Sunlight blocking film for vehicle using transparent electrode

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sunlight blocking film for a vehicle using a transparent electrode. Specifically, the sunlight blocking film comprises: a main body unit including a plurality of first isolation spaces isolated from each other in a vertical direction and blocking particles provided inside the first isolation spaces to block light; and a transparent electrode provided on a part of the inner surface of the first isolation space, wherein when power is supplied to the transparent electrode, electrical attraction acts between the transparent electrode and the blocking particles, so that the light blocking particles move to the inner surface of the first isolation space on which the transparent electrode is located and are disposed, thereby blocking sunlight introduced from the outside.

Description

Automotive sun-blocking film using transparent electrodes

[0001] The present invention is intended to solve the problem of sunlight entering the interior of a vehicle, causing the faces of drivers and passengers to be exposed to sunlight, and in particular, relates to a technology for blocking sunlight entering from the outside by attaching a film with a transparent electrode applied to the inner side of a vehicle window.

[0002] Typically, transparent colored glass windows are installed in the front, back, and left and right sides of a vehicle. These windows are made of a colorless transparent material, which is helpful in identifying external objects, but during the bright day, sunlight enters the car's interior through these windows without being filtered.

[0003] Sunlight entering the car interior can directly shine on the faces of drivers and passengers, causing glare while driving. Furthermore, the sunlight's UV rays can cause skin aging and accelerate the development of wrinkles. Direct exposure to sunlight can lead to various problems, including these, but these are well-known issues, so detailed explanations will be omitted. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent sunlight shining through car windows directly onto the driver's or passengers' bodies, especially their faces.

[0004] Existing products that are attached to vehicle windows to block sunlight include technologies such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in the case of FIG. 1, the adhesive strength with which it is attached to the window is weak, so it falls off from the window after a certain period of time. In addition, since it does not cover the entire window but only the central part, there is a problem that sunlight still enters through the edge of the window. In addition, in the case of FIG. 2, there is a problem such as the driver's view being blocked when attached to the driver's left window because the structure does not secure an outside view.

[0005] The present invention is intended to solve such conventional problems, and aims to provide a product that can prevent sunlight irradiated through a car window from directly shining on the face of a driver or passenger, while at the same time ensuring an outside view toward the upper and lower sides when it is necessary to see the outside.

[0006] The present invention relates to a sunlight blocking film for automobiles using a transparent electrode, and in terms of its specific structure, the film comprises: a main body (110) comprising a plurality of first isolation spaces that are isolated from each other in the vertical direction, and light blocking particles provided inside the first isolation spaces; and a transparent electrode (120) provided on a portion of the inner surface of the first isolation spaces; and when power is supplied to the transparent electrode, an electrical attraction is applied between the transparent electrode and the light blocking particles, so that the light blocking particles move and are arranged on the inner surface of the first isolation spaces where the transparent electrode is located, thereby blocking sunlight coming in from the outside.

[0007] The above first isolation space may be 1) formed in a rectangular or circular shape arranged in an up-down direction, or 2) formed in a rectangular space located at the top and a trapezoidal or triangular space located at the bottom.

[0008] In addition, the present invention includes a main body having a second isolation space having a triangular shape arranged in an up-down direction, and an upper transparent electrode and an oblique transparent electrode arranged on the upper surface and the oblique surface of the triangle of the second isolation space, respectively; and a blocking plate arranged between the upper transparent electrode and the oblique transparent electrode of the second isolation space and rotatably arranged about one end to block sunlight; and when power is supplied to either the upper transparent electrode or the oblique transparent electrode, an electrical force of attraction is applied between the upper transparent electrode or the oblique transparent electrode to which power is supplied and the blocking plate, so that the blocking plate may be structured to rotate toward the upper transparent electrode or the oblique transparent electrode.

[0009] In addition, the second isolation space may have a right triangle shape, and the blocking plate may have a structure in which one end is attached to a corner where the upper surface and the inclined surface of the second isolation space meet, and rotates by electrical attraction based on the attached corner.

[0010] The present invention effectively blocks sunlight coming in from various directions through the automobile window by the above configuration. Specifically, it is capable of blocking not only sunlight coming in from above but also sunlight coming in from the side, and considering the amount of sunlight, it is capable of blocking light coming in from the side, thereby exhibiting an excellent effect.

[0011] The present invention solves various problems caused by sunlight by preventing sunlight from directly shining on the faces of the driver and passengers, and also presents a structure that blocks sunlight without obstructing the driver's upper and lower vision, thereby achieving the dual effects of blocking sunlight and securing vision.

