Electro-Optic Window Seal Using Epoxy Gasket for Hermetic Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optic assemblies in vehicular and building applications face limitations due to high costs, aesthetic concerns, and reduced functionality, necessitating new designs and methods to reduce material and processing costs while enhancing aesthetics and functionality.
Innovation Solution
An emissive display system incorporating an electro-optic device with a hermetic cavity defined by transparent substrates and epoxy layers, featuring a variably transmissive electro-optic medium that switches between clear and darkened states, integrated with a transparent light emitting display to provide a selectively active background, thereby enhancing visibility and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional electro-optic assemblies are used in vehicular and building applications, then the device provides electro-optic functionality, but the cost, aesthetic quality, and functional versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines an electro-optic device with a transparent light-emitting display into a single integrated assembly. The electro-optic device and light-emitting display are positioned adjacent to each other within a shared hermetic cavity, allowing the assembly to function both as an electro-optic modulator and as a light-emitting display, thereby enhancing functional versatility while managing complexity through integration
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated assembly serves multiple functions: the electro-optic device provides variable transmissivity control, the light-emitting display provides active light emission and display capability, and together they create a multi-functional system that can operate in different modes (transparent state, darkened state, active display), replacing what would traditionally require separate components
2Reliability
If a hermetic seal is created using epoxy layers and gaskets, then the cavity is sealed, but the manufacturing precision and assembly alignment are challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible epoxy layers as sealing material between the substrates and gaskets. The epoxy's flexible nature allows it to conform to slight variations in surface flatness and alignment, creating reliable hermetic seals while compensating for manufacturing tolerances and reducing the stringency of alignment requirements during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket acts as an intermediary component between the substrates and epoxy seals, providing a mechanical interface that facilitates alignment and bonding. The gasket structure with protrusions engaging recesses creates a predetermined spacing and alignment reference, making the sealing process more precise and repeatable
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves cost reduction, improved aesthetics, and enhanced functionality by allowing the electro-optic device to function as a transparent window or display panel, depending on the light emitting display's state, while maintaining a hermetic seal and durable electrical connections.
Implementation Method 1
An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states
Data Source
AI summary
An emissive display system includes an electro-optic device having a first substantially transparent substrate including first and second surfaces. At least one of the first and second surfaces includes a first electrically conductive layer. A second substantially transparent substrate includes third and fourth surfaces, at least one including a second electrically conductive layer. A primary seal between the second and third surfaces includes a first epoxy layer and a second epoxy layer. A gasket is disposed between the first and second epoxy layers. The seal and the first and second substrates define a substantially hermetic cavity therebetween. An electro-optic medium is disposed in the cavity and is variably transmissive such that the electro-optic device is operable between substantially clear and darkened states. A substantially transparent light emitting display is disposed adjacent to the electro-optic device, which is converted to the darkened state when the light emitting display is emitting light.