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EP2812753A1 - Electrocontrollable device - Google Patents

Electrocontrollable device

Info

Publication number
EP2812753A1
EP2812753A1 EP13706628.8A EP13706628A EP2812753A1 EP 2812753 A1 EP2812753 A1 EP 2812753A1 EP 13706628 A EP13706628 A EP 13706628A EP 2812753 A1 EP2812753 A1 EP 2812753A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
supported
conductive
electrodes
seal
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
EP13706628.8A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Samuel Dubrenat
Jia Mei SOON
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Original Assignee
Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Saint Gobain Glass France SAS, Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA filed Critical Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Publication of EP2812753A1 publication Critical patent/EP2812753A1/en
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • 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
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/15—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on an electrochromic effect
    • G02F1/153—Constructional details
    • G02F1/161—Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • 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
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/15—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on an electrochromic effect
    • G02F1/153—Constructional details
    • G02F1/155—Electrodes
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
    • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
    • E06B2009/2464—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • 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
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1339—Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • 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
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1345—Conductors connecting electrodes to cell terminals

Definitions

  • the present application relates to an electrically controllable device, electrochromic type, with a peripheral seal and an electrode system for the electrical connection of the device outside the seal and the active area.
  • Electrocontrollable or electroactive glass or mirrors are formed of an active system, for example an electrochromic system, a liquid crystal system or a light emitting system, sandwiched between two supported electrodes formed of a conductive coating on a non-electrically conductive substrate. driver.
  • an active system for example an electrochromic system, a liquid crystal system or a light emitting system, sandwiched between two supported electrodes formed of a conductive coating on a non-electrically conductive substrate. driver.
  • Such electroactive devices can be very sensitive to the slightest trace of water and degrade over time if their watertightness, including water vapor, is not perfectly ensured.
  • the water vapor tightness of such electrically controllable devices can be provided by different types of joints.
  • this gasket must not only be intrinsically watertight, but it must also adhere well to the substrates, have good chemical compatibility with the active system with which it is associated and, finally, it must be good insulation. in order to avoid a short circuit of the system.
  • Polyisobutylene whether thermoplastic or crosslinked by the presence of a crosslinking comonomer (butyl rubber), is one of the best polymers in this field. It has a high impermeability to gases and excellent resistance to aging and corrosive chemicals. It is widely used as a seal in double glazing and photovoltaic panels. It usually contains carbon black which gives it its characteristic black color, but also low conductivity.
  • the volume resistivity of butyl seals available on the market is around August 10 to December 10 ⁇ -cm. This resistivity is large enough not to be troublesome in relatively thick electroactive systems where the distance between the two conductive layers of the electrodes is at least a few hundred micrometers, or even a few millimeters.
  • the Applicant has therefore tried to develop a system for an electrical connection outside the limited area by the peripheral seal.
  • This system should also allow the use of a peripheral seal having a certain electronic conductivity, such as butyl gas loaded with carbon black, even at low thickness (less than 500 ⁇ ), without risk of short circuit between the two electrodes.
  • the present invention is based on the idea of moving enough, at the contact zones of the peripheral seal with the supported electrodes, the conductive zone or zones of the first electrode of the conductive zone or zones of the second electrode.
  • the distance "sufficient" is of course dependent on the electronic conductivity of the seal. The more important it is, the more conductive areas or one electrode must be removed from the other (s).
  • the present invention therefore relates to an electrically controllable device comprising:
  • an electrochromic system formed by two electroactive layers of which at least one is an electrochromic layer, the two electroactive layers being separated by a layer of an electrolyte based on an organic polymer, the electrochromic system being sandwiched between the two electrodes supported and having a range less than that of each of the electrodes supported so as to define a circumferential groove around the entire periphery of the electrochromic system, and
  • the contact area between the polymer seal and the first supported electrode and the contact area between the polymeric seal and the second supported electrode each comprise
  • one or more non-conductive parts devoid of conductive coating or provided with a conductive coating electrically insulated from the conductive coating in contact with the electrochromic system, and
  • a conductive part of one of the contact zones is always facing a non-conductive part of the other contact zone.
  • conductive part used in connection with the areas of contact between the seal and the electrodes, means in the present invention areas where the conductive coating of the electrode is present and is in electronic conduction contact with the main zone of the electrode. conductive coating. In other words, when the device of the present invention is under tension, the conductive parts are traversed current.
  • non-conductive portion used in connection with the areas of contact between the gasket and the electrodes means in the present application either areas where the conductive coating is absent and the gasket is in direct contact with the non-conductive support, or areas where a conductive coating is present but is electrically isolated from the main area of the conductive coating, i.e. the area of the conductive coating in contact with the electrochromic system.
  • the non-conductive parts of the contact zone are not traversed by current, despite the possible presence of an intrinsically conductive but electrically isolated coating.
  • the device according to the invention comprises two supported electrodes of which at least one is transparent. In one embodiment, the two supported electrodes are transparent.
  • the device according to the invention is then a glazing, preferably an electrochromic glazing. When only one of the supported electrodes is transparent, the other electrode is preferably a reflective electrode.
  • the device according to the invention is then a mirror, preferably an electrochromic mirror.
  • the transparent supported electrode or electrodes are formed of a transparent non-conductive support, made of mineral or organic glass, coated on one of its faces with a transparent conductive coating.
  • the mineral glass is for example float glass and the organic glass may be based on a polymer selected from the group formed by poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly (ethylene naphtanoate) (PEN) and copolymers of cycloolefins (COC).
  • Transparent conductive coatings are known in the art.
  • the conductive coating may be formed of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) commonly used as a transparent electrode in electrically controllable devices.
  • TCOs include tin-doped indium oxide (In 2 O 3 : Sn or ITO), antimony doped indium oxide (In 2 O 3 : Sb), fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnO 2 : F) and doped zinc oxide, for example with aluminum or gallium (AZO or GZO).
  • the two supported electrodes have essentially the same shape and size. They can be superimposed on one another with a perfect recovery, that is to say with their respective edges perfectly aligned.
  • the two supported electrodes of the device are superimposed in an offset manner with respect to one another so that a conductive area of the first supported electrode and a conductive area of the second supported electrode protrudes from the overlap area of the two electrodes.
  • each of these conductive areas is connected to an electrical connector, that is, the electrical connector is in contact with the conductive coating of the supported electrode.
  • the electroactive layers are preferably made of mineral materials.
  • preferred electrochromic inorganic compounds are those selected from the group consisting of tungsten oxide, nickel oxide, iridium oxide, niobium oxide, tin, bismuth oxide, antimony oxide and tantalum oxide.
  • the two electroactive materials are electrochromic materials.
  • they are generally chosen so as to be colored at the same time, in other words one of the materials is anodically colored and the other is cathodically colored.
  • only one of the electrochemically active inorganic materials has electrochromic properties, the other having transmission properties independent of its oxidation state and simply acting as a counter-electrode for the electrochromic material.
