Vehicle Mirror Inscription Visibility via Alignment Layer Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle mirrors with liquid crystal cells face challenges in making inscriptions and markings visible at night without causing undesirable optical effects, such as scattered light, due to the softness of the liquid crystal cell and the need for removing the reflector layer, which is not an optimal solution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle mirror design featuring a transparent carrier, adhesive layer, and a liquid crystal cell with a first and second electrically conductive layer, alignment layers, and spacers, where at least the first alignment layer is removed in a predetermined region to disorder the liquid crystals, blocking light and allowing inscriptions or markings to be visible without additional work steps, and using lasers for precise removal and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the reflector layer is removed to make inscriptions visible, then the inscriptions become visible on the mirror surface, but scattered light from LEDs illuminates the markings undesirably
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment layer is selectively removed only in the predetermined region where the inscription should appear, while the rest of the alignment layer remains intact. This creates a local difference in light interaction: the removed region allows light passage for inscription visibility, while the intact regions maintain proper light reflection and prevent scattered light
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment layer is extracted (removed) from the predetermined region to enable inscription visibility. This extraction creates a localized transparent region that allows light to pass through, making the inscription visible without requiring removal of the entire reflector layer
2Loss of information
If the liquid crystal cell is imprinted to create inscriptions, then the inscriptions are clearly recognizable in daylight, but the recognizability suffers when the mirror darkens
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal cell provides dynamic control over light transmission. By applying voltage, the liquid crystals can switch between aligned (light-blocking) and disaligned (light-transmissive) states, allowing the inscription to remain visible both when the mirror is darkened and when it is transparent
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment layer is selectively removed only in the predetermined region where the inscription should appear, creating a local difference in light interaction that ensures inscription visibility regardless of the overall mirror state
3Loss of information
If the first alignment layer is removed to disorder liquid crystals and block light, then inscriptions become visible at night, but additional manufacturing work steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The removal of the alignment layer is combined with the existing sealing process. The seal is extended into the liquid crystal region to cover the area where the alignment layer is removed, achieving both inscription visibility and edge sealing in a single integrated manufacturing step
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment layer is removed in advance during the manufacturing process, before final assembly. This preliminary removal prepares the surface for the seal to extend into the liquid crystal region, ensuring proper coverage and preventing soiling
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
Ensures clear visibility of inscriptions or markings on the mirror surface at night by blocking light more effectively in disordered regions, preventing light from LEDs or lamps from shining through, while maintaining the mirror's appearance and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
at least the first alignment layer is removed in a predetermined region, so that the crystals of the adjacent liquid crystal region are disordered. The light is thus blocked more strongly in the disordered region
Implementation Method 2
a second electrically conductive layer, wherein the second electrically conductive layer is a reflector layer
Implementation Method 3
The predetermined region is preferably removed by means of lasers
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle mirror, in particular an (exterior) rear-view mirror, comprising a base layer made of glass, an adhesive layer on the glass, a first foil film, a first conductive layer, a first and a second alignment layer, a liquid crystal region, wherein spacers are provided in this region and the liquid crystal region is arranged between the first and second alignment layers, a conductive reflector layer, which is arranged on the side of the liquid crystal region opposite to the base layer, and a second foil film, wherein at least the first alignment layer is removed in a predetermined region, so that the crystals of the adjacent liquid crystal region are disordered.