Electrochromic Element Edge Sealing Against Oxygen and Moisture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochromic elements lack durability due to insufficient protection against oxygen and moisture penetration, leading to potential degradation of the color-changing layers and electrolyte layers.

Innovation Solution

The electrochromic element is designed with a first and second seal part that covers wide areas around the edges of the transparent electrodes, color-changing layers, and electrolyte layers, effectively blocking oxygen and moisture ingress, and is fabricated by forming transparent electrodes and color-changing layers on substrates with a method involving curable resins to ensure strong adhesion and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing electrochromic elements are designed without comprehensive sealing structures, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the durability and protection against oxygen and moisture penetration deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidsealing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing structure is divided into multiple seal parts (first seal part and second seal part) positioned at different locations around the electrochromic element. Each seal part independently covers specific regions, collectively providing comprehensive protection while maintaining manageable complexity in manufacturing and assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal parts extend in multiple spatial dimensions around the electrochromic element, covering top surfaces, side surfaces, and edge regions. This multi-dimensional sealing approach ensures comprehensive protection against oxygen and moisture penetration from all directions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the seal parts cover wide areas around edges, then the protection against oxygen and moisture ingress is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against oxygen and moisture ingressVSAvoidseal part positioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The seal parts are designed and positioned in advance during the manufacturing process, with predetermined locations and dimensions that facilitate easy integration. This preliminary positioning reduces the need for high-precision adjustments during final assembly while ensuring comprehensive coverage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sealing functions are combined into integrated seal parts that simultaneously cover top surfaces, side surfaces, and edge regions. This merging of sealing functions into single components simplifies manufacturing while maintaining wide-area protection against oxygen and moisture ingress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the electrochromic element uses traditional bonding methods, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the resistance to peeling or gapping and overall durability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to peeling or gappingVSAvoidbonding process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The seal parts utilize composite material structures combining different materials with complementary properties - such as materials with high adhesion strength for bonding and materials with flexibility to prevent peeling. This composite approach enhances durability while maintaining ease of manufacture through standard bonding processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design enhances durability by preventing oxygen and moisture penetration, ensuring the longevity of the color-changing layers and electrolyte layers, allowing the element to be flexible and resistant to peeling or gapping, thus improving overall performance.

Implementation Method 1

Electrochromic films, whose colors change due to coloring and discoloring through oxidation-reduction reactions at each oxidation electrode and reduction electrode depending on an applied potential

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation-reduction reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

a solid electrolyte of lithium, an alkali metal, is deposited on the deposited ITO film

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250383568A1Electrochromic element and manufacturing method therefor

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 SKC CO LTD

AI summary

An embodiment provides an electrochromic element including: a first substrate; a first transparent electrode disposed on the first substrate; a first color-changing layer disposed on the first transparent electrode; an electrolyte layer disposed on the first color-changing layer; a second color-changing layer disposed on the electrolyte layer; a second transparent electrode disposed on the second color-changing layer; a second substrate disposed on the second transparent electrode; and a first seal part disposed in a first open region between a third side surface of the second substrate and a first side surface of the first substrate and configured to cover portions of a top surface of the first transparent electrode, a fifth side surface of the electrolyte layer, a third side surface of the second substrate and a top surface of the second substrate.