A dimming film and dimming glass

Abstract

This invention provides a dimming film and dimming glass. By introducing combined conductive leads on a first transparent conductive layer and a second transparent conductive layer to form a circuit, the current flow inside the dimming film is changed, achieving a dimming effect where the visible light transmittance gradually changes in the on state. Simultaneously, it has the function of heating the surface of the dimming film, eliminating the environmental effects of rain, snow, and dew, and has good application prospects.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic light control materials, and particularly to a dimming film and dimming glass. Background Technology

[0002] A dimming film is an electronic light-controlling device, primarily consisting of a light-controlling layer placed between two transparent conductive films. When an electric field is applied, the arrangement or state of the materials in the light-controlling layer changes, thereby altering the light transmission characteristics of the device, such as switching from low to high transmittance, or vice versa. Through the action of the electric field, rapid transitions between the on and off states can be achieved. Based on different light-controlling mechanisms, dimming films can be classified into suspended particle dimming films, polymer-dispersed liquid crystal dimming films, and electrochemical reaction dimming films, among others.

[0003] Known dimming films in this art, such as polymer-dispersed liquid crystal dimming films, suspended particle dimming films, and electrochromic dimming films, generally have at least five stacked layers: a first transparent substrate, a first transparent conductive layer, a light-controlling layer, a second transparent conductive layer, and a second transparent substrate. In application scenarios, to electrically connect the dimming film to an external power source, at least two conductive leads are needed to be electrically connected to the first and second transparent conductive layers, respectively, and then electrically connected to the two poles of the external power source, thereby enabling the external power source to drive the dimming film. The above process typically yields dimming film products with uniform light transmittance.

[0004] This invention, by setting combined conductive leads on the first and second transparent conductive layers to electrically connect to an external power source, changes the internal circuit layout of the dimming film, thus obtaining a dimming film product in which the visible light transmittance gradually changes when in the on state. At the same time, the product can also have a heating function, can adapt to colder and more humid environments, and has good application prospects. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The inventors proposed a dimming film and dimming film glass. By setting a special combination of conductive lead circuits in the transparent conductive layer, the invention mainly solves the problem of adjustable light transmittance at different positions of the dimming film, and also solves the problem of icing and condensation on the surface of the dimming film in cold and humid environments, which prevents it from working properly.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a dimming film comprising a first transparent substrate (1), a first transparent conductive layer (2), a light-controlling layer (3), a second transparent conductive layer (4), a second transparent substrate (5), and a combined conductive lead (6) stacked sequentially; the combined conductive lead (6) includes at least two conductive leads disposed on the first transparent conductive layer (2) and at least one conductive lead disposed on the second transparent conductive layer (4); the conductive lead is electrically connected to the first transparent conductive layer (2) or the second transparent conductive layer (4).

[0007] Furthermore, at least two conductive leads disposed on the first transparent conductive layer (2) are electrically connected to the two poles of the external power supply A via wires.

[0008] Furthermore, at least one conductive lead disposed on the second transparent conductive layer (4) is electrically connected to one pole of the external power supply B via a wire.

[0009] Furthermore, the voltage, phase, and frequency of power supply A and power supply B are consistent.

[0010] Furthermore, when power supplies A and B are DC power supplies, their frequency is zero.

[0011] In this invention, the power supply is not particularly limited and can be any conventional power supply known to those skilled in the art for use with dimming films.

[0012] Furthermore, at least two conductive leads are provided on the second transparent conductive layer (4), which are electrically connected to the two poles of an external power supply through wires, and the two poles with opposite electrical polarities cannot be electrically connected to the second transparent conductive layer (4) at the same time.

[0013] Furthermore, the conductive lead includes at least one of a metal wire, a metal conductive mesh, and a flexible circuit board.

[0014] Furthermore, the first transparent substrate (1) and the second transparent substrate (5) are glass plates.

[0015] Furthermore, the first transparent substrate (1) and the second transparent substrate (5) are transparent plastic sheets.

[0016] Furthermore, the first transparent conductive layer (2) and the second transparent conductive layer (4) are each independently selected from at least one of ITO conductive layer, FZO conductive layer, IZO conductive layer, GZO conductive layer, AZO conductive layer, PEDOT conductive layer, nano Ag wire conductive layer, conductive graphene or nano Cu wire conductive layer.

[0017] Furthermore, the first transparent conductive layer (2) and / or the second transparent conductive layer (4) are covered with an adhesive layer on the surface facing the light-controlling layer (3); the adhesive layer material includes at least one of epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyimide resin, polystyrene resin, acrylic resin, modified acrylic resin or silicone resin.

