Electrochromic Device Transition Control Across Bus-Bar Zones
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for driving optical transitions in electrochromic devices are inefficient and do not account for variations in effective voltage across different regions of the device, leading to inconsistent transitions.
Innovation Solution
A control system that applies drive voltage to bus bars of electrochromic devices, adjusting the voltage to account for differences in effective voltage experienced between regions near and far from the bus bars, allowing for efficient and uniform optical transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a uniform drive voltage is applied across the entire device, then the control system is simple, but the optical transition is inconsistent across different regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different drive voltages to different regions of the device by segmenting the device into multiple zones with distinct electrical characteristics. Each zone receives a customized voltage level to compensate for variations in effective voltage, ensuring uniform optical transition across the entire device surface while maintaining a manageable control system through regional rather than point-by-point control.
2Speed
If the drive voltage is increased to speed up the transition, then the transition speed increases, but the risk of device damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the drive voltage parameter based on real-time monitoring of the optical transition progress. By changing the voltage level adaptively rather than applying a fixed high voltage, the system achieves fast transitions while preventing device damage through controlled parameter modulation that responds to actual device state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by monitoring the optical transition state and using this information to regulate the drive voltage applied to the device. This closed-loop control ensures that the voltage remains within safe limits while still achieving the desired transition speed, preventing device damage through continuous state verification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical transition is interrupted and redirected to a different ending state, then the system responds to changing requirements, but the transition control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores optimal transition paths and drive parameters for various starting and ending optical states. When an interrupt command redirects the transition to a different ending state, the system retrieves pre-computed control parameters rather than calculating new ones in real-time, maintaining adaptability while simplifying the control algorithm through advance preparation.
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 solution enables efficient and uniform optical transitions across the entire surface of electrochromic devices, ensuring consistent optical states and reducing the time required for transitions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one layer of electrochromic material, that changes its optical properties in response to the application of an electrical potential
Implementation Method 2
an ion conductor (IC) layer that allows ions, such as lithium ions, to move through it, into and out from the electrochromic material
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage. In some cases, feedback may be used to monitor an optical transition. In these or other cases, a group of optically switchable devices may transition together over a particular duration to achieve approximately uniform tint states over time during the transition.