Liquid Crystal Panel Structure for Lightweight Insulating Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laminated glass units with multiple glass plates improve insulation and soundproofing but increase weight, necessitating a lighter and more durable alternative.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal panel comprising a first and second glass plate with a liquid crystal cell between them, spaced by spacers, and sheets to protect the liquid crystal layer, which can switch between transparent, haze, and black modes, and optionally includes a solar cell substrate for self-powering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple glass plates are used in laminated glass units to improve insulation and soundproofing, then the performance of insulation and soundproofing is improved, but the weight of the laminated glass unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by replacing traditional glass plates with a combination of glass plates and liquid crystal cells. The liquid crystal layer can change its optical and thermal properties by adjusting the applied voltage, allowing the panel to dynamically control light transmittance and insulation performance without increasing weight. This parameter change enables the system to achieve high insulation performance when needed while maintaining lighter weight compared to traditional multi-layer glass units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining glass plates with liquid crystal cells and spacers. This composite material approach allows the integration of multiple functions: the glass plates provide structural strength and basic insulation, the liquid crystal layer provides dynamic light and heat control, and the spacers provide spacing and potential additional insulation. This composite structure achieves superior insulation performance without the weight penalty of simply stacking multiple solid glass plates.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple glass plates are used in laminated glass units to improve soundproofing, then the soundproofing performance is improved, but the weight of the laminated glass unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal layer can change its physical state and acoustic properties by adjusting the applied voltage. When the liquid crystal molecules are aligned in different configurations, they can affect sound wave transmission differently, providing dynamic soundproofing control. This allows the panel to optimize soundproofing performance on demand without permanently increasing weight through additional heavy glass layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of glass plates combined with liquid crystal cells and spacer materials creates a multi-layer system with different acoustic impedance. This composite approach provides soundproofing through the combined effect of reflection, absorption, and transmission loss across different layers, achieving effective sound isolation without requiring each layer to be as thick and heavy as traditional solid glass units would need to be.
3Reliability
If the liquid crystal cell is spaced from the glass plates using spacers, then the durability and insulation performance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the panel into distinct functional layers: glass plates, spacers, and liquid crystal cells. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the spacers create necessary gaps for insulation and prevent direct contact that could cause damage, while the glass plates provide structural support. The modular segmented structure actually simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to integrated designs, as each component can be produced and quality-tested independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacers act as intermediary elements between the glass plates and liquid crystal cells. These spacers serve multiple functions: they maintain proper spacing for insulation, protect the liquid crystal cell from direct contact with glass, provide attachment points for assembly, and can contribute to the overall insulation performance. By introducing this intermediary component, the system achieves improved durability and insulation without requiring complex integrated structures.
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 a lightweight, durable panel with adjustable light transmittance and enhanced insulation, while incorporating a solar cell for energy generation without external power sources.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid crystal layer may be controllable to adjust a visible light transmittance of the liquid crystal panel
Implementation Method 2
The liquid crystal cell may include a solar cell substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal panel includes a first glass plate and a second glass plate facing each other, a liquid crystal cell arranged between the first glass plate and the second glass plate, a first spacer arranged between the first glass plate and the liquid crystal cell, and configured to space the liquid crystal cell from the first glass plate, and a second spacer arranged between the second glass plate and the liquid crystal cell, and configured to space the liquid crystal cell from the second glass plate, wherein the liquid crystal cell includes a first sheet, a second sheet spaced apart from the first sheet, and a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first sheet and the second sheet.