  • electrochromic materials may be used in a mixture with one another or, where appropriate, in admixture with at least one metal such as titanium, tantalum or rhenium.
  • Tungsten oxide which has a reduced blue color and is decolorized in the oxidized state, will preferably be used as cathodic electrochromic material.
  • Tungsten oxide is often used in combination with nickel oxide or iridium oxide as an anodic electrochromic material.
  • non-electrochromically electrochemically active material mention may be made of cerium oxide.
  • electrolytes based on organic polymers examples include electrolytes based on poly (ethylene oxide) (POE) doped with phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ), electrolytes based on poly (vinylbutyral) doped with a lithium salt dissolved in a polar organic solvent, or ionomers, that is to say polyelectrolytes carrying enough negative charges covalently bound so that their cationic conductivity, provided by the counter-ions H + or alkaline ions, is satisfactory even in the absence of any doping agent.
  • ionomers examples include copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorosulfonic acid sold under the name Nafion®.
  • the thickness of the polymer electrolyte, electroactive layers and the device of the present invention are in principle not limited, it has been explained above why the sealing system of the present invention, with its particular geometry conductive and non-conductive areas, is particularly advantageous for devices operating with a very thin electrochromic system. Indeed, it is when the spacing between the two supported electrodes is very low that the problems of risk of short circuits and insertion of the current leads arise.
  • the electrochromic system formed by the two electroactive layers and the electrolyte, therefore has an overall thickness of between 50 ⁇ and 500 ⁇ , in particular between 70 ⁇ and 300 ⁇ . ⁇ , particularly preferably between 80 and 200 ⁇ .
  • the peripheral seal of the device of the present invention is preferably polyisobutylene loaded with carbon black (butyl seal).
  • the spacing between the two electrodes may in some cases be insufficient to prevent any risk of short circuits. These risks are even higher when the seal is thin and its conductivity is important. It is then recommended to further move the conductive part (s) from the area of contact between the seal and the first electrode of the conductive part (s) of the contact area of the seal with the second electrode. In other words, it will not be sufficient in all cases that these areas are not facing each other and it will be necessary to provide an additional offset “horizontal”, that is to say a shift in the direction of the plan electrodes.
  • This "horizontal" offset is preferably at least 100 ⁇ , in particular at least 200 ⁇ and ideally at least 500 ⁇ .
  • the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a device according to the present invention.
  • This method comprises the provision of two supported electrodes, at least one of which is transparent, each formed of a non-conductive substrate coated on one of its faces with a conductive coating.
  • Each of these supported electrodes must comprise at the periphery of one of its main faces at the same time conductive zones and non-conductive zones.
  • the conductive areas are the areas where the nonconductive substrate is covered with the conductive coating extending from the center of the electrode preferably to the edge thereof.
  • the non-conductive areas are areas without conductive coating or areas where a portion of the conductive coating has been isolated from the remainder of the conductive coating covering the central portion of the supported electrode.
  • FIG. 1a shows two electrodes of rectangular shape (sides a, b, c, d) each consisting of a substrate 1 covered on a portion of its main surface with a conductive coating 2.
  • the conductive coating 2 does not cover the entire surface of the substrate and thus leaves free a zone 3 at the edge of the substrate extending on two sides of the rectangle.
  • This zone 3 corresponds to what is called in this application a "non-conductive zone” or "non-conductive portion". It can be obtained for example by laser ablation of the conductive coating 2.
  • the non-conductive zones 3 of an electrode are opposite each other. conductive peripheral areas of the other electrode facing the first, and vice versa.
  • Fig. 1b is a cross-section of an unfinished device where an electrochromic system 4 is sandwiched between two superposed electrodes in the manner described above.
  • the electrochromic system has a smaller extent than each of the electrodes and a peripheral groove is thus defined on its periphery by the edges of the electrodes supported.
  • Figure 1 shows the device of Figure 1b supplemented by a butyl seal bead 5 which partially fills the peripheral groove.
  • the butyl seal 5 is placed so as not to be in contact with the electrochromic system 4.
  • FIG. 1d shows an enlargement of an edge of the device of FIG.
  • the butyl seal 5 is in contact, on one side, with a non-conductive zone 3 of an electrode and, on the other side, with a conductive zone 6 of the electrode vis-a-vis the former.
  • An electrical connector 7 is connected to the conductive coating 2 protruding from the area defined by the butyl seal.
  • Figures 2 ad differ from Figures 1 ad only in that the non-conductive area 3 is covered, in part, an intrinsically electrically conductive coating 8 but which is isolated from the rest of the conductive coating 2.
  • an intrinsically electrically conductive coating 8 When the device of the invention is energized, only the conductive coatings 2 are traversed by a current, but not the 8. The presence of the coating 8 therefore does not create a conductive area likely to cause problems of short circuits.
  • Figures 3 and 4 show two other geometries of conductive coatings 2 and non-conductive areas 3 on non-conductive substrates.
  • the conductive coating extends at least in a small area to the edge, or almost to the edge, of the non-conductive substrate, so as to exceed, after assembly of the device, the active (or electroactive) zone delimited by the seal 5. It is at this conductive zone that the electrical connection of the supported electrodes will be made.
  • FIG. 5 shows in cross-section a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in which the two electrodes, of identical shape and size, are superimposed in imperfect recovery, leaving a conductive area 9.9 'without being opposite. at the edge of each electrode.
  • This conductive zone 9, 9 ' can be used for an electrical connection with a current supply having a thickness greater than that of the joint 5, which connection is impossible on the devices represented in FIGS. 1b-d and 2b-d.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Nonlinear Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Electrochromic Elements, Electrophoresis, Or Variable Reflection Or Absorption Elements (AREA)

Abstract

Electrocontrollable device comprising: (a) two supported electrodes, at least one of which is transparent, each formed of a nonconducting substrate (1) coated, on one of its faces, with a conducting coating (2), the two supported electrodes being positioned one with respect to the other in such a way that the conducting coatings face one another and are in contact with the electrochromic system (b), (b) an electrochromic system (4), formed by two electroactive layers, at least one of which is an electrochromic layer, and which are separated by a layer of an organic polymer-based electrolyte, the electrochromic system being sandwiched between the two supported electrodes and having a smaller expanse than that of each of the supported electrodes so as to define a peripheral slot over the entire perimeter of the electrochromic system, (c) a peripheral seal (5) made of an organic polymer which is impermeable to water vapour, said seal filling in said peripheral slot over the entire perimeter of the electrochromic system and being at all points in contact both with the first and the second supported electrode without however being in contact with the electrochromic system, characterized in that the zone of contact between the polymer seal and the first supported electrode and the zone of contact between the polymer seal and the second supported electrode each comprise one or more conducting parts (6) and one or more nonconducting parts (3), and with the additional condition that no conducting part (6) of the zone of contact between the polymer seal and the first electrode is opposite a conducting part (6) of the zone of contact between the polymer seal and the second supported electrode.

