Dimming glass control system and vehicle dimming glass control system

Abstract

To provide a light control glass control system, a controller and a control method for light control glass that can strictly control a transmission index of a light control glass.SOLUTION: A light control glass control system 1 comprises a light control glass 11 which has a light control function and a controller 12 which controls a transmission index of the light control glass 11. The light control glass 11 is configured to vary in transmission index with an effective value of an applied voltage. The controller 12 comprises a function of adjusting the effective value of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 under time-division control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light control glass control system, a control device, and a control method for light control glass. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, progress has been made in the development of photochromic glass, which changes its transmittance index depending on the applied voltage. Such photochromic glass is expected to be used in vehicle windows, etc. For example, photochromic glass is expected to be implemented as an alternative to driver's seat sun visors, rear door window curtains, and movable shades on roof glass.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique relating to window glass that can change light transmission. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2012-503123 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The transmittance (transmission index) of switchable glass changes depending on the voltage applied to it. Specifically, switchable glass can be controlled to be in a transparent state with maximum transmittance, a light-shielding state with minimum transmittance, or a semi-transparent state with transmittance between maximum and minimum by changing the voltage applied to the switchable glass.

[0006] However, in certain regions, the transmittance (transmission index) of the light-controlling glass may change sharply with the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass, which poses a problem that the transmittance (transmission index) of the light-controlling glass cannot be precisely controlled using the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass.

[0007] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a light control glass control system, a control device, and a control method for light control glass that can precisely control the transmittance index of light control glass. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A light control glass control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a light control glass having a light control function and a control device that controls the transmittance index of the light control glass. The light control glass is configured so that the transmittance index changes depending on the effective value of an applied voltage, and the control device has a function of adjusting the effective value applied to the light control glass by time-sharing control.

[0009] In the above-mentioned light control glass control system, the control device may control the effective value applied to the light control glass by controlling a duty ratio corresponding to a period during which a voltage is applied to the light control glass during one cycle.

[0010] In the above-mentioned light control glass control system, the control device may pre-store information regarding the relationship between the duty ratio and the transmittance index of the light control glass, and the control device may apply to the light control glass a voltage with a duty ratio that corresponds to a target value of the transmittance index of the light control glass.

[0011] In the above-described light control glass control system, the control device may have a function of adjusting the effective value only by the time-division control.

[0012] In the above-described light control glass control system, the control device may further have a function of adjusting the effective value by controlling the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass.

[0013] In the above-mentioned light control glass control system, the control device may include a voltage switching unit that switches the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass, a time division unit that time-divides the voltage switched by the voltage switching unit at a predetermined duty ratio, and a control unit that controls the voltage switching unit and the time division unit.

[0014] In the above-mentioned light-controlling glass control system, the control unit may store a threshold value for the transmittance index, and the control unit may switch the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass to a first voltage when the target value for the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass is equal to or greater than the threshold value, and may switch the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass to a second voltage when the target value for the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass is smaller than the threshold value.

[0015] In the above-mentioned light-controlling glass control system, the control device may pre-store information regarding the relationship between the amplitude of the voltage, the duty ratio, and the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass, and the control device may apply to the light-controlling glass a voltage whose amplitude and duty ratio correspond to a target value of the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass.

[0016] In the above-described light control glass control system, the maximum value of the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass may be 150 V or less.

[0017] In the above-mentioned light control glass control system, the transmittance index may be a total light transmittance, and the control device may be capable of controlling the total light transmittance within a range of 25% or more and 80% or less when a voltage is applied.

[0018] In the above-described light control glass control system, the transmission index may be haze, and the control device may be capable of controlling the haze within a range of 1% or more and 100% or less when a voltage is applied.

[0019] In the above-mentioned light control glass control system, the transmission index may be total light transmittance or haze, and the control device may be capable of controlling the total light transmittance or the haze in units of 1% or less.

