Privacy Glass System Using Segmented LED Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing privacy glass systems are expensive and limited in their ability to control transparency and opacity, lacking cost-effective solutions for electrical control and color alteration.
Innovation Solution
A privacy glass system incorporating a light source, diffuser, and control and power circuitry, where the light source illuminates the diffuser to control opacity, and optionally uses multi-colored LEDs with adjustable current drivers for brightness and color control, integrated within a frame that can resemble traditional windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specialty glass material is used to achieve controllable transparency, then privacy control function is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the glass panel into multiple independent LED modules, each capable of controlling its own transparency. This segmentation allows the system to achieve privacy control functionality while using standard glass materials instead of expensive specialty glass, as each module can be independently controlled to create the desired transparency effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines LED light sources with standard glass materials to create a hybrid system that achieves controllable transparency. By merging the optical control capability of LEDs with the structural properties of standard glass, the system eliminates the need for expensive electrochromic or PDLC glass while maintaining the privacy control function.
2Ease of manufacture
If LED system is used to control opacity, then cost is reduced, but ability to alter color is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs RGB LED technology that allows different colors to be emitted from different regions or at different times. Each LED module can independently adjust its color output, enabling the system to provide both cost-effective operation and versatile color alteration capability for different privacy and aesthetic requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent explicitly incorporates color-changing LED modules that can alter the color of emitted light to control both opacity and aesthetic appearance. This allows the system to provide dynamic color control for privacy management while maintaining cost-effectiveness through LED technology, directly addressing the limitation of fixed-color traditional privacy glass.
3Extent of automation
If light source illuminates diffuser to control opacity, then electrical control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the LED modules, which simultaneously serve as light sources, opacity control elements, and color adjustment components. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each function, while maintaining full electrical control capability through a unified control system.
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
Enables cost-effective, electrically controlled opacity and color alteration of privacy glass, providing flexible visibility control suitable for various applications, such as offices and interior design.
Implementation Method 1
the light source may be a set of white LEDs
Implementation Method 2
the light source illuminates the diffuser, which diffuses the light from the light source in such a way as to make the diffuser opaque
Implementation Method 3
The light from the diffuser passes through the transparent material or materials, providing scratch-resistance to the diffuser
Implementation Method 4
the power circuitry may be for example a constant current driver to run the LEDs
Implementation Method 5
the light source may be a set of multi-colored LEDs, such as red, green and blue (RGB)
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates in general to privacy glass, and more particularly, to a privacy glass system containing a light source, a diffuser, and a control and power circuitry combined in such a fashion as to make the level of visibility through the privacy glass system controllable.