Electrochromic display device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of electrochromic display devices, specifically refers to a kind of electrochromic display devices capable of displaying preset graphics or text, and can be prepared on any film-coated or coated substrate, characterized in that: the transparent electrode, electrochromic material layer, electrolyte layer, ion storage layer of the electrochromic display device cover entire display area, and the display content is controlled by the graphical insulation layer therein, and the area of the blockized conductive layer corresponding to each display unit is larger than the area of the display unit. The structural design and preparation method of the utility model can meet the application requirements of various low, medium and high-end related electrochromic display devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an electrochromic display device, specifically an electrochromic display device that can display pre-set graphics or text and can be fabricated on any coating or plating substrate. The transparent electrode, electrochromic material layer, electrolyte layer, and ion storage layer cover the entire display area, and the display content is controlled by the patterned insulating layer therein. Background Technology

[0002] Electrochromism refers to the phenomenon where the optical properties of a material, such as color, transmittance, and reflectance, undergo stable and reversible changes under the influence of an applied electric field. Materials exhibiting electrochromic properties are called electrochromic materials, and devices that use electrochromic materials as functional materials are called electrochromic devices.

[0003] Electrochromic display technology, with its simple structure, low driving voltage, low energy consumption, no need for backlight, non-emitting light, simple manufacturing process, and low production cost, has become one of the most popular technologies in the field of low-cost display technology. It has shown great application prospects in fields such as electronic tags, disposable medical device displays, wearable devices, anti-counterfeiting labels, electrochromic paper, handicrafts, and even home appliance displays.

[0004] The combination of network technology, electronic technology, and electrochromic display technology enables the design of many visually interactive scenarios, such as: car glass with electrochromic display function, car rearview mirrors with electrochromic display function, curtain wall glass and office partition glass with electrochromic display function, dressing mirrors and makeup mirrors with electrochromic display function, AR glasses with electrochromic display function, home appliance shells with electrochromic display function, and decorative materials with electrochromic display function, which can bring a sense of technology to life.

[0005] Currently, low-cost electrochromic display device technology primarily employs screen printing for fabrication. This method involves printing the conductive layer, ion storage layer, electrolyte layer, electrochromic layer, and other functional layers layer by layer. This process demands high precision from the screen printing equipment, requiring precise alignment between layers during printing. This increases the cost and production threshold of electrochromic display device manufacturing equipment and is prone to problems such as ghosting and short circuits, resulting in low production yields. Furthermore, because the printing area of ​​the conductive layer, ion storage layer, electrolyte layer, and electrochromic layer is generally limited to the area of ​​the graphic or text to be displayed, this leads to significant color differences between the displayed content area and other areas, greatly affecting the appearance of the electrochromic display device.

[0006] Researching and developing electrochromic display devices with novel structures, reducing the production cost of electrochromic display devices or devices incorporating electrochromic display devices, and expanding the application of electrochromic display devices in mid-to-high-end fields have become urgent issues to be addressed in the application of electrochromic display device technology. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to address the problems existing in the practical application of the aforementioned electrochromic display device technology by proposing an electrochromic display device. This electrochromic display device, through a novel structural design, reduces the color difference between the displayed content area and other areas, thereby improving the aesthetics of the fabricated electrochromic display device. By combining the novel structural design with a novel fabrication method, the performance requirements of the equipment needed to produce this electrochromic display device and the apparatus containing it can be effectively reduced, production costs can be lowered, and the application of electrochromic display devices in mid-to-high-end fields can be expanded.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is: an electrochromic display device, specifically an electrochromic display device capable of displaying pre-set graphics or text, and which can be fabricated on any coating or plating substrate. This electrochromic display device consists of a transparent electrode, an electrochromic material layer, an electrolyte layer, an ion storage layer, a patterned insulating layer, a modular conductive layer, and a substrate. The transparent electrode, electrochromic material layer, electrolyte layer, and ion storage layer cover the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device. The display content of the electrochromic display device is controlled by the patterned insulating layer; that is, the display content of the electrochromic display device is the graphics or text corresponding to the hollowed-out portion on the patterned insulating layer. The modular conductive layer corresponding to each display unit covers the display unit, and the area of ​​the modular conductive layer is larger than the area of ​​the display unit.

