Multi-zone electrochromic device with common bus bar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large electrochromic devices suffer from non-uniform coloration due to leakage currents, leading to visible color differences across the device, especially when bus bars are far apart, resulting in slower color change and aesthetic issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of multiple, independently controllable electrochromic zones with a common continuous bus bar, allowing for precise control of coloration across the device, with each zone sharing a continuous portion of at least one bus bar, and using mixed tungsten-nickel oxide thin films for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the device size is increased to meet architectural requirements, then the area coverage is improved, but non-uniform coloration occurs due to leakage currents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large electrochromic device into multiple independently controllable zones. Each zone has its own bus bar connections, allowing separate control of voltage and current to each region. This segmentation enables compensation for leakage currents in different areas, maintaining uniform coloration across the entire large-area device while meeting architectural coverage requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the bus bar separation distance is increased to reduce visual impact, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but coloration uniformity deteriorates due to increased voltage drop and leakage current effects
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into zones with intermediate bus bar connections, the patent allows for larger effective bus bar spacing while maintaining coloration uniformity. Each zone is independently controllable, compensating for the increased voltage drop and leakage current effects that would normally result from larger bus bar separations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional bus bar connections in the interior of the device, adding a dimensional element to the electrical connection architecture. This creates multiple current pathways and enables independent control of different regions, allowing aesthetic bus bar placement while maintaining performance.
3Area of stationary object
If the device size is increased, then the area coverage is improved, but the coloration speed deteriorates due to longer ion transport paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large device into smaller electrochromic zones, each with its own bus bar connections. This creates shorter ion transport paths within each zone, enabling faster coloration speeds while maintaining large overall device area coverage. Each zone can change color independently and more rapidly than a single large zone would allow.
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 solution enables uniform coloration and faster transition between states, even in large devices, by optimizing current flow and voltage distribution, thereby improving the aesthetic appeal and functionality of electrochromic devices.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromic devices include electrochromic materials that are known to change their optical properties, such as coloration, in response to the application of an electrical potential, thereby making the device more or less transparent or more or less reflective
Implementation Method 2
When an electric potential is applied across the layered structure of the electrochromic device, such as by connecting the respective conductive layers to a low voltage electrical source, ions, such as Li+ ions stored in the counter electrode layer, flow from the counter electrode layer, through the ion conductor layer and to the electrochromic layer
Implementation Method 3
In addition, electrons flow from the counter electrode layer, around an external circuit including a low voltage electrical source, to the electrochromic layer so as to maintain charge neutrality in the counter electrode layer and the electrochromic layer
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect of the present invention is a substrate comprising multiple, independently controllable electrochromic zones, wherein each of the electrochromic zones share a common, continuous bus bar. In one embodiment, of the electrochromic zones are not completely isolated from each other. In another embodiment, each of the electrochromic zones have the same surface area. In another embodiment, each of the electrochromic zones have a different surface area.