Variable reflectance mirror system

• US 10,466,524 B2
• Filed: 02/29/2016
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Tonar, William L., Luten, Henry A., Neuman, George A., Anderson, John S., Dozeman, Gary J., Morgan, Tammy G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thong Q
• Application Number:
  US15/056,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20160252770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2255/00 Coating on the layer surface
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/41 Opaque
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/416 Reflective
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/42 Polarizing, birefringent, filtering
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/704 Crystalline
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/706 Anisotropic
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/748 Releasability
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2551/08 Mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/00 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/006 Transparent parts other than made from inorganic glass, e.g. polycarbonate glazings
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/06 as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/283 comprising polysiloxanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/286 comprising polysulphones; polysulfides
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/304 comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/308 comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/365 comprising polycarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/088 using a cell of electrically changeable optical characteristic, e.g. liquid-crystal or electrochromic mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/28 : for polarising used in stereoscopes G02B30/25
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3058 : comprising electrically conductive elements, e.g. wire grids, conductive particles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3083 : Birefringent or phase retarding elements G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133509 : Filters, e.g. light shielding masks
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133536 : Reflective polarizers G02F1/13362 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133548 : Wire-grid polarisers
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1339 : Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13439 : characterised by their electrical, optical, physical properties; materials therefor; method of making
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/137 : characterised by the electro-optical or magneto-optical effect, e.g. field-induced phase transition, orientation effect, guest-host interaction or dynamic scattering
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13756 : the liquid crystal selectively assuming a light-scattering state G02F1/1334, G02F1/13718 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/155 : Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/157 : Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/161 : Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells; Filling or closing of cells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/44 : Arrangements combining different electro-active layers, e.g. electrochromic, liquid crystal or electroluminescent layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 : Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

A window is provided that includes a first substrate, a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate, an intermediate substrate between the first and second substrate and having a first transparent electrode on a surface proximal to the first substrate and second transparent electrode on a surface proximal to the second substrate, a first electrode on a surface of the first substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate, a second electrode on a surface of the second substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate, a light absorbing layer comprising an electrochromic medium between the first substrate and the intermediate substrate, and a light scattering layer comprising a liquid crystal material between the intermediate substrate and the second substrate.

Claims

1. A window comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate;

an intermediate substrate between the first and second substrates, and having a first transparent electrode on a surface proximal to the first substrate and a second transparent electrode on a surface proximal to the second substrate;

a first electrode on a surface of the first substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate;

a second electrode on a surface of the second substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate;

a light absorbing layer comprising an electrochromic medium between the first substrate and the intermediate substrate; and

a light scattering layer comprising a liquid crystal material between the intermediate substrate and the second substrate.

2. The window of claim 1 further comprising a reflective polarizer configured to transmit light of a first polarization and reflect light of a second polarization, the reflective polarizer disposed on, or near, the second substrate.

3. The window of claim 2, wherein the reflective polarizer comprises a wire grid polarizer.

4. The window of claim 2, wherein the reflective polarizer comprises the second electrode on the surface of the second substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate.

5. The window of claim 4, wherein the reflective polarizer comprises a wire grid polarizer.

6. The window of claim 2, wherein the reflective polarizer comprises layers of plastic film.

7. The window of claim 2, wherein the reflective polarizer comprises the liquid crystal material.

8. The window of claim 1, wherein the first substrate, the second substrate, the intermediate substrate, or a combination of any two or more thereof, is a shatterproof transparent substrate.

9. The window of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal material comprises cholesteric liquid crystalline molecules.

10. The window of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal material comprises a voltage switchable single pitch cholesteric liquid crystal material.

11. The window of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal material comprises voltage switchable variable pitch cholesteric liquid crystal material.

12. The window of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal material is a non-flowing solid or a free standing gel.

13. The window of claim 1 further comprising a seal disposed near an outer perimeter of and between the first substrate and the intermediate substrate.

14. The window of claim 1 further comprising a seal disposed near an outer perimeter of and between the second substrate and the intermediate substrate.

15. The window of claim 1 further comprising

a reflective polarizer configured to transmit light of a first polarization and reflect light of a second polarization, the reflective polarizer disposed on, or near, the second substrate;

wherein the reflective polarizer comprises one or more of

a wire grid polarizer,

the second electrode on the surface of the second substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate,

layers of plastic film, and

the liquid crystal material; and

wherein the liquid crystal material comprises cholesteric liquid crystalline molecules.

16. A window comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate;

an intermediate substrate between the first and second substrates, and having a first transparent electrode on a surface proximal to the first substrate and a second transparent electrode on a surface proximal to the second substrate;

a first electrode on a surface of the first substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate;

a second electrode on a surface of the second substrate proximal to the intermediate substrate;

a light absorbing layer comprising an electrochromic medium between the first substrate and the intermediate substrate;

a light scattering layer comprising a liquid crystal material between the intermediate substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal material comprising cholesteric liquid crystalline molecules; and

a reflective polarizer configured to transmit light of a first polarization and reflect light of a second polarization, the reflective polarizer disposed on, or near, the second substrate.

17. The window of claim 16, wherein the liquid crystal material comprises a voltage switchable single pitch cholesteric liquid crystal material.

18. The window of claim 16, wherein the liquid crystal material comprises voltage switchable variable pitch cholesteric liquid crystal material.

19. The window of claim 16, wherein the liquid crystal material is a non-flowing solid or a free standing gel.

20. The window of claim 16 further comprising a seal disposed near an outer perimeter of and between the first substrate and the intermediate substrate.

21. The window of claim 16 further comprising a seal disposed near an outer perimeter of and between the second substrate and the intermediate substrate.