Electrochromic devices and electronic terminals

Abstract

An electrochromic device and an electronic terminal are provided. The electrochromic device comprises an extraction electrode (6), and a first base layer (1), a first conductive layer (2), an electrochromic layer (3), a second conductive layer (4), and a second base layer (5) which are stacked in this order, wherein the first conductive layer (2) has at least one first region (21) and at least one second region (22), the first region (21) is electrically connected to the extraction electrode (6), a first cut (24) is provided between the first region (21) and the second region (22), the first cut (24) vertically penetrates the first conductive layer (2), and a conductive path (23) is further provided between the first region (21) and the second region (22), the first cut is interrupted by the conductive path, and the second region (22) is electrically connected to the first region (21) and the extraction electrode (6) via the conductive path (23).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Book The present application relates to the field of electrochromic technology, for example, to electrochromic devices and electronic terminals. [Background technology]

[0002] Electrochromism refers to the phenomenon in which a stable, reversible color change occurs in the optical properties of a material when an applied electric field is applied, and is expressed externally as a reversible change in color and transparency. Materials with electrochromic properties are called electrochromic materials, and electrochromic materials can be divided into inorganic and organic electrochromic materials. Inorganic electrochromic materials have the advantages of stability and fast response, such as tungsten trioxide, vanadium pentoxide, nickel oxide, and titanium dioxide. Organic electrochromic materials are available in a wide variety of colors and are easy to design, such as viologen and polythiophenes.

[0003] Devices made with electrochromic materials are called electrochromic devices. By selecting different electrochromic materials, electrochromic devices with different colors and color change ranges can be obtained. Electrochromic devices have very important application prospects in fields such as color-changing glasses, electronic displays, military camouflage, and building energy conservation.

[0004] A typical electrochromic device generally consists of a transparent substrate layer, a transparent conductive layer, an electrochromic layer, an electrolyte layer, an ion storage layer, a transparent conductive layer, and a transparent substrate layer, which are stacked in this order. After a voltage is applied, ions are conducted from the ion storage layer through the electrolyte layer into the electrochromic layer, resulting in a color change; after a reverse voltage is applied, ions are conducted from the electrochromic layer through the electrolyte layer into the ion storage layer, resulting in a color fade.

[0005] In some applications, it is desirable for an electrochromic device to exhibit a pattern in the color change process rather than a uniform color change as a whole, in order to achieve the effect of displaying information or enhancing the appearance design.

[0006] The commonly adopted processing method in related art is to etch one of the transparent conductive layers, completely separate the conductive layers in different regions, and then use multiple extraction electrodes to control the discoloration of the multiple regions, but this processing method increases the number of extraction electrodes in the device, making the device structure more complex, increasing process difficulty and cost. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present application provides an electrochromic device and an electronic terminal. The electrochromic device according to the present application can realize a pattern being displayed during the color change process without increasing the number of extraction electrodes.

[0008] This application adopts the following technical proposals:

[0009] In a first aspect, the present application provides a device comprising an extraction electrode and a first base layer, a first conductive layer, an electrochromic layer, a second conductive layer, and a second base layer stacked in sequence, wherein: the first conductive layer has at least one first region and at least one second region; the first region is electrically connected to the extraction electrode; a first cut is provided between the first region and the second region, the first cut vertically penetrating the first conductive layer; a conductive path is further provided between the first region and the second region, the first cut is interrupted by the conductive path, The second region is electrically connected to the first region and the extraction electrode via the conductive path. R , the first conductive layer further includes a bus bar provided in a peripheral portion of the first conductive layer, the extraction electrode is provided on the bus bar, and the first cut is not in contact with the bus bar; the first conductive layer further includes a third notch, the third notch vertically penetrating the first conductive layer, the third notch being located on a side of at least some of the bus bars farther from the edge of the first conductive layer and not in contact with either the first notch or the bus bars; An electrochromic device is provided.

