dimming glass

Abstract

The present invention provides a dimming glass, belonging to the technical field of display windows. The dimming glass of the present invention comprises a light-transmitting substrate and a dimming functional layer. The light-transmitting substrate comprises a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite each other. The dimming functional layer is disposed on a side of the first substrate adjacent to the second substrate. The dimming functional layer comprises at least two liquid crystal cells, each of which is stacked, and the liquid crystal layer in each liquid crystal cell comprises dye liquid crystal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of display windows, and in particular relates to a dimming glass. Background Art

[0002] Currently available switchable glass primarily includes PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) and EC (electrochromic). Without an applied voltage, a regular electric field cannot form across the PDLC film. The optical axes of the liquid crystal particles are randomly and disordered, and their effective refractive index, n0, does not match the refractive index, np, of the polymer. This strongly scatters incident light, rendering the film opaque or translucent. When an external voltage is applied, the optical axes of the liquid crystal particles align perpendicular to the film surface, aligning with the direction of the electric field. The ordinary refractive index of the particles essentially matches that of the polymer, creating a largely homogeneous medium with no apparent interface. Therefore, incident light is not scattered, and the film appears transparent. Therefore, when driven by an applied electric field, PDLC exhibits optical switching properties. However, PDLC can only switch between transparent and hazy, providing neither light blocking nor heat insulation. Furthermore, the high viscosity of polymer dispersed liquid crystal fluid makes it unsuitable for ODF processing. Electrochromic switchable glass also suffers from slow response time and high requirements for uniform electrode film thickness. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art and provide a dimming glass.

[0004] The technical solution adopted to solve the technical problem of the present invention is a dimming glass, including a transparent substrate and a dimming functional layer; wherein the transparent substrate includes a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other; the dimming functional layer is arranged on the side of the first substrate close to the second substrate; the dimming functional layer includes at least two liquid crystal boxes; and each of the liquid crystal boxes is stacked, and the liquid crystal layer in each of the liquid crystal boxes includes dye liquid crystal.

[0005] Preferably, the liquid crystal cell disposed on the first substrate is connected to the first substrate via an adhesive layer.

[0006] Preferably, the material of the bonding layer includes transparent optical conductive adhesive or plastic resin adhesive.

[0007] Preferably, each of the liquid crystal cells comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other, and the liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein,

[0008] The first substrate includes: a third substrate, a first alignment layer provided on a side of the third substrate close to the liquid crystal layer;

[0009] The second substrate includes: a fourth substrate, and a second alignment layer disposed on a side of the fourth substrate close to the liquid crystal layer; wherein

[0010] The first alignment layer and the second alignment layer of each liquid crystal cell are oriented in parallel; the first alignment layers in two adjacent liquid crystal cells are oriented perpendicular to each other.

[0011] Preferably, the fourth substrate of one of two adjacent liquid crystal cells is reused as the third substrate of the other one.

[0012] Preferably, a first electrode layer is provided between the third substrate and the first alignment layer of each liquid crystal cell; a second electrode layer is provided between the fourth substrate and the second alignment layer; wherein,

[0013] A first connecting electrode and a second connecting electrode are also provided on the third substrate. The connecting electrodes are directly connected to the first electrode layer provided on the third substrate and are connected to the first signal connecting line; the second connecting electrode is connected to the second electrode layer on the fourth substrate through a conductive structure and is connected to the second signal line.

[0014] Preferably, the conductive structure includes silver paste or Au.

[0015] Preferably, at least one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in at least part of the liquid crystal cell comprises a plurality of electrode blocks, and each electrode is controlled by a separate driving circuit.

[0016] Preferably, a spacer is provided between the first substrate and the second substrate to maintain the cell thickness of the liquid crystal cell.

[0017] Preferably, the first substrate and the second substrate are both made of tempered glass.

[0018] Preferably, the switchable glass includes vehicle switchable glass.

[0019] Preferably, the number of the liquid crystal cells is two.

[0020] Preferably, the dye liquid crystal includes a colored dye liquid crystal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the switchable glass in bright state according to Example 2 of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the switchable glass in dark state according to Example 2 of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of signal connections of a first electrode layer in a first liquid crystal cell of the dimming glass according to Example 2 of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of signal connections of the second electrode layer in the first liquid crystal cell of the dimming glass according to Example 2 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic structural diagram of the switchable glass of Example 2 of the present invention when some areas are in a bright state and some areas are in a dark state;

[0026] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of the switchable glass according to Example 3 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0028] Example 1:

[0029] This embodiment provides a dimming glass comprising a light-transmitting substrate and a dimming functional layer. The light-transmitting substrate comprises a first substrate and a second substrate disposed opposite each other. The dimming functional layer is disposed on a side of the first substrate adjacent to the second substrate to adjust light transmittance. Specifically, in this embodiment, the dimming functional layer comprises at least two liquid crystal cells, each of which is stacked. The liquid crystal layer in each liquid crystal cell comprises dye liquid crystals, i.e., the liquid crystal layer comprises a dichroic dye doped into the liquid crystal molecules.

