Patterned glass device with switchable privacy protection function

Abstract

The present invention provides a patterned glass device that can switch between making it difficult to see through the glass, like patterned glass, and making it as clear as regular glass. [Solution] A transparent, elastic, refractive index material such as silicone rubber (2) is placed parallel to the glass (1) with a sealed space (3) in between. The elastic material comes into contact with a hard mesh (4) such as acrylic. As the air pressure in the space increases, the elastic material (2) is pressed against the acrylic (4), changing its shape and refracting light in various directions (B1), making it difficult to see through the glass (B2). When the air pressure in the space is the same as atmospheric pressure, the elastic material remains flat without being pressed against the acrylic (A1), and does not diffuse light, allowing for a clear view through the glass (A2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to formwork glass that can provide privacy protection and blindfolding for use in buildings, partitions, etc.

Background Art

[0002] In order to clearly see through known conventional formwork glass, it was necessary to remove the formwork glass itself from the line of sight by opening and closing the formwork glass window, etc.

[0003] There is a glass laminate such as that of Patent Document 1 as a structure similar to the present invention. However, according to this document (see paragraph 0016), the shape change by pressing is in the manufacturing process and does not freely switch the privacy protection function after installation.

[0004] Also, according to the document of Patent Document 1, airtightness of the space is not essential (see paragraph 0036), but the airtightness of the space of the present invention is essential, and thus it is different in that the shape is changed by the change in air pressure of the space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a device that can instantaneously switch between a state where the formwork glass device diffuses light by refraction on the convex and concave surface like conventional formwork glass, making it difficult to see through the glass, and a state where the concavity and convexity are suppressed and it is possible to clearly see through the glass as ordinary glass.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A transparent, elastic, and refractively high-refractive-index material, such as silicone rubber, is placed parallel to the glass with a sealed space in between. The elastic material is supported by a transparent, rigid mesh-like frame, such as acrylic. When the air pressure in the space increases, the elastic material is pressed against the acrylic, changing the shape of its surface and refracting and diffusing light in various directions, making it difficult to see through the glass. When the air pressure in the space is the same as atmospheric pressure, the elastic material remains flat without being pressed against the acrylic, and does not refract and diffuse light, allowing for a clear view through the glass.

[0008] Furthermore, this invention allows for the design of uneven surfaces in elastic materials using the mesh structure of acrylic, making it enjoyable as interior decor or as a changeable art piece.

[0009] Furthermore, because this invention uses patterned glass to diffuse light, making it difficult to see through the glass, it can reduce the feeling of confinement compared to other types of privacy screens that block light (such as blinds). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the patterned glass apparatus of the present invention and a reference illustration illustrating the effects of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a diagram of an example of a bellows for manipulating the air pressure in the space between glass and silicone rubber according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an example of a design for the uneven surface of silicone rubber that appears depending on the arrangement of the acrylic according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] A transparent, soft, elastic, and refractive index material such as silicone rubber (2) is installed parallel to the glass (1) or acrylic (hereinafter referred to as glass) surface used in the windows and partitions of a building. A gap (3) is created between the glass surface (1) and the silicone rubber surface (2) through which gas can pass, and this gap is sealed with the window frame (6), leaving one side open.

[0012] The silicone rubber (2) is placed on the side opposite the glass surface on a hard and durable material such as acrylic (4) (hereinafter referred to as acrylic), and this acrylic (4) is fixed by the glass frame (6). At this time, it is preferable to create a groove in the silicone rubber beforehand so that the acrylic (4) fits into the silicone rubber (2). This prevents the silicone rubber (2) from shifting or peeling off and also increases its strength. It is also possible to arrange the acrylic and silicone rubber alternately at the same width instead of a groove, so that the silicone rubber is not a continuous piece, but in that case, it is necessary to use a stronger adhesive to cope with changes in air pressure. It is preferable to use a combination of acrylic (4) and silicone rubber (2) with refractive indices that are as close as possible. Alternatively, a combination of styrene acrylonitrile and elastomer, for example, can be used instead of acrylic and silicone rubber, as the difference in refractive index is small.

