Electrochromic array for long-distance optical device

Abstract

An electrochromic array (1) for a long-distance optical device (9), wherein at least one electrochromic element formed of or comprising an electrochromic material is disposed or formed between two conductive elements, the electrochromic array (1) including at least one substrate element (2) having a substrate element body (14) with a disc-shaped or disc-like basic shape, the substrate element (2) being made of a conductive material, and a contact layer (3) at least partially extending around an edge of the substrate element body (14) being applied to an upper or lower side of the substrate element body (14) by a chemical and / or physical coating method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrochromic arrangement for a long-distance optical device, the electrochromic arrangement being arranged or formed between two conductive elements and comprising at least one electrochromic element formed of or consisting of an electrochromic material.

[0002] In a long-distance optical device such as binoculars, the incorporation of a corresponding electrochromic arrangement arranged or formed between two conductive elements and comprising at least one electrochromic element formed of or consisting of an electrochromic material is known in principle from the prior art.

[0003] The corresponding electrochromic arrangements typically function as modules integrated into the optical path (light channel) of each long-distance optical device, specifically changing the brightness and / or contrast of the field of view, so that the user can use each long-distance optical device with little glare even under special or variable lighting conditions, i.e., for example, very bright and / or high-contrast lighting conditions.

[0004] Integrating the corresponding electrochromic device into a long-distance optical instrument is generally difficult because the available free installation space is limited. In particular, a practical and reliable electrical contact of the electrochromic arrangement affects the efficiency of the brightness and / or contrast change brought about by the electrochromic element, which is a problem.

[0005] Therefore, the currently available technical approaches for integrating the corresponding electrochromic device into a long-distance optical device require improvement or further development.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] An object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved electrochromic arrangement for a long-distance optical device.

[0007] This object is achieved by an electrochromic arrangement for a long-distance optical device according to independent claim 1. The dependent claims relate to possible embodiments of the electrochromic arrangement.

[0008] A first aspect of the present invention relates to an electrochromic arrangement for a long-distance optical device such as binoculars (monoculars or binoculars), telescopes, night vision devices, etc. Thus, the electrochromic arrangement represents an assembly that can be structurally incorporated into the corresponding long-distance optical device. In particular, the electrochromic arrangement is an assembly that can be structurally integrated (integrated) into the optical path extending within the barrel of the corresponding long-distance optical device between the objective lens and the eyepiece, in particular, the optical path of the long-distance optical device.

[0009] Generally, the electrochromic arrangement includes at least one electrochromic element arranged or formed between two conductive elements - which can form the electrodes of the electrochromic arrangement - which is formed by or consists of at least one electrochromic material.

[0010] The corresponding conductive element can be formed by or composed of a conductive layer or coating, in particular a transparent conductive layer or coating. In particular, the corresponding conductive element can be formed as a transparent conductive layer or coating on a transparent substrate element made of, for example, glass or (transparent) plastic, or can be composed of such a layer or coating. Thus, the corresponding conductive element can be applied to the substrate element as a conductive layer or coating, at least partially or, if necessary, completely.

[0011] The corresponding conductive layer or coating of the electrochromic array can be, for example, a coating formed by or consisting of at least one transparent conductive oxide. Specifically, the corresponding conductive layer or coating can be, for example, a coating formed by indium tin oxide (ITO), an example of a transparent conductive oxide, or a coating consisting of ITO, that is, an ITO coating. Transparent conductive oxides such as ITO typically feature a relatively high conductivity (typically 104 S / cm) and high light transmittance (over 90% for a layer thickness of 100 nm) in the visible wavelength region, and are thus particularly suitable for forming the corresponding conductive coating of the electrochromic array described herein.

[0012] The corresponding electrochromic element of the electrochromic array can be, for example, formed by at least one electrochromic material or be at least one layer or coating consisting of or composed of at least one electrochromic material. The electrochromic material can, for example, undergo a change in its transmittance upon application of a voltage or current, by an increase or decrease in its color or color intensity. Thus, the corresponding electrochromic material can be regarded as, for example, an electrochromically switchable material. Specifically, the electrochromic material can be, for example, a redox-active material, that is, in particular a redox-active compound or composed of at least one such material that undergoes a change in its transmittance during a redox process such as a transition from an oxidized state to a reduced state (and vice versa). The corresponding redox-active material is, for example, tungsten oxide (WO 3It can be a metal complex compound based on or consist of them, and during the redox process, it undergoes a change in transmittance, such as a transition from an oxidized state to a reduced state (and vice versa). Also, metal supramolecular polyelectrolytes ((FE-)MEPE) etc. can also be considered as electrochromic materials. In any case, each electrochromic material can be embedded in an embedding material.

