Electrochromic Layer Ring Electrode for Uniform Fast Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochromic devices suffer from slow color-switching speed and uneven electrochromic performance across the same plane, limiting their effectiveness in applications like smart windows.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a conductive band with a closed ring shape surrounding the side surface of the electrochromic layer, made of transparent conductive oxide with a specific metal oxide and metal layer structure, to enhance equipotential section formation and uniform color change, alongside a transparent electrode layer with appropriate refractive indices and thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional electrochromic device structure is used, then the device can be manufactured with low cost and large area, but the color-switching speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochromic layer is divided into multiple segments by introducing conductive bands that create separate electrochromic regions. This segmentation reduces the distance electrolyte ions must travel to reach all areas of the electrochromic material, thereby accelerating the overall color-switching speed while maintaining large-area coverage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive bands are positioned at the side surfaces of the electrochromic layer, introducing a vertical dimension to the electrical field distribution. This three-dimensional electrode configuration enables more uniform and rapid ion insertion across the entire electrochromic layer thickness, significantly improving color-switching speed compared to conventional planar structures
2Manufacturing precision
If a conventional electrochromic device structure is used, then the device can be manufactured simply, but the electrochromic degree is uneven across the same plane
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive bands are designed to create equipotential sections at the side surfaces of the electrochromic layer. By positioning conductive materials at strategic locations, the device achieves uniform electrical potential distribution across the electrochromic layer, ensuring uniform ion insertion and eliminating the uneven electrochromic degree that occurs in conventional devices
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than making the entire electrode structure complex, conductive bands are selectively positioned only at critical side surface locations where potential gradients cause non-uniform electrochromism. This localized application of additional conductive elements achieves uniform electrochromic degree while minimizing overall device complexity
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 significantly improves the color-switching speed and uniformity of the electrochromic device, ensuring consistent performance across the entire area.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromism refers to a phenomenon in which an optical property of an electrochromic material is changed by an electrochemical oxidation or reduction reaction
Implementation Method 2
as the electrolyte ions are inserted into or removed from the electrochromic material-containing film and the electrons simultaneously move through an external circuit, the optical property changes of the electrochromic material appear
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The present application relates to an electrochromic device. The device comprises an electrode layer, an electrochromic layer and a conductive band having a closed ring shape. The electrochromic device having the above structure has excellent color-switching speeds and electrochromic uniformity.