Smart window device using voltage controller

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smart window device using a voltage controller, the device allowing or blocking the supply of a power source to a smart film according to the magnitude of a voltage applied from an alternating current power source, and performing correction in accordance with circumstances so that a voltage within a certain range is always applied. The voltage controller to which an alternating current voltage is applied allows voltage within a preset voltage range to be applied to the smart film in a series-connected state, limits the application, to the smart film, of voltage within another voltage range, and automatically corrects supply voltage errors caused by capacitance.

Description

Smart Window Devices Using Voltage Controllers

[0001] The present invention relates to a smart window device using a voltage controller that constantly controls the voltage applied to a smart film whose light transmittance changes depending on the state of power application, and more specifically, to a smart window device using a voltage controller that allows or blocks the supply of power to the smart film depending on the magnitude of the voltage applied from an AC power source, and performs correction as necessary so that a voltage within a constant range can always be applied.

[0002]

[0003] In general, smart windows, which have the ability to control light transmittance and color depending on the power status, can provide users with effects similar to curtains or blinds, which are widely used for light blocking and privacy protection, as well as provide a wider range of effects, such as for interior design and displays.

[0004] These smart windows can be configured by forming a liquid crystal layer between a pair of glass panes or by adding a PDLC (Polymer dispersed liquid crystal) film layer or SPD (Suspended Particle Devices) composite film layer to the outside of the glass panes. Among these, PDLC films and SPD films, which have the advantage of being thin and flexible and can be cut to a desired shape and size and attached to desired objects, are sometimes collectively referred to as smart films.

[0005] Therefore, due to the advantages mentioned above, smart windows or smart films are increasingly being used as replacements for curtains, blinds, tinted glass, and films, and their use is expanding further, such as in vehicle HUDs (Head-up displays) and refrigerator displays.

[0006] However, unlike curtains or blinds, smart windows or smart films are electronic products that require power supply to function, so electrical problems such as overvoltage occurring in the internal circuit of the device that supplies voltage or irregular formation of the supplied voltage may occur. The occurrence of such problems may cause damage or failure of the smart window or smart film, including the internal circuit of the device, so preventive measures must be taken.

[0007] In relation to the above-mentioned problem, inventions such as “Overvoltage prevention control circuit and overvoltage prevention control method including overvoltage detection logic and delay circuit inside a chip” of Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0817053 and “Voltage regulation circuit based on dual reference voltage generator for compensating for voltage change by tracking power supply change” of Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0101662 have been proposed and published.

[0008] First, in the Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0817053 entitled “Overvoltage prevention control circuit and overvoltage prevention control method including overvoltage detection logic and delay circuit inside a chip,” an invention was proposed regarding a device and a method using the device, which convert a power supply voltage into a first voltage and a second voltage, compare the magnitudes of each voltage to generate a control signal, and are configured to form a delay circuit that determines whether or not to apply voltage to the chip and a different delay time in response to the generated control signal, thereby enabling stable overvoltage prevention in response to rapid voltage changes.

[0009] In addition, in the above-mentioned Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0101662 entitled “Dual Reference Voltage Generator-Based Voltage Regulation Circuit for Compensating for Voltage Changes by Tracking Power Supply Changes,” an invention was proposed regarding a device that can generate a reference voltage that compensates for voltage changes due to long routing within an integrated circuit by tracking changes in the power supply.

[0010] In this way, problems such as overvoltage occurring in the internal circuit of an electronic product or irregular formation of the supply voltage can be solved in various ways, but since the above-mentioned inventions are not aimed at smart windows or smart films, they cannot be direct solutions.

[0011] Accordingly, there is a need for a new invention regarding a device or method that is configured to prevent the occurrence of a failure due to problems such as overvoltage occurring in the internal circuit or irregular formation of the supply voltage by targeting a smart window or smart film.

[0012]

[0013] The smart window device using the voltage controller according to the present invention is an invention proposed to solve the above problems.