[0013] When the electrochromic assembly consists of a plurality of corresponding electrochromic elements, at least one layer or coating of an electrolyte material, especially a liquid or gel-like electrolyte material, such as an electrolyte material based on a metal salt, can be arranged or formed between these electrochromic elements.

[0014] To be in electrical contact with at least one electrochromic element, that is, to apply a voltage or current to at least one electrochromic element in particular, the electrochromic assembly comprises at least one contact layer made of a conductive material. A special feature of the electrochromic assembly described herein is the configuration of at least one contact layer, which will be described in detail below:

[0015] As described above, the electrochromic assembly comprises at least one substrate element formed, for example, from glass or (transparent) plastic. The specific configuration of at least one contact layer of the electrochromic assembly that serves for electrical contact will be described below in particular in relation to the substrate element, but the following description applies analogously to each substrate element and each contact layer of the electrochromic assembly. Generally, the electrochromic assembly is composed of at least two substrate elements and corresponding two contact layers, which usually have at least a similar, especially the same configuration.

[0016] At least one substrate element is composed of a substrate element body. The substrate element body has a basic shape that can be incorporated into the lens barrel of a long-distance optical device. As a result, the geometric-constructional parameters such as the dimensions of the substrate element body are typically selected with respect to the installation space available within the long-distance optical device for proper incorporation.

[0017] Since the electrochromic assembly can typically be arranged within the optical tube of a long-distance optical device, the geometric-structural parameters of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element are typically selected with respect to the installation space available within the optical tube. In this regard, a substrate element body having a disc-shaped or circular basic shape is particularly suitable. Thus, a substrate element body made of a transparent material such as glass or plastic is typically configured in the shape of a disc. However, in principle, other configurations are also conceivable, such as a disc-shaped or disc-shaped substrate element body having a basic shape of a polygon, i.e., a triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, decagon, hendecagon or dodecagon.

[0018] In all cases, the substrate element body of at least one substrate element is configured in a disk type or disk shape, and thus has an upper side and a lower side that individually or jointly define the main extension plane of the substrate element body. In addition to the conductive layer or coating described above, the contact layer, which is made of a conductive material such as a metal, in particular a noble metal such as gold or a semi-noble metal such as copper, is also disposed or formed on the upper side or the lower side of the substrate element body. The contact layer is typically applied to the upper side or the lower side of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element by chemical and / or physical coating methods, in particular chemical and / or physical deposition processes, and more particularly chemical and / or physical vapor deposition processes. The layer thickness of the contact layer can range between 1 nm or 10 nm and 1000 nm, particularly between 1 nm and 950 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 900 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 900 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 850 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 800 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 750 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 700 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 650 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 600 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 550 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 500 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 450 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 400 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 350 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 300 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 250 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 200 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 150 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 100 nm, more particularly between 1 nm and 50 nm. Instead of 1 nm, for example, 2 nm, 3 nm, 4 nm, 5 nm, 6 nm, 7 nm, 8 nm, 9 nm or 10 nm can be used as the respective lower limit values. In principle, all of the aforementioned values can be used individually or as the upper or lower limit values of the layer thickness interval.

[0019] The contact layer can be applied directly or indirectly on the upper or lower side of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element. In a first alternative, a corresponding transparent conductive layer or coating is also arranged or formed on the upper or lower side of the substrate element body. The transparent conductive layer or coating can in particular be arranged or formed in a region on the upper or lower side of the substrate element body where the contact layer does not extend. In a second alternative, a corresponding transparent conductive layer or coating is arranged or formed on the upper or lower side of the substrate element body, in particular over the entire surface, and the contact layer is at least partially arranged or formed on the transparent conductive layer or coating.

[0020] The contact layer extends at least partially around or along the edge of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element in a ring-shaped or annular manner, i.e., in particular in a ring segment-shaped or annular manner. This substrate element has, as described above, for example, a disk-shaped or circular basic shape. In this way, the contact layer is configured as a conductive layer that extends at least partially around or along the edge of the substrate element body and, if necessary, completely. The contact layer can be a continuous, quasi-continuous or discontinuous conductive layer, and as a result, the contact layer can be a continuous, quasi-continuous or discontinuous conductive layer that extends around or along the edge of the substrate element body.

