Electrochromic lens, rearview mirror and vehicle

Abstract

The utility model provides an electrochromic lens, a rearview mirror and a vehicle, the electrochromic lens comprises a first base layer, a second base layer, an electrochromic layer and a reflection anti-reflection layer; the electrochromic layer and the reflection anti-reflection layer are both arranged between the first base layer and the second base layer, and the surface of the second base layer is coated with the reflection anti-reflection layer. Compared with traditional reflection with a silver coating, the reflection anti-reflection layer is high in light transmittance, so that the electrochromic lens can provide a clearer and brighter visual field for a user, the visual definition is improved, and visual fatigue is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle parts technology, and in particular to an electrochromic lens, a rearview mirror, and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Electrochromic lenses are special lenses made using electrochromic technology. They are generally composed of multiple thin films, including a glass base layer, a conductive layer, and an electrochromic layer. These multiple thin film layers are stacked together using specific processes to form a lens with electrochromic function. It can change color under the action of an applied voltage, thereby achieving effects such as adjusting light transmittance and anti-glare.

[0003] Current electrochromic lenses typically use silver plating on a glass substrate to reflect light and act as electrodes. However, the silver plating layer has low light transmittance, which can easily darken the field of vision, affect visual clarity, and cause eye strain. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, this application provides an electrochromic lens, a rearview mirror, and a vehicle to at least solve the problem that the light transmittance of current electrochromic lenses is low, affecting visual clarity.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this application is implemented as follows:

[0006] This application provides an electrochromic lens, including a first base layer, a second base layer, an electrochromic layer, and a reflective anti-reflective layer; the electrochromic layer and the reflective anti-reflective layer are both disposed between the first base layer and the second base layer, wherein the reflective anti-reflective layer is coated on the surface of the second base layer; the light transmittance of the reflective anti-reflective layer is 80% to 100%.

[0007] Optionally, it further includes an encapsulation layer; the encapsulation layer is disposed on the surface of the second base layer and covers the antireflective layer to isolate the antireflective layer from the electrochromic layer.

[0008] Optionally, it further includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer; the first conductive layer is disposed between the electrochromic layer and the first base layer, and the second conductive layer is disposed between the electrochromic layer and the encapsulation layer.

[0009] Optionally, the antireflective layer is coated on the middle region of the second base layer; the electrochromic lens further includes a silver layer; the silver layer is disposed on the edge region of the first base layer and coated on the surface of the first base layer near the second base layer.

[0010] Optionally, along a direction perpendicular to the second substrate, the orthographic projection of the silver layer on the second substrate at least partially coincides with the orthographic projection of the antireflective layer on the second substrate.

[0011] Optionally, it also includes a seal; the seal is disposed in the edge region of the first base layer and connected to the encapsulation layer, the seal sealing the electrochromic layer between the first base layer and the encapsulation layer.

[0012] Optionally, the antireflective layer is an RPM film.

[0013] This application also provides a rearview mirror, including the electrochromic lens described in any of the preceding claims.

[0014] Optionally, it also includes a display module; the display module is connected to the side of the second base layer away from the first base layer, and along a direction perpendicular to the second base layer, the orthographic projection of the display area of ​​the display module on the second base layer is located within the orthographic projection of the antireflective layer on the second base layer.

[0015] This application also provides a vehicle including the aforementioned rearview mirror.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the electrochromic lens, rearview mirror, and vehicle described in this application have the following advantages:

[0017] The electrochromic lens of this application includes a first substrate, a second substrate, an electrochromic layer, and a reflective anti-reflective layer; both the electrochromic layer and the reflective anti-reflective layer are disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the reflective anti-reflective layer is coated on the surface of the second substrate. Compared with the reflection of traditional silver-plated layers, the reflective anti-reflective layer has a higher light transmittance, enabling the electrochromic lens to provide users with a clearer and brighter field of vision, improve visual acuity, and avoid causing visual fatigue.