[0020] A control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a control device for controlling a light-controlling glass whose transmittance index changes depending on the effective value of an applied voltage, and has a function of adjusting the effective value applied to the light-controlling glass by time-sharing control.

[0021] A control method for light-controlling glass according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling light-controlling glass in which the transmittance index changes depending on the effective value of an applied voltage, and when controlling the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass, the effective value applied to the light-controlling glass is adjusted by time-division control. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] The present invention provides a light control glass control system, a control device, and a control method for light control glass that can precisely control the transmittance index of light control glass. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram for explaining a light control glass control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the configuration of light control glass. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example of the configuration of the light control glass. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a control example of the light control glass control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a control example of the light control glass control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the light control glass and the haze. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the light control glass and the total light transmittance. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example of the light control glass control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control device of a light control glass control system according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a control example of the light control glass control system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11]FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a control example of the light control glass control system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a light control glass control system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the light control glass control system 1 according to the embodiment includes a light control glass 11 having a light control function and a control device 12 that controls the transmittance index of the light control glass 11.

[0025] The light-controlling glass 11 has a light-controlling function in which the transmittance index changes according to the effective value (Vrms) of the applied voltage. Hereinafter, the effective value of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass 11 will be simply referred to as the effective value. Hereinafter, the transmittance index is an index related to the amount of light passing through the light-controlling glass 11, such as the total light transmittance (hereinafter also simply referred to as the transmittance) or the haze. For example, the higher the effective value of the light-controlling glass 11, the higher the transmittance, and the lower the haze.

[0026] 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views illustrating configuration examples of light control glass. As shown in Fig. 2, for example, light control glass 11 is configured using a light control film 25 whose transmittance index changes depending on the applied voltage, and glass sheets 21 and 22 in which the light control film 25 is sealed. In other words, the glass sheets 21 and 22 are laminated glass sheets that are fixed together with an interlayer film 23 sandwiched between them, and in the configuration example shown in Fig. 2, the light control glass 11 is configured by sealing the light control film 25 in the location where the interlayer film 23 is located.

[0027] The light control film 25 has a light control function in which the transmittance index changes according to the applied voltage. A voltage is applied to the light control film 25 using wiring 26. The light control film 25 can be made of a suspended particle device, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, a polymer network liquid crystal, a guest-host liquid crystal, a twisted nematic (TN) liquid crystal, a phase change (PC) liquid crystal, a super twisted nematic (STN) liquid crystal, an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) liquid crystal, an optically compensated bend (OCB) liquid crystal, an in-place switching (IPS) liquid crystal, a vertical alignment (VA) liquid crystal, a fringe field switching (FFS) liquid crystal, a field-induced photo-reactive alignment (FPA) liquid crystal, an electrochromic element, an electrokinetic element, an organic electroluminescence (EL) element, an inorganic EL element, or the like.

[0028] For example, if the light control film 25 is a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, the light control film 25 includes a liquid crystal layer and an electrode layer, and when a voltage is applied from the wiring 26, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are aligned, thereby increasing the transmittance of the light control film 25 (reducing haze). In this embodiment, the transmittance index of the light control film 25 is adjusted by adjusting the effective value of the voltage applied to the light control film 25 and adjusting the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. Note that the light control film 25 may be of a type whose transmittance decreases (which increases haze) when a voltage is applied from the wiring 26.

[0029] In this embodiment, the light control glass 11 may be constructed by attaching a light control film 25 to the surface of one of the panes 22 that constitute the laminated glass, as in the configuration example shown in Fig. 3. Note that in this embodiment, the light control glass 11 is not particularly limited as long as it is glass that has a light control function in which the transmittance index changes according to the effective value.