[0021] Therefore, instead of comprising a contact layer over its entire upper or lower side, the substrate element body comprises a contact layer only in a portion extending around the upper or lower edge (a portion surrounding the edge). As a result, there are advantages not only regarding reliably electrically contacting a power supply such as a battery built into a long-distance optical device with an electrochromic arrangement, but also regarding the application of an electrical voltage to at least one electrochromic element, which occurs at least temporarily during operation of the electrochromic arrangement, advantages arise when this element is contacted in a ring-shaped or annular manner. - This results, in particular, in a surprisingly rapid and uniform change in the optical properties of the electrochromic arrangement, in particular the transmittance, as opposed to contacting only at points. Also, the described arrangement or formation of the conductive layer allows for a large circumferential change in brightness or contrast "from the outside to the inside", eliminating phenomena known from the prior art, such as coloring like that of a theater curtain. Furthermore, there are manufacturing-related advantages, for example, that at least one substrate element need not comprise a contact layer over its entire surface in the upper or lower region of the substrate element body, but only in the edge region.

[0022] Overall, this provides an improved electrochromic arrangement for a long-distance optical device.

[0023] As described above, the contact layer extends at least partially around or along the edge of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element in a ring-shaped or annular manner, in particular in a ring segment-shaped or annular manner, i.e., in a ring-shaped or annular or ring segment-shaped or annular basic shape. This substrate element body typically has a disc-shaped or circular basic shape, as described above. The contact layer can extend around or along the edge of the substrate element body for at least 25% of the circumference, in particular at least 30% of the circumference, in particular at least 35% of the circumference, in particular at least 40% of the circumference, in particular at least 45% of the circumference, in particular at least 50% of the circumference, in particular at least 55% of the circumference, in particular at least 60% of the circumference, in particular at least 65% of the circumference, in particular at least 70% of the circumference, in particular at least 75% of the circumference, in particular at least 80% of the circumference, in particular at least 85% of the circumference, in particular at least 90% of the circumference, in particular at least 95% of the circumference, and in some cases 100% of the circumference (the above values can also be regarded as the upper or lower limits of the interval). The more completely the contact layer extends around or along the edge of the substrate element body, the faster or more uniformly the optical properties of the electrochromic assembly, i.e., in particular the change in transmittance, can be brought about. Therefore, in this regard, the contact layer usually extends at least 50% around or along the edge of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element.

[0024] In this regard, values that can be considered for the width of the contact layer formed in the form of a ring (segment) or segment are also shown as examples; the width of the contact layer can thus be, for example, as follows. 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.9 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.1 mm, 2.2 mm, 2.3 mm, 2.4 mm, 2.5 mm, 2.6 mm, 2.7 mm, 2.8 mm, 2.9 mm, 3.0 mm (the above values can also be regarded as the upper or lower limits of the interval).

[0025] Between the contact layer and the edge of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element, there may exist a defined free space where the contact layer does not extend, at least partially. As a result, the contact layer does not necessarily have to extend completely to the edge of the substrate element body, at least partially, with respect to its radial extension (with respect to the symmetry axis or central axis of the substrate element body). However, as described above, in particular, a defined distance can be provided between the outer periphery of the contact layer configured in the form of a ring (segment) or segment, and the actual edge on the upper or lower side of the substrate element body. Therefore, the contact layer can be at least partially arranged or formed at a defined distance, for example, 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm (the above values can also be regarded as the upper or lower limits of the interval), from the upper or lower edge of the substrate element body. By doing so, for example, the amount of material used to form the contact layer, and thus the time required to apply the contact layer to the upper or lower side of the substrate element body, can be reduced.

[0026] As described above, the contact layer is used, in particular, to bring an electrochromic assembly into contact with a power supply, that is, generally an electrical energy supply. Therefore, the contact layer can comprise a contact portion of the electrochromic assembly that can be contacted by an electrical contact element such as a wire, strand (twisted wire), cable, etc. that is connectable to or connected to the power supply or energy supply.

[0027] The corresponding contact portion can have dimensions different from those of other regions of the contact layer, for example, in order to ensure reliable contact with the corresponding electrical contact element, and in particular can have dimensions different with respect to its radial extension in the direction of the upper or lower edge of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element. Thus, the contact portion can be formed by or represented by a radial extension of the contact layer (compared to other regions of the contact layer) that extends circumferentially around a region of the edge of the substrate element body, i.e., for example, in the circumferential direction of the edge of the substrate element body, at least 5%, in particular at least 10%, more particularly at least 15%, more particularly at least 20%, more particularly at least 25%, more particularly at least 30%, more particularly at least 35%, more particularly at least 40%, more particularly at least 45%, more particularly at least 50% of the substrate element body extends in the circumferential direction of the edge of the substrate element body. In the region of the corresponding contact portion, usually, the corresponding conductive layer or coating is absent, and as a result, the contact portion can be applied directly to the upper or lower side of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element.