[0018] The rearview mirror and vehicle of this application have the same or similar advantages as the prior art and the aforementioned electrochromic lenses, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain this application and do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an electrochromic lens according to an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a rearview mirror in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] 1 - First base layer, 2 - Second base layer, 3 - Electrochromic layer, 4 - Anti-reflective layer, 5 - Encapsulation layer, 6 - First conductive layer, 7 - Second conductive layer, 8 - Silver layer, 9 - Sealing element, 10 - Electrochromic lens, 20 - Display module. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and the number of objects is not limited; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0026] It should be understood that the phrase "some embodiments" throughout the specification means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic related to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, "some embodiments" appearing throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these particular features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0027] The following detailed description of an electrochromic lens, rearview mirror, and vehicle provided in this application is illustrated through specific embodiments.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1 This application provides an electrochromic lens 10, including a first base layer 1, a second base layer 2, an electrochromic layer 3, and a reflective anti-reflective layer 4; the electrochromic layer 3 and the reflective anti-reflective layer 4 are both disposed between the first base layer 1 and the second base layer 2, wherein the reflective anti-reflective layer 4 is coated on the surface of the second base layer 2; the light transmittance of the reflective anti-reflective layer is 80% to 100%.

[0029] Specifically, the electrochromic lens 10 is a smart lens that utilizes electrochromic technology to control the changes in lens color and light transmittance through an applied electric field. It provides precise brightness and color adjustment, and can quickly adjust the lens's light transmittance and color according to different ambient light conditions and user needs to achieve optimal visual effects. The electrochromic lens 10 of this application embodiment can be applied to vehicle systems, such as rearview mirrors, side windows, and sunroofs. For example, if the rearview mirror uses the electrochromic lens 10, it can automatically adjust its reflectivity according to the light intensity of vehicles behind, preventing glare from interfering with the driver's vision. If the side windows or sunroof use the electrochromic lens 10, they can adjust their light transmittance according to user needs or changes in the external environment, thereby improving the user's riding experience. Furthermore, the electrochromic lens 10 of this application embodiment can also be applied in the architectural field, such as smart windows and curtain wall systems, or in the electronic product field, such as computer screens and mobile phone screens. This application embodiment does not limit the specific application scenarios of the electrochromic lens 10.

[0030] The first base layer 1 and the second base layer 2 typically need to be made of materials with good optical transparency, processability, chemical stability, and mechanical strength. Good optical transparency ensures the light transmission performance of the electrochromic lens 10 before and after color change; good processability meets various manufacturing process requirements of the electrochromic lens 10; good chemical stability allows the electrochromic lens 10 to effectively resist external environmental corrosion; and good mechanical strength prevents the electrochromic lens 10 from breaking or deforming during use. In the embodiments of this application, the first base layer 1 and the second base layer 2 can be made of glass or polymer materials. Glass materials have excellent optical transparency, chemical stability, and mechanical strength, while polymer materials have lightweight, flexibility, and good processability.

[0031] An electrochromic layer 3 is disposed between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2. The electrochromic layer 3 is the key component for achieving the color change of the electrochromic lens 10. Under the influence of an electric field, the electrochromic layer 3 undergoes a redox reaction, thereby altering its optical properties such as transmittance, reflectance, and absorptivity, thus achieving the color-changing effect of the lens. In this embodiment, the electrochromic layer 3 can be made from inorganic materials such as tungsten oxide, vanadium pentoxide, molybdenum oxide, and titanium oxide, or from organic polymers such as polyaniline and triphenylamine. Relatively speaking, the electrochromic layer 3 made from inorganic materials exhibits more pronounced color changes and better chemical stability, while the electrochromic layer 3 made from organic materials exhibits richer color changes and a faster color-changing speed.

[0032] An antireflective layer 4 is disposed between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2, and coated on the surface of the second substrate 2 near the first substrate 1. The antireflective layer 4 is a transparent thin film, whose main function is to reduce the reflection loss of light on the surface of optical elements such as lenses, prisms, and plane mirrors, so that more light can pass through the elements, thereby improving the light transmittance and improving the performance of optical elements by reducing or eliminating stray light in the system. In this embodiment, the antireflective layer 4 is composed of multiple dielectric films. The materials of these films can be metals, oxides, fluorides, etc., such as silicon dioxide, titanium pentoxide, etc. Films of different materials have different refractive indices, and they can be stacked alternately to form the desired antireflective effect. At the same time, the thickness of the film also affects the antireflective effect of the antireflective layer 4, which can be calculated according to the wavelength of the incident light and the refractive index of the element to meet the optical requirements of different electrochromic lenses 10.

