PDLC Light Shutter with Catoptric Form for Flat Substrate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) light shutter devices require alignment on convex or concave substrates and linearly polarized light sources, making them difficult to manufacture and limiting their applications.
Innovation Solution
A PDLC light shutter device with a catoptric form is used to vary liquid crystal microdroplet sizes during curing, allowing for a flat profile and operation without linearly polarized light, enabling electronic tuning between opaque, translucent, and clear states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If liquid crystal material is aligned on convex curved substrates or concave curved substrates, then a tunable lens can be provided, but it is extremely difficult to align the liquid crystal molecules on the curved substrates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of aligning liquid crystal molecules on curved substrates, the invention inverts the approach by using a flat substrate with a catoptric form (mirror) that creates the desired curved optical effect. The liquid crystal molecules remain on a flat surface while the mirror beneath them provides the curvature needed for lens functionality, thereby eliminating the alignment difficulty while maintaining tunable lens capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The catoptric form (mirror) acts as an intermediary between the flat substrate and the desired curved optical effect. By placing the mirror beneath the liquid crystal layer, it mediates the optical path to create the curved lens effect without requiring the liquid crystal molecules to be physically aligned on curved surfaces, thus solving the manufacturing alignment problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing PDLC devices use curved substrates to achieve tunable lens effect, then optical functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional structure by placing a catoptric form (mirror) beneath a flat liquid crystal layer instead of using curved substrates. This inversion maintains the optical functionality of a tunable lens while eliminating the complexity of curved substrate manufacturing and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of physically curving the substrate, the invention uses a catoptric form to create an optical copy or illusion of curvature. The mirror reflects light in a way that simulates the optical effect of curved substrates, thereby achieving the desired optical functionality without the physical complexity of curved surfaces.
3Ease of manufacture
If liquid crystal molecules are aligned on flat substrates, then manufacturing is simplified, but the ability to provide a tunable lens is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The catoptric form (mirror) serves as an intermediary that adds tunable lens capability to the otherwise flat liquid crystal structure. By placing the mirror beneath the flat liquid crystal layer, it enables the system to function as a tunable lens without compromising the manufacturing simplicity of flat substrate alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a new dimension to the flat liquid crystal structure by introducing a catoptric form in the vertical dimension beneath the liquid crystal layer. This dimensional addition provides the curved optical effect needed for tunable lens functionality while maintaining the simplicity of flat substrate manufacturing in the horizontal plane.
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 device achieves tunable light transmittance without the need for curved substrates or linearly polarized light, providing a versatile and efficient solution for applications like smart windows and glasses.
Implementation Method 1
PDLC materials are formed by phase separation of low-molecular weight liquid crystals from a homogeneous solution with pre-polymer or polymer
Implementation Method 2
a catoptric form having a shape is subjacently positioned below a pre-cure or un-cured PDLC light shutter device... Light is applied during curing. The liquid crystal microdroplet sizes vary according to a shape of a catoptric form
Implementation Method 3
The electro-optical characteristics of the liquid crystals appear when electric power is applied thereto... Upon application of a voltage across the electrodes of the shutter, a switching occurs from an opaque, high scattering state to a clear, transparent state
Data Source
AI summary
A polymeric dispersed liquid crystal light shutter device and system and method for forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the system, a catoptric form having a shape is subjacently positioned below a pre-cure or un-cured polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) light shutter device having liquid crystals dispersed in a polymer binder system between two substrates. Light is applied during curing. The liquid crystal microdroplet sizes vary according to the shape of the catoptric form such that domains of smaller liquid crystal microdroplet sizes correspond to the shape and domains of larger liquid crystal microdroplet sizes correspond to negative space relative to the shape. Upon tuning an electric field, the PDLC light shutter device changes states from presenting a surface having an image formed by non-scattering regions contrasted against opaque scattering regions, to a surface characterized by mostly or entirely clear, non-scattering light transmittance.