Apparatus to maintain a continuously graded transmission state

An apparatus can include an electrochromic device. When using the apparatus, the electrochromic device can be switched from a first transmission state to a continuously graded state and maintained at continuously graded transmission state. An apparatus can include an active stack with a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, an anodic electrochemical layer between the first and the second transparent conductive layers, and a cathodic electrochemical layer between the first and the second transparent conductive layers. The apparatus can further include a first bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, a second bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, where the second bus bar is generally non-parallel to the first bus bar, and a third bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, where the third bus bar is generally parallel to the first bus bar.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure is directed to electroactive devices, and more specifically to apparatuses including electrochromic devices and method of using the same.

Related Art

An electrochromic device can reduce the amount of sunlight entering a room or passenger compartment of a vehicle. Conventionally, all of an electrochromic device can be at a particular transmission state. For example, all of the electrochromic device may be at 0% tinting, all may be at 100% tinting, or all may be at a value between the two. A glass pane may be formed with different discrete electrochromic devices, each controlled by its own pair of bus bars. The different electrochromic devices can each be controlled to a different transmission state. For example, an electrochromic device near the top of the pane may be at 100% tinting, another electrochromic device near the bottom of the pane may be at 0% tinting, and a further electrochromic device between the other two electrochromic devices may be at 50% tinting. Further improvement in control regarding tinting of an electrochromic device is desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The use of “a” or “an” is employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural, or vice versa, unless it is clear that it is meant otherwise.

When referring to variables, the term “steady state” is intended to mean that an operating variable is substantially constant when averaged over 10 seconds, even through the operating variable may be change during a transient state. For example, when in steady state, an operating variable may be maintained within 10%, within 5%, or within 0.9% of an average for the operating variable for a particular mode of operation for a particular device. Variations may be due to imperfections in an apparatus or supporting equipment, such as noise transmitted along voltage lines, switching transistors within a control device, operating other components within an apparatus, or other similar effects. Still further, a variable may be changed for a microsecond each second, so that a variable, such as voltage or current, may be read; or one or more of the voltage supply terminals may alternate between two different voltages (e.g., 1V and 2V) at a frequency of 1 Hz or greater. Thus, an apparatus may be at steady state even with such variations due to imperfections or when reading operating parameters. When changing between modes of operation, one or more of the operating variables may be in a transient state. Examples of such variables can include voltages at particular locations within an electrochromic device or current flowing through the electrochromic device.

The use of the word “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” is intended to mean that a value of a parameter is close to a stated value or position. However, minor differences may prevent the values or positions from being exactly as stated. Thus, differences of up to ten percent (10%) for the value are reasonable differences from the ideal goal of exactly as described. A significant difference can be when the difference is greater than ten percent (10%).

An electrochromic device can be maintained in a continuously graded transmission state for nearly any time period, for example, such as beyond the time needed for switching between states. When continuously graded, the electrochromic device can have a relatively higher electrical field between bus bars at an area with relatively less transmission and a relatively lower electrical field between the bus bars at another area with relative greater transmission. The continuous grading allows for a more visibly pleasing transition between less transmission to greater transmission, as compare to discrete grading. The varying locations of the bus bars can provide voltages that can range from fully bleached (highest transmission) to fully tinted (lowest transmission state), or anything in between. Still further, the electrochromic device can be operated with a substantially uniform transmission state across all of the area of the electrochromic device, with a continuously graded transmission state across all of the area of the electrochromic device, or with a combination of a portion with a substantially uniform transmission state and another portion with a continuously graded transmission state.

Many different patterns for the continuously graded transmission state can be achieved by the proper selection of bus bar location, the number of voltage supply terminals coupled to each bus bar, locations of voltage supply terminals along the bus bars, or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, gaps between bus bars can be used to achieve a continuously graded transmission state.

The electrochromic device can be used as part of a window for a building or a vehicle. The electrochromic device can be used within an apparatus. The apparatus can further include an energy source, an input/output unit, and a control device that controls the electrochromic device. Components within the apparatus may be located near or remotely from the electrochromic device. In an embodiment, one or more of such components may be integrated with environmental controls within a building.

The embodiments as illustrated in the figures and described below help in understanding particular applications for implementing the concepts as described herein. In the description below, an electrochromic device will be described as operating with voltages on bus bars being in a range of 0V to 50V. In one embodiment, the voltages can be between 0V and 25V. In another embodiment, the voltages can be between 0V and 10V. In yet another embodiment, the voltages can be between 0V and 3V. Such description is used to simplify concepts as described herein. Other voltage may be used with the electrochromic device or if the composition or thicknesses of layers within an electrochromic stack are changed. The voltages on bus bars may both be positive (0.1V to 50V), both negative (−50V to −0.1V), or a combination of negative and positive voltages (−1V to 2V), as the voltage difference between bus bars are more important than the actual voltages. Furthermore, the voltage difference between the bus bars may be less than or greater than 50V. After reading this specification, skilled artisans will be able to determine voltage differences for different operating modes to meet the needs or desires for a particular application. The embodiments are exemplary and not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