[0028] Regarding the simple and stable structural integration of the electrochromic assembly into a long-distance optical device, i.e., in particular into the corresponding optical tube of a long-distance optical device, the edge of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element can have at least one flat portion. The corresponding flat portion can be defined, in particular, by a line or straight line that extends through at least two points on the edge of the substrate element body and forms the outer circumference of the substrate element body. More particularly, the corresponding flat portion can be defined by a secant line that extends through at least two points on the edge of the substrate element body and forms the outer circumference of the substrate element body. Thus, since the edge of the substrate element body can have at least one corresponding flat portion, the shape of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element does not have to be a complete disk. The corresponding flat portion of the substrate element body can likewise simplify the structural integration of the electrochromic assembly into the long-distance optical device, for example, since the flat portion can be used to effect anti-rotation locking of the electrochromic assembly within the barrel of the long-distance optical device.

[0029] Similarly, the corresponding flat portion can form a functionalized interface of the electrochromic array body, and as shown below, special electrical contact options between the electrochromic array body and the power supply can be implemented in this way. This applies in particular when the contact portion is arranged or formed opposite the flat portion of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element. Thus, the contact portion and the flat portion can be arranged or formed with a (substantially) 180° offset in the circumferential direction with respect to the particularly disc-shaped or circular basic shape of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element, as described above. In the corresponding top view of the upper or lower surface of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element, in this way, the contact portion can be arranged or formed, for example, at the top, and the flat portion can be arranged or formed opposite at the bottom.

[0030] Regarding the contact between the electrochromic array and the power supply source, in a particularly compact arrangement that is advantageous, the electrochromic array consists of two substrate elements. Each substrate element comprises a substrate element body having a corresponding flat portion and an electrical contact portion disposed or formed opposite the flat portion. The substrate element bodies of the first substrate element and the second substrate element are arranged one on top of the other such that their contact layers face each other, but they cannot be in electrical contact with each other to avoid short - circuits. Each contact layer can be arranged on top of the other so as to complement each other to form a closed ring. As a result, the contact layer disposed or formed on the substrate element body of the first substrate element can extend in the circumferential direction in a region where the contact layer of the second substrate element does not extend on the substrate element body of the second substrate element. Typically, the overlapping arrangement of the substrate elements is also selected such that the respective contact portions are at least partially exposed, whereby the electrochromic array can contact the power supply source both via the contact portion of the first substrate element and via the contact portion of the second substrate element. The first electrical contact element can connect the contact portion of the contact layer of the first substrate element to the power supply source, and the second electrical contact element can connect the contact portion of the contact layer of the second substrate element to the power supply source.

[0031] In all embodiments, as described above, at least one electrochromic element, which may be a layer or coating of an electrochromic material, may be disposed or formed on the substrate element body of at least one substrate element. In this case, the contact layer and the layer or coating of the conductive material, which may be disposed or formed on the upper or lower side of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element, at least partially, particularly completely cover it.

[0032] In all embodiments, the electrochromic array can also include at least one spacer element made of an electrically insulating material such as plastic, which is at least partially or, if necessary, completely arranged or formed on at least one electrochromic element. The spacer element can have a ring-shaped or annular basic shape. The outer dimensions of the spacer element having the corresponding ring-shaped or annular basic shape correspond to the outer dimensions of the substrate element body of at least one substrate element, and the spacer element can be flush with the substrate element body. The aforementioned layer or coating of the electrolyte material can be arranged or formed in the internal space defined by the ring-shaped or annular basic shape of at least one spacer element. In particular, the spacer elements are configured to be spaced apart or separated from each other so that the respective contact layers cannot be in electrical contact.

[0033] The electrochromic array can in principle be composed of a plurality of substrate elements or substrate element bodies, and these substrate elements or substrate element bodies can be arranged on top of each other, particularly regardless of the flat part of the substrate element body.

[0034] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a long-distance optical device, particularly binoculars or a telescopic sight, comprising at least one electrochromic array according to the first aspect of the present invention. Accordingly, all embodiments related to the electrochromic array according to the first aspect of the present invention are analogously applicable to the long-distance optical device according to the second aspect of the present invention (and vice versa).

[0035] Therefore, the electrochromic array is typically structurally integrated into the optical path or optical tube of the long-distance optical device extending between the eyepiece and the objective lens of the long-distance optical device; thus, it can be arranged or formed within the optical path or optical tube. In particular, the electrochromic array can be arranged in a section of the optical path or optical tube extending between the objective lens and the eyepiece.

[0036] The long-distance optical device can be provided with an optical output device, for example in the form of a display, for outputting optical information. The optical information that can be output via the optical output device, i.e., for example alphanumeric symbols, graphics, images, videos, etc., can be coupled into the optical path of the long-distance optical device via a coupling device formed by a prism arrangement consisting of, for example, one or more prisms, or via a foil (nanorod), or via something equipped with such a device. The electrochromic assembly can be directly or indirectly associated with the optical output device so that, for example, the brightness and / or contrast of the optical information that can be output via the optical output device can be specifically changed via the electrochromic assembly.