[0033] If the electrochromic lens 10 is applied to the rearview mirror of a vehicle, the anti-glare layer 4 can achieve an automatic anti-glare function, automatically adjusting the intensity of reflected light according to the strength of external light, thereby improving driving safety. In this embodiment, the electrochromic lens 10 uses the anti-glare layer 4, and by reasonably selecting the film material and thickness of the anti-glare layer 4, the light transmittance of the anti-glare layer 4 is between 80% and 100%, such as 85% to 95%. Compared with the traditional silver plating layer 8, the anti-glare layer 4 can effectively improve the light transmittance, thereby enabling the electrochromic lens 10 to provide users with a clearer and brighter field of vision, improve visual clarity, and avoid visual fatigue.

[0034] In some optional embodiments, the antireflective layer 4 is an RPM (Reflective Paralyze Miller) film. The RPM film is typically in sheet form, with a thickness of approximately 75 micrometers. The RPM film is applied to the surface of the second base layer 2 near the first base layer 1. The RPM film reflects nearly 100% of light polarized along its reflection axis and only 10% of light polarized along its transmission axis, exhibiting excellent polarization performance. In vehicle rearview mirrors, the electrochromic lens 10 employing an RPM film effectively improves the mirror's reflectivity and reduces light interference with the driver. If the rearview mirror is a streaming media rearview mirror, the RPM film on the electrochromic lens 10 can also effectively improve the mirror's display brightness, making the displayed image clearer, while significantly improving light utilization and reducing the mirror's power consumption.

[0035] In addition, the anti-reflective layer 4 is coated on the surface of the second base layer 2 near the first base layer 1. The gap between the anti-reflective layer 4 and the first base layer 1 is small, which can effectively improve the tortuosity of the reflective surface, thereby improving the black edge phenomenon of the electrochromic lens 10 and enhancing the visual effect of the electrochromic lens 10.

[0036] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 In some optional embodiments, the electrochromic lens 10 further includes an encapsulation layer 5. The encapsulation layer 5 is disposed on the surface of the second base layer 2 and covers the anti-reflective layer 4. After the encapsulation layer 5 covers the anti-reflective layer 4, it can effectively isolate the anti-reflective layer 4 from the electrochromic layer 3, preventing the electrolyte of the electrochromic layer 3 from penetrating into the anti-reflective layer 4 and causing corrosion to the anti-reflective layer 4. In the embodiments of this application, the encapsulation layer 5 can be made of polyimide (PI). Polyimide encapsulation has excellent physical properties, chemical stability, and heat and low temperature resistance. Using polyimide to encapsulate the anti-reflective layer 4 on the surface of the second base layer 2 can effectively isolate the anti-reflective layer 4 from the electrochromic layer 3, preventing the electrolyte of the electrochromic layer 3 from penetrating into the anti-reflective layer 4 and causing corrosion to the anti-reflective layer 4.

[0037] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 In some optional embodiments, the electrochromic lens 10 further includes a first conductive layer 6 and a second conductive layer 7; the first conductive layer 6 is disposed between the electrochromic layer 3 and the first base layer 1, and the second conductive layer 7 is disposed between the electrochromic layer 3 and the encapsulation layer 5.

[0038] Specifically, a first conductive layer 6 is coated on the surface of the first base layer 1 near the second base layer 2, and a second conductive layer 7 is coated on the surface of the encapsulation layer 5 near the first base layer 1. Circuit traces are provided at the edges of the first base layer 1 and the encapsulation layer 5. The first conductive layer 6 and the second conductive layer 7 are electrically connected to the circuit traces, responsible for transmitting the voltage and current supplied by the external power source to the electrochromic lens 10. An electrochromic layer 3 is disposed between the first conductive layer 6 and the second conductive layer 7. Under the influence of the voltage and current of the first conductive layer 6 and the second conductive layer 7, the electrochromic layer 3 can undergo an oxidation-reduction reaction, thereby changing its color. The first conductive layer 6 and the second conductive layer 7 need to have sufficient light transmittance to ensure that the lens maintains a certain level of transparency during the color-changing process. Simultaneously, the first conductive layer 6 and the second conductive layer 7 need to have good stability to ensure that they are not prone to aging, peeling, or performance degradation during long-term use.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first conductive layer 6 and the second conductive layer 7 can be made of indium tin oxide (ITO). Indium tin oxide is a transparent conductive oxide film with high light transmittance and low resistivity, and its light transmittance can reach over 90%. The conductive layer made of indium tin oxide in the electrochromic lens 10 can further improve the light transmittance of the electrochromic lens 10, thereby providing the user with a clearer and brighter field of vision and improving visual acuity. In some embodiments, the first conductive layer 6 and the second conductive layer 7 can also be made of materials such as metal mesh or graphene, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0040] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 In some alternative embodiments, the antireflective layer 4 is coated on the middle region of the second base layer 2; the electrochromic lens 10 also includes a silver layer 8; the silver layer 8 is disposed on the edge region of the first base layer 1 and coated on the surface of the first base layer 1 near the second base layer 2.

[0041] Specifically, if the electrochromic lens 10 is applied to a streaming media rearview mirror, the coating area of ​​the anti-reflective layer 4 can be slightly larger than the display area of ​​the display module 20 in the streaming media rearview mirror. Typically, the display area of ​​the display module 20 is smaller than the total area of ​​the second base layer 2. Therefore, the anti-reflective layer 4 can be coated in the middle area of ​​the second base layer 2, and the area of ​​this middle area is slightly larger than the display area of ​​the display module 20. The anti-reflective layer 4 can serve as a reflective surface during the display process of the streaming media rearview mirror. Additionally, the silver layer 8 is disposed at the edge of the first base layer 1 and coated on the surface of the first base layer 1 near the second base layer 2. The silver layer 8 can serve as a reflective surface during the non-display process of the streaming media rearview mirror, thereby enabling the electrochromic lens 10 to have a better display effect.

[0042] Please continue to refer to Figure 1 In some optional embodiments, along the direction perpendicular to the second base layer 2, the orthographic projection of the silver layer 8 on the second base layer 2 and the orthographic projection of the anti-reflective layer 4 on the second base layer 2 at least partially coincide, so that there is no gap between the silver layer 8 and the anti-reflective layer 4 in the direction parallel to the second base layer 2. The projections of the silver layer 8 and the anti-reflective layer 4 in the direction perpendicular to the second base layer 2 can completely cover the first base layer 1 and the second base layer 2, thereby avoiding reflection discontinuity between the silver layer 8 and the anti-reflective layer 4, avoiding the appearance of black edges, and thus ensuring the visual effect of the electrochromic lens 10.

[0043] Please continue to refer to Figure 1In some optional embodiments, the electrochromic lens 10 further includes a sealing element 9. The sealing element 9 is disposed at the edge region of the first base layer 1 and connected to the encapsulation layer 5. The sealing element 9 can seal the electrochromic layer 3 between the first base layer 1 and the encapsulation layer 5, preventing external impurities from entering, thereby improving the lens performance and service life. The sealing element 9 needs to have a certain degree of electrical insulation to avoid electrical contact between the first conductive layer 6 and the first conductive layer 6, which could cause a short circuit. In this embodiment, the sealing element 9 can be a sealant, such as epoxy resin, which has good adhesion, weather resistance, and chemical stability, and can effectively seal the electrochromic layer 3 between the first base layer 1 and the encapsulation layer 5.

[0044] Please refer to Figure 2 This application also provides a rearview mirror, including the electrochromic lens 10 described in any of the preceding claims.

[0045] Specifically, the rearview mirror includes, but is not limited to, an interior rearview mirror installed inside the vehicle and exterior rearview mirrors installed on both sides of the vehicle. The rearview mirror includes a lens and a frame for fixing the lens, etc. The lens adopts the electrochromic lens 10 in any of the foregoing embodiments, so that the rearview mirror can automatically adjust the reflectivity according to the light intensity of the vehicle to prevent glare from interfering with the driver's vision, thereby helping to ensure driving safety.