FIG. 1includes an illustration of a top view of a substrate100, a stack of layers of an electrochromic device, and bus bars, according to one embodiment. A first bus bar110may be along a first side102of the substrate100, and a second bus bar120can be along a second side104that is opposite the first side202. In one embodiment, the first side102is generally parallel to the second side104. In one embodiment, the substrate100can include a third side106generally orthogonal to the first side102. In another embodiment, the substrate100can include a fourth side108opposite the third side106and generally parallel to the third side106. Each of the bus bars110and120have lengths that extend a majority of the distance between the third side106and the fourth side108that is opposite the third side106. A third bus bar130may be along the third side106of the substrate100and a fourth bus bar140can be along the fourth side108of the substrate100. Each of the bus bars130and140have lengths that extend a majority of the distance between the first side102and the second side104. In one embodiment, the first bus bar110and the second bus bar120are generally parallel each other. As used herein, substantially parallel is intended to mean that the two bus bars can be within 10 degrees of each other, such as within 5 degrees of each other, such as within 4 degrees of each other, such as within 2 degrees of each other, or such as within 1 degree of each other. As will be discuss in more detail below with respect toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the first bus bar110and the second bus bar120can both be electrically connected to a first transparent conductive layer while the third bus bar130and the fourth bus bar140can be connected to a second transparent conductive layer.

In one embodiment, the first bus bar110can be connected to a first voltage supply terminal160, the second bus bar120can be connected to a second voltage supply terminal162, the third bus bar130can be connected to a third voltage supply terminal163, and the fourth bus bar140can be connected to a fourth voltage supply terminal164. In one embodiment, the voltage supply terminals can be connected to each bus bar110,120,130, and140about the center of each bus bar. In one embodiment, each bus bar110,120,130, and140can have one voltage supply terminal. The ability to control each voltage supply terminal160,162,163, and164provide for control over grading of light transmission through the electrochromic device124.

In one embodiment, the first voltage supply terminal160can set the voltage for the first bus bar110at a value less than the voltage set by the voltage supply terminal163for the third bus bar130. In another embodiment, the voltage supply terminal163can set the voltage for the third bus bar130at a value greater than the voltage set by the voltage supply terminal164for the fourth bus bar140. In another embodiment, the voltage supply terminal163can set the voltage for the third bus bar130at a value less than the voltage set by the voltage supply terminal164for the fourth bus bar140. In another embodiment, the voltage supply terminal160can set the voltage for the first bus bar110at a value about equal to the voltage set by the voltage supply terminal162for the second bus bar120. In one embodiment, the voltage supply terminal160can set the voltage for the first bus bar110at a value within about 0.5V, such as 0.4V, such as 0.3V, such as 0.2V, such as 0.1V to the voltage set by the voltage supply terminal162for the second bus bar120. In a non-limiting example, the first voltage supply terminal160can set the voltage for the first bus bar110at 0V, the second voltage supply terminal162can set the voltage for the second bus bar120at 0V, the third voltage supply terminal163can set the voltage for the third bus bar130at 3V, and the fourth voltage supply terminal164can set the voltage for the fourth bus bar140at 1.5V.

FIG. 2includes an illustration of a cross-sectional view along line A of a portion of a substrate100, a stack of layers112,114,118, and122for an electrochemical device124, and bus bars, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device124is an electrochromic device. The electrochemical device124can include a first transparent conductive layer112, a cathodic electrochemical layer114, an anodic electrochemical layer118, and a second transparent conductive layer122. In one embodiment, the electrochromic device124can also include an ion conducting layer116between the cathodic electrochemical layer114and the anodic electrochemical layer118. In one embodiment, the first transparent conductive layer112can be between the substrate100and the cathodic electrochemical layer114. The cathodic electrochemical layer114can be between the first transparent conductive layer112and the anodic electrochemical layer118. In one embodiment, the anodic electrochemical layer118can be between the cathodic electrochemical layer114and the second transparent conductive layer122. As seen inFIG. 2, the second transparent conductive layer122has an isolation cut121.

The substrate100can include a glass substrate, a sapphire substrate, an aluminum oxynitride substrate, a spinel substrate, or a transparent polymer. In a particular embodiment, the substrate100can be float glass or a borosilicate glass and have a thickness in a range of 0.025 mm to 4 mm thick. In another particular embodiment, the substrate100can include ultra-thin glass that is a mineral glass having a thickness in a range of 10 microns to 300 microns. The first transparent conductive layers112and second transparent conductive layer122can include a conductive metal oxide or a conductive polymer. Examples can include a indium oxide, tin oxide or a zinc oxide, either of which can doped with a trivalent element, such as Sn, Sb, Al, Ga, In, or the like, or a sulfonated polymer, such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), or the like or one or several metal layer(s) or a metal mesh or a nanowire mesh or graphen or carbon nanotubes or a combination thereof. The transparent conductive layers112and122can have the same or different compositions.

