Laminated Liquid Crystal Dimmable Film With Dual Spacers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dimmable glass technologies, such as PDLC, SPD, and electrochromic liquid, are unsuitable for automobile applications due to high haze, long response times, and inability to withstand high temperature and pressure during lamination, which limits their effectiveness in providing low haze, fast response, and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal cell with fixedly bonded first spacers and movable second spacers, made of silica gel or plastic balls, is integrated into laminated glass to maintain cell gap distance and prevent deformation during high temperature and pressure lamination, ensuring low haze, fast response, and high structural strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If liquid crystal dimming films are used to control light transmission, then illumination control is improved, but response time deteriorates due to slow liquid crystal response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the liquid crystal material from a conventional liquid phase to a gel phase. This parameter change in the material's physical state fundamentally alters its response characteristics, enabling faster switching speeds while maintaining the desired light transmission control properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system combining liquid crystal molecules with a gel matrix structure. This composite approach integrates the optical properties of liquid crystals with the structural stability and rapid response characteristics of gel materials, achieving both illumination control and fast response time.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional liquid crystal materials are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but response speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical state parameter of the liquid crystal material from liquid to gel phase. This parameter change maintains compatibility with conventional manufacturing processes while dramatically improving response speed, as the gel structure enables faster molecular reorientation under electric field application.
3Illumination intensity
If liquid crystal dimming films are implemented, then illumination control is achieved, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the liquid crystal from liquid to gel phase, which fundamentally alters the response time characteristic while preserving the illumination control functionality. The gel phase enables faster response without sacrificing the ability to control light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating a composite gel-liquid crystal material system, the invention achieves both effective illumination control and reduced response time. The gel matrix provides structural support and rapid response characteristics, while the liquid crystal components maintain the optical modulation 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
The solution provides dimmable glass with low haze, rapid light transmittance adjustment, and high strength, suitable for automobile windshields, by maintaining spacer integrity and even liquid crystal distribution under high pressure and temperature.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer configured to change from an opaque state to a transparent state in response to a voltage applied across the liquid crystal layer
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
In one example, a crystal cell comprises: a first substrate, a second substrate, first spacers and second spacers sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate to define a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate, the first spacers being fixedly bonded to each of the first substrate and the second substrate, the second spacers being movable between the first and second substrates, a sealant sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate and enclosing the first spacers and the second spacers, and a liquid crystal enclosed by the sealant, the first substrate, and the second substrate. Examples of a dimmable glass incorporating liquid crystal cells and methods of manufacturing the liquid crystal cells are also provided.