KR102008644B1 - Electrochromic device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And applying a power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device so that at least a first state has at least a first transmittance, a second state having a second transmittance, and a third state having a third transmittance. Or a control unit controlling to change to a fourth state having a fourth transmittance, wherein the second transmittance has a larger value than the first transmittance and the third transmittance has a greater value than the second transmittance. The fourth transmittance has a larger value than the third transmittance. When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device while the electrochromic device has a first state, the electrochromic device is in a second state. When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device in a state where the electrochromic device has a fourth state, the electrochromic device is in a third state.

Description

Electrochromic Device

Embodiments relate to an electrochromic device.

Electrochromic is a phenomenon in which the color is changed based on the redox reaction caused by the applied power. The electrochromic material may be defined as an electrochromic material.

Electrochromic devices including the electrochromic materials have been used for various purposes. The electrochromic device has been used for controlling light transmittance or reflectivity of building window glass or automobile glass. In particular, the electrochromic device has been used for a rear view mirror used in a vehicle, and has been used to prevent the strong light of the rear vehicle reflected through the rear mirror of the car during the day and night from obstructing the driver's view.

Since the electrochromic device is discolored by a power source, there is a technical problem of controlling the applied voltage appropriately to achieve a desired degree of discoloration.

In addition, since the color change process and the maintenance process of the electrochromic device requires a power source, the power consumption increases as the area increases.

The embodiment provides an electrochromic device that can implement a desired discoloration level.

The embodiment provides an electrochromic device for reducing power consumption.

The embodiment provides an electrochromic device capable of reducing discoloration deviations for each region.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And applying a power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device so that at least a first state has at least a first transmittance, a second state having a second transmittance, and a third state having a third transmittance. Or a control unit controlling to change to a fourth state having a fourth transmittance, wherein the second transmittance has a larger value than the first transmittance and the third transmittance has a greater value than the second transmittance. The fourth transmittance has a larger value than the third transmittance. When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device while the electrochromic device has a first state, the electrochromic device is in a second state. When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device in a state where the electrochromic device has a fourth state, the electrochromic device is in a third state.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And applying a power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device so that at least a first state having at least a first transmittance, a second state having a second transmittance, or a third state having a third transmittance And a control unit for controlling the control unit to be changed to-the second transmittance has a larger value than the first transmittance, and the third transmittance has a larger value than the second transmittance. Applies a first voltage to the electrochromic device in a state having a first state to change the electrochromic device to a second state, and the controller controls the electrochromic device in a state where the electrochromic device has a third state. The electrochromic device is changed into a second state by applying a second voltage to the first voltage, and the first voltage and the second voltage may be different from each other.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And a controller configured to apply power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device to color or decolor the electrochromic device, wherein a first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device to decolorize it. In this state, when the second voltage is applied to the electrochromic device, a third voltage may be present between the first voltage and the second voltage to maintain the state of the electrochromic device.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And a controller configured to apply power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device to color or decolor the electrochromic device, wherein the controller supplies a first voltage to the electrochromic device. In the applied and decolorized state, a second voltage is applied to the electrochromic device to color it, but the second voltage may be greater than the first voltage by an invariant voltage section.

The electrochromic device according to the embodiment may implement a desired color change level by applying different applied voltages applied according to an initial state.

The electrochromic apparatus according to the embodiment can reduce discoloration deviation for each region by applying a driving voltage for a time longer than a threshold time.

The electrochromic device according to the embodiment can reduce the power consumption by controlling the driving voltage application time based on the threshold time.

The electrochromic device according to the embodiment can reduce the power consumption by controlling the application time of the sustain voltage based on the threshold time.

1 is a view showing an electrochromic device according to an embodiment.
2 is a diagram illustrating a control module according to an embodiment.
3 is a view showing an electrochromic device according to an embodiment.
4 is a view showing a state change during the coloring of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
5 is a view showing a state change when the color change of the electrochromic apparatus according to the embodiment.
6 is a diagram illustrating a voltage applied to an electrochromic device according to an embodiment.
7 is a diagram illustrating an internal potential before voltage is applied in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
8 is a view showing a potential change in the initial stage of coloring in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
9 is a view showing the potential change of the color complete step in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
10 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a voltage applied to an electrochromic device and a transmittance of the electrochromic device according to an embodiment.
11 is a view showing the potential when the voltage application is released after the color change is completed in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
12 is a view showing the potential change of the initial stage of color fading in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
13 is a view showing the potential change of the decolorization complete state in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
14 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a voltage applied to an electrochromic device and a transmittance of the electrochromic device according to an embodiment.
15 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an applied voltage and a transmittance of an electrochromic device according to an embodiment.
16 is a view showing the relationship between the potential and the ion in the coloring process of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
17 is a view showing the relationship between the potential and the ion during the decolorization process of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
18 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an applied voltage and a transmittance of an electrochromic device according to an embodiment.
19 is a view showing the relationship between the potential and ions in the decolorization process and the coloring process of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
20 is an equivalent circuit diagram of an electrochromic device according to an embodiment.
21 is a view showing the degree of electrochromic change for each time of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
22 is a graph of a threshold time against a voltage according to an embodiment.
23 is a diagram illustrating a voltage applied to the electrochromic device in the control module according to the embodiment.
24 is a diagram illustrating a threshold time according to a voltage difference of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.
25 is a diagram illustrating a threshold time according to the duty cycle of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described in detail a specific embodiment of the present invention. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention may deteriorate other inventions or the present invention by adding, modifying, or deleting other elements within the scope of the same idea. Other embodiments that fall within the scope of the inventive concept may be readily proposed, but they will also be included within the scope of the inventive concept.

In addition, the components with the same functions within the scope of the same idea shown in the drawings of each embodiment will be described using the same reference numerals.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And applying a power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device so that at least a first state has at least a first transmittance, a second state having a second transmittance, and a third state having a third transmittance. Or a control unit controlling to change to a fourth state having a fourth transmittance, wherein the second transmittance has a larger value than the first transmittance and the third transmittance has a greater value than the second transmittance. The fourth transmittance has a larger value than the third transmittance. When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device while the electrochromic device has a first state, the electrochromic device is in a second state. When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device in a state where the electrochromic device has a fourth state, the electrochromic device is in a third state.

The electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer may be discolored by the movement of the ions.

The electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer may have a bonding force with the ions, the bonding force between the electrochromic layer and the ions and the bonding force between the ion storage layer and the ions may be different from each other.

The first threshold voltage for releasing the coupling between the electrochromic layer and the ions and the second threshold voltage for releasing the coupling force between the ion storage layer and the ions may be different from each other.

The electrochromic layer has an internal potential, and the internal potential may be proportional to the number of ions located in the electrochromic layer.

The controller may move ions by applying a voltage higher than the sum of the internal potential and the first threshold voltage.

The controller may move ions by applying a voltage lower than the difference between the internal potential and the first threshold voltage.

The first state, second state, third state or fourth state may be determined by the number of ions included in the electrochromic layer.

The first state, second state, third state, or fourth state may be determined according to a ratio of ions included in the electrochromic layer and ions included in the ion storage layer.

The bonding force between the electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer and the ions may be a physical bonding force or a chemical bonding force.

Since the physical structures of the materials constituting the electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer are different from each other, the physical coupling force between the electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer and the ions may be different.

The ion may be hydrogen ion or lithium ion.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And applying a power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device so that at least a first state having at least a first transmittance, a second state having a second transmittance, or a third state having a third transmittance And a control unit for controlling the control unit to be changed to-the second transmittance has a larger value than the first transmittance, and the third transmittance has a larger value than the second transmittance. Applies a first voltage to the electrochromic device in a state having a first state to change the electrochromic device to a second state, and the controller controls the electrochromic device in a state where the electrochromic device has a third state. The electrochromic device is changed into a second state by applying a second voltage to the first voltage, and the first voltage and the second voltage may be different from each other.

The second voltage may be greater than the first voltage.

The controller may selectively apply one of the first voltage and the second voltage to change the electrochromic device to a second state based on whether the electrochromic device is in a first state or a third state. have.

The controller determines whether the process for changing the second state to the second state based on whether the electrochromic device is in the first state or the third state is a coloring process or a decolorizing process to determine one of the first voltage and the second voltage. May be selectively applied.

The controller may determine the previous state through the voltage applied to the previous state change.

The apparatus may further include a storage unit in which the driving voltage in the coloring process and the driving voltage in the decolorizing process are stored.

The storage unit may store the driving voltage for each target state in the coloring process and the driving voltage for each target level in the decolorizing process.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And a controller configured to apply power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device to color or decolor the electrochromic device, wherein a first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device to decolorize it. In this state, when the second voltage is applied to the electrochromic device, a third voltage may be present between the first voltage and the second voltage to maintain the state of the electrochromic device.

When the third voltage is applied, ions present in the electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer may not move.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And a controller configured to apply power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device to color or decolor the electrochromic device, wherein the controller supplies a first voltage to the electrochromic device. In the applied and decolorized state, a second voltage is applied to the electrochromic device to color it, but the second voltage may be greater than the first voltage by an invariant voltage section.

The electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer may have a bonding force with the ions, the bonding force between the electrochromic layer and the ions and the bonding force between the ion storage layer and the ions may be different from each other.

The constant voltage section corresponds to a sum of a first threshold voltage and a second threshold voltage, the first threshold voltage is a voltage for releasing the coupling between the electrochromic layer and the ion, and the second threshold voltage is It may be a voltage for releasing the bond between the ion storage layer and the ion.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And a first state having at least a first transmittance or a second transmittance having a larger value than the first transmittance by applying power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device. A control unit configured to control the change to a state, wherein the electrochromic device includes a first region and a second region, and a voltage is applied for a threshold time so that the transmittance of the first region and the transmittance of the second region correspond to each other. When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device and discolored to the first state, the threshold time is a first threshold time, and when the second voltage is applied to the electrochromic device and the color is changed to the second state, the threshold time is It may be a second threshold time.

When the electrochromic device is discolored into the first state, the initial state may be the same as the third state when the electrochromic device is discolored into the second state.

The first threshold time may be changed by the third state.

When the difference in transmittance between the third state and the first state decreases, the first threshold time may decrease.

The threshold time can be changed by temperature.

The electrochromic device may include a contact region electrically connected to the controller, and the electrochromic device may change transmittance from an area adjacent to the contact region.

When a voltage is applied to the electrochromic device for a threshold time, the transmittance of the first region and the transmittance of the second region may have a deviation.

The deviation of the transmittance of the first region and the transmittance of the second region may be proportional to the sheet resistance of any one of the first and second electrodes.

The second voltage may be greater than the first voltage.

The second threshold time may be longer than the first threshold time.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And a first state having at least a first transmittance or a second transmittance having a larger value than the first transmittance by applying power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device. And a control unit configured to control a change to a state, wherein the electrochromic device includes a first area and a second area, and the control unit is configured to perform at least a threshold time period in which the transmittance of the first area corresponds to the transmittance of the second area. The voltage may be applied during the phosphorus application time, and the control unit may apply the voltage during the first application time when changing to the first state, and the voltage during the second application time when discoloring the second state.

The second application time may be different from the first application time.

The second application time may be longer than the first application time.

The first application time and the second application time may be the same.

The first application time and the second application time may be set according to the area of the electrochromic device.

The control unit may apply a voltage during the second application time when the second state is the state having the highest transmittance, when the electrochromic device is changed to all the states that can be changed.

The controller may determine an application time during color change based on a current state of the electrochromic device.

The controller may determine a current state of the electrochromic device based on a voltage applied when the electrochromic device is changed to a current state.

It may include a storage unit in which the voltage applied when the electrochromic device is changed to a current state is stored.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And a first state having at least a first transmittance and a second transmittance having a larger value than the first transmittance by applying power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device. A control unit configured to control to change to a state or a third state having a larger value than the second transmittance, wherein the electrochromic device includes a first region and a second region, and the transmittance and second of the first region The voltage is applied during the threshold time so that the transmittance of the region corresponds, and the threshold time when the first color is applied to the electrochromic device to discolor the third state is the first threshold time. The threshold time when the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device and the electrochromic device in the second state changes color to the third state is a second threshold time. Liver and the second threshold time may be different from each other.

The first threshold time may be longer than the second threshold time.

The first threshold time may be determined by the transmittance difference between the first state and the third state, and the second threshold time may be determined by the transmittance difference between the first state and the second state.

The first threshold time is determined by the difference between the voltage applied when the electrochromic device is changed to the first state and the first voltage, and the second threshold time is changed by the electrochromic device to the second state. It may be determined by the difference between the voltage that was applied at the time and the first voltage.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And a first state having at least a first transmittance and a second transmittance having a larger value than the first transmittance by applying power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device. A control unit for controlling a state to be changed to a third state having a larger value than the state or the second transmittance, wherein the electrochromic device includes a first area and a second area, and the control unit transmits the transmittance of the first area. A voltage is applied for an application time of at least a threshold time such that the transmittances of the second region and the second region correspond to each other, and the controller applies the voltage during the first application time to change the electrochromic device of the first state to the third state. The controller may apply a voltage for a second application time to change the electrochromic device of the second state to the third state.

The second application time may be a time shorter than the first application time.

The control unit may have the same magnitude of the voltage applied during the first application time and the voltage applied during the second application time.

When the first state is a state having the lowest transmittance and the third state is a state having the highest transmittance, all the voltages output from the controller may be output during the first application time.

The controller determines a first application time based on a difference in transmittance between the first state and the second state, and the controller determines a second application time based on a difference in transmittance between the first state and the third state. Can be.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And a first state having at least a first transmittance or a second transmittance having a larger value than the first transmittance by applying power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device. A control unit configured to control the change to a state, wherein the electrochromic device includes a first region and a second region, and a voltage is applied for a threshold time so that the transmittance of the first region and the transmittance of the second region correspond to each other. The control unit applies a holding voltage for maintaining the state of the electrochromic device in the holding step, the threshold time for maintaining the first state of the electrochromic device is a first threshold time, the second state of the electrochromic device. The threshold time for maintaining may be a second threshold time.