[0030] For example, the dimming glass 11 may be used in window glass, partitions, etc. of a vehicle. For example, when the dimming glass 11 is used in an automobile, it may be implemented as a substitute for a driver's sun visor, a curtain for rear door glass, a movable shade for roof glass, etc. In other words, the dimming glass 11 may be used in a windshield, side windows, rear windows, quarter windows, extra windows, roof glass, etc. Note that in this embodiment, the location where the dimming glass 11 is used is not limited to vehicles and automobiles, and the location where the dimming glass 11 is used is not limited as long as it can be used.

[0031] The control device 12 controls the transmittance index of the light control glass 11. In this embodiment, the control device 12 has a function of adjusting the effective value of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 by time-sharing control. FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining a control example of the light control glass control system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 12 adjusts the effective value of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 by applying a time-sharing voltage to the light control glass 11. This controls the transmittance index of the light control glass 11. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the maximum value (amplitude) of the voltage is Va, and the control device 12 applies the voltage Va to the light control glass 11 in a time-sharing manner.

[0032] Specifically, the control device 12 controls the effective value of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 by controlling the duty ratio corresponding to the period during which a voltage is applied to the light control glass 11 during one cycle. The duty ratio D corresponds to the period (pulse width) a during which the voltage Va is applied relative to the period T shown in FIG. 4, and can be expressed as D = a / T. In the graph shown in FIG. 4, one cycle is T x 2, and the period during which the voltage is applied is a x 2. As a result, the duty ratio can be expressed as D = a / T. By controlling the effective value using the duty ratio D in this way, the control device 12 can control the transmission index of the light control glass 11 to any desired transmission index. In this embodiment, the frequency of the voltage is, for example, approximately 10 to 240 Hz.

[0033] For example, as shown in Fig. 5, when the duty ratio of the voltage output from the control device 12 is 90%, the effective value applied to the light control glass 11 becomes high, so the transmittance of the light control glass 11 becomes high (the haze becomes low), and the light is transmitted. When the duty ratio of the voltage output from the control device 12 is 50%, the effective value applied to the light control glass 11 becomes an intermediate value, so the transmittance of the light control glass 11 becomes an intermediate value (the haze becomes an intermediate value), and the light is transmitted. When the duty ratio of the voltage output from the control device 12 is 10%, the effective value applied to the light control glass 11 becomes low, so the transmittance of the light control glass 11 becomes low (the haze becomes high), and the light is transmitted.

[0034] 4 and 5, the control device 12 outputs a positive voltage and a negative voltage, and also outputs the positive voltage and the negative voltage in a time-division manner (i.e., an AC waveform). However, in this embodiment, the control device 12 may output only the time-division positive voltage, or may output only the time-division negative voltage.

[0035] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass and haze. The voltage shown in Fig. 6 corresponds to the maximum voltage value (amplitude) Va shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 6, the higher the duty ratio of the voltage output from the control device 12, the lower the haze of the light-controlling glass 11. In other words, the higher the duty ratio of the voltage output from the control device 12, the higher the effective value supplied to the light-controlling glass 11, and therefore the lower the haze of the light-controlling glass 11.

[0036] 6, the haze of the light control glass 11 decreases as the amplitude Va of the voltage output from the control device 12 increases. In other words, for a given duty ratio, the haze of the light control glass 11 decreases as the amplitude Va of the voltage output from the control device 12 increases. In the example shown in FIG. 6, when the amplitude Va is 70 V and 100 V, the haze values ​​are approximately the same when the duty ratio is about 20% or higher.

[0037] 6, when the voltage amplitude Va is 30 V, the control device 12 can control the haze within a range of 20% to 100%. When the voltage amplitude Va is 40 V, the control device 12 can control the haze within a range of 8% to 100%. When the voltage amplitude Va is 50 V, the control device 12 can control the haze within a range of 5% to 100%.

[0038] For example, the control device 12 may control the light control glass 11 using an amplitude Va of the voltage that has characteristics that meet the user's needs. For example, when the amplitude Va is set to 30 V, the haze can be smoothly controlled using the duty ratio in a range of 20% to 100%. When the amplitude Va is set to 40 V, the haze can be smoothly controlled using the duty ratio in a range of 8% to 100%. When the amplitude Va is set to 50 V, the change in haze relative to the duty ratio is steep in a range of 30% to 100%, but the change in haze is smooth in a range of 5% to 30%, so the haze can be smoothly controlled in this range.