Description

DISPOSITIF ELECTROCOMMANDABLE  ELECTROCOMMANDABLE DEVICE
La présente demande concerne un dispositif électrocommandable, de type électrochrome, avec un joint périphérique et un système d'électrodes permettant le rattachement électrique du dispositif en dehors du joint et de la zone active. The present application relates to an electrically controllable device, electrochromic type, with a peripheral seal and an electrode system for the electrical connection of the device outside the seal and the active area.
Les vitrages et miroirs électrocommandables ou électroactifs sont formés d'un système actif, par exemple un système électrochrome, un système à cristaux liquides ou un système émetteur de lumière, pris en sandwich entre deux électrodes supportées formées d'un revêtement conducteur sur un substrat non conducteur.  Electrocontrollable or electroactive glass or mirrors are formed of an active system, for example an electrochromic system, a liquid crystal system or a light emitting system, sandwiched between two supported electrodes formed of a conductive coating on a non-electrically conductive substrate. driver.
De tels dispositifs électroactifs peuvent être très sensibles à la moindre trace d'eau et se dégrader avec le temps si leur étanchéité à l'eau, y compris à la vapeur d'eau, n'est pas parfaitement assurée. L'étanchéité à la vapeur d'eau de tels dispositifs électrocommandables peut être assurée par différents types de joints. Pour être efficace, ce joint doit non seulement être intrinsèquement étanche à la vapeur d'eau, mais il doit également bien adhérer aux substrats, présenter une bonne compatibilité chimique avec le système actif auquel il est associé et, enfin, il doit être bon isolant électrique afin d'éviter une mise en court-circuit du système.  Such electroactive devices can be very sensitive to the slightest trace of water and degrade over time if their watertightness, including water vapor, is not perfectly ensured. The water vapor tightness of such electrically controllable devices can be provided by different types of joints. To be effective, this gasket must not only be intrinsically watertight, but it must also adhere well to the substrates, have good chemical compatibility with the active system with which it is associated and, finally, it must be good insulation. in order to avoid a short circuit of the system.
Il est connu d'utiliser en tant que joint d'étanchéité à la vapeur d'eau des résines époxydes et autres résines organiques réticulées. Cependant ces matériaux sont des barrières à la vapeur d'eau imparfaites.  It is known to use epoxy resins and other crosslinked organic resins as a water vapor seal. However, these materials are imperfect water vapor barriers.
Le polyisobutylène, qu'il soit thermoplastique ou réticulé grâce à la présence d'un comonomère réticulant (caoutchouc butyle), figure parmi les meilleurs polymères dans ce domaine. Il présente en effet une grande imperméabilité aux gaz et une excellente résistance au vieillissement et aux produits chimiques corrosifs. Il est largement utilisé en tant que joint dans des doubles vitrages et panneaux photovoltaïques. Il contient généralement du noir de carbone qui lui confère sa couleur noire caractéristique, mais également une faible conductivité. La résistivité volumique des joints butyle disponibles sur le marché est de l'ordre de 108 à 1012 Ω-cm. Cette résistivité est suffisamment grande pour ne pas être gênante dans des systèmes électroactifs relativement épais où la distance entre les deux couches conductrices des électrodes est d'au moins quelques centaines de micromètres, voire de quelques millimètres. Polyisobutylene, whether thermoplastic or crosslinked by the presence of a crosslinking comonomer (butyl rubber), is one of the best polymers in this field. It has a high impermeability to gases and excellent resistance to aging and corrosive chemicals. It is widely used as a seal in double glazing and photovoltaic panels. It usually contains carbon black which gives it its characteristic black color, but also low conductivity. The volume resistivity of butyl seals available on the market is around August 10 to December 10 Ω-cm. This resistivity is large enough not to be troublesome in relatively thick electroactive systems where the distance between the two conductive layers of the electrodes is at least a few hundred micrometers, or even a few millimeters.
Ce n'est qu'à très faible épaisseur, c'est-à-dire en dessous d'environ It is only very thin, that is, below about
500 μΓΠ , que la résistance du joint butyle devient trop faible pour isoler efficacement les deux électrodes l'une de l'autre. Une solution à ce problème pourrait consister à mettre en place le joint de façon à ce qu'il ne soit plus en contact avec les parties conductrices des électrodes, c'est-à-dire en dehors des zones du substrat couvertes par celles-ci. Ceci nécessiterait toutefois un raccordement des électrodes du dispositif électrocommandable dans le vitrage, c'est-à-dire dans la zone électroactive enfermée de manière étanche par le joint. Un tel raccordement est compliqué pour des systèmes relativement épais, mais devient presque impossible à réaliser pour des systèmes minces comme ceux de la présente invention où l'épaisseur des fils de raccordement est souvent supérieure à la distance entre les deux substrats. 500 μΓΠ, that the resistance of the butyl seal becomes too weak to effectively isolate the two electrodes from each other. One solution to this problem could be to set up the seal so that it is no longer in contact with the conductive parts of the electrodes, that is to say outside the areas of the substrate covered by them . This would, however, require a connection of the electrodes of the electrically controllable device in the glazing, that is to say in the electroactive area sealed by the seal. Such a connection is complicated for relatively thick systems, but becomes almost impossible to achieve for thin systems such as those of the present invention where the thickness of the connecting wires is often greater than the distance between the two substrates.
La Demanderesse a donc essayé de mettre au point un système permettant un raccordement électrique en dehors de la zone limitée par le joint périphérique. Ce système devait en outre permettre l'utilisation d'un joint périphérique présentant une certaine conductivité électronique, tel que le joint butyle chargé de noire de carbone, même à faible épaisseur (inférieure à 500 μΓπ ) , sans risque de court-circuit entre les deux électrodes.  The Applicant has therefore tried to develop a system for an electrical connection outside the limited area by the peripheral seal. This system should also allow the use of a peripheral seal having a certain electronic conductivity, such as butyl gas loaded with carbon black, even at low thickness (less than 500 μΓπ), without risk of short circuit between the two electrodes.
La présente invention est basée sur l'idée d'éloigner suffisamment, au niveau des zones de contact du joint périphérique avec les électrodes supportées, la ou les zones conductrices de la première électrode de la ou des zones conductrices de la deuxième électrode. L'éloignement « suffisant » est bien entendu fonction de la conductivité électronique du joint. Plus celle-ci est importante, plus la ou les zones conductrices d'une électrode doivent être éloignées de celle(s) l'autre.  The present invention is based on the idea of moving enough, at the contact zones of the peripheral seal with the supported electrodes, the conductive zone or zones of the first electrode of the conductive zone or zones of the second electrode. The distance "sufficient" is of course dependent on the electronic conductivity of the seal. The more important it is, the more conductive areas or one electrode must be removed from the other (s).