[0037] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrochromic assembly for a long-distance optical device, in particular an electrochromic assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention, whereby all embodiments related to the electrochromic assembly according to the first aspect of the present invention are analogously applicable to the method according to the third aspect of the present invention (and vice versa).

[0038] This method consists of at least the following steps, which may be carried out multiple times: a) providing at least one substrate element, for example a substrate element body having a disc-shaped or circular basic shape; b) applying a contact layer made of a conductive material, for example copper, which at least partially extends on the upper or lower side of the substrate element body, by means of a chemical and / or physical coating method; c) arranging or forming at least one conductive element, for example a conductive element made of indium tin oxide (ITO), on the substrate element body in order to form a conductive layer or coating; d) arranging or forming at least one electrochromic element formed of or consisting of an electrochromic material on the substrate element body. In particular, steps b) and c) can be interchanged, whereby, as described above, a conductive layer or coating, which can be, for example, an ITO layer, can first be arranged or formed on the substrate element body and then only the contact layer can be arranged or formed.

[0039] As part of this method, in particular, the above-described substrate element configured to have corresponding contact portions and flat portions arranged opposite thereto can be arranged one on top of the other, in particular such that the respective contact portions are exposed and the respective contact layers are arranged relative to each other, in particular forming a closed ring, but not in electrical contact with each other. In order to prevent the respective contact layers from being in electrical contact with each other, the aforementioned spacer elements can be provided between the respective contact layers.

[0040] This method can also include the step of bringing each exposed contact portion into contact with a power supply. For this purpose, each contact portion can be brought into contact with the power supply via an electrical contact element such as a wire, strand, cable or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0041] The present invention will now be described again with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures. The figures show the following:

[0042] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of an electrochromic array according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0043] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a substrate element of an electrochromic array according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0044] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an electrochromic array according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0045] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a long-distance optical device including an electrochromic array according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] Figures 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of an electrochromic array 1 according to an exemplary embodiment, based on which the possible basic structure of the electrochromic array 1 can be purely schematically viewed as an example.

[0047] According to the structure shown as an example in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 1, the electrochromic array 1 first consists of a first substrate element 2 made of a transparent material such as glass or plastic, on which a contact layer 3 made of a conductive metal such as copper, which serves to bring the electrochromic material described later into contact with an external voltage supply, and a transparent conductive layer 4 made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO are disposed or formed. Subsequently, a first layer 5 made of an electrochromic material that can be called a working electrode, a layer 6 made of an ion-permeable electrolyte material such as a gel, and a second layer 7 made of an electrochromic material that functions as an ion storage layer that can be called a counter electrode are formed. Following the second layer 7 made of an electrochromic material, a contact layer 3 made of a conductive metal such as copper, which serves to bring the aforementioned electrochromic material into contact with an external voltage supply, a transparent conductive layer 4 made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO, and a second substrate element 2 follow, so the layer structure is repeated. A spacer element made of an electrical insulating material such as plastic is indicated by reference numeral 8.

[0048] According to the structure shown as an example in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, the electrochromic array 1 is configured by modifying the structure shown in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1. In particular, a layer 4 of a transparent conductive material such as ITO is first disposed or formed on each substrate element 2, and on top of that, in addition to each layer 5, 7 of the electrochromic material, each contact layer 3 is also disposed or formed.

[0049] In all embodiments, the electrochromic array 1 is targeted at long-distance optical devices 9 such as binoculars (monocular or binocular), telescopic sights, night vision devices, etc., and thus represents an assembly that can be structurally incorporated into the corresponding long-distance optical device 9 (see FIG. 5). In particular, the electrochromic array 1 is an assembly that can be structurally incorporated into the optical path 13 extending within the barrel 10 of the corresponding long-distance optical device 9 between the objective lens 11 nm and the eyepiece 12 (see FIG. 5).

[0050] As already shown in connection with the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrochromic array 1 includes corresponding contact layers 3 made of a conductive material for making electrical contact with an electrochromic element or a plurality of elements typically present as layers or coatings 5, 7 made of an electrochromic material, that is, in particular for applying a voltage or current. A special feature of the electrochromic array 1 described herein is the configuration of the contact layer 3, which will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4:

[0051] FIG. 3 is an exemplary top view of the upper or lower side of the substrate element 2 of the electrochromic array 1 according to an exemplary embodiment, whereby the following description related to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3 can be similarly applied to all substrate elements 2 of the electrochromic array 1.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate element 2 is composed of a substrate element body 14 having an exemplary disc-shaped or circular basic shape. In principle, the substrate element body 14 has a basic shape that can be integrated into the optical tube 10 of the long-distance optical device 9. As a result, the geometric configuration parameters that determine the shape of the substrate element body 14, such as dimensions, are selected in consideration of the installation space available in the long-distance optical device 9, that is, particularly in the optical tube 10, in order to be integrated as intended.