[0009] Furthermore, the transparent electrode is one of the following: transparent glass, transparent ceramic, transparent polyester board, transparent nylon board, transparent polyolefin board, transparent polyester film, transparent nylon film, and transparent polyolefin film, with a transparent conductive material deposited or coated on its surface. Preferably, it is ITO conductive glass, FTO conductive glass, PET-ITO conductive film, silver nanowire conductive film, ultrathin metal conductive film, or metal mesh conductive film.

[0010] Furthermore, the electrochromic material layer is a film layer with electrochromic properties formed on the conductive surface of the transparent electrode by magnetron sputtering of cathode electrochromic material or anodic electrochromic material, or the electrochromic material layer is a film layer with electrochromic properties formed on the conductive surface of the transparent electrode by one of the following methods: slit coating, scraping, screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or spraying of cathode electrochromic material or anodic electrochromic material. The electrochromic material layer covers the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device, and different display units correspond to electrochromic material layers that can display the same color change, or different display units correspond to electrochromic material layers that can display different color changes. The preferred materials for the electrochromic material layer include tungsten oxide, nickel oxide, phosphomolybdic acid, phosphotungstic acid, polythiophene and its derivatives, polyaniline and its derivatives, polypyrrole and its derivatives, polyindole and its derivatives, polytriphenylamine and its derivatives, phenothiazine and its derivatives, polyphenothiazine and its derivatives, viologen derivatives, and coordination polymers with electrochromic properties.

[0011] Furthermore, the electrolyte layer is an electrolyte film layer formed by photocuring, thermocuring, or hot pressing using one of the following: photocuring electrolyte, thermocuring electrolyte, or hot-melt electrolyte. The electrolyte layer covers the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device.

[0012] Furthermore, the ion storage layer is a film layer formed by means of one of the following methods: slit coating, scraping, screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or spraying, using an ink or coating liquid containing a material with electrochemical oxidation-reduction properties or an electrochromic material complementary to the electrochromic material layer material. Alternatively, the ion storage layer is a film layer formed by magnetron sputtering using a material with electrochemical oxidation-reduction properties or an electrochromic material complementary to the electrochromic material layer material. The ion storage layer covers the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device.

[0013] Furthermore, the patterned insulating layer is an insulating film layer formed by screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or mask spraying of insulating ink; or the patterned insulating layer is an insulating film layer formed by magnetron sputtering of insulating material through masking; or the patterned insulating layer is an insulating film layer formed by hot pressing of a patterned insulating film. The hollowed-out portion in the insulating film layer is a preset display pattern or text of the electrochromic display device.

[0014] Furthermore, the segmented conductive layer is formed by using conductive ink through one of the following methods: screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or mask coating; or the segmented conductive layer is formed by processing a substrate coated with conductive layer material through laser etching or chemical etching; or the segmented conductive layer is formed by bonding segmented metal foils onto an insulating substrate through thermo-pressing. Each segment of the segmented conductive layer corresponds to a display unit. Each electrochromic display device contains one or more mutually insulated segments in its segmented conductive layer. Each segment of the segmented conductive layer can cover the corresponding display unit, and the area of ​​each segment is larger than the area of ​​the corresponding display unit.

[0015] This utility model of electrochromic display device can be fabricated on paper, film, plastic sheet, plate, display label, electronic component, glass, mirror, electrochromic glass, electrochromic film, electrochromic mirror and other devices.

[0016] The preparation of this electrochromic display device includes the following steps:

[0017] S1: A modular conductive layer formed on a substrate using conductive ink through one of the following methods: screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or mask coating; or a modular conductive layer formed on a substrate coated with a conductive layer material through laser etching or chemical etching; or a modular conductive layer formed by bonding modular metal foils onto an insulating substrate through thermoforming. Each block of the modular conductive layer corresponds to a display unit. Each electrochromic display device's modular conductive layer contains one or more mutually insulated blocks. Each block of the modular conductive layer can cover the corresponding display unit, and the area of ​​each block is larger than the area of ​​the corresponding display unit. The substrate is the substrate of the electrochromic display device or the substrate of a device containing an electrochromic display device.