[0013] Since the silicone rubber (2) tends to stick to the glass (1) and is easily soiled when touched, it is best to cover the surface with a transparent, stretchable, gas- and liquid-impermeable material such as vinyl (5) (hereinafter referred to as vinyl). The refractive index of the vinyl (5) may be different from that of the acrylic (4) and the silicone rubber (2). This vinyl (5) creates a limit to how much the silicone rubber (2) can expand, eliminating uneven expansion. Furthermore, to prevent people from touching the squishy texture of the silicone rubber (2), it may be further covered with glass or another material (glass, hollow, a single piece of silicone rubber, acrylic, and vinyl, hollow, glass).

[0014] The above-mentioned silicone rubber (2), acrylic (4), and vinyl (5) should be tightly packed together without any air bubbles and bonded together with adhesive. The adhesive should preferably be transparent, resistant to deformation and impact, resistant to temperature fluctuations due to climate, and have a refractive index similar to that of the silicone rubber and acrylic.

[0015] By applying pressure to the gas in the gap between the silicone rubber (2) and the glass (1), the space (3) expands, pressing the silicone rubber (2) against the acrylic (4), and deforming the surface into an uneven shape. This causes light to be diffused by refraction, making it difficult to see through the glass. If the thickness of the silicone rubber (2) is too thin relative to the gap in the acrylic (4), the refraction will not diffuse and the light will pass through in a straight line. Conversely, if it is too thick, it will not deform easily, so an appropriate thickness is necessary.

[0016] It is preferable to fill the space (3) with a gas such as nitrogen, which does not easily change volume due to thermal expansion. Furthermore, this gas layer can improve the insulation and soundproofing effects between the interior and exterior, similar to hollow-layer glass. While insulating gases such as argon or krypton, used in hollow-layer glass, can also be used, they cannot create the vacuum required for hollow-layer glass.

[0017] This invention allows for uniform pressure to be applied to the silicone rubber (2) even with a large piece of glass (1) using Pascal's principle. While it is possible to inflate the silicone rubber (2) with a liquid instead of a gas, in the case of a liquid, the pressure on the silicone rubber (2) changes between the top and bottom of the glass due to gravity acting on the liquid, so a gas is preferable for use on land.

[0018] There are several ways to apply pressure to the gas in space (3). One way is to introduce the gas through an open side of the frame using a bellows structure (10) or other structure capable of changing volume, in which case the space (3) is completely sealed by the bellows (10). The bellows (10) can be operated by pushing and pulling by hand, or a mechanism for operating the bellows can be installed. This method is suitable for small windows or partitions when budget is limited.

[0019] Another method involves using an electric air pump to inject or remove gas from one side that is not sealed. In this case, the space (3) is assumed to be completely sealed by the installation of this pump. If budget allows, this method can be used to quickly operate large windows electrically.

[0020] In addition, it is also conceivable to send gas with a piston such as a syringe, or to shift the glass (1) or the silicone rubber (2) itself to change the air pressure by changing the volume of the space (3).

[0021] When the silicone rubber (2) does not flatten during normal times due to changes in air pressure over time, etc., there may be an air vent such as an air valve in an automobile tire or an air stopper in a beach ball so that it can be adjusted.

[0022] Although it is assumed that the silicone rubber (2) is extruded and deformed when the air pressure in the space (3) increases from the state where the air pressure is the same as the atmospheric pressure, it is also possible to change the refraction by lowering the air pressure and making it concave.

[0023] These devices for adjusting the air pressure are preferably provided in a cover made of the same material and color as the window frame so that they are not usually visible.

[0024] When installed in a window, it is better to have the glass side (1) facing the outside and the silicone rubber side (2) facing the inside, which can slow down the aging deterioration of the silicone rubber (2) and make maintenance easier at high places in the building.

[0025] Also, when accidentally hitting the glass (such as when a child falls), the impact can be cushioned by the silicone rubber (2).

[0026] This invention primarily aims to reduce the feeling of confinement by arranging vertically elongated acrylic (4) horizontally to create refraction similar to a lenticular lens, diffusing light only in the horizontal direction and not in the vertical direction. However, various patterns can be created depending on the shape of the acrylic (4), and by reducing the pitch (7) between the acrylic (4) and the thickness (8) of the silicone rubber, it is possible to create a finer texture, similar to frosted glass. However, the acrylic (4) must maintain its strength by being in contact with the frame. Furthermore, it is preferable to make the cross-section of the acrylic (4) rectangular rather than square, as this provides strength in the direction of pressure, and since the acrylic (4) is the part where refraction does not diffuse, it is preferable to make it as thin as possible in the direction where there is no pressure, as this narrows the area where refraction does not diffuse.

