Electrochromic Layer Layout for Local Opacity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochromic devices lack the ability to achieve local opacity adjustment due to continuous conductive layers on both sides, limiting their application in systems requiring localized opacity changes.

Innovation Solution

The electrochromic device is designed with intersecting conductive portions in the first and second transparent conductive layers, allowing independent control of local color and transparency changes, and the position and area of these changes can be adjusted by dividing other layers into corresponding regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If continuous conductive layers are used on both sides of the electrochromic device, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but local opacity adjustment cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidlocal opacity adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous conductive layers are divided into multiple separate conductive portions (first conductive portions in the first transparent conductive layer and second conductive portions in the second transparent conductive layer). These segmented conductive portions can be independently controlled to enable local opacity adjustment in specific regions of the electrochromic device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the electrochromic device are equipped with different conductive structures. The conductive portions are strategically positioned to provide different functional characteristics in different areas, allowing some regions to be controllable for local opacity adjustment while maintaining structural simplicity in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If conductive layers are divided into multiple conductive portions to enable local control, then local opacity adjustment is achieved, but device structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocal opacity adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive layers are segmented into multiple conductive portions that can be independently controlled. This segmentation enables local opacity adjustment by applying voltage to specific conductive portions, allowing different regions of the electrochromic device to be controlled independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented conductive portions serve multiple functions: they enable local opacity adjustment, maintain electrical connectivity where needed, and can be configured in various patterns (intersecting, parallel, or grid arrangements) to achieve different control schemes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If intersecting conductive portions are used in both transparent conductive layers, then local color change regions can be precisely controlled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive portions in the first transparent conductive layer and second transparent conductive layer are arranged in intersecting patterns, creating a two-dimensional grid structure. This dimensional arrangement allows precise definition of local control regions through the intersection points, where the overlap of conductive patterns from both layers creates well-defined addressable areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The ion storage layer and ion transfer layer act as intermediaries between the conductive portions and the electrochromic layer. These intermediate layers facilitate the transport of ions between different conductive portions, enabling precise control of local color changes through ionic conduction mechanisms that are less sensitive to exact geometric alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This design enables localized opacity adjustment, facilitating the application of electrochromic devices in systems like head-mounted displays for augmented reality by allowing convenient control of local color and transparency changes.

Implementation Method 1

Electrochromic devices may have a stable and reversible change in color and/or transmittance under an applied electric field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentEP4060402B1Electrochromic device and manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SHENZHEN GUANGYI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4060402B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4060402B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4060402B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

Provided are an electrochromic device and a method for preparing the electrochromic device. The electrochromic device includes a first transparent substrate, a first transparent conductive layer, an ion storage layer, an ion transfer layer, an electrochromic layer, a second transparent conductive layer, and a second transparent substrate which are sequentially stacked, where the first transparent conductive layer includes at least two first conductive portions, the second transparent conductive layer includes at least two second conductive portions, and an extension direction of the at least two first conductive portions and an extension direction of the at least two second conductive portions are configured to intersect with each other. The extension direction of the first conductive portion and the extension direction of the second conductive portion are configured to intersect with each other, thereby implementing a local color change of the electrochromic device and achieving the effect of adjusting local opacity. Thus, the application of the electrochromic device to a system in which opacity is adjustable locally is facilitated.