The cathodic electrochemical layer114and the anodic electrochemical layer118can be electrode layers. In one embodiment, the cathodic electrochemical layer114can be an electrochromic layer. In another embodiment, the anodic electrochemical layer118can be a counter electrode layer. The electrochromic layer can include an inorganic metal oxide electrochemically active material, such as WO3, V2O5, MoO3, Nb2O5, TiO2, CuO, Ir2O3, Cr2O3, Co2O3, Mn2O3, or any combination thereof and have a thickness in a range of 20 nm to 2000 nm. The counter electrode layer can include any of the materials listed with respect to the electrochromic layer and may further include nickel oxide (NiO, Ni2O3, or combination of the two) or iridium oxide, and Li, Na, H, or another ion and have a thickness in a range of 20 nm to 1000 nm. The ion conductive layer116(sometimes called an electrolyte layer) can be optional, and can have a thickness in a range of 1 nm to 1000 nm in case of an inorganic ion conductor or 5 micron to 1000 microns in case of an organic ion conductor. The ion conductive layer116can include a silicate with or without lithium, aluminum, zirconium, phosphorus, boron; a borate with or without lithium; a tantalum oxide with or without lithium; a lanthanide-based material with or without lithium; another lithium-based ceramic material particularly LixMOyNz where M is one or a combination of transition metals or the like.

In one embodiment, the first bus bar110and the second bus bar120are electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer112, as seen along line A. In one embodiment, the first transparent conductive layers112includes portions removed, so that the first bus bar110and the second bus bar120are not electrically connected to third bus bar130and the fourth bus bar140. Such removed portions are typically 20 nm to 2000 nm wide. In another embodiment, the third bus bar130and the fourth bus bar140are electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer112. In one embodiment, the first bus bar110is on one side of the stack of layers of the electrochemical device124and the second bus bar120is on the opposite side of the stack of layers of the electrochemical device124. In a particular embodiment, the first bus bar110and the second bus bar120can be electrically connected to the cathodic electrochemical layer114via the first transparent conductive layer112. In a particular embodiment, the first bus bar110and the second bus bar120can be electrically connected to the anodic electrochemical layer118via the second transparent conductive layer122.

FIG. 3includes an illustration of a cross-sectional view along line B of a portion of the substrate100, the stack of layers112,114,118, and122for the electrochemical device124, and bus bars, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the third bus bar130and the fourth bus bar140are electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer122, as seen along line B. In one embodiment, the second transparent conductive layers122includes portions removed, so that the third bus bar130and the fourth bus bar140are not electrically connected to first bus bar110and the second bus bar120. Such removed portions are typically 20 nm to 2000 nm wide. In another embodiment, the first bus bar110and the second bus bar120are electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer122. In one embodiment, the third bus bar130is on one side of the stack of layers of the electrochemical device124and the fourth bus bar140is on the opposite side of the stack of layers of the electrochemical device124. In a particular embodiment, the third bus bar130and the fourth bus bar140can be electrically connected to the anodic electrochemical layer118via the second transparent conductive layer122. In a particular embodiment, the third bus bar130and the fourth bus bar140can be electrically connected to the cathodic electrochemical layer114via the second transparent conductive layer122. As seem inFIG. 3, the first transparent conductive layer112has an isolation cut123.

The first bus bar110, the second bus bar120, the third bus bar130, and the fourth bus bar140can include a conductive material. In an embodiment, each of the bus bars110,120,130, and140can be formed using a conductive ink, such as a silver frit, that is printed over the transparent conductive layer122. In another embodiment, one or more of the bus bars110,120,130, and140can include a metal-filled polymer, such as a silver-filled epoxy.

The number of bus bars is not limited to configuration as shown inFIG. 1.FIG. 4includes an illustration of a top view of the substrate100, a stack of layers112,114,118, and122of an electrochromic device400, and bus bars, according to one embodiment. As seen inFIG. 4, the electrochemical device400can include more than three bus bars, such as more than four bus bars, such as more than five bus bars, such as more than six bus bars, such as more than seven bus bars. The electrochemical device400can include a first bus bar410, a second bus bar420, a third bus bar430, a fourth bus bar440, a fifth bus bar450, a sixth bus bar460, a seventh bus bar470, and an eighth bus bar480, a first voltage supply terminal491, a second voltage supply terminal492, a third voltage supply terminal493, a fourth voltage supply terminal494, a fifth voltage supply terminal495, a sixth voltage supply terminal496, a seventh voltage supply terminal497, an eighth voltage supply terminal498, a first gap402, a second gap404, a third gap406, a fourth gap408. In one embodiment, the first bus bar410, the second bus bar420, the sixth bus bar460, the seventh bus bar470, and the eighth bus bar480can be connected to a first transparent conductive layer while the third bus bar430, the fourth bus bar440, and the fifth bus bar450can be connected to a second transparent conductive layer. In one embodiment, the third voltage supply terminal493can set the voltage for the third bus bar430at a value greater than the voltage set by the first voltage supply terminal491for the first bus bar410.

