Electrochemical discoloration element with uniform discoloration
By using a finger-like pattern of metal wires on conductive substrates in the electrochemical discoloration device, the issue of non-uniform discoloration is addressed, resulting in improved uniformity and speed of coloring and decoloration.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024162296
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-09-27
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing electrochemical discoloration devices suffer from non-uniform discoloration and decoloration due to the 'pupil effect,' where the surface resistance of the substrate increases with area, leading to uneven ion distribution and coloration.
The device incorporates a first and second conductive substrate with metal wires arranged in a finger-like pattern, ensuring that opposing metal lines do not overlap, allowing for uniform electric field distribution and improved conductivity.
This configuration enhances the uniformity and speed of coloring and decoloration, prevents abnormalities in electric fields and current, and maintains moderate light translucency, thus improving the overall performance and stability of the electrochemical discoloration device.
Smart Images

Figure 2025058958000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an electrochemically color changing element, and more particularly to an electrochemically color changing element that changes color uniformly. [Background technology]
[0002] An electrochemical color-changing element is a material or element that changes color when an electric field is applied. An electrochemical color-changing material undergoes an oxidation-reduction reaction under the action of an electric field, causing the color of the material to change. A typical electrochemical color-changing element is composed of an electrode, an electrochemical color-changing material, an electrolyte, and an ion storage layer. In most cases, indium tin oxide (ITO) glass is used as the substrate for electrochemical color-changing elements. During actual operation, the colored area is darkest near the power supply point of the power source, and the color gradually spreads from there toward the center of the element. This phenomenon becomes more pronounced, especially as the area of the electrochemical color-changing element increases, and this problem is called the "pupil effect." The main cause of this phenomenon is that when current is supplied from both ends, the surface resistance of the ITO glass increases as the area of the element increases, and the electric field is strong at the ends of the element and weak at the center. As a result, the ions in the electrolyte are mainly concentrated at the ends of the element, causing the ends to be colored darkly, and the center becomes relatively lighter in color due to the slow diffusion of ions.
[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a conventional electrochemical color-changing element. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional electrochemical color-changing element has a structure including a first transparent conductive substrate 91, a second transparent conductive substrate 92, a first electrochemical color-changing film 93, a second electrochemical color-changing film 94, and an electrolyte layer 95. A first conductive layer 911 is provided on one surface of the first transparent conductive substrate 91. A second conductive layer 921 is provided on one surface of the second transparent conductive substrate 92. The first electrochemical color-changing film 93 is formed on the surface of the first conductive layer 911. The second electrochemical color-changing film 94 is formed on the surface of the second conductive layer 921. The electrolyte layer 95 is disposed between the first electrochemical color-changing film 93 and the second electrochemical color-changing film 94. When the power supply component 96 applies a voltage to the first conductive layer 911 and the second conductive layer 921, a voltage difference is generated between the first conductive layer 911 and the second conductive layer 921, promoting the movement of ions or electrons in the first electrochemically color-changing film 93, the second electrochemically color-changing film 94, and the electrolyte layer 95, thereby changing the color or transmittance of the first electrochemically color-changing film 93 and the second electrochemically color-changing film 94.
[0004] However, when a voltage is applied to the first conductive layer 911 and the second conductive layer 921, the first electrochemical color-changing film 93 and the second electrochemical color-changing film 94 do not change color completely immediately. Instead, according to the change in the electric field between the first conductive layer 911 and the second conductive layer 921, the movement of ions or electrons progresses slowly between the first electrochemical color-changing film 93 and the electrolyte layer 95 and the second electrochemical color-changing film 94 and the electrolyte layer 95, and the coloring or bleaching process is gradually carried out. In the above electrochemical color-changing structure, the first conductive layer 911, the second conductive layer 921, the first electrochemical color-changing film 93, and the second electrochemical color-changing film 94 are a single component, so as their areas increase, the rate of change of the electric field in the first conductive layer 911 and the second conductive layer 921 decreases due to the size of their areas, causing a "pupil effect" in the coloring and decoloring of the first electrochemical color-changing film 93 and the second electrochemical color-changing film 94, and slowing down the coloring and decoloring rate of the electrochemical color-changing structure.
