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US4193670A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Electrochromic devices having protective interlayers

Assignee: Wyeth Holdings LLC
•
Filing: 1977-11-08
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Granted: 1980-03-18
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Expires: 1997-11-08
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Abstract

Abstract The incorporation of one or more protective layers between the electrochromic material and the polymeric electrolyte in an electrochromic device produces longer lasting, more uniform devices. The further placing of a protective layer between the electrolyte and the counterelectrode yields still better devices.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert D. Giglia
  • 👤 Richard H. Clasen

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 13:16
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/15; G02F1/1514; G02F1/1523; G02F1/1525; G02F1/1524; G02F1/153; G02F1/1533; G02F2001/1536

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim 117 words
In an electrochromic device which comprises an electrode and a counterelectrode and disposed therebetween a layer of persistent electrochromic material and an ion-conductive, electrically insulating layer of polymeric electrolyte material, said layers disposed in said device for reversible ionic conduction across the layers between said electrode and counterelectrode whereby said persistent electrochromic layer is changeable between colored and clear states, the improvement comprising a first electrically insulating film layer of an inorganic compound of thickness in the range from about 100 to 1500 Angstroms, thick enough for electronic insulation, but not so thick as to impair ionic conduction across the thickness of said film, contacting the surface of said layer of electrolyte material nearest said electrochromic layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 117 words
In an electrochromic device which comprises an electrode and a counterelectrode and disposed therebetween a layer of persistent electrochromic material and an ion-conductive, electrically insulating layer of polymeric electrolyte material, said layers disposed in said device for reversible ionic conduction across the layers between said electrode and counterelectrode whereby said persistent electrochromic layer is changeable between colored and clear states, the improvement comprising a first electrically insulating film layer of an inorganic compound of thickness in the range from about 100 to 1500 Angstroms, thick enough for electronic insulation, but not so thick as to impair ionic conduction across the thickness of said film, contacting the surface of said layer of electrolyte material nearest said electrochromic layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
An improved device defined by claim 1 wherein a second said insulating film layer is disposed in said device contacting the side of said electrolyte material opposite said first film layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the counterelectrode is gold and contacts said second insulating film layer on its side opposite the electrolyte layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The device of claim 3 except further containing a nucleating layer selected from palladium, platinum and rhodium between said second insulating film layer and said gold counterelectrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 11 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the nucleating layer is palladium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
The device of claim 4 wherein each insulating film layer is of a compound selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, calcium fluoride and magnesium fluoride.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The device of claim 4 wherein each insulating film layer is silicon oxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 14 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the polymer contains acidic groups or salts thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 10 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the polymer is soluble.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 13 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the acidic groups are sulfonic acid groups.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the persistent electrochromic material is tungstic oxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 42 words
An improved device defined by claim 1 further comprising a non-electrochromic layer of material the same as said electrochromic material except in a higher oxidation state and hence non-electrochromic, disposed in said device contacting said electrochromic layer nearest said first film layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 17 words
An improved device defined by claim 1 wherein said polymeric electrolyte material is polystyrene sulfonic acid polymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 27 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the defined insulating film layer is a compound selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, calcium fluoride, and magnesium fluoride.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 12 words
The device of claim 14 wherein the selected compound is silicon oxide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the polymeric electrolyte material is a polymer having acidic groups or salts thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 13 words
The device of claim 16 wherein the acidic groups are sulfonic acid groups.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 10 words
The device of claim 16 wherein the polymer is soluble.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3971624A Cited
US3981560A Cited
US4116546A Cited
US4004849A Cited
US4120568A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1983-03-18 1983-09-17 1984-03-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1987-03-18 1987-09-17 1988-03-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1991-03-18 1991-09-17 1992-03-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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