[0018] Furthermore, the light control layer (3) is selected from at least one of the suspended particle light control layer, polymer dispersed liquid crystal light control layer, or electrochromic light control layer.

[0019] In this invention, there are no special limitations on the method of setting conductive leads on the transparent conductive layer; any conventional method known to those skilled in the art for use with dimming films is acceptable.

[0020] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a dimming glass comprising a first glass plate (7) and a second glass plate (8), and a dimming film as described above disposed between the first glass plate (7) and the second glass plate (8).

[0021] In this invention, there are no special restrictions on the types of the first and second glass plates. They can be conventional transparent glass known to those skilled in the art. They can be ordinary glass such as inorganic glass or organic glass, or functional glass such as UV blocking glass, IR blocking glass, Low-E glass, tempered glass or antibacterial glass, etc. They can also be selected from colored glass such as gray glass or brown glass.

[0022] Furthermore, a first interlayer (9) is provided between the first glass plate (7) and the dimming film, and / or a second interlayer (10) is provided between the second glass plate (8) and the dimming film.

[0023] In this invention, there are no special restrictions on the types of the first interlayer (9) and the second interlayer (10). They can be conventional interlayers for dimming glass that are well known to those skilled in the art. They can be EVA film, TPU film, PVB film, or functional films, such as UV-blocking EVA film, UV-blocking TPU film, UV-blocking PVB film, etc. They can also be films with a certain color, such as gray EVA film, gray TPU film, gray PVB film, etc.

[0024] In this invention, there are no special restrictions on the method of manufacturing the dimming glass. It can be any conventional lamination method for dimming glass in the art, such as lamination in a laminator, or lamination in an autoclave or lamination box / furnace.

[0025] A third aspect of the present invention provides the application of the dimming film or dimming glass described above in one or more of automotive window glass, panoramic glass, and glass curtain walls.

[0026] This invention proposes a dimming film and dimming film glass. By setting a special combined conductive lead circuit in the transparent conductive layer, the circuit layout inside the dimming film can be changed, allowing different voltages to be obtained at different positions of the dimming film. This results in a gradual change in the visible light transmittance of the dimming film when it is in the on state. In addition, the circuit setting can also provide a heating function for the surface of the dimming film, eliminating the effects of rain, snow, cold, and fog, and significantly expanding the application scenarios of the product. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. The accompanying drawings described below are merely embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transparent conductive layer with two conductive leads provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a transparent conductive layer with one conductive lead provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the dimming film provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the dimming film provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 A cross-sectional structural diagram and a circuit connection diagram of the dimming film provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 A cross-sectional structural diagram and a circuit connection diagram of the dimming film provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 A cross-sectional structural diagram and a circuit connection diagram of the dimming film provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 8 A cross-sectional structural diagram and a circuit connection diagram of the dimming film provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the dimming glass provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 10 This is a graph showing the gradient data of the transmittance of the dimming film provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Among them, 1. first transparent substrate, 2. first transparent conductive layer, 3. light control layer, 4. second transparent conductive layer, 5. second transparent substrate, 6. conductive lead, 7. first glass plate, 8. second glass plate, 9. first laminated layer, 10. second laminated layer. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The present invention provides a dimming film and a dimming glass having a combined conductive lead circuit.

[0040] the term

[0041] In this invention, the following terms have the meanings defined below.

[0042] Transparent conductive film:

[0043] A composite composition of a transparent substrate and a transparent conductive layer.

[0044] Electrical connection:

[0045] This refers to a connection that is physically connected by a conductor and allows current to flow. If a switching device is installed in the circuit, the connection is non-electrical when the switching device is in a closed state and electrical when the switching device is in a connected state.

[0046] In this invention, the concepts of the first transparent substrate, the second transparent substrate, the first transparent conductive layer, and the second transparent conductive layer only indicate the relative relationship between the two, and are not limiting conditions. They do not necessarily have to be a first and second relationship, but can also be an orientation relationship such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc.

[0047] To better illustrate the present invention, the following specific embodiments are provided.

