Patterned glass device with switchable privacy function

Abstract

To provide a figured glass device capable of switching between making it difficult to see through the glass like figured glass and making it clear like glass. [Solution] A transparent, elastic, refractive index material such as silicone rubber (2) is arranged parallel to glass (1) with a sealed space (3) between them, and the elastic material is in contact with a hard net (4) such as acrylic, and as the air pressure in the space increases, the elastic material (2) is pressed against the acrylic (4) and changes shape, refracting light in various directions (B1) and 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 becomes flat (A1) without being pressed against the acrylic, and light is not diffused, allowing a clear view through the glass (A2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a patterned glass that can be used for architecture, partitions, etc. to provide privacy protection and privacy. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to see clearly through the known conventional patterned glass, it is necessary to remove the patterned glass itself from the line of sight by opening or closing the patterned glass window.

[0003] A glass laminate with a structure similar to that of the present invention is disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, according to this document (see paragraph 0016), the change in shape caused by pressing occurs during the manufacturing process, and the privacy protection function cannot be freely switched after installation.

[0004] Furthermore, while according to Patent Document 1, airtightness of the space is not essential (see paragraph 0036), in the present invention, airtightness of the space is essential, which is different from the present invention in that the feature is that the shape is changed by changes in air pressure in the space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-026782 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] To provide a patterned glass device capable of instantly switching between a state where light is diffused by refraction on an uneven surface like conventional patterned glass, making it difficult to see through the glass, and a state where the unevenness is suppressed and the glass is clearly visible like ordinary glass. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A transparent, elastic, refractive index material like silicone rubber is arranged parallel to the glass with a sealed space between them, and the elastic material is supported by a transparent, hard, net-like frame like 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 becomes flat without being pressed against the acrylic, and light is not diffused by refraction, allowing you to see clearly through the glass.

[0008] In addition, the present invention makes it possible to design the uneven shape of the elastic material by using the shape of the acrylic mesh, and it can be enjoyed as interior decoration or as a shape-changing art piece.

[0009] In addition, the present invention uses patterned glass to diffuse light, making it difficult to see through the glass, which reduces the sense of claustrophobia compared to other types of privacy screens that block out light (such as blinds). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a molded glass device of the present invention and a reference illustration of the effect of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of a bellows for manipulating the air pressure in the space between the glass and the silicone rubber of the present invention. [Diagram 3] This is an example of the uneven design of silicone rubber that appears due to the arrangement of the acrylic of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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

[0012] The silicone rubber (2) is placed on a hard and durable material such as acrylic (4) (hereafter referred to as acrylic) on the side opposite the glass surface, and this acrylic (4) is fixed to the glass frame (6). At this time, it is better to make a groove in the silicone rubber in advance so that the acrylic (4) can enter the silicone rubber (2). This prevents the silicone rubber (2) from shifting or peeling off, and also increases its strength. Instead of a groove, the acrylic and silicone rubber can be arranged alternately at the same width, and the silicone rubber can be connected in a non-continuous manner. In that case, it is necessary to respond to changes in air pressure by using a stronger adhesive. It is preferable to combine acrylic (4) and silicone rubber (2) with refractive indices as close as possible. Also, instead of acrylic and silicone rubber, a combination such as styrene acrylonitrile and elastomer also has a small difference in refractive index.

[0013] Since the silicone rubber (2) sticks to the glass (1) and is easily soiled when touched, it is better to cover the surface with a transparent, stretchy material such as vinyl (5) that does not allow gas or liquid to pass through (hereafter referred to as vinyl). The refractive index of the vinyl (5) can be different from that of the acrylic (4) and the silicone rubber (2). This vinyl (5) sets a limit to the expansion of the silicone rubber (2), and can also eliminate uneven expansion in only one part. It is also possible to cover the silicone rubber (2) with glass or other material to prevent the squishy texture from being touched (glass, hollow, integrated silicone rubber, acrylic and vinyl, hollow, glass).