[0012] Figures 1 and 2 are exemplary products of sunshades for automobiles currently on the market according to the prior art.

[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a sun blocking film for automobiles according to the present invention.

[0014] Figure 4 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the AA portion of the sunlight blocking film of Figure 3.

[0015] Figure 5 shows the principle of securing the driver's downward view in the automobile sun blocking film according to the present invention.

[0016] Figures 6 and 7 show the principle of securing the driver's upper view in the automobile sun blocking film according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 8 shows the principle of securing a field of vision while blocking sunlight when the sun is located at an oblique side in the automobile sun blocking film according to the present invention.

[0018] Figures 9 and 10 show that the cross-section of the automotive sun-blocking film illustrated in Figure 4 is configured in a circular shape.

[0019] Figures 11 and 12 show cross-sections of a sun-blocking film for automobiles according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] The purpose, specific advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the terms used are defined based on the functions of the present invention and may vary depending on the user's intentions or practices. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0021] Furthermore, when describing components of the present invention, components with the same name may be given different reference numerals depending on the drawing, and the same reference numerals may be given even in different drawings. However, even in such cases, this does not mean that the components have different functions depending on the embodiment, or that they have the same function in different embodiments, and the function of each component should be determined based on the description of each component in the embodiment.

[0022] Additionally, unless specifically defined otherwise herein, the technical terms used herein should be interpreted in the same manner as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and should not be interpreted in an overly comprehensive or overly narrow sense. Furthermore, singular expressions used herein include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0023] In this application, terms such as “comprises” or “comprising” should not be construed to necessarily include all of the components or steps described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or some of the steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sun-blocking film for automobiles according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a section of a portion AA of the sun-blocking film for automobiles according to the present invention, FIG. 5 shows a principle of securing a driver's downward field of view in a sun-blocking film for automobiles according to the present invention, FIGS. 6 and 7 show a principle of securing a driver's upward field of view in a sun-blocking film for automobiles according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 shows a principle of securing a field of view while blocking sunlight when the sun is located at an oblique side in a sun-blocking film for automobiles according to the present invention.

[0025] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0026] The image of a person depicted in the drawings is a rear view of a person driving a car from inside the car, and the film depicted on the left side represents a cross-section of a film attached to the windshield on the left side of the driver's seat. In FIGS. 4 to 12, the sunlight blocking film of the present invention is depicted with a somewhat exaggerated width, but this is a convenient size for explanation, and the width of the film is such that it can be attached to a windshield and operate, and it is a very thin film.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, an adhesive is applied to one side of the automobile sun-blocking film (100) according to the present invention, so that the film can be attached to the inner side of a windshield using the adhesive. A release paper (100-1) can be attached to the side on which the adhesive is applied and then separated. That is, in order to attach the film to an automobile windshield, the release paper (100-1) is first removed, and the side from which the release paper was separated is attached to the windshield with the side facing the windshield, so that the sun-blocking film can be attached very easily.

[0028] However, the sunblocking film according to the present invention does not necessarily have to be attached to a window using a release liner; it may also be embedded within the glass window. Various methods are possible for attaching the film according to the present invention.

[0029] In addition, the sunlight blocking film according to the present invention must be supplied with power for the transparent electrode to operate as described below. The structure for supplying power to the film can be structured in various ways, and a vehicle power source can be used or a separate battery can be provided and a control unit for controlling the operation can be provided.

[0030] In addition, in the present invention, a transparent electrode is provided inside the film. A transparent electrode (TCE: Transparent Conductive Electrode) refers to an electrode with high electrical conductivity and optical transparency. Industrial fields that use transparent electrodes include not only touch screens but also organic solar cells, displays, heating films, and electrochromic devices. Since transparent electrodes are also a common technology for those skilled in the art, an explanation of the technology of the transparent electrode itself will be omitted.

[0031] The core of the present invention lies in the internal structure of the sunlight blocking film, and this will be described below.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sun blocking film for automobiles (hereinafter referred to as a “blocking film”) according to the present invention, and FIGS. 4 to 12 are cross-sectional views of the blocking film, showing a cross-sectional view of part AA of FIG. 3.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, when looking at the cross-sectional structure of the sunlight blocking film of the present invention, isolated spaces are arranged inside the main body (110) forming the body of the film, and a transparent electrode (120) is also arranged in the main body. The inside of a plurality of first isolation spaces (130) isolated from each other in the vertical direction is filled with a fluid, and also becomes a colloidal state in which blocking particles (140) that block sunlight as particles floating in the fluid are located. The blocking particles (140) exist in a substantially uniform state in the first isolation spaces (130).