[0048] Example 1: Preparation of a dimming film

[0049] Preparation of light-controlling particles:

[0050] Add 30g of isoamyl acetate solution containing 21.2wt% nitrocellulose (SS1 / 4sec), 6g of I2, 70g of isoamyl acetate, 4g of anhydrous CaI2, and 4g of titanium dioxide (P25) to a 250mL three-necked round-bottom glass flask, and heat to 42℃. After the I2 dissolves, add 6g of anhydrous methanol, 0.8g of distilled water, and 4g of 2,5-pyrazine dicarboxylic acid dihydrate to the flask, and heat and stir at 42℃ for 4 hours, then allow to cool naturally. Centrifuge the resulting reaction solution at 1350G for 0.5h to remove large particles, then centrifuge the supernatant at 18000G for 5h, discard the supernatant, and obtain the light-controlled particles.

[0051] Preparation of polymer matrix precursors:

[0052] Dissolve 2.7 g of trisilylhydroxyethyl-POSS in 190 mL of heptane to prepare a POSS solution. Add 54 g of hydroxyl-terminated dimethyldiphenyl polysiloxane and 190 mL of the above POSS solution to a 500 mL three-necked round-bottom glass flask. Connect a water separator to a condenser on one side of the three-necked round-bottom glass flask, install a mechanical stirrer in the middle, and place a thermometer on the other side. Heat the solution in the three-necked round-bottom glass flask to reflux for 30 min. When a small amount of water appears in the water separator, add a catalyst solution of stannous octoate (0.13 g of stannous octoate dissolved in 10 mL of heptane). Then add dropwise a mixture of 3 g of hydrolyzed acryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and 1.8 g of hydrolyzed glycidyltrimethoxysilane for about 5 minutes. Then the condensation reaction is carried out for 5 hours, after which 30 mL of trimethylmethoxysilane is immediately added as a reaction terminator; the reaction is terminated for 2 hours, and then rapidly cooled to room temperature. 50 mL of ethanol and the cooled reaction solution were mixed and stirred in a 1 L beaker. The reaction flask was then rinsed with 30 mL of heptane, and the rinse water was poured into the beaker. After thorough mixing, 200 mL of methanol was added and the mixture was stirred for 15 min. The resulting mixture was poured into a 1 L separatory funnel and allowed to stand for several hours until separation occurred. The lower clear layer was collected and rotary evaporated at 70 °C to obtain the polymer matrix precursor.

[0053] Preparation of the light control layer matrix emulsion:

[0054] 0.1g of photoinitiator 819, 3.0g of photocontrol particles, 26.9g of suspension medium (dioctyl terephthalate), and 70.0g of polymer matrix precursor were mixed evenly to obtain a light-control layer matrix emulsion.

[0055] A suspended particle light-controlling layer matrix emulsion was coated onto an ITO / PET transparent conductive film using a roll-to-roll automated coating machine. Then, another ITO transparent conductive film was deposited onto the wet film of the light-controlling layer matrix emulsion, resulting in a wet film containing the light-controlling layer. The film was cured for 1 minute in a nitrogen atmosphere using a UV curing oven at a UV power of 700 W / m. 2 This process yields a suspended particle dimming film. Example 2 Preparation of dimming film containing combined conductive leads

[0056] Using the suspended particle dimming film prepared in Example 1, according to Figure 1 Fabricate conductive leads on the first transparent conductive layer, according to Figure 2 Fabricate conductive leads on the second transparent conductive layer, such as a dimming film containing conductive leads. Figure 3 As shown, according to Figure 6 The circuit connection method is to connect an external 60V, 60Hz AC power supply;

[0057] The method for setting conductive leads is to apply conductive silver paste and conductive adhesive to a local position near the edge of the first or second transparent conductive layer, and then attach the conductive leads (conductive copper strips) to the conductive silver paste and conductive adhesive respectively, and then dry them.

[0058] The overall performance of the dimming film can be adjusted by regulating different switches on the circuit.

[0059] When switch 1 connects the circuit and switch 2 disconnects the circuit, current flows through the first transparent conductive layer, which heats the dimming film but prevents dimming.

[0060] When switch 1 disconnects the circuit and switch 2 connects the circuit, this is the conductive lead and circuit connection method of the existing dimming film.

[0061] When switch 1 and switch 2 are both connected, current flows through the first transparent conductive layer, heating the dimming film. Different potential differences exist between the first and second transparent conductive layers at different locations. The potential difference is smallest on the left side, where the dimming film is in the dark state, while the potential difference is largest on the right side, where the dimming film is in the bright state. At this time, the transmittance of the dimming film gradually increases from left to right. The effect of this transmittance change is shown in the diagram. Figure 10 The X coordinate in the figure is Figure 6 The dimensions from left to right are shown in the figure, with the Y-coordinate representing the corresponding visible light transmittance. After 10 minutes of power-on, the temperature of the dimming film reached 28℃ (room temperature was 22℃), demonstrating a significant heating effect.

