# US 11,442,324 B2 · Electrochromic element, imaging apparatus and transmittance variable window using the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,442,324 B2 - Document ID: US11442324B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/408,972 - Filed: 2019-05-10 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-18 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Wataru Kubo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11442324B2 ## CPC - G02F 1/1514: characterised by the electrochromic material, e.g. by the electrodeposited material - E06B 3/6722: {with adjustable passage of light} - E06B 9/24: Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; {Slat blinds}(operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00) - G02F 1/1503: caused by oxidation-reduction reactions in organic liquid solutions, e.g. viologen solutions - G02F 1/153: Constructional details - G02F 1/157: Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices - E06B 2009/2464: {featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels} - G02F 2001/15145: {the electrochromic layer comprises a mixture of anodic and cathodic compounds} - G02F 2203/48: Variable attenuator - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) ## Abstract The present disclosure includes an effective optical region within a transmittance variable region, and sets the transmittance variable region and the effective optical region so that a shortest distances from a periphery of the transmittance variable region to a periphery of the effective optical region, d1 and d2, are 7.5% or more and 25% or less of a length of the transmittance variable region on a straight line including the shortest distances, L1, in a vertical direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrochromic element, comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and the electrochromic element having an effective optical region within a transmittance variable region, wherein: when a shortest distance from an end of the effective optical region to an end of the transmittance variable region is d and a length of the transmittance variable region on a straight line including the shortest distance is L in one direction in a plane of the effective optical region, d is 7.5 to 25% of L at both ends of the one direction; the transmittance variable region includes a color inhomogeneity part; and the color inhomogeneity part is not in the effective optical region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrochromic element according to claim 1, wherein the effective optical region is a quadrangle, and the one direction is parallel to one side of the quadrangle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electrochromic element according to claim 2, wherein the effective optical region is a square or a rectangle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electrochromic element according to claim 1, which is configured such that the one direction is vertical in a use environment of the electrochromic element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electrochromic element according to claim 1, wherein d is 15 to 25% of L. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electrochromic element according to claim 1, comprising metal wiring electroconductive to the first electrode or the second electrode on the outside of the effective optical region in the one direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electrochromic element according to claim 1, wherein a concentration of at least one of the anodic electrochromic compound and the cathodic electrochromic compound is 0.05 mol/L or more. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electrochromic element according to claim 1, wherein the anodic electrochromic compound is a dihydrophenazine derivative. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrochromic element according to claim 1, wherein the cathodic electrochromic compound is a pyridine derivative. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An imaging apparatus, comprising: a lens unit comprising a plurality of lenses; an imaging element which receives light having passed the lens unit; and the electrochromic element according to claim 1 disposed on a subject side of the imaging element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A transmittance variable window, comprising: a pair of transparent protective substrates; the electrochromic element according to claim 1 disposed between the pair of transparent protective substrates; and a window frame into which peripheral edges of the transparent protective substrates and the electrochromic element are fitted. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The electrochromic element according to claim 1, wherein an average value of an index of color inhomogeneity d(ΔOD) of the color inhomogeneity part is more than 0.01. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electrochromic element according to claim 1, wherein the electrochromic layer comprises an anodic electrochromic compound and a cathodic electrochromic compound. ### Claim 14 An electrochromic element, comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; and an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrochromic element having an effective optical region within a transmittance variable region, and comprising a shield part covering a region from an end of the effective optical region to an end of the transmittance variable region along the end of the effective optical region, wherein: a shortest distance from the end of the effective optical region to the end of the transmittance variable region in the shield part is 7.5 to 25% of a length of the transmittance variable region on a straight line including the shortest distance; the shielding region of the electrochromic layer includes a color inhomogeneity part; and the effective optical region of the electrochromic layer does not include the color inhomogeneity part. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electrochromic element according to claim 14, wherein the effective optical region is a quadrangle, and the shield part is disposed along one side of the quadrangle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The electrochromic element according to claim 15, wherein the effective optical region is a square or a rectangle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The electrochromic element according to claim 14, wherein the shield part is disposed on the opposite sides so as to sandwich the effective optical region. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) An imaging apparatus, comprising: a lens unit comprising a plurality of lenses; an imaging element that receives light having passed the lens unit; and the electrochromic element according to claim 14 disposed on a subject side of the imaging element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The electrochromic element according to claim 14, wherein an average value of an index of color inhomogeneity d(ΔOD) of the color inhomogeneity part is more than 0.01. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The electrochromic element according to claim 14, wherein the electrochromic layer comprises an anodic electrochromic compound and a cathodic electrochromic compound.