Bendable electrochromic device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of electrochromism devices, in particular to a bendable electrochromism device which comprises an electrochromism layer, a conductive structure layer adjacent to the electrochromism layer and a base material layer arranged outside the conductive structure layer, and a stress release layer is arranged between the conductive structure layer and the base material layer. The stress releasing layer comprises a flexible supporting body, the flexible supporting body is in a wave shape and is arranged in the extending direction of the electrochromic device, the wave-shaped structure of the flexible supporting body can elastically deform when the electrochromic device is bent, and the shape of the arc-shaped protruding part and the shape of the concave part can be changed along with the bending degree; according to the electrochromic device, the wavy flexible supporting body is arranged in the extending direction of the electrochromic device, so that when the electrochromic device is bent, the flexible supporting body can generate elastic deformation and absorb stress, the influence of the stress on the electrochromic layer and the conductive structure layer is reduced, and the service life of the electrochromic device is prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrochromic device technology, and in particular to a bendable electrochromic device. Background Technology

[0002] An electrochromic device (ECD) is a smart device that modulates the optical properties (such as color, transparency, or reflectivity) of a material using an applied electric field. It is widely used in smart windows, automotive glass, rearview mirrors, displays, and military camouflage. By altering light absorption or reflection characteristics, it achieves effects such as energy saving, heat insulation, anti-glare, and dynamic stealth. An electrochromic device typically consists of an electrochromic layer, a conductive structural layer, and a substrate layer, arranged from the inside out. In existing technologies, electrochromic devices have poor bending performance; when bent, the interlayer stress cannot be released, easily leading to damage to the electrochromic layer or impaired adjustment function. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a bendable electrochromic device that can effectively reduce the impact of bending on the performance of the electrochromic device and improve its service life.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the embodiments of this utility model provide a technical solution as follows:

[0005] A bendable electrochromic device includes an electrochromic layer, a conductive structure layer adjacent to the electrochromic layer, and a substrate layer disposed outside the conductive structure layer. A stress relief layer is provided between the conductive structure layer and the substrate layer. The stress relief layer includes a flexible support body. The flexible support body is wavy and is disposed along the extension direction of the electrochromic device. The wavy structure of the flexible support body can undergo elastic deformation when the electrochromic device is bent, and the shape of the arc-shaped protrusions and depressions can change with the degree of bending.

[0006] Furthermore, the stress relief layer also includes a stress dispersion mesh disposed between the flexible support and the conductive structure layer. The stress dispersion mesh is composed of several crisscrossing fibers, and the intersections between the fibers are formed into fixed nodes through a hot pressing process. The stress dispersion mesh is bonded and fixed to the flexible support and the conductive structure layer.

[0007] Furthermore, the diameter of the fibers in the stress dispersion mesh is 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm, and the mesh size between the fibers is 0.8 mm to 2 mm.

[0008] Furthermore, the stress relief layer also includes an elastic buffer element, which is embedded inside the flexible support and distributed along the wavy path of the flexible support.

[0009] Furthermore, the elastic buffer is a spherical or cylindrical structure made of low-density elastic material.

[0010] Furthermore, the conductive structure layer includes a conductive layer disposed against the electrochromic layer, a protective layer disposed adjacent to the conductive layer, and a base layer disposed adjacent to the protective layer.

[0011] Furthermore, the substrate layer is made of polyethylene terephthalate.

[0012] The bendable electrochromic device provided by this invention, compared with the prior art, releases interlayer stress when the electrochromic device is bent by setting a stress-relieving layer between the conductive structural layer and the substrate layer. This protects the electrochromic layer and the conductive structural layer, reduces the impact of bending on the performance of the electrochromic device, and improves its service life. Furthermore, the corrugated flexible support body, positioned along the extension direction of the electrochromic device, allows for elastic deformation and stress absorption when the device is bent, further reducing the impact of stress on the electrochromic layer and the conductive structural layer and improving its service life. The elastic buffer embedded inside the flexible support body and the stress-dispersing mesh bonded to the flexible support body further enhance the absorption and release of stress during bending, providing multiple layers of protection for the electrochromic layer and the conductive structural layer, reducing the impact of stress on these layers, and improving the service life of the electrochromic device. Attached Figure Description

