A dimming film and vehicle

Abstract

The application provides a light-adjusting film and a vehicle. The light-adjusting film comprises a first transparent substrate layer, the first transparent substrate layer has a cavity and an interface communicating with the cavity, and the interface is used for enabling the cavity to be filled or discharged with light-adjusting medium. According to the scheme, the cavity and the interface are processed in the first transparent substrate layer, different light-adjusting medium can be filled in the cavity, different light-adjusting and color-changing functions can be realized, the light-adjusting film can replace the required light-adjusting and color-changing scheme according to the requirement of a user, and the functions are more various and the cost is lower.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of optical device technology, and in particular to a dimming film and a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] To meet users' needs for sun protection, privacy, and creating a better in-car lighting environment, some vehicles are equipped with dimming films to enhance the user experience.

[0003] In related technologies, dimming films employ a coated liquid crystal layer. Liquid crystal, as a dimming medium, enables the film to switch between transparent and opaque states through electroluminescence. However, once this solution is manufactured, it can only achieve this one dimming function, resulting in limited functionality and few applicable scenarios. If a color-changing function needs to be added or switched, a corresponding functional layer must be added, leading to higher development and manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes a dimming film capable of achieving more functions at a lower cost. Furthermore, a vehicle is proposed.

[0005] Firstly, in the first aspect, a dimming film is proposed, comprising:

[0006] A first transparent substrate layer has a cavity and an interface communicating with the cavity, the interface being used to allow the cavity to be filled with or drained by a dimming medium.

[0007] The above technical solution, by processing cavities and interfaces within the first transparent substrate layer, allows dimming media to be filled or discharged into the cavities. This enables the cavities to be filled with different dimming media, thereby achieving different dimming and color-changing functions without the need for additional film layers containing different dimming media. Furthermore, since the cavities are formed within the first transparent substrate layer, compared to forming cavities by laminating multiple layers of film, it saves more material. Therefore, this dimming film can be changed to meet the user's needs for different dimming and color-changing schemes, resulting in more diverse functions and lower costs.

[0008] Optionally, the first transparent substrate layer includes a first sublayer and a second sublayer stacked together. The first sublayer has a recess that opens toward the second sublayer. The second sublayer is laid on the first sublayer to close the opening of the recess, thereby forming the cavity.

[0009] Optionally, the thickness H of the cavity is 30μm-100μm.

[0010] Optionally, the first transparent substrate layer is made of polydimethylsiloxane.

[0011] Optionally, the interface includes a first dimming medium interface and a second dimming medium interface, wherein the first dimming medium interface is used to fill or discharge the cavity with a first dimming medium, and the second dimming medium interface is used to fill or discharge the cavity with a second dimming medium; and / or, the interface includes an input conduit and an output conduit, wherein the input conduit is used to fill the cavity with a dimming medium, and the output conduit is used to discharge the dimming medium from the cavity.

[0012] Optionally, the dimming film further includes a temperature-regulating layer, which is stacked on the first transparent substrate layer to adjust the temperature of the dimming medium, thereby adjusting the optical properties of the dimming film.

[0013] Optionally, the first transparent substrate layer includes a plurality of cavities arranged at intervals, and the temperature-regulating layer includes a plurality of temperature-regulating zones, with each cavity corresponding to at least one temperature-regulating zone.

[0014] Optionally, the dimming film further includes a second transparent substrate layer, wherein the second transparent substrate layer and the first transparent substrate layer are respectively disposed on both sides of the temperature-regulating layer in the stacking direction.

[0015] Optionally, the dimming film includes two first transparent substrate layers, one of which is used to fill a first dimming medium, and the other of which is used to fill a second dimming medium; in the stacking direction, the two first transparent substrate layers are disposed on both sides of the temperature-regulating layer, or the two first transparent substrate layers are disposed on the same side of the temperature-regulating layer.

[0016] Secondly, a vehicle is proposed that includes the aforementioned dimming film. This vehicle has the same beneficial effects as the aforementioned dimming film.

