Light Adjusting Glass With Segmented Electrode Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light adjusting glasses, such as those using PDLC and electro-chromic technologies, cannot meet the diverse light transmittance requirements for different areas of a single window, particularly in applications like vehicles where passengers may have different needs for light levels on upper and lower parts of a glass panel.
Innovation Solution
A light adjusting glass comprising multiple liquid crystal cells with electrode blocks controlled by separate driving circuits, allowing for independent adjustment of light transmittance in different areas by applying varying voltages across the cells, and potentially including dye liquid crystals and chiral additives for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional PDLC intelligent glass or electro-chromic intelligent glass is used, then the glass can switch between transparency and haze or dark state, but it cannot perform regional light adjustment for different areas of the glass surface
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode layer is divided into multiple independently controllable electrode blocks (first electrode block, second electrode block, etc.), allowing different regions of the glass to be controlled separately. This segmentation enables regional light transmittance adjustment for different passengers or areas while maintaining the overall switching capability between transparent and opaque states.
2Illumination intensity
If electro-chromic intelligent glass is used, then the glass can achieve dark state for light blocking, but the response speed is slow (8s to 20s)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dye liquid crystal material instead of conventional electro-chromic material, changing the physical-chemical parameters of the light adjustment mechanism. This parameter change enables faster response speed while maintaining effective light blocking capability in dark state, as dye liquid crystal responds more quickly to voltage changes than electro-chromic materials.
3Speed
If existing light adjusting glass with dye liquid crystal is used, then the glass can switch between bright state and dark state with improved response speed, but it can only perform whole surface light adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode layer is segmented into multiple independently controllable electrode blocks, each capable of being controlled by separate driving circuits. This allows the glass to maintain its fast response speed characteristic of dye liquid crystal while adding regional control capability, enabling different areas to be adjusted independently for different passenger needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrode blocks can be controlled to create different light transmittance levels in different regions of the glass simultaneously. This local quality control allows upper and lower parts or different sections of the glass to have different optical properties, adapting to different passenger requirements while maintaining the overall fast response capability.
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 precise control of light transmittance in different areas of the glass, improving optical properties and meeting varied passenger requirements, with the ability to switch between bright, dark, and gray states while maintaining a high contrast ratio.
Implementation Method 1
The light adjusting glass with dye liquid crystal realizes switching between a bright state and a dark state by utilizing a selective absorption of dichroic dye molecules in liquid crystal to light
Implementation Method 2
each liquid crystal cell includes two substrates which are disposed opposite to each other and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two substrates
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a light adjusting glass, which includes at least one liquid crystal cell, each liquid crystal cell including two substrates disposed opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two substrates; where each of the substrates includes a base, an electrode layer disposed on a side of the base proximal to the liquid crystal layer; at least one electrode layer of at least one liquid crystal cell includes a plurality of electrode blocks which are disposed at intervals, and the electrode blocks are respectively controlled by separate driving circuits.