[0013] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute a limitation on scale.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the bendable electrochromic device structure in the first embodiment of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 This is a partial schematic diagram of the bendable electrochromic device structure in the second embodiment of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a partial schematic diagram of the bendable electrochromic device structure in the third embodiment of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of the structure of the bendable electrochromic device in the fourth embodiment of this utility model.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Electrochromic layer; 2. Conductive structural layer; 21. Conductive layer; 22. Protective layer; 23. Underlayer; 3. Stress relief layer; 31. Flexible support; 32, 32'. Elastic buffer; 33. Stress dispersion mesh; 4. Substrate layer. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the various embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that many technical details have been provided in the various embodiments of this utility model to facilitate a better understanding of this application. However, the technical solutions claimed in the claims of this application can be implemented even without these technical details and with various variations and modifications based on the following embodiments.

[0020] like Figure 1 As shown, the first embodiment of this utility model relates to a bendable electrochromic device, including an electrochromic layer 1, a conductive structure layer 2 adjacent to the electrochromic layer 1, and a substrate layer 4 disposed outside the conductive structure layer 2. A stress relief layer 3 is provided between the conductive structure layer 2 and the substrate layer 4. The stress relief layer 3 includes a flexible support 31. The flexible support 31 is wavy and is disposed along the extension direction of the electrochromic device. The wavy structure of the flexible support 31 can undergo elastic deformation when the electrochromic device is bent, and the shape of the arc-shaped protrusions and depressions can change with the degree of bending. Preferably, the substrate layer 4 is made of polyethylene terephthalate material, which has good flexibility. In one example, the conductive structure layer 2 includes a conductive layer 21 abutting against the electrochromic layer 1, a protective layer 22 adjacent to the conductive layer 21, and a base layer 23 adjacent to the protective layer 22. The conductive layer 21 is used to connect the power supply, forming a current-carrying circuit in the electrochromic layer 1, and adjusting the light transmittance and color of the electrochromic layer 1. The protective layer 22 is used to protect the conductive layer 21 to prevent oxidation that affects its current-carrying performance. The base layer 23 is used to increase the adhesion between the conductive layer 21 and the adjacent stress-relieving layer 3, thereby increasing the stability of its performance. The conductive structure layer 2 is a commonly used structure in the prior art, and the materials and principles used are not described in detail here. By setting a stress relief layer 3 between the conductive structural layer 2 and the substrate layer 4, the interlayer stress can be released when the electrochromic device is bent, thus protecting the electrochromic layer 1 and the conductive structural layer 2, reducing the impact of bending on the performance of the electrochromic device, and improving the service life of the electrochromic device. By setting the corrugated flexible support 31 along the extension direction of the electrochromic device, the flexible support 31 can undergo elastic deformation when the electrochromic device is bent, absorbing stress, reducing the impact of stress on the electrochromic layer 1 and the conductive structural layer 2, and improving the service life of the electrochromic device.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown, the second embodiment of this utility model relates to a bendable electrochromic device. The difference from the first embodiment is that the stress relief layer 3 further includes a stress dispersion mesh 33 disposed between the flexible support 31 and the conductive structural layer 2. The stress dispersion mesh 33 is composed of several crisscrossing fibers, and the intersections between the fibers are fixed nodes formed by a hot-pressing process. One end of the stress dispersion mesh 33 is bonded and fixed to the flexible support 31 and the conductive structural layer 2, and the other end is bonded to the underlayer 23 of the conductive structural layer 2. In one example, the diameter of the fibers in the stress dispersion mesh 33 is 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm, and the mesh size between the fibers is 0.8 mm to 2 mm. The stress dispersion mesh 33 can disperse stress when the electrochromic device is bent, providing protection for the electrochromic layer 1 and the conductive structural layer 2, reducing the impact of stress on the electrochromic layer 1 and the conductive structural layer 2, and improving the service life of the electrochromic device.