[0005] In addition, when a large-area structure is formed by combining a plurality of small-area first conductive layers 911, second conductive layers 921, first electrochemical color-changing films 93, and second electrochemical color-changing films 94, a voltage is applied to each of the first conductive layers 911 and second conductive layers 921 using a power supply component 96, thereby suppressing a delay in the coloring / decoloring speed caused by the area of a single component being too large. However, such a design complicates the electrical connection between the power supply component 96 and the plurality of first conductive layers 911 and the plurality of second conductive layers 921, and when a large-area overall structure is formed by combining a plurality of small-area first conductive layers 911, second conductive layers 921, first electrochemical color-changing films 93, and second electrochemical color-changing films 94, the manufacturing process becomes more complicated and the manufacturing cost increases significantly.
[0006] Another solution is to extend the electrodes around the conductive layer into the inside of the electrochemically discolored glass, and to take translucency into consideration, adopt a lattice pattern when the upper and lower electrodes are extended inward. This includes, but is not limited to, lattice, rhombus, polygon, etc. However, when actually measured, at the electrode intersections of the same layer of the lattice pattern and the overlapping parts of the vertical projections of the electrodes of the upper and lower layers, a sudden increase in current and concentration of the electric field occur after current is passed, resulting in a difference in the discoloration state of the overlapping parts from the other parts, which causes the uniformity of the coloring and decoloring state of the entire electrochemically discolored glass to be lost, resulting in color spots. In addition, the discoloration film and electrolyte layer in the overlapping parts are easily deteriorated, shortening their lifespan.
[0007] In light of this background, there is a demand for improvements in large-area electrochemical color-changing elements that can achieve uniformity of coloring and decoloring, stability, coloring memory, rapid decoloring, and adjustable coloring depth. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0008] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an electrochemical color changing element that changes color uniformly in order to improve the shortcomings of the prior art.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrochemically color-changing element having a uniform color change, which improves the overall coloring and bleaching speed and improves the uniformity of the color change of the electrochemically color-changing element.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electrochemical color-changing element that not only increases the overall coloring and bleaching speed and improves uniformity, but also prevents abnormalities in the electric field and current caused by overlapping metal lines in upper and lower layers. [Means for solving the problem]
[0011] In order to achieve the above and other objects, the present invention provides an electrochemical color change element that changes color uniformly. The element includes: a first conductive substrate, the first conductive substrate having a first base material and a first conductive layer on its surface; the first conductive layer includes a first conductive film and one or more first metal wires electrically connected thereto, each of the first metal wires extending along the X-axis direction of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system; a second conductive substrate having a second base material and a second conductive layer on its surface; the second conductive layer includes a second conductive film and one or more second metal wires electrically connected thereto, each of the second metal wires extending along the Y-axis direction; a first electrochemical color change film is provided on the surface of the first conductive layer, and a second electrochemical color change film is provided on the surface of the second conductive layer. An electrolyte layer is provided between them, and the first metal wire and the second metal wire facing each other do not overlap when projected in the Z-axis direction, but are alternately spaced apart along the Y-axis direction.
[0012] In one embodiment, each of the first metal lines and each of the second metal lines are I-shaped.
[0013] In another embodiment, each first metal wire is I-shaped with one side of the I-shape having a plurality of comb teeth extending along the Y-axis direction. Each second metal wire is also I-shaped with the I-shape facing an open comb tooth side and having a plurality of comb teeth extending along the Y-axis direction. Each comb tooth and its counterpart do not overlap in a Z-axis projection and are alternately spaced apart along the X-axis direction.
[0014] In one embodiment, each first metal line is disposed on a surface of a first substrate between the first substrate and the first conductive film, and each second metal line is disposed on a surface of a second substrate between the second substrate and the second conductive film.
[0015] In another embodiment, the ratio of the projected area of each first metal wire in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the first substrate to the distribution range area is 50% or less, and the ratio of the projected area of each second metal wire in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the second substrate to the distribution range area is also 50% or less.
[0016] In addition, each first metal wire is provided on the surface of the first conductive film between the first conductive film and the first electrochemically discoloring film, and each second metal wire is provided on the surface of the second conductive film between the second conductive film and the second electrochemically discoloring film.
[0017] In one embodiment, the ratio of the projection area of each first metal wire in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the first conductive film to the distribution range area is 50% or less, and the ratio of the projection area of each second metal wire in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the second conductive film to the distribution range area is also 50% or less.
[0018] In another embodiment, a power supply is provided, the power supply having a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection, the first electrical connection being electrically connected to the first conductive layer and the second electrical connection being electrically connected to the second conductive layer.
[0019] Furthermore, in other embodiments, there is a seal disposed between the first conductive film and the second conductive film, which surrounds the sides of the first electrochemically color changing film, the second electrochemically color changing film, and the electrolyte layer.
