Embodiment 16 The device of Embodiment 4, further comprising an eighth bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer.

[0067] Embodiment 17 The apparatus of Embodiment 14, wherein the eighth bus bar is closer to the third side of the active stack than to the fourth side of the active stack, wherein the sixth bus bar is between the third bus bar and the eighth bus bar.

[0068] Embodiment 18. The device according to Embodiment 1 further includes: a first power terminal, which is connected to the first bus bar; a second power terminal, which is connected to the second bus bar; a third power terminal, which is connected to the third bus bar; a fourth power terminal, which is connected to the fourth bus bar; and a control device, which is configured so that the second power terminal and the fourth power terminal are at the same voltage in the same time period, and the first power terminal and the third power terminal are at different voltages.

[0069] Embodiment 19. The device according to any one of Embodiments 2 or 10 or 14 or 16 further includes: a fifth power terminal, which is connected to a fifth bus bar; a sixth power terminal, which is connected to a sixth bus bar; a seventh power terminal, which is connected to a seventh bus bar; an eighth power terminal, which is connected to an eighth bus bar; and a control device, which is configured so that the first power terminal, the third power terminal, the sixth power terminal, the seventh power terminal and the eighth power terminal are at the same voltage in the same time period, and the second power terminal, the fourth power terminal and the fifth power terminal are at different voltages.

[0070] Embodiment 20. The device of any of Embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the active stack further comprises an ionically conductive layer between the cathode electrochemical layer and the anode electrochemical layer.

[0071] Embodiment 21. The device of any one of Embodiments 1 or 2, further comprising a substrate, wherein the first transparent conductive layer is between the substrate and the second transparent conductive layer.

[0072] Embodiment 22. The device of any of Embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the second bus bar is orthogonal to the first bus bar.

[0073] Embodiment 23 The device of any of Embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the first bus bar, the second bus bar, and the third bus bar are on a first substrate.

[0074] Embodiment 24. The device of Embodiment 21, further comprising a first panel and a laminate between the first panel and the substrate.

[0075] Embodiment 25. The device of Embodiment 24, further comprising a second panel and a spacer between the first panel and the second panel.

[0076] Embodiment 26. The device according to embodiment 17 further comprises a first zone, a second zone and a third zone, wherein the second zone is in a gradient transmission state.

[0077] Embodiment 27. A method of operating a device, comprising providing an electroactive device. The electroactive device comprises an active stack. The active stack comprises a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, an anode electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer, and a cathode electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer. The device also comprises: a first bus bar electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer; a second bus bar electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the second bus bar is not parallel to the first bus bar; and a third bus bar electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer, wherein the third bus bar is parallel to the first bus bar. The method of operating the device also comprises: switching the electrochromic device from a first transmission state to a gradient transmission state, wherein switching the electrochromic device comprises biasing the first bus bar to a first voltage and biasing the second bus bar to a second voltage different from the first voltage; and maintaining the gradient transmission state.

[0078] Embodiment 28. The method of Embodiment 27, wherein switching the electrochromic device further comprises biasing a third bus bar to a third voltage different from the second voltage, and biasing a fourth bus bar to a fourth voltage different from the first voltage and different from the second voltage.

[0079] Embodiment 29. The method of Embodiment 28, wherein the third voltage is less than the second voltage.

[0080] Embodiment 30. The method of Embodiment 28, wherein the second voltage is greater than the first voltage.

[0081] Embodiment 31. The method of Embodiment 28, wherein the fourth voltage is less than the second voltage.

[0082] Embodiment 32. The method of Embodiment 28, wherein the third voltage is greater than the second voltage.

[0083] Embodiment 33. The method of Embodiment 28, wherein the fourth voltage is greater than the first voltage.

[0084] Embodiment 34. A method according to embodiment 27, wherein the electrically active device further includes: a first power terminal, which is connected to the first bus bar; a second power terminal, which is connected to the second bus bar; a third power terminal, which is connected to the third bus bar; a fourth power terminal, which is connected to the fourth bus bar; and a control device, which is configured so that the second power terminal and the fourth power terminal are at a voltage less than the first power supply during the same time period, and the first power terminal and the third power terminal are at different voltages.

[0085] Embodiment 35 The method of Embodiment 27, wherein the electrically active device further comprises a fourth bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the fourth bus bar is parallel to the second bus bar.

[0086] Embodiment 36. The method of Embodiment 27, wherein the gradient transmission state is a continuous gradient transmission state.

[0087] Note that not all of the activities described in the general description or examples above are required, that a portion of a specific activity may not necessarily be required, and that one or more further activities may be performed in addition to those described. Furthermore, the order in which the activities are listed is not necessarily the order in which they may be performed.

[0088] For clarity, certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment for simplicity may also be provided separately or in any subcombination. In addition, references to values ​​expressed as ranges include each and every value within that range.

[0089] Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any features that may make any benefit, advantage, or solution contemplated or more significant are not considered to be critical, required, or essential features of any or all claims.

[0090] The description and illustration of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments. The description and illustration are not intended to be used as a detailed and comprehensive description of all elements and features of the device and system using the structure or method described herein. A separate embodiment may also be provided in a combined manner in a single embodiment, and conversely, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment for simplicity may also be provided separately, or in any sub-combination. In addition, references to values ​​expressed in ranges include each value and all values ​​within the range. Only after reading this specification, many other embodiments will be apparent to the technician. Other embodiments may be utilized and obtained through the present disclosure, so that structural replacement, logical replacement or other changes may be performed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should be considered illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A device comprising: An active stack, the active stack comprising: a first transparent conductive layer; a second transparent conductive layer; an anode electrochemical layer, the anode electrochemical layer being between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer; and a cathode electrochemical layer, the cathode electrochemical layer being between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer; a first bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer; a second bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the second bus bar is generally non-parallel to the first bus bar; and A third bus bar is electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, wherein the third bus bar is generally parallel to the first bus bar. 2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a fourth bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the fourth bus bar is generally parallel to the second bus bar.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the active stack comprises: A first side surface, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface, a third side surface generally non-parallel to the first side surface, and a fourth side surface parallel to the third side surface. 4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the second bus bar is closer to the third side of the active stack than to the fourth side of the active stack. 5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the third bus bar is closer to the second side of the active stack than to the first side of the active stack. 6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the fourth bus bar is closer to the fourth side of the active stack than to the third side of the active stack. 7 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first bus bar is closer to the first side of the active stack than to the second side of the active stack.

8. An apparatus comprising: An active stack, the active stack comprising: a first transparent conductive layer; a second transparent conductive layer; an anode electrochemical layer, the anode electrochemical layer being between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer; and a cathode electrochemical layer, the cathode electrochemical layer being between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer; a first bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer; a second bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the second bus bar is generally non-parallel to the first bus bar; a third bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, wherein the third bus bar is parallel to the first bus bar; and A fourth bus bar is electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the fourth bus bar is generally parallel to the second bus bar. 9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising a fifth bus bar, wherein the fifth bus bar is closer to the first side of the active stack than to the second side of the active stack.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a sixth bus bar parallel to the fifth bus bar. The device of claim 10 , wherein the sixth bus bar is electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer. 12 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the sixth bus bar is electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer.

13. The device of claim 8, further comprising a first region, a second region, and a third region, wherein the second region is in a graded transmission state.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a first power terminal coupled to the first bus bar; a second power terminal coupled to the second bus bar; a third power terminal coupled to the third bus bar; a fourth power terminal coupled to the fourth bus bar; as well as A control device is configured so that the second power terminal and the fourth power terminal are at the same voltage and the first power terminal and the third power terminal are at different voltages during the same time period.

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