Patent ID: 6362806
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: E06B,G02F

Abstract:
Process for operating an electrochromic element which consists of at least the following layers:a first electrode layer; a first layer in which ions can be reversibly inserted; a transparent ion-conductive layer; a second layer in which ions can be reversibly inserted; and a second electrode layer; where the first and/or the second layer, in which the ions can be reversibly inserted, is an electrochromic layer, and the other of these layers acts as counter-electrode to the other electrochromic layer, and where a voltage is applied to the electrode layers which causes a colour-change process, which possesses values in a redox-stability range of the system, characterized by the fact that the current (I) flowing through the electrochromic element is measured continuously; that in a starting stage of the colour-change process, the voltage (U) applied to the electrochromic element is increased or reduced steadily up to maximum to a final value (Umax) specified as a function of temperature, where the temperature-dependence is determined by the design of the electrochromic element, but is independent of the area to be subjected to color change; and that the voltage (U) is supplied during the colour-change process as a function of the current (I), where the voltage (U) does not exceed in magnitude the magnitude of the final value (Umax).