In one embodiment, the first bus bar410can be closer to a first side of the substrate102than the second side of the substrate104. In another embodiment, the fifth bus bar450can be between the first bus bar410and the seventh bus bar470. In another embodiment, the second bus bar420can be closer to the second side of the substrate104than the first side of the substrate102. In one embodiment, the sixth bus bar460is between the second bus bar420and the eighth bus bar480. In another embodiment, the third bus bar430is closer to the third side106of the substrate than the fourth side108. In one embodiment, the fourth bus bar440is closer to the fourth side108of the substrate than the third side106. In one embodiment, the third bus bar430can be substantially parallel to the fourth bus bar440. In one embodiment, the third bus bar430can be generally non-parallel to the first bus bar410. In one embodiment, the third bus bar430can be orthogonal to the first bus bar410. In one embodiment, the first bus bar410can be substantially parallel to the second bus bar420. In one embodiment, the seventh bus bar470can be closer to the fourth bus bar440than the third bus bar430. In another embodiment, the second bus bar420can be closer to the third bus bar430than the fourth bus bar440. The first gap402can be between the first bus bar410and the fifth bus bar450. The second gap404can be between the fifth bus bar450and the seventh bus bar470. The third gap can be between the second bus bar420and the sixth bus bar460. The fourth gap408can be between the sixth bus bar460and the eighth bus bar480. The transparent conductive layers can have a linear resistance (ohms/meter) that is approximately ten times the linear resistance of the bus bars. Gaps between bus bars can allow the transparent conductive layer to act as a resistor between the gaps and allow a continuously graded state to be maintained in the gaps under the bus bars. The gaps402,404,406,408can be substantially the same lengths. In one embodiment, the gaps402,404,406,408can be different from one another. In another embodiment, the gaps402and406can be substantially the same length but have a different length than gap404.

In one embodiment, the voltage supply terminals491,492,493,494,495,496,497, and498can set their respective bus bars to voltages such that the third bus bar430is greater than the fifth bus bar450is greater than the fourth bus bar440is greater than the first bus bar410(430>450>440>410). In another embodiment, the voltage supply terminals491,492,493,494,495,496,497, and498can set their respective bus bars to voltages such that the fourth bus bar440>the fifth bus bar450>third bus bar430>the first bus bar410(440>450>430>410). In another embodiment, the first voltage supply terminal491can set the voltage for the first bus bar410at a value about equal to the voltage set by the voltage supply terminals492,496,497,498for the second bus bar420, sixth bus bar460, seventh bus bar470, and eighth bus bar480. In one embodiment, first voltage supply terminal491can set the voltage for the first bus bar410at a value within about 0.5V, such as 0.4V, such as 0.3V, such as 0.2V, such as 0.1V to the voltage set by the voltage supply terminals492,496,497,498for the second bus bar420, sixth bus bar460, seventh bus bar470, and eight bus bar480.

In one embodiment, the electrochemical device400can include a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone. The first zone can be defined by the first voltage supply terminal491and first bus bar410, the second voltage supply terminal492and second bus bar420, and the third voltage supply terminal493and third bus bar430. The second zone can be defined by the fifth voltage supply terminal495and fifth bus bar450, and the sixth voltage supply terminal496and sixth bus bar460. The third zone can be defined by and the fourth voltage supply terminal494and fourth bus bar440, the seventh voltage supply terminal497and seventh bus bar470, and the eighth voltage supply terminal498and eighth bus bar480. In operation, zone one, zone two, and zone three can have different tinting states. In a non-limiting example, the third voltage supply terminal493can set the voltage for the third bus bar430at 3V, the fifth voltage supply terminal495can set the voltage for the fifth bus bar450at 1.5V, the fourth voltage supply terminal494can set the voltage for the fourth bus bar440at 0.5V, the first voltage supply terminal491can set the voltage for the first bus bar410at 0V, the second voltage supply terminal492can set the voltage for the second bus bar420at 0V, the sixth voltage supply terminal496can set the voltage for the sixth bus bar460at 0V, the seventh voltage supply terminal497can set the voltage for the seventh bus bar470at 0V, and the eight voltage supply terminal498can set the voltage for the eighth bus bar480at 0V. By doing so, zone1can be at full tint, zone three can be at a clear state, and zone two can be between a full tint and clear state such that the entire electrochromic device appears continuously graded.