The second threshold time may be longer than the first threshold time.

The holding step includes an application time when a sustain voltage is applied and an unapplied time when a sustain voltage is not applied. When the non-applied time is a first non-applied time in the sustaining step of the electrochromic device, the first of the electrochromic device is applied. The threshold time for maintaining the state is a third threshold time, and if the non-applied time is the second non-applied time, the threshold time for maintaining the first state of the electrochromic device may be a fourth threshold time.

When the first non-licensed time is longer than the second non-licensed time, the third threshold time may be longer than the fourth threshold time.

The sustain voltage for maintaining the first state may be a first sustain voltage, and the sustain voltage for maintaining the second state may be a second sustain voltage.

The first sustain voltage may be smaller than the second sustain voltage.

In the color change step of the electrochromic device, the initial state to be discolored to the first state may be a third state, and the initial state to be discolored to the second state may be a third state.

The first threshold time may be changed by the third state.

When the difference in transmittance between the third state and the first state decreases, the first threshold time may decrease.

The threshold time can be changed by temperature.

In the discoloration step of the electrochromic device, a threshold time during which the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device and discolors to a first state is a fifth threshold time, and a second voltage is applied to the electrochromic device in the discoloring step of the electrochromic device. The threshold time during which the color is changed to the second state is a sixth threshold time, and the first threshold time may be shorter than the fifth threshold time.

An electrochromic device according to an embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. Electrochromic device comprising; And a first state having at least a first transmittance or a second transmittance having a larger value than the first transmittance by applying power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device. And a control unit for controlling a change to a state, wherein the electrochromic device includes a first area and a second area, and the control unit is configured to maintain the transmittance of the first area to maintain the state of the electrochromic device in the holding step. A sustain voltage is applied for an application time that is at least a threshold time for the transmittance of the second region to correspond, and the controller applies a first sustain voltage for a first application time to maintain the first state of the electrochromic device. The controller may apply a second sustain voltage during a second application time to maintain the second state of the electrochromic device.

The second application time may be a time longer than the first application time.

The holding step further includes a non-applying time for which a sustain voltage is not applied. In the maintaining step of the electrochromic device, the control unit applies a third application to maintain the first state when the non-applying time is a first non-applying time. The first sustain voltage is applied during the time period, and the control unit may apply the first sustain voltage during the fourth application time to maintain the first state when the non-application time is the second non-application time.

When the first non-application time is longer than the second non-application time, the third application time may be longer than the fourth application time.

The controller may apply a sustain voltage for a second application time to maintain the changed state after changing the electrochromic device to a state in which the electrochromic device may be changed when the second state has the highest transmittance.

The control unit applies a first color change voltage to change the electrochromic device to a first state in a color change step, and the control unit applies a second color change voltage to change the electrochromic device to a second state in a color change step. Can be authorized.

The first color change voltage may be equal to the first sustain voltage.

The control unit applies a first color change voltage during a first color change voltage application time to change the electrochromic device to a first state in the color change step, and the control unit changes the electrochromic device to a second state in the color change step. The second color change voltage is applied during the second color change voltage application time, and the first color change voltage application time may be longer than or equal to the first application time.

The controller may determine an application time during color change based on a current state of the electrochromic device.

In another embodiment, a method of controlling an electrochromic device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode, and a second electrode, and an ion disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode. A control method of an electrochromic device including a storage layer, the method comprising: a color change step of applying a first voltage to the electrochromic device so that the electrochromic device is in a first state having a first transmittance; And a holding step of applying a first voltage to the electrochromic device during an application time such that the first state of the electrochromic device is maintained, wherein the application time is a transmittance and a second region of the first region of the electrochromic device. It may be a time equal to or longer than the threshold time to allow the transmittance of.

The maintaining step may include applying the first voltage for an application time; And a non-applying step of not applying the first voltage during the non-applying time, wherein the applying time may be determined by the length of the non-applying time.

The threshold time may be proportional to the unauthorized time.

The threshold time may be proportional to the magnitude of the first voltage.

The application time may be determined based on the magnitude of the first voltage.

In the discoloring step, the first voltage may have a first rise time, in the sustaining step, the first voltage may have a second rise time, and the first rise time may be shorter than the second rise time.

In the discoloring step, the first voltage may have a first rising angle, in the holding step, the first voltage may have a second rising angle, and the first rising angle may be smaller than the second rising angle.

The first rising angle may be determined based on the magnitude of the first voltage.

Hereinafter, an electrochromic device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. Electrochromic device

1 is a view showing an electrochromic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electrochromic device 1 according to the embodiment includes a control module 100 and an electrochromic device 200.

The electrochromic device 1 may receive power from an external power source 2.

The external power source 2 may supply power to the electrochromic device 1. The external power source 2 may supply power to the control module 100. The external power source 2 may supply a voltage and / or a current to the control module 100. The external power supply 2 may supply a DC voltage or an AC voltage to the control module 100.

The control module 100 may control the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may generate driving power based on the power input from the external power source 2 and supply the driving power to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may drive the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may change the state of the electrochromic device 200 through the driving power. The control module 100 may change the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may change the reflectance of the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may discolor the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may discolor or color the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may control the electrochromic device 200 to be discolored or colored.

The electrochromic device 200 may be changed in state by the control module 100. The electrochromic device 200 may be changed in state by the driving voltage. The electrochromic device 200 may be discolored by the driving voltage. The electrochromic device 200 may be discolored or colored by the driving voltage. The electrochromic device 200 may have transmittance changed by the driving voltage. The electrochromic device 200 may have a reflectance changed by the driving voltage.

The electrochromic device 200 may be a mirror. The color change device 200 may be a window. When the electrochromic device 200 is a mirror, reflectance may be changed by the driving voltage. If the electrochromic device 200 is a window, the transmittance may be changed by the driving voltage.

When the electrochromic device 200 is a mirror, the reflectance may decrease when the electrochromic device is colored, and the reflectance may increase when the electrochromic device is discolored.

When the electrochromic device 200 is a window, the transmittance may decrease when the electrochromic device is colored, and the transmittance may increase when the electrochromic device is discolored.

2 is a diagram illustrating a control module according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2, the control module 100 according to the embodiment may include a control unit 110, a power conversion unit 120, an output unit 130, and a storage unit 140.

The controller 110 may control the power converter 120, the outputter 130, and the storage 140.

The controller 110 may generate a control signal for changing the state of the electrochromic device 200 and output the control signal to the output unit 130 to control the voltage output by the output unit 130.

The controller 110 may operate by a voltage output from the external power source 2 or the power converter 120.

When the controller 110 is operated by the voltage output from the external power source 2, the controller 110 may include a configuration capable of converting power. For example, when receiving an AC voltage from the external power source 2, the controller 110 may convert the AC voltage into a DC voltage and use the same for operation. In addition, when receiving a DC voltage from the external power source 2, the control unit 110 can be used for operation by dropping the DC voltage from the external power source (2).

The power converter 120 may receive power from the external power source 2. The power converter 120 may receive a current and / or a voltage. The power converter 120 may receive a DC voltage or an AC voltage.

The power converter 120 may generate internal power based on the power supplied from the external power 2. The power converter 120 may generate the internal power by converting the power supplied from the external power 2. The power conversion unit 120 may supply the internal power to each component of the control module 100. The power converter 120 may supply the internal power to the controller 110, the outputter 130, and the storage 140. The internal power source may be an operating power source for each component of the control module 100 to operate. The controller 110, the outputter 130, and the storage 140 may operate by the internal power. When the power converter 120 supplies internal power to the controller 110, the controller 110 may not receive power from the external power source 2. In this case, the controller 110 may be omitted.

The power conversion unit 120 may change the level of the power supplied from the external power source 2 or may be changed to a DC power source. Alternatively, the power converter 120 may change the level supplied from the external power source 2 to a DC power source and then change the level.

When the power converter 120 receives the AC voltage from the external power source 2, the power converter 120 may change the level of the changed DC voltage after changing to the DC voltage. In this case, the power conversion unit 120 may include a regulator. The power converter 120 may include a linear regulator that directly adjusts the supplied power, generates a pulse based on the supplied power, and outputs the adjusted voltage by adjusting the amount of the pulse. The switching regulator may include a switching regulator.

When the power converter 120 receives a DC voltage from the external power source 2, the power converter 120 may change the level of the supplied DC voltage.

The internal power output from the power converter 120 may include a plurality of voltage levels. The power converter 120 may generate an internal power source having a plurality of voltage levels required for each component of the control module 100 to operate.

The output unit 130 may generate a driving voltage. The output unit 130 may generate a driving voltage based on the internal power. The output unit 130 may generate a driving voltage under the control of the controller 110. The output unit 130 may apply the driving voltage to the electrochromic device 200. The output unit 130 may output a driving voltage having a different level under the control of the controller 110. That is, the output unit 130 may change the level of the driving voltage under the control of the controller 110. The electrochromic device 200 may be discolored by the driving voltage output from the output unit 130. The electrochromic device 200 may be colored or discolored by the driving voltage output from the output unit 130.

Coloration and decolorization of the electrochromic device 200 may be determined by the range of the driving voltage. For example, the electrochromic device 200 may be colored when the driving voltage is higher than or equal to a specific level, and the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored when the driving voltage is lower than a specific level. Alternatively, the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored when the driving voltage is greater than or equal to a certain level, and the electrochromic device 200 may be colored when the driving voltage is less than a certain level. When the specific level is 0, the electrochromic device 200 may be changed to a colored or discolored state by the polarity of the driving voltage.

The discoloration degree of the electrochromic device 200 may be determined by the magnitude of the driving voltage. The discoloration degree of the electrochromic device 200 may correspond to the magnitude of the driving voltage. The degree of coloration or discoloration of the electrochromic device 200 may be determined by the magnitude of the driving voltage. For example, when a driving voltage of a first level is applied to the electrochromic device 200, the electrochromic device 200 may be colored to a first degree. When a driving voltage of a second level greater than the first level is applied to the electrochromic device 200, the electrochromic device 200 may be colored to a second degree that is greater than a first degree. That is, when a large level of voltage is supplied to the electrochromic device 200, the degree of coloring of the electrochromic device 200 may be greater. When the electrochromic device 200 is a mirror, when a larger voltage is supplied to the electrochromic device 200, the reflectance of the electrochromic device 200 may decrease. When the electrochromic device 200 is a window, when a larger voltage is supplied to the electrochromic device 200, the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 may decrease.

The storage 140 may store data related to the driving voltage. The storage unit 140 may store a driving voltage corresponding to the degree of color change. The storage unit 140 may store a driving voltage corresponding to the degree of color change in the form of a lookup table.

The controller 110 may receive a color change from the outside, load a driving voltage corresponding thereto from the storage 140, and generate a driving voltage corresponding to the same by controlling the output unit 130.

3 is a view showing an electrochromic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electrochromic device 200 according to the embodiment includes a first electrode 210, an electrochromic layer 220, an electrolyte layer 230, an ion storage layer 240, and a second electrode 250. It may include.

The first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may face each other. The electrochromic layer 220, the electrolyte layer 230, and the ion storage layer 240 may be located between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250.

The first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may transmit incident light. One of the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may reflect the incident light, and the other may transmit the incident light.

When the electrochromic device 200 is a window, the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may transmit incident light. When the electrochromic device 200 is a mirror, any one of the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may reflect incident light.

Referring to the case where the electrochromic device 200 is a window, the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may be formed as transparent electrodes. The first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may be formed of a transparent conductive material. The first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may be a metal doped with at least one of indium, tin, zinc, and / or oxide. It may include. For example, the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may be formed of indium tin oxide (ITO), zinc oxide (ZnO), or indium zinc oxide (IZO).

When the electrochromic device 200 is a mirror, one of the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may be a transparent electrode, and the other may be a reflective electrode. For example, the first electrode 210 may be a reflective electrode, and the second electrode 250 may be a transparent electrode. In this case, the first electrode 210 may be formed of a metal material having high reflectance. The first electrode 210 is at least one of aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), gold (Au), silver (Ag), and tungsten (W). It may include. The second electrode 250 may be formed of a transparent conductive material.

The electrochromic layer 220 may be located between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The electrochromic layer 220 may be positioned above the first electrode 210.

Optical properties of the electrochromic layer 220 may be changed by ion movement of the electrochromic layer 220. The electrochromic layer 220 may be discolored by ion movement of the electrochromic layer 220.

Ions may be implanted into the electrochromic layer 220. When ions are injected into the electrochromic layer 220, the optical properties of the electrochromic layer 220 may be changed. When ions are injected into the electrochromic layer 220, the electrochromic layer 220 may be discolored. When ions are injected into the electrochromic layer 220, the electrochromic layer 220 may be colored or discolored. When ions are injected into the electrochromic layer 220, light transmittance and / or light absorption of the electrochromic layer 220 may be changed. As the ions are injected into the electrochromic layer 220, the electrochromic layer 220 may be reduced. As the ions are injected into the electrochromic layer 220, the electrochromic layer 220 may be reduced. As the ions are injected into the electrochromic layer 220, the electrochromic layer 220 may be reduced in color. Alternatively, when ions are injected into the electrochromic layer 220, the electrochromic layer 220 may be reduced decolorized.

Ions implanted in the electrochromic layer 220 may be separated. When ions of the electrochromic layer 220 are released, the optical properties of the electrochromic layer 220 may be changed. When the ions of the electrochromic layer 220 are released, the electrochromic layer 220 may be discolored. When the ions of the electrochromic layer 220 are released, the electrochromic layer 220 may be colored or discolored. When the ions of the electrochromic layer 220 are released, the light transmittance and / or light absorption of the electrochromic layer 220 may be changed. As the ions of the electrochromic layer 220 are released, the electrochromic layer 220 may be oxidized. As the ions of the electrochromic layer 220 are released, the electrochromic layer 220 may be oxidized. As the ions of the electrochromic layer 220 are released, the electrochromic layer 220 may be oxidized. Alternatively, when the ions of the electrochromic layer 220 are released, the electrochromic layer 220 may be oxidatively decolorized.

