Electrochromic Element Hybrid Electrolyte Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrochromic technologies for automotive glazings fail to achieve high bright transmission, contrast, and switching speeds, limiting their application in vehicles due to issues with thermal stability, control voltages, and visual transmission requirements.
Innovation Solution
A flexible electrochromic element with a crosslinkable hybrid prepolymer electrolyte layer comprising inorganic-organic hybrid polymers, a reactive diluent, a non-crosslinkable organic polymer, and a dissociable salt, along with a metal complex compound operating electrode and an ion-storing counterelectrode, which enables high mechanical flexibility, efficient color change, and rapid switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If suspended particle devices (SPD) are used for electrochromic switching, then fast switching operation and excellent contrast ratio are achieved, but visual transmission of at least 70% is not reached and high control voltages (120 V) are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the electrochromic system by using electrochromic polymers (PEDOT, polyaniline) instead of suspended particles, operating at low voltages (0-3 V) rather than 120 V, while achieving both fast switching and high visual transmission >70% through polymer film deposition techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite electrochromic polymer structures with multiple layers including PEDOT/PSS, polyaniline, and conductive polymer blends that combine the advantages of fast switching with high optical transmission, creating a material system that outperforms single-component SPD devices
2Area of stationary object
If electrochromic elements are made for large window surfaces, then area coverage is improved, but mechanical stability and flexibility become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible thin film substrates (PET, PEN, PVB) with deposited electrochromic polymer layers that maintain mechanical flexibility and stability across large areas, enabling curved and flexible glazing applications while preserving the electrochromic function throughout the entire surface
3Adaptability or versatility
If electrochromic elements are made curved for automotive glazings, then adaptability to vehicle geometry is improved, but manufacturing complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible thin film electrochromic elements that can be bent and conform to curved automotive window geometries without complex structural support, simplifying integration into vehicle A, B, and C pillars while maintaining electrochromic performance in curved configurations
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 high bright transmission (>70%), improved contrast, and short switching times, meeting automotive glazing requirements while maintaining mechanical stability and flexibility, suitable for large-scale integration in vehicle windows.
Implementation Method 1
a metal complex compound which is capable of entering into a redox reaction, where the transition from the oxidized to the reduced state is attended by an increase of color
Implementation Method 2
electrochromic element with improved electrolyte layer
Implementation Method 3
an electrolyte layer which is located between the operating electrode and the counterelectrode and contains movable metal cations
Implementation Method 4
a counterelectrode located between the electrolyte material and the conductive coating of the second substrate which is capable of intercalating mobile cations of the electrolyte material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrochromic element comprising two substrates having electrically conductive insides, a layered operating electrode which comprises a metal complex compound and which is capable of entering into a redox reaction where the transition from the oxidized to the reduced state is attended by an increase of color depth and the transition from the reduced to the oxidized state is attended by a corresponding weakening of color, an electrolyte layer in the form of a transparent, flexible film, and a counterelectrode[ATI(D1] which is capable of intercalating mobile cations of the electrolyte material and/or of entering into a redox reaction in which when the material of the second electrode changes from the oxidized to the reduced state it exhibits no increase of color depth in the wavelength region of the increase of color depth of the metal complex compound and preferably is not subject to any increase of color depth at all, where the electrolyte layer comprises at least the following components: (a) a crosslinkable hybrid prepolymer, (b) a crosslinkable organic monomer or prepolymer, (c) a non-crosslinkable, thermoplastic organic polymer, and a dissociable salt whose inorganic cations can, in the presence of a charge difference between the operating electrode and the counterelectrode, move between the said electrodes. The electrochromic element is more particularly suitable as constituent of automobile glazing systems.