[0062] Example 3: Preparation of a dimming film containing combined conductive leads

[0063] Using the suspended particle dimming film prepared in Example 1, according to Figure 1 Fabricating conductive leads on the first and second transparent conductive layers, and a dimming film containing combined conductive leads, such as... Figure 4 As shown, according to Figure 7 The circuit connection method is to connect an external 110V, 60Hz AC power supply;

[0064] The overall performance of the dimming film can be adjusted by regulating different switches on the circuit.

[0065] When switch 1 is on and switch 2 is off, switch 3 is on and switch 4 is off, current flows through the first transparent conductive layer, which heats the dimming film but does not dim it.

[0066] When switch 1 is off the circuit and switch 2 is on the circuit, switch 3 is off the circuit and switch 4 is on the circuit, current flows through the second transparent conductive layer, which can heat the dimming film, but it cannot dim the light.

[0067] When switch 1 is connected to the circuit, switch 2 is connected to the circuit, switch 3 is connected to the circuit, and switch 4 is disconnected from the circuit, current flows through the first transparent conductive layer, which heats the dimming film. There are different potential differences at different positions between the first and second transparent conductive layers. The potential difference is the smallest on the left side, and the dimming film is in the dark state. The potential difference is the largest on the right side, and the dimming film is in the bright state. At this time, the visible light transmittance of the dimming film gradually increases from left to right.

[0068] When switch 1 and switch 2 are connected to the circuit, switch 3 is disconnected from the circuit, and switch 4 is connected to the circuit, current flows through the second transparent conductive layer, which heats the dimming film. There are different potential differences at different positions between the first and second transparent conductive layers. The potential difference is smallest on the left side, and the dimming film is in the dark state. The potential difference is largest on the right side, and the dimming film is in the bright state. At this time, the visible light transmittance of the dimming film gradually increases from left to right.

[0069] When switch 1, switch 2, switch 3, and switch 4 are connected to the circuit, current flows through the first and second transparent conductive layers, which heats the dimming film but prevents dimming.

[0070] When switch 1 is connected to the circuit and switch 2 is disconnected, switch 3 is connected to the circuit and switch 4 is connected to the circuit, current flows through the first transparent conductive layer, which heats the dimming film. There are different potential differences at different positions between the first and second transparent conductive layers. The potential difference is the largest on the left side, and the dimming film is in a bright state. The potential difference is the smallest on the right side, and the dimming film is in a dark state. At this time, the visible light transmittance of the dimming film gradually decreases from left to right.

[0071] When switch 1 disconnects the circuit and switch 2 connects the circuit, switch 3 connects the circuit and switch 4 connects the circuit, current flows through the second transparent conductive layer, which heats the dimming film. There are different potential differences at different positions between the first and second transparent conductive layers. The potential difference is the largest on the left side, and the dimming film is in a bright state. The potential difference is the smallest on the right side, and the dimming film is in a dark state. At this time, the visible light transmittance of the dimming film gradually decreases from left to right.

[0072] When switch 1 disconnects the circuit, switch 2 connects the circuit, switch 3 connects the circuit, and switch 4 disconnects the circuit, this is the conductive lead and circuit connection method of the existing dimming film.

[0073] When switch 1 connects the circuit, switch 2 disconnects the circuit, switch 3 disconnects the circuit, and switch 4 connects the circuit, this is the conductive lead and circuit connection method of the existing dimming film.

[0074] Example 4: Preparation of a dimming film containing combined conductive leads

[0075] Using the suspended particle dimming film prepared in Example 1, according to Figure 1Fabricate conductive leads on the first transparent conductive layer, according to Figure 2 Fabricate conductive leads on the second transparent conductive layer, such as a dimming film containing conductive leads. Figure 3 As shown, according to Figure 8 The circuit connection method is to connect an external 110V, 60Hz AC power supply;

[0076] The overall performance of the dimming film can be adjusted by regulating different switches on the circuit.

[0077] When switch 1 is on and switch 2 is off, switch 3 is on and switch 4 is off, current flows through the first transparent conductive layer, which heats the dimming film but does not dim it.

