Smart Window Light Control Laminate With Low-Voltage LC Driving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light control laminates for windows have fixed transmittance, leading to issues such as difficulty in checking surroundings at night or glare during the day, increased manufacturing costs due to separate substrates, and high power consumption for maintaining light-blocking modes.
Innovation Solution
A light control laminate with a conductive polymer layer directly formed on polarizing plates, incorporating a liquid crystal layer composed of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal compound, allowing for uniform initial orientation and adhesion without a separate substrate, enabling operation at low voltage and reduced thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate substrate is included to form a conductive layer, then the liquid crystal can be driven, but the manufacturing cost increases and the manufacturing process becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the substrate and conductive layer into a single integrated transparent conductive substrate, eliminating the need for separate substrate and conductive layer components. This integration maintains the liquid crystal driving capability while simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent conductive substrate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both the structural substrate and the conductive layer for driving the liquid crystal. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall structure.
2Reliability
If a separate substrate is included to form a conductive layer, then the liquid crystal can be driven, but the thickness of the laminate increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the substrate and conductive layer into a single integrated transparent conductive substrate, the patent eliminates the additional thickness that would result from stacking separate layers, thereby reducing the overall laminate thickness while maintaining driving capability.
3Reliability
If a separate substrate is included to form a conductive layer, then the liquid crystal can be driven, but transmittance changes due to the occurrence of a phase difference
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of substrate and conductive layer into a single transparent conductive substrate minimizes the number of interfaces between layers, thereby reducing phase difference effects and improving light transmittance while maintaining liquid crystal driving functionality.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the liquid crystal compound does not have a reactive group, then it maintains liquid crystal properties, but it does not have adhesion with the conductive layer and a sealant must be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal compound is designed to self-adhere to the transparent conductive substrate through inherent adhesive groups, eliminating the need for separate sealants. This self-adhesion mechanism maintains the liquid crystal's functional properties while ensuring reliable bonding.
5Quantity of substance
If polymer dispersed liquid crystal is used, then the liquid crystal can be contained, but the liquid crystal compounds are arranged in an irregular direction and cannot have a constant initial orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alignment groups at specific locations on the transparent conductive substrate that provide localized orientation guidance to the liquid crystal compounds. This local orientation control ensures uniform initial alignment while maintaining the containment benefits of polymer-based structures.
6Quantity of substance
If polymer dispersed liquid crystal is used, then the liquid crystal can be contained, but high power consumption is required to maintain the light-blocking mode
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure of the liquid crystal compound by incorporating adhesive groups that enable stable bonding and improved response characteristics. This structural parameter change allows for more efficient switching and reduces the power consumption required to maintain the light-blocking state.
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 laminate provides excellent adhesion, reduces thickness and manufacturing complexity, and operates efficiently at low voltage, maintaining good cell drivability and normal white visibility without voltage, suitable for smart windows in vehicles and buildings.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid crystal layer is a cured product of a liquid crystal layer-forming composition including a polymerizable monomer and a liquid crystal compound
Implementation Method 2
a light control laminate that can change the transmittance of light when voltage is applied has been developed
Implementation Method 3
the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer contain a conductive polymer
Implementation Method 4
excellent adhesion between the liquid crystal and the conductive layer
Implementation Method 5
the liquid crystal layer is a cured product of a liquid crystal layer-forming composition including a polymerizable monomer and a liquid crystal compound
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a light control laminate which has excellent adhesion between the liquid crystal and the conductive layer and does not fall off easily so that damage to the laminate can be prevented, which has good cell drivability even at low voltage when implementing the light-transmitting mode even if the liquid crystal layer contains a polymer, which enables normal white to be implemented when no voltage is applied, and which has a significantly reduced thickness and a simplified manufacturing process compared to the conventional light control laminate, a smart window including the same, and an automobile or building window to which the same is applied.