Smart Window Liquid Crystal Glare Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing windows have fixed transmittance levels, leading to inconvenience due to glare issues during high light conditions and reduced visibility during low light conditions, as they cannot dynamically adjust to changing environmental light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A smart window system comprising transparent substrates with electrodes and alignment layers, a liquid crystal layer, and polarizing plates that adjust transmittance based on the angle of incident light, allowing for variable transmittance control by applying a potential difference between electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the total transmittance is set low to reduce glare during daytime, then glare is minimized, but visibility during morning or night when there is not enough light becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a liquid crystal layer that can dynamically change its optical properties based on applied voltage. When voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules reorient to control light transmission, enabling the window to transition between different transmittance states adaptively rather than being fixed, thus resolving the contradiction between glare reduction and visibility maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameter (transmittance) of the window by applying electrical voltage to the liquid crystal layer. This parameter change allows the window to adjust its light transmission characteristics dynamically, switching between high transmittance for visibility and low transmittance for glare reduction based on environmental conditions
2Illumination intensity
If the total transmittance is set high to maintain visibility during low light conditions, then visibility is improved, but glare occurs during daytime when there is enough light
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal layer provides dynamic control over transmittance, allowing the window to be high-transmissive when visibility is needed and low-transmissive when glare must be reduced, adapting to different lighting conditions throughout the day
Solution Approach 2:
By applying voltage to the liquid crystal layer, the optical parameter of transmittance is changed from high to low state, enabling the window to reduce glare during daytime while maintaining visibility during low light conditions through electrical control
3Device complexity
If a fixed transmittance window is used, then the structure is simple, but the window cannot adapt to changing environmental light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction of a liquid crystal layer between transparent substrates transforms a static window into a dynamic one that can adapt its transmittance properties. The liquid crystal molecules reorient in response to applied voltage, enabling real-time adaptation to changing environmental light conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables parameter change in transmittance through electrical control of the liquid crystal layer. This allows the window to adapt to different lighting conditions by changing its optical properties dynamically, overcoming the limitation of fixed transmittance windows
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 system effectively minimizes glare during high light conditions while maintaining visibility by dynamically adjusting transmittance based on the angle of incident light, ensuring optimal viewing conditions regardless of external light levels.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal layer located between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer
Implementation Method 2
when a potential difference applied between the first electrode and the second electrode is V
Implementation Method 3
a first alignment layer which is rubbed in a first direction, the first electrode and the first alignment layer being sequentially disposed over a surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate; a second electrode which is transparent and a second alignment layer which is rubbed in a second direction different from the first direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a smart window, a sliding smart window, a smart window for a vehicle, a sun visor for a vehicle, a smart window device, and a head-mounted smart window device which have maximized user convenience.