Transparent Dimming Structure for Transmittance and Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrochromic dimming technologies face challenges in efficiently adjusting transmittance and energy storage while maintaining high transparency and conductivity, particularly in electrochromic devices used for light management.
Innovation Solution
A dimming structure comprising a positive current collector layer, a positive pole, an electrolyte layer, and a negative current collector layer, all of which are light transmissive and conductive, allowing for adjustable transmittance by controlling the deposition of metal ions and atoms under electric field action, enabling energy storage and light management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional electrochromic materials are used to adjust transmittance, then dimming function is achieved, but transparency and conductivity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally independent layers: transparent conductive layers for electricity conduction, electrochromic layers for optical modulation, and electrolyte layers for ion transport. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize its specific function without compromising overall performance, maintaining both transparency and conductivity while achieving dimming capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining transparent conductive oxides (like ITO, IZO), electrochromic materials (like WO3, MoO3), and electrolyte materials. These composites synergistically provide optical modulation, electrical conductivity, and ion transport properties, resolving the contradiction between transmittance adjustment and maintaining transparency/conductivity.
2Illumination intensity
If electrochromic devices are designed for high transparency, then light transmission is improved, but energy storage capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical stacking dimension with multiple functional layers arranged in sequence. Energy storage is achieved in the electrolyte and electrode layers while light transmission occurs through the transparent conductive and electrochromic layers. This dimensional arrangement allows simultaneous optimization of both light transmission and energy storage without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrolyte layer acts as an intermediary that facilitates ion transport between electrodes for energy storage while being transparent to light. This intermediary enables the decoupling of energy storage function from optical properties, allowing high transparency to be maintained while energy storage capability is provided by the electrolyte and electrode systems.
3Illumination intensity
If transparent conductive layers are made thinner to improve transparency, then light transmission increases, but electrical conductivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter of transparent conductive layers to balance optical and electrical properties. By precisely controlling thickness within specific ranges and adjusting material composition (such as doping ratios in transparent conductive oxides), the device achieves optimal balance between light transmission and electrical conductivity, resolving the trade-off between these two parameters.
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
The solution effectively adjusts transmittance and enables energy storage, maintaining high transparency and conductivity, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies in electrochromic dimming applications.
Implementation Method 1
The principle of the electrochromism is that an electrochromic material undergoes an electrochemical oxidation-reduction reaction under the action of an external electric field, which changes the color of the material by gaining or losing electrons.
Implementation Method 2
adjustable transmittance by controlling the deposition of metal ions and atoms under electric field action
Data Source
AI summary
A dimming structure and a dimming device are provided. The dimming structure includes a positive current collector layer, a positive pole, an electrolyte layer, and a negative current collector layer; the positive current collector layer is connected to a first positive pole of a power supply; the positive pole is provided on a side of the positive current collector layer; the electrolyte layer is provided on a side of the positive pole away from the positive current collector layer; the negative current collector layer is provided on a side of the electrolyte layer away from the positive current collector layer and is connected to a first negative pole of the power supply; the positive current collector layer and the negative current collector layer are conductors; the positive current collector layer, the positive pole, the electrolyte layer, and the negative current collector layer are all light-transmissive layers.