[0039] 6, the degree of change in haze when the amplitude Va is 50 V is described with a boundary of 30%, but this is not limiting. The range of haze that can be smoothly controlled at a predetermined amplitude Va may be set according to the characteristics of the light control glass 11, specifically, the degree of change in haze relative to the duty ratio.

[0040] Furthermore, although the haze control range upon voltage application has been described as 5% or more and 100% or less, this is not limited thereto. The haze upon voltage application may be, for example, 1% or more, or 3% or more. The haze upon voltage application may be, for example, 95% or less, 90% or less, 80% or less, 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, or 40% or less. The haze control range upon voltage application (i.e., the difference between the upper and lower limits) is preferably 20% or more, more preferably 40% or more, even more preferably 60% or more, even more preferably 80% or more, even more preferably 90% or more, and particularly preferably 99% or more.

[0041] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the light control glass and the total light transmittance. The voltage shown in Fig. 7 corresponds to the maximum voltage value (amplitude) Va shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 7, the higher the duty ratio of the voltage output from the control device 12, the higher the transmittance of the light control glass 11. In other words, the higher the duty ratio of the voltage output from the control device 12, the higher the effective value applied to the light control glass 11, and therefore the higher the transmittance of the light control glass 11.

[0042] 7, the transmittance of the light control glass 11 increases as the amplitude Va of the voltage output from the control device 12 increases. In other words, for a given duty ratio, the transmittance of the light control glass 11 increases as the amplitude Va of the voltage output from the control device 12 increases. In the example shown in FIG. 7, when the amplitude Va is 70 V and 100 V, the transmittance values ​​are approximately the same when the duty ratio is about 20% or higher.

[0043] 7, when the voltage amplitude Va is 30 V, the control device 12 can control the transmittance within a range of 35% to 60%. When the voltage amplitude Va is 40 V, the control device 12 can control the transmittance within a range of 37% to 62%. When the voltage amplitude Va is 50 V, the control device 12 can control the transmittance within a range of 42% to 63%.

[0044] For example, the control device 12 may control the light control glass 11 using an amplitude Va of the voltage that has characteristics that meet the user's needs. For example, when the amplitude Va is set to 30 V, the transmittance can be smoothly controlled using the duty ratio in the transmittance range of 35% to 60%. When the amplitude Va is set to 40 V, the transmittance can be smoothly controlled using the duty ratio in the transmittance range of 37% to 62%. When the amplitude Va is set to 50 V, the change in the transmittance with respect to the duty ratio is steep in the transmittance range of 42% to 55%, but the change in the transmittance is smooth in the transmittance range of 55% to 63%, so the transmittance can be smoothly controlled in this range.

[0045] 7, the degree of change in transmittance when the amplitude Va is 50 V is described with a boundary of 55%, but this is not limiting. The range of transmittance that can be smoothly controlled at a predetermined amplitude Va may be set according to the characteristics of the light control glass 11, specifically, the degree of change in haze relative to the duty ratio.

[0046] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the control range of transmittance when a voltage is applied is described as 35% or more and 63% or less, but is not limited to this. The transmittance when a voltage is applied may be, for example, 25% or more, or 30% or more. The transmittance when a voltage is applied may be, for example, 75% or less, 70% or less, or 65% or less. The control range of transmittance when a voltage is applied (i.e., the difference between the upper and lower limits) is preferably 10% or more, more preferably 20% or more, even more preferably 30% or more, even more preferably 40% or more, even more preferably 50% or more, and particularly preferably 55% or more.