[0018] S2: A patterned insulating layer is prepared on the substrate not covered by the blocky conductive layer and on the blocky conductive layer. The patterned insulating layer is an insulating film layer formed by screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or mask spraying of insulating ink; or it is an insulating film layer formed by magnetron sputtering of insulating material through masking; or it is an insulating film layer formed by hot-pressing a patterned insulating film. The hollowed-out portions in the insulating film layer are preset graphics or text for an electrochromic display device. The hollowed-out portions in the patterned insulating layer are located above the blocky conductive layer.

[0019] S3: An ion storage layer is prepared above the patterned insulating layer and above the hollowed-out portions of the insulating layer, covering the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device. The prepared ion storage layer is a film formed by applying an ink or coating liquid containing a material with electrochemical redox properties or an electrochromic material complementary to the electrochromic material layer through one of the following methods: slot coating, blade coating, screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or spraying. Alternatively, the ion storage layer is a film formed by magnetron sputtering of a material with electrochemical redox properties or an electrochromic material complementary to the electrochromic material layer. The ion storage layer covers the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device.

[0020] S4: An electrochromic material layer is prepared on the conductive surface of the transparent electrode. The electrochromic material layer is a film layer with electrochromic properties formed on the conductive surface of the transparent electrode by magnetron sputtering of a cathode electrochromic material or an anode electrochromic material. Alternatively, the electrochromic material layer is a film layer with electrochromic properties formed on the conductive surface of the transparent electrode by one of the following methods: slot coating, scraping, screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or spraying of an ink or coating liquid containing a cathode electrochromic material or an anode electrochromic material. The electrochromic material layer covers the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device. Different display units correspond to electrochromic material layers that can display the same color change, or different display units correspond to electrochromic material layers that can display different color changes.

[0021] S5: Using an electrolyte material, the product ion storage layer and electrochromic material layer prepared in S3 and S4 are bonded together, with the electrolyte layer covering the entire display area of ​​the prepared electrochromic display device. The electrolyte layer is an electrolyte film layer formed by photocuring, thermocuring, or hot-pressing, using one of the following: photocurable electrolyte, thermocurable electrolyte, or thermomeltable electrolyte.

[0022] S6: By leading out electrodes from the block conductive layer and the transparent electrode respectively, the electrochromic display device of this utility model or the device containing the electrochromic display device of this utility model can be obtained.

[0023] The advantages of this electrochromic display device are:

[0024] 1) This utility model of electrochromic display device comprises a transparent electrode, an electrochromic material layer, an electrolyte layer, an ion storage layer, a patterned insulating layer, a modular conductive layer, and a substrate. The transparent electrode, electrochromic material layer, electrolyte layer, and ion storage layer cover the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device. The displayed content of the electrochromic display device is controlled by the graphics or text corresponding to the cutouts on the patterned insulating layer. This reduces the color difference between the displayed content area and other areas of the fabricated electrochromic display device, thus improving its aesthetics.

[0025] 2) In the structure of the electrochromic display device of this utility model, the block-shaped conductive layer corresponding to each display unit covers the display unit and has a larger area than the display unit. This design can reduce the performance requirements of the production equipment, reduce the cost of producing the electrochromic display device of this utility model and the device containing the electrochromic display device of this utility model, and effectively avoid display ghosting or short circuit problems caused by point deviation during the preparation of the electrochromic display device of this utility model and the device containing the electrochromic display device of this utility model.

[0026] 3) The electrochromic material layer, ion storage layer, patterned insulating layer, and modular conductive layer of the electrochromic display device of this utility model can be prepared by magnetron sputtering, slot coating, scraping, screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, spraying, hot pressing, laser etching, or chemical etching, etc., replacing the traditional single screen printing mode. This makes the preparation process of the electrochromic display device of this utility model and the device containing the electrochromic display device of this utility model more selective, adapting to the process requirements of different application fields for the preparation of this utility model, and is conducive to expanding the application of this utility model in mid- and high-end fields.

[0027] 4) In the preparation method of the electrochromic display device of this utility model, the electrolyte layer is an electrolyte film layer formed by photocuring electrolyte, thermocuring electrolyte, or hot-melt electrolyte through photocuring, thermocuring, or hot pressing. The electrolyte layer covers the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device, and the ion storage layer and the electrochromic material layer are bonded together through the electrolyte layer. The bonding process simplifies the process flow of producing the electrochromic display device of this utility model and the device containing the electrochromic display device of this utility model, and does not require high-precision point-alignment equipment and processes.

