Light Control Panel Fabrication Using Mirror Sheets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Producing light control panels with metallic reflective surfaces is time-consuming and costly due to the need for special deposition equipment and lamination of large numbers of sheets with adhesive agents, making mass production expensive.

Innovation Solution

A method using independent mirror sheets with metallic reflective surfaces attached to transparent sheets, joined with a UV curing-type or thermosetting adhesive agent, which simplifies the production process and reduces costs by eliminating the need for complex deposition and extensive lamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a metallic reflective layer is deposited on the surface of a transparent plate using conventional methods, then a light control panel with reflective properties is produced, but the production process becomes time-consuming and expensive due to the need for special deposition apparatus

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight reflectivityVSAvoidproduction cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, durable metallic reflective layers with inexpensive mirror sheets that can be easily attached and removed. These mirror sheets serve as disposable or reusable reflective elements that eliminate the need for costly vacuum deposition processes while maintaining the necessary light control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/chemical deposition process with a simple mechanical attachment method. Instead of using vacuum deposition apparatus to deposit metallic layers, the invention uses mirror sheets that are mechanically attached to transparent plates using adhesive agents, significantly simplifying the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If large numbers of sheets with metallic reflective surfaces are laminated together, then a functional light control panel is formed, but the lamination process requires adhesive agents and becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the reflective function from the bulk lamination structure by using independent mirror sheets attached to transparent plates. This allows the reflective elements to be separately prepared and then simply attached, eliminating the need for complex multi-layer lamination processes while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mirror sheets are prepared in advance as separate components with their reflective surfaces already formed. This preliminary preparation allows for parallel production of mirror sheets and transparent plates, which are then quickly assembled together, significantly reducing the total production time compared to sequential lamination processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional deposition methods are used to create reflective surfaces, then metallic reflective layers are formed, but the process is not suitable for inexpensive mass production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflective surface qualityVSAvoidmass production capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive mirror sheets that can be mass-produced through simple manufacturing processes rather than requiring costly vacuum deposition for each individual panel. These mirror sheets can be produced in large quantities and then attached to transparent plates, enabling inexpensive mass production while maintaining adequate reflective surface quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the production approach from a process-oriented method (vacuum deposition) to a component-oriented method (attaching pre-made mirror sheets). This parameter change in the manufacturing strategy enables parallel production and assembly, significantly improving productivity and enabling mass production at lower costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method allows for the cost-effective production of light control panels, enabling the creation of optical imaging apparatus capable of forming volumetric images at a lower cost with simplified production processes.

Implementation Method 1

the UV curing-type adhesive agent is able to be cured by ultraviolet light irradiated from a direction orthogonal to the plate thickness of the transparent sheets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV curing: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

the adhesive agent may be cured by induction heating, dielectric heating (microwaves), or furnace heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 3

the adhesive agent may be cured by induction heating, dielectric heating (microwaves), or furnace heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2919045B1Light control panel fabrication method
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 ASUKANET
  • EP2919045B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2919045B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2919045B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for producing a light control panel includes a first step of forming a block 19 in which transparent sheets 16 of glass, ceramic or transparent plastic and mirror sheets 17 each having a metallic reflective surface on one side or both sides are alternately stacked and laminated, and a second step of forming a first light control panel 13 and a second light control panel 14 to be stacked with planar light-reflective portions 11, 12 of each of the first and the second light control panels 13, 14 in a crossed state, the first and the second light control panels 13, 14 being arranged opposed to each other, by cutting out from the block 19 on a surface crossing the transparent sheets 16 and the mirror sheets 17 in a manner that makes the thickness of a cutout constant.