Electrochromic Device Peripheral Roughening for Thermal Shrinkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochromic devices suffer from thermal shrinkage due to internal stress in the polymer electrolyte, leading to undesirable shrinkage lines, which can be exacerbated by ambient light and temperature changes, and increasing the polymer electrolyte thickness slows response speed to applied voltage.
Innovation Solution
The electrochromic device incorporates a polymer electrolyte sandwiched between an ion storage layer and an active layer, with at least one peripheral region of each layer being roughened to increase contact area and adhesion force, minimizing thermal shrinkage caused by internal stress, using a polymeric adhesive material and techniques like laser-formed blind holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the polymer electrolyte thickness is increased to address thermal shrinkage, then the thermal shrinkage resistance is improved, but the response speed to applied voltage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by roughening only the peripheral regions of the ion storage layer and/or active layer, while keeping the central regions smooth. This localized surface treatment increases adhesion force at the edges where thermal shrinkage occurs most, without requiring increased polymer electrolyte thickness throughout the entire device, thereby maintaining fast response speed.
2Reliability
If the polymer electrolyte thickness is increased to minimize thermal shrinkage, then the adhesion force is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing polymer electrolyte thickness throughout the device, the patent applies local quality by selectively roughening only the peripheral regions of the ion storage layer and/or active layer. This localized approach enhances adhesion force precisely where thermal shrinkage occurs most, avoiding the need for increased thickness and maintaining simple device structure.
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 approach effectively reduces thermal shrinkage of the polymer electrolyte, maintaining the electrochromic device's response speed and preventing breakage of electrodes, thus enhancing the device's performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesion force generated therebetween is effective to minimize thermal shrinkage of the polymer electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
Due to generation of internal stress of the polymer electrolyte 11 resulting possibly from irradiation of ambient light or changes in temperature of the electrochromic device in use, the polymer electrolyte 11 may suffer from thermal shrinkage after a period of use
Implementation Method 3
An electrochromic device is capable of varying its light transmission in response to a voltage applied between two electrodes on the device
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochromic device includes upper and lower substrate units, and an electrochromic laminate sandwiched between an upper electrode of the upper substrate unit and a lower electrode of the lower substrate unit. The electrochromic laminate includes an ion storage layer formed on the upper electrode, an active layer formed on the lower electrode, and a polymer electrolyte sandwiched between inner surfaces of the ion storage layer and the active layer. At least one of the inner surfaces has a roughened peripheral region such that an adhesion force generated between the roughened peripheral region and the polymer electrolyte is effective to minimize thermal shrinkage of the polymer electrolyte.