The electrochromic layer 220 may be formed of a material discolored by ion movement. The electrochromic layer 220 may include at least one of oxides such as TiO, V 2 O 5, Nb 2 O 5, Cr 2 O 3, MnO 2, FeO 2, CoO 2, NiO 2, RhO 2, Ta 2 O 5, IrO 2, and WO 3. The electrochromic layer 220 may have a physical internal structure.

The electrolyte layer 230 may be located on the electrochromic layer 220. The electrolyte layer 230 may be located between the electrochromic layer 220 and the second electrode 250.

The ion storage layer 240 may be located on the electrolyte layer 230. The ion storage layer 240 may be located between the electrolyte layer 230 and the second electrode 250.

The ion storage layer 240 may store ions. The ion storage layer 240 may change its optical properties by ion movement. The ion storage layer 240 may be discolored by ion movement.

Ions may be implanted into the ion storage layer 240. When ions are injected into the ion storage layer 240, the optical properties of the ion storage layer 240 may be changed. When ions are injected into the ion storage layer 240, the ion storage layer 240 may be discolored. When ions are injected into the ion storage layer 240, the ion storage layer 240 may be colored or discolored. When ions are injected into the ion storage layer 240, light transmittance and / or light absorption of the ion storage layer 240 may be changed. The ion storage layer 240 may be reduced by implanting ions into the ion storage layer 240. By implanting ions into the ion storage layer 240, the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced discoloration. By implanting ions into the ion storage layer 240, the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced in color. Alternatively, when ions are injected into the ion storage layer 240, the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced bleaching.

Ions implanted in the ion storage layer 240 may be separated. When the ions of the ion storage layer 240 are separated, the optical properties of the ion storage layer 240 may be changed. When the ions of the ion storage layer 240 are separated, the ion storage layer 240 may be discolored. When the ions of the ion storage layer 240 is separated, the ion storage layer 240 may be colored or discolored. When ions of the ion storage layer 240 are separated, the light transmittance and / or light absorption of the ion storage layer 240 may be changed. As the ions of the ion storage layer 240 are released, the ion storage layer 240 may be oxidized. As the ions of the ion storage layer 240 are separated, the ion storage layer 240 may be oxidized. As the ions of the ion storage layer 240 are released, the ion storage layer 240 may be oxidized. Alternatively, when the ions of the ion storage layer 240 are separated, the ion storage layer 240 may be oxidized decolorized.

The ion storage layer 240 may be formed of a material discolored by ion movement. The ion storage layer 240 may include at least one of oxides such as IrO 2, NiO 2, MnO 2, CoO 2, iridium-magnesium oxide, nickel-magnesium oxide, and titanium-vanadium oxide. The ion storage layer 240 may have a physical internal structure. The physical internal structure of the ion storage layer 240 may be different from the physical internal structure of the electrochromic layer 220.

The electrolyte layer 230 may be a movement passage of ions between the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240. The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may exchange ions through the electrolyte layer 230. The electrochromic layer 220 may be a movement path in terms of ions, but may act as a barrier in terms of electrons. That is, ions may move through the electrochromic layer 220 but electrons may not move. In other words, the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may exchange ions through the electrolyte layer 230, but cannot exchange electrons.

The electrolyte layer 230 may include an insulating material. The electrolyte layer 230 may be a solid. The electrolyte layer 230 is SiO2, Al2O3, Nb2O3, Ta2O5, LiTaO3, LiNbO3, SiO2, Al2O3, Nb2O3, Ta2O5, LiTaO3, LiNbO3, La2TiO7, La2TiO7, SrZrO3, ZrO2, 2O2O2O2O2O3 La2TiO7, SrZrO3, ZrO2, Y2O3, Nb2O5, La2Ti2O7, LaTiO3, and HfO2 may be included.

When the ions of the electrochromic layer 220 are separated, the ions that are separated may be injected into the ion storage layer 240, and when the ions of the ion storage layer 240 are separated, the ions that are removed are electrochromic. May be injected into layer 220. The ions may be moved through the electrolyte layer 230.

Chemical reactions occurring in the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may be different reactions. The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may have opposite chemical reactions. When the electrochromic layer 220 is oxidized, the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced. When the electrochromic layer 220 is reduced, the ion storage layer 240 may be oxidized.

Accordingly, the ion storage layer 240 may serve as a counter electrode of the electrochromic layer 220.

The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may be changed in state by the movement of ions.

The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may cause a state change corresponding to each other. For example, when the electrochromic layer 220 is colored, the ion storage layer 240 may also be colored, and when the electrochromic layer 220 is decolorized, the ion storage layer 240 may also be decolorized. have. When the electrochromic layer 220 is oxidized, the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced in color, and when the electrochromic layer 220 is reduced in color, the ion storage layer 240 may be oxidized. have.

The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may cause different state changes. For example, when the electrochromic layer 220 is colored, the ion storage layer 240 may be discolored, and when the electrochromic layer 220 is discolored, the ion storage layer 240 may be colored. have. When the electrochromic layer 220 is oxidized, the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced decolorized, and when the electrochromic layer 220 is oxidized decolorized, the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced colored. have. The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may have different transmittances. Since the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 have different transmittances, the transmittance may be controlled by changing states of the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 in different states. .

For example, since the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 may be determined by the transmittance of the colored layer, the transmittance when the electrochromic layer 220 is colored is transmitted when the ion storage layer 240 is colored. When smaller, when the electrochromic layer 220 is colored, the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 may be smaller than that of the electrochromic device 200 when the ion storage layer 240 is colored. Therefore, the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 can be controlled by changing the colored layer.

4 is a view showing a state change during the coloring of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

4A is a diagram illustrating an electrochromic device in an initial state.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the electrochromic device 200 in the initial state of the embodiment is electrically connected to the control module 100.

The control module 100 may be electrically connected to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 to supply a voltage to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250.

A plurality of ions 260 may be located in the ion storage layer 240. The plurality of ions 260 may be implanted during the formation of the ion storage layer 240. The ion 260 may be at least one of H + and Li +.

Although a plurality of ions 260 are positioned in the ion storage layer 240 in the drawing, in the initial state, the ions may be located in at least one of the electrochromic layer 220 and the electrolyte layer 230. That is, ions may be implanted even during the formation of the electrochromic layer 220 and the electrolyte layer 230 of the electrochromic device 200.

A plurality of ions 260 are located in the ion storage layer 240, the ion storage layer 240 may be in a reduced bleaching state. The ion storage layer 240 may be in a state capable of transmitting light.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the control module 100 applies a voltage to the electrochromic device 200.

The control module 100 may apply a voltage to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The control module 100 may apply a low voltage to the first electrode 210 and may apply a high voltage to the second electrode 250. Here, the high voltage and the low voltage may be a voltage having a relatively higher level than the voltage applied to the first electrode 210 in a relative concept. A potential difference is generated between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 by the voltage applied to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250.

By applying a voltage to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250, electrons may be injected into the first electrode 210. The electrons may move from the control module 100 toward the first electrode 210. Since the control module 100 and the first electrode 210 are connected in the contact region of one side of the first electrode 210, the electrons moved to the contact region through the control module 100 are the first electrode. It may move to the other side of the first electrode 210 along the (210). Electrons are disposed in the entire region of the first electrode 210 by electron movement from one side of the first electrode 210 to the other side.

Since the electrons have different polarities from the plurality of ions 260 of the ion storage layer 240, the electrons and the ions 260 move in a direction closer to each other by attraction between the electrons and the plurality of ions. Can be. The electrons and the ions 260 may move to the electrochromic layer 220 by the attraction between the electrons and the ions. The electrons may move toward the second electrode 250 by attraction with the ions and may be injected into the electrochromic layer 220. The ions 260 may move toward the first electrode 210 by attraction with the electrons and may be injected into the electrochromic layer 220. In this case, since the electrolyte layer 230 is used as a movement passage of the ions 260 and prevents the movement of the electrons, the electrons and the ions 260 may stay in the electrochromic layer 220. .

As the ion 260 is injected into the electrochromic layer 220, the electrochromic layer 220 obtained with ions may be reduced in color, and the ion storage layer 240 in which the ions are lost may be oxidized in color. That is, the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored by the movement of the ions 260. More specifically, the electrochromic device 200 may be colored by the movement of the ions 260.

Movement of the electrons in the horizontal direction in the first electrode 210 and in the vertical direction in the direction of the second electrode 250 may occur simultaneously. That is, the electrons may move in the horizontal direction of the first electrode 210 and move in the direction of the second electrode 250 to be injected into the electrochromic layer 220. Due to the complex movement of the electrons in the horizontal and vertical directions, the ions 260 positioned in the ion storage layer 240 may also move in the region where the electrons are injected.

That is, ions in a region adjacent to the contact region electrically connected to the first electrode 210 and the control module 100 first move to the electrochromic layer 220, and the first electrode 210 and the control The ions in the region spaced apart from the contact region to which the module 100 is electrically connected may later move. As a result, the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored first in an area adjacent to the contact area, and later discolored in an area spaced apart from the contact area. For example, if the contact region is located in the outer region of the electrochromic device 200, the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored in order from the outer region to the center region. That is, the electrochromic device 200 may be sequentially colored in the order from the outer region to the central region.

The discoloration degree of the electrochromic device 200 may be proportional to the number of electrons injected by the control module 100. The discoloration degree of the electrochromic device 200 may be proportional to the discoloration degree of the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240. The number of electrons injected by the control module 100 may be determined by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 220 by the control module 100. The number of electrons injected by the control module 100 may be determined by the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 220. That is, the control module 100 may control the degree of color change of the electrochromic device 200 by adjusting the voltage level applied to the electrochromic device 200.

4C is a view showing the position of ions when discoloration of the electrochromic device 200 is completed.

Referring to FIG. 4C, when the electrons injected by the control module 100 and the ions 260 moved by the electrons are injected into the electrochromic layer 220, the electrochromic device 200 is in a state. Is maintained.

That is, the discoloration state of the electrochromic device 200 is maintained, which may be referred to as a memory effect.

Even though no voltage is applied to the electrochromic device 200 by the control module 100, the ions present in the electrochromic layer 220 remain in the electrochromic layer 220, whereby the electrochromic color is changed. The discoloration state of the device 200 may be maintained.

5 is a view showing a state change when the color change of the electrochromic apparatus according to the embodiment.

5A is a view showing an electrochromic device in an initial state.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the electrochromic device 200 in the initial state of the embodiment is electrically connected to the control module 100.

Since the electrochromic device 200 is in a colored state, a plurality of ions 260 may be located in the electrochromic layer 220.

A plurality of ions 260 are positioned in the electrochromic device 200 so that the electrochromic layer 220 is oxidized and the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced colored.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the control module 100 applies a voltage to the electrochromic device 200.

The control module 100 may apply a voltage to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The control module 100 may apply a high voltage to the first electrode 210 and a low voltage to the second electrode 250. In this case, the high voltage and the low voltage may be a voltage having a relatively higher level than the voltage applied to the first electrode 210 in a relative concept. A potential difference is generated between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 by the voltage applied to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The potential difference in the decolorizing process may be opposite to the potential difference in the coloring process of FIG. 4. That is, the voltage applied to the first electrode 210 in the coloring process is lower than the voltage applied to the second electrode 250, and the voltage applied to the first electrode 210 in the decolorization process is the second electrode. The voltage may be higher than the voltage applied to the 250.

By applying a voltage to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250, electrons may be injected into the second electrode 250. The electrons may move from the control module 100 toward the second electrode 250. Since the control module 100 and the second electrode 250 are connected in a contact region of one side of the second electrode 250, electrons moved to the contact region through the control module 100 are transferred to the second region. It may move to the other side of the second electrode 250 along the electrode 250. Electrons are disposed in the entire region of the second electrode 250 by electron movement from one side of the second electrode 250 to the other side.

Since the electrons have different polarities from the plurality of ions 260 of the electrochromic layer 220, the electrons and the ions 260 move in a direction closer to each other by attraction between the electrons and the plurality of ions. Can be. The electrons and the ions 260 may move to the ion storage layer 240 by the attraction between the electrons and the ions 260. The electrons may move toward the first electrode 210 by attraction with the ions 260 and may be injected into the ion storage layer 240. The ions 260 may move toward the second electrode 250 by attraction with the electrons and may be injected into the ion storage layer 240. In this case, since the electrolyte layer 230 is used as a movement passage of the ions 260 and prevents the movement of the electrons, the electrons and the ions 260 may stay in the ion storage layer 240. .

As the ion 260 is injected into the ion storage layer 240, the ion storage layer 240 obtained with ions may be oxidized and decolorized, and the electrochromic layer 220 which has lost ions may be reduced and decolorized. That is, the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored by the movement of the ions 260. More specifically, the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored by the movement of the ions 260.

The movement of the electrons in the horizontal direction in the second electrode 250 and the movement in the vertical direction in the direction of the first electrode 210 may occur simultaneously. That is, the electrons may move in the horizontal direction of the second electrode 250 and move toward the first electrode 210 to be injected into the ion storage layer 240. Due to the complex movement of the electrons in the horizontal and vertical directions, the ions 260 positioned in the electrochromic layer 220 may also first move in the region where the electrons are injected.

That is, ions in a region adjacent to the contact region electrically connected to the second electrode 25 and the control module 100 first move to the ion storage layer 240, and the second electrode 250 and the control The ions in the region spaced apart from the contact region to which the module 100 is electrically connected may later move. As a result, the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored first in an area adjacent to the contact area, and later discolored in an area spaced apart from the contact area. For example, if the contact region is located in the outer region of the electrochromic device 200, the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored in order from the outer region to the center region. That is, the color change may be sequentially performed in the order of the central region from the outer region of the electrochromic device 200.

