Electrically driven photochromic device for vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrically driven photochromic device for a vehicle. The device comprises a first polymer material plate and a second polymer material plate, wherein a first electrically conductive layer and a second electrically conductive layer are provided between the first polymer material plate and the second polymer material plate; an electrochromic material is provided between the first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer; and the periphery of the electrochromic material is blocked by a rubber frame; at least one first protrusion is arranged on one side of the first polymer material plate, at least one second protrusion is arranged on the same side of the second polymer material plate, and the positions of the first protrusion and the second protrusion are staggered; a first electrode is provided on the at least one first protrusion; a second electrode is provided on the at least one second protrusion; the first electrode is connected to the first electrically conductive layer; and the second electrode is connected to the second electrically conductive layer. The electrically driven photochromic device of the present invention is applied to a rearview mirror in a vehicle, a vehicle sun visor, a vehicle window, etc., can be used to further improve the performance of the vehicle, and has the characteristics of a wide application range and good safety.

Description

Automotive electrochromic devices Technical Field

[0001] The invention is an automobile electrophotochromic device, which relates to an automobile accessory. Background Art

[0002] Electrophotochromic devices used in automobiles typically consist of two layers of glass with the electrophotochromic material between them. The electrodes used to power the electrophotochromic material are located on two different sides of the two layers of glass, resulting in a complex circuit layout and difficulty in manufacturing, which also affects its application. For example, when the electrophotochromic device is used as a sun visor, the electrodes are located on the upper and lower sides of the sun visor, making it difficult to arrange the power supply circuit, thus affecting the implementation of the color-changing sun visor. Furthermore, the panels of current electrophotochromic devices are generally made of glass, which is brittle and lacks flexibility, thus posing certain safety risks to driving.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to design an automotive electrophotochromic device that can improve safety and has a wide range of uses.

[0005] The present invention includes a first polymer material plate and a second polymer material plate, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer are arranged between the first polymer material plate and the second polymer material plate, an electrophotochromic material is arranged between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and the electrophotochromic material is sealed by a plastic frame; at least one first protrusion is arranged on one side of the first polymer material plate, and at least one second protrusion is arranged on the same side of the second polymer material plate, and the positions of the first protrusions and the second protrusions are staggered; a first electrode is arranged on at least one first protrusion, and a second electrode is arranged on at least one second protrusion, the first electrode is connected to the first conductive layer, and the second electrode is connected to the second conductive layer.

[0006] Furthermore, the first protrusion includes a left first protrusion and a right first protrusion arranged at both ends of the first polymer material plate, the left first protrusion is provided with a left first electrode, and the right first protrusion is provided with a right first electrode.

[0007] Furthermore, at least one middle first protrusion is provided on the first polymer material plate between the left end first protrusion and the right end first protrusion, and a middle first electrode is mounted on the middle first protrusion.

[0008] Furthermore, the first electrodes are connected to each other through first wires, and the second electrodes are connected to each other through second wires.

[0009] Furthermore, a first glass is arranged between the first polymer material plate and the first conductive layer, the first glass is fixed on the inner surface of the first polymer material plate through a first adhesive layer, and the first conductive layer is located on the inner surface of the first glass; the second glass is fixed on the inner surface of the second polymer material plate through a second adhesive layer, and the second conductive layer is located on the inner surface of the second glass.

[0010] Furthermore, the first glass is provided with protrusions that are the same in number and shape as the first protrusions, and each first electrode is U-shaped and is respectively mounted astride the corresponding protrusions of the first polymer material plate and the first glass; the second glass is provided with protrusions that are the same in number and shape as the second protrusions, and each second electrode is U-shaped and is respectively mounted astride the corresponding protrusions of the second polymer material plate and the second glass.

[0011] Furthermore, gaps are left between the two side edges of each second protrusion and the adjacent edges of the two adjacent first protrusions along the overall length direction of the upper edges of the first polymer material plate and the second polymer material plate.

[0012] Furthermore, left and right edges of each first electrode on each first protrusion and left and right edges of each second electrode on each second protrusion are spaced apart from left and right edges of the first protrusion or second protrusion on which they are located.