La Demanderesse a constaté que, pour des joints butyle chargés de noir de carbone, couramment disponibles sur le marché et que la Demanderesse souhaite pouvoir utiliser, la conductivité électronique des joints n'était pas à l'origine de court-circuits du moment où les zones conductrices respectives des deux électrodes ne se faisaient pas face l'une de l'autre. The Applicant has found that, for butyl gaskets loaded with carbon black, currently available on the market and which the Applicant wishes to be able to use, the electronic conductivity of the joints was not causing short circuits when the respective conductive areas of the two electrodes were not facing each other.
La présente invention a par conséquent pour objet un dispositif électrocommandable comportant :  The present invention therefore relates to an electrically controllable device comprising:
(a) deux électrodes supportées, dont au moins une est transparente, formées chacune d'un substrat non conducteur revêtu, sur une de ses faces, d'un revêtement conducteur, les deux électrodes supportées étant positionnées l'une par rapport à l'autre de manière à ce que les revêtements conducteurs se fassent face et soient en contact avec le système électrochrome (b),  (a) two supported electrodes, at least one of which is transparent, each formed of a non-conductive substrate coated on one of its faces with a conductive coating, the two supported electrodes being positioned relative to one another; other so that the conductive coatings face each other and are in contact with the electrochromic system (b),
(b) un système électrochrome formé par deux couches électroactives dont au moins une est une couche électrochrome, les deux couches électroactives étant séparées par une couche d'un électrolyte à base de polymère organiquele système électrochrome étant pris en sandwich entre les deux électrodes supportées et ayant une étendue inférieure à celle de chacune des électrodes supportées de manière à définir une rainure périphérique sur tout le pourtour du système électrochrome, et  (b) an electrochromic system formed by two electroactive layers of which at least one is an electrochromic layer, the two electroactive layers being separated by a layer of an electrolyte based on an organic polymer, the electrochromic system being sandwiched between the two electrodes supported and having a range less than that of each of the electrodes supported so as to define a circumferential groove around the entire periphery of the electrochromic system, and
(c) un joint périphérique en un polymère organique imperméable à la vapeur d'eau, ledit joint remplissant ladite rainure périphérique sur tout le pourtour du système électrochrome et étant en tous points en contact à la fois avec la première et la deuxième électrode supportée, sans toutefois être en contact avec le système électrochrome,  (c) a peripheral seal of an organic vapor impermeable polymer, said seal filling said circumferential groove all around the electrochromic system and being in contact with both the first and second supported electrodes in all points, without being in contact with the electrochromic system,
ledit dispositif étant caractérisé par le fait que said device being characterized by the fact that
la zone de contact entre le joint polymère et la première électrode supportée et la zone de contact entre le joint polymère et la deuxième électrode supportée comportent chacune the contact area between the polymer seal and the first supported electrode and the contact area between the polymeric seal and the second supported electrode each comprise
- une ou plusieurs parties conductrices, où le revêtement conducteur est présent, et  one or more conductive parts, where the conductive coating is present, and
- une ou plusieurs parties non conductrices, dépourvues de revêtement conducteur ou pourvues d'un revêtement conducteur électriquement isolé du revêtement conducteur en contact avec le système électrochrome, et  one or more non-conductive parts, devoid of conductive coating or provided with a conductive coating electrically insulated from the conductive coating in contact with the electrochromic system, and
avec la condition supplémentaire qu'aucune partie conductrice de la zone de contact entre le joint polymère et la première électrode ne soit en regard d'une partie conductrice de la zone de contact entre le joint polymère et la deuxième électrode supportée. with the additional proviso that no conductive portion of the contact zone between the polymeric seal and the first electrode is opposite a conductive portion of the contact area between the polymeric seal and the second supported electrode.
Autrement dit, une partie conductrice d'une des zones de contact est toujours en regard d'une partie non-conductrice de l'autre zone de contact.  In other words, a conductive part of one of the contact zones is always facing a non-conductive part of the other contact zone.
Cette condition essentielle selon laquelle une partie conductrice ne doit jamais être « en regard » d'une autre partie conductrice - ou toujours être « en regard » d'une partie non-conductrice - signifie qu'aucune droite perpendiculaire au plan des électrodes - lesquelles sont bien entendu parallèles l'une à l'autre - ne coupe deux parties conductrices,  This essential condition according to which a conducting part must never be "facing" another conducting part - or always "facing" a non-conducting part - means that no straight line perpendicular to the plane of the electrodes - which are of course parallel to each other - does not cut two conductive parts,
II n'est en revanche aucunement gênant qu'une partie non conductrice d'une zone de contact soit en regard d'une partie non conductrice de l'autre zone de contact.  On the other hand, it is not a problem that a non-conductive part of a contact zone is opposite a non-conductive part of the other contact zone.
Le terme « partie conductrice » utilisé en relation avec les zones de contact entre le joint et les électrodes, désigne dans la présente invention des zones où le revêtement conducteur de l'électrode est présent et est en contact de conduction électronique avec la zone principale du revêtement conducteur. Autrement dit, lorsque le dispositif de la présente invention est sous tension, les parties conductrices sont traversées de courant.  The term "conductive part" used in connection with the areas of contact between the seal and the electrodes, means in the present invention areas where the conductive coating of the electrode is present and is in electronic conduction contact with the main zone of the electrode. conductive coating. In other words, when the device of the present invention is under tension, the conductive parts are traversed current.
Le terme « partie non conductrice » utilisé en relation avec les zones de contact entre le joint et les électrodes, désigne dans la présente demande soit des zones où le revêtement conducteur est absent et où le joint est directement en contact avec le support non conducteur, soit des zones où un revêtement conducteur est présent mais est électriquement isolé de la zone principale du revêtement conducteur, c'est-à-dire de la zone du revêtement conducteur en contact avec le système électrochrome. Autrement dit, lorsque le dispositif de la présente invention est sous tension, les parties non conductrices de la zone de contact ne sont pas traversées de courant, en dépit de l'éventuelle présence d'un revêtement intrinsèquement conducteur mais électriquement isolé.  The term "non-conductive portion" used in connection with the areas of contact between the gasket and the electrodes means in the present application either areas where the conductive coating is absent and the gasket is in direct contact with the non-conductive support, or areas where a conductive coating is present but is electrically isolated from the main area of the conductive coating, i.e. the area of the conductive coating in contact with the electrochromic system. In other words, when the device of the present invention is under tension, the non-conductive parts of the contact zone are not traversed by current, despite the possible presence of an intrinsically conductive but electrically isolated coating.