[0020] In another embodiment, the power supply comprises a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection, the first electrical connection being electrically connected to each of the first metal wires and the second electrical connection being electrically connected to each of the second metal wires.
[0021] In one embodiment, one end of each first metal line is electrically connected to a first metal interconnect layer, and one end of each second metal line is electrically connected to a second metal interconnect layer.
[0022] Furthermore, in another embodiment, the first electrical connection is connected to a first metal connection layer and the second electrical connection is connected to a second metal connection layer.
[0023] In one embodiment, the width of each of the first metal lines and each of the second metal lines is in the range of 1 μm to 10 mm.
[0024] The thickness of each of the first metal wires and second metal wires is in the range of 10 nm to 0.1 mm, and the thickness of each of the first metal connection layers and second metal connection layers is in the range of 10 nm to 1 mm.
[0025] The first and second metal wires are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart by 5 mm to 1 m, with the end of each first metal wire being 1 mm to 10 cm away from the second metal connection layer, and the end of each second metal wire being 1 mm to 10 cm away from the first metal connection layer.
[0026] In addition, each of the first metal wires or the second metal wires has a resistivity of 10 -6 Ω m to 10 -8 It is made of metals or alloys in the Ω·m range.
[0027] The material from which each of the first or second metal wires is made is selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, aluminum, tungsten, tin and titanium.
[0028] The first electrochemically color-changing film is made of any one of tungsten oxide, titanium oxide, niobium oxide, and iridium oxide.
[0029] The material of the first electrochemically color-changing film further contains a lithium element, and the value x of this lithium element is LixABy, which is in the range of 0.01 to 2, A is any one of the elements tungsten, titanium, niobium, and iridium, and B is oxygen.
[0030] The second electrochemically tarnish film is made of any one of vanadium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, and rhodium oxide.
[0031] The material of the second electrochemically discoloring film further contains a lithium element, where the value x of the lithium element is LixCBy, which is in the range of 0.01 to 2, C is any one of nickel, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, and rhodium, and B is oxygen. Effect of the Invention
[0032] As a result, in the present invention, a plurality of first metal wires and a plurality of second metal wires are arranged in a finger-like shape on the first conductive substrate and the second conductive substrate, respectively, to form two finger-like metal wire groups. The finger-like electrochemical discoloration structure in which the opposing first metal wires and second metal wires are arranged alternately and at intervals can improve the overall coloring and decoloring speed and improve uniformity. In addition, it can also avoid abnormalities in the electric field and current caused by overlapping of the upper and lower metal electrode layers. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a conventional electrochemical color changing element. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an electrochemical color change element according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an arrangement of first metal lines and second metal lines in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an electrochemical color change device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an electrochemical color change device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an arrangement of first metal lines and second metal lines in another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] In order to more clearly understand the above and other objects, advantages, and features, some preferred embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention has various embodiments, and is not limited to the details of the embodiments described below, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the invention. In addition, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to actual scale, and are provided to explain the embodiments.
[0035] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electrochemical color change element of the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the electrochemical color change element of the present embodiment includes a first conductive substrate 1, a second conductive substrate 2, a first electrochemical color change film 3, a second electrochemical color change film 4, and an electrolyte layer 5. The first conductive substrate 1 and the second conductive substrate 2 are located at both ends of the electrochemical color change element of the present invention, and the first electrochemical color change film 3, the electrolyte layer 5, and the second electrochemical color change film 4 are sandwiched between them in this order.
[0036] The first conductive substrate 1 includes a first base material 11, on whose surface a first conductive layer 12 is provided. The first conductive layer 12 includes a first conductive film 121 and one or more first metal wires 122 electrically connected thereto. Each of the first metal wires 122 extends along the X-axis direction in a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system. The first electrochemically color-changing film 3 is provided on the surface of the first conductive layer 12.