[0013] The electrodes of the present invention are arranged on the same side, which, on the one hand, facilitates circuit layout and improves safety. On the other hand, it can expand the scope of application of the present invention to include automotive rearview mirrors, automotive sun visors, and windows, thereby further improving vehicle performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG1 is a front view of the first polymer material plate in Examples 1 and 2;

[0015] FIG2 is a front view of the second polymer material plate in Examples 1 and 2;

[0016] Figure 3 is a front view of Examples 1 and 2;

[0017] FIG4 is an enlarged view of portion B in FIG3 ;

[0018] FIG5 is a rear view of embodiments 1 and 2;

[0019] FIG6 is an enlarged view of portion C in FIG5 ;

[0020] FIG7 is an AA view of Example 1;

[0021] FIG8 is an enlarged view of point D in FIG7 ;

[0022] FIG9 is an AA view of Example 2;

[0023] Among them, 101, the first protrusion at the left end, 102, the first protrusion in the middle, 103, the first protrusion at the right end, 2, the first polymer material plate body, 301, the second protrusion on the left, 302, the second protrusion on the right, 4, the second polymer material plate body, 501, the first electrode at the left end, 502, the first electrode in the middle, 503, the first electrode at the right end, 601, the second electrode on the left, 602, the second electrode on the right, 7, the first wire, 8, sealant, 9, the second wire, 10, the second conductive layer, 11, the first conductive layer, 12, the electrophotochromic material, 13, the glue frame, 14, the first glass, 15, the first adhesive layer, 16, the second adhesive layer, 17, the second glass. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Example 1

[0025] As shown in the figure, this embodiment includes a first polymer plate and a second polymer plate, each consisting of a main body and a set of protrusions disposed along the upper edge of the main body and located above the main body. A first conductive layer 11 and a second conductive layer 10 are disposed on opposing surfaces of the first polymer plate main body 2 and the second polymer plate main body 4, i.e., their inner surfaces, respectively. The periphery of the first polymer plate main body 2 and the second polymer plate main body 4 is sealed by a sealant frame 13. An electrophotochromic material 12 is disposed within the space formed by the first and second conductive layers 11, 10, and the sealant frame 13. A sealant 8 is also disposed on the lower end surfaces of the first and second polymer plates and the sealant frame 13.

[0026] A set of first protrusions is provided on the upper portion of the first polymer plate. In this embodiment, the first protrusions comprise a left first protrusion 101, a right first protrusion 103, and a middle first protrusion 102 disposed above and integral with the first polymer plate body 2. The left first protrusion 101 and the right first protrusion 103 can be provided at the ends of the upper edge of the first polymer plate body 2 or near its ends. However, for ease of processing and enhanced durability, they are preferably provided at the ends of the upper edge of the first polymer plate body 2, with their outer edges flush with the outer edges of the first polymer plate body 2.

[0027] The first conductive layer 11 is provided on the entire inner surface of the first polymer material plate, that is, in addition to being provided on the inner surface of the first polymer material plate body 2, the first conductive layer 11 also extends to the inner surface of each first protrusion thereof.

[0028] This embodiment also includes a set of first electrodes corresponding to each first protrusion. Each first electrode is U-shaped and straddles each first protrusion of the first polymer plate and the first conductive layer 11 disposed on its inner surface. Each first electrode is electrically connected to the first conductive layer 11. The specific structure is shown in the figure: a left first electrode 501, a middle first electrode 502, and a right first electrode 503 are mounted on the left first protrusion 101, the middle first protrusion 102, and the right first protrusion 103, respectively. Along the length of the upper edge of the first polymer plate body 2, the width of each first electrode is smaller than the width of the first protrusion in which it is located, and a gap is left between the left and right edges of each first electrode and the left and right edges of the first protrusion in which it is located. The left first protrusion 101, the middle first protrusion 102, and the right first protrusion 103 can be configured with uniform height and width. The middle first protrusion 102 can be positioned midway between the left first protrusion 101 and the right first protrusion 103, thereby facilitating standardized production of the product.