In another embodiment, as seen inFIG. 5, the first bus bar410, the second bus bar420, the seventh bus bar470, and the eighth bus bar480can be connected to a first transparent conductive layer while the third bus bar430, the fourth bus bar440, the fifth bus bar450, and the sixth bus bar560can be connected to a second transparent conductive layer. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device500can include a first zone, a second zone, a third zone, a fourth zone, and a fifth zone. The first zone can be defined by the first voltage supply terminal491and first bus bar410, the second voltage supply terminal492and second bus bar420, and the third voltage supply terminal493and third bus bar430. The second zone can be defined by the fifth voltage supply terminal495and fifth bus bar450, and the sixth voltage supply terminal496and sixth bus bar460. The third zone can be defined by and the fourth voltage supply terminal494and fourth bus bar440, the seventh voltage supply terminal497and seventh bus bar470, and the eighth voltage supply terminal498and eighth bus bar480. The fourth zone can be defined by the first gap402and the third gap406. The fifth zone can be defined by the second gap404and the fourth gap408. In operation, zone one, zone two, zone three, zone four, and zone five can have different tinting states. In a non-limiting example, the third voltage supply terminal493can set the voltage for the third bus bar430at 3V, the fifth voltage supply terminal495can set the voltage for the fifth bus bar450at 1.5V, the sixth voltage supply terminal496can set the voltage for the sixth bus bar460at 1.5V, the fourth voltage supply terminal494can set the voltage for the fourth bus bar440at 0.5V, the first voltage supply terminal491can set the voltage for the first bus bar410at 0V, the second voltage supply terminal492can set the voltage for the second bus bar420at 0V, the seventh voltage supply terminal497can set the voltage for the seventh bus bar470at 0V, and the eight voltage supply terminal498can set the voltage for the eighth bus bar480at 0V. By doing so, zone1can be at full tint, zone three can be at a clear state, and zone two can be between a full tint and clear state such that the entire electrochromic device can include two graded zones, zones four and five.

FIG. 6includes an illustration of a top view of the substrate100, a stack of layers of an electrochemical device, and bus bars, according to one embodiment. The electrochemical device can include a first bus bar610, a second bus bar620, a third bus bar630, a fourth bus bar640, a fifth bus bar650, a sixth bus bar660, a first voltage supply terminal615, a second voltage supply terminal625, a third voltage supply terminal635, and a fourth voltage supply terminal645. The first bus bar610and the second bus bar620can be electrically connected to a first transparent conductive layer while the third bus bar630, the fourth bus bar640, the fifth bus bar650, and the sixth bus bar660can be connected to a second transparent conductive layer. The first voltage supply terminal615can control the voltages for both the first bus bar610and the fifth bus bar650. The second voltage supply terminal625can control the voltages for both the second bus bar620and the sixth bus bar660. In one embodiment, the first bus bar610is closer to the first side102of the substrate than the second side104. The fifth bus bar650can be generally parallel to the first bus bar610. The fifth bus bar650can be between the first bus bar610and the sixth bus bar660. In one embodiment, the fifth bus bar650is closer to the first bus bar610than the sixth bus bar660. In one embodiment, the second bus bar620can be closer to the second side104of the substrate100than the first side102. The sixth bus bar660can be between the second bus bar620and the first bus bar610. The sixth bus bar660can be closer to the second bus bar620than the first bus bar610. The third bus bar630can be non-parallel to the first bus bar610. In one embodiment, the third bus bar630can be generally orthogonal to the first bus bar610. The fourth bus bar640can be parallel to the third bus bar630. In one embodiment, the fourth bus bar640can be closer to the fourth side108than the third side106.

In one embodiment, the first bus bar610can include an area of electrical isolation611from the stack of layers of the electrochemical device. In one embodiment, the second bus bar620can include an area of electrical isolation621from the stack of layers of the electrochemical device. In one embodiment, the area of isolation611is parallel to the fifth bus bar650. In one embodiment, the area of isolation611extends a length greater than the length of the fifth bus bar650creating a gap602between the end of the first bus bar610and the end of the fifth bus bar650. In one embodiment, the area of isolation621is parallel to the sixth bus bar660. In one embodiment, the area of isolation621extends a length greater than the length of the sixth bus bar660. In one embodiment, the third voltage supply terminal635can set the voltage for the third bus bar630at a value greater than the voltage set by the fifth voltage supply terminal615for the fifth bus bar650. The fifth voltage supply terminal615can set the voltage for the fifth bus bar650at a value greater than the voltage set by the fourth voltage supply terminal645for the fourth bus bar640. By doing so, the voltage supply terminal can create a gradient at gap602,604,606, and608.