[0017] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the dimming film structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first transparent substrate layer structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cavity partitioning structure of the first transparent substrate layer according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of detail A;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the temperature-regulating layer partition structure according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of a first layered structure of a dimming film according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a second layered structure of a dimming film according to an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a third layered structure of a dimming film according to an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the functional implementation of the dimming film according to an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure label:

[0029] 1. First transparent substrate layer; 10. Cavity; 11. First sub-layer; 110. Recess; 12. Second sub-layer; 13. Interface; 131. First dimming medium interface; 132. Second dimming medium interface; S1. Input pipeline; S2. Output pipeline; 2. Second transparent substrate layer; 3. Temperature control layer; 31. Temperature control zone; 32. Positive electrode; 33. Negative electrode; 4. Power supply; 5. Dimming medium pump; 6. Control valve. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0031] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, features defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0032] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 This application proposes a dimming film, including a first transparent substrate layer 1, the first transparent substrate layer 1 having a cavity 10 and an interface 13 communicating with the cavity 10, the interface 13 being used to allow the cavity 10 to be filled with or discharged with a dimming medium.

[0034] The above technical solution, by processing a cavity 10 and an interface 13 within the first transparent substrate layer 1, allows the cavity 10 to be filled with or discharged from a dimming medium. This enables the cavity 10 to be filled with different dimming media, thus achieving different dimming and color-changing functions without the need for additional film layers containing different dimming media. Furthermore, since the cavity 10 is formed within the first transparent substrate layer 1, it saves more material compared to forming the cavity 10 through multilayer film lamination. Therefore, this dimming film can be customized to meet different dimming and color-changing needs, offering greater functionality at a lower cost. The interface 13 is suitable for connecting to a dimming medium pump 5, which pumps liquid dimming media into and out of the cavity 10. The dimming medium can be various, such as liquid crystal and ink. When the cavity 10 is filled with liquid crystal, switching between transparent and opaque states is possible; when filled with ink, color-changing functionality is achieved. Different liquid crystals and inks with varying optical properties can be used to realize personalized dimming and color-changing schemes according to user requirements. For example, the liquid crystal is a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), and the ink is a color-changing ink. In other embodiments, the cavity can be selectively filled with a dimming medium. Using a switch such as an electric valve, the various dimming media filled into the cavity 10 can be automatically switched, thus enabling the dimming film to achieve multiple dimming and color-changing schemes. In some embodiments, the cavity 10 is filled with one dimming medium. When the user requires a scheme with different optical properties, the dimming medium filled in the cavity 10 can be discharged through interface 13 using an electric or manual device, and then another dimming medium can be filled. This eliminates the need to replace the entire dimming film, improving its versatility and adaptability to meet more personalized functional requirements.

[0035] It should be noted that the dimming film can passively dim and change color based on changes in external temperature or electric field, or it can be triggered and controlled by its own adjustment structure to dim and change color.

[0036] The cavity 10 can be processed by laser etching technology or by other methods such as 3D printing technology. The following explanation uses laser etching of the cavity 10 as an example.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first transparent substrate layer 1 includes a first sublayer 11 and a second sublayer 12 stacked together. The first sublayer 11 has a recess 110 opening toward the second sublayer 12. The second sublayer 12 is laid on the first sublayer 11 to close the opening of the recess 110, thereby forming the cavity 10. This structure is easy to process and is particularly suitable for processing the cavity 10 using laser etching technology. This allows the recess 110 to be processed in the first sublayer 11 using a laser, and the cavity 10 to be formed by sealing the recess 110 with the second sublayer 12, resulting in high processing accuracy, yield, and efficiency. The thickness of the second sublayer 12 is preferably less than or equal to the thickness of the first sublayer 11. In other embodiments, the second sublayer 12 can also be processed to form the recess 110 to form the cavity 10.