Le dispositif selon l'invention comporte deux électrodes supportées dont l'une au moins est transparente. Dans un mode de réalisation, les deux électrodes supportées sont transparentes. Le dispositif selon l'invention est alors un vitrage, de préférence un vitrage électrochrome. Lorsqu'une seule des électrodes supportées est transparente, l'autre électrode est de préférence une électrode réfléchissante. Le dispositif selon l'invention est alors un miroir, de préférence un miroir électrochrome. The device according to the invention comprises two supported electrodes of which at least one is transparent. In one embodiment, the two supported electrodes are transparent. The device according to the invention is then a glazing, preferably an electrochromic glazing. When only one of the supported electrodes is transparent, the other electrode is preferably a reflective electrode. The device according to the invention is then a mirror, preferably an electrochromic mirror.
La ou les électrodes supportées transparentes sont formées d'un support non conducteur transparent, en verre minéral ou organique, revêtu sur une de ses faces d'un revêtement conducteur transparent. Le verre minéral est par exemple le verre float et le verre organique peut être à base d'un polymère choisi dans le groupe formé par le poly(méthacrylate de méthyle) (PMMA), le polycarbonate (PC), le poly(éthylène téréphtalate) (PET), le poly(éthylène naphtanoate) (PEN) et les copolymères de cyclooléfines (COC).  The transparent supported electrode or electrodes are formed of a transparent non-conductive support, made of mineral or organic glass, coated on one of its faces with a transparent conductive coating. The mineral glass is for example float glass and the organic glass may be based on a polymer selected from the group formed by poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly (ethylene naphtanoate) (PEN) and copolymers of cycloolefins (COC).
Les revêtements conducteurs transparents sont connus dans la technique.  Transparent conductive coatings are known in the art.
Il s'agit par exemple d'empilements transparents de couches minces comprenant des couches métalliques, telles que des couches d'argent, d'or, de platine et de cuivre. Ou bien, le revêtement conducteur peut être formé d'un oxyde conducteur transparent (TCO) couramment utilisé en tant qu'électrode transparente dans des dispositifs électrocommandables. On peut citer parmi ces TCO, l'oxyde d'indium dopé à l'étain (In203: Sn ou ITO), l'oxyde d'indium dopé à l'antimoine (In203: Sb), l'oxyde d'étain dopé au fluor (Sn02: F) et l'oxyde de zinc dopé, par exemple à l'aluminium ou au gallium (AZO ou GZO). These are, for example, transparent stacks of thin layers comprising metal layers, such as layers of silver, gold, platinum and copper. Alternatively, the conductive coating may be formed of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) commonly used as a transparent electrode in electrically controllable devices. These TCOs include tin-doped indium oxide (In 2 O 3 : Sn or ITO), antimony doped indium oxide (In 2 O 3 : Sb), fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnO 2 : F) and doped zinc oxide, for example with aluminum or gallium (AZO or GZO).
Dans un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, les deux électrodes supportées ont essentiellement la même forme et la même taille. Elles peuvent être superposées l'une à l'autre avec une recouvrance parfaite, c'est-à-dire avec leurs bords respectifs parfaitement alignés.  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two supported electrodes have essentially the same shape and size. They can be superimposed on one another with a perfect recovery, that is to say with their respective edges perfectly aligned.
Cette superposition parfaite ne correspond toutefois pas à un mode de réalisation préféré du dispositif de la présente invention. En effet, lorsque le système électrochrome (b), pris en sandwich entre les deux électrodes (a), est particulièrement mince, l'écartement entre les deux électrodes peut être insuffisant pour y insérer une amenée de courant. Il est alors intéressant de décaler les deux électrodes l'une part rapport à l'autre de manière à rendre un bord conducteur de chaque électrode facilement accessible en vue d'un raccordement électrique. Par conséquent, dans un mode de réalisation particulièrement avantageux de la présente invention, les deux électrodes supportées du dispositif sont superposées de façon décalée l'une par rapport à l'autre de manière à ce qu'une zone conductrice de la première électrode supportée et une zone conductrice de la deuxième électrode supportée dépassent de la zone de recouvrement des deux électrodes. Dans le dispositif final, chacune de ces zones conductrices est raccordée à un connecteur électrique, autrement dit, le connecteur électrique est en contact avec le revêtement conducteur de l'électrode supportée. This perfect superposition, however, does not correspond to a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention. Indeed, when the electrochromic system (b), sandwiched between the two electrodes (a), is particularly thin, the spacing between the two electrodes may be insufficient to insert a current supply. It is therefore advantageous to shift the two electrodes in relation to one another so as to make a conductive edge of each electrode easily accessible for electrical connection. Therefore, in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the two supported electrodes of the device are superimposed in an offset manner with respect to one another so that a conductive area of the first supported electrode and a conductive area of the second supported electrode protrudes from the overlap area of the two electrodes. In the final device, each of these conductive areas is connected to an electrical connector, that is, the electrical connector is in contact with the conductive coating of the supported electrode.
Ce mode de réalisation particulièrement intéressant où les électrodes sont en recouvrance partielle pour permettre une bonne accessibilité des contacts de raccordement sera décrit ci-après en référence à la figure 5.  This particularly advantageous embodiment where the electrodes are partially recovered to allow good accessibility of the connection contacts will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG.
Les couches électroactives sont de préférence constituées de matériaux minéraux. On peut citer à titre d'exemples de composés minéraux électrochromes préférés ceux choisis dans le groupe formé par l'oxyde de tungstène, l'oxyde de nickel, l'oxyde d'iridium, l'oxyde de niobium, l'oxyde d'étain, l'oxyde de bismuth, l'oxyde d'antimoine et l'oxyde de tantale.  The electroactive layers are preferably made of mineral materials. Examples of preferred electrochromic inorganic compounds are those selected from the group consisting of tungsten oxide, nickel oxide, iridium oxide, niobium oxide, tin, bismuth oxide, antimony oxide and tantalum oxide.
Dans un mode de réalisation, les deux matériaux électroactifs sont des matériaux électrochromes. Dans ce cas, ils sont généralement choisis de façon à être colorés en même temps, autrement dit l'un des matériaux est à coloration anodique et l'autre à coloration cathodique.  In one embodiment, the two electroactive materials are electrochromic materials. In this case, they are generally chosen so as to be colored at the same time, in other words one of the materials is anodically colored and the other is cathodically colored.
Dans un autre mode de réalisation, un seul des matériaux minéraux électrochimiquement actifs présente des propriétés électrochromes, l'autre présentant des propriétés de transmission indépendantes de son degré d'oxydation et jouant simplement le rôle de contre-électrode pour le matériau électrochrome.  In another embodiment, only one of the electrochemically active inorganic materials has electrochromic properties, the other having transmission properties independent of its oxidation state and simply acting as a counter-electrode for the electrochromic material.
Bien entendu, les matériaux électrochromes peuvent être utilisés en mélange entre eux ou, le cas échéant, en mélange avec au moins un métal tel que le titane, le tantale ou le rhénium.  Of course, the electrochromic materials may be used in a mixture with one another or, where appropriate, in admixture with at least one metal such as titanium, tantalum or rhenium.