[0010] In a second aspect, the present application provides an electronic terminal comprising the electrochromic device according to the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrochromic device according to Example 1 of the present application. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a first transparent conductive layer of the electrochromic device according to Example 1 of the present application. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a first transparent conductive layer of an electrochromic device according to Example 2 of the present application. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrochromic device taken along line AA in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a first transparent conductive layer of an electrochromic device according to Example 3 of the present application. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a first transparent conductive layer of an electrochromic device according to Example 4 of the present application. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a first transparent conductive layer of an electrochromic device according to Example 5 of the present application. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a first transparent conductive layer of an electrochromic device according to Example 6 of the present application. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a first transparent conductive layer of an electrochromic device according to Example 7 of the present application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0012] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 first base layer, 2 first conductive layer, 3 electrochromic layer, 4 second conductive layer, 5 second base layer, 6 extraction electrode, 21 first region, 22 second region, 23 conductive path, 24 first cut, 25 second cut, 26 third cut, 27 busbar, 271 first busbar main portion, 272 first busbar connecting portion, 273 ·Second busbar main portion, 274···Second busbar connection portion, 31···Color-changing material layer, 32···Solid electrolyte layer, 33···Ion storage layer, 211···First portion of first region, 212···Second portion of first region, 2721···First end point of first busbar connection portion, 2722···Second end point of first busbar connection portion, 2741···First end point of second busbar connection portion, 2742···Second end point of second busbar connection portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In this description, orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," etc., are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings and are intended merely to facilitate and simplify the description of this application. They do not indicate or imply that the relevant device or element must have a particular orientation, be configured, and operate in a particular orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or the number of the indicated technical features. Accordingly, a feature qualified by "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the same feature. In this description, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two.

[0014] In the description of this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, and may refer to, for example, a fixed connection, a detachable connection, an integral connection, a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a direct connection, an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two elements. Those skilled in the art will be able to understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application according to specific circumstances.

[0015] Example 1 This example provides an electrochromic device, the structure of which includes a first base layer 1, a first conductive layer 2, an electrochromic layer 3, a second conductive layer 4, and a second base layer 5, which are laminated in this order, as shown in FIG.

[0016] Here, the electrochromic layer 3 includes a color-changing material layer 31, a solid electrolyte layer 32, and an ion storage layer 33, which are laminated in this order.

[0017] The first conductive layer 2 has a first cut 24 that penetrates the first conductive layer 2 in the vertical direction.

[0018] In FIG. 2, all thin solid lines inside the outer edge represent first cuts 24 .

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the first conductive layer 2 has one first region 21 and one second region 22, and the first region 21 is electrically connected to the extraction electrode 6.

[0020] A first cut 24 is provided between the first region 21 and the second region 22, and the first cut 24 is a groove that is formed by laser etching and penetrates the first conductive layer 2 in the vertical direction.

[0021] A conductive path 23 is further provided between the first region 21 and the second region 22, and the first cut 24 is terminated at the conductive path 23.

[0022] The second region 22 is electrically connected to the first region 21 and the extraction electrode 6 via the conductive path 23 .

[0023] The width of the conductive path 23 is 0.05% of the perimeter of the second region 22 .

[0024] In this embodiment, the first cuts 24 are formed before the application of the ion storage layer 33, which makes it easier to ensure the integrity of the device structure.

[0025] In this embodiment, the width of the conductive path 23 is set to 0.05% of the circumference of the second region 22, thereby increasing the length of the shortest conductive path between a point inside the second region 22 and the extraction electrode, increasing the smallest conductive line resistance, and slowing the color change rate, making the color change rate of the second region 22 slower than that of the first region 21. Furthermore, a pattern with a specific rule is displayed during the color change process. At the same time, only one extraction electrode 6 is required to realize the extraction for the first conductive layer 2, which has the advantages of a simple construction process and low cost.

[0026] It can be understood that the second conductive layer 4 is electrically connected to another extraction electrode (not shown), and that the color change control of the electrochromic device is realized by connecting the two extraction electrodes 6 to an external power source and a control circuit. The setting of another extraction electrode is a technique well known to those skilled in the art, and the present application does not need to repeatedly explain it in detail here or in the following examples.

[0027] Example 2 This example provides an electrochromic device, the structure of which is different from that of Example 1 in that the first conductive layer 2 has four first regions 21 and four second regions 22, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

[0028] 3, the first conductive layer 2 has four conductive paths 23. The width of a single conductive path 23 is the length of a corresponding side of a single second region 22. For example, the width of the corresponding conductive path 23 of the single second region 22 in the upper right corner of FIG.

[0029] The first conductive layer 2 further comprises a bus bar 27 provided in a peripheral portion of the first conductive layer 2, which in FIG. 3 is located in the region between the first and second regions and the edge of the conductive layer.

[0030] The extraction electrode 6 is provided on the bus bar 27 , and the first cut 24 does not contact the bus bar 27 .

[0031] In FIG. 3, all thin solid lines inside the outer edge represent first cuts 24 .

