Electrochromic Laminate Sealing for Flexible Resin Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The adhesiveness and sealing ability of sealants decrease when a resin base material with flexibility is used, leading to increased risk of liquid leakage in flexible electrochromic devices, and there is a need for a more efficient method to form an electrolyte layer.
Innovation Solution
A laminate comprising an electrolyte film with a polymer, electrolyte, and plasticizer, supported by first and second support films, which allows for easier and more efficient formation of the electrolyte layer in electrochromic devices, even with flexible resin base materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a resin base material with flexibility is used, then the electrochromic device can be made flexible for easy attachment and detachment, but the adhesiveness and sealing ability of sealants greatly decrease, increasing the risk of liquid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolyte is applied and sealed onto the electrode substrate before the flexible resin base material is fully assembled. The sealant is applied in advance to define the electrolyte application region, ensuring proper sealing is established before flexibility-related assembly steps occur
Solution Approach 2:
A sealant is introduced as an intermediary material between the electrolyte and the flexible resin base material. This sealant creates a reliable sealing interface that compensates for the poor sealing ability inherent in flexible resin materials, preventing liquid leakage while maintaining device flexibility
2Ease of manufacture
If a gel electrolyte with fluidity or liquid electrolyte solution is applied at the production site, then the electrolyte layer can be formed, but a sealant must be used to surround the periphery to prevent liquid leakage, complicating the process
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant is applied in advance to define the electrolyte application region before the electrolyte itself is applied. This preliminary sealing action simplifies the subsequent electrolyte application process by pre-establishing containment boundaries, eliminating the need for complex post-application sealing structures
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented into a distinct sealant layer that is applied in a specific pattern (surrounding the periphery of the electrolyte application region). This segmentation allows the sealing function to be independently optimized and applied only where needed, rather than requiring the entire structure to be complex
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 laminate enables effective prevention of liquid leakage and facilitates more efficient production of flexible electrochromic devices by improving the adhesiveness and sealing of the electrolyte layer.
Implementation Method 1
a viscosity at 23°C of a polymer solution obtained by dissolving 2.0 g of the polymer in 50 mL of tetrahydrofuran
Implementation Method 2
The laminate enables effective prevention of liquid leakage and facilitates more efficient production of flexible electrochromic devices by improving the adhesiveness and sealing of the electrolyte layer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The present invention provides a laminate (300) for production of an electrochromic device, said laminate (300) comprising an electrolyte film (103), a first support film (10) laminated to one surface of the electrolyte film (103), and a second support film (20) laminated to the other surface of the electrolyte film (103), wherein the electrolyte film (103) contains a polymer, an electrolyte, and a first solvent, and has an average thickness of 10-500 µm, and the viscosity at 23°C of a polymer solution obtained by dissolving 2.0 g of the polymer in 50 mL of tetrahydrofuran is 10-50 mPa·s. The polymer may include at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene oxide (PEO), poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoroisopropyl) (PVdF-co-PHFP), polypropylene carbonate (PPC), polyvinyl acetal, and polyacrylonitrile (PAN).