[0047] For example, the control device 12 may store in advance information (such as information shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) relating to the relationship between the duty ratio and the transmission index (haze, transmittance) of the light control glass 11. In this case, the control device 12 applies to the light control glass 11 a voltage having a duty ratio corresponding to a target value for the transmission index (haze, transmittance) of the light control glass 11. This allows the control device 12 to control the transmission index (haze, transmittance) of the light control glass 11 to a predetermined target value. The control device 12 may also be configured to change the amplitude Va of the voltage. By making the voltage amplitude Va variable, the transmission index of the light control glass 11 can be controlled more precisely. The case where the voltage amplitude Va is changed will be described later.

[0048] In this embodiment, the control device 12 may control the light-controlling glass 11 in response to a user's operation, or may automatically control the light-controlling glass 11. When the light-controlling glass 11 is controlled in response to a user's operation, the user sets the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass 11 using an operation unit (not shown). Information about the transmittance index set by the user is supplied from the operation unit (not shown) to the control device 12. The control device 12 applies an effective value corresponding to the supplied transmittance index to the light-controlling glass 11. Through this control, the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass 11 becomes the transmittance index set by the user.

[0049] When the light control glass 11 is automatically controlled, for example, a light sensor is provided inside the vehicle and the light sensor detects the amount of light inside the vehicle. The control device 12 automatically controls the transmittance index of the light control glass 11 according to the detected amount of light. For example, when the detected amount of light is large (the interior of the vehicle is bright), the control device 12 may lower the effective value applied to the light control glass 11 (lower the duty ratio) to lower the transmittance of the light control glass 11 (increase the haze). On the other hand, when the detected amount of light is small (the interior of the vehicle is dark), the control device 12 may increase the effective value applied to the light control glass 11 (increase the duty ratio) to increase the transmittance of the light control glass 11 (lower the haze). Note that when the transmittance index of the light control glass 11 is automatically controlled, the set value for the brightness inside the vehicle may be preset by the user.

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, the circuit configuration of the control device 12 is not particularly limited as long as it can apply the voltage described above to the light control glass 11.

[0051] As explained in the "Problem to be Solved by the Invention" section, the transmittance (transmission index) of switchable glass changes depending on the effective value of the voltage applied to the switchable glass. Specifically, switchable glass can be controlled to be in a transparent state with maximum transmittance, a light-shielding state with minimum transmittance, or a semi-transparent state with transmittance intermediate between maximum and minimum by changing the effective value of the voltage applied to the switchable glass.

[0052] However, in certain regions, the transmittance (transmission index) of the light-controlling glass may change sharply in response to the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass. In such cases, there is a problem in that the transmittance (transmission index) of the light-controlling glass cannot be precisely controlled using the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass.

[0053] For example, if an AC waveform is generated using a microcomputer or the like and power is amplified using an operational amplifier, assuming that the effective value at which the transmittance of the light-control film saturates is 60Vrms and the power supply voltage of the I / F and I / O of the microcomputer's DAC is 5.0V, the microcomputer's output signal (AC waveform) must be amplified by approximately 12 times using an operational amplifier. For example, to change the haze by 1%, the effective value must be changed by 0.13V, and in this case, the microcomputer's output signal (AC waveform) must be controlled at 0.0108V (=0.13V / 12). However, the DACs commonly used are 8-bit, and in this case the control voltage per step is 0.0195V (=5V / 2 8 ) and control becomes difficult. For these reasons, conventional technologies have had the problem that the transmittance (transmission index) of light-controlling glass cannot be precisely controlled using the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass.

[0054] Furthermore, when adjusting the voltage applied to the light-control glass using a transformer step-up circuit, the voltage must be adjusted by changing the winding ratio of the transformer. In this case, multiple transformers with winding ratios corresponding to the number of steps for adjusting the transmittance of the light-control film must be prepared and switched, which poses the problem of an increase in the number of transformers and an increase in the circuit size as the number of steps increases.