[0032] In this embodiment, the first notch 24 is formed after the application of the ion storage layer 33, which ensures the consistency of the surface energy of the conductive layer and makes it easier to ensure the application effect of the ion storage layer 33.

[0033] In this embodiment, the bus bar 27 is provided to reduce the difference in discoloration speed between different first regions and to reduce the difference in discoloration speed between different second regions.

[0034] In this embodiment, the thickness of the conductive layer at the conductive path 23 is reduced by laser etching, thereby increasing the sheet resistance of the conductive layer at the conductive path 23 compared to the sheet resistance of the conductive layer in the first region 21. The width of the conductive path 23 is controlled to 20% of the circumference of the second region 22, thereby increasing the smallest conductive line resistance between a point inside the second region 22 and the extraction electrode, slowing the discoloration rate so that the discoloration rate of the second region 22 is lower than that of the first region 21. Furthermore, a pattern with a specific regularity is displayed during the discoloration process. At the same time, only one extraction electrode 6 is required to achieve extraction for the first conductive layer 2, which has the advantages of a simple construction process and low cost.

[0035] Example 3 This example provides an electrochromic device, and its structure is distinguished from that of Example 2 in that it further includes one second cut 25 inside each second region 22, as shown in FIG.

[0036] Each second cut 25 divides the inside of each second region 22 into two parts, and the two parts of the inside of the same second region 22 are electrically connected to each other.

[0037] In FIG. 5, the thin solid lines within the hatched area are second cuts 25, and the other thin solid lines within the outer edge other than the second cuts 25 are first cuts 24.

[0038] In this embodiment, based on Example 2, a second cut 25 is provided in the second region 22 to divide the interior of the second region 22 into two parts (a part close to the conductive path 23 of the second region 22 and a part far from the conductive path 23 of the second region 22), thereby increasing the shortest conductive path of the point in the part far from the conductive path 23 (the "shortest conductive path of the point" means the shortest conductive path between the point and the extraction electrode), slowing the discoloration rate in the part far from the conductive path 23, and increasing the diversity of the patterns displayed during the discoloration process.

[0039] Example 4 This embodiment provides an electrochromic device, the structure of which is different from that of the first embodiment in that the width of the conductive path 23 is 0.1% of the perimeter of the second region 22, as shown in FIG.

[0040] The inside of the second region 22 further includes eleven second cuts 25 .

[0041] In FIG. 6, the thin solid lines within the hatched area are second cuts 25, and the other thin solid lines within the first conductive layer 2 other than the second cuts 25 are first cuts 24.

[0042] The second cuts 25 divide the inside of the second region 22 into eight parts, and the parts inside the second region 22 are electrically connected to one another.

[0043] The first conductive layer 2 further includes a bus bar 27 provided in the peripheral portion of the first conductive layer 2.

[0044] The extraction electrode 6 is provided on the bus bar 27 , and the first cut 24 does not contact the bus bar 27 .

[0045] In this embodiment, based on Example 1, second cuts 25 are provided within second region 22 to divide the interior of second region 22 into eight sections, and the sections are electrically connected via paths at the interruptions of second cuts 25. This results in different lengths of the shortest conductive paths between points in each section and extraction electrode 6, thereby increasing the variety of patterns displayed during the color change process. At the same time, bus bars 27 are provided to reduce the voltage drop in the peripheral areas of the conductive layer and improve the color change speed.

[0046] Example 5 This embodiment provides an electrochromic device, the structure of which is distinguished from that of Example 1 in that the shapes of the first region 21 and the second region 22 are different from those of Example 1, and the width of the conductive path 23 is 0.01% of the circumference of the second region 22, as shown in Figure 7, and the width of the conductive path 23 is equal to the width of the corresponding narrow side of the central elongated shape.

[0047] In FIG. 7, all the thin solid lines in the first conductive layer are first cuts 24.

[0048] The solid electrolyte layer is formed by mixing 20 wt% lithium perchlorate, 59.9 wt% methyl methacrylate, 20% propylene carbonate, and 0.1 wt% azobisisobutyronitrile, applying the mixture to the ion storage layer, and then curing it with ultraviolet light.

[0049] Before UV curing of the electrolyte layer of the electrochromic device, a plated PET film with a surface having 10% UV transmittance is coated on the outside of the electrochromic device corresponding to the second region 22, a plated PET film with a surface having 50% UV transmittance is coated on the outside of the electrochromic device corresponding to the first portion 211 of the first region 21, and no film is coated on the outside of the electrochromic device corresponding to the second portion 212 of the first region 21.