[0014] The purpose of this invention is to provide a solution to the problem that may result in damage to the smart film due to problems such as overvoltage occurring in the internal circuit of the device for supplying voltage to the smart film or irregular formation of the supply voltage.

[0015] Additionally, the present invention seeks to solve the problem of noise occurring during the process of supplying power to a smart film or errors in current and voltage level control, which result in a slight shaking phenomenon occurring in the smart film.

[0016]

[0017] The present invention aims to achieve the above-mentioned purpose,

[0018] In a smart window device using a voltage controller that constantly controls the supply voltage to a smart film having a variable light transmittance that changes depending on the voltage applied,

[0019] The voltage controller is configured to allow power supply to the smart film in a series-connected state within a preset voltage range by receiving an AC voltage, and to limit the power supply to the smart film within another voltage range, and to automatically correct an error in the supply voltage caused by the capacitance of the smart film. A smart window device using a voltage controller is proposed.

[0020] At this time, the voltage controller is characterized in that it is configured to include a filter section including a resistor and an inductor inside or an inductor and a condenser, so that a blocking occurs for frequencies outside a specific frequency range for the purpose of noise reduction.

[0021]

[0022] The smart window device using the voltage controller according to the present invention is optimized for a smart film, which is one of the known smart windows or smart films.

[0023] Since it is configured to allow the supply of power to the smart film in a series-connected state within a preset voltage range when an AC voltage is applied, and to limit the supply of voltage to the smart film within another voltage range, the problem of overvoltage occurring in the internal circuit of the device for supplying power to the smart film can be solved.

[0024] In addition, since the present invention is configured to automatically correct an error in the supply voltage caused by the capacitance of the smart film, it has the effect of solving the problem of the supply voltage to the smart film being irregularly formed.

[0025] In addition, by providing a filter section including a resistor and an inductor inside the voltage controller or including an inductor and a capacitor to block frequencies outside a specific frequency range, the effect of solving the micro-shaking phenomenon of the smart film caused by noise or errors in current and voltage level control is generated.

[0026]

[0027] Figure 1 is a usage state diagram of a smart window device using a voltage controller according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of a smart window device using a voltage controller according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3a is an exemplary diagram showing one embodiment of a section in which the first and third control signals are generated by a signal generation unit.

[0030] Fig. 3b is an exemplary diagram showing another embodiment of a section in which the first and third control signals are generated by a signal generating unit.

[0031] Figure 4 is an additional configuration diagram of a smart window device using a voltage controller according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 is an example diagram showing an example of an error in the supply voltage caused by the capacitance of a smart film.

[0033]

[0034] A smart window device using a voltage controller according to the present invention,

[0035] It is characterized in that it is configured to allow the supply of power to the smart film in a series-connected state within a preset voltage range when an AC voltage is applied, and to limit the supply of power to the smart film within another voltage range, and to automatically correct an error in the supply voltage caused by the capacitance of the smart film.

[0036]

[0037] The present invention relates to a smart window device using a voltage controller (110) that constantly controls the voltage applied to a smart film (100) whose light transmittance changes depending on the state in which power is applied.

[0038] The above voltage controller (110)

[0039] The present invention relates to a smart window device using a voltage controller, which is configured to allow supply of voltage to the smart film (100) in a series-connected state within a preset voltage range by receiving an AC voltage, and to limit supply of voltage to the smart film (100) within another voltage range, and is characterized in that it is configured to automatically correct an error in the supply voltage caused by the capacitance of the smart film (100).

[0040]

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0042] First, the present invention relates to a smart window device comprising a smart film (100), a voltage controller (110), a power supply, a sensor, a control unit, etc., and a description of other components generally used in the installation of a smart window is omitted.

[0043] At this time, as shown in Fig. 1, the voltage controller (110) is a device that is connected in series to an AC power source for the purpose of controlling a smart film (100), and is also connected in series to the smart film (100) so that the voltage applied by the AC power source can also be applied to the smart film (100).

[0044] That is, the voltage controller (110) can be installed in a form that replaces a switch installed on the wall of a general home or office, and is equipped with a rectifier inside to convert alternating current supplied from an alternating current power source into direct current, thereby enabling power to be supplied by direct current voltage to internal elements.

