Variable Transparency Glass with Liquid Crystal Capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing variable transparency glass technologies face challenges in accurately adjusting transparency based on user selection and environment, particularly due to unbalanced gas density and the need for additional circuits in gas-structured transmissive layers.
Innovation Solution
A variable transparency glass system comprising a first and second film with transparent electrodes and a liquid crystal capsule between them, controlled by a voltage controller and a controller that adjusts voltage levels based on user input and environmental conditions to selectively control transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gas structure is used for the transmissive layer to enable transparency adjustment, then transparency control capability is improved, but gas density becomes unbalanced and additional driving circuits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the transmissive layer from gas to liquid crystal, fundamentally altering the material parameter to eliminate the need for complex gas density control circuits while maintaining transparency adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the gas-based mechanical structure with a liquid crystal-based system that responds to electrical fields, substituting a complex mechanical/gas control system with a simpler electro-optical system
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gas structure is used for the transmissive layer, then transparency adjustment is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases due to unbalanced gas density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from gas to liquid crystal, which has more favorable manufacturing characteristics and does not suffer from density balance issues, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process
3Illumination intensity
If liquid polymer is used in the transmissive layer to achieve variable transparency, then optical characteristics are improved, but the ability to selectively adjust specific portions of the glass is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transmissive layer into multiple independent liquid crystal capsules that can be individually controlled, enabling selective adjustment of specific portions while maintaining the optical characteristics of liquid crystal material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different voltage conditions to different regions containing liquid crystal capsules, enabling local quality variation and selective transparency adjustment in different portions of the glass
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 precise and adaptive control of transparency in response to user requests and environmental changes, improving safety, convenience, and energy efficiency in vehicles and other applications by varying transmittance without the need for additional circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid crystal capsule that is disposed between the first film and the second film and to control transmittance of an incident light in response to a voltage applied to each of the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A variable transparency glass includes a first film having a first transparent electrode on an inner surface of the first film, a 2nd film having a second transparent electrode on an inner surface of the second film, and a liquid crystal capsule disposed between the first film and the second film. The variable transparency glass is configured to control transmittance of an incident light in response to a voltage applied to each of the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode. The transmittance is partially controlled corresponding to an aligning pattern of each of the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode when the first film and the second film overlap.