Variable Transparency Glass Sub-Electrode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional variable transparency glass technologies face challenges in adjusting transparency based on user selection, particularly in forming predetermined transparent or opaque parts, and suffer from decreased transparency due to increased electrode thickness, as well as requiring separate circuits for gas structures and lacking precise control over transparency adjustments.
Innovation Solution
The use of a variable transparency glass with a plurality of sub-electrodes and a power supply unit, where the transparency is adjusted using a lookup table to apply individual voltages to the sub-electrodes, minimizing electrode thickness and ensuring uniform transparency, and allowing for rapid response to user requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two planar electrodes are deposited on the glass to control transparency, then transparency control is achieved, but the electrode thickness increases causing decreased transparency
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is divided into multiple sub-electrodes arranged in an array, allowing independent voltage control for different regions. This segmentation enables precise transparency control without requiring thick planar electrodes, as each sub-electrode can be optimized for minimal thickness while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different transparency levels are achieved by applying different voltages to different sub-electrodes, creating local variations in transparency. This allows specific regions of the glass to have customized transparency properties while other regions maintain different characteristics, optimizing overall light transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a gas structure is used to form the transmission layer, then transparency adjustment is possible, but the gas density becomes non-uniform requiring a separate driving circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gas structure system with a solid or liquid crystal transmission layer system. This substitution eliminates the complexity of gas density control and separate driving circuits, while maintaining the ability to adjust transparency through voltage control of the transmission layer between the electrode array and counter electrode.
3Ease of operation
If transparency is adjusted based on user selection, then user preference is satisfied, but adjusting specific predetermined parts of the glass is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode is segmented into multiple independently controllable sub-electrodes, allowing different voltage levels to be applied to different regions. This enables users to adjust transparency in specific predetermined parts of the glass independently, achieving regional transparency control while maintaining user selection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transparency in real-time by independently controlling the voltage applied to each sub-electrode based on user selection. This allows flexible and adaptive regional transparency adjustment, where any combination of regions can be controlled to have different transparency levels.
4Ease of operation
If a conventional variable transparency glass is used, then basic transparency control is achieved, but rapid response to user requests cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission layer is divided into multiple regions corresponding to sub-electrodes, allowing parallel voltage application to multiple regions simultaneously. This enables rapid response to user requests by independently and concurrently adjusting transparency across different regions without sequential delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system rapidly changes the voltage parameter applied to sub-electrodes in response to user requests, achieving quick transparency adjustment. The lookup table stores pre-calculated voltage values for different transparency levels, enabling immediate parameter changes without complex real-time calculations.
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
This solution enables precise adjustment of transparency in specific parts of the glass, maintaining clearer focus for head-up displays without the need for additional glass, while blocking ultraviolet light and external visual fields without separate tinting, thus enhancing economic efficiency and image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
a variable transmission layer disposed between the first and second transparent plates. The variable transmission layer has light transmissivity (e.g., light transmitting ability) that is dependent on a change in an electric field formed between the first and second electrode parts
Data Source
AI summary
A variable transparency glass and an apparatus for adjusting a transparency variable glass are provided. The transparency variable glass includes a first transparent plate that has a first electrode part formed on an inner surface thereof and a second transparent plate that has a second electrode part formed on an inner surface thereof. In addition, a variable transmission layer is disposed between the first transparent plate and the second transparent plate.