Printable Electrochromic Device Uniform Color Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochromic devices face issues with uniform color change due to impedance differences between peripheral and central regions, leading to non-uniform color effects, and liquid electrolytes are prone to leakage, affecting stability and scalability.

Innovation Solution

A printable photovoltaic electrochromic device with a single polarity electrochromic thin film and a thin-film solar cell, where the anode or cathode layer is exposed, utilizing a polyelectrolyte for ion exchange, eliminating the need for extra electrolytes and enabling a single-layered structure for uniform color change through light irradiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If electrodes are located at peripheries of the device, then device structure is simplified, but impedance values at peripheral regions and center regions are significantly different causing non-uniform color change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structureVSAvoidcolor change uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple independent micro-electrochromic units, each with its own local electrodes. This segmentation allows each unit to have uniform impedance characteristics while the collection of units provides the overall device function, resolving the contradiction between simplified structure and uniform color change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each micro-electrochromic unit has locally optimized electrode configuration with electrodes positioned to create uniform electric fields within that specific unit. This local quality optimization ensures uniform color change in each unit while maintaining overall device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If liquid electrolytes are used, then electrochromic performance is improved, but leakage occurs affecting stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrochromic performanceVSAvoidelectrolyte leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A solid polymer electrolyte film is used to replace liquid electrolytes, providing both the necessary ionic conductivity for electrochromic performance and physical containment to prevent leakage. The film structure maintains reliability while eliminating the harmful leakage effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses a composite structure combining polymer electrolyte materials that provide both ionic transport functionality and mechanical integrity. This composite approach maintains electrochromic performance while preventing electrolyte leakage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Illumination intensity

If thin semitransparent PV films are used, then transparency is improved, but electrical short circuit occurs easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice transparencyVSAvoidelectrical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The thin PV film is segmented into multiple small active areas distributed across the device. This segmentation reduces the probability of short circuits while maintaining overall transparency, as the non-conductive spacing between segments prevents current leakage paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protective encapsulation layers are applied to the thin PV film to provide electrical isolation and prevent short circuits while maintaining optical transparency. The encapsulation film protects the thin active layer without significantly reducing transparency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 achieves uniform color change without liquid leakage, enhances stability, and simplifies the manufacturing process, making it suitable for large-scale and flexible substrate integration, while preventing issues of non-uniform coloring and electrical shorts.

Implementation Method 1

an electrochromic device is a device which is formed by conductive materials and is able to induce a reversible redox reaction through an applied electric field or current, thereby generating color change

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRedox reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

a single polarity electrochromic thin film includes a single polarity electrochromic material and a polyelectrolyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Implementation Method 3

a photoelectric conversion layer between the anode layer and the cathode layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8508834B2Printable photovoltaic electrochromic device and module
Publication Date: 2013.08.13 IND TECH RES INST
  • US8508834B2 patent drawing
  • US8508834B2 patent drawing
  • US8508834B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A printable photovoltaic electrochromic device is provided. The device includes a transparent substrate, at least one thin-film solar cell on the transparent substrate, at least one single polarity electrochromic (EC) thin film, wherein the single polarity electrochromic thin film includes a single polarity electrochromic material and a polyelectrolyte. The thin-film solar cell at least includes an anode layer, a cathode layer, and a photoelectric conversion layer between the anode layer and cathode layer, wherein a portion of the anode layer or a portion of the cathode layer is exposed from the thin-film solar cell. The single polarity electrochromic thin film covers and contacts with both the cathode layer and the anode layer.