[0050] Therefore, the degree of cross-linking of the electrolyte material in the projected region of the solid electrolyte layer 32 in the second region 22 < the degree of cross-linking of the electrolyte material in the projected region of the solid electrolyte layer 32 in the first portion 211 of the first region 21 < the degree of cross-linking of the electrolyte material in the projected region of the solid electrolyte layer 32 in the second portion 212 of the first region 21.

[0051] In this embodiment, based on Example 1, the degree of cross-linking between different regions in the solid electrolyte layer 32 is controlled, and the discoloration rates of different regions are made to differ, thereby increasing the variety of patterns displayed during the discoloration process.

[0052] Example 6 This embodiment provides an electrochromic device, the structure of which is different from that of the second embodiment in that the width of the conductive path 23 is 5% of the perimeter of the second region 22, as shown in FIG.

[0053] The sheet resistance of the conductive layer in the conductive path 23 is equal to the sheet resistance of the conductive layer in the first region 21 .

[0054] The first conductive layer 2 further includes a third notch 26, which penetrates the first conductive layer 2 vertically and is located on the side of some of the bus bars 27 farther from the edge of the first conductive layer 2, and does not contact either the first notch 24 or the bus bars 27.

[0055] In this embodiment, if the third cut 26 is not provided, the current in the bus bar 27 flows in the upper and left sides of the first region located in the upper left corner of FIG. Around The first area, which is directly transmitted, i.e., located in the upper left corner in FIG. 8, is From the side Lower and right side To the side The first area, located in the bottom right corner, shows a color-changing effect, and the second area shows a color-changing effect. From the side Upper and left To the side Shows a discoloring effect.

[0056] After the third incisions 26 are made, the current in the busbars 27 can be transmitted to the first regions 21 only through the busbars on both the left and right sides in FIG. 8, that is, all four first regions exhibit a color-changing effect from the outside to the inside.

[0057] In FIG. 8, the thin solid lines along the perimeter of the hatched area are first cuts 24, and the other thin solid lines within the first conductive layer 2 other than the first cuts 24 are third cuts 26.

[0058] In this embodiment, based on the second embodiment, a third notch 26 is provided to allow the drawing out electrodeBy changing the position of the busbar 27 where the current starts to conduct to the first region 21 from the entire original busbar region to the busbars on both the left and right sides without changing the position of 6, the variety of patterns displayed during the color change process is increased.

[0059] Example 7 This example provides an electrochromic device, and its structure is distinguished from that of Example 6 in that the busbar includes a first busbar main portion 271, a first busbar connecting portion 272, a second busbar main portion 273, and a second busbar connecting portion 274, as shown in FIG.

[0060] Here, a first end point 2721 of the first busbar communication portion is connected to the extraction electrode 6 , and a second end point 2722 of the first busbar communication portion is connected to the midpoint of the first busbar main portion 271 .

[0061] A first end point 2741 of the second busbar communication portion is connected to the extraction electrode 6 , and a second end point 2742 of the second busbar communication portion is connected to the midpoint of the second busbar main portion 273 .

[0062] Referring to Figure 9, a portion of the third notch 26 is located between the first busbar main portion 271 and the first busbar connecting portion 272, a portion of the third notch 26 is located between the second busbar main portion 273 and the second busbar connecting portion 274, and a further portion (the horizontal portion in Figure 9) of the third notch 26 is located on the side farther from the edge of the first conductive layer 2 of the first busbar 27.

[0063] In FIG. 9, the thin solid lines along the perimeter of the hatched area are first cuts 24, and the other thin solid lines within the first conductive layer 2 other than the first cuts 24 are third cuts 26.

[0064] In Example 6, if the length of the bus bars on both the left and right sides is too large, a certain voltage loss occurs even when the voltage applied to bus bar 27 reaches the end far from extraction electrode 6 due to the influence of the line resistance of bus bar 27 itself, and this causes the discoloration rates at both ends, that is, the end close to extraction electrode 6 and the end far from it, to not match.

[0065] In this embodiment, based on the sixth embodiment, the busbar is configured as a plurality of busbar main portions and a plurality of busbar communication portions, and is drawn out. electrode By converting the position at which current begins to be conducted to busbar 27 in extraction electrode 6 to the intersection of the busbar connection portion and the busbar main portion, i.e., points 2722 and 2742, without changing the position of 6, the phenomenon in which the discoloration rates at both ends, i.e., the ends close to and far from extraction electrode 6, do not match is alleviated, and the variety of patterns displayed during the discoloration process is also increased.

