Functional Glass Voltage Control for Gradual Transparency Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric control functional layers in glass, primarily based on polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), lack the ability to achieve fine and gradual regulation of optical characteristics such as haze and transparency due to limitations in voltage amplitude control, leading to inadequate user customization options.
Innovation Solution
A regulating device that controls both the amplitude and frequency of the input voltage to the electric control functional layer, using a voltage regulator and controller to generate electrical signals that adjust optical characteristics like haze, light transmittance, and color, incorporating features like H-bridge circuits and digital potentiometers for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional voltage amplitude control is used to regulate the electric control functional layer, then the control method is simple, but the regulation precision of optical characteristics is insufficient and gradual regulation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by simultaneously controlling both amplitude and frequency parameters of the voltage signal. The voltage regulator adjusts the amplitude parameter to control the degree of transparency change, while the frequency parameter controls the transition speed of the liquid crystal molecules. This dual-parameter control enables fine-grained regulation of optical characteristics that cannot be achieved with amplitude control alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the control system adjustable and adaptive. The controller dynamically adjusts both amplitude and frequency parameters based on user input or environmental conditions. The frequency parameter allows dynamic control of transition speed, enabling the system to adapt between fast switching and gradual regulation modes, thereby resolving the contradiction between precision and simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If only voltage amplitude is regulated to control the functional glass, then the control method is simple, but the diversity of regulating options is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the control dimension by introducing frequency as an additional adjustable parameter alongside amplitude. This creates a two-dimensional control space where amplitude controls the extent of optical property change and frequency controls the transition rate. Users gain diverse regulating options including gradual transitions, abrupt changes, and intermediate states, which cannot be achieved with single-parameter amplitude control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the control system by incorporating frequency control alongside amplitude control. This transforms the control from one-dimensional (amplitude only) to two-dimensional (amplitude and frequency), enabling richer regulation modes such as fast switching, slow gradual changes, and precise intermediate states, thereby significantly increasing adaptability.
3Speed
If voltage amplitude is increased to achieve faster transition, then the transition speed increases, but the precision of optical characteristic regulation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function into two independent parameters: amplitude controls precision of optical characteristic regulation, while frequency controls transition speed. This segmentation allows the system to independently optimize for either precision or speed based on requirements, or balance both simultaneously, resolving the trade-off between transition speed and regulation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control where frequency can be adjusted to change transition speed without affecting the precision control capability provided by amplitude regulation. The system can dynamically switch between fast transition mode (high frequency) and precision regulation mode (lower frequency with optimized amplitude control), enabling both speed and precision to be achieved in different operating conditions.
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 fine and diverse regulation of optical characteristics, allowing for gradual or abrupt changes in transparency and color, enhancing user experience and customization options, while preventing mis-regulation through waiting time parameters and transition rate control.
Implementation Method 1
the electric control functional layer for example based on an electrochromic material, an electro-induced transparency-changing material or a host-guest liquid crystal material has characteristics such as electrochromic or electro-induced transparency-changing
Implementation Method 2
The PDLC is liquid crystal with micron-sized droplets dispersed in an organic solid polymer substrate. Since the optical axes of the droplets composed of liquid crystal molecules are in free orientation, their refractive indices do not match the refractive index of the substrate.
Implementation Method 3
Since the optical axes of the droplets composed of liquid crystal molecules are in free orientation, their refractive indices do not match the refractive index of the substrate. Upon passing through the substrate, light is strongly scattered by the droplets
Implementation Method 4
a pulse width modulation circuit coupled to the H-bridge circuit and the controller and configured to control the switch in the H-bridge circuit according to frequency parameter
Implementation Method 5
an amplitude regulating unit coupled to the frequency regulating unit and the electric control functional layer and configured to regulate an amplitude of the first intermediate voltage according to the amplitude parameter
Data Source
AI summary
A regulating device includes a voltage regulator configured to receive an input voltage and regulate an amplitude and a frequency of the input voltage to generate an electrical signal acting on the electric control functional layer; and a controller coupled to the voltage regulator and configured to receive a regulating signal, and to send a control signal to the voltage regulator according to the regulating signal to regulate the amplitude and the frequency of the input voltage, the control signal including an amplitude parameter and a frequency parameter of the voltage. Finer regulation of the optical characteristics of the electric control functional layer can be realized by introducing frequency regulation. Such finer regulation can bring about a more comfortable experience to human senses. At the same time, the realization of such fine regulation enables more diversified control of the electronic control function layer.