[0053] As described above, the contact layer 3 formed of a conductive material, such as a metal, particularly a noble metal such as gold or a semi-noble metal such as copper, is disposed or formed on the upper or lower side of the substrate element body 14 that forms the main extension surface of the substrate element 2. The contact layer 3 is typically applied to the upper or lower side of the substrate element body 14 by chemical and / or physical coating methods, particularly chemical and / or physical deposition processes, and more particularly chemical and / or physical vapor deposition processes. The layer thickness of the contact layer 3 can be, for example, in the range between 10 nm and 500 nm, particularly in the range between 10 nm and 450 nm, more particularly in the range between 10 nm and 400 nm, more particularly in the range between 10 nm and 350 nm, more particularly in the range between 10 nm and 300 nm, more particularly in the range between 10 nm and 250 nm, more particularly in the range between 10 nm and 200 nm, more particularly in the range between 10 nm and 150 nm, more particularly in the range between 10 nm and 100 nm, and more particularly in the range between 10 nm and 50 nm.

[0054] The contact layer 3 extends around or along the edge of the substrate element body 14 having a disk-shaped or circular basic shape in a ring-shaped or ring form, that is, in a particularly ring segment-shaped or ring form. Thus, the contact layer 3 is configured as a conductive layer that at least partially extends around or along the edge of the substrate element body 14. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, the contact layer 3 is shown as a continuous layer, but in principle, a quasi-continuous or discontinuous contact layer 3 is also conceivable, and as a result, the contact layer 3 can generally be a continuous, quasi-continuous or discontinuous conductive layer extending around or along the edge of the substrate element body 14.

[0055] Therefore, the substrate element body 14 does not include the contact layer 3 over the entire upper or lower region, but only includes the contact layer 3 in the portion extending around the edge in the upper or lower region. As a result, not only are there advantages regarding the reliable electrical contact between a power supply source such as a battery built into the long-distance optical device and the electrochromic array 1, but also regarding the voltage application to the electrochromic element that occurs at least temporarily during the operation of the electrochromic array 1. When these are contacted in a ring shape or ring form, the optical characteristics of the electrochromic array 1, that is, particularly the transmittance, change surprisingly quickly and uniformly compared to the case of point contact only. Furthermore, the substrate element 2 does not need to provide the contact layer 3 over the entire surface in the upper or lower region of the substrate element body, and it is sufficient to provide the contact layer 3 only around the edge. Therefore, there are also advantages in terms of manufacturing technology, for example.

[0056] As described above, the contact layer 3 extends at least partially around or along the edge of the substrate element body 14, having a ring-shaped or shaped, in particular ring segment-shaped or shaped, i.e., a basic shape of ring-shaped or shaped or ring segment-shaped or shaped. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the contact layer 3 extends circumferentially around or along the edge of the substrate element body 14 over at least 50% of the circumference of the edge. The more completely the contact layer 3 extends around or along the edge of the substrate element body 14, the faster or more uniformly the optical properties of the electrochromic assembly 1, in particular the change in transmittance, can be brought about.

[0057] FIG. 3 also shows that there may be a defined free space 15 where the contact layer 3 does not extend at least partially between the contact layer 3 and the edge of the substrate element body 14. As a result, the contact layer 3 does not need to extend completely to the edge of the substrate element body 14 with respect to the radial extension (with respect to the axis of symmetry or central axis A1 of the substrate element body 14), but a defined distance, for example 0.5 mm, can be provided between the outer circumference of the contact layer 3 and the actual upper or lower edge of the substrate element body 14.

[0058] FIG. 2 also shows that the contact layer 3 can include a contact portion 16 that can be contacted by an electrical contact element such as a wire, strand, cable, etc. that can be connected to an electrical voltage source or power supply.

[0059] FIG. 3 also shows that, for example, the contact portion 16 has dimensions different from those of the other regions of the contact layer 3 with respect to its radial extension in the direction of the upper or lower edge of the substrate element body 14 in order to ensure reliable contact with the corresponding electrical contact element. Thus, the contact portion 16 can be formed by, or can represent, a radial extension of the contact layer 3 (compared to the other regions of the contact layer 3) that extends circumferentially around a certain region of the edge of the substrate element body 14, i.e., for example, by at least 10% around or along the edge of the substrate element body 14. The contact portion 16 can be applied directly to the upper or lower side of the substrate element body 14, and thus, in the region of the contact portion 16, there is no need for a corresponding transparent conductive layer or coating.