[0030] The switchable glass of this embodiment comprises multiple liquid crystal cells disposed within a transparent substrate, and the liquid crystal layer within each cell utilizes dye-based liquid crystals. Dye-based liquid crystals are characterized by adding a dichroic dye to aligned liquid crystals. The dichroic dye has different absorption rates for polarized light perpendicular to and parallel to the molecular axis, absorbing light polarized in one direction while transmitting light polarized perpendicular to that direction. Thus, for example, in the absence of an applied electric field, the dye and liquid crystal are perpendicular to the substrate. Natural light, perpendicular to the dye's absorption direction, is largely unabsorbed and remains natural light. When an electric field is applied, the dye and liquid crystal align parallel to the substrate. When natural light passes through the glass, light parallel to the dye's absorption direction is absorbed, thereby achieving a high contrast ratio between the unpowered and powered states.

[0031] In order to make the structure of the switchable glass in this embodiment clearer, the switchable glass including two liquid crystal cells, namely a first liquid crystal cell and a second liquid crystal cell, is taken as an example for description in the following embodiment.

[0032] Example 2:

[0033] Combine Figure 1 and 2As shown, this embodiment provides a dimming glass comprising a transparent substrate and a dimming functional layer. The transparent substrate comprises a first substrate 10 and a second substrate 20 disposed oppositely. The dimming functional layer comprises a first liquid crystal cell and a second liquid crystal cell stacked in layers. The first liquid crystal cell comprises a third substrate 11 and a fourth substrate 12 disposed oppositely. A first electrode layer 13 and a first alignment layer 15 are sequentially disposed on a side of the third substrate 11 close to the fourth substrate 12. A second electrode layer 14 and a second alignment layer 16 are sequentially disposed on a side of the fourth substrate 12 close to the third substrate 11. A liquid crystal layer 17 is disposed between the first alignment layer 15 and the second alignment layer 16. The first liquid crystal cell comprises a third substrate 21 and a fourth substrate 22 disposed oppositely. A first electrode layer 23 and a first alignment layer 25 are sequentially disposed on a side of the third substrate 21 close to the fourth substrate 22. A second electrode layer 24 and a second alignment layer 26 are sequentially disposed on a side of the fourth substrate 22 close to the third substrate 21. A liquid crystal layer 27 is disposed between the first alignment layer 25 and the second alignment layer 26. The first alignment layer 15 and the second alignment layer 16 of the first liquid crystal cell have the same orientation; the first alignment layer 25 and the second alignment layer 26 of the second liquid crystal cell have the same orientation; and the pretilt angle of the first alignment layer 15 of the first liquid crystal cell and the orientation of the first alignment layer 25 of the second liquid crystal cell are perpendicular to each other. The liquid crystal layer includes dye liquid crystals, that is, liquid crystal molecules doped with dichroic dyes. Specifically, negative liquid crystal molecules can be used, but this is not limited to negative liquid crystal molecules.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer both comprise plate-shaped electrodes. That is, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer can form a VA-type electric field when a voltage is applied thereto. Of course, when positive liquid crystal molecules are used, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer can form a TN-type electric field when a voltage is applied thereto.

[0035] In addition, in this embodiment, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer of each liquid crystal cell can also be disposed on the third substrate. In this case, the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are disposed sequentially in a direction away from the substrate. The first electrode layer can be a plate electrode, and the second electrode layer can be a slit electrode. When a voltage is applied to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, an FFS type electric field (or an ADS type) can be formed. Of course, each liquid crystal cell can also include only the first electrode layer disposed on the third substrate. In this case, the first electrode layer includes the first electrode and the second electrode disposed at intervals. In this case, the first electrode and the second electrode can form an IPS type electric field when a voltage is applied.

