Electrode provision method for electrochromic device, and electrode

Abstract

An electrode provision method for an electrochromic device, and an electrode, which relate to the technical field of electrochromism. The electrode provision method comprises: respectively filling two trenches with conductive metals, so as to form two conductive strips, wherein one conductive strip is connected to a first conductive layer, and the other conductive strip is connected to a second conductive layer; and respectively connecting corresponding conductive metal bands to end parts of the two conductive strips, so as to form electrodes. Two electrodes are provided, each electrode comprises a conductive metal band and a conductive strip, and the conductive strip is welded in a trench. Therefore, the electrode provision method is suitable for electrochromic devices in different shapes to use, waste is reduced, and the manufacturing is convenient.

Description

Electrode setting method and electrode for electrochromic device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This disclosure is based on the Chinese patent application with application number 202311861632.2 and application date December 29, 2023, and claims the priority of the Chinese patent application. The entire content of the Chinese patent application is hereby introduced into this disclosure as a reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of electrochromic technology, and in particular to an electrode arrangement method and an electrode of an electrochromic device. Background Art

[0004] Electrochromic lenses are lenses made using the electrochromic principle. By varying the input voltage to the electrodes on the lens, the degree of tinting can be altered, allowing the lenses to adapt to varying ambient light intensities. Electrochromic lenses can be designed into various shapes based on actual usage requirements. Special-shaped lenses can be considered irregular square lenses. During the manufacturing of special-shaped lenses, due to the characteristics of the electrochromic material and the square resistance of the two transparent electrode layers, a significant voltage drop forms between the two layers, resulting in varying degrees of color change at different locations on the electrochromic lens.

[0005] Electrochromic devices can be categorized as flat and curved based on their shape. In the production process for flat electrochromic devices, grooves are typically created in the device, filled with conductive silver paste, and then screen-printed. However, in the production of curved electrochromic devices, screen printing is difficult to adapt to the device's surface shape and results in significant silver paste waste. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an electrode setting method and electrode for an electrochromic device, so as to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings in the prior art and facilitate the use of electrochromic devices of different shapes.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present disclosure provides, on one hand, a method for arranging electrodes for an electrochromic device, wherein the electrochromic device comprises a substrate, a first conductive layer, a color-changing functional layer, and a second conductive layer, wherein the substrate is curved, the first conductive layer, the color-changing functional layer, and the second conductive layer are sequentially stacked on the substrate, and the electrochromic device is provided with two grooves;

[0008] The electrode setting method includes:

[0009] Filling the two trenches with a first conductive metal respectively to form two conductive strips, wherein one of the conductive strips is connected to the first conductive layer, and the other conductive strip is connected to the second conductive layer;

[0010] Corresponding conductive metal strips are connected to the ends of the two conductive strips to form electrodes.

[0011] Preferably, the conductive strips are formed by welding the conductive metal.

[0012] Preferably, the conductive metal includes one or more of indium, tin and copper.

[0013] Preferably, the conductive metal strip and the conductive strip are bonded together by a conductive adhesive tape.

[0014] Preferably, the groove is divided into a first groove and a second groove according to the opening depth, wherein the conductive strip in the first groove is a first conductive strip, the conductive strip in the second groove is a second conductive strip, and the first groove runs through the second conductive layer and the color-changing functional layer.

[0015] Preferably, an isolation groove is provided on the second conductive layer, which penetrates the second conductive layer and divides the second conductive layer into a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, wherein the first connecting portion is formed on a side close to the first groove, and the second groove is formed on the second connecting portion.

[0016] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an electrode for an electrochromic device, the electrochromic device comprising a substrate, a first conductive layer, a color-changing functional layer, and a second conductive layer, wherein the substrate is curved, the first conductive layer, the color-changing functional layer, and the second conductive layer are sequentially stacked on the substrate, and the electrochromic device is provided with two grooves;

[0017] The number of the electrodes is set to two, and each electrode includes a second conductive metal belt and a conductive strip, and the conductive strip is welded in the groove, so that one of the conductive strips is connected to the first conductive layer and the other conductive strip is connected to the second conductive layer.

[0018] Preferably, one end of the conductive strip connected to the conductive metal tape extends to the outside of the color-changing functional layer and is bonded to the conductive metal tape.

