Dimming Sheet With Voids For Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reverse-type light control sheets struggle to achieve high transparency when no potential difference is applied between transparent electrode layers, while maintaining opaqueness when a potential difference is applied.
Innovation Solution
A light control sheet design featuring a light control layer with a resin layer containing voids filled with liquid crystal molecules, and a first orientation layer that increases haze when a voltage is applied, with an area ratio of voids at the first surface of 49% or more.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light control sheet uses a conventional structure with uniform liquid crystal distribution, then it achieves opaqueness when voltage is applied, but transparency when no voltage is applied is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform void distribution within the light control layer. Voids are concentrated in specific regions (with area ratio ≥49% at one surface) rather than uniformly distributed, allowing different zones to serve different functions: regions with voids enhance transparency when no voltage is applied by reducing light scattering, while the liquid crystal regions maintain opaqueness when voltage is applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a porous structure with voids in the light control layer. These voids act as regions with different refractive indices that reduce light scattering when no voltage is applied, thereby improving transparency. The porous structure is strategically designed with specific area ratios to optimize the balance between transparency and opaqueness states.
2Illumination intensity
If voids are distributed uniformly throughout the light control layer, then transparency is improved, but the orientation layer cannot effectively regulate liquid crystal molecules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by creating local quality variations in void distribution. By concentrating voids in specific areas (area ratio ≥49% at one surface) rather than uniform distribution, the patent allows certain regions to prioritize transparency enhancement while ensuring other regions maintain sufficient liquid crystal density for effective orientation layer regulation. This spatial differentiation enables both functions to coexist.
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
The design enhances transparency when no potential difference is applied by positioning voids closer to the surface, allowing the orientation layer to effectively regulate more liquid crystal molecules, and maintains opaqueness when a voltage is applied.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the orientation layers may be, for example, a perpendicular orientation layer and orients the liquid crystal molecules such that the long axis of each liquid crystal molecule is substantially perpendicular to the orientation layer in a state in which no potential difference is applied between a pair of transparent electrode layers
Implementation Method 2
in a state in which a potential difference is applied between a pair of transparent electrode layers, liquid crystal molecules are oriented along the direction orthogonal to the electric field direction, and thus the light control sheet has an opaque state
Implementation Method 3
the resin layer having voids dispersed therein, the liquid crystal composition filling the voids
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention includes: a first transparent electrode layer; a second transparent electrode layer; a light control layer (31) including a resin layer (31P) positioned between the first transparent electrode layer and the second transparent electrode layer, and a liquid crystal composition containing liquid crystal molecules, the resin layer having voids (31D) dispersed therein, the liquid crystal composition filling the voids; and a first orientation layer interposed between the first transparent electrode layer and the light control layer and configured to increase the haze of the light control layer during application of a voltage to the first transparent electrode layer. The light control layer has a first surface in contact with the first orientation layer. The percentage of the total area of all the voids to the area of the first surface is the area ratio of the voids at the first surface, and the area ratio is 49% or more.