[0036] In the dimming glass of this embodiment, the orientations of the first orientation layer 15 and the second orientation layer 16 of the first liquid crystal cell are parallel to each other, that is, the pre-tilt angles of the two are the same; the orientations of the first orientation layer 25 and the second orientation layer 26 of the second liquid crystal cell are parallel to each other, that is, the pre-tilt angles of the two are the same; the pre-tilt angle of the first orientation layer 15 of the first liquid crystal cell and the orientation of the first orientation layer 25 of the second liquid crystal cell are perpendicular to each other, that is, the pre-tilt angles of the two differ by 90°. Therefore, when no power is applied: the negative liquid crystal molecules in the first liquid crystal cell and the second liquid crystal cell are perpendicular to the third substrate 11 and the fourth substrate 12 due to the PI anchoring force, the dichroic dye follows the liquid crystal and is perpendicular to the third substrate 11 and the fourth substrate 12, the light is less absorbed by the dichroic dye, and the dimming glass appears in a bright state, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown; when an electric field is applied: the negative liquid crystal molecules are parallel to the third substrate 11 and the fourth substrate 12 due to the electric field force, the first alignment layers in the first liquid crystal cell and the second liquid crystal cell are parallel to the pre-tilt angle of the second alignment layer, and the pre-tilt angles of the first alignment layer 15 in the first liquid crystal cell and the first alignment layer 25 in the second liquid crystal cell are perpendicular to each other. At this time, the absorption directions of the dye liquid crystals are orthogonal to each other. According to Malus's law, the incident light is basically completely absorbed, and the dimming glass appears in a dark state, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 Moreover, the switchable glass with this structure has the advantages of fast response time and low dark state transmittance.

[0037] In this embodiment, the third substrate 11 in the first liquid crystal cell and the first substrate 10 in the transparent substrate are connected together via an adhesive layer 30; this adhesive layer 30 can specifically include a transparent optically conductive adhesive (OCA adhesive) or a plastic resin adhesive (PVB adhesive). PVB adhesive is preferred for its UV protection. Of course, the adhesive layer is not limited to the above two materials; other transparent, adhesive materials can also be used. The fourth substrate 12 of the first liquid crystal cell and the third substrate 21 of the second liquid crystal cell are also connected together via an adhesive layer 40, which can be made of the same material as the adhesive layer 30 described above.

[0038] A spacer 18 is provided between the first alignment layer 15 and the second alignment layer 16 of the first liquid crystal cell, and a spacer 28 is provided between the first alignment layer 25 and the second alignment layer 26 of the second liquid crystal cell. The spacer can be made of a resin material with a thickness between 10 μm and 30 μm. Depending on the thickness of the spacer, a dark state transmittance of 0.5% to 15% and a bright state transmittance of 38% to 76% can be achieved.

[0039] The third substrate 11 of each liquid crystal cell (taking the first liquid crystal cell as an example) is further provided with a first connecting electrode 51 and a second connecting electrode 52, which are directly connected to the first electrode layer 13 provided on the third substrate 11 and are connected to the first signal connecting line 61. Figure 3 The second connecting electrode 52 is connected to the second electrode layer 14 on the fourth substrate 12 through the conductive structure 70 and is connected to the second signal line 62, as shown Figure 4 As shown. The first signal line 61 and the second signal line 62 can be specifically introduced by soldering or FPC. Specifically, the conductive structure 70 may include silver glue or Au (gold). Of course, each liquid crystal cell also includes a frame sealant (frame sealant 19 in the first liquid crystal cell and frame sealant 29 in the second liquid crystal cell) to seal the liquid crystal cell.

[0040] Among them, Figure 5 As shown in this embodiment, a bright state can be achieved in some areas and a dark state in some areas. In this case, at least one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in at least one of the first liquid crystal cell and the second liquid crystal cell includes multiple electrode blocks, and each electrode block is controlled by a separate driving circuit. Specifically, if the first electrode layer 13 in the first liquid crystal cell includes multiple electrode blocks, the multiple electrode blocks are equivalent to dividing the liquid crystal cell into multiple areas, and each electrode block is controlled by a separate driving circuit. In this way, by controlling the different voltages applied to different electrode blocks, different electric fields are generated between each electrode block and the second electrode layer 14 disposed opposite thereto. This results in different deflection angles of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to each electrode block, thereby resulting in different transmittances in the areas of the liquid crystal cell corresponding to each electrode block, i.e., different transmittances in different areas of the switchable glass. Similarly, if the second electrode layer 14 in the liquid crystal cell includes multiple electrode blocks, different voltages can be controlled to apply different voltages to different electrode blocks, thereby generating different electric fields between each electrode block and the first electrode layer disposed opposite thereto, thereby achieving different transmittances in different areas of the switchable glass. Of course, the first electrode layer 13 and the second electrode layer 14 in each liquid crystal box can include multiple electrode blocks. It should be noted that the electrode blocks in the first electrode layer 13 and the electrode blocks between the second electrode layer 14 at least partially overlap. At this time, according to the above method, different transmittances in different areas of the dimming glass can also be achieved.