5C is a view showing the position of the ions when the color change is completed in the electrochromic device 200.

Referring to FIG. 5C, when the electrons injected by the control module 100 and the ions 260 moved by the electrons are injected into the ion storage layer 240, the electrochromic device 200 is in a state. Is maintained.

That is, the electrochromic device 200 may maintain a discoloration state.

2. Voltage application of electrochromic device

6 is a diagram illustrating a voltage applied to an electrochromic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the electrochromic device according to an embodiment, the control module 100 may apply power to the electrochromic device 200.

The control module 100 may apply a voltage to the electrochromic device 200. The voltage applied here may be a potential difference applied between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 220.

The control module 100 may apply a voltage to the electrochromic device 200 in the applying step and the holding step.

The applying step may be a step in which the electrochromic device 200 is discolored by the control module 100. The applying step may be a step in which the electrochromic device 200 is discolored to a desired color change level by the control module 100. The applying step may include an initial color change step and a color change level change step.

The initial discoloration step may be defined as a step of applying a voltage for discoloring the electrochromic device 200 in a state where no voltage is applied to the electrochromic device 200. The discoloration level changing step may be defined as a step of discoloring the discoloration level to another discoloration level while the electrochromic device 200 is discolored to a specific discoloration level.

The holding step means applying a holding voltage to maintain the state of the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may maintain the state of the electrochromic device 200 by applying a sustain voltage in the form of a pulse in the holding step. The control module 100 may maintain the state of the electrochromic device 200 by periodically applying a sustain voltage in the form of a pulse in the holding step.

That is, the control module 100 may apply a high level voltage for a specific period and apply a low level voltage for the remaining period, instead of continuously applying a voltage in the holding step. The control module 100 may periodically apply a high level voltage and may apply a low level voltage for the remaining period. Compared to a method in which the control module 100 continuously applies a voltage in the sustaining step, the control module 100 can reduce power consumption in maintaining the state.

The periods excluding the applying step in the electrochromic device 200 may be referred to as holding steps, and the control module 100 may apply a sustaining voltage in a pulse form at a predetermined period during the holding step. The control module 100 may maintain the electrochromic device 200 naturally discolored to a level other than the target level over time by applying a sustain voltage in the holding step to the target level.

Since the natural discoloration of the electrochromic device 200 is proportional to the time after the application step is completed, the period of the sustain voltage in the form of a pulse applied in the maintenance step can be controlled according to the end of the application step. For example, when the time after the application step of the electrochromic device 200 is completed is long, the control module 100 relatively lengthens the time that the sustain voltage is applied to the high level, and the electrochromic color is changed. When the time after the application step of the device 200 is completed is relatively short, the control module 100 may shorten the time for which the sustain voltage is applied to a high level.

In addition, the natural discoloration of the electrochromic device 200 may be proportional to the discoloration level of the electrochromic device discolored in the applying step.

That is, the electrochromic device 200 having a large discoloration degree in the applying step may have a relatively large natural discoloration degree. In other words, in the case of the electrochromic device 200 having a large discoloration degree in the applying step, the difference between the target level of the applying step and the discoloration level after natural discoloration may be relatively large. In this case, the control module 100 may maintain the time for which the sustain voltage is applied at a high level to the electrochromic device 200 having a large discoloration degree in the applying step.

In addition, the electrochromic device 200 having a small discoloration degree in the applying step may have a relatively small natural discoloration degree. In other words, in the case of the electrochromic device 200 having a small discoloration degree in the applying step, the difference between the target level of the applying step and the discoloration level after natural discoloration may be relatively small. In this case, the control module 100 may maintain the time for which the sustain voltage is applied to the high level to the electrochromic device 200 having a small discoloration degree in the applying step relatively short.

In the applying step, the control module 100 may maintain a voltage of a predetermined level after the rising period. The rise time in the applying step may be different from the rise time in the maintaining step. In the applying step, the rising period may be longer than the rising period in the holding step. After applying the θ1), the rising voltage may be maintained at a constant level. In the holding step, the control module 100 may maintain the voltage at a predetermined level after applying the slope of the applied voltage to the second angle θ2 at the rising time. The first angle θ1 may be different from the second angle θ2. The first angle θ1 may be smaller than the second angle θ2. The second angle θ2 may be a right angle.

In the applying step, the control module 100 may gradually increase the voltage applied to the electrochromic device 200 to prevent the interior of the electrochromic device 200 from being electrically damaged. That is, in the applying step, the control module 100 may apply the rising period relatively long to prevent the interior of the electrochromic device 200 from being electrically damaged. In other words, in the applying step, the control module 100 may apply an applied voltage such that the first angle θ1 is an acute angle to prevent the interior of the electrochromic device 200 from being damaged.

The first angle θ1 may be changed based on a predetermined level of voltage applied thereto. Since the damage inside the electrochromic device 200 is caused by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the predetermined level, when the voltage of the predetermined level is large, the first angle θ1 may be increased and the voltage of the predetermined level may be increased. When the size of M is small, the first angle θ1 may be small.

In the maintaining step, since the electrochromic device 200 is in a state in which an internal voltage exists due to color change, the electrochromic device 200 may not be electrically damaged even if the voltage is rapidly increased. Therefore, in the maintenance step, the control module may apply the rise time relatively short to speed up the recovery to the target level.

However, when the electrochromic device 200 is returned to its initial state without discoloration due to natural discoloration, a voltage having an acute angle of the second angle θ2 may be applied even in the holding step.

3. Coloring process of electrochromic device

7 is a diagram illustrating an internal potential before voltage is applied in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the electrochromic device 200 may be connected to the control module 100. The electrochromic device 200 may include a first electrode 210, an electrochromic layer 220, an electrolyte layer 230, an ion storage layer 240, and a second electrode 250.

The electrochromic device 200 before the voltage is applied may be in a discolored state. A plurality of ions 260 may be located in the ion storage layer 240 of the electrochromic device 200.

Each layer of the electrochromic device 200 may have an internal potential. The internal potential may be a potential relative to ground. The internal potential of the second electrode 250 is defined as the first internal potential Va, the internal potential of the ion storage layer 240 is defined as the second internal potential Vb, and the electrochromic layer 220 The internal potential of) may be defined as a third internal potential Vc, and the internal potential of the first electrode 210 may be defined as a fourth internal potential Vd.

When no voltage is applied to the electrochromic device 200, since no voltage is applied to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250, the first internal potential Va and the fourth internal potential ( Vd) may be zero.

The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may have an internal potential. The second internal potential Vb of the ion storage layer 240 and the third internal potential Vc of the electrochromic layer 220 may have different values.

The second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc may be built-in potential. The second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc may be changed by at least one of material properties of each layer, a relationship with a material of an adjacent layer, and ions included therein.

The second internal potential Vb may be determined by energy levels of materials constituting the ion storage layer 240.

Alternatively, the second internal potential Vb may be determined by a difference between energy levels of the ion storage layer 240 and the electrolyte layer 230. Alternatively, the second internal potential Vb may be determined by a difference between energy levels of the ion storage layer 240 and the second electrode 250. Although the second internal potential Vb is determined by a difference in energy level between adjacent layers, the second internal potential Vb may be represented as an internal potential of the ion storage layer 240 as shown.

The second internal potential Vb may be determined by the ions 260 included in the ion storage layer 240. The second internal power source Vb may be determined by the number of ions 260 included in the ion storage layer 240.

The second internal potential Vb may be determined by at least one of the energy level of the ion storage layer 240 itself, the difference in energy level between adjacent layers, and the ions 260 included therein. Alternatively, the second internal potential Vb may be determined by the energy level of the ion storage layer 240 itself, the difference in energy level between adjacent layers, and the ions 260 included therein.

The third internal potential Vc may be determined by energy levels of materials constituting the electrochromic layer 220.

Alternatively, the third internal potential Vc may be determined by a difference between energy levels of the electrochromic layer 220 and the first electrode 210. Alternatively, the third internal potential Vc may be determined by a difference between energy levels of the electrochromic layer 240 and the electrolyte layer 230. Although the third internal potential Vc is determined by a difference in energy level between adjacent layers, the third internal potential Vc may be represented as an internal potential of the electrochromic layer 220 as shown.

The third internal potential Vc may be determined by ions included in the electrochromic layer 220. The third internal potential Vc may be determined by the number of ions included in the electrochromic layer 220.

The third internal potential Vc may be determined by at least one of the energy level of the electrochromic layer 220 itself, the difference in energy level between adjacent layers, and the ions 260 included therein. Alternatively, the third internal potential Vc may be determined by the energy level of the electrochromic layer 220 itself, the difference in energy level between adjacent layers, and the ions 260 included therein.

8 is a view showing a potential change in the initial stage of coloring in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the electrochromic device 200 according to the embodiment may be electrically connected to the control module 100.

The control module 100 may supply a voltage to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may supply a voltage to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 of the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may apply a low voltage to the first electrode 210 and a high voltage to the second electrode 250.

As the high voltage is applied to the second electrode 250, the internal potential of the second electrode 250 may rise in response to the high voltage applied to the second electrode 250. The first internal potential Va of the second electrode 250 may rise to correspond to the voltage supplied through the control module 100.

Since the second electrode 250 and the ion storage layer 240 are electrically connected to each other, the internal potential of the ion storage layer 240 also increases as the internal potential of the second electrode 250 rises. As the first internal potential Va rises, the second internal potential Vb also rises correspondingly. The first internal potential Va and the second internal potential Vb may be at the same level. Alternatively, the first internal potential Va and the second internal potential Vb may have different levels. The first internal potential Va may have a higher value than the second internal potential Vb.

As the internal potential of the ion storage layer 240 rises, a potential difference between the ion storage layer 240 and the electrochromic layer 220 may be generated. As the second internal potential Vb rises, a potential difference may be generated between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc.

The ions 260 existing in the ion storage layer 240 may move by the potential difference between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc. The ion 260 may move to the electrochromic layer 220 through the electrolyte layer 230 by a potential difference between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc.

When the potential difference between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc exceeds a predetermined range, the ions 260 may be moved to the electrochromic layer 220 through the electrolyte layer 230. have. The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may be discolored by the movement of the ions 260. As the ions 260 move from the ion storage layer 240 to the electrochromic layer 220, the ion storage layer 240 loses ions 260 and may be oxidatively discolored, and the electrochromic layer 220 ) May be reduced discoloration by obtaining the ion (260). The ion storage layer 240 may be oxidized by losing ions 260, and the electrochromic layer 220 may be reduced and colored by obtaining ions 260. The electrochromic device 200 may be colored by coloring the ion storage layer 240 and the electrochromic layer 220. As the ion storage layer 240 and the electrochromic layer 220 are colored, the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 may be lowered.

The ions 260 of the ion storage layer 240 may exist in a state in which they are combined with a material constituting the ion storage layer 240. The ions 260 of the ion storage layer 240 may be present in the form of being physically inserted between the particles of the material constituting the ion storage layer 240. Alternatively, the ions of the ion storage layer 240 may be present in a chemical bond with the material constituting the ion storage layer 240.

In order to release the ions 260 existing in the ion storage layer 240 from the material constituting the ion storage layer 240, a potential difference of a predetermined range or more is required. The minimum voltage required to release the bond between the ion 260 and the material constituting the ion storage layer 240 may be defined as a first threshold voltage Vth1. When the potential difference between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold voltage Vth1, the ions 260 may be moved to the electrochromic layer 220. .

As the ions 260 are moved to the electrochromic layer 220, the internal potential of the electrochromic layer 220 may increase. As the ion 260 moves to the electrochromic layer 220, the third potential Vc may increase.

9 is a view showing the potential change of the color complete step in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the electrochromic device 200 according to the embodiment may be connected to the control module 100 to receive a voltage.

In FIG. 8, the second internal potential Vb rises due to the high voltage applied to the second electrode 250, and the potential difference between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc is increased. Ions 260 that existed in the ion storage layer 240 move.

9 illustrates a state where the movement of the ions 260 is completed. As the ions 260 are moved to the electrochromic layer 220, the internal potential of the electrochromic layer 220 may increase. As the ion 260 moves to the electrochromic layer 220, the third internal potential Vc may increase.

The internal potential of the electrochromic layer 220 may rise to a predetermined level. The third internal potential Vc may rise to a predetermined level. The third internal potential Vc may rise until there is a predetermined level difference from the second internal potential Vb. The third internal potential Vc may increase until the difference between the second internal potential Vb and the first threshold voltage Vth1 is different. That is, the difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb may be equal to the magnitude of the first threshold voltage Vth1 in the coloring completion step.

The ion 260 is moved according to the potential difference between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc, and the third internal potential Vc rises by the movement of the ion 260. When the difference between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc is smaller than the magnitude of the first threshold voltage Vth1, the ion 260 may not move. Accordingly, the third internal potential Vc may increase only by a value obtained by subtracting the first threshold voltage Vth1 from the second internal potential Vb. The third internal potential Vc may be maintained as long as there is no change in the second internal potential Vb.

10 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a voltage applied to an electrochromic device and a transmittance of the electrochromic device according to an embodiment.

The voltage of FIG. 10 may mean a potential difference due to a voltage applied to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The electrochromic device 200 has an initial state of discoloration as shown in FIG. 7. The ion storage layer 240 of the electrochromic device 200 includes a plurality of ions 260.

Even if the voltage applied to the electrochromic device 200 increases, the transmittance does not change until a predetermined level. The plurality of ions 260 present in the ion storage layer 240 may be changed to the electrochromic layer 220 until the potential difference applied between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 reaches a predetermined level. Does not go to). Since the plurality of ions 260 present in the ion storage layer 240 move above the first threshold voltage Vth1, the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is zero. It does not move when it is less than one threshold voltage Vth1, and moves only when the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is greater than or equal to the first threshold voltage Vth1.