[0027] The glass (1) of this invention is not flat, but can also be installed in the same way as a curved glass (1) that has curves, such as those seen in buildings on street corners, as long as the silicone rubber (2) and acrylic (4) follow the same curve.

[0028] Furthermore, it would be even better if existing glass in buildings could be refurbished into the patterned glass apparatus of the present invention by first using the glass (1) of the present invention, and then later attaching silicone rubber (2), acrylic (4), and a device for changing air pressure. [Examples]

[0029] The patterned glass device of the present invention can be used in the windows of buildings such as houses, achieving both the assurance of privacy through the patterned glass function and the enjoyment of the view without using the patterned glass function. [Examples]

[0030] It can be used as a partition in offices and other spaces, with patterned glass for meetings requiring confidentiality, and open glass when only staff are present. [Examples]

[0031] In the bathroom, the glass is normally used, but it switches to patterned glass when in use. Furthermore, the device is electrically controlled and operated simultaneously with the bathroom lighting. [Examples]

[0032] The patterned glass device will be electrically controlled and can be controlled via communication methods such as infrared, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, allowing it to be controlled as a smart home appliance using voice commands such as "privacy screen for bedroom glass" or "clear bedroom glass" and via smartphone. [Industrial applicability]

[0033] We will sell buildings that utilize the patterned glass device of this invention. We will sell partitions using the patterned glass device of the present invention. This invention provides a service for remodeling existing glass into the patterned glass apparatus of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 glass 2. Soft materials such as silicone rubber 3. Space, gap, gas 4. Hard and durable materials such as acrylic 5. Materials used to coat silicone rubber, such as vinyl. 6 frames, window frames 7. Spacing between acrylic pieces, pitch 8. Thickness of silicone rubber 9. View from beyond the present invention 10. Bellows as a reference example for manipulating gases A. The pressure of the gas in space is the same as atmospheric pressure (hereafter, signs preceded by A indicate the same state). B: A state where the gas pressure in space is high (the signs followed by B below represent the same state). A1, B1 A top view of a horizontally cut cross-section of the patterned glass apparatus of the present invention. A2, B2 Reference illustrations showing the view through a window using the patterned glass device of the present invention. A3, B3 Example of a bellows for inflating the patterned glass apparatus of the present invention B4 size. Example of a design pattern using acrylic to create a textured surface with silicone rubber, checkered pattern. B5 size example of a design pattern with acrylic and silicone rubber bumps, herringbone pattern.

Claims

1. A patterned glass apparatus characterized by having a glass surface and a surface made of a transparent, soft, elastic material with a refractive index, such as silicone rubber, parallel to the glass surface, with a sealed space between these surfaces, the elastic material surface being constrained on the opposite side of the space between it and the glass surface by a mesh made of a hard material such as acrylic, and when the air pressure in the sealed space increases, the elastic material is pressed against the mesh and its surface deforms so that it protrudes from the mesh, changing the direction of light refraction and making it difficult to see through the glass.

2. A patterned glass apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that one side of the elastic material of the patterned glass apparatus, or both sides including the sealed side, are covered with a strong, stretchable, and transparent material such as vinyl that does not allow gas or liquid to pass through, completely blocking the entry and exit of gas, increasing the strength of the silicone rubber, making the surface easy to wipe and clean, and suppressing adhesion between the glass and the elastic material on the sealed side.

3. A patterned glass apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that the space between the glass and the elastic material is filled with a gas that does not expand easily with heat, such as nitrogen.

4. A patterned glass apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that the space between the glass and the elastic material is filled with an insulating gas such as argon gas or krypton gas.

5. A patterned glass apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, further comprising an air vent that allows the air pressure in the space between the glass and the elastic material to be increased or decreased from the outside by means of an air pump or gas spray.

6. A patterned glass apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, comprising a pump for changing the air pressure in the space between the glass and the elastic material.

7. A patterned glass apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, comprising a device that stores gas inside, such as a bellows structure or a piston, to change the air pressure in the space between the glass and an elastic material, and that can change the volume of the gas storage section and send the gas into the space.

8. A patterned glass apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, comprising a device for changing the air pressure in the space between the glass and an elastic material, wherein the device can be driven by electricity, like an electric air pump.

9. A patterned glass apparatus according to claims 1 to 4, comprising a device for changing the air pressure in the space between the glass and an elastic material, the device being capable of being remotely controlled by wireless communication such as an infrared sensor.

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