[0038] Please see Figure 6 In some embodiments, the thickness H of the cavity 10 is 30μm-100μm. This ensures the dimming performance, bending performance, and fast response of the dimming film. If the thickness H of the cavity 10 is less than 30μm, insufficient filling of the dimming medium can easily occur, resulting in a limited optical control range of the dimming film and a low yield. If the thickness H of the cavity 10 is greater than 100μm, the strength of the dimming film decreases, the bending performance deteriorates, and the pump pressure required to fill / expel the dimming medium from the cavity 10 increases, leading to a prolonged response time. For example, when the thickness H of the cavity 10 is 20μm, 30μm, 40μm, 50μm, 60μm, 80μm, or 100μm, it can balance optical control capability, mechanical flexibility, and energy efficiency, achieving the core parameters of "low power consumption, fast response, and wide dynamic range" dimming. It should be noted that the thickness of the first transparent substrate layer 1 is typically 50μm-200μm. For example, the thickness of the first sublayer 11 can be 100μm, the thickness of the cavity 10 can be 50μm, and the thickness of the second sublayer 12 can be 100μm; or, the thickness of the first sublayer 11 can be 150μm, the thickness of the cavity 10 can be 60μm, and the thickness of the second sublayer 12 can be 50μm.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first transparent substrate layer 1 is made of polydimethylsiloxane. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has good light transmittance, flexibility and fatigue resistance, good microprocessing performance, and excellent hydrophobic properties, which facilitates the filling and drainage of dimming media.

[0040] Please see Figure 4In some embodiments, the interface 13 includes a first dimming medium interface 131 and a second dimming medium interface 132. The first dimming medium interface 131 is used to fill or discharge a first dimming medium into the cavity 10, and the second dimming medium interface 132 is used to fill or discharge a second dimming medium into the cavity 10. Thus, the cavity 10 can be filled or discharged with multiple dimming media respectively, enabling multiple dimming and color-changing functions. For example, the first dimming medium is liquid crystal, and the second dimming medium is color-changing ink. Liquid crystal can achieve dimming functions in both transparent and opaque states, and color-changing ink can achieve color-changing functions.

[0041] In some embodiments, the interface 13 includes an input conduit S1 and an output conduit S2. The input conduit S1 is used to fill the cavity 10 with the dimming medium, and the output conduit S2 is used to discharge the dimming medium from the cavity 10. This structure can quickly fill, discharge, or switch between multiple dimming media. Each dimming medium interface 13 is independently configured with both input and output conduits, forming a closed-loop circuit, reducing residual medium in the cavity 10, lowering the risk of liquid mixing in the cavity 10, and improving the consistency and stability of optical adjustment performance.

[0042] Please see Figures 5-8 In some embodiments, the dimming film further includes a temperature-regulating layer 3, which is stacked on the first transparent substrate layer 1 to adjust the temperature of the dimming medium, thereby adjusting the optical properties of the dimming film. Compared to adjusting the optical properties of the dimming film through an electric field, this solution only requires one temperature-regulating layer 3, resulting in lower cost and a thinner dimming film, while the electric field adjustment solution requires one positive electrode layer 32 and one negative electrode layer 33. The thickness of the temperature-regulating layer 3 can be 0.1μm-0.2μm. For example, the temperature-regulating layer 3 can be an ITO conductive layer, where ITO stands for indium tin oxide, which has excellent conductivity and transparency; the dimming medium is PDLC and color-changing ink, and the temperature-regulating layer 3 can adjust the transparency of the PDLC and the color-changing state of the color-changing ink.