[0045] At this time, the smart film (100) may be composed of a known PDLC (Polymer dispersed liquid crystal) film or SPD (Suspended Particle Devices) type composite film attached to transparent glass or synthetic resin used for windows or walls, and these films change the arrangement of internal liquid crystals depending on the power supply status and voltage size, thereby becoming transparent, translucent, or opaque, thereby providing various effects such as blocking or shading the view from the outside, or decoration.

[0046] Accordingly, the voltage controller (110) enables the smart film (100) in an opaque state to be converted into a transparent or translucent state by supplying power for the realization of a function, and to be converted back into an opaque state by cutting off the supply of power.

[0047] Furthermore, the voltage controller (110) keeps the voltage applied to the smart film (100) constant, thereby reducing unnecessary power loss and preventing damage to the smart film (100) due to overvoltage or irregular supply voltage.

[0048] More specifically, the voltage controller (110) is equipped with an internal circuit configured to be opened and closed as needed while allowing the use of a two-wire wiring from a commonly used AC power source, and is equipped with a rectifier as described above.

[0049] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the voltage controller (110) may be equipped with a measuring unit (111) that measures in real time the magnitude (intensity) of the voltage applied from the AC power source by using a method of analyzing the waveform of the voltage applied from the AC power source, a signal generating unit (112) that generates a control signal transmitted to the control unit (113) according to the magnitude of the measured voltage, and a control unit (113) that opens and closes the internal circuit according to the control signal.

[0050] That is, the above measurement unit (111) is configured to measure the size (strength) of the voltage applied from the AC power source in real time by using a method of analyzing the waveform of the voltage applied from the AC power source.

[0051] In addition, the signal generation unit (112) generates a first control signal or a third control signal for closing (supplying current) the internal circuit or a second control signal or a fourth control signal for opening (cutting off current) the internal circuit depending on the magnitude of the voltage measured by the measurement unit (111), thereby allowing the opening and closing of the internal circuit by the control unit (113).

[0052] As one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3a, the signal generating unit (112) generates a first control signal for closing the internal circuit when a sinusoidal waveform by a voltage applied from an AC power source appears in a section from 0° to 30° on a graph (hatched area, supply voltage 0 to 110 V) based on analysis of the waveform by the measuring unit (111), and generates a second control signal for opening the internal circuit when the sinusoidal waveform appears in a section exceeding 30° to 180°.

[0053] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3a, the signal generating unit (112) can generate a third control signal for closing the internal circuit when a sine wave appears in a section exceeding 180° to 210° (hatched area, supply voltage 0 to -110 V), and can generate a fourth control signal for opening the internal circuit when the sine wave appears in a section exceeding 210° to 360°, thereby causing opening and closing of the internal circuit by the control unit (113).

[0054] Accordingly, the internal circuit of the voltage controller (110) can be closed in the range of 0 to 110 V and 0 to -110 V, where the voltage increases, but can be opened in other voltage ranges, and through this configuration, a voltage of up to 110 V or -110 V can be applied to the smart film (100).

[0055] This configuration reflects the fact that transparency is formed to its maximum when a voltage of about 100 V is applied to the PDLC or SPD constituting the smart film (100).

[0056] In addition, as another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3b, the signal generating unit (112) may generate a first control signal for closing the internal circuit when a sinusoidal waveform by a voltage applied from an AC power source appears in a section from 0° to 15° on the graph (hatched area, supply voltage 0 to 55 V) based on analysis of the waveform by the measuring unit (111), and may generate a second control signal for opening the internal circuit when the sinusoidal waveform appears in a section exceeding 15° to 180°.

[0057] In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3b, the signal generating unit (112) can generate a third control signal for closing the internal circuit when a sine wave appears in a section exceeding 180° to 195° (hatched area, supply voltage 0 to -55 V), and can generate a fourth control signal for opening the internal circuit when the sine wave appears in a section exceeding 195° to 360°, thereby causing opening and closing of the internal circuit by the control unit (113).

[0058] That is, the voltage controller (110) can be set by changing the voltage range that allows power supply to the smart film (100) and the voltage range that restricts power supply, and this configuration provides the effect of enabling the present invention to flexibly respond to voltage values ​​supplied according to different standards in each country.

[0059]

[0060] Meanwhile, when measuring the voltage supplied to the smart film (100) according to the above configuration, an error may occur between the theoretical supply voltage and the actual supply voltage, which is due to the capacitance of the smart film (100) being formed to a considerably high degree.

[0061] That is, based on the AC power of 220 V, a voltage in the range of 220 V to -220 V should be applied to the voltage controller (110), but in reality, due to the capacitance of the smart film (100), a phenomenon may occur in which a voltage in the range of, for example, 200 V to -240 V is measured to be applied.

[0062] Of course, this does not mean that the voltage actually supplied to the voltage controller (110) from the 220V AC power source changes, but rather that the voltage controller (110) is affected by the capacitance of the smart film (100), which may change the reference value for measuring the magnitude of the voltage.

[0063] More specifically, in principle, a voltage in the range of 0 to 110 V should be applied to the smart film (100) as the first control signal is generated by the signal generating unit (112), and a voltage in the range of 0 to -110 V should be applied to the smart film (100) as the third control signal is generated.

[0064] However, due to the influence of the capacitance of the smart film (100), an error occurs in the voltage applied to the smart film (100), and in reality, a voltage outside the range of 0 to 110 V or 0 to -110 V may be applied, and the size of the error due to this phenomenon may gradually increase over time.

[0065] In this way, if the actual supply voltage applied to the smart film (100) is irregularly formed and, furthermore, an overvoltage occurs, the smart film (100) may be damaged and may not be able to function properly. This problem may be further accelerated as the error between the theoretical supply voltage and the actual supply voltage becomes increasingly large.

[0066] Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the present invention is characterized in that it further includes a detection unit (114) that detects an error in the supply voltage caused by the capacitance of the smart film (100) when power is supplied to the smart film (100) for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of the above-described problem, and a correction unit (115) that automatically corrects the voltage range in which power is supplied to the smart film (100) based on the detected error.

[0067] That is, as described above, each section in which the signal generation unit (112) generates the first to fourth control signals is based on a sinusoidal waveform, which is a waveform of a voltage applied from an AC power source, and is based on a state in which a voltage in the range of 220 V to -220 V is applied to the voltage controller (110). However, if it is measured that a voltage in the range of 200 V to -240 V is applied by the capacitance of the smart film (100), an error as illustrated in FIG. 5 may occur.

[0068] Accordingly, a voltage in the range of 0 to 110 V or a range outside the range of 0 to -110 V can be applied to the smart film (100), and the detection unit (114) detects a supply voltage outside the range of 0 to 110 V or a range outside the range of 0 to -110 V, thereby enabling correction by the correction unit (115).

[0069] At this time, the correction by the correction unit (115) targets the signal generation unit (112), and as the section in which the signal generation unit (112) generates each of the first to fourth control signals changes, a voltage in the range of 0 to 110 V or 0 to -110 V can be applied to the smart film (100) again.

[0070] Accordingly, the above correction unit (115) must have a data value for changing the section in which each of the first to fourth control signals is generated in response to the size of the detected error value, and thus, the range of voltage applied to the smart film (100) is configured to be immediately corrected and maintained constant, although an error may temporarily occur.

[0071] And even in a state where the power supply to the smart film (100) is limited, a small amount of current may actually flow, but this is so small that no change in the state of the smart film (100) occurs.

[0072] In addition, the voltage controller (110) may be configured to block frequencies outside a specific frequency range for the purpose of noise reduction by including a filter section that may be configured to include a resistor and an inductor or an inductor and a capacitor.

[0073] That is, in the process of supplying power to the smart film (110), if noise occurs inside the voltage controller (110) or an error occurs in current or voltage level control, a slight shaking phenomenon may occur in the smart film (110).

[0074] Accordingly, the present invention can solve the micro-shaking phenomenon of the smart film (110) as described above by providing a filter unit that can be configured to include a resistor and an inductor or an inductor and a condenser inside the voltage controller (110) to function as a noise filter.

[0075] Additionally, the voltage controller (110) may be configured to control the amount of power supplied according to the size of the applied AC voltage when allowing the supply of power to the smart film (100).

[0076] That is, the voltage controller (110) can be configured to realize a dimming function that adjusts the transparency or translucency of the smart film (100) according to the size of the applied AC voltage using the control unit (113).

[0077] However, the transparency or translucency does not have to be set to the maximum at the maximum voltage (110 V) included in the range that allows power supply to the smart film (100).

[0078] That is, it is desirable that the voltage range in which the dimming function is realized be limited to a range such as 0 to 50 V.

[0079] In addition, the voltage controller (110) can apply the dimming function as described above even when switching to limit the supply of power to the smart film (100), so that the smart film (100) can be gradually changed from a transparent state to an opaque state. In this case, it is also preferable that the voltage range in which the dimming function is realized is set to be limited.

[0080]

[0081] The embodiments introduced above are provided as examples so that the technical idea of ​​the present invention can be sufficiently conveyed to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and may be embodied in other forms.

[0082] In order to clearly explain the present invention, parts that are not related to the description are omitted from the drawings, and the same reference numbers represent the same components throughout the specification.

[0083]

[0084] The present invention has the effect of solving the problem of overvoltage occurring in the internal circuit of a device for supplying power to a smart film, the effect of solving the problem of irregular formation of the supply voltage to the smart film, and the effect of solving the phenomenon of micro-shaking of the smart film caused by noise or errors in current and voltage level control, and therefore has sufficient industrial applicability.

Claims

1. In a smart window device using a voltage controller (110) that constantly controls the supply voltage to a smart film (100) having a variable light transmittance that changes depending on the voltage applied, The above voltage controller (110) When an AC voltage is applied, it is configured to allow the supply of power to the smart film (100) connected in series within a preset voltage range, and is configured to limit the supply of power to the smart film (100) within a different voltage range. A smart window device using a voltage controller characterized in that it is configured to automatically correct an error in the supply voltage caused by the capacitance of the smart film (100).

2. In paragraph 1, The above voltage controller (110) A measuring unit (111) that analyzes the waveform of the voltage applied from an AC power source and measures the size (strength) of the voltage applied from the AC power source in real time; A signal generating unit (112) that generates a first control signal in the section from 0° to 30° on the graph, a second control signal in the section exceeding 30° to 180°, a third control signal in the section exceeding 180° to 210°, and a fourth control signal in the section exceeding 210° to 360°, targeting a sine wave, which is a waveform of voltage applied from an AC power source; and A smart window device using a voltage controller, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (113) that closes the internal circuit of the voltage controller (110) when the first control signal or the third control signal is generated in the signal generation unit (112) and opens the internal circuit when the second control signal or the fourth control signal is generated.

3. In paragraph 1, The above voltage controller (110) A detection unit (114) that detects an error in the supply voltage caused by the capacitance of the smart film (100) in a state where power is supplied to the smart film (100); and, A smart window device using a voltage controller, characterized in that it comprises a correction unit (115) that automatically corrects the voltage range in which power is supplied to the smart film (100) based on a detected error.

4. In paragraph 1, The above voltage controller (110) A smart window device using a voltage controller characterized in that it further comprises a filter section that blocks frequencies outside a specific frequency range for the purpose of noise reduction.

5. In paragraph 1, The above voltage controller (110) When allowing power supply to the above smart film (100), A smart window device using a voltage controller characterized in that it is configured to control the transparency or translucency of a smart film (100) by controlling the amount of power supplied according to the size of the applied AC voltage.

6. In any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, The above voltage controller (110) A smart window device using a voltage controller characterized in that it is configured to be able to change and set the voltage range that allows the supply of power to the smart film (100) and the voltage range that restricts the supply of power.

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