US 8,018,644 B2 · Control of electrochromic device

Abstract

A method of controlling transmittance of an electrochromic device is presented. The electrochromic device to be controlled has a first and a second electron conducting layer, a first electrochromic layer covering the first electron conducting layer, a counter electrode layer covering the second electron conducting layer and an electrolyte layer laminated between the first electrochromic layer and the counter electrode layer. The method comprises applying (212) of a sequence of voltage pulses between the first and second electron conducting layers and providing of an open circuit between the first and second electron conducting layers between the applied voltage pulses. The method is characterized by measuring (214) a voltage between the first and second electron conducting layers during a period of the open circuit and controlling (220) a pulse parameter of the voltage pulses dependent on the measured voltage, where the pulse parameter is one of pulse duration and pulse voltage.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method of controlling transmittance of an electrochromic device having a first electron conducting layer and a second electron conducting layer, a first electrochromic layer at least partially covering said first electron conducting layer, a counter electrode layer at least partially covering said second electron conducting layer and an electrolyte layer laminated between and at least partially covering said first electrochromic layer and said counter electrode layer, said method comprising the step of:

applying a sequence of voltage pulses between said first and second electron conducting layers;
said step of applying further comprises providing an open circuit between said first and second electron conducting layers between periods of applied voltage;
measuring at least one value of a voltage between said first and second electron conducting layers over said first electrochromic layer, said electrolyte layer and said counter electrode layer during a period of said open circuit, after relaxation of ohmic losses in said first electrochromic layer, said electrolyte layer and said counter electrode layer;
and
controlling an applied pulse voltage dependent on said measured at least one voltage value.

2 more elements

An electrochromic device, comprising:

a first electron conducting layer;
a second electron conducting layer;
a first electrochromic layer at least partially covering said first electron conducting layer;
a counter electrode layer at least partially covering said second electron conducting layer;
an electrolyte layer laminated between and at least partially covering said first electrochromic layer and said counter electrode layer;
and
a transmittance controlling electronic device;
said transmittance controlling electronic device in turn comprising:
a voltage source connected between said first and second electron conducting layers and arranged for applying a sequence of voltage pulses;
and
means for providing an open circuit between said first and second electron conducting layers between periods of applied voltages;
a voltage sensor connected between said first and second electron conducting layers and arranged for measuring at least one value of a voltage over said first electrochromic layer, said electrolyte layer and said counter electrode layer during a period of said open circuit, after relaxation of ohmic losses in said first electrochromic layer, said electrolyte layer and said counter electrode layer;
and
a controller connected to said voltage sensor and said voltage source;
said controller being arranged for controlling an applied pulse voltage dependent on an output from said voltage sensor.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Control of electrochromic device

Life of this patent

Control of electrochromic device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14