On utilisera de préférence en tant que matériau électrochrome à coloration cathodique l'oxyde de tungstène, qui présente une coloration bleue à l'état réduit et qui est décoloré à l'état oxydé. L'oxyde de tungstène est utilisé souvent en combinaison avec, en tant que matériau électrochrome à coloration anodique, l'oxyde de nickel ou l'oxyde d'iridium. On peut citer à titre d'exemple de matériau électrochimiquement actif non électrochrome l'oxyde de cérium. Tungsten oxide, which has a reduced blue color and is decolorized in the oxidized state, will preferably be used as cathodic electrochromic material. Tungsten oxide is often used in combination with nickel oxide or iridium oxide as an anodic electrochromic material. As an example of non-electrochromically electrochemically active material, mention may be made of cerium oxide.
On peut citer à titre d'exemples d'électrolytes à base de polymères organiques les électrolytes à base de poly(oxyde d'éthylène) (POE) dopé à l'acide phosphorique (H3P04), les électrolytes à base de poly(vinylbutyral) dopé avec un sel de lithium dissous dans un solvant organique polaire, ou encore des ionomères, c'est-à-dire des polyélectrolytes portant suffisamment de charges négatives liées de façon covalente pour que leur conductivité cationique, assurée par les contre-ions H+ ou alcalins, soit satisfaisante même en l'absence de tout agent dopant. On peut citer à titre d'exemple de tels ionomères les copolymères de tetrafluoroéthylène et d'acide perfluorosulfonique commercialisés sous la dénomination Nafion®. Examples of electrolytes based on organic polymers include electrolytes based on poly (ethylene oxide) (POE) doped with phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ), electrolytes based on poly (vinylbutyral) doped with a lithium salt dissolved in a polar organic solvent, or ionomers, that is to say polyelectrolytes carrying enough negative charges covalently bound so that their cationic conductivity, provided by the counter-ions H + or alkaline ions, is satisfactory even in the absence of any doping agent. Examples of such ionomers include copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluorosulfonic acid sold under the name Nafion®.
Bien que l'épaisseur de l'électrolyte polymère, des couches électroactives et du dispositif de la présente invention ne soient en principe pas limitée, il a été expliqué ci-avant pourquoi le système d'étanchéification de la présente invention, avec sa géométrie particulière des zones conductrices et non conductrices, est particulièrement intéressant pour des dispositifs fonctionnant avec un système électrochrome très mince. En effet, c'est lorsque l'écartement entre les deux électrodes supportées est très faible que se posent les problèmes de risque de court-circuits et d'insertion des amenées de courant.  Although the thickness of the polymer electrolyte, electroactive layers and the device of the present invention are in principle not limited, it has been explained above why the sealing system of the present invention, with its particular geometry conductive and non-conductive areas, is particularly advantageous for devices operating with a very thin electrochromic system. Indeed, it is when the spacing between the two supported electrodes is very low that the problems of risk of short circuits and insertion of the current leads arise.
Dans un mode de réalisation particulièrement préféré du dispositif de la présente invention, le système électrochrome, formé par les deux couches électroactives et l'électrolyte, a par conséquent une épaisseur globale comprise entre 50 μηη et 500 μηη, en particulier entre 70 μηη et 300 μηη, de manière particulièrement préféré entre 80 et 200 μηη .  In a particularly preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention, the electrochromic system, formed by the two electroactive layers and the electrolyte, therefore has an overall thickness of between 50 μηη and 500 μηη, in particular between 70 μηη and 300 μηη. μηη, particularly preferably between 80 and 200 μηη.
Il est difficile d'indiquer, pour le joint, un seuil de conductivité au-delà duquel la présente invention est utile. En effet, ce seuil varie en fonction de l'épaisseur du joint. Plus le joint est épais, plus il peut être conducteur sans que cela ne présente un problème.  It is difficult to indicate for the seal a conductivity threshold beyond which the present invention is useful. Indeed, this threshold varies according to the thickness of the seal. The thicker the seal, the more it can be conductive without this being a problem.
A titre indicatif, la Demanderesse a trouvé que la présente invention était utile pour des joints présentant une résistivité inférieure à 1011 Q.cm, de préférence inférieure à 108 Q.cm, et en particulier inférieure à 105 .cm . Le joint périphérique du dispositif de la présente invention est de préférence en polyisobutylène chargé de noir de carbone (joint butyle). As an indication, the Applicant has found that the present invention was useful for joints having a resistivity less than 10 11 Q.cm, preferably lower than 10 8 Q.cm, and in particular less than 10 5 .cm. The peripheral seal of the device of the present invention is preferably polyisobutylene loaded with carbon black (butyl seal).
Lorsqu'on utilise un joint butyle très mince (épaisseur inférieure à 200 μηη), l'écartement entre les deux électrodes peut, dans certains cas, être insuffisant pour prévenir tout risque de court-circuits. Ces risques sont d'autant plus élevés que le joint est mince et que sa conductivité est importante. Il est alors recommandé d'éloigner davantage la ou les parties conductrices de la zone de contact entre le joint et la première électrode de la ou des parties conductrices de la zone de contact du joint avec la deuxième électrode. Autrement dit, il ne suffira pas dans tous les cas que ces zones ne soient pas en regard les unes des autres et il sera nécessaire de prévoir un décalage supplémentaire « horizontal », c'est-a-dire un décalage dans le sens du plan des électrodes. Ce décalage « horizontal » est de préférence d'au moins 100 μηη, en particulier au moins égal à 200 μηη et idéalement au moins égal à 500 μηη.  When using a very thin butyl seal (thickness less than 200 μηη), the spacing between the two electrodes may in some cases be insufficient to prevent any risk of short circuits. These risks are even higher when the seal is thin and its conductivity is important. It is then recommended to further move the conductive part (s) from the area of contact between the seal and the first electrode of the conductive part (s) of the contact area of the seal with the second electrode. In other words, it will not be sufficient in all cases that these areas are not facing each other and it will be necessary to provide an additional offset "horizontal", that is to say a shift in the direction of the plan electrodes. This "horizontal" offset is preferably at least 100 μηη, in particular at least 200 μηη and ideally at least 500 μηη.
On veillera à poser le joint de manière à ce qu'il ne vienne pas en contact avec le système électrochrome formé par les deux couches électroactives et l'électrolyte.  Be sure to install the seal so that it does not come into contact with the electrochromic system formed by the two electroactive layers and the electrolyte.
La présente invention a également pour objet un procédé de fabrication d'un dispositif selon la présente invention.  The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a device according to the present invention.
Ce procédé comprend la mise à disposition de deux électrodes supportées, dont au moins une est transparente, formées chacune d'un substrat non conducteur revêtu, sur une de ses faces, d'un revêtement conducteur. Chacune de ces électrodes supportées doit comporter à la périphérie d'une de ses faces principales à la fois des zones conductrices et des zones non conductrices.  This method comprises the provision of two supported electrodes, at least one of which is transparent, each formed of a non-conductive substrate coated on one of its faces with a conductive coating. Each of these supported electrodes must comprise at the periphery of one of its main faces at the same time conductive zones and non-conductive zones.