[0028] 5) The preparation method of the electrochromic display device of the present invention and the apparatus including the electrochromic display device of the present invention has a simple process flow and does not require complex processing equipment, which is conducive to further reducing the production cost of the electrochromic display device of the present invention and the apparatus including the electrochromic display device of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the layered structure of the electrochromic display device of this invention prepared in Example 1.

[0031] Figure 2 , Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the fabrication method of the electrochromic display device of this invention prepared in Example 1.

[0032] Figure 3 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the layered structure of the electrochromic display device of this invention, in which both positive and negative electrodes are led out on the substrate.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the layered structure of the electrochromic display device of this invention, prepared on a book cover in Example 2.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of the electrochromic display device of this invention, prepared on a book cover in Example 2.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the laser scribing of the metallic chromium conductive layer of the electrochromic display device of this invention, which was prepared on a car rearview mirror in Example 3.

[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the layered structure of the electrochromic display device of this invention, fabricated on a car rearview mirror in Example 3.

[0037] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of the electrochromic display device of this invention, fabricated on a car rearview mirror in Example 3.

[0038] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the layered structure of the electrochromic display device of this invention, which is fabricated on an electrochromic car rearview mirror.

[0039] Figure 12 A schematic diagram illustrating the effect of the electrochromic display device of this invention fabricated on an electrochromic car rearview mirror.

[0040] In order to clearly illustrate the structure of the device, Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 9 , Figure 11In the diagram, the same numerical designation indicates the same structure of the device: 1. Transparent electrode, 2. Electrochromic material layer, 3. Electrolyte layer, 4. Ion storage layer, 5. Patterned insulating layer, 6. Block conductive layer, 7. Substrate, 8. Electrode, 9. Electrode group, 10. Electrode, 11. Electrode, 12. Electrode, 13. Switch, 14. Electrochromic display device fabricated on cardboard. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings. The present invention includes, but is not limited to, the following embodiments.

[0042] Example 1: Electrochromic Display Device

[0043] ITO conductive glass with a thickness of 1.1 mm and a sheet resistance of 8-10 ohm / sq is used as the transparent electrode, and ITO conductive glass with a thickness of 1.1 mm and a sheet resistance of 8-10 ohm / sq is used to prepare the modular conductive layer by laser etching. That is, in this embodiment, the substrate is a glass substrate of ITO conductive glass and the modular conductive layer is an ITO conductive layer.

[0044] Specific implementation steps:

[0045] S1: ITO conductive glass with a thickness of 1.1mm and a sheet resistance of 8-10 ohms / sq is cut into 90x100mm pieces. The ITO conductive layer of the ITO conductive glass is etched using laser etching to prepare a modular conductive layer, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in 6 of -A, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The modular conductive layer 6 comprises seven mutually insulated blocks, an electrode group 9, and circuitry. Each mutually insulated block in the modular conductive layer 6 corresponds to one or more electrodes in the electrode group 9. For example, a horse-shaped block in the modular conductive layer 6 is simultaneously connected to two electrodes in the electrode group 9. The area of ​​each block in the modular conductive layer 6 is larger than the area of ​​the content to be displayed in the electrochromic display device of this embodiment. Figure 1 and Figure 2 -A and B are shown in 5 and 6.

[0046] S2: A patterned insulating layer is printed above the blocky conductive layer 6 using screen printing, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in 5 of -B, Figure 1The white portion of the patterned insulating layer 5 is the cut-out portion, i.e., the unprinted portion that exposes the segmented conductive layer. The display content of the electrochromic display device prepared in this embodiment is the white cut-out portion of the patterned insulating layer 5. Due to the insulating and shielding effect of the patterned insulating layer 5, the portion of the segmented conductive layer 6 covered by the patterned insulating layer 5 is not within the display content range, thus achieving the purpose of controlling the display content of the electrochromic display device by the patterned insulating layer. In this embodiment, commercially available transparent varnish is used as the printing material for the patterned insulating layer, and it is thermosetting at 95°C after printing.

[0047] S3: An ion storage layer is fabricated using screen printing above the patterned insulating layer and above the cut-out portions within the insulating layer, covering the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device. The ion storage layer covers the entire display area of ​​the fabricated electrochromic device. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in 4 of -C. In this embodiment, we use our company's self-developed PANI:PSS electrochromic ink, model KV-ECM-7155, as the printing material for the ion storage layer. After printing, it is thermosetting at 95°C to form a film.

