Electrochromic Device Adjustable Reflectivity Metal Ion Stack
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic devices lack the ability to provide a variety of colorful visual effects and often appear dark and aesthetically unpleasing in their colored state due to limited transmittance changes, especially when low transmittance is desired.
Innovation Solution
An electrochromic device with adjustable reflectivity is achieved by combining an electrochromic stack and a metal ion stack, where the reflectivity of the metal ion stack is controlled through voltage application, and the transmittance of the electrochromic stack is adjusted independently or simultaneously, allowing for a range of transmittance and reflectivity states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If transmittance change is used for color-changing effect, then the device can change color and transparency, but the visual effect is simple and the device appears dark and aesthetically unpleasing in colored state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines an electrochromic stack with a metal ion stack to create a composite device that integrates two different optical mechanisms. The electrochromic stack provides color-changing through transmittance modulation, while the metal ion stack provides reflective effects through metal ion deposition and dissolution. This merging allows the device to simultaneously achieve color-changing capability and enhanced visual brightness, resolving the contradiction between simple visual effect and darkness in colored state.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses composite structure comprising multiple functional stacks (electrochromic stack and metal ion stack) with different material properties. The electrochromic layer contains electrochromic materials that change optical properties, while the metal ion layer contains metal ions that can be deposited to form reflective surfaces. This composite approach enables the device to exhibit both color-changing and reflective effects, improving overall visual appearance and brightness.
2Ease of manufacture
If a pattern layer is added to enhance visual effect, then the device can display patterns, but the color appears dark and the device is not aesthetically pleasing when transmittance is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pattern layer with the metal ion stack functionality, where the pattern layer serves dual purposes: displaying visual patterns and working as the metal ion layer that provides reflective effects. When voltage is applied, metal ions deposit on the pattern layer to enhance its brightness and visual appearance without obscuring the pattern design. This resolves the contradiction between pattern display capability and pattern brightness.
3Ease of operation
If only transmittance adjustment is provided, then the device can control light transmission, but the visual effects are limited and lack variety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the device to perform multiple optical functions through the combination of electrochromic stack and metal ion stack. The device can independently or simultaneously control transmittance (through electrochromic layer) and reflectivity (through metal ion layer), providing diverse visual effects including transparent state, colored state, reflective state, and patterned state. This resolves the contradiction between ease of operation for light transmission control and versatility of visual effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically switches between different optical states by controlling the voltage applied to each stack. The electrochromic stack can transition between transparent and colored states, while the metal ion stack can transition between non-reflective and reflective states. This dynamic control allows the device to adapt to different usage scenarios and provide varied visual effects, enhancing versatility while maintaining ease of operation.
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 device enhances visual effects by providing colorful and reflective appearances, including metal-like textures, meeting diverse usage scenarios by enriching the visual experience through adjustable transmittance and reflectivity.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism refers to the phenomenon that the optical properties of materials undergo stable and reversible color-changing under the action of an external electric field, which is manifested as a reversible change of color and transparency in appearance.
Implementation Method 2
the reflectivity of the metal ion stack is controlled through voltage application
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
An electrochromic device having the adjustable reflectivity, and an electronic terminal comprising same. The electrochromic device comprises a first transparent substrate layer (1), an electrochromic stack (2), a metal ion stack (3), and a second substrate layer (4) which are stacked in sequence. The electrochromic stack (2) comprises a first transparent conductive layer (21) and a first electrochromic functional layer (22) which are stacked. The metal ion stack (3) comprises a second transparent conductive layer (31), a metal ion layer (32), and an electrodeposition suppression layer (33) which are stacked in sequence. The first electrochromic functional layer (22) is adjacent to the electrodeposition suppression layer (33). The visual effect of the electrochromic device is enhanced by the cooperation of the change in the transmittance of the electrochromic stack (2) and the change in the reflectivity of the metal ion stack (3).