Liquid Crystal Sunglasses Circuit for Low-Power Auto Tinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available automatically photosensitive sunglasses have high power consumption, short battery life, and an unsightly USB interface, making them inconvenient for frequent light changes.
Innovation Solution
A pair of automatically photosensitive sunglasses with a microprocessor, high-frequency charging and discharging bootstrap circuit, low-frequency switching drive circuit, and pulse power circuit that reduces power consumption by increasing output voltage and decreasing driving voltage frequency, eliminating the need for manual operation and minimizing circuit visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-frequency charging signal is used to increase output voltage, then output voltage is increased, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulse power signals to drive the oscillating power circuit, which generates high-frequency charging signals only during specific pulse intervals. This periodic action allows the system to achieve high output voltage through bootstrap circuitry while consuming power only during brief charging intervals, rather than continuously, thereby resolving the contradiction between high power output and low power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the driving signal from low-frequency continuous operation to high-frequency periodic pulses. By using a pulse power circuit that generates intermittent high-frequency signals, the system achieves the necessary voltage boost for liquid crystal lens operation while minimizing overall energy consumption through duty cycle control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If USB interface is arranged on spectacle frame for charging, then charging function is provided, but appearance is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the charging function from the visible spectacle frame structure and integrates it into the internal power supply module. The USB charging interface is positioned inside the temple arm or frame leg rather than on the visible front portion, extracting the functional element from the aesthetic field while maintaining charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging interface is nested within the temple arm structure rather than being mounted on the visible frame. The USB port is hidden inside the temple arm cavity, allowing charging functionality to be embedded within the existing structural elements, thus maintaining appearance while providing adaptability.
3Speed
If liquid crystal lenses are driven at high frequency, then response speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulse signals to drive the liquid crystal lenses instead of continuous high-frequency signals. The pulse power circuit generates brief high-frequency bursts that achieve the necessary lens response, followed by idle periods where no power is consumed, thereby maintaining response speed while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillating power circuit pre-charges the bootstrap capacitors during pulse intervals, storing energy in advance. This preliminary charging action allows the system to maintain high voltage output during the active phase without requiring continuous high-power input, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining fast response 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 enables sunglasses to automatically adjust to light conditions with reduced power consumption, prolonging battery life and improving user experience by eliminating manual operation and enhancing appearance.
Implementation Method 1
high-frequency charging and discharging bootstrap circuit for increasing the output voltage
Implementation Method 2
high-frequency charging and discharging bootstrap circuit
Implementation Method 3
a photosensor for sensing the ambient luminosity
Implementation Method 4
the light transmittance of the lens can be varied by changing the voltage applied on the liquid crystal lens
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
It is provided a pair of automatically photosensitive sunglasses with low power consumption, comprising a spectacle frame (10), two liquid crystal lenses (50) provided thereon, a power supply module (20), a photosensor (30), a microprocessor (40), and a high-frequency charging and discharging bootstrap circuit (1), wherein the microprocessor (40) comprises a low-frequency switching drive circuit (2) for switching to a low or a high driving voltage of the liquid crystal lenses (50). The photosensor 30 on the glasses triggers a switch by intelligently sensing the light change, and the lenses automatically become bright or dark accordingly, which is more convenient for users as it requires no manual operation. As the input power supply voltage is greatly increased by the high-frequency charging and discharging bootstrap circuit (1), simply a small and low voltage battery is enough to make it work. In addition, the frequency of the driving voltage of the liquid crystal lenses (50) is greatly reduced due to the low-frequency switching drive circuit 2, thereby an effectively reduced power consumption of the glasses as well as better power saving is achieved, and the life spans of the battery and the glasses is prolonged.