Patent US4277147A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4277147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Display device having reduced electrochromic film dissolution
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1979-01-15
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Granted: 1981-07-07
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Expires: 1999-01-15
Abstract
Abstract In the preferred embodiment, an improved electrochromic display device is disclosed wherein an acid-resistant, proton-conductive, nonporous polymer layer separates the electrochromic transition metal oxide film and the aqueous acidic electrolyte. The polymer layer preferably comprises an ultraviolet light-cured, plasticized poly (vinyl alcohol) that is thermally treated to render it acid insoluble. The polymer layer conducts protons between the electrolyte and the electrochromic layer to permit the desired electrochromic reactions to occur, but reduces film dissolution into the electrolyte to substantially extend the useful lifetime of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas C. Arnoldussen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:29
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/15; G02F1/1514; G02F1/1523; G02F1/1524
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An electrochromic device having an electrochromic transition metal oxide film whose electromagnetic radiation transmitting properties are alterable in response to an electric field, said device comprising a supported transparent electrode, an electrochromic transition metal oxide film in electrical contact with said electrode, a proton-conductive, acid-resistant, nonporous polyhydroxyl polymer layer applied to said electrochromic film, an acidic aqueous electrolyte in contact with said polymer layer and a suitable counterelectrode in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
An electrochromic device having an electrochromic transition metal oxide film whose electromagnetic radiation transmitting properties are alterable in response to an electric field, said device comprising a supported transparent electrode, an electrochromic transition metal oxide film in electrical contact with said electrode, a proton-conductive, acid-resistant, nonporous polyhydroxyl polymer layer applied to said electrochromic film, an acidic aqueous electrolyte in contact with said polymer layer and a suitable counterelectrode in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrochromic device having an electrochromic transition metal oxide film whose electromagnetic radiation transmitting properties are alterable in response to an electric field, said device comprising a glass support;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrochromic device having an electrochromic transition metal oxide film whose electromagnetic radiation transmitting properties are alterable in response to an electric field, said device comprising a glass support;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
a transparent electrode on a surface of said support; an electrochromic transition metal oxide film applied to said electrode, a nonporous, proton-conductive, acid-insoluble, cured poly (vinyl alcohol) layer applied to said electrochromic film, an acidic aqueous electrolyte in contact with said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer but separated from said electrochromic film by said layer, and a suitable counterelectrode in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
a transparent electrode on a surface of said support; an electrochromic transition metal oxide film applied to said electrode, a nonporous, proton-conductive, acid-insoluble, cured poly (vinyl alcohol) layer applied to said electrochromic film, an acidic aqueous electrolyte in contact with said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer but separated from said electrochromic film by said layer, and a suitable counterelectrode in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
An electrochromic device wherein an electrochromic transition metal oxide film is selectively colorable in response to an electric field, said device comprising a glass support; a transparent electrode on a surface of said support; an electrochromic transition metal oxide film overlying said electrode, an ultraviolet light-cured and thermally-treated, nonporous plasticized poly (vinyl alcohol) layer overlying said electrochromic film, an acidic aqueous electrolyte in contact with said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer, said layer thereby separating the electrochromic film from the electrolyte, but permitting proton transfer therebetween, a suitable counterelectrode in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
An electrochromic device wherein an electrochromic transition metal oxide film is selectively colorable in response to an electric field, said device comprising a glass support; a transparent electrode on a surface of said support; an electrochromic transition metal oxide film overlying said electrode, an ultraviolet light-cured and thermally-treated, nonporous plasticized poly (vinyl alcohol) layer overlying said electrochromic film, an acidic aqueous electrolyte in contact with said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer, said layer thereby separating the electrochromic film from the electrolyte, but permitting proton transfer therebetween, a suitable counterelectrode in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
172 words
An electrochromic device wherein an electrochromic film is selectively colorable in response to an electric field, said device comprising a glass support; a transparent tin oxide electrode on a surface of said support; an electrochromic film deposited onto said electrode, said film comprising an electrochromic metal oxide formed of a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, chromium, vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum, a proton-conductive, acid-insoluble, nonporous poly (vinyl alcohol) layer applied to said electrochromic film, said layer being formed by applying to said film a mixture comprising poly (vinyl alcohol), an ultraviolet light-sensitive curing agent and a plasticizer; exposing said mixture to ultraviolet light to cure the poly (vinyl alcohol) and heating the cured poly (vinyl alcohol) to a temperature and for a time sufficient to minimize the solubility of the layer in an acidic aqueous electrolyte solution, an acidic aqueous electrolyte in contact with said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer, but separated from said electrochromic film by said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer, and a suitable counterelectrode in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
172 words
An electrochromic device wherein an electrochromic film is selectively colorable in response to an electric field, said device comprising a glass support; a transparent tin oxide electrode on a surface of said support; an electrochromic film deposited onto said electrode, said film comprising an electrochromic metal oxide formed of a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, chromium, vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum, a proton-conductive, acid-insoluble, nonporous poly (vinyl alcohol) layer applied to said electrochromic film, said layer being formed by applying to said film a mixture comprising poly (vinyl alcohol), an ultraviolet light-sensitive curing agent and a plasticizer; exposing said mixture to ultraviolet light to cure the poly (vinyl alcohol) and heating the cured poly (vinyl alcohol) to a temperature and for a time sufficient to minimize the solubility of the layer in an acidic aqueous electrolyte solution, an acidic aqueous electrolyte in contact with said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer, but separated from said electrochromic film by said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer, and a suitable counterelectrode in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
171 words
An electrochromic device wherein an electrochromic film is selectively colorable in response to an electric field, said device comprising a glass support; a transparent tin oxide electrode on a surface of said support; an electrochromic tungsten oxide film vapor-deposited onto said electrode, a proton-conductive, acid-insoluble, nonporous poly (vinyl alcohol) layer covering said electrochromic film, said layer being formed by applying to said film aqueous solution comprising a mixture of poly (vinyl alcohol), K 2 CrO 7 and glycerin, at least partially drying the solution, exposing said mixture to ultraviolet light to cure the poly (vinyl alcohol) and heating the cured poly (vinyl alcohol) to a temperature of between 130° to 150° C. for a time sufficient to minimize the solubility of the layer in an aqueous H 2 SO 4 solution, an electrolyte comprising an aqueous H 2 SO 4 solution, said electrolyte contacting with said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer, but separated from said electrochromic film by said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer, and a suitable counterelectrode in contact with said electrolyte.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
171 words
An electrochromic device wherein an electrochromic film is selectively colorable in response to an electric field, said device comprising a glass support; a transparent tin oxide electrode on a surface of said support; an electrochromic tungsten oxide film vapor-deposited onto said electrode, a proton-conductive, acid-insoluble, nonporous poly (vinyl alcohol) layer covering said electrochromic film, said layer being formed by applying to said film aqueous solution comprising a mixture of poly (vinyl alcohol), K 2 CrO 7 and glycerin, at least partially drying the solution, exposing said mixture to ultraviolet light to cure the poly (vinyl alcohol) and heating the cured poly (vinyl alcohol) to a temperature of between 130° to 150° C. for a time sufficient to minimize the solubility of the layer in an aqueous H 2 SO 4 solution, an electrolyte comprising an aqueous H 2 SO 4 solution, said electrolyte contacting with said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer, but separated from said electrochromic film by said poly (vinyl alcohol) layer, and a suitable counterelectrode in contact with said electrolyte.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-07-06 | 1985-01-05 | 1985-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-06 | 1989-01-05 | 1989-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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