[0060] FIG. 3 further shows that the edge of the substrate element body 14 can have a flat portion 17. In particular, the flat portion 17 can be defined by a straight line L or a corresponding secant S that extends through two points P1, P2 on the edge of the substrate element body 14 and forms the outer circumference of the substrate element body 14. Since the edge of the substrate element body 14 can have a corresponding flat portion 17, the shape of the substrate element body 14 does not necessarily have to be a complete disk. The flat portion 17 can be used, for example, to prevent the rotation of the electrochromic assembly 1 within the lens barrel 10 of the long-distance optical device 9, and thus can also simplify the structural integration of the electrochromic assembly into the long-distance optical device 9.

[0061] Similarly, as can be further understood in relation to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, the flat portion 17 can form a functionalized interface of the electrochromic array 1 if such special electrical contact options with the power supply of the electrochromic array 1 are implemented in this way. This applies in particular when the contact portion 16 is arranged or formed opposite (on the opposite side) to the flat portion 17, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the contact portion 16 and the flat portion 17 can be arranged or formed with a (substantially) 180° offset in the circumferential direction with respect to the disc-shaped or circular basic shape of the substrate element body 14. In the top or bottom top view of the substrate element body 14 shown in FIG. 3, the contact portion 16 is thus arranged or formed on the upper side and the flat portion 17 is arranged or formed opposite on the lower side.

[0062] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the electrochromic array 1 has two substrate elements 2 configured to correspond to each other, and each substrate element 2 is found to have a substrate element body 14 with a corresponding flat portion 17 and a contact portion 16 disposed or formed facing the flat portion 17. The substrate element bodies 14 of the first substrate element 2 and the second substrate element 2 are arranged one above the other (one on top of the other) such that their contact layers 3 face each other, but cannot be electrically contacted with each other to avoid short circuits. Each contact layer 3 can be stacked on top of the other so as to form a complementary closed ring with each other. As a result, the contact layer 3 disposed or formed on the substrate element body 14 of the first substrate element 2 (for example, the upper substrate element in FIG. 4) can extend in the circumferential direction in a region where the contact layer 3 does not extend on the substrate element body 14 of the second substrate element 2 (for example, the lower substrate element in FIG. 4). Of course, the overlapping arrangement of the substrate elements 2 is also selected such that the respective contact portions 16 are at least partially exposed, whereby the electrochromic array 1 can be in contact with the power supply source both via the contact portion 16 of the first substrate element 2 and via the contact portion 16 of the second substrate element 2. The first electrical contact element can connect the contact portion 16 of the contact layer 3 of the first substrate element 2 (for example, the upper substrate element in FIG. 4) to the power supply source, and the second electrical contact element can connect the contact portion 16 of the contact layer 3 of the second substrate element 2 (for example, the lower substrate element in FIG. 4) to the power supply source.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows in side view the principle of a long-distance optical device 9 according to an exemplary embodiment. The lens barrel 10 is shown purely schematically and consists of an objective lens 11nm comprising one or more objective lenses (not shown) and an eyepiece 12 comprising one or more eyepieces (not shown).

[0064] It is clear that the electrochromic array 1 is structurally integrated into the optical path of the long-distance optical device 9 or the optical tube 10 that extends between the objective lens 11 nm and the eyepiece 11. As a result, the electrochromic array 1 can be arranged or formed within the optical path of the long-distance optical device 9 or the optical tube 10.

[0065] The long-distance optical device 9 can include an optical output device 18 in the form of, for example, a display for outputting optical information. The optical information that can be output via the optical output device 18, that is, for example, alphanumeric symbols, graphics, images, videos, etc., can be coupled to the optical path of the long-distance optical device via a coupling device formed by, for example, a prism arrangement consisting of one or more prisms, or via a foil arrangement (not shown in each case), or via something equipped with such a device. The electrochromic array 1 can be directly or indirectly associated with the optical output device 18 such that the brightness and / or contrast of the optical information that can be output via the optical output device 18 can be selectively changed via the electrochromic array 1.

[0066] The reference numeral 19 in FIG. 5 also indicates a power supply source in the form of, for example, a battery incorporated in the long-distance optical device 9. A voltage can be automatically applied to the electrochromic array 1 via the power supply source 19 by a related hardware and / or software control device (not shown) or by a related operating device on the user side (not shown), thereby bringing about a corresponding change in transmittance.