Les zones conductrices sont les zones où le substrat non conducteur est couvert du revêtement conducteur qui s'étend depuis le centre le l'électrode de préférence jusqu'au bord de celle-ci. Les zones non conductrices sont les zones dépourvues de revêtement conducteur ou des zones où une partie du revêtement conducteur a été isolée du reste du revêtement conducteur couvrant la partie centrale de l'électrode supportée.  The conductive areas are the areas where the nonconductive substrate is covered with the conductive coating extending from the center of the electrode preferably to the edge thereof. The non-conductive areas are areas without conductive coating or areas where a portion of the conductive coating has been isolated from the remainder of the conductive coating covering the central portion of the supported electrode.
Les figures la-d et 2a-d illustrent ces deux modes de réalisation des zones non conductrices. La figure la montre deux électrodes de forme rectangulaire (cotés a, b, c, d) constituées chacune d'un substrat 1 couvert, sur une partie de sa surface principale, d'un revêtement conducteur 2. Le revêtement conducteur 2 ne recouvre pas toute la surface du substrat et laisse ainsi libre une zone 3 en bordure du substrat s'étendant sur deux côtés du rectangle. Cette zone 3 correspond à ce qui est appelé dans la présente demande une « zone non conductrice » ou « partie non conductrice ». Elle peut être obtenue par exemple par ablation laser du revêtement conducteur 2. Lorsqu'on superpose les deux électrodes dans le sens de la flèche en faisant correspondre les côtés portant la même lettre, les zones non conductrices 3 d'une électrode se trouvent en regard des zones périphériques conductrices de l'autre électrode qui fait face à la première, et inversement. Figures la-d and 2a-d illustrate these two embodiments of the non-conductive areas. FIG. 1a shows two electrodes of rectangular shape (sides a, b, c, d) each consisting of a substrate 1 covered on a portion of its main surface with a conductive coating 2. The conductive coating 2 does not cover the entire surface of the substrate and thus leaves free a zone 3 at the edge of the substrate extending on two sides of the rectangle. This zone 3 corresponds to what is called in this application a "non-conductive zone" or "non-conductive portion". It can be obtained for example by laser ablation of the conductive coating 2. When the two electrodes are superposed in the direction of the arrow by matching the sides bearing the same letter, the non-conductive zones 3 of an electrode are opposite each other. conductive peripheral areas of the other electrode facing the first, and vice versa.
La figure lb est une section transversale d'un dispositif inachevé où un système électrochrome 4 est pris en sandwich entre deux électrodes superposées de la façon décrite ci-dessus. Le système électrochrome a une étendue moins importante que chacune des électrodes et une rainure périphérique est ainsi définie sur son pourtour par les bords des électrodes supportées.  Fig. 1b is a cross-section of an unfinished device where an electrochromic system 4 is sandwiched between two superposed electrodes in the manner described above. The electrochromic system has a smaller extent than each of the electrodes and a peripheral groove is thus defined on its periphery by the edges of the electrodes supported.
La figure le montre le dispositif de la figure lb complété par un cordon de joint butyle 5 qui remplit partiellement la rainure périphérique. Le joint butyle 5 est placé de manière à ne pas être en contact avec le système électrochrome 4.  Figure 1 shows the device of Figure 1b supplemented by a butyl seal bead 5 which partially fills the peripheral groove. The butyl seal 5 is placed so as not to be in contact with the electrochromic system 4.
Enfin la figure ld montre un agrandissement d'un bord du dispositif de la figure le. Le joint butyle 5 est en contact, d'un côté, avec une zone non conductrice 3 d'une électrode et, de l'autre côté, avec une zone conductrice 6 de l'électrode en vis-à-vis de la première. Un connecteur électrique 7 est raccordé au revêtement conducteur 2 dépassant de la zone délimitée par le joint butyle.  Finally, FIG. 1d shows an enlargement of an edge of the device of FIG. The butyl seal 5 is in contact, on one side, with a non-conductive zone 3 of an electrode and, on the other side, with a conductive zone 6 of the electrode vis-a-vis the former. An electrical connector 7 is connected to the conductive coating 2 protruding from the area defined by the butyl seal.
Les figures 2 a-d diffèrent des figures 1 a-d uniquement par le fait que la zone non conductrice 3 est recouverte, en partie, d'un revêtement intrinsèquement électroconducteur 8 mais qui est isolé du reste du revêtement conducteur 2. Lorsque le dispositif de l'invention est mis sous tension, seuls les revêtements conducteurs 2 sont traversés par un courant, mais non pas les revêtements 8. La présence du revêtement 8 ne crée par conséquent pas une zone conductrice susceptible de générer des problèmes de court- circuits. Figures 2 ad differ from Figures 1 ad only in that the non-conductive area 3 is covered, in part, an intrinsically electrically conductive coating 8 but which is isolated from the rest of the conductive coating 2. When the device of the invention is energized, only the conductive coatings 2 are traversed by a current, but not the 8. The presence of the coating 8 therefore does not create a conductive area likely to cause problems of short circuits.
Les figures 3 et 4 montrent deux autres géométries de revêtements conducteurs 2 et de zones non conductrices 3 sur des substrats non conducteurs.  Figures 3 and 4 show two other geometries of conductive coatings 2 and non-conductive areas 3 on non-conductive substrates.
Dans tous les modes de réalisation, il est important que le revêtement conducteur s'étende au moins dans une petite zone jusqu'au bord, ou presque jusqu'au bord, du substrat non conducteur, de façon à dépasser, après assemblage du dispositif, la zone active (ou électroactive) délimitée par le joint d'étanchéité 5. C'est au niveau de cette zone conductrice que se fera le raccordement électrique des électrodes supportées.  In all embodiments, it is important that the conductive coating extends at least in a small area to the edge, or almost to the edge, of the non-conductive substrate, so as to exceed, after assembly of the device, the active (or electroactive) zone delimited by the seal 5. It is at this conductive zone that the electrical connection of the supported electrodes will be made.