Therefore, when the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is less than the first threshold voltage Vth1, there is no movement of the ions 260, and thus the electrochromic device 200 does not discolor. . When the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is greater than or equal to the first threshold voltage Vth1, the ions 260 are moved to discolor the electrochromic device 200. Accordingly, when the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is less than the first threshold voltage Vth1, there is no change in transmittance, and the first electrode 210 and the second electrode ( If the potential difference between 250 is greater than or equal to the first threshold voltage Vth1, the transmittance is changed.

When the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is greater than or equal to the first threshold voltage Vth1, the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 are colored, so that the electrochromic device 200 ), The transmittance gradually decreases. The transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 may be lowered to a specific transmittance.

The control module 100 may change the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 by applying a voltage equal to or greater than the first threshold voltage Vth1 to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may discolor the electrochromic device 200 to have a first transmittance T1 by applying a first voltage V1 to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may discolor the electrochromic device 200 to have a second transmittance T2 by applying a second voltage V2 to the electrochromic device 200. In this case, the first voltage V1 may be smaller than the second voltage V2, and the first transmittance T1 may be greater than the second transmittance T2.

In addition, the control module 100 may change the transmittance irrespective of the current state of the electrochromic device 200 by applying a voltage greater than or equal to the first threshold voltage Vth1 to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 applies the second voltage V2 in a state where the electrochromic device 200 has a maximum transmittance Ta so that the electrochromic device 200 has a second transmittance T2. You can discolor it. The control module 100 applies the second voltage V2 while the electrochromic device 200 has the first transmittance T1, thereby allowing the electrochromic device 200 to obtain a second transmittance T2. It can be discolored to have.

By controlling the magnitude of the voltage applied to the electrochromic device 200 regardless of the current state, the control module 100 can discolor the electrochromic device 200 to a desired transmittance, thereby measuring the current state. There is an effect that can be omitted.

The control module 100 may control the electrochromic device 200 to be discolored to a desired transmittance based on a driving voltage corresponding to the degree of discoloration stored in the storage unit 140 of the control module 100. .

11 is a view showing the potential when the voltage application is released after the color change is completed in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, the electrochromic device 200 according to the embodiment may be electrically connected to the control module 100.

The control module 100 may release the voltage applied to the electrochromic device 200 after discoloration is completed. The control module 100 and the first electrode 210 may be electrically insulated, and the control module 100 and the second electrode 250 may be electrically insulated. The first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 may be floated.

Since the voltage applied to the second electrode 250 is removed, the internal potential of the second electrode 250 may drop. The first internal potential Va may be lowered.

Since the internal potential of the second electrode 250 is lowered, the internal potential of the ion storage layer 240 connected to the second electrode 250 may also be lowered. The first internal potential Va may be lowered to lower the second internal potential Va.

Even though an internal potential of the ion storage layer 240 is lowered and a potential difference occurs between the internal color of the electrochromic layer 220, the ion 260 may stay in the electrochromic layer 220.

Since the ions 260 are present in the electrochromic layer 220, the discolored state of the electrochromic device 200 may be maintained even when the voltage applied from the control module 100 is released. This can be defined as a memory effect.

The memory effect can maintain a discolored state even when a voltage is not applied to the electrochromic device 200, thereby reducing power consumption required to maintain the state of the electrochromic device 200, thereby reducing power consumption. .

Even if the electrochromic device 200 has a memory effect, the degree of discoloration may change due to the movement of ions 260 naturally over time. This can be defined as a leakage effect. The leakage effect may be proportional to time. The electrochromic device 200 may be naturally discolored by the leakage effect.

4. Decolorization process of electrochromic device

11 is a view showing an electrochromic device when the voltage application is released after the color change is completed according to the embodiment and at the same time showing the internal potential before the voltage is applied in the state that the electrochromic device is colored.

Referring to FIG. 11, the electrochromic device 200 may be connected to the control module 100.

In the initial state, the control module 100 does not apply a voltage to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 does not apply a voltage to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250.

In the initial state, a plurality of ions 260 may be located in the electrochromic layer 260. Since the plurality of ions 260 are present in the electrochromic layer 260, the electrochromic device 100 may be colored.

The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may have an internal potential. The internal potential of the electrochromic layer 220 and the internal potential of the ion storage layer 240 may be different from each other. The internal potential of the electrochromic layer 220 may be greater than the internal potential of the ion storage layer 240.

The second internal potential Vb may be different from the third internal potential Vc. The second internal potential Vb may be lower than the third internal potential Vc.

12 is a view showing the potential change of the initial stage of color fading in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, the electrochromic device 200 according to the embodiment may be electrically connected to the control module 100.

The control module 100 may supply a voltage to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may supply a voltage to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 of the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may apply a high voltage to the first electrode 210 and a low voltage to the second electrode 250.

As the high voltage is applied to the first electrode 210, the internal potential of the first electrode 210 may rise in response to the high voltage applied through the control module 100. The fourth internal potential Vd of the first electrode 210 may rise to correspond to the voltage supplied through the control module 100.

Since the first electrode 210 and the electrochromic layer 220 are electrically connected to each other, the third electrode of the electrochromic layer 220 according to the increase in the fourth internal potential Vd of the first electrode 210. The internal potential Vc also rises.

The third internal potential Vc and the fourth internal potential Vd may be at the same level. Alternatively, the third internal potential Vc and the fourth internal potential Vd may be at different levels. The fourth internal potential Vd may have a higher value than that of the third internal potential Vc.

As the third internal potential Vc of the electrochromic layer 220 rises, a potential difference may be generated between the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240. As the third internal potential Vc rises, a potential difference may be generated between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb.

The ions 260 existing in the electrochromic layer 220 may move due to the potential difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb. The ion 260 may move to the ion storage layer 240 through the electrolyte layer 230 by a potential difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb.

When the potential difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb is greater than or equal to a predetermined range, the ions 260 may be moved to the ion storage layer 240 through the electrolyte layer 230. have. The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may be discolored by the movement of the ions 260. The electrochromic layer 220 may lose its ions 260 and become oxidatively discolored, and the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced and discolored by obtaining the ions 260. The electrochromic layer 220 may be oxidized and decolorized, and the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced and decolorized. The electrochromic device 200 may be discolored by decolorizing the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240. As the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 are decolorized, the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 may be increased.

The ions 260 of the electrochromic layer 220 may be present in a state in which they are combined with a material forming the electrochromic layer 220. The ions 260 of the electrochromic layer 220 may exist in the form of being physically interposed between particles of the material constituting the electrochromic layer 220. Alternatively, the ions 260 of the electrochromic layer 220 may exist in a chemically bonded state with a material constituting the electrochromic layer 220.

In order to release the ions 260 existing in the electrochromic layer 220 from the material constituting the electrochromic layer 220, a potential difference of a predetermined range or more is required. The minimum voltage required to release the bond between the ion 260 and the material constituting the electrochromic layer 220 may be defined as a second threshold voltage Vth2. When the potential difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb becomes greater than or equal to the second threshold voltage Vth2, the ions 260 may be moved to the ion storage layer 240. .

The strength of the physical and / or chemical bonds of the electrochromic layer 220 and the ions 260 and the strength of the physical and / or chemical bonds of the ion storage layer 240 and the ions 260 may be different from each other. have. Since the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 have different physical structures of internal materials, the strength of physical bonding with the ions 260 may be different. In addition, since the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 have different chemical structures of internal materials, the strength of physical bonds of the ions 260 may be different.

Therefore, the second threshold voltage Vth2 of the electrochromic layer 220 may be different from the first threshold voltage Vth1 of the ion storage layer 240.

As the ions 260 are moved to the ion storage layer 240, the internal potential of the ion storage layer 240 may increase. As the ions 260 move to the ion storage layer 240, the second internal potential Vb may increase.

13 is a view showing the potential change of the decolorization complete state in the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, the electrochromic device 200 according to the embodiment may be connected to the control module 100 to receive a voltage.

In FIG. 12, the third internal potential Vc rises due to the high voltage applied to the first electrode 210 and the potential difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb. Ions 260 that existed in the electrochromic layer 220 move to the ion storage layer 240.

13 illustrates a state where the movement of the ions 260 is completed. As the ions 260 move to the ion storage layer 240, the second internal potential Vb may increase.

The internal potential of the ion storage layer 240 may rise to a predetermined level. The second internal potential Vb may rise to a predetermined level. The second internal potential Vb may increase until there is a difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second threshold voltage Vth2. That is, in the decolorization completion step, the difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb may be equal to the magnitude of the second threshold voltage Vth2.

The ion 260 is moved according to the potential difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb, and the second internal potential Vb is increased by the movement of the ion 260. When the difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb is smaller than the magnitude of the second threshold voltage Vth2, the ion 260 may not move. Therefore, the second internal potential Vb may increase only by a value obtained by subtracting the second threshold voltage Vth2 from the third internal potential Vc. The second internal potential Vb may be maintained as long as there is no change in the third internal potential Vc.

The electrochromic device 200 may return to the state as shown in FIG. 7 when the application of the voltage from the control module 100 is released after the color change is completed.

14 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a voltage applied to an electrochromic device and a transmittance of the electrochromic device according to an embodiment.

The voltage of FIG. 14 may mean a potential difference due to a voltage applied to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The voltage may be a potential difference due to a voltage applied to the first electrode 210 based on the second electrode 250. The electrochromic device 200 has an initial state as shown in FIG. 11. The electrochromic layer 220 of the electrochromic device 200 includes a plurality of ions 260.

Even if the voltage applied to the electrochromic device 200 increases, the transmittance does not change until a predetermined level. The plurality of ions 260 present in the electrochromic layer 220 may have the ion storage layer 240 until the potential difference applied between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 reaches a predetermined level. Does not go to). Since the plurality of ions 260 present in the electrochromic layer 220 move above the second threshold voltage Vth2, the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is zero. It does not move when the voltage is lower than the second threshold voltage Vth2, and moves only when the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is greater than or equal to the second threshold voltage Vth2.

Therefore, when the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is less than the second threshold voltage Vth2, there is no movement of the ions 260, and thus the electrochromic device 200 does not discolor. . When the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is greater than or equal to the second threshold voltage Vth2, the ions 260 are moved to discolor the electrochromic device 200. Accordingly, when the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is less than the second threshold voltage Vth2, there is no change in transmittance, and the first electrode 210 and the second electrode ( If the potential difference between 250 is greater than or equal to the second threshold voltage Vth2, the transmittance is changed.

When the potential difference between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 is greater than or equal to the second threshold voltage Vth2, the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 are discolored and the electrochromic device 200 ), The transmittance gradually increases. The transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 may be increased to a specific transmittance.

The control module 100 may change the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 by applying a voltage equal to or greater than the second threshold voltage Vth2 to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may discolor the electrochromic device 200 to have a third transmittance T3 by applying a third voltage V3 to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may discolor the electrochromic device 200 to have a fourth transmittance T4 by applying a fourth voltage V4 to the electrochromic device 200. In this case, the third voltage V3 may be smaller than the fourth voltage V4, and the third transmittance T3 may be smaller than the fourth transmittance T4.

In addition, the control module 100 may change the transmittance irrespective of the current state of the electrochromic device 200 by applying a voltage greater than or equal to the second threshold voltage Vth2 to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 applies the fourth voltage V4 while the electrochromic device 200 has a minimum transmittance Tb, thereby allowing the electrochromic device 200 to have a fourth transmittance T4. You can discolor it. The control module 100 applies the fourth voltage V4 while the electrochromic device 200 has a third transmittance T3, thereby allowing the electrochromic device 200 to obtain a fourth transmittance T4. It can be discolored to have.

By controlling the magnitude of the voltage applied to the electrochromic device 200 regardless of the current state, the control module 100 can discolor the electrochromic device 200 to a desired transmittance, thereby measuring the current state. There is an effect that can be omitted.

The control module 100 may control the electrochromic device 200 to be discolored to a desired transmittance based on a driving voltage corresponding to the degree of discoloration stored in the storage unit 140 of the control module 100. .

5. Transmittance by Application of Voltage in Pigmentation and Decolorization

15 is a view showing a relationship between the applied voltage and the transmittance of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment, Figure 16 is a view showing the relationship between the potential and ions in the coloring process of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment, Figure 17 Is a view showing the relationship between the potential and the ion during the decolorization process of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

As described above with reference to FIG. 10, the electrochromic device may have a transmittance determined by a voltage applied in a coloring process. In addition, as shown in FIG. 14, the color fading device may have a transmittance determined by a voltage applied in a decolorizing process.

In FIG. 15, the change in transmittance due to the voltage applied in the coloring process and the change in transmittance due to the voltage applied in the decolorizing process will be described.

The first state S1 of FIG. 15 means a state in which the electrochromic device 200 has a maximum transmittance, and the second state S2 means a state having a lower transmittance than the first state S1. The third state S3 refers to a state in which the electrochromic device 200 has a minimum transmittance, and the fourth state S4 refers to a transmittance between the second state S2 and the third state S3. It means a state having. In addition, the voltage V refers to a potential difference due to a voltage applied to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The potential difference may be defined as the magnitude of the voltage of the second electrode 250 based on the first electrode 210.

FIG. 16A is a diagram showing the electrochromic device in the first state S1.

The control module 100 does not apply a voltage to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 do not have an internal potential.

The ion 260 may be located in the ion storage layer 240. Since the ion 260 is located in the ion storage layer 240, the electrochromic device 200 may be in a first state S1.

The ion storage layer 240 may have a relatively high internal potential by the ions 260. The ion storage layer 240 may have a higher internal potential than the electrochromic layer 220 by the ions 260. The second internal potential Vb of the ion storage layer 240 may have a larger value than the third internal potential Vc of the electrochromic layer 220.

16B illustrates the internal potential and the positions of the ions 260 in the state where the movement of the ions 260 is completed by the voltage applied to the control module 100.