[0034] However, fluid is not essential within the first isolation space, and blocking particles may be provided without fluid. One example of the blocking particles may be carbon black, and they are preferably charged in order to operate with the transparent electrode (120).

[0035] The above transparent electrode (120) is provided on a part of the inner surface of the first isolation space (130). In FIG. 3, as an example, it is shown as having an L-shaped structure spanning the upper surface of the inner surface and the inner surface among the vertical surfaces. However, the transparent electrode (120) does not necessarily have to be L-shaped and may be provided only on the inner surface among the vertical surfaces of the first isolation space.

[0036] The most significant feature of the present invention is that, when power is supplied to the transparent electrode (120) in such a structure, a force is applied between the transparent electrode (120) and the charged blocking particles (140). That is, an electric force of attraction is applied between the transparent electrode and the blocking particles, and the light blocking particles move and are positioned toward the inner surface of the first isolation space where the transparent electrode is located. The present invention utilizes this principle to block sunlight coming in from the outside.

[0037] In Fig. 4, power is not supplied to the transparent electrode, so the blocking particles (140) are randomly arranged and floating and are arranged overall, and in Fig. 5, power is supplied to the transparent electrode, so the blocking particles (140) are concentrated and attached to the transparent electrode (in Fig. 5, the transparent electrode is arranged on the upper surface of the first isolation space). In Fig. 4, the blocking particles (140) are uniformly arranged and floating inside the first isolation space (130), so as not to block external sunlight, and in Fig. 5, the blocking particles (140) are concentrated and arranged on the upper surface of the first isolation space (130), so as to effectively block external sunlight coming in from the upper side. The user (vehicle driver) can manually control the state of Fig. 4 and the state of Fig. 5 using the control unit, or the control device inside the vehicle can detect external sunlight and automatically control it.

[0038] There is no particular limitation on the shape of the first isolation space (130), and various shapes are possible, such as a polygonal shape such as a rectangle (Fig. 4) or a triangle (Fig. 11), or a circle (Fig. 9). In addition, even in one blocking film, the first isolation space can have various shapes. As shown in Fig. 5, the first isolation space located relatively upper side may be formed in a rectangular shape, and the first isolation space located relatively lower side may be formed such that the upper and lower surfaces form an oblique incline, such as a trapezoid.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, the upper and lower surfaces of the first isolation space, which is located relatively lower among the first isolation spaces, are slanted to ensure that the user (driver) secures a lower external view. In other words, while sunlight must be blocked upward, sunlight cannot enter from below, so the driver can see the exterior downward from inside the vehicle, ensuring a smooth field of vision.

[0040] Figures 6 and 7 show the principle of securing the driver's upper field of view in the automobile sun-blocking film according to the present invention.

[0041] Although the state illustrated in Fig. 6 has the advantage of blocking all sunlight coming in from above, there is a problem in that the outside environment, such as the scenery above or signs, cannot be seen from inside the car. In other words, when driving a car in the city, the user may need to see signs on the upper side of the outside, which may cause inconvenience. To this end, the transparent electrode can be controlled so that power is supplied only to a portion of the transparent electrode. Fig. 7 illustrates this principle, in which power is supplied only to a portion (the upper corner) of the transparent electrode (120), thereby concentrating the blocking particles (140) on the upper corner.

[0042] This way, the driver can secure a view of the upper exterior, such as external signs, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 7. Fig. 7 shows the blocking particles concentrated at the upper inner corner of the first isolation space, but this could be any corner, including the upper outer corner, lower inner corner, or lower outer corner. This effect can be achieved by arranging a single transparent electrode throughout the entire space and supplying power only to some of the transparent electrodes, or by arranging multiple transparent electrodes separately and supplying power only to the necessary transparent electrodes.

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates, as an example, a method in which transparent electrodes (120) are arranged in various sizes to block only a portion of sunlight, thereby securing a certain degree of external visibility. In FIG. 8, transparent electrodes (120, 120-1, 120-2) are arranged in different sizes. By allowing transparent electrodes arranged in different sizes to transmit different amounts of sunlight, the amount of sunlight can be controlled. Although transparent electrodes of different sizes are arranged in FIG. 8, another example may be a method in which transparent electrodes are arranged entirely in a vertical plane and the intensity (size) of the supplied power is controlled to control the amount of blocking particles attached to the transparent electrodes, thereby securing an external visibility.

[0044] As a modified example of the present invention, FIGS. 9 and 10 show a cross-sectional isolation space of the automotive sun-blocking film illustrated in FIG. 4 having a circular configuration.