[0022] like Figure 3 As shown, the third embodiment of this utility model relates to a bendable electrochromic device. The difference from the second embodiment is that the stress relief layer 3 further includes elastic buffers 32 and 32'. The elastic buffers 32 are embedded inside the flexible support 31 and distributed along the wavy path of the flexible support 31. The elastic buffers 32 are generally cylindrical. Preferably, the elastic buffers 32 are cylindrical and made of a low-density elastic material, such as foamed polyurethane or silicone rubber. By providing the elastic buffers 32, stress energy can be further absorbed when the electrochromic device is bent, protecting the electrochromic layer 1 and the conductive structural layer 2, reducing the impact of stress on the electrochromic layer 1 and the conductive structural layer 2, and improving the service life of the electrochromic device.

[0023] like Figure 4 As shown, the fourth embodiment of this utility model relates to a bendable electrochromic device. The difference between it and the third embodiment is that the elastic buffers 32 and 32' have different shapes. In this embodiment, the elastic buffer 32' is a spherical structure made of low-density elastic material.

[0024] The bendable electrochromic device provided by this invention, compared with the prior art, releases interlayer stress when the electrochromic device is bent by setting a stress-relieving layer between the conductive structure layer and the substrate layer, thus protecting the electrochromic layer and the conductive structure layer 2, reducing the impact of bending on the performance of the electrochromic device, and improving its service life. Furthermore, the corrugated flexible support body, positioned along the extension direction of the electrochromic device, allows for elastic deformation and stress absorption when the device is bent, further reducing the impact of stress on the electrochromic layer and the conductive structure layer, and improving the service life of the electrochromic device. Finally, the elastic buffer embedded inside the flexible support body and the stress-dispersing mesh bonded to the flexible support body further enhance the absorption and release of stress during bending, providing multiple layers of protection for the electrochromic layer and the conductive structure layer, reducing the impact of stress on these layers, and improving the service life of the electrochromic device.

[0025] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are specific examples of implementing the present invention, and in practical applications, various changes can be made to them in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bendable electrochromic device, characterized in that, The device includes an electrochromic layer (1), a conductive structure layer (2) adjacent to the electrochromic layer (1), and a substrate layer (4) disposed outside the conductive structure layer (2). A stress relief layer (3) is provided between the conductive structure layer (2) and the substrate layer (4). The stress relief layer (3) includes a flexible support (31). The flexible support (31) is wavy and is disposed along the extension direction of the electrochromic device. The wavy structure of the flexible support (31) can undergo elastic deformation when the electrochromic device is bent, and the shape of the arc-shaped protrusions and depressions can change with the degree of bending.

2. The bendable electrochromic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stress relief layer (3) also includes a stress dispersion mesh (33) disposed between the flexible support (31) and the conductive structure layer (2). The stress dispersion mesh (33) is composed of several crisscrossing fibers, and the intersections between the fibers are formed into fixed nodes by a hot pressing process. The stress dispersion mesh (33) is bonded and fixed to the flexible support (31) and the conductive structure layer (2).

3. The bendable electrochromic device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fiber diameter in the stress dispersion mesh (33) is 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm, and the mesh size between the fibers is 0.8 mm to 2 mm.

4. The bendable electrochromic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stress relief layer (3) also includes elastic buffers (32, 32'), which are embedded inside the flexible support (31) and distributed along the wavy path of the flexible support (31).

5. The bendable electrochromic device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic buffer (32, 32') is a spherical or cylindrical structure made of low-density elastic material.

6. The bendable electrochromic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conductive structure layer (2) includes a conductive layer (21) disposed against the electrochromic layer (1), a protective layer (22) disposed adjacent to the conductive layer (21), and a base layer (23) disposed adjacent to the protective layer (22).

7. The bendable electrochromic device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The substrate layer (4) is made of polyethylene terephthalate.

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