[0066] The present application provides an electrochromic device comprising an extraction electrode and a first base layer, a first conductive layer, an electrochromic layer, a second conductive layer, and a second base layer stacked in sequence, wherein the first conductive layer has at least one first region and at least one second region, the first region being electrically connected to the extraction electrode, a first cutout being provided between the first region and the second region, the first cutout vertically penetrating the first conductive layer, a conductive path being further provided between the first region and the second region, the first cutout being interrupted by the conductive path, and the second region being electrically connected to the first region and the extraction electrode via the conductive path.

[0067] The color change at any point in an electrochromic device is directly related to the potential difference (i.e., effective voltage) between the conductive layers corresponding to that point. Therefore, when the same voltage is applied to the external extraction electrode of the electrochromic device, the effective voltage at any point is related to the voltage drop between that point and the extraction electrode. The smaller the voltage drop, the greater the effective voltage at that point and the faster the color change rate. Meanwhile, the voltage drop at any point depends on the smallest conductive line resistance between that point and the extraction electrode (there are multiple conductive paths between that point and the extraction electrode, each corresponding to a line resistance value, and the smallest value among them is taken as the smallest conductive line resistance, which is related to the length of the conductive path and the line resistance value of each point on the conductive path, where the line resistance value of each point on the conductive path is related to the sheet resistance of the conductive layer at that point and the width of the conductive path).

[0068] In related art, when an electrochromic device changes color, the voltage drops at multiple points generally change continuously and gradually. However, if it is desired that the electrochromic device not change color uniformly as a whole but show a pattern during the color change process, it is necessary to have a large difference in the color change speed between the second region and the first region, with the first cut as the boundary, i.e., a large difference between the voltage drop in the first region and the voltage drop in the second region. Therefore, by making a first cut to separate the second region from the first region, and making a notch in the first cut to form a conductive path, the smallest conductive line resistance between each point in the second region and the extraction electrode is changed, and finally, the voltage drop in the second region is made significantly larger than the voltage drop in the first region, so that the first region and the second region change color at different color change speeds during the color change process, thereby achieving the effect of showing a pattern.

[0069] At the same time, the presence of the conductive path electrically connects multiple parts of the entire electrochromic device, eliminating the need for additional extraction electrodes. After the color change is complete, the transmittance of the second region and the first region gradually becomes the same, creating a visual effect of uniform and consistent transmittance throughout the entire device.

[0070] The present invention realizes that a pattern is displayed during the color change process, thereby enhancing the display of information or the design of the appearance, while ensuring a simplified device structure and further reducing the process difficulty and production costs.

[0071] For example, the sheet resistance of the conductive path is greater than the sheet resistance of the first region.

[0072] The current generated by the voltage applied to the lead-out electrode of the external circuit is first conducted to the conductive path via the first region before being conducted to the second region, i.e., the shortest conductive path between all points in the second region and the lead-out electrode must include this conductive path. Therefore, by making the sheet resistance of the conductive path greater than that of the first region, the smallest conductive line resistance between all points in the second region and the lead-out electrode is increased, thereby increasing the voltage drop and slowing the discoloration rate of the second region compared to that of the first region, thereby achieving the effect of pattern display.

[0073] For example, the sheet resistance of the conductive path portion can be increased by reducing the thickness of the conductive layer at that portion by laser etching.

[0074] For example, the width of the conductive path is less than or equal to 20% of the perimeter of the second region, such as 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1% or 0.05%, where the width of the conductive path means the distance between the endpoints of the two first notches on the boundary of the conductive path.

[0075] Adjusting the width of the conductive path can change the length of the shortest conductive path between any point within the second region and the extraction electrode. When other conditions are met, the longer the length of the conductive path, the greater the smallest conductive line resistance between that point and the extraction electrode, the greater the voltage drop, and the slower the discoloration rate. Since the conductive paths of all points within the second region must pass through the conductive path, adjusting the width of the conductive path can adjust the line resistance value of the conductive path location and also adjust the line resistance value of the conductive paths of all points within the second region. Therefore, by limiting the width of the conductive path, the smallest conductive line resistance between a point within the second region and the extraction electrode can be increased, that is, the discoloration rate of the second region can be made slower than that of the first region, thereby achieving the effect of pattern display.

[0076] For example, the interior of the second region has at least one second notch, which penetrates vertically through the first conductive layer, and the second notch divides the interior of the second region into at least two parts, and the at least two parts of the interior of the second region are electrically connected to each other.