Referring to FIG. 16B, the control module 100 may apply a fifth voltage V5 to the electrochromic device 200. The electrochromic device 200 may apply a fifth voltage V5 to the second electrode 250. The electrochromic device 200 may apply a voltage such that a difference between voltages applied to the second electrode 250 and the first electrode 210 becomes a fifth voltage V5. The electrochromic device 200 may apply a voltage such that a potential difference between the second electrode 250 and the first electrode 210 becomes a fifth voltage V5.

The fifth voltage V5 is applied by the control module 100 to raise the first internal potential Va to the fifth voltage V5. As the first internal potential Va rises, the second internal potential Vb also rises to have a level corresponding to the first internal potential Va.

The ion 260 may move to the electrochromic layer 220 by the potential difference between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc. The electrochromic layer 220 may be reduced and colored by obtaining ions, and the ion storage layer 240 may be oxidized by losing ions 260. The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 may be colored to color the electrochromic device 200. In this case, the electrochromic device 200 may be in a second state S2. The electrochromic device 200 may be in a second state S2 having a lower transmittance than the first state S1 by coloring.

The third internal potential Vc of the electrochromic layer 220 may rise by obtaining ions 260. The third internal potential Vc rises until a specific level difference is reached from the second internal potential Vb, and when the movement of the ions 260 is completed, the first threshold voltage Vb is greater than the second internal potential Vb. Can be as low as Vth1). That is, the difference between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc may be a first threshold voltage Vth1.

The third internal potential Vc may be in proportion to the number of ions 260 positioned in the electrochromic layer 220. The number of ions 260 positioned in the electrochromic layer 220 is related to the degree of discoloration of the electrochromic layer 220. That is, if the number of ions present in the electrochromic layer 220 is large, the degree of coloring of the electrochromic layer 220 is large, and if the number of ions present in the electrochromic layer 220 is small, the electricity The degree of coloring of the color change layer 220 is small. In addition, since the discoloration degree of the electrochromic layer 220 is related to the discoloration degree of the electrochromic device 200, the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200 may be proportional to the third internal potential Vc. .

The discoloration degree of the electrochromic device 200 may be determined according to a ratio of ions 260 positioned in the electrochromic layer 220 and ions located in the ion storage layer 240.

17A is a diagram illustrating the electrochromic device in the third state S3.

The control module 100 does not apply a voltage to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250 do not have an internal potential.

The ion 260 may be located in the electrochromic layer 220. Since the ions 260 are located in the electrochromic layer 240, the electrochromic device 200 may be in a third state S3.

The electrochromic layer 220 may have a relatively high internal potential by the ions 260. The electrochromic layer 220 may have a higher internal potential than the ion storage layer 240 by the ions 260. The third internal potential Vc of the electrochromic layer 220 may have a larger value than the second internal potential Vb of the ion storage layer 240. Here, the third internal potential Vc is shown to be larger than the second internal potential Vb of FIG. 16, for ease of description, and does not represent an actual potential value.

FIG. 17B illustrates the internal potential and the position of the ion 260 in the state where the movement of the ion 260 is completed by the voltage applied to the control module 100.

Referring to FIG. 17B, the control module 100 may apply a fifth voltage V5 to the electrochromic device 200. The fifth voltage V5 is the same voltage as that applied to the electrochromic device 200 in FIG. 16B. The electrochromic device 200 may apply a fifth voltage V5 to the second electrode 250. The electrochromic device 200 may apply a voltage such that a difference between voltages applied to the second electrode 250 and the first electrode 210 becomes a fifth voltage V5. The electrochromic device 200 may apply a voltage such that a potential difference between the second electrode 250 and the first electrode 210 becomes a fifth voltage V5.

The fifth voltage V5 is applied by the control module 100 to raise the first internal potential Va to the fifth voltage V5. As the first internal potential Va rises, the second internal potential Vb also rises to have a level corresponding to the first internal potential Va.

The ion 260 may move to the ion storage layer 240 by the potential difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb. The electrochromic layer 220 loses ions and is oxidized and decolorized, and the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced and decolorized by obtaining ions 260. The electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 260 may decolor so that the electrochromic device 200 may decolor. In this case, the electrochromic device 200 may be in a fourth state S4. The electrochromic device 200 may be in a fourth state S4 having a higher transmittance than the third state S3 by decolorization. The fourth state S4 may be a state in which transmittance is higher than that of the third state S3.

The third internal potential Vc of the electrochromic layer 220 may lose ions 260 and fall. The third internal potential Vc is lowered until a specific level difference with the second internal potential Vb, and when the movement of the ions 260 is completed, a second threshold voltage (Vb) is higher than the second internal potential Vb. Can be as high as Vth2). That is, the difference between the third internal potential Vc and the second internal potential Vb may be a second threshold voltage Vth2.

The third internal potential Vc may be proportional to the transmittance of the electrochromic device 200.

16 and 17, the initial states of FIGS. 16 and 17 are different and the voltages applied are the same. FIG. 16 illustrates a state in which the fifth voltage V5 is applied for coloring, and FIG. 17 illustrates a state in which the fifth voltage V5 is applied for discoloration. The initial state of FIG. 16 is a state having the maximum transmittance, and the initial state of FIG. 17 is a state having the lowest transmittance.

In FIG. 16B, the size of the third internal potential Vc after the movement of the ion 260 is completed and the size of the third internal potential Vc may be different after the movement of the ion 260 is completed in FIG. 17B. have. The size of the third internal potential Vc in FIG. 16B may be smaller than the size of the third internal potential Vc in FIG. 17B.

In FIG. 16B, the size of the third internal potential Vc may be smaller than the fifth voltage V5. The third internal potential Vc may be smaller than the fifth voltage V5 by the first threshold voltage Vth1.

In FIG. 17B, the magnitude of the third internal potential Vc may be greater than the fifth voltage V5. The third internal potential Vc may be greater than the fifth voltage V5 by a second threshold voltage Vth2.

Therefore, the transmittance in the second state S2 of the optical state of FIG. 16B may be higher than that of the fourth state S4 of the optical state of FIG. 17B. In other words, when the electrochromic device applies a specific voltage in the coloring process, and applies a specific voltage in the decolorization process, the optical state may be changed. The electrochromic device may have a different transmittance when a specific voltage is applied during the coloring process and a voltage equal to the specific voltage applied to the coloring process during the decolorization process is applied. That is, the transmittance when the specific voltage is applied to the coloring process may be greater than the transmittance when the specific voltage is applied to the decolorization process.

In the drawings, the transmittance when a specific voltage is applied to the coloring process is greater than the transmittance when a specific voltage is applied to the decolorizing process as an example. On the contrary, the transmittance when the specific voltage is applied to the coloring process is decolorized. It may be smaller than the transmittance when a specific voltage is applied to the process.

This phenomenon may be a result of the above-described ion movement and threshold voltage, or may be a result of the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 having different threshold voltages.

In addition, the control module 100 may vary the driving voltage applied depending on whether the electrochromic device 200 is a coloring process or a decolorization process. The control module 100 may determine a discoloration process of the electrochromic device 200 and apply a driving voltage based thereon.

In this case, the driving unit for each discoloration process may be stored in the storage 140 of the control module 100. That is, the storage unit 140 may store the driving voltage corresponding to the degree of color change in the coloration process and the driving voltage corresponding to the degree of color change in the color fading process.

In addition, the control module 100 may determine the discoloration process based on the previously applied voltage. In this case, the control module 100 records the driving voltage output to the storage unit 140, and after the driving, the previous driving voltage stored in the storage unit 140 is read and discolored by comparing with the current driving voltage. You can judge the process. The control module 100 calculates the previous state by the previous driving voltage stored in the storage unit 140, compares the calculated previous state with the target state, and determines the discoloration process, and based on the driving power, Can supply

For example, in order to implement the same state as the second state S2 of FIG. 16B, which is a coloring process, the control module 100 may apply a sixth voltage V6 in the decolorizing process. The sixth voltage V6 may be a voltage at a level lower than the fifth voltage V5. In order to have the same internal potential as the third internal potential Vc of FIG. 16B, since the third internal potential Vc of FIG. 17B must be lowered, when a voltage lower than the fifth voltage V5 is applied, a discoloration process is performed. In the second state S2 may be implemented.

On the contrary, in order to achieve the same state as the fourth state S4 of FIG. 17B, which is a color fading process, the control module 100 may be applied at a voltage greater than the fifth voltage V5 in the coloring process. . In order to have the same internal potential as that of the third internal potential Vc of FIG. 17B, the third internal potential Vc of FIG. 16B needs to be increased. Therefore, when a voltage higher than the fifth voltage V5 is applied, the coloring process is performed. In the fourth state S4 may be implemented.

6. Invariant Sections in Pigmentation and Decolorization

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an applied voltage and a transmittance of an electrochromic device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between electric potential and ions in a decoloring process and a coloring process of an electrochromic device according to an embodiment. .

The third state S3 of FIG. 18 means a state in which the electrochromic device 200 has a minimum transmittance, and the fifth state S5 means a state having a higher transmittance than the third state S3. . In addition, the voltage V refers to a potential difference due to a voltage applied to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The potential difference may be defined as the magnitude of the voltage of the second electrode 250 based on the first electrode 210.

18 includes a first section P1, a second section P2, and a third section P3. The first section P1 may be a discoloration section, the second section P2 may be an invariant section, and the third section P3 may be a coloring section.

The first section P1 may be a section in which the electrochromic device 200 is changed from a third state S3 to a fifth state S5, and the second section P2 is a fifth state S5. It may be a section for maintaining, and may be a section for changing from the third section (P3) to the fifth state (S5).

19A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a potential and ions in the first section P1.

Referring to FIG. 18A together with FIG. 18, the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored from the third state S3 to the fifth state S5. The electrochromic device 200 may be discolored from the third state S3 to the fifth state S5.

In the third state S3, the ions 260 may be located in the electrochromic layer 220. At this time, when the voltage V is gradually lowered to the second electrode 250, the second internal potential Vb is lowered so that the ions 260 of the electrochromic layer 220 become It may move to the ion storage layer 240 through the electrolyte layer 230. In this process, the electrochromic layer 220 loses ions 260 and is oxidized and decolorized, and the ion storage layer 240 may be reduced and decolorized by obtaining ions 260. As the ions 260 of the electrochromic layer 220 move to the ion storage layer 240, the third internal potential Vc is gradually lowered.

When the drop of the voltage is stopped while the voltage applied to the second electrode 250 reaches the seventh voltage V7, the third internal potential Vc is also lowered to a specific level and then the drop is stopped. In this case, the voltage difference between the third internal potential Vc and the seventh voltage V7 may be a second threshold voltage Vth2. That is, the voltage drop is stopped while the third internal potential Vc has a voltage higher than the seventh voltage V7 by the second threshold voltage Vth2.

19B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the potential and the ions in the second section P2.

Referring to FIG. 18B along with FIG. 18, the electrochromic device 200 may maintain a fifth state S5. The second section P2 may be a section in which transmittance is maintained even when an applied voltage increases.

In general, if the voltage applied is increased, the transmittance is reduced by coloring. However, if the previous section is a bleaching section, the transmittance does not change even if the voltage is increased for a certain range. A section in which transmittance does not change due to a change in voltage may be defined as an invariant section.

The invariant section may appear when the voltage is increased for discoloration when the previous section is a discolored section, or may be present when the voltage is lowered for discoloration when the previous section is a colored section.

The voltage V applied to the electrochromic device 200 to which the seventh voltage V7 is applied may be gradually increased by the first period P2. Even if the voltage V rises, the ions 260 do not move. Even if the voltage V rises in the constant voltage section Vd, the ion 260 does not move.

The constant voltage section Vd may be a voltage section having a deviation by a first threshold voltage Vth1 and a second threshold voltage Vth2 based on the third internal potential Vc. The lower limit of the constant voltage section Vd may be a value lower than the third internal potential Vc by a second threshold voltage Vth2, and the upper limit of the constant voltage section Vd may be the third internal potential Vc. It may be larger than the first threshold voltage Vth1.

When a voltage of the constant voltage section lower than the third internal potential Vc is applied, the voltage V is smaller than the third internal potential Vc so as to be smaller than the second threshold voltage Vth2 so that the ion ( 260 may not be separated from the electrochromic layer 220. Therefore, there is no movement of the ions 260, there is no variation of the third internal potential Vc, and the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 do not discolor. As a result, the state of the electrochromic device 200 is maintained.

When the voltage of the constant voltage section higher than the third internal potential Vc is applied, the voltage V is smaller than the third internal potential Vc so as to be smaller than the first threshold voltage Vth1 so that the ion ( 260 may not be separated from the ion storage layer 240. Therefore, there is no movement of the ions 260, there is no variation of the third internal potential Vc, and the electrochromic layer 220 and the ion storage layer 240 do not discolor. As a result, the state of the electrochromic device 200 is maintained.

The constant voltage section Vd may correspond to the sum of the magnitudes of the first threshold voltage Vth1 and the second threshold voltage Vth2. Therefore, when the bonding force between the ions 260 and the electrochromic layer 220 or the ion storage layer 240 is large, the constant voltage section Vd becomes large, and the ions 260 and the electrochromic layer 220 or When the bonding force of the ion storage layer 240 is small, the constant voltage section Vd may be reduced.

19C is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the potential and the ions in the third section P3.

Referring to FIG. 18C together with FIG. 18, the electrochromic device 200 may be discolored from the fifth state S5 to the third state S3. The electrochromic device 200 may be colored from the fifth state S5 to the third state S3.

In the third state S3, some ions of the plurality of ions 260 may be located in the ion storage layer 240. At this time, when a voltage V higher than the eighth voltage V8 is applied, the second internal potential Vb is increased to allow the ions 260 of the ion storage layer 240 to pass through the electrolyte layer 230. It may move to the electrochromic layer 220.

The eighth voltage V8 may be a voltage larger than the third internal voltage Vc of the second period P2 by the first threshold voltage Vth1. In the third period P3, a voltage higher than the eighth voltage V8 is applied to the second electrode 250, so that a difference value between the second internal potential Vb and the third internal potential Vc is zero. The ion 260 of the ion storage layer 240 may move to the electrochromic layer 220 by being higher than one threshold voltage Vth1.