[0041] Of course, in this embodiment, at least one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer of each of the multiple liquid crystal boxes may include multiple electrode blocks, and each electrode block may be controlled by a different driving circuit. In this case, the transmittance of different areas of each liquid crystal box is different. By coordinating multiple liquid crystal boxes, more precise control of the transmittance of different areas of the dimming glass can be achieved.

[0042] The dimming glass in this embodiment is particularly suitable for automotive glass. The first substrate and the second substrate in the transparent substrate are preferably tempered glass.

[0043] Of course, in this embodiment, the liquid crystal layer in each liquid crystal cell may also use color dye liquid crystal, so that the dimming glass can achieve color display.

[0044] Example 3

[0045] This embodiment provides a dimming glass, which has a structure similar to that of the dimming glass in Example 2, except that the fourth substrate of one of any two adjacent liquid crystal cells in the dimming glass is shared with the third substrate of the other. Also, let's take the dimming glass as an example, which includes two liquid crystal cells, namely a first liquid crystal cell and a second liquid crystal cell. In this embodiment, the first liquid crystal cell and the second liquid crystal cell require three transparent substrates. Figure 6 As shown, the fourth substrate 12 in the first liquid crystal cell also serves as the third substrate 21 in the second liquid crystal cell. In this case, the first electrode layer 23 and the first alignment layer 25 in the second liquid crystal cell are disposed on the side of the fourth substrate 12 of the first liquid crystal cell facing away from the liquid crystal layer 17 of the first liquid crystal cell. It can be seen that the switchable glass in this embodiment omits the third substrate 21 of the second liquid crystal cell and the adhesive layer 40 connecting the fourth substrate 12 of the first liquid crystal cell and the third substrate 21 of the second liquid crystal cell, compared to the switchable glass in Example 2. Therefore, the thickness of the switchable glass can be reduced, thereby reducing costs.

[0046] For the remaining structures of the switchable glass in this embodiment, the same structures as those in Example 2 may be adopted, and thus they will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0047] It will be understood that the above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments for illustrating the principles of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and substance of the present invention, and such modifications and improvements are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dimming glass, characterized in that: The light-transmitting substrate comprises a light-adjusting functional layer; wherein the light-transmitting substrate comprises a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other; the light-adjusting functional layer is arranged on a side of the first substrate close to the second substrate; the light-adjusting functional layer comprises at least two liquid crystal cells; and each of the liquid crystal cells is stacked, and the liquid crystal layer in each of the liquid crystal cells comprises dye liquid crystal; Each of the liquid crystal cells comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate arranged opposite to each other, and the liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate; wherein, The first substrate includes: a third substrate, a first alignment layer provided on a side of the third substrate close to the liquid crystal layer; The second substrate includes: a fourth substrate, and a second alignment layer provided on a side of the fourth substrate close to the liquid crystal layer; The first alignment layer and the second alignment layer of each liquid crystal cell are oriented in parallel; the first alignment layers in two adjacent liquid crystal cells are oriented perpendicular to each other; A first electrode layer is provided between the third substrate and the first alignment layer of each liquid crystal cell; a second electrode layer is provided between the fourth substrate and the second alignment layer; wherein, The third substrate is further provided with a first connecting electrode and a second connecting electrode, the first connecting electrode being directly connected to the first electrode layer provided on the third substrate and connected to the first signal connecting line; the second connecting electrode being connected to the second electrode layer on the fourth substrate via a conductive structure and connected to the second signal line; The liquid crystal cell is disposed on the first substrate and connected to the first substrate via an adhesive layer; Two adjacent liquid crystal cells are connected via an adhesive layer; the material of the adhesive layer includes PVB glue; The first substrate and the second substrate are tempered glass; The first electrode layer and the second electrode layer in at least part of the liquid crystal box each include a plurality of electrode blocks, the electrode blocks in the first electrode layer and the electrode blocks between the second electrode layer at least partially overlap, and each electrode is controlled by a separate driving circuit.

2. The switchable glass according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fourth substrate of one of two adjacent liquid crystal cells is reused as the third substrate of the other one.

3. The switchable glass according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive structure includes silver paste or Au.

4. The switchable glass according to claim 1, characterized in that: A spacer is further provided between the first substrate and the second substrate to maintain the cell thickness of the liquid crystal cell.

5. The switchable glass according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first substrate and the second substrate are both made of tempered glass.

6. The switchable glass according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dimming glass includes automotive dimming glass.

7. The switchable glass according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the liquid crystal cells is two.

8. The switchable glass according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dye liquid crystal includes a color dye liquid crystal.

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