[0077] By providing a second cut in the second region and dividing the interior of the second region into at least two parts, the length of the shortest conductive path between a point in a part of the interior of the second region and the extraction electrode can be increased, the discoloration speed of that part of the region can be reduced, and the variety of patterns displayed during the discoloration process can be increased.

[0078] For example, the width of the first notch and the second notch is both less than or equal to 0.1 mm, such as 0.1 mm, 0.08 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.04 mm, 0.02 mm, 0.01 mm, 50 μm, 10 μm, 5 μm, or 1 μm, and for example, the width of the first notch and the second notch is each less than or equal to 0.02 mm.

[0079] The smaller the width of the notch, the less visible it is to the human eye, and the greater the visual integrity of the electrochromic device.

[0080] For example, the first conductive layer further includes a bus bar provided in a peripheral portion of the first conductive layer, wherein the extraction electrode is provided on the bus bar and the first cut does not contact the bus bar.

[0081] By providing a bus bar, the voltage drop in the conductive layer can be reduced and the discoloration speed can be improved. Furthermore, when there are a large number of first and second regions, the discoloration speeds of the first regions far from the extraction electrode and the first regions close to the extraction electrode may not match due to differences in the voltage drop in the conductive layer. However, this mismatch may not be acceptable depending on the application scenario. Therefore, by providing a bus bar, the difference in voltage drop between similar regions due to the conductive layer can be reduced.

[0082] For example, the width of the peripheral portion can be further adjusted to reduce the difference in voltage drop.

[0083] For example, the first conductive layer further includes a third notch, the third notch vertically penetrating the first conductive layer, the third notch being located on a side of at least some of the bus bars farther from the edge of the first conductive layer and not contacting either the first notch or the bus bars.

[0084] The two extraction electrodes are generally located on the same side of the electrochromic device to facilitate connection with an external control structure. In this case, the color change effect of the electrochromic device is generally expressed as a color change first occurring in the region near the extraction electrode and then gradually spreading to the other end farther from the extraction electrode, but other color change effects, such as a color change occurring simultaneously at one end near the extraction electrode and the other end farther from the extraction electrode, and then gradually spreading to the region between the two ends, cannot be realized.

[0085] Since the third cutouts are located on the side farther from the edge of the first conductive layer of at least some of the bus bars, the third cutouts can block current in the bus bar segments adjacent to the third cutouts from being directly conducted to the first region adjacent to the third cutouts. electrode The starting position of the conduction of current to the first region in the busbar can be changed without changing the position of the first region, thereby increasing the variety of patterns displayed during the color change process.

[0086] For example, the busbar includes at least one busbar main portion and at least one busbar connection portion, wherein a first end point of the busbar connection portion is connected to the extraction electrode, a second end point of the busbar connection portion is connected to the busbar main portion, and does not overlap with an end point of the busbar main portion that is closer to the extraction electrode, and at least a portion of the third notch is located between the busbar main portion and the busbar connection portion.

[0087] If the busbar is too long, the line resistance of the busbar itself will cause a large voltage loss even when the voltage applied to the busbar reaches the end far from the extraction electrode, resulting in a discrepancy in the discoloration rate at both ends, i.e., the end close to the extraction electrode and the end far from the extraction electrode.

[0088] By configuring the busbar as a busbar main section and a busbar connecting section, electrode By adjusting the position of the intersection between the busbar connecting portion and the busbar main portion without changing the position of the busbar, the position at which current starts to be conducted from the extraction electrode to the busbar main portion can be adjusted, thereby reducing the phenomenon in which the discoloration rates at both ends, i.e., the end closest to the extraction electrode and the end farther from it, do not match, and also increasing the variety of patterns that appear during the discoloration process.

[0089] For example, the second end point of the busbar connection portion overlaps with the midpoint of the busbar main portion.

[0090] For example, the electrochromic layer may include a color-changing material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and an ion storage layer stacked in sequence, where the ion storage layer is in contact with the first conductive layer, for example.

[0091] In this application, the phrase "the cut penetrates the first conductive layer vertically" means that there is no first conductive layer material at the cut location, and the cut location may be a groove that penetrates the first conductive layer, or may be filled with an electrochromic layer material (e.g., a color-change material layer material, an ion storage layer material, or an electrolyte layer material), or may be filled with another transparent insulating material (e.g., a transparent polyacrylate rubber).