[0048] S4: ITO conductive glass with a thickness of 1.1mm and a sheet resistance of 8-10 ohms / sq is cut into 90x100mm pieces, and on the conductive surface of the ITO conductive glass, such as... Figure 2 As shown in Figure D, an electrochromic material layer is prepared by coating with 30 μm wire rods. This electrochromic material layer covers the entire display area of ​​the prepared electrochromic display device, leaving space for electrode positions, as shown in Figure D. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in 2 of -E. In this embodiment, PEDOT:PSS electrochromic ink, model KV-ECM-6300, which we developed ourselves, is used as the electrochromic layer printing material. After printing, it is thermosetting at 95°C to form a film.

[0049] S5: Using an electrolyte material, the ion storage layer and electrochromic material layer prepared in S3 and S4 are bonded and compacted together, and air bubbles are removed. The electrolyte layer covers the entire display area of ​​the prepared electrochromic display device, such as... Figure 1 As shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, we use our company's self-developed transparent lithium-ion-containing KV-PEM-UFX series photocurable electrolyte, which is cured by irradiation with a 365nm UV lamp after bonding.

[0050] S6: By installing electrode lead terminals on the electrode group 9 of the modular conductive layer 6 and electrode lead terminals 8 on the transparent electrode 1, the electrochromic display device of this utility model can be obtained. Figure 2 -F is shown.

[0051] In this embodiment, the electrode group 9 of the electrochromic display device has its electrode lead terminals connected to the positive terminal of the power supply, and electrode 8 connected to the negative terminal. The driving voltage is 0.7-1.5V for color change and 0.3-0.5V for fading, exhibiting good cycle stability. Furthermore, the displayed portion of the electrochromic display device has a similar color to the undisplayed portion in the faded state, improving the overall aesthetics of the device. In the segmented conductive layer 6, the display or non-display of each graphic group can be independently controlled via the electrodes of the electrode group 9 corresponding to different blocks.

[0052] In this embodiment, silver paste or vertical conductive adhesive can be used to directly connect the transparent electrode 1 to the electrodes on the electrode assembly 9, thereby simultaneously leading out positive and negative electrodes on the substrate, which is convenient for use. Figure 3 As shown, the electrode 10 on the transparent electrode 1 and the electrode 11 in the modular conductive layer 6 can be connected using silver paste or vertical conductive adhesive. For electrochromic display devices of this invention with a relatively large area, conductive coil electrodes can also be printed on the transparent electrode 1 using materials with high conductivity such as conductive silver paste to improve the response speed of the prepared electrochromic display device of this invention, such as... Figure 4 Electrode 12 is shown in the figure.

[0053] In this embodiment, as in step S4, two or more electrochromic inks capable of different color changes are used to prepare different electrochromic material layers in different regions of the conductive surface of the ITO conductive glass. Figure 5 As shown in -E, the fabricated electrochromic display device can achieve the effect of different color changes in different areas, such as... Figure 5 -F is shown.

[0054] Example 2: The electrochromic display device of this utility model is prepared on a book cover.

[0055] Using 0.36mm thick white cardboard as the substrate and a 0.125mm thick PET-ITO conductive film with a sheet resistance of 30-35 ohm / sq as the transparent electrode, a modular conductive layer is prepared by screen printing conductive carbon paste. In this embodiment, the substrate is 0.36mm thick white cardboard and the modular conductive layer is a conductive carbon paste printing layer.

[0056] Specific implementation steps:

[0057] S1: On a white cardstock of A4 size and 0.36mm thickness, as follows Figure 6 As shown in Figure 7, conductive carbon paste is printed using screen printing to form a segmented conductive layer on white cardstock, such as... Figure 6 As shown in Figure 6. Figure 6The modular conductive layer 6 comprises five mutually insulated blocks, an electrode group 9, and circuitry. Each mutually insulated block in the modular conductive layer 6 corresponds to one electrode in the electrode group 9. The area of ​​each block in the modular conductive layer 6 is larger than the area of ​​the content to be displayed in this embodiment, such as... Figure 6 As shown in 5 and 6.

