Electrochromic Device Laminated Assembly with Offset Substrates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochromic devices integrated into glazing units face challenges in maintaining hermetic sealing and making electrical connections while ensuring thermal insulation and moisture prevention, particularly due to the need for electrical connections that do not compromise the integrity of the seal.
Innovation Solution
The electrochromic device incorporates a laminated assembly with substrates offset laterally to expose terminals, allowing for electrical connections through wires or flex circuits, while maintaining a sealed environment using a secondary seal and spacer, and includes bus bars and sense/voltage terminals for control and monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If substrates are aligned edge-to-edge in traditional IGUs, then hermetic sealing is maintained, but electrical connections to electrochromic terminals become inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent offsets the second substrate laterally relative to the first substrate by a distance equal to or greater than the electrochromic device thickness, creating a stepped configuration. This dimensional change in substrate alignment exposes the terminals on the first substrate, making them accessible for electrical connections while the secondary seal maintains hermetic sealing around the peripheral edge seal.
2Ease of operation
If electrical connections are made through the sealed edge, then terminals are accessible, but hermetic sealing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function from the electrical connection function. The secondary seal surrounds only the peripheral edge seal, creating a hermetic barrier, while the lateral offset exposes terminals in a separate region away from the sealed edge, allowing electrical connections without compromising the moisture prevention function.
3Ease of manufacture
If substrates are offset laterally to expose terminals, then electrical connections are accessible, but traditional IGU assembly methods become incompatible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the electrochromic device between the offset substrates before applying the secondary seal. This preliminary assembly allows the terminals to be accessible for electrical connections while the secondary seal is subsequently applied to maintain hermetic sealing, simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to attempting to modify pre-assembled traditional IGUs.
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 configuration enables reliable electrical connections within the electrochromic device, maintains hermetic sealing, and enhances thermal insulation by allowing for efficient tinting and reduced heat transfer, thus addressing the design challenges of integrating electrochromic devices into glazing units.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromic devices, which change in optical transmissivity as a result of applied voltage and current
Implementation Method 2
enhances thermal insulation by allowing for efficient tinting and reduced heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochromic device is provided. The device includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The device includes electrochromic material, with the first substrate, the electrochromic material and the second substrate forming a laminate, the first substrate offset in a lateral direction from the second substrate along at least a portion of an edge of the electrochromic device. The device includes a plurality of terminals coupled to the electrochromic material, with at least two of the plurality of terminals exposed on the first substrate by the first substrate being offset in the lateral direction from the second substrate. A method of manufacturing an electrochromic device is also provided.