In this process, the electrochromic layer 220 may be reduced and colored by obtaining ions 260, and the ion storage layer 240 may be oxidized by losing ions 260. As the ions 260 of the ion storage layer 240 move to the electrochromic layer 220, the third internal potential Vc gradually increases.

The control module 100 may generate driving power based on the invariant section and apply the driving power to the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may supply driving power based on the invariant section when changing the coloration and discoloration of the electrochromic device 200.

The control module 100 may determine another process of the electrochromic device 200 and apply another driving voltage. The control module 100 may color the electrochromic device 200 by applying a voltage greater than the invariant voltage section without applying a voltage of the invariant section when the previous process is a decolorization process. When the previous process is a coloring process, the control module 100 may decolor the electrochromic device 200 by applying a voltage smaller than the constant voltage section without applying a voltage of the invariant section.

7. Threshold Voltage

20 is an equivalent circuit diagram of an electrochromic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 20, the electrochromic device 200 of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment may be connected to the control module 100.

The electrochromic device 200 may include a plurality of divided regions. The electrochromic device 200 may include first to nth partitions 270a to 270n. Each partition may be connected in parallel with each other.

Each division area may be a partial area of the electrochromic device 200 connected to the control module 100.

Each partition may be an electrical area rather than a physically partitionable area. The electrochromic device 200 includes a first electrode 210, an electrochromic layer 220, an electrolyte layer 230, an ion storage layer 240, and a second electrode 250. Each layer constituting 200 may each be composed of a single layer. Therefore, there is no area actually divided like the divided area, and the divided area may be a virtually divided area for the electrical analysis of the electrochromic device 200.

The first to nth partitions 270a to 270n may be interpreted as the same equivalent circuit. For example, the n-th partition 270n may include a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, a connection resistor Ra, and a capacitor C. Can be. The n-th partition 270n may be interpreted as including a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, a connection resistor Ra, and a capacitor C.

One end of the first resistor R1 and one end of the second resistor R2 are electrically connected to an adjacent divided region, and the other end of the first resistor R1 and the other end of the second resistor R2 are The connection resistor Ra and the capacitor C may be electrically connected to each other. That is, both ends of the connection resistor Ra are electrically connected to the other end of the first resistor R1 and the other end of the second resistor R2, and both ends of the capacitor C are connected to the first resistor R1. It may be electrically connected to the other end of and the other end of the second resistor (R2).

The horizontal direction may be the x direction or the y direction of FIG. 3. The horizontal direction may be a direction spaced apart from the contact area of the control module 100 and the electrochromic device 200 along the second electrode 250. The vertical direction may be the z direction of FIG. 3. The vertical direction may be a direction from the first electrode 210 toward the second electrode 250.

The first resistor R1 may be a resistance in a horizontal direction of a partial region of the second electrode 250. The second resistor R2 may be a resistance in a horizontal direction of a partial region of the first electrode 210.

The connection resistance Ra may be a resistance in the vertical direction of the electrochromic device 200. That is, the connection resistance Ra may be a resistance between the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250. The connection resistance Ra is a resistance in the vertical direction of the first electrode 210, the electrochromic layer 220, the electrolyte layer 230, the ion storage layer 240, and the second electrode 250 and the first electrode. Contact resistance between the electrode 210 and the electrochromic layer 220, contact resistance between the electrochromic layer 220 and the electrolyte layer 230, contact between the electrolyte layer 230 and the ion storage layer 240 It may be the sum of the resistance and the contact resistance between the ion storage layer 240 and the second electrode 250.

The capacitor C may be a capacitor generated by the first electrode 210, the second electrode 250, the electrochromic layer 220, the electrolyte layer 230, and the ion storage layer 240. . The sum of the capacitances of the capacitors C of the plurality of divided regions may be the capacitance of the electrochromic device 200.

The voltage charged in the capacitor C may increase over time due to RC delay, thereby reaching a constant voltage. The constant voltage may be a resistor divided by the first resistor R1, the second resistor R2, and the connection resistor Ra connected in series. That is, the constant voltage may be a voltage Ra / (R1 + R2 + Ra) times the voltage applied to the nth division region 270n by the voltage division law. Since the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2 are resistors of the conductor, and the connection resistor Ra is a resistor of a combination of a conductor and a non-conductor, the connection resistor Ra is the first resistor R1. And since the second resistor (R2) has a value that is extremely large, when the time due to the RC delay, the voltage charged in the capacitor (C) may correspond to the voltage applied to the n-th partition (270n). have. That is, after time due to RC delay, the voltage charged in the capacitor C may become similar to the voltage applied to the nth partition 270n. Extremely, after time due to RC delay, the voltage charged in the capacitor C may be equal to the voltage applied to the nth partition 270n.

The voltage charged in the capacitor C may be the same as the input voltage of the adjacent divided region. That is, the voltage charged in the capacitor C may be applied to the adjacent divided regions. For example, a voltage charged in the capacitor C of the first partition 270a may be applied to the second partition 270b. The voltage charged in the capacitor C of the first partition 270a may be applied to one end of the first resistor R1 and one end of the second resistor R2 of the second partition 270b.

Since the voltage charged in the capacitor C of the divided region is proportional to the input voltage, the voltages charged in the capacitor C of the plurality of divided regions may be sequentially charged by RC delay.

The capacitors C of the plurality of partitions may sequentially increase in voltage. Among the capacitors C of the plurality of divided regions, a divided region close to the control module 100 may be charged first, and a divided region far from the control module 100 may be charged later. Among the capacitors C of the plurality of divided regions, a divided region adjacent to a contact region of the control module 100 and the electrochromic device 200 may be first charged, and a divided region spaced apart from the contact region may be charged later. Can be.

The capacitor C of the first partition 270a of the plurality of partitions may be charged first, and then sequentially charged to the capacitor C of the nth partition 270n.

Since the voltage charged in the capacitor C is a driving voltage applied to the first electrode 210 and the second electrode 250, the degree of discoloration may be determined by the voltage charged in the capacitor C. FIG.

21 is a view showing the degree of electrochromic change for each time of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

When a voltage is applied from the control module 100 to the electrochromic device 200, in the initial stage, the area adjacent to the contact area of the control module 100 and the electrochromic device 200 is first discolored as shown in FIG. 21A. The area adjacent to the contact area is not discolored. That is, the discoloration degree of the region adjacent to the contact region and the region spaced apart from the contact region may be in a different state. In other words, the transmittance of the region adjacent to the contact region and the transmittance of the region spaced apart from the contact region may be different. In the coloring process, the transmittance of the region adjacent to the contact region may be smaller than that of the region spaced apart from the contact region.

In the medium-term stage in which the voltage is continuously applied from the control module 100 to the electrochromic device 200, the region adjacent to the contact region is completely discolored as shown in FIG. 21B, and the region spaced apart from the contact region is discolored. Can be started. Even in this case, the discoloration degree of the region adjacent to the contact region and the region spaced apart from the contact region may be in a different state. Although the area adjacent to the contact area reaches the target discoloration degree, the discoloration degree of the area spaced apart from the contact area may not reach the target discoloration degree. In other words, the transmittance of the region adjacent to the contact region and the transmittance of the region spaced apart from the contact region may be different. In the coloring process, the transmittance of the region adjacent to the contact region may be smaller than that of the region spaced apart from the contact region. As the time passes in the middle stage, the area of the region reaching the target degree of discoloration becomes wider. As the time passes, the area reaching the target discoloration may be enlarged in a direction away from the contact area.

When the voltage is continuously applied from the control module 100 to the electrochromic device 200 to reach a completion step, discoloration of the entire area of the electrochromic device 200 is completed as shown in FIG. 21C. The time from when the voltage starts to be applied to the electrochromic device 200 to when the discoloration of the entire region of the electrochromic device 200 is completed may be defined as a threshold time.

When the threshold time is reached, the discoloration state of the entire region of the electrochromic device 200 may be uniform. When the threshold time is reached, the deviation of the discoloration state between the first point and the second point of the electrochromic device 200 may be equal to or less than a predetermined level. When the threshold time is reached, the transmittances of the first point and the second point of the electrochromic device 200 may correspond. The maximum deviation of the discoloration state of the first point and the second point of the electrochromic device 200 may be below a certain level. When the threshold time is reached, the deviation of transmittance between the first point and the second point of the electrochromic device 200 may be 0% to 30%.

The threshold time may be proportional to the area of the electrochromic device 200. In other words, as the area of the electrochromic device 200 increases, the threshold time may increase. In other words, as the area of the electrochromic device 200 increases, the time for the electrochromic device 200 to be homogeneously discolored may be increased. The variation of the discoloration state for each region of the electrochromic device 200 may also be proportional to the area of the electrochromic device 200. As the area of the electrochromic device 200 increases, the maximum deviation of the discoloration state for each region of the electrochromic device 200 may increase.

The threshold time may be proportional to the voltage difference as shown in FIG. 22.

The voltage difference may be a difference between a voltage applied from the control module 100 and a voltage charged in the electrochromic device 200.

The voltage difference may be proportional to the difference between the current discoloration state and the target discoloration state. Since the voltage charged in the electrochromic device 200 corresponds to the current color change state of the electrochromic device 200 and the applied voltage corresponds to the target color change state, the voltage difference between the current color change state and the target color change state It can be proportional to the difference value.

23 is a diagram illustrating a voltage applied to the electrochromic device in the control module according to the embodiment.

23 illustrates the voltage applied to the electrochromic device 200 by the control module 100 in the applying step.

The control module 100 may supply a driving voltage to the electrochromic device 200. The time for which the driving voltage supplied from the control module 100 to the electrochromic device 200 is applied may be determined based on the threshold time. The time tb at which the driving voltage is applied from the control module 100 to the electrochromic device 200 may be greater than the threshold time ta.

The control module 100 may supply the driving voltage to the electrochromic device 200 by setting the fixed driving voltage application time tb according to the threshold time ta. Alternatively, the control module 100 may change the driving voltage application time tb according to the threshold time ta.

When the control module 100 applies the driving voltage to the electrochromic device 200 during the fixed driving voltage application time tb, the control module 100 sets the maximum threshold time of the electrochromic device 200. The driving voltage can be calculated and applied for a time longer than the maximum threshold time. The maximum threshold time may be a threshold time required when discoloring from the decoloring state to the maximum coloring state. The control module 100 may omit the calculation of the driving voltage application time by applying the driving voltage for a time longer than the maximum threshold time regardless of the state in which the electrochromic device 200 is changed, thereby reducing the amount of calculation.

The threshold time tb may be related to the area of the electrochromic device 200. The threshold time tb may be proportional to the area of the electrochromic device 200. Since the maximum threshold time is also related to the area of the electrochromic device 200, the control module 100 sets a driving voltage application time tb according to the area of the electrochromic device 200 to set the driving time. A driving voltage may be applied to the 200.

When the control module 100 changes the driving voltage application time tb according to the threshold time ta, the control module 100 measures the current potential of the electrochromic device 200 based on this. The driving voltage may be applied to the electrochromic device 200 by changing the driving voltage application time tb. In this case, although not shown, the control module 100 may further include a measuring unit capable of measuring the current potential of the electrochromic device 200.

Alternatively, the control module 100 may change the driving voltage application time tb based on previously stored threshold time data. Threshold time data is stored in the storage unit 140 of the control module 100, and the control module 100 is based on the threshold time data stored in the storage unit 140. Can be changed. The threshold time data may also be related to the area of the electrochromic device 200.

The threshold time data may be data related to a voltage difference and / or a temperature. Since the threshold time is determined by the voltage difference, the control module 100 calculates the voltage difference by comparing the previously applied voltage with the applied voltage and supplies the driving voltage for a time longer than the corresponding threshold time ta. Can be authorized. Since the threshold time is related to the movement of ions, the threshold time data may be data related to the temperature. The control module 100 may measure the temperature in real time and change the threshold time data stored in the storage 140 in real time.

The threshold time data may include data at the applying stage and data at the maintaining stage.

The threshold time data in the applying step may be data related to the voltage difference and / or temperature. The threshold time data in the holding step may be data related to the voltage difference, the temperature, and / or the time when no voltage is applied during the holding step.

24 is a diagram illustrating a threshold time according to a voltage difference of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

24A is a diagram illustrating a threshold time due to a voltage difference that varies depending on a target discoloration level in a discolored state.

In FIG. 24A, the first driving voltage V21 is a driving voltage applied when changing from a discolored state to a first colored state, and the second driving voltage V22 is a driving applied when changed from a discolored state to a second colored state. Indicates voltage.

The first colored state may mean a state in which the degree of coloring is greater than that of the second colored state. The first colored state may mean a state in which transmittance is lower than that of the second colored state. The first driving voltage t21 may be greater than the second driving voltage t22.

Since the driving voltage is not applied to the electrochromic device 200 from the control module 100 in the discoloring state, the voltage difference is the same as the first driving voltage t21 when changing from the discoloring state to the first coloring state. When the color change is performed from the discolored state to the second colored state, the voltage difference may be equal to the second driving voltage t22. Since the voltage difference when changing to the first coloring state is smaller than the voltage difference when changing to the second coloring state, the second threshold time t22 when changing to the second coloring state is the first coloring state. It may be shorter than the first threshold time t21 when changed to. That is, the time required when the electrochromic device 200 is homogeneously colored in the second colored state may be shorter than the time required when the electrochromic device 200 is homogeneously colored in the first colored state.

The storage unit 140 of the control module 100 stores a first threshold time t21 when changing to the first coloring state and a second threshold time t22 when changing to the second coloring state. The control module 100 determines the driving voltage application time based on the first threshold time t21 and the second threshold time t22 stored in the storage unit 140 so as to determine the electrochromic device 200. ) Can be applied a driving voltage.