[0058] S2: A patterned insulating layer is printed above the blocky conductive layer 6 using screen printing, such as... Figure 6 As shown in 5, Figure 6 The white portion of the patterned insulating layer 5 is the cut-out portion, meaning it is unprinted and exposes the segmented conductive layer. In this embodiment, the display content is the white cut-out portion of the patterned insulating layer 5. Due to the insulating and shielding effect of the patterned insulating layer 5, the portion of the segmented conductive layer 6 covered by the patterned insulating layer 5 is not within the display content area, thus achieving the goal of controlling the display content through the patterned insulating layer. This embodiment uses commercially available transparent varnish as the printing material for the patterned insulating layer, which is then heat-cured at 95°C after printing. The transparent varnish also serves to waterproof the surface of the white cardstock.

[0059] S3: An ion storage layer is fabricated above the patterned insulating layer and above the hollowed-out portions of the insulating layer, covering the entire display area of ​​this embodiment, using screen printing. The ion storage layer covers the entire display area of ​​the fabricated electrochromic device. Figure 6 As shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, our company's self-developed white water-based manganese-based Prussian blue ion storage layer ink is used as the ion storage layer printing material, and it is thermosetting at 95°C after printing to form a film.

[0060] S4: A PET-ITO conductive film with a thickness of 0.125 mm and a sheet resistance of 30-35 ohm / sq is cut into A4 size pieces. An electrochromic material layer is then prepared on the conductive surface of the PET-ITO conductive film using a 30 μm wire rod for coating. This electrochromic material layer covers the entire display area of ​​the prepared electrochromic display device, leaving space for electrode positions, such as... Figure 6 As shown in 1 and 8 in the figure. In this embodiment, we use water-based electrochromic ink containing 2-ethylthiophenthiazide, which is developed by our company, as the electrochromic layer printing material. After printing, it is thermosetting at 95°C to form a film.

[0061] S5: Using an electrolyte material, the ion storage layer and electrochromic material layer prepared in S3 and S4 are bonded together, compacted by rolling, and air bubbles are removed. The electrolyte layer covers the entire display area of ​​the prepared electrochromic display device, such as... Figure 6As shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, we use our company's self-developed white KV-PEM-UFX series photocurable electrolyte containing lithium ions, which is cured by irradiation with a 365nm UV lamp after bonding.

[0062] S6: Adhesive electrode lead terminals are mounted on the electrode group 9 of the modular conductive layer 6, and adhesive electrode lead terminal electrodes 8 are mounted on the transparent electrode 1, resulting in an electrochromic display device fabricated on cardboard, which is then mounted on a book cover, such as... Figure 7 As shown in Figure 14, by connecting the power supply, CNC circuit board, and switch built into the spine of the book, the electrochromic display device of this invention prepared on the book cover can be obtained, as shown in Figure 14. Figure 7 As shown. By pressing the switch on the book cover, as... Figure 7 As shown in Figure 13, activating the CNC circuit board causes the electrochromic display device in the book cover to exhibit dynamic changes, and the electrochromic display device contained therein can undergo reversible changes from light green to blue-green.

[0063] In practical applications, electrochromic display devices capable of displaying different content can be fabricated by changing the patterns of the modular conductive layer 6 and the patterned insulating layer 5. By using paper, film, plastic sheet, or board material instead of the substrate in the embodiments, and preparing the modular conductive layer using conductive silver paste or carbon paste printing, and selecting a combination of electrochromic materials capable of different color changes and ion storage layer materials, and using PET-ITO conductive film, silver nanowire conductive film, ultrathin metal conductive film, metal mesh conductive film, etc., as transparent electrodes, the electrochromic display device of this invention can be fabricated in specific areas of paper, film, plastic sheet, or board material. This results in paper containing electrochromic display devices, films containing electrochromic display devices, plastic sheets containing electrochromic display devices, board materials containing electrochromic display devices, display labels containing electrochromic display devices, etc., capable of displaying different content and different color changes, meeting the needs of various low- to mid-range low-cost display applications.

[0064] Example 3: Fabrication of the novel electrochromic display device on a car rearview mirror

[0065] ITO conductive glass with a thickness of 1.8 mm and a sheet resistance of 8-10 ohm / sq is used as the transparent electrode, and chromium-plated conductive glass with a thickness of 1.8 mm and a sheet resistance of 8-10 ohm / sq is used to prepare the modular conductive layer by laser scribing. That is, in this embodiment, the substrate is a glass substrate of chromium-plated conductive glass and the modular conductive layer is a metallic chromium conductive layer. In this embodiment, metallic chromium not only has a conductive function, but also plays a role in specular reflection.