[0092] The "notches" described in this application may be pre-set in the first conductive layer, or may be formed by forming a color-change material layer (or ion storage layer) on the first conductive layer and then forming the color-change material layer (or ion storage layer) on the first conductive layer using a method such as laser or mechanical etching from the side of the color-change material layer (or ion storage layer) farther from the first conductive layer, or may be formed by forming the electrochromic device and then forming the first base layer on the side farther from the first conductive layer using a method such as laser or mechanical etching.

[0093] After forming the color-change material layer (or ion storage layer) on the first conductive layer, if the notch is formed in the color-change material layer (or ion storage layer) from the side farther from the first conductive layer by laser etching or other methods, the color-change material layer (or ion storage layer) material in the projection area of ​​the notch in the color-change material layer (or ion storage layer) is also removed by the laser. Because the color-change material layer is colored, once the color-change material layer material corresponding to the notch is removed, the notch is visually very noticeable, but the color of the ion storage layer material is relatively inconspicuous. Therefore, in this application, it is illustratively chosen to have the ion storage layer contact the first conductive substrate.

[0094] In the present application, the electrochromic device is prepared by a preparation method in the related art, for example, by the following preparation method.

[0095] (1) Forming a conductive layer on the base: A conductive layer is formed on the base by magnetron sputtering (or vacuum deposition, sol-gel, or chemical vapor deposition, etc.).

[0096] (2) Forming a notch in the first conductive layer: The first notch is formed in the first conductive layer by laser etching.

[0097] (3) Applying a color-changing material layer to the second conductive layer: Dissolve 500 mg of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) in 10 mL of ortho-xylene and stir with a magnetic force for 10 hours. Then, drop the resulting solution onto the ITO layer (second conductive layer) plated on the second base and spin coat it to form a color-changing material layer.

[0098] (4) Applying an ion storage layer to the first conductive layer: Dissolve 500 mg of tungsten trioxide in 20 mL of deionized water, stir, and filter the resulting solution. Then, add the resulting solution dropwise to the ITO layer (first conductive layer) plated on the first base and spin coat it to form a tungsten trioxide coating layer, obtaining an ion storage layer.

[0099] (5) Prepare the entire electrochromic device by mixing 20 wt% lithium perchlorate, 59.9 wt% methyl methacrylate, 20% propylene carbonate, and 0.1 wt% azobisisobutyronitrile, and applying the mixture to the ion storage layer to form an electrolyte coating layer. Then, coat the above-mentioned color-changing material layer (together with the second base layer) on the electrolyte coating layer, and cure it with ultraviolet light to form the electrolyte coating layer into a solid electrolyte layer.

[0100] For example, before step (2), the method may further include the step of forming a bus bar on the first conductive layer and forming the bus bar on the peripheral portion of the first conductive layer by screen printing.

[0101] For example, the electrolyte material in the projected region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the first region and the electrolyte material in the projected region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the second region have different degrees of cross-linking.

[0102] For example, the material for the solid electrolyte layer may be in a liquid or gel state before curing, and the degree of crosslinking may be increased by ultraviolet irradiation, heating, or the like, and the liquid or gel electrolyte may be cured to form the solid electrolyte layer. Exemplarily, the material for the electrolyte layer may include lithium perchlorate, methyl methacrylate, propylene carbonate, and azobisisobutyronitrile. The exemplary materials listed above are not intended to limit the solid electrolyte material of the present application, and it should be understood that any solid electrolyte material that meets the above-mentioned performance descriptions in the related art or developed in the future may be applied.

[0103] In the present application, there is no particular limitation on the method for achieving different degrees of cross-linking of the electrolyte material in different regions. For example, an ultraviolet ray shielding method may be adopted. That is, before the electrolyte layer is cured with ultraviolet rays, different regions are shielded with substances having different ultraviolet ray transmittances, thereby making the degrees of cross-linking of the electrolyte material in different regions different.

[0104] The greater the degree of cross-linking of the electrolyte layer material, the slower the ion migration rate and the slower the color change rate. Therefore, when the degree of cross-linking of the electrolyte material in the projection region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the first region is different from the degree of cross-linking of the electrolyte material in the projection region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the second region, the projection region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the first region and the projection region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the second region also have different color change rates, thereby increasing the variety of patterns displayed during the color change process.

[0105] For example, the degree of cross-linking of the electrolyte material in the projected region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the first region is lower than the degree of cross-linking of the electrolyte material in the projected region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the second region.

[0106] In many cases, it is desirable that the discoloration rate of the second region be slower than that of the first region; therefore, if the degree of crosslinking of the electrolyte material in the projected region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the first region is lower than the degree of crosslinking of the electrolyte material in the projected region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the second region, this visual effect (i.e., the discoloration rate of the second region being slower than that of the first region) can be improved.