[0043] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 5In some embodiments, the first transparent substrate layer 1 includes a plurality of spaced-apart cavities 10, and the temperature-regulating layer 3 includes a plurality of temperature-regulating zones 31, with each cavity 10 corresponding to at least one temperature-regulating zone 31. This allows the optical characteristics of each cavity 10 to be adjusted individually, enabling richer dimming and color-changing schemes and more diverse functions. Furthermore, the spacers between cavities 10 provide structural reinforcement, allowing the cavities 10 to be arranged side-by-side with a minimum spacing of 0.05 mm. The number of cavities 10 and temperature-regulating zones 31 depends on the requirements and is not limited here. Taking the temperature-regulating layer 3 as an ITO conductive layer as an example, a positive electrode 32 and a negative electrode 33 are arranged on both sides of the length direction of each temperature-regulating zone 31. When energized, the ITO short-circuits and heats up, achieving a temperature rise effect. This temperature change controls the dimming and color-changing state of the liquid crystal or ink. It is easy to understand that the temperature-regulating layer 3 is connected to a power supply 4, which is also connected to a dimming medium pump 5.

[0044] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the interface 13 of the dimming film is connected to a control valve 6, which is connected to a dimming medium pump 5. By controlling the opening and closing of each valve orifice of the control valve 6, the dimming medium pumped into or out of the cavity 10 can be controlled, and the cavity 10 to be filled with dimming medium can be selected, thereby realizing the automated and intelligent adjustment of the optical characteristics of the dimming film.

[0045] Please see Figure 6 and Figure 8 In some embodiments, the dimming film further includes a second transparent substrate layer 2, wherein the second transparent substrate layer 2 and the first transparent substrate layer 1 are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the temperature-regulating layer 3 in the lamination direction. The second transparent substrate layer 2 can protect the temperature-regulating layer 3, especially when the temperature-regulating layer 3 is an ITO conductive layer, it can prevent scratches and damage to the metal plating on the surface of the ITO conductive layer, facilitating the transportation and turnover of the dimming film. For example, the material of the second transparent substrate layer 2 can be PET.

[0046] Please see Figure 7 and Figure 8In some embodiments, the dimming film includes two first transparent substrate layers 1, one of which is used to fill a first dimming medium, and the other is used to fill a second dimming medium. In the stacking direction, the two first transparent substrate layers 1 are disposed on opposite sides of the temperature-regulating layer 3, or on the same side of the temperature-regulating layer 3. This allows the two first transparent substrate layers 1 to be used to fill the two dimming media respectively, preventing interference between the two media and avoiding mixing, thus improving the stability of the dimming and color-changing optical properties of the dimming film. Furthermore, this solution can achieve "dual-channel optical superposition," thereby breaking through the limitations of single-layer medium control and providing richer functions. Figure 7 Two first transparent substrate layers 1 are disposed on both sides of the temperature regulating layer 3, so that the temperature regulating layer 3 can evenly conduct heat to the first transparent substrate layers 1 on both sides, and the first transparent substrate layers 1 on both sides can also protect the temperature regulating layer 3. Figure 8 The two first transparent substrate layers 1 can also be disposed on the same side of the temperature-regulating layer 3 to meet more application scenarios, such as rearview mirrors. For example, the first transparent substrate layer 1 closer to the temperature-regulating layer 3 can be filled with color-changing liquid crystal that requires more precise temperature control, while the first transparent substrate layer 1 farther away from the temperature-regulating layer 3 can be filled with ink that does not require precise color-changing control.

[0047] It should be noted that, to ensure good light transmittance of the product, the light transmittance of each of the aforementioned materials (except for polymer-dispersed liquid crystal and ink) must be ≥85%. To achieve automation and intelligence, the dimming medium pump 5 and the temperature regulating layer 3 can be controlled by a controller according to preset programs and parameters. The controller can be configured on the dimming medium pump 5 itself, or it can be configured separately, or it can be an existing domain controller of the vehicle, etc.