[0037] The second conductive substrate 2 includes a second base material 21, on whose surface a second conductive layer 22 is provided. The second conductive layer 22 includes a second conductive film 221 and one or more second metal wires 222 electrically connected thereto. Each second metal wire 222 extends along the Y-axis direction. The second electrochemically color-changing film 4 is provided on the surface of the second conductive layer 22, and an electrolyte layer 5 is provided between the first electrochemically color-changing film 3 and the second electrochemically color-changing film 4. In the above structure, each first metal wire 122 and each second metal wire 222 face each other, do not overlap when projected in the Z-axis direction, and are alternately arranged at intervals along the Y-axis direction.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the first metal wire and the second metal wire in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the first metal wire 122 and the second metal wire 222 facing each other do not overlap when projected in the Z-axis direction, and are arranged alternately at intervals. Each of the first metal wires 122 and each of the second metal wires 222 has an I-shape. In the embodiment, the line width W1 of the first metal wire 122 and the line width W2 of the second metal wire 222 are in the range of 1 μm to 10 mm, and the thickness is in the range of 10 nm to 0.1 mm. In addition, the first metal wire 122 and the adjacent second metal wire 222 are arranged in parallel, and the interval S between them is 5 mm to 1 m. One end of each of the first metal wires 122 can be electrically connected to a first metal connection layer 81 having a thickness in the range of 10 nm to 1 mm, and one end of each of the second metal wires 222 can be electrically connected to a second metal connection layer 82 having a thickness in the range of 10 nm to 1 mm. The distance S1 between the end point B1 of the first metal wire 122 and the nearest second metal connection layer 82 is 1 mm to 10 cm, and the distance S2 between the end point B2 of the second metal wire 222 and the nearest first metal connection layer 81 is also 1 mm to 10 cm. Therefore, if the wire diameters of the first metal wire 122 and the second metal wire 222 are sufficiently thin and the occupied area is within the above ratio range, the first metal wire 122 and the second metal wire 222 are difficult to directly see with the human eye and can maintain a moderate degree of translucency. With this structure, the element of the present invention can be applied to transparent or opaque glass structures, improving the overall practicality.
[0039] As a result, when electricity is applied to each of the first metal wires 122, the first metal wires 122 are in direct contact with the first electrochemical color-changing film 3, and therefore can instantly change the electric field around the first electrochemical color-changing film 3, accelerating the movement of ions or electrons in the first electrochemical color-changing film 3. When the first metal wires 122 gradually change the voltage state of the entire first conductive film 121, the electric field strength around the first electrochemical color-changing film 3 becomes uniform, and finally the coloring and decoloring of the first electrochemical color-changing film 3 is completed. In this way, the arrangement of the first metal wires 122 further improves the coloring and decoloring speed of the first electrochemical color-changing film 3. Similarly, since the second metal wires 222 have better conductivity than the second conductive film 221, the arrangement of the second metal wires 222 improves the electrical conduction and electric field formation speed of the second conductive layer 22, and improves the coloring and decoloring speed of the second electrochemical color-changing film 4. In addition, the line width, occupation ratio, and mutually offset arrangement method of each first metal wire 122 and each second metal wire 222 prevent each first metal wire 122 and each second metal wire 222 from overlapping when projected in the Z-axis direction in the upper and lower layers, thereby avoiding uneven coloring and bleaching speeds and material deterioration caused by abnormal increases in electric field and current.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an electrochemical color change device of uniform color change according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, each first metal wire 122 is disposed on the surface of the first substrate 11 between the first substrate 11 and the first conductive film 121. Each second metal wire 222 is disposed on the surface of the second substrate 21 between the second substrate 21 and the second conductive film 221. In other words, the first conductive film 121 and each first metal wire 122 of the first conductive layer 12 are disposed in the following order: first, each first metal wire 122 is formed on the first substrate 11, and then, each first metal wire 122 and the first conductive film 121 are formed on the first substrate 11 with the space between them. Similarly, the second conductive film 221 and each second metal wire 222 of the second conductive layer 22 are disposed in the following order: first, each second metal wire 222 is formed on the second substrate 21, and then, each second metal wire 222 and the second conductive film 221 are formed on the second substrate 21 with the space between them. This structure is similar to that of the first embodiment, and the coloring and decoloring speeds of the first electrochemically color-changing film 3 and the second electrochemically color-changing film 4 can be improved.
[0041] 2, the ratio of the projected area of each first metal wire 122 in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the first base material 11 to the distribution range area is 50% or less. The ratio of the projected area of each second metal wire 222 in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the second base material 21 to the distribution range area is also 50% or less. This controls the magnetic field interference range of each first metal wire 122 and each second metal wire 222, and prevents the current concentration effect caused by the currents of each first metal wire 122 and each second metal wire 222 being excessively close to each other, and as a result, it is possible to avoid an abnormal increase in local electric field and current due to the concentration of electric field and current.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electrochemical color change element of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is its exploded view. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the overall structure of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. The difference is that each first metal wire 122 is provided on the surface of the first conductive film 121 between the first conductive film 121 and the first electrochemical color change film 3. Similarly, each second metal wire 222 is provided on the surface of the second conductive film 221 between the second conductive film 221 and the second electrochemical color change film 4. In other words, the order of providing the first conductive film 121 and each first metal wire 122 of the first conductive layer 12 is to first form the first conductive film 121 on the first substrate 11, then form each first metal wire 122 thereon, and finally form the first electrochemical color change film 3 on the first conductive film 121 with the first metal wires 122 and the space between them. Similarly, the second conductive film 221 and each second metal wire 222 of the second conductive layer 22 are formed in the following order: first, the second conductive film 221 is formed on the second substrate 21, then the second metal wires 222 are formed thereon, and then the second electrochemically color-changing film 4 is formed thereon. The structure of the second embodiment, like the first embodiment, has the effect of improving the coloring and decoloring speeds of the first electrochemically color-changing film 3 and the second electrochemically color-changing film 4.