[0107] In a second aspect, the present application provides an electronic terminal comprising the electrochromic device according to the first aspect.

[0108] For example, the color-changing material layer is located on the side closer to the line of sight of the human eye.

[0109] Because the electrochromic device has a multi-layer structure, when the color-changing material layer is located closer to the line of sight of the human eye, the color of the device perceived by the human eye will be brighter and the visual effect will be better.

[0110] The present invention utilizes a first incision to separate the first and second regions, and a notch in the first incision to form a conductive path. This changes the minimum conductive line resistance between each point in the second region and the lead-out electrode, making the voltage drop in the second region significantly larger than that in the first region. This allows the first and second regions to change color at different rates during the color change process, achieving a patterned effect. At the same time, the presence of the conductive path electrically connects multiple parts of the entire electrochromic device, eliminating the need for additional lead-out electrodes. After the color change is complete, the entire device exhibits a uniform and consistent visual effect with regard to transmittance. The present invention achieves the effect of displaying information or enhancing the appearance design, while simplifying the device structure and reducing process complexity and production costs.

[0111] The electrochromic device of the present application realizes the display of a pattern during the color change process, thereby achieving the effect of displaying information or enhancing the appearance design, and does not require the addition of a new extraction electrode, which simplifies the device structure and reduces the process difficulty and production costs.

Claims

1. The electrode includes an extraction electrode, and a first base layer, a first conductive layer, an electrochromic layer, a second conductive layer, and a second base layer, which are laminated in this order; the first conductive layer having at least one first region and at least one second region; the first region is electrically connected to the extraction electrode; a first cut is provided between the first region and the second region, the first cut vertically penetrating the first conductive layer; a conductive path is further provided between the first region and the second region, the first cut is interrupted by the conductive path, the second region is electrically connected to the first region and the extraction electrode via the conductive path; the first conductive layer further includes a bus bar provided on a peripheral portion of the first conductive layer, the extraction electrode is provided on the bus bar, and the first cut is not in contact with the bus bar; the first conductive layer further includes a third cut, the third cut penetrates the first conductive layer in a vertical direction, the third cut is located on a side of at least some of the bus bars farther from an edge of the first conductive layer, and the third cut does not contact either the first cut or the bus bars. Electrochromic device.

2. The sheet resistance of the conductive path is greater than the sheet resistance of the first region. The electrochromic device of claim 1 .

3. the width of the conductive path is less than or equal to 20% of the perimeter of the second region; The electrochromic device of claim 1 .

4. The second region has at least one second cut extending vertically through the first conductive layer; The second cut divides an interior of the second region into at least two portions, and the at least two portions of the interior of the second region are electrically connected to each other. The electrochromic device of claim 1 .

5. The busbar comprises at least one busbar main portion and at least one busbar connecting portion, a first end point of the busbar connecting portion is connected to the extraction electrode, a second end point of the busbar connecting portion is connected to the busbar main portion, and does not overlap with an end point of the busbar main portion that is closer to the extraction electrode, At least a portion of the third cut is located between the busbar main portion and the busbar connection portion. The electrochromic device of claim 1 .

6. The second end point of the busbar communication portion overlaps with a midpoint of the busbar main portion, 6. The electrochromic device of claim 5.

7. The electrochromic layer comprises a color-changing material layer, a solid electrolyte layer and an ion storage layer, which are laminated in sequence.

7. An electrochromic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The ion storage layer is in contact with the first conductive layer.

8. The electrochromic device of claim 7.

9. The electrolyte material of the projection region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the first region and the electrolyte material of the projection region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the second region have different degrees of cross-linking.

8. The electrochromic device of claim 7.

10. A degree of cross-linking of an electrolyte material in a projected region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the first region is smaller than a degree of cross-linking of an electrolyte material in a projected region of the solid electrolyte layer in at least a portion of the second region.

10. The electrochromic device of claim 9.

11. The first notch is a groove penetrating the first conductive layer and is filled with an electrochromic layer material or is filled with a transparent insulating material other than the electrochromic layer material. The electrochromic device of claim 1 .

12. A device comprising the electrochromic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Electronic device.

13. The electrochromic layer comprises a color-changing material layer, a solid electrolyte layer and an ion storage layer, which are laminated in sequence, and the color-changing material layer is located on a side closer to the line of sight of the human eye.

13. An electronic terminal according to claim 12.

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