[0055] In contrast, in the invention according to this embodiment, the control device 12 adjusts the effective value applied to the light control glass 11 by time-sharing control. When the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 is controlled by time-sharing in this manner, the effective value applied to the light control glass 11 can be precisely controlled. Therefore, the present invention can provide a light control glass control system, a control device, and a control method for light control glass that can precisely control the transmittance index of the light control glass. For example, by using the invention according to this embodiment, the minimum step width of the transmittance or haze can be 1% or less. The minimum step width of the transmittance or haze may be less than 1%, or may be 0.5% or less. Furthermore, the lower limit of the minimum step width of the transmittance or haze is not particularly limited, but may be 0.1% or more.

[0056] Furthermore, in the invention according to this embodiment, it is not necessary to prepare transformers in the number corresponding to the number of steps, so that an increase in the circuit size can be suppressed.

[0057] Furthermore, in the invention according to this embodiment, the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass 11 can be precisely controlled, thereby achieving the following effects. For example, the vehicle user (driver or passenger) can precisely select the optimum transmittance index depending on the solar radiation conditions. Furthermore, because the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass 11 can be precisely changed, visually natural switching is possible when controlling the light-controlling glass 11. Furthermore, even if the light-controlling film characteristics of multiple light-controlling glasses 11 installed in a vehicle are different from one another, the apparent variation between each light-controlling glass can be precisely adjusted by outputting a voltage with an optimum duty ratio determined for each light-controlling glass 11 (light-control film) from the control device 12 to the light-controlling glass 11.

[0058] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the light control glass control system according to this embodiment. In this embodiment, like the light control glass control system 1a shown in Fig. 8, the light control glass 11 may be configured using a plurality of light control glasses 11_1 to 11_3. For example, the light control glass 11 may be configured by sandwiching a plurality of light control films (corresponding to the light control glasses 11_1 to 11_3) between two glass plates. The light control glass 11 may also be configured by arranging a plurality of light control glasses 11_1 to 11_3 side by side. The light control glass 11 may also be configured by dividing one light control film into a plurality of electrically independent regions.

[0059] Each of the light control glasses 11_1 to 11_3 is configured to be independently controllable using the control device 12. The control device 12 supplies a voltage having a predetermined duty ratio to each of the light control glasses 11_1 to 11_3, thereby independently controlling the transmittance of each of the light control glasses 11_1 to 11_3. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, a gradation can be achieved by gradually increasing the transmittance (decreasing the haze) in the order of the light control glass 11_1, the light control glass 11_2, and the light control glass 11_3.

[0060] In the present embodiment described above, the control device 12 may adjust the effective value only by time-division control (that is, the effective value may be adjusted only by the duty ratio while keeping the voltage amplitude Va constant), or may control the effective value by combining time-division control with control of the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass 11. In either case, the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass 11 can be controlled more precisely than when the effective value is controlled only by the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass 11. Below, a specific description is given of a case where the effective value is controlled by combining time-division control with control of the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass 11.

[0061] 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control device of a light control glass control system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the control device 12a includes a voltage switching unit 31, time division units 32_1 and 32_2, and a control unit 33 that controls the voltage switching unit 31 and the time division units 32_1 and 32_2.

[0062] The voltage switching unit 31 switches the voltage (amplitude) applied to the light control glass 11. Specifically, different power supply voltages are supplied to the voltage switching unit 31 from a plurality of power supply circuits 35_1 to 35_n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2). The voltage switching unit 31 selects one of the power supply voltages supplied from the plurality of power supply circuits 35_1 to 35_n in accordance with control from the control unit 33, and supplies the selected power supply voltage to the time division units 32_1 and 32_2. At this time, the voltage switching unit 31 supplies a positive power supply voltage to the time division unit 32_1 and a negative power supply voltage to the time division unit 32_2.