The control module 100 may color the electrochromic device 200 by applying a driving voltage for a time longer than the first threshold time t21 when changing from a discolored state to a first colored state. In addition, the control module 100 may color the electrochromic device 200 by applying a driving voltage for a time longer than the second threshold time t22 when changing from a discolored state to a second colored state.

Fig. 24B is a diagram showing the threshold time due to the voltage difference when changing from the colored state to another discoloration level.

In FIG. 24B, the first driving voltage V31 is a driving voltage applied when the electrochromic device 200 is changed from a first coloring state to a third coloring state, and the second driving voltage V32 is the electrochromic device. A driving voltage applied when the reference numeral 200 changes from the second colored state to the third colored state.

The first colored state may mean a state in which the degree of coloring is greater than that of the second colored state. The first colored state may mean a state in which transmittance is lower than that of the second colored state. The first driving voltage V31 may be greater than the second driving voltage V32, and the third driving voltage V33 may be greater than the first driving voltage V33.

When the initial state of the electrochromic device 200 is the first coloring state, the electrochromic device 200 is charged with a first driving voltage V31. That is, when the initial state of the electrochromic device 200 is the first coloring state, it may be the same as when the first driving voltage V31 is applied to the electrochromic device 200.

When the initial state of the electrochromic device 200 is a second coloring state, the second driving voltage V32 is charged in the electrochromic device 200. That is, when the initial state of the electrochromic device 200 is the second coloring state, it may be the same as when the second driving voltage V32 is applied to the electrochromic device 200.

When the electrochromic device 200 is changed from the first colored state to the third colored state, the voltage difference may be a first voltage difference Vd1. The driving voltage in the first coloring state of the electrochromic device 200 is a first driving voltage V31, the driving voltage in the third coloring state is a third driving voltage V33, and the third driving voltage. The difference between V33 and the first driving voltage V31 may be a first voltage difference Vd1.

When the electrochromic device 200 is changed from the second colored state to the third colored state, the voltage difference may be a second voltage difference Vd2. The driving voltage of the electrochromic device 200 in the second colored state is the second driving voltage V32, the driving voltage in the third colored state is the third driving voltage V33, and the third driving voltage The difference between V33 and the second driving voltage V32 may be a second voltage difference Vd2.

Since the first voltage difference Vd1 is smaller than the second voltage difference Vd2, the first threshold time t31 when the first color state is changed from the first color state to the third color state is the second color state. It may be shorter than the second threshold time t32 when the change to the third color state.

The previous state is stored in the storage 140 of the control module 100. That is, the storage unit 140 of the control module 100 stores a driving voltage previously output. The control module 100 may store the driving voltage in the storage unit 140 whenever the driving voltage is applied to the electrochromic device 200. The storage unit 140 of the control module 100 stores a first coloring state and a second coloring state.

The storage unit 140 of the control module 100 stores a threshold time according to the voltage difference. When the first coloring state is changed from the first coloring state to the third coloring state, the control module 100 compares the first driving voltage V31, which is a target applied voltage, with the first driving voltage V31 stored therein, to thereby obtain a first The voltage difference Vd1 can be calculated. The control module 100 may determine the driving voltage application time based on the first threshold time t31 corresponding to the first voltage difference Vd1 to apply the driving voltage to the electrochromic device 200. have. The application time of the driving voltage applied here may be longer than the first threshold time t31.

In addition, when changing from the second coloring state to the third coloring state, the control module 100 compares the third driving voltage V33 which is the target applied voltage with the stored second driving voltage V32 to obtain a second color. The voltage difference Vd2 can be calculated. The control module 100 may determine the driving voltage application time based on the second threshold time t32 corresponding to the second voltage difference Vd2 to apply the driving voltage to the electrochromic device 200. have. The application time of the driving voltage applied here may be longer than the second threshold time t32.

In the drawings, when the electrochromic device 200 is changed from a low coloration state to a high coloration state, the same may be applied to the case where the electrochromic device 200 is changed from a high coloration state to a low coloration state. That is, the above description may also be applied to the process of discoloration. In the process of discoloration of the electrochromic device 200, the threshold time may vary according to the voltage difference.

In addition, although the description of FIG. 24 and the corresponding detailed description have been described using the application step as an example, the corresponding feature may be applied to the maintenance step. The previous state in the holding step may be a voltage applied in the applying step, or may be a voltage applied in the previous holding step of the current holding step. The threshold time may be determined based on the previous state and the current state.

8. Holding voltage

25 is a diagram illustrating a threshold time according to the duty cycle of the electrochromic device according to the embodiment.

25 illustrates the threshold time according to the duty cycle in the maintenance phase.

25A is a diagram showing a threshold time when the non-licensed time is relatively short, and FIG. 25B is a diagram showing a threshold time when the non-licensed time is relatively long.

Referring to FIG. 25A, the control module 100 according to the embodiment may apply a driving voltage to the electrochromic device 200 during an applying step and a maintaining step.

The applying step may be a step in which the electrochromic device 200 is discolored by the control module 100. The applying step may be a step in which the electrochromic device 200 is discolored to a desired color change level by the control module 100. The applying step may include an initial color change step and a color change level change step.

The holding step means applying a holding voltage to maintain the state of the electrochromic device 200. The control module 100 may maintain the state of the electrochromic device 200 by applying a sustain voltage in the form of a pulse in the holding step.

In the applying step, the control module 100 may apply a driving voltage to the first time point t41. The control module 100 may apply a driving voltage that gradually rises for a predetermined period until the first time point t41, and may apply a driving voltage having a predetermined level. The applying step may be maintained for a first period w1.

The maintenance step may include an authorization period and an unauthorized period. The application period may be defined as a period during which a driving voltage is applied, and the non-application period may be defined as a period during which the driving voltage is not applied. In the sustaining step, the application period and the non-application period are repeatedly displayed, so that the control module 100 may apply a voltage having a pulse shape to the electrochromic device 200.

The period between the first time point t41 at which the applying step is completed and the second time point t42 at which the application period begins is defined as a second period w2. The second period w2 may be an unlicensed period. The period between the second time t42 at which the non-licensed period ends and the third time t43 at which the applied period ends is defined as a third period w3.

The application period may be determined by the magnitude of the driving voltage applied in the application step and the non-application period. The third period w3 may be determined by the magnitude of the driving voltage and the second period w2.

The third period w3 may be shorter than the first period w1.

Referring to the correlation between the magnitude of the driving voltage in the applying step and the application period, the larger the magnitude of the driving voltage in the applying step, the greater the change in state in the non-applying period. In other words, as the driving voltage increases in the applying step, the degree of natural discoloration may increase. As the driving voltage increases in the applying step, the difference between the voltage charged in the electrochromic device 200 and the driving voltage increases, so that the threshold time in the holding step may increase. Since the application period must be longer than the threshold time, the application period can be longer as the magnitude of the driving voltage increases.

When the electrochromic device 200 is changed from the state having the lowest transmittance to the state having the highest transmittance in the applying step, the threshold time in the maintaining step may be the maximum threshold time. The control module 100 stores the maximum threshold time in the storage unit 140, and applies the driving voltage for the maximum threshold time regardless of the magnitude of the driving voltage in the applying step, thereby causing the electrochromic device 200 to operate. The state of can be maintained. As a result, the amount of calculation of the controller 100 can be reduced.

25A and 25B, the correlation between the non-licensed period and the applied period will be described. The applying step of FIG. 25B is the same as that of FIG. 25A.

The period between the first point in time t41 at which the applying step is completed and the fourth point in time t44 at which the applying period begins is defined as a fourth period w4. The fourth period w4 may be an unlicensed period. The period between the fourth time point t44 at which the unlicensed period ends and the fifth time point t45 at which the license period ends is defined as a fifth period w5.

The non-licensed period in FIG. 25A is shorter than the non-licensed period in FIG. 25B. That is, the second period w2 is shorter than the fourth period w4.

As the non-application period is longer, the state change of the electrochromic device 200 may increase. In other words, the longer the period of non-application, the greater the degree of natural discoloration. The longer the non-application period is, the greater the difference between the voltage currently charged in the electrochromic device 200 and the driving voltage may increase the threshold time in the holding step. Since the application period must be longer than the threshold time, the longer the non-application period, the longer the application period.

That is, since the unlicensed period in FIG. 25A is shorter than the unlicensed period in FIG. 25B, the power consumption can be reduced by setting the applied period in FIG. 25A to be shorter than the applied period in FIG. 25B, and the discoloration degree of the electrochromic device 200 is reduced. It has the effect of keeping it homogeneous.

In other words, since the second period w2 of FIG. 25A is shorter than the fourth period w4 of FIG. 25B, the third period w3 of FIG. 25A is set to be shorter than the fifth period w5 of FIG. 25B. The power can be reduced, and the discoloration degree of the electrochromic device 200 can be maintained homogeneously.

In the maintenance step, the duty cycle means the sum of the application period and the non-application period and the ratio of the application period, so that the duty cycle can be maintained to correspond. However, as the driving voltage increases in the applying step, the duty cycle may also be increased to maintain the discoloration degree homogeneously.

The first period w1 may be equal to the third time w3, or the first period w1 may be longer than the third period w3. When the second period w2, which is the non-applied period, is infinitely long, and natural discoloration has progressed and the electrochromic device 100 returns to an initial state, the first period w1 is equal to the third period w3. May be the same. Otherwise, the first period w1 may be longer than the third period w3. In this case, the power consumption can be reduced by setting the third period w3 to be shorter than the first period w1.

In the above description of the configuration and features of the present invention based on the embodiment according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various changes or modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such changes or modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims.

100: control module
110: control unit
120: power conversion unit
130: output unit
140: storage unit
200: electrochromic device
210: first electrode
220: electrochromic layer
230: electrolyte layer
240: ion storage layer
250: second electrode

Claims (20)

An electrochromic device including a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode; And
Power is applied to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device so that a first state having at least a first reflectance, a second state having a second reflectance, a third state having a third reflectance, or A control unit for controlling to change to a fourth state having a fourth reflectance, wherein the second reflectance has a greater value than the first reflectance, the third reflectance has a greater value than the second reflectance, The fourth reflectance has a larger value than the third reflectance;
When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device in a state in which the electrochromic device has a first state, the electrochromic device is in a second state,
When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device in a state in which the electrochromic device has a fourth state, the electrochromic device is in a third state,
When the electrochromic layer is colored, the ion storage layer is also colored,
When the electrochromic layer is decolorized, the ion storage layer is also decolorized.
An electrochromic device, wherein the transmittance of the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is colored is different from that of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is colored.
The method of claim 1,
An electrochromic device having a transmittance of the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is colored is greater than a transmittance of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is colored.
The method of claim 1,
An electrochromic device having a transmittance of the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is colored smaller than a transmittance of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is colored.
The method of claim 1,
The electrochromic device of which the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is decolorized is different from the transmittance of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is decolorized.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The electrochromic device having a transmittance of the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is decolorized is greater than the transmittance of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is decolorized.
The method of claim 4, wherein
The electrochromic device of which the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is decolorized is smaller than the transmittance of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is decolorized.
The method of claim 1,
The electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer has a binding force with the ions,
The electrochromic device, wherein the bonding force between the electrochromic layer and the ions and the bonding force between the ion storage layer and the ions are different from each other.
The method of claim 7, wherein
And a first threshold voltage for releasing coupling between the electrochromic layer and the ions and a second threshold voltage for releasing coupling force between the ion storage layer and the ions are different from each other.
The method of claim 7, wherein
The electrochromic layer has an internal potential,
Wherein the internal potential is proportional to the number of ions located in the electrochromic layer.
The method of claim 9,
The control unit electrochromic device for moving the ions by applying a voltage higher than the sum of the internal potential and the first threshold voltage.
An electrochromic device including a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrochromic layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an ion storage layer disposed between the electrochromic layer and the second electrode; And
Applying power to the electrochromic device to move at least one ion inside the electrochromic device to a first state having at least a first transmittance, a second state having a second transmittance, a third state having a third transmittance or And a control unit controlling to change to a fourth state having a fourth transmittance, wherein the second transmittance has a greater value than the first transmittance, and the third transmittance has a greater value than the second transmittance. The fourth transmittance has a larger value than the third transmittance;
When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device in a state in which the electrochromic device has a first state, the electrochromic device is in a second state,
When the first voltage is applied to the electrochromic device in a state in which the electrochromic device has a fourth state, the electrochromic device is in a third state,
When the electrochromic layer is colored, the ion storage layer is also colored,
When the electrochromic layer is decolorized, the ion storage layer is also decolorized.
An electrochromic device, wherein the transmittance of the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is colored is different from that of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is colored.
The method of claim 11,
An electrochromic device wherein the transmittance of the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is colored is greater than the transmittance of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is colored.
The method of claim 11,
An electrochromic device having a transmittance of the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is colored smaller than a transmittance of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is colored.
The method of claim 1,
The electrochromic device of which the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is decolorized is different from the transmittance of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is decolorized.
The method of claim 14,
The electrochromic device having a transmittance of the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is decolorized is greater than the transmittance of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is decolorized.
The method of claim 14,
The electrochromic device of which the electrochromic layer when the electrochromic layer is decolorized is smaller than the transmittance of the ion storage layer when the ion storage layer is decolorized.
The method of claim 11,
The electrochromic layer and the ion storage layer has a binding force with the ions,
The electrochromic device, wherein the bonding force between the electrochromic layer and the ions and the bonding force between the ion storage layer and the ions are different from each other.
The method of claim 17,
And a first threshold voltage for releasing coupling between the electrochromic layer and the ions and a second threshold voltage for releasing coupling force between the ion storage layer and the ions are different from each other.
The method of claim 17,
The electrochromic layer has an internal potential,
Wherein the internal potential is proportional to the number of ions located in the electrochromic layer.
The method of claim 19,
The control unit electrochromic device for moving the ions by applying a voltage higher than the sum of the internal potential and the first threshold voltage.

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