[0043] It is noteworthy that in the second embodiment, the ratio of the projected area of each first metal wire 122 in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the first substrate 11 to the distribution area is 50% or less, and the ratio of the projected area of each second metal wire 222 in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the second substrate 21 to the distribution area is also 50% or less. This makes it possible to maintain the transparency of the first conductive substrate 1 and the second conductive substrate 2, and to reflect the degree of electrochemical discoloration in a certain range from transparent to opaque.
[0044] 6 is a cross-sectional view of a uniformly color-changing electrochemical color change element according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the overall structure of the third embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment. The difference is that each first metal wire 122 is disposed on the surface of the first conductive film 121 between the first conductive film 121 and the first electrochemical color change film 3, and each second metal wire 222 is disposed on the surface of the second conductive film 221 between the second conductive film 221 and the second electrochemical color change film 4.
[0045] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in the first, second and third embodiments described above, one end of each first metal wire 122 is electrically connected to the first metal connection layer 81, and one end of each second metal wire 222 is electrically connected to the second metal connection layer 82.
[0046] In the third embodiment described above, the ratio of the projected area of each first metal wire 122 in the Z-axis direction on the surface of first conductive film 121 to the distribution range area is also 50% or less, and the ratio of the projected area of each second metal wire 222 in the Z-axis direction on the surface of second conductive film 221 to the distribution range area is also 50% or less. This makes it possible to maintain the transparency of first conductive substrate 1 and second conductive substrate 2, and to maintain the reflection contrast of electrochemical discoloration from transparent to opaque within a certain range.
[0047] In each embodiment, the line width W1 of the first metal wire 122 and the line width W2 of the second metal wire 222 are in the range of 1 μm to 10 mm, and the line width W2 of the second metal wire 222 is also in the range of 1 μm to 10 mm.
[0048] 7 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the first metal wire and the second metal wire in another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, each first metal wire 122 is I-shaped, and one side of the I-shape has a plurality of comb-like teeth 123 extending along the Y-axis direction. Each second metal wire 222 is also I-shaped, and the I-shape faces the opening side of the comb-like teeth 123 and has a plurality of comb-like teeth 223 extending along the Y-axis direction. The opposing comb-like teeth 123 and the comb-like teeth 223 do not overlap when projected in the Z-axis direction, and are alternately arranged at intervals along the X-axis direction. The line width W1 of the first metal wire 122 and the line width W2 of the second metal wire 222 are in the range of 1 μm to 10 mm, and the first metal wire 122 and the adjacent second metal wire 222 are arranged in parallel, with an interval S between them being 5 mm to 1 m. A distance S1 between an edge B1 of the first metal wire 122 and the second metal connecting layer 82 is 1 mm to 10 cm, and a distance S2 between an edge of the second metal wire 222 and the first metal connecting layer 81 is also 1 mm to 10 cm. The thicknesses of the first metal wire 122, the second metal wire 222, the first metal connecting layer 81 and the second metal connecting layer 82 are all in the range of 10 nm to 1 mm.
[0049] As a result, as long as the wire diameters of the first metal wire 122 and the second metal wire 222 are sufficiently thin and the occupied areas of the first metal wire 122 and the second metal wire 222 are within the above ratio range, the first metal wire 122 and the second metal wire 222 are difficult to directly see with the human eye and can maintain a moderate degree of translucency. With this structure, the element of the present invention can be applied to a transparent or opaque glass structure, improving the overall practicality.