[0019] Beneficial effects of the present disclosure:

[0020] The shape of the curved electrochromic device causes the grooves to be high on both sides and low in the middle, or high in the middle and low on both sides. The present invention fills the two grooves with a first conductive metal, and the first conductive metal is welded in the grooves. The formation process of the conductive strip will not be affected by the groove height, which is convenient for adapting to electrochromic devices of different shapes. The manufacturing method is simple, and the conductive strip is connected to the second conductive metal strip through a conductive tape. The manufacturing process is simple, and the first conductive metal, conductive tape and second conductive metal strip can be cut according to actual needs, so there is less waste and the manufacturing is fast. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG1 is a schematic flow chart of an electrode setting method in this embodiment;

[0022] FIG2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrochromic device in this embodiment;

[0023] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrode in this embodiment.

[0024] Figure numerals: 1. electrochromic device; 2. substrate; 3. first conductive layer; 301. first groove; 4. color-changing functional layer; 5. second conductive layer; 501. second groove; 502. isolation groove; 6. first conductive strip; 7. second conductive strip; 8. conductive tape; 91. first conductive metal strip; 92. second conductive metal strip; 511. first connecting portion; 512. second connecting portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0026] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" another component, it may be directly on the other component or there may also be a central component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or there may also be a central component. When a component is considered to be "set on" another component, it may be directly set on the other component or there may also be a central component. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of this disclosure are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0028] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , this embodiment provides an electrode configuration method and electrodes for an electrochromic device 1. Two electrodes are provided, designated as a first electrode and a second electrode. The first and second electrodes are connected to a power source, and the coloring of the electrochromic device 1 can be varied by varying the input voltage between the two electrodes. In this embodiment, the electrochromic device 1 is curved, so the shapes of the first and second electrodes must adapt to the shape of the electrochromic lens.

[0029] First, the structure of the electrochromic device 1 is described. Please refer to Figure 2. The cross-section in the figure is shown as a planar electrochromic device. Although the electrochromic device involved in the present disclosure is a curved type, its composition structure is the same as the planar electrochromic device shown in Figure 2. For ease of understanding, the planar electrochromic device shown in Figure 2 is shown as an example. The electrochromic device 1 includes a substrate 2, a first conductive layer 3, a color-changing functional layer 4, and a second conductive layer 5. The substrate 2 is curved, and the first conductive layer 3, the color-changing functional layer 4, and the second conductive layer 5 are stacked on the substrate 2 in sequence. Two grooves are provided on the electrochromic device 1, and the grooves are divided into a first groove 301 and a second groove 501 according to the depth of the grooves. The first groove 301 passes through the second conductive layer 5 and the color-changing functional layer 4 to facilitate the connection of the first electrode to the first conductive layer 3, and the second groove 501 is used to connect the second electrode to the second conductive layer 5.

[0030] Referring to Figures 2 and 3 , an isolation trench 502 is formed in the second conductive layer 5. The isolation trench 502 penetrates the second conductive layer 5 and divides the second conductive layer 5 into a first connecting portion 511 and a second connecting portion 512. The first connecting portion 511 is formed near the first trench 301, and the second trench 501 is formed on the second connecting portion 512. The isolation trench 502 prevents current from flowing between the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby preventing a short circuit.

[0031] Each electrode includes a conductive metal strip and a conductive strip, which is used to connect the conductive layer of the electrochromic device 1. The conductive strip is welded in the groove. As shown in Figure 3, the conductive strip in the first groove 301 is the first conductive strip 6, which is connected to the first conductive layer 3; the conductive strip in the second groove 501 is the second conductive strip 7, which is connected to the second conductive layer 5. The first conductive metal strip 91 is bonded to the first conductive strip 6 through the conductive tape 8, and the second conductive metal strip 92 is bonded to the second conductive strip 7 through the conductive tape 8. The end of the first conductive strip 6 connected to the first conductive metal strip 91 extends to the outside of the color-changing functional layer 4 and is bonded to the first conductive metal strip 91 to form a first electrode. The end of the second conductive strip 7 connected to the second conductive metal strip 92 extends to the outside of the color-changing functional layer 4 and is bonded to the second conductive metal strip 92 to form a second electrode.

[0032] As shown in FIG1 , the electrode setting method includes:

[0033] S1. Fill the two trenches with conductive metal to form two conductive strips, one of which is connected to the first conductive layer 3 and the other is connected to the second conductive layer 5.