[0063] For example, each of the power supply circuits 35_1 to 35_n can be configured using a transformer. Also, the voltage switching unit 31 can be configured using a plurality of relays. That is, by connecting each of the power supply circuits 35_1 to 35_n to a corresponding relay and controlling the on / off of each relay in response to a control signal from the control unit 33, the power supply voltage of a specific power supply circuit can be supplied to the time-division units 32_1 and 32_2.

[0064] For example, if power supply circuits 35_1 to 35_n are provided in 10V increments between 30V and 100V, the number of power supply circuits (transformers) will be eight (n=8). In this case, the number of power supply circuits (transformers) can be reduced compared to when a number of power supply circuits (transformers) corresponding to the number of steps are provided and control is performed using only the voltage amplitude, thereby reducing the circuit scale. For example, the maximum amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 may be 150V or less, preferably 100V or less, and more preferably 60V or less.

[0065] The time division units 32_1 and 32_2 time-divide the voltage switched by the voltage switching unit 31 so as to have a predetermined duty ratio. Specifically, the time division unit 32_1 time-divides the positive power supply voltage supplied from the voltage switching unit 31 and outputs it in accordance with control from the control unit 33. Similarly, the time division unit 32_2 time-divides the negative power supply voltage supplied from the voltage switching unit 31 and outputs it in accordance with control from the control unit 33. Then, the voltage output from the time division unit 32_1 and the voltage output from the time division unit 32_2 are added together and output as a voltage Vout for controlling the light control glass 11.

[0066] Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining a control example of the light control glass control system according to this embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the voltage Vout generated by the control device 12a shown in Fig. 9. The control device 12a shown in Fig. 9 controls the effective value by combining control of the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 and time-division control. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10, the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 can be changed to predetermined values ​​V1, V2, and V3.

[0067] For example, if the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 is set to voltage value V2, which is higher than voltage value V1, then at the same duty ratio, the effective voltage can be higher at voltage value V2 than at voltage value V1, thereby increasing the transmittance (reducing haze).Also, if the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 is set to voltage value V3, which is lower than voltage value V1, then at the same duty ratio, the effective voltage can be lower at voltage value V3 than at voltage value V1, thereby decreasing the transmittance (reducing haze).

[0068] For example, a threshold value for the transmission index may be stored in the control unit 33. When the target value for the transmission index of the light-controlling glass is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 33 may switch the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass to a first voltage, and when the target value for the transmission index of the light-controlling glass is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, the control unit 33 may switch the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass to a second voltage.

[0069] For example, when the transmission index is haze, the control unit 33 may switch the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass to a first voltage if the target value of the haze of the light-controlling glass is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and may switch the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass to a second voltage higher than the first voltage if the target value of the haze of the light-controlling glass is less than the predetermined threshold.

[0070] For example, when the transmission index is transmittance, the control unit 33 may switch the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass to a first voltage when the target value of the transmittance of the light-controlling glass is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and may switch the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass to a second voltage lower than the first voltage when the target value of the transmittance of the light-controlling glass is smaller than the predetermined threshold.

[0071] When the effective voltage is controlled by combining control of the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 with time-division control, the transmittance index of the light control glass can be controlled more precisely.

[0072] For example, the control device 12a may store in advance information relating to the relationship between the amplitude and duty ratio of the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 and the transmittance index of the light control glass 11. In this case, the control device 12a applies to the light control glass 11 a voltage Vout having a voltage value and duty ratio according to a target value of the transmittance index of the light control glass 11. This allows the control device 12a to control the transmittance index of the light control glass 11 to a predetermined target value.

[0073] In this embodiment, the voltage amplitude may be switched during the voltage rise or fall, as shown in FIG. 11. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the voltage value is changed from +V3 to +V1 during the voltage rise. Furthermore, the voltage value is changed from -V3 to -V1 during the voltage fall. By controlling in this manner, the transmittance index of the light control glass can be controlled more precisely. Furthermore, overshoot when the voltage rises and undershoot when the voltage falls can be suppressed. Note that the voltage amplitude may be switched only during the voltage fall or during the voltage fall, or may be switched both ways. Furthermore, the voltage may be switched during the voltage fall from +V1 or during the voltage rise from -V1.