[0014] The silicone rubber (2), acrylic (4), and vinyl (5) are adhered together with an adhesive, taking care not to trap air bubbles. The adhesive used here is transparent, resistant to deformation and impact, and resistant to temperature changes due to climate, and preferably has a refractive index close 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, and the silicone rubber (2) is pressed against the acrylic (4), causing the surface to deform unevenly, diffusing light through refraction and making it difficult to see through the glass. If the thickness of the silicone rubber (2) is too thin compared to the space between the acrylic (4), the light will not be diffusing and will pass through in a straight line, but conversely, if it is too thick, it will be difficult to deform, so an appropriate thickness is necessary.

[0016] It is preferable to fill the space (3) with a gas such as nitrogen, which is unlikely to change volume due to thermal expansion. This gas layer can also increase the heat insulation and soundproofing effects between the inside and outside of the room, just like hollow layer glass. Argon gas or krypton gas, which has insulating properties, can also be used, but it is not possible to create a vacuum, which is required for hollow layer glass.

[0017] This invention can apply uniform pressure to the silicon rubber (2) even for a large piece of glass (1) using Pascal's principle. The silicon rubber (2) can also be inflated with liquid instead of gas, but in the case of liquid, the gravity acting on the liquid causes the pressure on the silicon rubber (2) to vary between the top and bottom of the glass, so gas is preferable for use on land.

[0018] There are several ways to apply pressure to the gas in the space (3). One is to send gas into the unsealed side of the frame using a bellows structure (10) or other volume-changing device, and the space (3) is completely sealed by the bellows (10). The bellows (10) can be operated by pushing and pulling it by hand, or a mechanism for operating the bellows can be installed. This method is suitable for small windows or partitions that are on a tight budget.

[0019] The other is operated by pumping or evacuating gas from the unsealed side using a pump like an electric air pump. The space (3) is assumed to be completely sealed by the installation of this pump. If there is a budget, this can be done quickly and electrically for windows with a large area.

[0020] Other possibilities include sending gas using a syringe-like piston, or shifting the glass (1) or silicone rubber (2) itself to change the volume of the space (3) and change the air pressure.

[0021] If the silicone rubber (2) becomes non-flat under normal circumstances due to changes in air pressure caused by aging, it may have an air vent like the air valves found in car tires or air plugs found on beach balls so that it can be adjusted.

[0022] It is assumed that when the air pressure in the space (3) increases from the same as atmospheric pressure, the silicone rubber (2) is pushed out and deformed. However, it is also possible to change the refraction by lowering the air pressure and causing it to concave.

[0023] It is even better if these devices for regulating air pressure are installed inside a cover made of the same material and color as the window frame so that they are not usually visible.

[0024] When installing on a window, having the glass side (1) facing the outside and the silicone rubber side (2) facing the inside of the room can mitigate deterioration of the silicone rubber (2) over time and also makes maintenance easier at high altitudes in a building.

[0025] In addition, the silicone rubber (2) can also be used to cushion the impact if the child accidentally hits the glass (for example, if the child falls).

[0026] The present invention is mainly intended to reduce the sense of claustrophobia by arranging vertically long acrylic (4) horizontally to create a refraction like a lenticular lens, diffusing light only in one horizontal direction and not in the vertical direction, but it is also possible to create various patterns by changing the shape of the acrylic (4), and it is also possible to make it look like frosted glass by reducing the pitch (7) between the acrylic (4) and the thickness (8) of the silicone rubber. However, the acrylic (4) needs to be in contact with the frame to maintain its strength. In addition, the cross section of the acrylic (4) is made rectangular rather than square so that it has strength in the direction pressed by air pressure, and since the acrylic part (4) is the part where the refraction does not diffuse, it is preferable to make it as thin as possible in the direction where there is no air pressure, as this narrows the range where the refraction does not diffuse.

