IP Library Granted Patent US 8,373,920
Granted Patent B2
US 8,373,920 · App. 13/194,781 · Granted Feb 12, 2013

Display device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,373,920
App. No.
13/194,781
Granted
Feb 12, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A display device includes a pair of insulating substrates facing each other, electrochromic elements, and an electrolyte layer. A plurality of electrodes constituting the electrochromic elements are disposed on an inner surface of one of the insulating substrates so as to be spaced from each other. One of the insulating substrates is formed of a flexible member whose outer surface is an input operation surface. A pair of counter electrodes of an input element are disposed between the pair of insulating substrates, the counter electrodes being spaced from the electrodes of the electrochromic elements when viewed in plan. An input operation is performed by bringing the counter electrodes close to each other or bringing the counter electrodes into contact with each other through pressing of the input operation surface.

Claims (20)

1. A display device comprising:

a pair of substrates facing each other with a space therebetween in a height direction;

a plurality of electrochromic elements each including an electrode disposed on an inner surface of one of the substrates and an electrochromic layer disposed on a surface of the electrode; and

an electrolyte layer disposed between the substrates,

wherein the electrodes of the electrochromic elements are spaced from each other and an oxidation-reduction reaction is caused between the electrochromic layers disposed on the surfaces of the electrodes by applying a voltage between the electrodes,

at least one of the substrates is formed of a flexible member whose outer surface is an input operation surface,

a pair of counter electrodes of an input element are disposed on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates so as to face each other in the height direction, the counter electrodes being spaced from the electrodes of the electrochromic elements when viewed in plan, and

an input operation is performed by bringing the counter electrodes close to each other or bringing the counter electrodes into contact with each other through pressing of the input operation surface.

2. A display device comprising:

a pair of substrates facing each other with a space in a height direction;

an electrochromic element including an electrode disposed on an inner surface of one of the substrates and an electrochromic layer disposed on a surface of the electrode;

another electrochromic element including an electrode disposed on an inner surface of the other of the substrates and an electrochromic layer disposed on a surface of the electrode; and

an electrolyte layer disposed between the substrates,

wherein the electrochromic elements are disposed on the inner surfaces of the substrates and the electrodes of the electrochromic elements are spaced from each other when viewed in plan,

an oxidation-reduction reaction is caused between the electrochromic layers disposed on the surfaces of the electrodes by applying a voltage between the electrodes,

at least one of the substrates is formed of a flexible member whose outer surface is an input operation surface,

a pair of counter electrodes of an input element are disposed on the inner surfaces of the pair of substrates so as to face each other in the height direction, the counter electrodes being spaced from the electrodes of the electrochromic elements when viewed in plan, and

an input operation is performed by bringing the counter electrodes close to each other or bringing the counter electrodes into contact with each other through pressing of the input operation surface.

3. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein an operating voltage at the input element is lower than a threshold voltage applied between the electrodes of the electrochromic elements.

4. The display device according to claim 2 , wherein an operating voltage at the input element is lower than a threshold voltage applied between the electrodes of the electrochromic elements.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 1, 2019
From: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: ALPS ALPINE CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 049179/0801 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 1, 2011
From: SUZUKI, KATSUTOSHI
To: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 026682/0419 →