[0074] In the present invention, the control processing of the control devices 12 and 12a may be realized by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a computer program.

[0075] The above-described program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer-readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Non-transitory computer-readable media include, for example, magnetic recording media, magneto-optical recording media, CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / Ws, and semiconductor memories. Magnetic recording media include, for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives. Magneto-optical recording media include, for example, magneto-optical disks. Semiconductor memories include, for example, mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (Random Access Memory). The program can also be supplied to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire or an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0076] The present invention has been described above in accordance with the above-mentioned embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, and naturally includes various modifications, alterations, and combinations that a person skilled in the art can make within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1. Dimming glass control system 11, 11_1~11_3 Photochromic Glass 12, 12a Control device 21, 22 Glass 23 Interlayer 25 Light Control Film 26 Wiring 31 Voltage switching unit 32_1, 32_2 time division section 33 Control Unit

Claims

1. A dimming glass with a dimming function; a control device for controlling the transmittance index of the light control glass, the light control glass is configured so that the transmittance index changes in response to an effective value of an applied voltage; the control device has a function of adjusting the effective value applied to the light control glass by time-sharing control, The control device further has a function of adjusting an effective value of the voltage by controlling the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass, The control device a voltage switching unit that switches the amplitude of a voltage applied to the light control glass; a time division unit that divides the amplitude of the voltage switched by the voltage switching unit in time at a predetermined duty ratio; a control unit that controls the voltage switching unit and the time division unit, The control unit stores a threshold value for the transmission index, The control unit When the target value of the transmittance index of the light control glass is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass is switched to a first voltage; When the target value of the transmittance index of the light-controlling glass is smaller than the threshold value, the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass is switched to a second voltage. Dimming glass control system.

2. 2. The light control glass control system according to claim 1, wherein the control device controls an effective value of the voltage applied to the light control glass by controlling a duty ratio corresponding to a period during which a voltage is applied to the light control glass during one cycle.

3. The control device stores in advance information relating to a relationship between the duty ratio and the transmittance index of the light control glass, the control device applies to the light control glass a voltage having a duty ratio corresponding to a target value of a transmittance index of the light control glass; The dimming glass control system of claim 2 .

4. The light control glass control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a maximum value of the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass is 150 V or less.

5. The transmission index is a total light transmittance, The control device is capable of controlling the total light transmittance within a range of 25% or more and 80% or less when a voltage is applied. The dimming glass control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The transmission index is haze, The control device is capable of controlling the haze within a range of 1% or more and 100% or less when a voltage is applied. The dimming glass control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The transmission index is total light transmittance or haze, The control device is capable of controlling the total light transmittance or the haze in increments of 1% or less. The dimming glass control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The transmission index is total light transmittance, The control unit When the target value of the total light transmittance of the light control glass is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass is switched to a first voltage; When the target value of the total light transmittance of the light control glass is smaller than the threshold value, the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light control glass is switched to a second voltage lower than the first voltage. The dimming glass control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The transmission index is haze, The control unit When the target value of the haze of the light-controlling glass is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass is switched to a first voltage; When the target value of the haze of the light-controlling glass is smaller than the threshold value, the amplitude of the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass is switched to a second voltage higher than the first voltage. The dimming glass control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. A dimming glass control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the frequency of the voltage supplied from the control device to the dimming glass is 10 Hz or more and 240 Hz or less.

11. A dimming glass control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dimming glass is laminated glass in which a first glass plate and a second glass plate are fixed together with an intermediate film sandwiched therebetween, and a dimming film is encapsulated in the location where the intermediate film is located.

12. A dimming glass control system for a vehicle, wherein the dimming glass provided in the dimming glass control system described in any one of claims 1 to 11 is used as window glass in a vehicle.

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