[0066] Specific implementation steps:

[0067] S1: A 1.8mm thick, sheet-resistance 8-10 ohm / sq chrome-plated conductive glass is cut into a rearview mirror shape. The chrome-plated conductive layer is etched using a laser scribing method to create a modular conductive layer. Each modular conductive layer is then insulated from the others. Figure 8 As shown. The area of ​​the block-shaped conductive layer is slightly larger than the area of ​​the content to be displayed, such as... Figure 8 The figure-eight shaped block conductive layer and the rectangular block conductive layer are shown in the figure.

[0068] S2: A patterned insulating layer is printed above the blocky conductive layer 6 using screen printing, such as... Figure 11 As shown in 5, Figure 9 The white portion of the patterned insulating layer 5 is the cut-out portion, i.e., the unprinted portion that exposes the segmented conductive layer. The display content of the car rearview mirror containing the electrochromic display device prepared in this embodiment is the white cut-out portion of the patterned insulating layer 5. Due to the insulating and shielding effect of the patterned insulating layer 5, the portion of the segmented conductive layer 6 covered by the patterned insulating layer 5 is not within the display content range, thus achieving the purpose of controlling the display content of the electrochromic display device by the patterned insulating layer. In this embodiment, commercially available transparent varnish is used as the printing material for the patterned insulating layer, and it is thermosetting at 95°C after printing.

[0069] S3: An ion storage layer is prepared by scraping on top of the patterned insulating layer and the hollowed-out portions within the insulating layer, covering the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device. The ion storage layer covers the entire display area and the rearview mirror reflection area of ​​the prepared electrochromic device. Figure 9 As shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, our company's self-developed water-based ink containing nano-cerium oxide is used as the printing material for the ion storage layer, and the ink is thermosetting at 95°C after printing to form a film.

[0070] S4: ITO conductive glass with a thickness of 1.8mm and a sheet resistance of 8-10 ohms / sq is cut into the shape of a rearview mirror, and on the conductive surface of the ITO conductive glass, such as... Figure 9 As shown in Figure 2, an electrochromic material layer is prepared by coating with 30μm wire rods. The electrochromic material layer covers the entire display area and the rearview mirror reflection area of ​​the prepared electrochromic display device, leaving space for the electrode positions. In this embodiment, our company's self-developed water-based electrochromic ink containing 2-chlorophenthiazide is used as the printing material for the electrochromic layer, and the ink is thermosetting at 95°C after printing.

[0071] S5: Using an electrolyte material, the ion storage layer and electrochromic material layer prepared in S3 and S4 are bonded and compacted together, and air bubbles are removed. The electrolyte layer covers the entire display area of ​​the prepared electrochromic display device, such as... Figure 9As shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, we use our company's self-developed lithium-ion-containing KV-PEM-UFX series transparent photocurable electrolyte, which is cured by irradiation with a 365nm UV lamp after bonding.

[0072] S6: Electrode lead terminals are installed on the chromium electrode group of the modular conductive layer 6, and electrode lead terminals 8 are installed on the transparent electrode 1 (i.e., ITO conductive glass with a thickness of 1.8 mm and a sheet resistance of 8-10 ohms / sq). This yields the electrochromic display device of this invention fabricated on an automotive rearview mirror. Figure 10 As shown.

[0073] By applying voltage to the chromium metal electrode group and electrode lead terminal electrode 8 through the digitally controlled clock module, the time can be displayed on the electrochromic display device included in this invention on the car rearview mirror, and the displayed content can undergo a reversible change from colorless and transparent to orange.

[0074] In this embodiment, the ion storage layer, electrolyte layer, and electroluminescent material layer in the area outside the display area only serve to adjust the overall appearance of the car rearview mirror and will not cause color changes.

[0075] In this embodiment, the printing area of ​​the patterned insulating layer 5 in step S2 is reduced to, for example, Figure 11 As shown in Figure 5, this embodiment can be an electrochromic car rearview mirror incorporating the electrochromic display device of this utility model. That is, in addition to the content in the display area undergoing electrochromic display, areas outside the display area can also undergo electrochromic color changes, thus achieving the function of electrochromic display and adjusting the brightness of light. Figure 12 As shown.