[0050] As shown in Figure 2, the present invention includes a power supply component 7. The power supply component 7 has a first electrical connection port 71 and a second electrical connection port 72. The first electrical connection port 71 is electrically connected to the first conductive layer 12, and the second electrical connection port 72 is electrically connected to the second conductive layer 22.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the present invention can further include a power supply component 7 in the second and third embodiments. The power supply component 7 is provided with a first electrical connection port 71 and a second electrical connection port 72. The first electrical connection port 71 is electrically connected to the first metal connection layer 81, and the second electrical connection port 72 is electrically connected to the second metal connection layer 82. When the first metal wires 122 are all electrically connected to the first metal connection layer 81 and the power supply component 7 is also connected to the first metal connection layer 81, the multiple first metal wires 122 conduct electricity simultaneously, the speed of electrical conduction is increased, and the coloring and decoloring speed of the first electrochemical color-changing film 3 is improved. Similarly, when the second metal wires 222 are all electrically connected to the second metal connection layer 82 and the power supply component 7 is also connected to the second metal connection layer 82, the multiple second metal wires 222 conduct electricity simultaneously, the speed of electrical conduction is increased, and the coloring and decoloring speed of the second electrochemical color-changing film 4 is improved.
[0052] Furthermore, in the structures of the above-mentioned first to third embodiments, the first electrical connection port 71 of the power supply part 7 is electrically connected to each first metal wire 122, and the second electrical connection port 72 is electrically connected to each second metal wire 222, so that the electrochemical color-changing element of the present invention can change color quickly and uniformly.
[0053] 2, 4 and 6, the present invention can further include a sealing body 6. The sealing body 6 is disposed between the first conductive film 121 and the second conductive film 221, and surrounds intermediate layers such as the first electrochemically color-changing film 3, the second electrochemically color-changing film 4, and the side surfaces of the electrolyte layer 5.
[0054] In each embodiment, each of the first metal lines 122 or each of the second metal lines 222 has a resistivity of 10 -6 Ω m to 10 -8 It is made of metals or alloys in the Ω·m range.
[0055] In each embodiment, the material of each first metal line 122 or each second metal line 222 is selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, aluminum, tungsten, tin, and titanium.
[0056] In each embodiment, the first electrochemically color-changing film 3 is made of any one of tungsten oxide, titanium oxide, niobium oxide, and iridium oxide. The material of the first electrochemically color-changing film 3 further contains lithium element, which is represented by the chemical formula LixABy, where the value of x is in the range of 0.01 to 2. A is any one of tungsten, titanium, niobium, and iridium elements, and B is oxygen.
[0057] In each embodiment, the second electrochemically color-changing film 4 is made of any one of vanadium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, and rhodium oxide. The material of the second electrochemically color-changing film 4 further contains lithium element, which is represented by the chemical formula LixCBy, where the value of x is in the range of 0.01 to 2. C is any one of nickel, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, and rhodium, and B is oxygen.
[0058] It is noteworthy that the first substrate 11 of the present invention is made of, but is not limited to, glass or other transparent materials, such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or polyester (PES). The second substrate 21 is also made of, but is not limited to, glass or other transparent materials, such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or polyester (PES).
[0059] The first conductive film 121 is a transparent conductive film such as indium tin oxide (ITO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), or fluorine-doped tin oxide thin film (Fluorine tin oxide (FTO)). The first conductive film 121 can be formed by sputtering, deposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or the like, and has a thickness in the range of 50 to 500 nanometers.
[0060] The second conductive film 221 is also a transparent conductive film such as indium tin oxide (ITO), aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), or fluorine-doped tin oxide thin film (Fluorine tin oxide (FTO)). Like the first conductive film 121, the second conductive film 221 is also formed by sputtering, deposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), or the like, and has a thickness in the range of 50 to 500 nanometers.
[0061] The first electrochemically color-changing film 3 is formed on the surface of the first electrode layer 12 by sputtering or the like, but is not limited to this. The first electrochemically color-changing film 3 is made of any one of tungsten oxide, titanium oxide, niobium oxide, and iridium oxide. In this embodiment, tungsten oxide is selected. The second electrochemically color-changing film 4 is made of any one of vanadium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, and rhodium oxide. In this embodiment, nickel oxide is selected.
[0062] Furthermore, each of the first metal wires 122 and each of the second metal wires 222 of the present invention can be easily formed by coating, printing process, etc., which can improve the overall coloring and decoloring speed, and at the same time, can shorten the manufacturing process time and reduce production costs.
[0063] As described above, in the present invention, the first and second metal wires are arranged in parallel, alternately, and spaced apart from one another, so that a metal material with appropriate resistivity can be selected to ensure and maintain the overall conductive speed of the first and second metal wires, thereby improving the coloring and decoloring speed and uniformity of the first and second electrochemical color-changing films.