La figure 5 montre en coupe transversale un mode de réalisation particulièrement préféré du dispositif selon l'invention où les deux électrodes, de forme et taille identiques, sont superposées en recouvrance imparfaite, laissant sans vis-à-vis une zone conductrice 9,9' en bordure de chaque électrode. Cette zone conductrice 9,9' pourra servir à un raccordement électrique avec une amenée de courant ayant une épaisseur supérieur à celle du joint 5, raccordement qui est impossible sur des dispositifs représentés aux figures lb-d et 2b-d .  FIG. 5 shows in cross-section a particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention in which the two electrodes, of identical shape and size, are superimposed in imperfect recovery, leaving a conductive area 9.9 'without being opposite. at the edge of each electrode. This conductive zone 9, 9 'can be used for an electrical connection with a current supply having a thickness greater than that of the joint 5, which connection is impossible on the devices represented in FIGS. 1b-d and 2b-d.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Dispositif électrocommandable comportant : An electrically controllable device comprising:
(a) deux électrodes supportées, dont au moins une est transparente, formées chacune d'un substrat non conducteur (1) revêtu, sur une de ses faces, d'un revêtement conducteur (2), les deux électrodes supportées étant positionnées l'une par rapport à l'autre de manière à ce que les revêtements conducteurs se fassent face et soient en contact avec le système électrochrome (b),  (a) two supported electrodes, at least one of which is transparent, each formed of a non-conductive substrate (1) coated on one of its faces with a conductive coating (2), the two supported electrodes being positioned on the one with respect to the other so that the conductive coatings face each other and are in contact with the electrochromic system (b),
(b) un système électrochrome (4), formé par deux couches électroactives, dont au moins une est une couche électrochrome, séparées par une couche d'un électrolyte à base de polymère organique, le système électrochrome étant pris en sandwich entre les deux électrodes supportées et ayant une étendue inférieure à celle de chacune des électrodes supportées de manière à définir une rainure périphérique sur tout le pourtour du système électrochrome, (b) an electrochromic system (4), formed by two electroactive layers, at least one of which is an electrochromic layer, separated by a layer of an electrolyte based on an organic polymer, the electrochromic system being sandwiched between the two electrodes supported and having a range less than that of each of the electrodes supported so as to define a circumferential groove around the entire periphery of the electrochromic system,
(c) un joint périphérique (5) en un polymère organique imperméable à la vapeur d'eau, ledit joint remplissant ladite rainure périphérique sur tout le pourtour du système électrochrome en étant en tous points en contact à la fois avec la première et la deuxième électrode supportée sans toutefois être en contact avec le système électrochrome, (c) a peripheral seal (5) of an organic polymer impervious to water vapor, said seal filling said circumferential groove around the entire periphery of the electrochromic system being in all points in contact with both the first and the second electrode supported without being in contact with the electrochromic system,
caractérisé par le fait que characterized by the fact that
la zone de contact entre le joint polymère et la première électrode supportée et la zone de contact entre le joint polymère et la deuxième électrode supportée comportent chacune une ou plusieurs parties conductrices (6) et une ou plusieurs parties non conductrices (3), et the contact area between the polymeric seal and the first supported electrode and the contact area between the polymeric seal and the second supported electrode each comprise one or more conductive portions (6) and one or more non-conductive portions (3), and
avec la condition supplémentaire qu'aucune partie conductrice (6) de la zone de contact entre le joint polymère et la première électrode ne soit en regard d'une partie conductrice (6) de la zone de contact entre le joint polymère et la deuxième électrode supportée. with the additional condition that no conductive portion (6) of the contact zone between the polymer seal and the first electrode is opposite a conductive portion (6) of the contact zone between the polymer seal and the second electrode supported.
2. Dispositif électrocommandable selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que les deux électrodes supportées sont transparentes.  2. Electrically controllable device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two electrodes supported are transparent.
3. Dispositif électrocommandable selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait qu'une des deux électrodes supportées est transparente et l'autre est réfléchissante. 3. electro-controllable device according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the two supported electrodes is transparent and the other is reflective.
4. Dispositif électrocommandable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que la ou les électrodes supportées transparentes sont formées d'un support non conducteur transparent, de préférence en verre minéral ou organique, revêtu sur une de ses faces d'un revêtement conducteur transparent. 4. Electrically controllable device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transparent supported electrode or electrodes are formed of a transparent non-conductive support, preferably of mineral or organic glass, coated on one of its faces. a transparent conductive coating.
5. Dispositif électrocommandable selon la revendication 4, caractérisé par le fait que le revêtement conducteur transparent est un oxyde conducteur transparent (TCO) ou un empilement transparent de couches minces contenant des couches métalliques.  5. electrically controllable device according to claim 4, characterized in that the transparent conductive coating is a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) or a transparent stack of thin layers containing metal layers.
6. Dispositif électrocommandable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que les deux électrodes supportées ont essentiellement les mêmes dimensions.  6. electro-controllable device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two supported electrodes have essentially the same dimensions.
7. Dispositif électrocommandable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que les deux électrodes supportées sont superposées de façon décalée l'une par rapport à l'autre de manière à ce qu'une zone conductrice (9) de la première électrode supportée et une zone conductrice (9') de la deuxième électrode supportée dépassent de la zone de recouvrement des deux électrodes, chacune de ces zones étant en contact avec un connecteur électrique (7) .  7. electrically controllable device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two supported electrodes are superimposed in an offset manner relative to each other so that a conductive zone (9) of the first supported electrode and a conductive area (9 ') of the second supported electrode protrude from the overlap area of the two electrodes, each of these areas being in contact with an electrical connector (7).
8. Dispositif électrocommandable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend en outre un connecteur électrique (7) raccordé au revêtement conducteur (2) dépassant de la zone délimitée par le joint périphérique.  8. Electrically controllable device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an electrical connector (7) connected to the conductive coating (2) protruding from the zone defined by the peripheral seal.
9. Dispositif électrocommandable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que le système électrochrome, formé par les deux couches électroactives et l'électrolyte, a une épaisseur globale comprise 50 μηη et 500 μηη, de préférence entre 70 μηη et 300 μΓΠ, et en particulier entre 80 et 200 μηη .  9. electrically controllable device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrochromic system, formed by the two electroactive layers and the electrolyte, has an overall thickness of 50 μηη and 500 μηη, preferably between 70 μηη and 300 μΓΠ, and in particular between 80 and 200 μηη.
10. Dispositif électrocommandable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que le joint présente une résistivité inférieure à 1011 Q.cm, de préférence inférieure à 108 Q.cm, et en particulier inférieure à 105 .cm . 10. Electrically controllable device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal has a resistivity of less than 10 11 Ω.cm, preferably less than 10 8 Ω.cm, and in particular less than 10 5 cm. .
1 1 . Dispositif électrocommandable selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que le joint est en polyisobutylène, de préférence chargé de noir de carbone.  1 1. Electrically controllable device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal is made of polyisobutylene, preferably loaded with carbon black.
EP13706628.8A 2012-02-06 2013-02-04 Electrocontrollable device Ceased EP2812753A1 (en)

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FR1251070A FR2986625B1 (en) 2012-02-06 2012-02-06 ELECTROCOMMANDABLE DEVICE
PCT/FR2013/050231 WO2013117847A1 (en) 2012-02-06 2013-02-04 Electrocontrollable device

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KR20140122718A (en) 2014-10-20
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JP2015506502A (en) 2015-03-02
US9477130B2 (en) 2016-10-25

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