Electrochromic Device Side-by-Side Structure for Color Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochromic devices with a sandwich structure face limitations in diversity and personalized color design due to the vertical arrangement of ion storage and color-changing layers, making it difficult to integrate and scale for large-area applications, and are costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
The electrochromic device is reconfigured into a side-by-side structure with a common electrode unit and color-changing units on the same plane, separated by insulation, allowing for independent color change and simplifying the manufacturing process, enabling multi-color and large-area designs with reduced complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a sandwich structure with vertical arrangement of ion storage and color-changing layers is used, then the device can achieve basic electrochromic function, but it is difficult to integrate and scale for large-area applications and limits diversity and personalized color design
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple independent color-changing units arranged side-by-side on the same plane, each unit capable of independent color control. This segmentation enables diverse color designs while simplifying integration, as each unit can be manufactured and controlled independently yet function together in a large-area device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from the conventional vertical sandwich structure to a horizontal side-by-side arrangement of color-changing units on the same plane. This dimensional change enables scalable large-area applications and personalized color designs by allowing flexible arrangement of multiple units without increasing vertical complexity.
2Reliability
If a sandwich structure with multiple layers is used, then the device can achieve electrochromic function, but the manufacturing process becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple color-changing units share a common ion storage layer and are arranged on the same substrate plane, merging common components to reduce manufacturing steps and costs while maintaining reliable electrochromic function in each unit. This approach simplifies the manufacturing process compared to producing separate sandwich structures for each color unit.
3Area of stationary object
If the device is designed for large area applications, then the coverage area increases, but the integration difficulty and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The large-area device is segmented into multiple modular color-changing units that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation reduces integration complexity by allowing standardized modules to be combined, making large-area applications feasible without proportionally increasing manufacturing difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The common ion storage layer serves multiple color-changing units simultaneously, providing a universal component that reduces overall device complexity. This multi-functional design allows a single ion storage layer to support various color-changing units across a large area, simplifying integration compared to having separate ion storage layers for each unit.
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 facilitates flexible, cost-effective, and scalable production of electrochromic devices with enhanced color customization and integration capabilities, suitable for applications in smart windows, displays, and encryption devices.
Implementation Method 1
the electrolyte layer covers the electrode protection layer of the common electrode unit and the color-changing layer of each color-changing unit, and connects the electrode protection layer of the common electrode unit and the color-changing layer of each color-changing unit
Implementation Method 2
Electrochromic material is a kind of intelligent material which can perform stable and reversible color changes under external electrical stimulation
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochromic device with side-by-side structure including a common electrode unit, at least one color-changing unit and an electrolyte layer is provided. The common electrode unit includes an electrode layer and an electrode protection layer disposed on the electrode layer. The color-changing unit includes a transparent conductive layer and a color-changing layer disposed on the transparent conductive layer. The common electrode unit and each color-changing unit are arranged on the same plane with an insulating region between two adjacent units. The electrolyte layer covers and connects the electrode protection layer of the common electrode unit and the color-changing layer of each color-changing unit.