[0064] Furthermore, in the present invention, the first metal wires and the second metal wires are arranged in parallel and alternately, maintaining a certain distance between them, and the power supply components are installed, so that the voltage applied by the power supply components is quickly transmitted to every corner of the first metal wires and the second metal wires, improving the speed at which the electric field is formed, thereby improving the speed and uniformity of the coloring and decoloring of the first electrochemical color-changing film and the second electrochemical color-changing film.
[0065] In addition, due to the collision-free circuit design of each first metal wire and each second metal wire, the current in the circuit flows in only one direction after electricity is passed through, and no collisions occur, thereby reducing fluctuations in current and magnetic field, and preventing the occurrence of color spots on the electrochemical discoloration film and premature deterioration of the material itself.
[0066] The present invention has been disclosed based on the above preferred embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereby. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not restricted to the details of the above illustrative embodiment. The embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention is defined by the claims, and the words and equivalents thereof are included in the patent scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
[0067] [The present invention] First conductive substrate (1) 1st base material (11) First conductive layer (12) First conductive film (121) First metal wire (122) Pectinate teeth (123) Second conductive substrate (2) 2nd base material (21) Second conductive layer (22) Second conductive film (221) Secondary metal wire (222) Pectinate teeth (223) First electrochemical color-changing film (3) Second electrochemical color-changing membrane (4) Electrolyte layer (5) Sealing body (6) Power supply parts (7) First electrical connection port (71) Second electrical connection port (72) First metal interconnect layer (81) Second Metal Interconnect Layer (82) Edge (B1, B2) Distance (S, S1, S2) Line width (W1, W2) [Prior Art] First transparent conductive substrate (91) First conductive layer (911) Second transparent conductive substrate (92) Second conductive layer (921) First electrochemical color-changing film (93) Second electrochemical color change membrane (94) Electrolyte layer (95) Power supply parts (96)
Claims
1. A uniformly colored electrochemical color-changing element, comprising: a first conductive substrate (1), the first conductive substrate (1) having a first base material (11) and a first conductive layer (12) provided on one surface of the first base material (11), the first conductive layer (12) including a first conductive film (121) and one or more first metal wires (122) electrically connected to the first conductive film (121), each of the first metal wires (122) extending along the X-axis direction of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system; a second conductive substrate (2), the second conductive substrate (2) having a second base material (21) and a second conductive layer (22) provided on one surface of the second base material (21), the second conductive layer (22) including a second conductive film (221) and one or more second metal wires (222) electrically connected to the second conductive film (221), each second metal wire (222) extending along the Y-axis direction; a first electrochemically color-changing film (3), the first electrochemically color-changing film (3) being provided on the surface of the first conductive layer (12); a second electrochemically color-changing film (4), the second electrochemically color-changing film (4) being provided on the surface of the second conductive layer (22); an electrolyte layer (5), the electrolyte layer (5) being disposed between the first electrochemically color-changing membrane (3) and the second electrochemically color-changing membrane (4); Here, the projections in the Z-axis direction of the opposing first metal wires (122) and second metal wires (222) are alternately spaced apart along the Y-axis direction and do not overlap.
2. In the electrochemical color-changing element with uniform color change as described in claim 1, each of the first metal wires (122) and each of the second metal wires (222) have an I-shape.
3. In the electrochemical color change element with uniform color change described in claim 1, each first metal wire (122) is I-shaped and has a plurality of comb-like teeth (123) extending along the Y-axis direction on one side of the I-shape, and each second metal wire (222) is also I-shaped and has a plurality of comb-like teeth (223) extending along the Y-axis direction on the opening side of the comb-like teeth (123). The Z-axis projections of each opposing comb-like tooth (123) and each comb-like tooth (223) are alternately spaced apart along the X-axis direction and do not overlap.
4. In the electrochemical color change element with uniform color change described in claim 1, each first metal wire (122) is provided on the surface of the first substrate (11) between the first substrate (11) and the first conductive film (121), and each second metal wire (222) is provided on the surface of the second substrate (21) between the second substrate (21) and the second conductive film (221).
5. In the electrochemical color-changing element with uniform color change described in claim 4, the ratio of the projected area of each first metal wire (122) in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the first substrate (11) to the distribution range area is 50% or less, and the ratio of the projected area of each second metal wire (222) in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the second substrate (21) to the distribution range area is also 50% or less.
