Light Modulating Device for Curved Vehicle Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light modulating devices using suspended particle devices (SPD) and polarizing plates face challenges in achieving high light shielding performance, design flexibility, and compatibility with curved surfaces, particularly in applications like vehicle windows where low visible light transmittance is required, and they often suffer from distortion issues when attached to such surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A light modulating device comprising a light transmissive plate with a curved surface, an optically transparent adhesive film, and a light modulating cell with polarizing plates and a liquid crystal layer, where the adhesive film ensures proper attachment to the curved surface without distortion, and the device includes a sealing member and spacers to maintain the liquid crystal layer's alignment and pressure, enhancing light shielding and transmittance performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light modulating cell using polarizing plates is used to achieve high light shielding performance (transmittance < 1%), then light shielding performance is improved, but the device becomes difficult to attach to curved surfaces without distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible resin substrates instead of rigid glass substrates, and uses a curved surface-adaptable structure with adhesive layers that can conform to curved surfaces. The light modulating cell is designed with flexible components including the polarizing plates and liquid crystal layer mounted on flexible substrates, enabling the entire assembly to bend and attach to curved surfaces like vehicle windows without optical distortion or structural failure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a light modulating cell using suspended particles (SPD) is used, then design flexibility is improved, but light shielding performance deteriorates (transmittance 1-5% vs required < 1%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple materials and mechanisms to achieve both design flexibility and high light shielding performance. The composite structure includes flexible resin substrates, polarizing plates with specific optical axes, liquid crystal layers, and adhesive compositions tailored for curved surfaces. This composite approach integrates the optical control of liquid crystal with the flexibility of resin materials, surpassing the light shielding capability of SPD while maintaining design adaptability.
3Manufacturing precision
If glass substrates are used in the light modulating cell, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to curved surfaces deteriorates due to rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the material parameter of the substrate from rigid glass to flexible resin, enabling curvature adaptation. The resin substrates can be manufactured with precise optical properties and then formed into curved shapes through heating and molding processes. This parameter change allows the substrate to conform to curved surfaces while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled formation processes and adhesive bonding systems designed for curved geometries.
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 solution effectively attaches the light modulating cell to curved surfaces without distortion, achieving high light shielding and transmittance performance, addressing the limitations of existing technologies by using a flexible and adhesive-based system that maintains optical and design integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer provided in the liquid crystal space
Implementation Method 2
capable of changing a light transmittance... controlling the electric field to be applied to the suspension
Implementation Method 3
a first polarizing plate; a second polarizing plate provided at a position apart from the light transmissive plate farther than the first polarizing plate
Implementation Method 4
an optically transparent adhesive film which is disposed between the curved surface of the light transmissive plate and the light modulating cell and attaches one side of the light modulating cell to the curved surface
Data Source
AI summary
A light modulating device including: a light transmissive plate having a curved surface; a light modulating cell; and an optically transparent adhesive film which is disposed between the curved surface of the light transmissive plate and the light modulating cell and attaches one side of the light modulating cell to the curved surface of the light transmissive plate.