Antireflective Switchable Laminated Glass for Low-Reflection Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current switchable laminated glass constructions for automotive applications suffer from undesirable reflective and absorbing properties, leading to high light reflection, which can negatively affect driver vision.
Innovation Solution
A switchable laminated glass construction is designed with a switchable functional film sandwiched between glass substrates and adhesive polymer interlayers, incorporating darkened layers and anti-reflective coatings to reduce light reflection and enhance light transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional switchable laminated glass construction is used, then switching function between opaque and transparent states is achieved, but light reflection becomes excessive and affects driver vision
Solution Approach 1:
An anti-reflective coating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the switchable film and the external environment. This coating layer specifically targets and reduces reflected light while allowing transmitted light to pass through, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining switching function and reducing harmful reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-reflective coating modifies the optical properties of the glass construction by changing how light interacts with the surface. The coating creates optical interference that reduces reflection across the visible spectrum, transforming the surface from a highly reflective state to an anti-reflective state without affecting the switchable film's transparency control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If anti-reflective coatings are added to reduce light reflection, then driver vision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-reflective coating process is merged with the existing lamination process. By applying the anti-reflective coating to the switchable film before lamination, or by integrating the coating application into the lamination sequence, the manufacturing process handles multiple functions in a unified workflow, minimizing the increase in manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-reflective coating is applied in advance to the switchable film or glass substrate before the final lamination assembly. This preliminary action allows the coating to be applied under controlled conditions using standard coating equipment, and then the pre-coated components are assembled into the final product, simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
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 solution achieves a total light transmittance of at least 50% in the ON state and a reflectance of equal to or less than 13%, significantly reducing light reflection and improving aesthetic and functional properties for automotive applications.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating darkened layers and anti-reflective coatings to reduce light reflection
Implementation Method 2
When a PDLC material is subjected to an applied electric field, discrete formations, such as droplets of a liquid crystal(s) dispersed throughout a polymer matrix in the PDLC, assume a transparent state because the long molecular axes of the liquid crystals align in a nematic (parallel) orientation in the direction of the electric field
Implementation Method 3
The switching function, using for example a PDLC film (without limitation), may be accomplished by applying an electric field to a switchable PDLC material or layer within the glass construction
Data Source
AI summary
An antireflective switchable laminated glass construction having a switchable functional film formed of a switchable material layer, a first polymer substrate with a first transparent conductive coating, and a second polymer substrate with a second transparent conductive coating. The switchable functional film is sandwiched between first adhesive polymer interlayer and glass substrate and second adhesive polymer interlayer and glass substrate. The switchable laminated glass construction in an ON (transparent) state has a total light transmittance higher than 50% and a reflectance equal to or less than 13%, as measured from at least one side of the switchable laminated glass construction.