In another embodiment, as seen inFIG. 7, the first bus bar710and the second bus bar720can be connected to a first transparent conductive layer while the third bus bar730, the fourth bus bar740, the fifth bus bar750, the sixth bus bar760, the seventh bus bar770, and the eighth bus bas780can be connected to a second transparent conductive layer. In one embodiment, the electrochemical device700can include a first zone, a second zone, a third zone, a fourth zone, and a fifth zone. The first zone can be defined by the first voltage supply terminal791and first bus bar710, the second voltage supply terminal792and second bus bar720, and the third voltage supply terminal793and third bus bar730. The second zone can be defined by the first voltage supply terminal791and fifth bus bar750, and the second voltage supply terminal792and sixth bus bar760. The third zone can be defined by the first voltage supply terminal791and first bus bar770, the second voltage supply terminal792and eighth bus bar780, and the fourth voltage supply terminal794and fourth bus bar740. The fourth zone can be defined by the first gap702and the third gap706. The fifth zone can be defined by the second gap704and the fourth gap708. In operation, the first voltage supply terminal can control the voltages to the first and fifth bus bars, the second voltage supply terminal can control the voltages to the second bus bar and the sixth bus bar, the third voltage supply terminal can control the voltage to the third bus bar, and the fourth voltage supply terminal can control the voltage to the fourth bus bar. In one implementation, the voltage applied to the third bus bar can be greater than the voltage applied to the fourth bus bar which can be greater than the voltage applied to sixth bus bar which can be greater than the voltage applied to the first bus bar.

FIG. 8includes an illustration of a perspective view of a partially disassembled structure800in accordance with another embodiment. The structure800includes substrates802and804, transparent conductive layers822and828, and cathodic electrochemical layer824and anodic electrochemical layer826. An ion conductive layer can be present but is not illustrated inFIG. 8. The compositions of the transparent conductive layers822and828, the cathodic electrochemical layer824and anodic electrochemical layer826, and the ion conductive layer can have the compositions as previously described and polymer-based compositions. A first bus bar810, a second bus bar820, a fifth bus bar850, a seventh bus bar870can be formed on the substrate802before forming any of the subsequent layers, and the third bus bar830, the fourth bus bar840, and the sixth bus bar860can be formed on the layer828before the substrate804is joined with the substrate802. Gaps can be present between the bus bars. During operation, the bus bars on the substrate802can be at a fixed potential, such as 0 V, and the bus bars on the substrate804can have their voltages selected to achieve a desired light transmission state. In another embodiment, the bus bars on the substrate804can be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and bus bars on the substrate802can have their voltages selected to achieve a desired light transmission state. In one embodiment, the voltage of the third bus bar830is greater than the voltage of the sixth bus bar860which is greater than the voltage of the fourth bus bar840. In another embodiment, the voltage of the fourth bus bar840is greater than the voltage of the sixth bus bar860which is greater than the voltage of the third bus bar830.

FIG. 9includes an illustration of a perspective view of a partially disassembled structure900in accordance with another embodiment. A first bus bar910, a second bus bar920, a seventh bus bar970, and an eight bus bar980can be formed on the substrate802before forming any of the subsequent layers, and the third bus bar930, the fourth bus bar940, the fifth bus bar950, and the sixth bus bar860can be formed on the layer828before the substrate804is joined with the substrate802. Gaps can be present between the bus bars. During operation, the bus bars on the substrate802can be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and the bus bars on the substrate804can have their voltages selected to achieve a desired light transmission state. In another embodiment, the bus bars on the substrate804can be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and bus bars on the substrate802can have their voltages selected to achieve a desired light transmission state. In one embodiment, the voltage of the third bus bar930is greater than the voltage of the fifth bus bar950which is greater than the voltage of the fourth bus bar940, which is greater than the first bus bar910. In another embodiment, the voltage of the fourth bus bar940is greater than the voltage of the fifth bus bar950which is greater than the voltage of the third bus bar930which is greater than the voltage of the first bus bar910.

FIG. 10includes an illustration of a perspective view of a partially disassembled structure1000in accordance with another embodiment. A first bus bar1010and a second bus bar1020can be formed on the substrate802before forming any of the subsequent layers, and the third bus bar1030, the fourth bus bar1040, the fifth bus bar1050, and the sixth bus bar1060can be formed on the layer828before the substrate804is joined with the substrate802. Gaps can be present between the bus bars. During operation, the bus bars on the substrate802can be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and the bus bars on the substrate804can have their voltages selected to achieve a desired light transmission state. In another embodiment, the bus bars on the substrate804can be at a fixed potential, such as 0V, and bus bars on the substrate802can have their voltages selected to achieve a desired light transmission state. In one embodiment, the voltage of the third bus bar1030is greater than the voltage of the fifth bus bar1050which is greater than the voltage of the fourth bus bar1040, which is greater than the first bus bar1010. In another embodiment, the voltage of the fourth bus bar1040is greater than the voltage of the fifth bus bar1050which is greater than the voltage of the third bus bar1030which is greater than the voltage of the first bus bar1010.