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

[0028] It is also possible to use the glass (1) of the present invention for glass in an existing building, and then later attach silicone rubber (2), acrylic (4), and a device for changing air pressure to remodel the glass into the molded glass device of the present invention. EXAMPLES

[0029] The patterned glass device of the present invention is used in windows of buildings such as houses, thereby achieving both ensuring privacy using the patterned glass function and enjoying the view without using the patterned glass function. EXAMPLES

[0030] It can be used as a partition in offices, etc., with patterned glass for confidential meetings and open glass when only staff are present. EXAMPLES

[0031] In the bathroom, the glass is usually used, but when it is used, it is changed to the patterned glass. Also, the device is electrically controlled so that it can be operated simultaneously with the bathroom lighting. EXAMPLES

[0032] The patterned glass device will be controlled electrically and via communications such as infrared, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it possible to control it as a smart home appliance using voice or a smartphone, with commands such as "bedroom glass privacy, bedroom glass clear." [Industrial Applicability]

[0033] Buildings using the molded glass device of the present invention are sold. Partitions using the molded glass device of the present invention are sold. We provide construction work to remodel existing glass into the patterned glass device 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 that coat silicone rubber, such as vinyl 6 Frames, window frames 7. Distance and pitch between acrylic sheets 8 Silicone rubber thickness 9 The View Through This Invention 10. Reference bellows for manipulating gas A: The gas pressure in the space is the same as atmospheric pressure (hereafter, symbols with A indicate the same state). B: High gas pressure in space (hereinafter, symbols with B indicate the same state) A1, B1 are top views of a horizontal cross section of the molded glass device of the present invention. A2, B2 Reference illustrations of the view through a window using the molded glass device of the present invention A3, B3 Example of bellows for expanding the molded glass device of the present invention B4 Example of a design pattern of uneven silicon rubber made by arranging acrylic, checkered pattern B5 Example of a design pattern of uneven silicon rubber created by arranging acrylic, herringbone pattern

Claims

1. This molded glass device is characterized in that there are two glass surfaces, one parallel to the other, made of a transparent, soft, elastic material such as silicone rubber that has a refractive index, and there is a gap between these two surfaces, which is an enclosed space.The surface made of the elastic material is constrained by a mesh made of a hard material such as acrylic on the surface opposite the space between the glass surfaces, and when the air pressure in the enclosed space increases, the elastic material is pressed against the mesh, deforming the surface so that it protrudes from the mesh, changing the direction of refraction of light and making it difficult to see through the glass.

2. A molded glass device having the following features: one side of the elastic material of the molded glass device described in claim 1 that is not sealed, or both sides including the sealed side, are covered with a material such as transparent vinyl that is strong, stretchable, and impermeable to gases and liquids, 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 the sticking of the glass and the elastic material on the sealed side.

3. 3. A molded glass apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a space between the glass and the elastic material is filled with a gas such as nitrogen that is difficult to expand thermally.

4. 3. A molded glass apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a space between the glass and the elastic material is filled with a heat insulating gas such as argon gas or krypton gas.

5. 5. A molded glass apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air outlet for adjusting the air pressure in the space between the glass and the elastic material from the outside by means of an air pump, gas spray or the like.

6. 5. A patterned glass apparatus comprising a pump for varying the air pressure in the space between the glass and the elastic material of the patterned glass apparatus according to claim 1.

7. A molded glass device comprising a device capable of storing gas inside, such as a bellows structure or a piston, changing the volume of the gas storage section, and sending the gas into the space, in order to change the air pressure in the space between the glass and the elastic material of the molded glass device described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

8. 5. A patterned glass apparatus comprising a device for changing the air pressure in the space between the glass and the elastic material of the patterned glass apparatus according to claim 1, the device being capable of being driven by electricity like an electric air pump.

9. 5. A molded glass apparatus comprising a device for changing the air pressure in the space between the glass and the elastic material of the molded glass apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and which device can be remotely controlled by wireless communication using an infrared sensor or the like.

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