Electrochromic Vehicle Panel Film for Complex Surface Color Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic devices face challenges in appropriate formation depending on the material and shape of the base, limiting their versatility and effectiveness in electrical color control applications.
Innovation Solution
An electrical color control film configuration that includes an underlying layer between the base and a first transparent conductive layer, with additional electrochromic or liquid crystal layers, allowing for uniform formation and color control regardless of the base material and shape, and featuring a protective layer for weather resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an electrochromic device is formed directly on a base, then the device structure is simple, but the formation is difficult when the base has complex material or shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an underlying layer as a separate segment between the base and the electrochromic device layers. This segmentation allows the electrochromic device to be formed on a standardized underlying layer rather than directly on varied bases, simplifying the manufacturing process while accommodating complex base materials and shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The underlying layer acts as an intermediary between the base and the electrochromic device. It provides a standardized substrate that facilitates the formation of transparent conductive layers and electrochromic layers, mediating the interface between the base and the functional layers to enable easier manufacturing on diverse bases.
2Device complexity
If transparent conductive layers are formed directly on a base, then the layer count is reduced, but uniform formation is difficult on complex shapes
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the underlying layer as a separate entity, the patent creates a standardized platform that improves the uniformity of transparent conductive layer formation. The underlying layer can be prepared with consistent properties, ensuring uniform deposition of subsequent layers regardless of the base's complex shape.
3Device complexity
If the base material directly influences the electrochromic device, then the device is simple to construct, but color control is affected by base material variations
Solution Approach 1:
The underlying layer serves as an intermediary that decouples the electrochromic device from the base material variations. It provides a consistent interface that ensures stable color control by preventing direct interaction between the electrochromic layers and the varied base materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The underlying layer provides a homogeneous substrate that ensures consistent electrical and optical properties across different base materials. This homogeneity enables reliable color control by eliminating variations introduced by different base materials.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple electrochromic layers are added for color control, then the color control capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrochromic device into distinct functional layers (first electrochromic layer, second electrochromic layer, etc.) separated by transparent conductive layers. This segmentation enables independent control of each layer to achieve diverse color effects while maintaining a structured and manageable device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the device structure into multiple layers in the vertical dimension, with first and second electrochromic layers positioned at different depths. This multi-layered approach enables enhanced color control capability by controlling the coloring state of each layer independently, creating a three-dimensional color control system.
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
Enables easy and stable color change of vehicle outer panels using the electrical color control film, reducing the influence of the base material on color control and improving weather resistance, while facilitating formation on complex shapes without wrinkling or air bubbles.
Implementation Method 1
the first electrical color control layer is configured in such a manner that color of the first electrical color control layer is controlled by electricity
Implementation Method 2
The first and second electrical color control layers may be electrochromic layers or liquid crystal layers, coloring state of the electrochromic layers or liquid crystal layers being changed by application of a current
Implementation Method 3
The first and second electrical color control layers may be electrochromic layers or liquid crystal layers
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical color control film includes: an underlying layer located on a metal plate; a first transparent conductive layer located on the underlying layer; an electrochromic layer located on the first transparent conductive layer; and a second transparent conductive layer located on the EC layer. The EC layer is configured in such a manner that color of the EC layer is controlled by electricity.