FIG. 11includes an illustration of a cross-sectional of an insulated glass unit (IGU)1100that includes the substrate100and the electrochromic device124as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The IGU1100further includes a counter substrate1120and a solar control film1112disposed between the electrochromic device1110and the counter substrate1120. A seal1122is disposed between the substrate100and the counter substrate1120and around the electrochromic device1110. The seal1122can include a polymer, such as polyisobutylene. The counter substrate1120is coupled to a pane1130. Each of the counter substrate1120and pane1130can be a toughened or a tempered glass and have a thickness in a range of 2 mm to 9 mm. A low-emissivity layer1132can be disposed along an inner surface of the pane1130. The counter substrate1120and pane1130can be spaced apart by a spacer bar1142that surrounds the substrate100and electrochromic device124. The spacer bar1142is coupled to the counter substrate1120and pane1130via seals1144. The seals1144can be a polymer, such as polyisobutylene. The seals1144can have the same or different composition as compared to the seal1122. An adhesive joint1150is designed to hold the counter substrate1120and the pane1130together and is provided along the entire circumference of the edges of the counter substrate1120and the pane1120. An internal space1160of the IGU300may include a relatively inert gas, such as a noble gas or dry air. In another embodiment, the internal space1160may be evacuated. The IGU can include an energy source, a control device, and an input/output (I/O) unit. The energy source can provide energy to the electrochromic device124via the control device. In an embodiment, the energy source may include a photovoltaic cell, a battery, another suitable energy source, or any combination thereof. The control device can be coupled to the electrochromic device and the energy source. The control device can include logic to control the operation of the electrochromic device. The logic for the control device can be in the form of hardware, software, or firmware. In an embodiment, the logic may be stored in a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or another persistent memory. In an embodiment, the control device may include a processor that can execute instructions stored in memory within the control device or received from an external source. The I/O unit can be coupled to the control device. The I/O unit can provide information from sensors, such as light, motion, temperature, another suitable parameter, or any combination thereof. The I/O unit may provide information regarding the electrochromic device124, the energy source, or control device to another portion of the apparatus or to another destination outside the apparatus.

Embodiments as illustrated and described above can allow a continuously graded electrochromic device to be maintained for nearly any period of time after switching transmission states is completed. Further designs can be useful to reduce power consumption, provide more flexibility, simplify connections, or combinations thereof. An electrochromic device can have a portion that is in a continuously graded transmission state and another portion with a substantially uniform transmission state. The precise point where transition between the continuously graded transmission state and the substantially uniform transmission state may be difficult to see. For example, the portion with the continuously graded transmission state can be fully bleached at one end and fully tinted at the other. The other portion may be fully bleached and be located beside the fully bleached end of the continuously graded portion, or the other portion may be fully tinted and be located beside the fully tint end of the continuously graded portion. Embodiments with discrete grading between portions may be used without deviating from the concepts described herein. For example, an electrochromic device can a portion near the top of a window that is fully bleached, and a remainder that is continuously graded from fully tinted transmission state closer to the top of the window to a fully bleached transmission state near the bottom of the window. Such an embodiment may be useful to allow more light to enter to allow better color balance within the room while reducing glare. In still another embodiment, an electrochromic device can be maintained in a continuously graded state without any portion maintained in a substantially uniform transmission state. Clearly, many different transmission patterns for an electrochromic device are possible.

Many different aspects and embodiments are possible. Some of those aspects and embodiments are described below. Exemplary embodiments may be in accordance with any one or more of the ones as listed below.

Embodiment 1. An apparatus can include an active stack. The active stack can include a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, an anodic electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer, and a cathodic electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer. The apparatus can further include a first bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, a second bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, where the second bus bar is generally non-parallel to the first bus bar, and a third bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, where the third bus bar is generally parallel to the first bus bar.

Embodiment 2. An apparatus can include an active stack. The active stack can include a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, an anodic electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer, and a cathodic electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer. The apparatus can further include a first bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, a second bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, where the second bus bar is generally non-parallel to the first bus bar, a third bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, where the third bus bar is generally parallel to the first bus bar, a fourth bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, where the fourth bus bar is generally parallel to the second bus bar, and a fifth bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the fifth bus bar is generally parallel to the first bus bar.

Embodiment 3. The apparatus of embodiment 1, further including a fourth bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, where the fourth bus bar is generally parallel to the second bus bar.

Embodiment 4. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 or 2, where the active stack includes a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side generally non-parallel to the first side, and a fourth side parallel to the third side.

Embodiment 5. The apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the second bus bar is closer to the third side of the active stack than the fourth side of the active stack.

Embodiment 6. The apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the third bus bar is closer to the second side of the active stack than the first side of the active stack.

Embodiment 7. The apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the fourth bus bar is closer to the fourth side of the active stack than the third side of the active stack.

Embodiment 8. The apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the first bus bar is closer to the first side of the active stack than the second side of the active stack.