6. In the electrochemical color change element with uniform color change described in claim 1, each first metal wire (122) is provided on the surface of the first conductive film (121) between the first conductive film (121) and the first electrochemical color change film (3), and each second metal wire (222) is provided on the surface of the second conductive film (221) between the second conductive film (221) and the second electrochemical color change film (4).
7. In the electrochemical color change element with uniform color change described in claim 6, the ratio of the projected area and distribution range area of each first metal wire (122) projected in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the first conductive film (121) is 50% or less, and the ratio of the projected area and distribution range area of each second metal wire (222) projected in the Z-axis direction on the surface of the second conductive film (221) is also 50% or less.
8. The electrochemical color-changing element for uniform color change as described in claim 1 further includes a power supply part (7), the power supply part (7) having a first electrical connection port (71) and a second electrical connection port (72), the first electrical connection port (71) being electrically connected to the first conductive layer (12) and the second electrical connection port (72) being electrically connected to the second conductive layer (22).
9. In any one of the electrochemical color change elements having a uniform color change described in claims 1, 4 and 6, the element further includes a sealing body (6), which is provided between the first conductive film (121) and the second conductive film (221) and surrounds the sides of the first electrochemical color change film (3), the second electrochemical color change film (4) and the electrolyte layer (5).
10. The electrochemical color change element for uniform color change as described in claim 4 or 6 further includes a power supply part (7), the power supply part (7) having a first electrical connection port (71) and a second electrical connection port (72), the first electrical connection port (71) being electrically connected to each of the first metal wires (122), and the second electrical connection port (72) being electrically connected to each of the second metal wires (222).
11. In the electrochemical color-changing element with uniform color change described in claim 4 or 6, one end of each first metal wire (122) is electrically connected to the first metal connection layer (81), and one end of each second metal wire (222) is electrically connected to the second metal connection layer (82).
12. The electrochemical color-changing element for uniform color change as described in claim 11 further includes a power supply part (7), the power supply part (7) having a first electrical connection port (71) and a second electrical connection port (72), the first electrical connection port (71) being electrically connected to the first metal connection layer (81) and the second electrical connection port (72) being electrically connected to the second metal connection layer (82).
13. In the electrochemical color-changing element with uniform color change as described in claim 1, the line width (W1) of each first metal wire (122) and the line width (W2) of each second metal wire (222) are in the range of 1 μm to 10 mm.
14. In the electrochemical color-changing element with uniform color change described in claim 11, the thickness of each first metal wire (122) and each second metal wire (222) is in the range of 10 nm to 0.1 mm, and the thickness of each first metal connection layer (81) and each second metal connection layer (82) is in the range of 10 nm to 1 mm.
15. In the electrochemical color change element with uniform color change described in claim 13, each first metal wire (122) and each second metal wire (222) are arranged parallel to each other, the distance (S) between them is in the range of 5 mm to 1 m, the distance (S1) between the edge (B1) of each first metal wire (122) and the second metal connection layer (82) is in the range of 1 mm to 10 cm, and the distance (S2) between the edge (B2) of each second metal wire (222) and the first metal connection layer (81) is also in the range of 1 mm to 10 cm.
16. In the electrochemical color change element of claim 15, each of the first metal wires (122) or each of the second metal wires (222) has a resistivity of 10 -6 Ω m to 10 -8 It is made of metals or alloys in the Ω·m range.
17. In the electrochemical color changing element with uniform color change as described in claim 1, the material of each first metal wire (122) or each second metal wire (222) is selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, copper, aluminum, tungsten, tin, and titanium.
18. In the electrochemically color-changing element with uniform color change as described in claim 1, the first electrochemically color-changing film (3) is made of any one of tungsten oxide, titanium oxide, niobium oxide, and iridium oxide.
19. In the electrochemical color-changing element with uniform color change as described in claim 18, the material of the first electrochemical color-changing film (3) further contains lithium element, which is represented by the chemical formula LixABy, where the value of x is in the range of 0.01 to 2, A is any of the elements tungsten, titanium, niobium, and iridium, and B is oxygen.
20. In the electrochemical color-changing element with uniform color change as described in claim 1, the second electrochemical color-changing film (4) is made of any one of vanadium oxide, nickel oxide, chromium oxide, manganese oxide, iron oxide, copper oxide, and rhodium oxide.
21. In the electrochemical color-changing element with uniform color change as described in claim 19, the material of the second electrochemical color-changing film (4) further contains a lithium element, which is represented by the chemical formula LixCBy, where the value of x is in the range of 0.01 to 2, C is any one of nickel, chromium, manganese, iron, copper, and rhodium, and B is oxygen.