[0076] By changing the display content and overall appearance of this embodiment, and by selecting a combination of electrochromic materials and ion storage layer materials that can change colors, it is possible to obtain cosmetic mirrors, dressing mirrors, electrochromic makeup mirrors, and electrochromic dressing mirrors that display different colors and content, including those incorporating the electrochromic display device of this invention.

[0077] By replacing the metallic chromium conductive layer in this embodiment with a transparent conductive material, such as tin oxide or aluminum-doped tin oxide, and by selecting a combination of an electrochromic material capable of changing different colors and an ion storage layer material, it is possible to obtain glass containing the electrochromic display device of this invention that can change different colors, and electrochromic glass containing the electrochromic display device of this invention, thereby expanding the application of this invention in mid-to-high-end fields, such as building curtain wall advertising displays.

Claims

1. An electrochromic display device, specifically referring to an electrochromic display device capable of displaying pre-set graphics or text, and fabricated on any coating or depositable substrate, characterized in that: The electrochromic display device consists of a transparent electrode, an electrochromic material layer, an electrolyte layer, an ion storage layer, a patterned insulating layer, a modular conductive layer, and a substrate. The transparent electrode, electrochromic material layer, electrolyte layer, and ion storage layer cover the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device. The display content of the electrochromic display device is controlled by the patterned insulating layer, that is, the display content of the electrochromic display device is the graphic or text corresponding to the hollow part on the patterned insulating layer. The modular conductive layer corresponding to each display unit covers the display unit, and the area of ​​the modular conductive layer is larger than the area of ​​the display unit.

2. The electrochromic display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transparent electrode is one of the following: transparent glass, transparent ceramic, transparent polyester board, transparent nylon board, transparent polyolefin board, transparent polyester film, transparent nylon film, and transparent polyolefin film, with a transparent conductive material plated or coated on its surface.

3. The electrochromic display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrochromic material layer is a film layer with electrochromic properties formed on the conductive surface of a transparent electrode by magnetron sputtering of a cathode electrochromic material or an anode electrochromic material. Alternatively, the electrochromic material layer is a film layer with electrochromic properties formed on the conductive surface of a transparent electrode by one of the following methods: slot coating, scraping, screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or spraying, containing an ink or coating liquid containing a cathode electrochromic material or an anode electrochromic material. The electrochromic material layer covers the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device. Different display units correspond to electrochromic material layers that can display the same color change, or different display units correspond to electrochromic material layers that can display different color changes.

4. The electrochromic display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electrolyte layer is an electrolyte film layer formed by photocuring, thermocuring, or hot pressing using one of the following: photocuring, thermocuring, or hot pressing. The electrolyte layer covers the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device.

5. The electrochromic display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ion storage layer is a film layer formed by applying an ink or coating liquid containing a material with electrochemical oxidation-reduction properties or an electrochromic material complementary to the electrochromic material layer material through one of the following methods: slot coating, scraping, screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or spraying. Alternatively, the ion storage layer is a film layer formed by applying a material with electrochemical oxidation-reduction properties or an electrochromic material complementary to the electrochromic material layer material through magnetron sputtering. The ion storage layer covers the entire display area of ​​the electrochromic display device.

6. The electrochromic display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The graphic insulating layer is an insulating film layer formed by screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or mask spraying of insulating ink; or the graphic insulating layer is an insulating film layer formed by magnetron sputtering of insulating material through masking; or the graphic insulating layer is an insulating film layer formed by hot pressing of a graphic insulating film. The hollowed-out parts in the insulating film layer are preset display graphics or text of the electrochromic display device.

7. The electrochromic display device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The segmented conductive layer is formed on a substrate by applying conductive ink through one of the following methods: screen printing, inkjet printing, pad printing, or mask coating. Alternatively, the segmented conductive layer is formed on a substrate coated with conductive material by laser etching or chemical etching. Or, the segmented conductive layer is formed by bonding segmented metal foils onto an insulating substrate by thermoforming. Each segment of the segmented conductive layer corresponds to a display unit. Each electrochromic display device contains one or more mutually insulated segments in its segmented conductive layer. Each segment of the segmented conductive layer can cover the corresponding display unit, and the area of ​​each segment is larger than the area of ​​the corresponding display unit.

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