[0029] The left first electrode 501, the middle first electrode 502, and the right first electrode 503 are connected by a first wire 7. The first wire 7 can be a single wire from the left first electrode 501 to the right first electrode 503, or it can be multiple wires running from the left first electrode 501 to the middle first electrode 502, and then from the middle first electrode 502 to the right first electrode 503. The first wire 7 can be arranged on the outer surface of each first electrode, or it can be arranged between each first electrode and the corresponding first protrusion, so that the first wire 7 is connected to the inner surface of each first electrode. The first wire 7 is suspended between two adjacent first protrusions.

[0030] The second polymer plate body 4 is identical in shape and size to the first polymer plate body 2 and is arranged parallel to it. A left-side second protrusion 301 and a right-side second protrusion 302 are formed thereon, each of which is aligned with the height of the first protrusions. The positions of the left-side second protrusion 301 and the right-side second protrusion 302 correspond to the gaps between the left-end first protrusion 101 and the middle first protrusion 102, and between the middle first protrusion 102 and the right-end first protrusion 103, respectively. In other words, the first protrusions are staggered with the second protrusions. Furthermore, a gap is left between the two side edges of each second protrusion and the adjacent edges of the two adjacent first protrusions along the overall length of the top edges of the first polymer plate body 2 and the second polymer plate body 4.

[0031] A U-shaped left-side second electrode 601 and right-side second electrode 602 are mounted across the left and right second protrusions 301 and 302, respectively, and the second conductive layer 10 disposed thereon. The widths of the left and right second electrodes 601 and 602 are slightly smaller than the widths of the left and right second protrusions 301 and 302, respectively. The edges of each second electrode are spaced apart from the left and right edges of the protrusions on which they are located. The inner plates of each second electrode are disposed within the inner side of the second polymer material plate and are electrically connected to the second conductive layer 10.

[0032] Similarly, the left second electrode 601 and the right second electrode 602 are connected by a second wire 9. The second wire is suspended between the left second protrusion 301 and the right second protrusion 302. If necessary, a filler can be installed between the first polymer material plate and the second polymer material plate where the first wire 7 and the second wire 9 are suspended.

[0033] Example 2

[0034] This embodiment includes a first polymer plate and a second polymer plate, each having the same shape as that of the first and second polymer plates in Example 1, and will not be further described here. A first glass 14 and a second glass 17 are bonded to their respective inner surfaces via a first adhesive layer 15 and a second adhesive layer 16. The shape and dimensions of the first glass 14 are identical to those of the first polymer plate, i.e., identical to the structure shown in FIG1 ; the shape and dimensions of the second glass 17 are identical to those of the second polymer plate, i.e., identical to the structure shown in FIG2 .

[0035] In this embodiment, the first conductive layer 11 is disposed on the inner surface of the first glass 14 , and the second conductive layer 10 is disposed on the inner surface of the second glass 17 .

[0036] An electrophotochromic material 12 is arranged between a first glass 14 with a first conductive layer 11 and a second glass 17 with a second conductive layer 10. The electrophotochromic material 12 is sealed around by a glue frame 13, and a sealant 8 is provided under the first polymer material plate, the second polymer material plate, the first glass 14, the second glass 17 and the glue frame 13.

[0037] In this embodiment, corresponding U-shaped first electrodes are also installed on each first protrusion on the first polymer material plate and the first glass 14, that is, the left first electrode 501, the middle first electrode 502 and the right first electrode 503 are respectively arranged at the positions corresponding to the left first protrusion 101, the middle first protrusion 102 and the right first protrusion 103 on the first polymer material plate, and their relative positions with respect to each protrusion along the length direction of the upper side of the first polymer material plate are the same as those in Example 1.

[0038] The difference is that in this embodiment, each first electrode is mounted astride the first polymer plate and the first glass 14. That is, the outer plate of each first electrode is located outside the first polymer plate, while the inner plate is located inside the first glass 14 and is electrically connected to the first conductive layer 11 on the first glass 14. Each first electrode is connected to a first wire 7, thereby achieving electrical connection between the first electrodes. Each second electrode is connected to a second wire 9, thereby achieving electrical connection between the second electrodes.