[0078] When switch 1 is connected to the circuit, switch 2 is connected to the circuit, switch 3 is connected to the circuit, and switch 4 is disconnected from the circuit, current flows through the first transparent conductive layer, which heats the dimming film. There are different potential differences at different positions between the first and second transparent conductive layers. The potential difference is the smallest on the left side, and the dimming film is in the dark state. The potential difference is the largest on the right side, and the dimming film is in the bright state. At this time, the visible light transmittance of the dimming film gradually increases from left to right.

[0079] When switch 1 is connected to the circuit and switch 2 is disconnected, switch 3 is connected to the circuit and switch 4 is connected to the circuit, current flows through the first transparent conductive layer, which heats the dimming film. There are different potential differences at different positions between the first and second transparent conductive layers. The potential difference is the largest on the left side, and the dimming film is in a bright state. The potential difference is the smallest on the right side, and the dimming film is in a dark state. At this time, the visible light transmittance of the dimming film gradually decreases from left to right.

[0080] When switch 1 disconnects the circuit, switch 2 connects the circuit, switch 3 connects the circuit, and switch 4 disconnects the circuit, this is the conductive lead and circuit connection method of the existing dimming film.

[0081] When switch 1 connects the circuit, switch 2 disconnects the circuit, switch 3 disconnects the circuit, and switch 4 connects the circuit, this is the conductive lead and circuit connection method of the existing dimming film.

[0082] The descriptions of the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the methods and core ideas of the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A dimming film, characterized in that, The device includes a first transparent substrate (1), a first transparent conductive layer (2), a light-controlling layer (3), a second transparent conductive layer (4), a second transparent substrate (5), and a combined conductive lead (6) stacked sequentially. The combined conductive lead (6) includes two conductive leads electrically connected to both ends of the first transparent conductive layer (2), and the two conductive leads are electrically connected to the two poles of an external power supply through wires. The combined conductive lead (6) also includes one conductive lead electrically connected to one end of the second transparent conductive layer (4), and the one conductive lead is electrically connected to one pole of an external power supply through a wire. This allows the visible light transmittance of the light-controlling film to gradually change from one side to the other while heating the light-controlling film.

2. A dimming film, characterized in that, The device comprises a first transparent substrate (1), a first transparent conductive layer (2), a light-controlling layer (3), a second transparent conductive layer (4), a second transparent substrate (5), and a combined conductive lead (6) stacked sequentially. The combined conductive lead (6) includes two conductive leads electrically connected to both ends of the first transparent conductive layer (2), and the two conductive leads are electrically connected to the two poles of an external power supply via wires. The combined conductive lead (6) also includes two conductive leads electrically connected to both ends of the second transparent conductive layer (4), and the two conductive leads are electrically connected to the two poles of an external power supply via wires. A switch structure is provided between the conductive leads and the external power supply. By adjusting the on or off state of the switch structure, the dimming film can be heated or dimmed individually, or its visible light transmittance can be gradually changed from one side to the other while the dimming film is being heated.

3. The dimming film according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The conductive lead includes at least one of a metal wire, a metal conductive mesh, and a flexible circuit board.

4. The dimming film according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first transparent substrate (1) and the second transparent substrate (5) are glass plates.

5. The dimming film according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first transparent substrate (1) and the second transparent substrate (5) are transparent plastic sheets.

6. The dimming film according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first transparent conductive layer (2) and the second transparent conductive layer (4) are each independently selected from at least one of ITO conductive layer, FZO conductive layer, IZO conductive layer, GZO conductive layer, AZO conductive layer, PEDOT conductive layer, nano Ag wire conductive layer, conductive graphene or nano Cu wire conductive layer.

7. The dimming film according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first transparent conductive layer (2) and / or the second transparent conductive layer (4) are covered with an adhesive layer on the surface facing the light control layer (3); the adhesive layer material includes at least one of epoxy resin, polyurethane, polyimide resin, polystyrene resin, acrylic resin, modified acrylic resin or silicone resin.

8. The dimming film according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The light control layer (3) is selected from at least one of the suspended particle light control layer, polymer dispersed liquid crystal light control layer, or electrochromic light control layer.

9. A type of dimming glass, characterized in that, It includes a first glass plate (7) and a second glass plate (8), and a dimming film as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 disposed between the first glass plate (7) and the second glass plate (8).

10. The dimming glass according to claim 9, characterized in that, A first interlayer (9) is provided between the first glass plate (7) and the dimming film, and / or a second interlayer (10) is provided between the second glass plate (8) and the dimming film.

11. The use of a dimming film according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or a dimming glass according to any one of claims 9 to 10 in one or more of automotive window glass, panoramic glass, and glass curtain walls.

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