Multi-zone electrochromic devices

Abstract

In one aspect of the present invention is a substrate comprising multiple, independently controllable electrochromic zones, wherein each of the electrochromic zones share a common, continuous bus bar. In one embodiment, of the electrochromic zones are not completely isolated from each other. In another embodiment, each of the electrochromic zones have the same surface area. In another embodiment, each of the electrochromic zones have a different surface area.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A substrate comprising multiple independently controllable electrochromic zones and at least two bus bars, wherein each bus bar is segmented, and wherein at least two adjacent electrochromic zones share a continuous portion of at least one of the bus bars. 
     
     
         2 . A substrate comprising at least three independently controllable electrochromic zones, the electrochromic zones being arranged sequentially, and wherein no more than any two adjacent electrochromic zones share a continuous portion of at least one of the bus bars. 
     
     
         3 . The substrate of  claim 2 , wherein the substrate comprises three independently controllable electrochromic zones. 
     
     
         4 . The substrate of  claim 3 , wherein adjacent first and second zones share a common portion of a first segmented bus bar and wherein adjacent second and third zones share a common portion of a second segmented bus bar. 
     
     
         5 . The substrate of  claim 2 , wherein each of the electrochromic zones have different surface areas. 
     
     
         6 . The substrate of  claim 2 , wherein each of the electrochromic zones are not completely isolated from each other. 
     
     
         7 . The substrate of  claim 2 , wherein the electrochromic zones are formed from a single electrochromic coating on the substrate. 
     
     
         8 . The substrate of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second segmented bus bars are substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         9 . The substrate of  claim 4 , wherein collective portions of the first segmented bus bar and collective portions of the second segmented bus bar run substantially the length of the substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The substrate of  claim 2 , wherein the substrate comprises four independently controllable electrochromic zones. 
     
     
         11 . The substrate of  claim 10 , wherein adjacent first and second zones share a common portion of a first segmented bus bar and adjacent third and fourth zones share a common portion of a second segmented bus bar. 
     
     
         12 . The substrate of  claim 2 , wherein the substrate is a laminate. 
     
     
         13 . A method of forming a substrate having at least two independently controllable electrochromic zones comprising: (1) depositing an electrochromic coating on a substrate; and (2) depositing two bus bars on the electrochromic coating, wherein at least one of the bus bars are discontinuous, each having at least two portions. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the substrate comprises three electrochromic zones. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein adjacent first and second zones share a common portion of a first segmented bus bar and wherein adjacent second and third zones share a common portion of a second segmented bus bar. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the electrochromic zones have different surface areas. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the electrochromic zones are not completely isolated from each other. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the electrochromic zones are formed from a single electrochromic coating on the substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the substrate comprises four electrochromic zones. 
     
     
         20 . An electrochromic device comprising the substrate of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         21 . The electrochromic device of  claim 20 , wherein the electrochromic zones comprise at least one thin film comprising a mixed tungsten-nickel oxide. 
     
     
         22 . An electrochromic device comprising the substrate of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         23 . The electrochromic device of  claim 22 , wherein the electrochromic zones comprise at least one thin film comprising a mixed tungsten-nickel oxide. 
     
     
         24 . An insulated glazing unit comprising the electrochromic device of  claim 20 . 
     
     
         25 . An insulated glazing unit comprising the electrochromic device of  claim 22 .