[0045] In this embodiment, the isolation space (230), which is an isolated space, is arranged inside the main body (210) forming the body of the film, and the main body also has transparent electrodes and blocking particles (240) that block sunlight, which is similar to what was described above. In this embodiment, the isolation space is configured in a circular shape, and the transparent electrodes are arranged on the upper or side surfaces of the inner surface forming the circular isolation space. In addition, power can be supplied to the transparent electrodes located on the inner surface of the isolation space, but power can be supplied only to a desired location. Through this, the blocking particles can be attached to a desired location. As an example, FIG. 9 shows a view in which the blocking particles (240) are arranged overall upward in the isolation space, and FIG. 10 shows a view in which the blocking particles (240) are controlled to be arranged on the right side (toward the inside of the vehicle) and upper surface of the isolation space. FIGS. 9 and 10 are exemplary, and it is possible to control the positioning of the blocking particles anywhere by controlling the transparent electrodes and the power supply, and sunlight is blocked only where the blocking particles are located.

[0046] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show cross-sections of a sun-blocking film for automobiles according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a square isolation space is divided into triangles, and a blocking plate is adopted instead of a blocking particle that blocks sunlight.

[0047] According to the present embodiment, the blocking film is positioned in a triangular shape with isolated spaces inside the main body (310), which are conveniently referred to as second isolation spaces (330). That is, the main body has a second isolation space (330) in a triangular shape that is arranged vertically, and an upper transparent electrode (312) and an oblique transparent electrode (314) are arranged on the upper surface and the oblique surface of the triangle of the second isolation space, respectively. In addition, a blocking plate (320) that blocks sunlight is arranged between the upper transparent electrode and the oblique transparent electrode of the second isolation space. The blocking plate (320) is arranged to be rotatable with respect to one end to selectively block sunlight. The blocking plate may have a structure in which one end is attached to a corner where the upper surface and the oblique surface of the second isolation space meet, and rotates by electrical attraction with respect to the attached corner. That is, when power is supplied to the upper transparent electrode (312), an attractive force acts between the upper transparent electrode (312) and the blocking plate (320), and the blocking plate moves upward to block sunlight (see FIG. 11). When power is supplied to the inclined transparent electrode (314), an attractive force acts between the inclined transparent electrode (314) and the blocking plate (320), and the blocking plate moves downward. At this time, the function of blocking sunlight is weakened and the driver's field of vision is secured (the blocking plate is inclined diagonally, so the driver can see the upper external scenery, such as external signs).

[0048] The present invention provides a function that effectively blocks sunlight from various directions entering through a car window while also securing an outside view manually or automatically when necessary, thereby protecting the driver from ultraviolet rays and securing an outside view, thereby contributing to safe driving.

Claims

1. A main body (110) comprising a plurality of first isolation spaces that are isolated from each other in the vertical direction, and blocking particles provided inside the first isolation spaces to block light; and A transparent electrode (120) provided on a part of the inner surface of the first isolation space; A sun blocking film for automobiles, characterized in that when power is supplied to the transparent electrode, an electrical force of attraction is applied between the transparent electrode and the light blocking particles, so that the light blocking particles move and are positioned toward the inner surface of the first isolation space where the transparent electrode is located, thereby blocking sunlight coming in from the outside.

2. In paragraph 1, the first isolation space is 1) Consisting of a rectangular or circular shape arranged in an up-down direction, or 2) A sun blocking film for automobiles, characterized by comprising a rectangular space located on the upper side and a trapezoidal or triangular space located on the lower side.

3. A main body (310) having a second isolation space in a triangular shape arranged in an up-down direction, and an upper transparent electrode (312) and an inclined transparent electrode (314) arranged on the upper surface and the inclined surface of the triangle of the second isolation space, respectively; A blocking plate (320) is disposed between the upper transparent electrode and the inclined transparent electrode of the second isolation space and is rotatably disposed around one end to block sunlight; A sun blocking film for automobiles, characterized in that when power is supplied to either the upper transparent electrode or the oblique transparent electrode, an electrical force is applied between the upper transparent electrode or the oblique transparent electrode to which power is supplied and the blocking plate, so that the blocking plate rotates toward the upper transparent electrode or the oblique transparent electrode.

4. In paragraph 3, The above second isolation space is in the shape of a right triangle, A sun blocking film for automobiles, characterized in that the above-mentioned blocking plate is attached at one end at a corner where the upper surface and the inclined surface of the second isolation space meet, and rotates by electrical attraction based on the attached corner.

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