[0067] Finally, a method for manufacturing the electrochromic array 1 for the long-distance optical element 9 as shown in the figure will be described.

[0068] This method consists of at least the following steps, which may be carried out multiple times: a) providing at least one substrate element 2 comprising a substrate element body 14 having a basic shape, for example, a disk-shaped or disc-like shape; b) applying a contact layer 3 made of a conductive material and at least partially extending around the edge of the substrate element body 14 onto the upper or lower side of the substrate element body 14 by means of a chemical and / or physical coating method; c) arranging or forming at least one conductive element on the substrate element body 14 to form a conductive layer or coating 4; d) arranging or forming at least one electrochromic element formed by or consisting of an electrochromic material on the substrate element body 14. In particular, steps b) and c) can be interchanged. For example, it is also possible to first arrange or form a conductive layer or coating, which can be an ITO layer as described above, on the substrate element body 14 and then arrange or form the contact layer 3.

[0069] As part of this method, as described in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, in particular, in such a way that each contact portion 16 is exposed and each contact layer 3 is arranged opposite to each other and in particular forms a closed ring but does not make electrical contact with each other, it is possible to arrange one configured substrate element 2 having corresponding contact portions 16 and flat portions 17 arranged opposite thereto on top of the other. In order to prevent each contact layer 3, 4 from making electrical contact with each other, the aforementioned spacer element 8 can be provided.

[0070] This method may further include the step of bringing each exposed contact portion 16 into contact with a power supply. For this purpose, each contact portion 16 can be brought into contact with the power supply via an electrical contact element such as a wire, strand, cable, etc.

Claims

1. An electrochromic arrangement (1) for a long-distance optical device (9), which is arranged or formed between two conductive elements and includes at least one electrochromic element formed of or consisting of an electrochromic material: At least one substrate element (2) comprises a substrate element body (14) having a disc-shaped or disc-like basic shape, is made of a conductive material, and a contact layer (3) that at least partially extends around the edge of the substrate element body (14) is applied to the upper or lower side of the substrate element body (14) by a chemical and / or physical coating method. The electrochromic arrangement (1) is characterized by this.

2. The electrochromic arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the substrate element body (14) has a disc-shaped or circular basic shape.

3. The electrochromic arrangement (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact layer (3) has the shape of a ring or a ring segment.

4. The electrochromic arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the contact layer (3) is at least partially arranged or formed at a position away from the upper or lower edge of the substrate element body (14).

5. The electrochromic arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the contact layer (3) comprises a contact portion (16) that can be contacted by an electrical contact element such as a wire, a strand, or a cable.

6. The electrochromic arrangement (1) according to claim 5, wherein the contact portion (16) is arranged or formed up to the upper or lower edge of the substrate element body (14).

7. The electrochromic arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the substrate element body (14) comprises at least one defined flat portion (17).

8. The electrochromic arrangement (1) according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the flat portions (17) is defined by a line (L) that extends through at least two points (P1, P2) on the edge of the substrate element body (14) and forms the outer periphery of the substrate element body (14), or is defined by a secant line that extends through at least two points on the edge of the substrate element body (14) and forms the outer periphery of the substrate element body (14).

9. The electrochromic array (1) according to claim 7, wherein the contact portion (16) is disposed or formed to face the flat portion (17).

10. Comprising first and second substrate elements (2), wherein an edge of the substrate element body (14) of the first substrate element (2) comprises at least one corresponding flat portion (17) and a contact portion (16) disposed or formed to face the flat portion (17), An edge of the substrate element body (14) of the second substrate element (2) comprises at least one corresponding flat portion (17) and a contact portion (16) disposed or formed to face the flat portion (17), The substrate element bodies (14) of the first and second substrate elements (2) are disposed one above the other, and respective contact layers (3) are not in electrical contact with each other, and respective contact portions (16) are at least partially exposed. The electrochromic array (1) according to claim 6.

11. The electrochromic array (1) according to claim 1, comprising a spacer element (8) disposed or formed on the electrochromic element and made of an electrically insulating material.

12. A long-distance optical device (9) comprising at least one electrochromic array (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A method for manufacturing an electrochromic array (1) for a long-distance optical device (9), the method comprising at least the following steps: a) providing at least one substrate element (2) comprising a substrate element body (14) having a disk-shaped or disk-like basic shape; b) applying, by a chemical and / or physical coating method, a contact layer (3) made of a conductive material and at least partially extending around an edge of the substrate element body (14) onto an upper side or a lower side of the substrate element body (14); c) disposing or forming at least one conductive element on the substrate element body (14); d) disposing or forming an electrochromic element formed of or made of an electrochromic material on the conductive element.

Images