[0048] To better understand the beneficial effects of this application, the following examples illustrate the process of implementing multiple functions. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 9The flowchart illustrates that in this embodiment, the initial state of the dimming film is transparent, there is no dimming medium in the cavity 10, and the temperature-regulating layer 3 is an ITO conductive layer. When function one is required, the controller controls the dimming medium pump 5 to fill the cavity 10 with temperature-sensitive liquid crystal. For example, the liquid crystal has a clearing threshold of 35±2℃. When the ITO conductive layer is not energized and the temperature is below 33℃, the liquid crystal molecules are orderly arranged, the refractive index matches the matrix, and it is transparent with a transmittance greater than 80%. When the ITO conductive layer is energized and the temperature rises to above 37℃, the liquid crystal becomes an isotropic liquid, the refractive index mismatch causes light scattering, and it becomes opaque with a transmittance less than 20%. When the ITO conductive layer is de-energized and the temperature drops below 33℃, the liquid crystal returns to isotropic and becomes transparent. If a change in function is required, the liquid crystal is simply discharged and stored again in the dimming medium pump 5, and other dimming media can be refilled into the cavity 10 from the pump. When function two is required, the controller directs the dimming medium pump 5 to fill the cavity 10 with color-changing ink, and then switches the ink color by controlling the temperature of the ITO conductive layer. For example, the ink is a cholesteric liquid crystal ink, which displays black below 28°C, changes to yellow when the temperature rises from 28°C to 30°C, changes to purple when the temperature rises from 30°C to 33°C, and changes to black when the temperature rises above 33°C. The response time of the color-changing ink is 1-3 seconds. If a change in function is required, such as restoring transparency or filling with other dimming media, simply discharge the ink and store it again in the dimming medium pump 5.

[0049] This application discloses a vehicle including the aforementioned dimming film. The vehicle has the same beneficial effects as the aforementioned dimming film. The aforementioned dimming film can be applied to vehicle windows, rearview mirrors, and sunroofs, etc., and the vehicle can be a passenger car, commercial vehicle, or rail transit vehicle, etc.

[0050] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0051] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A dimming film, characterized in that, It includes a first transparent substrate layer (1), which has a cavity (10) and an interface (13) communicating with the cavity (10). The interface (13) is used to allow the cavity (10) to be filled with or discharged with a dimming medium.

2. The dimming film according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first transparent substrate layer (1) includes a first sublayer (11) and a second sublayer (12) stacked together. The first sublayer (11) has a recess (110) opening toward the second sublayer (12). The second sublayer (12) is laid on the first sublayer (11) to close the opening of the recess (110), thereby forming the cavity (10).

3. The dimming film according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness H of the cavity (10) is 30μm-100μm.

4. The dimming film according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first transparent substrate layer (1) is made of polydimethylsiloxane.

5. The dimming film according to claim 1, characterized in that, The interface (13) includes a first dimming medium interface (131) and a second dimming medium interface (132). The first dimming medium interface (131) is used to fill or discharge the cavity (10) with a first dimming medium, and the second dimming medium interface (132) is used to fill or discharge the cavity (10) with a second dimming medium. And / or, the interface (13) includes an input conduit (S1) and an output conduit (S2). The input conduit (S1) is used to fill the cavity (10) with a dimming medium, and the output conduit (S2) is used to discharge the dimming medium from the cavity (10).

6. The dimming film according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The dimming film also includes a temperature-regulating layer (3), which is stacked on the first transparent substrate layer (1) to adjust the temperature of the dimming medium, thereby adjusting the optical properties of the dimming film.

7. The dimming film according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first transparent substrate layer (1) includes a plurality of cavities (10) arranged at intervals, and the temperature regulating layer (3) includes a plurality of temperature regulating zones (31), each cavity (10) corresponding to at least one temperature regulating zone (31).

8. The dimming film according to claim 6, characterized in that, The dimming film also includes a second transparent substrate layer (2), and in the stacking direction, the second transparent substrate layer (2) and the first transparent substrate layer (1) are respectively disposed on both sides of the temperature regulating layer (3).

9. The dimming film according to claim 6, characterized in that, The dimming film includes two first transparent substrate layers (1), one of which is used to fill a first dimming medium and the other is used to fill a second dimming medium; in the stacking direction, the two first transparent substrate layers (1) are disposed on both sides of the temperature-regulating layer (3), or the two first transparent substrate layers (1) are disposed on the same side of the temperature-regulating layer (3).

10. A vehicle, characterized in that, Including the dimming film as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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