[0046] Please continue to refer to Figure 2 In some optional embodiments, the rearview mirror further includes a display module 20; the display module 20 is connected to the side of the second base layer 2 away from the first base layer 1, and along the direction perpendicular to the second base layer 2, the orthographic projection of the display area of ​​the display module 20 on the second base layer 2 is located within the orthographic projection of the antireflective layer 4 on the second base layer 2.

[0047] Specifically, a display module 20 is installed on the rearview mirror to form a streaming media rearview mirror. This streaming media rearview mirror can capture real-time images of the area behind the vehicle using a camera installed on the vehicle and display them on the rearview mirror to the driver. The display module 20 is connected to the side of the second base layer 2 of the electrochromic lens 10 opposite to the first base layer 1. The display module 20 can be an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), connected to the side of the second base layer 2 opposite to the first base layer 1. The image displayed by the display module 20 can be presented to the driver through the electrochromic lens 10. It should be noted that the display module 20 has a frame and a display area. The display area is located within the frame, along a direction perpendicular to the second base layer 2. The orthographic projection of the display area onto the second base layer 2 lies within the orthographic projection of the anti-reflective layer 4 onto the second base layer 2, ensuring that the image in the display area can be fully displayed through the anti-reflective layer 4, thus improving the display effect.

[0048] This application also provides a vehicle including any of the rearview mirrors described above.

[0049] Specifically, the vehicle can be an electric vehicle, a fuel vehicle, etc., and the vehicle includes the rearview mirror described in any of the foregoing embodiments. The rearview mirror can provide users with a clear and bright field of vision, improve visual clarity, and avoid visual fatigue for drivers during long-term driving, thereby helping to improve vehicle driving safety.

[0050] Finally, it should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or terminal device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or terminal device. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or terminal device that includes said element.

[0051] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An electrochromic lens, characterized in that, The electrochromic mirror includes a first base layer, a second base layer, an electrochromic layer, and a reflective antireflection layer. The electrochromic layer and the reflective antireflection layer are both arranged between the first base layer and the second base layer, wherein the reflective antireflection layer is coated on the surface of the second base layer, and the light transmittance of the reflective antireflection layer is 80% to 100%.

2. The electrochromic lens of claim 1, wherein, Further including a packaging layer; The packaging layer is arranged on the surface of the second base layer and covers the reflective antireflection layer to isolate the reflective antireflection layer from the electrochromic layer.

3. The electrochromic lens of claim 2, wherein, Further including a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer; The first conductive layer is arranged between the electrochromic layer and the first base layer, and the second conductive layer is arranged between the electrochromic layer and the packaging layer.

4. The electrochromic lens of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The reflective antireflection layer is coated on the middle region of the second base layer. The electrochromic mirror further includes a silver layer; the silver layer is arranged on the edge region of the first base layer and is coated on the surface of the first base layer close to the second base layer.

5. The electrochromic lens of claim 4, wherein, In the direction perpendicular to the second base layer, the orthographic projection of the silver layer on the second base layer at least partially overlaps the orthographic projection of the reflective antireflection layer on the second base layer.

6. The electrochromic lens of claim 2 or 3, wherein, Further including a sealing member; The sealing member is arranged on the edge region of the first base layer and is connected with the packaging layer, and the sealing member seals the electrochromic layer between the first base layer and the packaging layer.

7. The electrochromic lens of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The reflective antireflection layer is an RPM film layer.

8. A rearview mirror characterized by The electrochromic mirror includes any one of the electrochromic mirrors in claims 1 to 7.

9. The rearview mirror of claim 8, wherein, Further including a display module; The display module is connected with the side of the second base layer away from the first base layer, and in the direction perpendicular to the second base layer, the orthographic projection of the display area of the display module on the second base layer is located within the orthographic projection of the reflective antireflection layer on the second base layer.

10. A vehicle characterized by comprising: The rearview mirror includes the rearview mirror in claim 8 or claim 9.

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