[0039] The polymer material plate in each embodiment of the present invention can be made of an optical polymer material with high light transmittance, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PC) or polycarbonate (PMMA) or a composite plate of polymethyl methacrylate (PC) and polycarbonate (PMMA). By using a polymer material plate, the entire product is given a certain degree of flexibility, or a polymer material plate is added to the outside of the glass to improve the impact resistance of the glass, thereby improving the safety of the entire product. In addition, in the present invention, each electrode is arranged on the same side of the product, which not only facilitates production and processing, facilitates circuit layout and thus improves safety, but also enables the present invention to be used in parts such as the rearview mirror, car sun visor and car windows of a car, so that these products all have a color-changing function, thereby improving the performance of the vehicle.

[0040] In the present invention, the protrusions on the first polymer plate and first glass are staggered with the protrusions on the second polymer plate and second glass. This prevents the protrusions from colliding with each other when impacted, making them less susceptible to damage and improving the safety of the circuit. Furthermore, because each electrode is spaced apart from the edges of the protrusion on which it resides, the distance between the electrodes is increased, further enhancing the safety of the circuit.

[0041] In the present invention, in addition to the left first electrode 501 and the right first electrode 503 , a middle first electrode 502 is further provided, which can improve the uniformity of power supply to the first conductive layer 11 , thereby improving the uniformity of color change of the electrophotochromic material 12 .

[0042] Therefore, the present invention has the characteristics of wide application range and good safety.

Claims

1. An electrochromic device for an automobile, characterized in that: It includes a first polymer material plate and a second polymer material plate. A first conductive layer and a second conductive layer are arranged between the first polymer material plate and the second polymer material plate. An electrochromic material is arranged between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and the periphery of the electrochromic material is sealed by a rubber frame. At least one first protrusion is arranged on one side of the first polymer material plate, and at least one second protrusion is arranged on the same side of the second polymer material plate, and the positions of the first protrusions and the second protrusions are staggered. A first electrode is arranged on at least one first protrusion, and a second electrode is arranged on at least one second protrusion. The first electrode is connected to the first conductive layer, and the second electrode is connected to the second conductive layer.

2. The automotive electrochromic device according to claim 1, wherein: The first protrusion includes a left - end first protrusion and a right - end first protrusion arranged at both ends of the first polymer material plate. A left - end first electrode is arranged on the left - end first protrusion, and a right - end first electrode is arranged on the right - end first protrusion.

3. The automotive electrochromic device according to claim 2, wherein: At least one intermediate first protrusion is arranged on the first polymer material plate between the left - end first protrusion and the right - end first protrusion, and an intermediate first electrode is installed thereon.

4. The automotive electrochromic device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that: Each first electrode is connected by a first wire between them, and each second electrode is connected by a second wire.

5. The automotive electrochromic device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that: A first glass is arranged between the first polymer material plate and the first conductive layer. The first glass is fixed on the inner surface of the first polymer material plate through a first adhesive layer, and the first conductive layer is located on the inner surface of the first glass. A second glass is fixed on the inner surface of the second polymer material plate through a second adhesive layer, and the second conductive layer is located on the inner surface of the second glass.

6. The automotive electrochromic device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The first glass is provided with protrusions having the same number and shape as the first protrusions. Each first electrode is U - shaped and straddles the corresponding protrusions of the first polymer material plate and the first glass respectively. The second glass is provided with protrusions having the same number and shape as the second protrusions. Each second electrode is U - shaped and straddles the corresponding protrusions of the second polymer material plate and the second glass respectively.

7. The automotive electrochromic device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that: Gaps are left along the overall length direction of the upper edges of the first polymer material plate and the second polymer material plate between the two side edges of each second protrusion and the adjacent edges of the two adjacent first protrusions.

8. The automotive electrochromic device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that: Spacings are respectively left between the left and right side edges of each first electrode on each first protrusion and the left and right edges of the first protrusion where it is located, and between the left and right side edges of each second electrode on each second protrusion and the left and right edges of the second protrusion where it is located.

Images