Liquid Crystal Optical System for Scattering and Polarization Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically controllable liquid crystal devices lack the ability to provide a wide range of adjustable electro-optical properties, including scattering and polarization states, which are essential for applications in construction and automotive sectors.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal optical system comprising a stack of layers with specific electrodes, liquid crystals, and dichroic dyes, allowing for adjustable scattering and polarization states through controlled electric fields, enabling a wide range of optical properties such as haze, light transmission, and coloration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional liquid crystal devices are used, then the structure is simple, but the electro-optical properties cannot be adjusted over a wide range
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple functional layers including first and second liquid crystal layers with different dichroic dyes, each layer contributing specific optical properties. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each layer's characteristics to achieve wide-range electro-optical adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite structures combining liquid crystals with dichroic dyes in multiple layers, where each layer has specific optical anisotropy characteristics. The combination of different materials with complementary properties enables broad adjustment range of electro-optical properties while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If liquid crystal devices with adjustable scattering states are used, then optical control is enhanced, but the response speed and switching time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables dynamic control of scattering and polarization states through electric field application. The liquid crystal molecules can rapidly reorient in response to voltage changes, allowing fast switching between different optical states while maintaining enhanced control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls optical properties by changing physical parameters such as electric field strength and frequency. By adjusting these parameters, the device achieves rapid switching between scattering and polarization states without requiring structural changes, thereby reducing response time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dichroic dyes are used to achieve wide color gamut, then color adjustment range is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different dichroic dyes are placed in separate liquid crystal layers, allowing independent manufacturing and optimization of each layer. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process compared to mixing multiple dyes in a single layer, as each layer can be processed and quality-checked independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Each liquid crystal layer is designed with specific local quality characteristics including particular dichroic dyes and optical anisotropy properties. This allows tailored optimization of each layer's color contribution while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility through standardized layer fabrication processes.
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 system achieves reversible and rapid switching between scattering and polarization states, providing enhanced optical control with adjustable colors and haze levels, suitable for various applications including building and automotive glazings.
Implementation Method 1
a variable-scattering electrically controllable device (flat or curved device, especially flexible), called the first device, including a stack of layers (air gap optionally included, preferably forming a set of (solid) layers including a layer of liquid crystals)
Implementation Method 2
which first electroactive layer is made of a first material preferably thermotropic containing (or even consisting of): first liquid crystals (preferably thermotropic), preferably predominant by weight in the material
Implementation Method 3
first dichroic dyes (in particular in the dissolved state, especially in the first liquid crystals), for example at most 30%, 20%, 10%, 5% by weight of first dichroic dye
Implementation Method 4
polymers forming a (three-dimensional) polymeric network, the first liquid crystals being (physically) stabilized by the polymeric network-(that is the 'PSLC' family)
Implementation Method 5
which second electrode includes (or even consists of) a second electrically conductive layer (single layer or multilayer, in particular deposit(s)), especially mineral, in particular of at most 200 nm (on the support), which second electrode has a main surface referred to as second connecting surface SA2 and with an opposite external surface SB2, in particular which second electrode includes a second current-supplying means (busbar strip-especially metallic)
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system composed of a first electrically controllable device which has variable scattering and color by first liquid crystals stabilized in a polymeric network and first dichroic dyes and a second electrically controllable device having variable polarization by second liquid crystals and second dichroic dyes.