US4741603A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrochromic nonglaring mirror
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1986-05-05
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Granted: 1988-05-03
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Expires: 2006-05-05
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a nonglaring mirror which is an electrochromic device in principle. The mirror comprises a transparent front substrate laid with a transparent first electrode film, a back substrate laid with a second electrode film which is opposite and spaced from the first electrode film, first and second electrochromic layers formed on the first and second electrode films, respectively, and an electrolyte liquid which fills up the space between the two substrates. A reflecting surface is provided by using a transparent sheet as the back substrate and coating the rear surface of the back substrate with a reflecting metal film, or by using a reflecting metal film as the second electrode film. One of the first and second electrochromic layers is formed of a polymer of a conjugated compound, such as substituted or unsubstituted triphenylamine, and the other is formed of a transition metal oxide such as WO 3 . In the initial state both the first and second electrochromic layers are colorless and transparent. For coloration, the conjugated polymer layer is oxidized and the transition metal oxide layer is reduced. In the colored state the reflectance of the mirror becomes 7-15% and is controllable.
Inventors
- 👤 Harutoshi Miyagi
- 👤 Masazumi Ishikawa
- 👤 Yasuyuki Murofushi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:12
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R1/00; B60R1/02; B60R1/08; B60R1/083; B60R1/088; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/15; G02F1/1514; G02F1/1516; G02F1/15165; G02F1/153
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
An electrochromic nonglaring mirror, comprising: a transparent front substrate which is coated with a transparent first electrode film, and a back substrate which is coated with a second electrode film, said back substrate positioned parallel to said front substrate such that the first and second electrode films are opposite to and spaced from each other; a first electrochromic layer formed on said first electrode film and a second electrochromic layer formed on said second electrode film; means for providing a reflecting surface to said back substrate; and an electrolyte liquid provided in the space between said front and back substrates; one of said first and second electrochromic layers being formed from a conjugated polymer which undergoes electrochemical oxidation and reduction and becomes lower in light transmittance when it is in an oxidized state, said conjugated polymer being a polymer prepared from a compound represented by the following general formula: ##STR2## wherein X, Y and Z each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, an alkoxyl group, an acyl group, an allyl group, a vinyl group or a vinylidene group, the other electrochromic layer being formed of a transition metal oxide which becomes lower in light transmittance when it is in an electrochemically reduced state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
An electrochromic nonglaring mirror, comprising: a transparent front substrate which is coated with a transparent first electrode film, and a back substrate which is coated with a second electrode film, said back substrate positioned parallel to said front substrate such that the first and second electrode films are opposite to and spaced from each other; a first electrochromic layer formed on said first electrode film and a second electrochromic layer formed on said second electrode film; means for providing a reflecting surface to said back substrate; and an electrolyte liquid provided in the space between said front and back substrates; one of said first and second electrochromic layers being formed from a conjugated polymer which undergoes electrochemical oxidation and reduction and becomes lower in light transmittance when it is in an oxidized state, said conjugated polymer being a polymer prepared from a compound represented by the following general formula: ##STR2## wherein X, Y and Z each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group, an alkoxyl group, an acyl group, an allyl group, a vinyl group or a vinylidene group, the other electrochromic layer being formed of a transition metal oxide which becomes lower in light transmittance when it is in an electrochemically reduced state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mirror according to claim 1, wherein said conjugated polymer is selected from the group consisting of polytriphenylamine, poly(4,4'-dichlorotriphenylamine), poly(4,4'-dibromo-4'-methyltriphenylamine) and poly(4,4'-dibromo-4"-methoxytriphenylamine).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A mirror according to claim 1, wherein said transition metal oxide is selected from the group consisting of WO 3 , MoO 3 , Nb 2 O 5 , Cr 2 O 3 , Ta 2 O 5 , TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 and AgO.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A mirror according to claim 1 wherein both said back substrate and said second electrode film are transparent, said means for providing a reflecting surface comprises a reflecting metal film coated on the rear surface of said back substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A mirror according to claim 1 wherein said second electrode film and said means comprise a reflecting metal film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A mirror according to claim 5, wherein the material of said second electrode film is selected from the group consisting of Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt and Au.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mirror according to claim 5, wherein the distance between said first and second electrode films is in the range from 30 to 1000 μm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mirror according to claim 7, wherein said distance is not greater than 450 μm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mirror according to claim 1, wherein said electrolyte liquid is a solution of an alkali metal compound selected from the group consisting of LiClO 4 , LiBF 4 , LiPF 6 , KClO 4 , KBF 4 and KPF 6 in a solvent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mirror according to claim 9, wherein said solvent is selected from tne group consisting of acetonitrile, propylene carbonate, N,N'-dimethylformamide and water, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A mirror according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent spacer which is disposed between said first and second electrochromic layers so as to contact with said first and second electrochromic layers only in limited areas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A mirror according to claim 11, wherein said spacer comprises a plurality of glass spheres which are substantially uniform in diameter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A mirror according to claim 1 wherein said electrolyte liquid comprises an alkali metal compound in an organic solvent, water, or a mixed solvent system which includes water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A mirror according to claim 13 wherein said alkali metal compound comprises LiCIO 4 , LiBF 4 , LiBF 6 , KCIO 4 , KBF 4 or KPF 6 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-03 | 1991-11-02 | 1992-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-03 | 1995-11-02 | 1996-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-03 | 1999-11-02 | 2000-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |