Dimmable Eyewear With Liquid Crystal Light Transmittance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sunglasses with fixed light transmittance can hinder visual perception in low light environments, requiring users to remove them, which degrades the user experience.
Innovation Solution
The development of dimmable eyewear using a lens assembly with a twist-nematic liquid crystal layer, polarizer layers, and solar cells, where the driver circuit adjusts the liquid crystal orientation based on ambient light intensity, allowing for adjustable light transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sunglasses use a fixed light transmittance lens, then the eyes are protected from high-energy light in bright environments, but visual perception is significantly hampered in low light environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed transmittance lens to a dynamic, adjustable transmittance system. The lens assembly includes liquid crystal layers that can change their optical properties in real-time based on ambient light conditions, allowing the sunglasses to adapt between bright and low light environments while maintaining eye protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the light transmittance parameter of the lens dynamically. Through the use of liquid crystal layers controlled by driver circuits, the transmittance can be adjusted between different states (e.g., from blocking to transparent), enabling the same lens to provide both high-energy light protection in bright conditions and adequate visual perception in low light conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sunglasses block off and absorb the same ratio of light power in low light environment, then eye protection is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates as users need to remove sunglasses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the sunglasses to automatically adjust their light transmittance based on ambient light detection. The system includes sensors that detect light levels and driver circuits that automatically control the liquid crystal layers, eliminating the need for manual intervention or removal of the sunglasses when transitioning between light environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment capability allows the sunglasses to maintain eye protection while adapting to different lighting conditions automatically. The liquid crystal layers can switch between blocking and transparent states based on real-time light detection, providing continuous eye protection without requiring the user to remove the sunglasses in low light environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lens assembly includes liquid crystal layer with polarizer layers, then adjustable light transmittance is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by integrating multiple functional layers within the lens assembly structure. The liquid crystal layers are positioned between polarizer layers, which are in turn integrated with the lens substrate. This nested arrangement allows multiple functions (light blocking, light transmission, polarization control) to be combined in a compact, unified structure rather than as separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens assembly achieves multi-functionality by combining eye protection, light transmittance adjustment, and polarization filtering in a single integrated structure. The same liquid crystal layers that provide adjustable transmittance also work in conjunction with the polarizer layers to filter high-energy light, eliminating the need for separate components for each function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to maintain good visual perception in varying light conditions while protecting against high-energy light, improving user experience by automatically adjusting light transmittance according to the environment.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid crystal layer comprises twist-nematic (TN) liquid crystal devices
Implementation Method 2
The liquid crystal layer includes at least one of: Guest-Host liquid crystal devices, electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) crystal devices, or Pi-cells
Implementation Method 3
The lens assembly further includes a first polarizer layer and a second polarizer layer
Implementation Method 4
The sensor comprises one or more solar cells
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
In one example, an eyewear is provided. The eyewear comprises: a lens assembly including a lens and a liquid crystal layer formed on the lens, and a driver circuit coupled with the liquid crystal layer, the driver circuit configured to apply a signal to the liquid crystal layer based on an indication of an intensity of the ambient light to control a light transmittance of the lens assembly.