[0034] S2. Connect corresponding conductive metal strips to the ends of the two conductive strips to form electrodes.

[0035] The formation process of the conductive strips will not be affected by the groove height, which facilitates adaptation to electrochromic devices 1 of different shapes. The manufacturing method is simple and will not cause waste.

[0036] In the present disclosure, the conductive strips are preferably formed by welding conductive metals, including one or more of charged metals such as indium, tin, and copper. The conductive metal strips are bonded to the conductive strips by conductive tape 8. The conductive metal strips can be copper strips or other charged metals.

[0037] Working principle:

[0038] First, an electrochromic device 1 is prepared, and a first conductive layer 3, a color-changing functional layer 4, and a second conductive layer 5 are stacked in sequence on a substrate 2, and then a first groove 301, a second groove 501, and an isolation groove 502 are opened. A first conductive strip 6 is formed in the first groove 301 by welding, and a second conductive strip 7 is formed in the second groove 501 by welding. The ends of the first conductive strip 6 and the second conductive strip 7 are extended to the outside of the color-changing functional layer 4, and the corresponding conductive metal strips are respectively bonded by conductive tape 8 to form a first electrode and a second electrode. The present invention replaces the liquid conductive silver paste with a solid metal, and after welding it in the groove by welding and other processes, the copper strip (conductive metal strip) is connected to the metal indium (conductive strip) by a conductive double-sided tape (conductive tape 8). The production process is simple, and the metal indium, conductive double-sided tape and copper strip can be cut according to actual needs, so there is less waste and the production is fast.

[0039] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. The scope of protection of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions based on the principles of the present disclosure are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, improvements and modifications that do not depart from the principles of the present disclosure should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Method for setting electrodes of an electrochromic device, the electrochromic device (1) includes a substrate (2), a first conductive layer (3), a color-changing functional layer (4) and a second conductive layer (5), wherein the substrate (2) is curved, the first conductive layer (3), the color-changing functional layer (4) and the second conductive layer (5) are sequentially stacked on the substrate (2), and two grooves are formed on the electrochromic device (1); The method for setting electrodes includes: Filling conductive metal into the two grooves respectively to form two conductive strips, one of the conductive strips is connected to the first conductive layer (3), and the other conductive strip is connected to the second conductive layer (5); Connecting corresponding conductive metal strips to the end parts of the two conductive strips respectively to form electrodes.

2. The method for setting electrodes of an electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive strip is formed by welding the conductive metal.

3. The method for setting electrodes of an electrochromic device according to claim 2, wherein the conductive metal includes one or more of indium, tin and copper.

4. The method for setting electrodes of an electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the conductive metal strip and the conductive strip are bonded by a conductive adhesive tape (8).

5. The method for setting electrodes of an electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein the grooves are divided into a first groove (301) and a second groove (501) according to the opening depth, wherein the conductive strip in the first groove (301) is a first conductive strip (6), the conductive strip in the second groove (501) is a second conductive strip (7), and the first groove (301) penetrates through the second conductive layer (5) and the color-changing functional layer (4).

6. The method for setting electrodes of an electrochromic device according to claim 5, wherein an isolation groove (502) is formed on the second conductive layer (5), the isolation groove (502) penetrates through the second conductive layer (5) and divides the second conductive layer (5) into a first connection part (511) and a second connection part (512), the first connection part (511) is formed on the side close to the first groove (301), and the second groove (501) is formed on the second connection part (512).

7. An electrode of an electrochromic device, the electrochromic device (1) includes a substrate (2), a first conductive layer (3), a color-changing functional layer (4) and a second conductive layer (5), wherein the substrate (2) is curved, the first conductive layer (3), the color-changing functional layer (4) and the second conductive layer (5) are sequentially stacked on the substrate (2), and two grooves are formed on the electrochromic device (1); The number of the electrodes is set to two, each electrode includes a conductive metal strip and a conductive strip, the conductive strip is welded in the groove, so that one of the conductive strips is connected to the first conductive layer (3), and the other conductive strip is connected to the second conductive layer (5).

8. The electrode of an electrochromic device according to claim 7, one end of the conductive strip connected to the conductive metal strip extends outside the color-changing functional layer (4) and is bonded to the conductive metal strip.

Images