Embodiment 9. The apparatus of embodiment 4, wherein the fifth bus bar is closer to the first side of the active stack than the second side of the active stack.

Embodiment 10. The apparatus of embodiment 4, further including a sixth bus bar parallel to the fifth bus bar.

Embodiment 11. The apparatus of embodiment 10, wherein the sixth bus bar is closer to the third side of the active stack than the fourth side of the active stack

Embodiment 12. The apparatus of embodiment 10, wherein the sixth bus bar is electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer.

Embodiment 13. The apparatus of embodiment 10, wherein the sixth bus bar is electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer.

Embodiment 14. The apparatus of embodiment 10, further including a seventh bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, wherein the fifth bus bar is between the first bus bar and the seventh bus bar.

Embodiment 15. The apparatus of embodiment 14, wherein the seventh bus bar is closer to the first side of the active stack than the second side of the active stack.

Embodiment 16. The apparatus of embodiment 4, further comprising an eighth bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer.

Embodiment 17. The apparatus of embodiment 14, wherein the eighth bus bar is closer to the third side of the active stack than the fourth side of the active stack, wherein the sixth bus bar is between the third bus bar and the eighth bus bar.

Embodiment 18. The apparatus of embodiment 1, further including a first power supply terminal coupled to the first bus bar, a second power supply terminal coupled to the second bus bar, a third power supply terminal coupled to the third bus bar, a fourth power supply terminal coupled to the fourth bus bar, and a control device configured such that the second and fourth power supply terminals are at a same voltages and the first and third power supply terminals are at a different voltage during a same time period.

Embodiment 19. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 2 or 10 or 14 or 16, further including a fifth power supply terminal coupled to the fifth bus bar, a sixth power supply terminal coupled to the sixth bus bar, a seventh power supply terminal coupled to the seventh bus bar, an eighth power supply terminal coupled to the eighth bus bar, and a control device configured such that the first, the third, the sixth, the seventh, and the eighth power supply terminals are at a same voltage and the second, fourth, and fifth power supply terminals are at a different voltage during a same time period.

Embodiment 20. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the active stack further comprises an ion conducting layer between the cathodic electrochemical layer and the anodic electrochemical layer.

Embodiment 21. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 or 2, further comprising a substrate, wherein the first transparent conductive layer is between the substrate and the second transparent conductive layer.

Embodiment 22. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the second bus bar is orthogonal to the first bus bar.

Embodiment 23. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the first bus bar, second bus bar, and the third bus bar are on a first substrate.

Embodiment 24. The apparatus of embodiment 21, further including a first panel and a laminate between the first panel and the substrate.

Embodiment 25. The apparatus of embodiment 24, further including a second panel and a spacer between the first panel and the second panel.

Embodiment 26. The apparatus of embodiment 17, further including a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone, wherein the second zone is in a graded transmission state.

Embodiment 27. A method of operating an apparatus including providing an electroactive device. The electroactive device including an active stack. The active stack including a first transparent conductive layer, a second transparent conductive layer, an anodic electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer, and a cathodic electrochemical layer between the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer. The apparatus also including a first bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, a second bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the second bus bar is non-parallel to the first bus bar, and a third bus bar electrically coupled to the first transparent conductive layer, wherein the third bus bar is parallel to the first bus bar. The method of operating the apparatus also including switching the electrochromic device from a first transmission state to a graded transmission state, wherein switching the electrochromic device comprises biasing the first bus bar to a first voltage and biasing the second bus bar to a second voltage different from the first voltage, and maintaining the graded transmission state.

Embodiment 28. The method of embodiment 27, wherein switching the electrochromic device further comprises biasing the third bus bar to a third voltage different from the second voltage and biasing the fourth bus bar to a fourth voltage different from the first voltage and different from the second voltage.

Embodiment 29. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the third voltage is less than the second voltage.

Embodiment 30. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the second voltage is greater than the first voltage.

Embodiment 31. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the fourth voltage is less than the second voltage.

Embodiment 32. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the third voltage is greater than the second voltage.

Embodiment 33. The method of embodiment 28, wherein the fourth voltage is greater than the first voltage.

Embodiment 34. The method of embodiment 27, wherein the electroactive device further including a first power supply terminal coupled to the first bus bar, a second power supply terminal coupled to the second bus bar, a third power supply terminal coupled to the third bus bar, a fourth power supply terminal coupled to the fourth bus bar, and a control device configured such that the second and fourth power supply terminals are at a voltages less than the first power supply and the first and third power supply terminals are at a different voltage during a same time period.

Embodiment 35. The method of embodiment 27, wherein the electroactive device further comprises a fourth bus bar electrically coupled to the second transparent conductive layer, wherein the fourth bus bar is parallel to the second bus bar.

Embodiment 36. The method of embodiment 27, wherein the graded transmission state is a continuously graded transmission state.