LIGHT CONTROL PANEL

• US 20140202643A1
• Filed: 08/17/2012
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Hikmet, Rifat Ata Mustafa, Van Bommel, Ties, Timmering, Cornelis Eustatius, Ansems, Wilhelmus Johannes Hendricus, Van Glabbeek, Jacobus Johannes
• Application Number:
  US14/237,579
• Publication Number:
  US 20140202643A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/5
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/0004 Cutting, tearing or severing, e.g. bursting; Cutter details cutting in general B26D; laminating combined with punching or perforating B32B38/04; removing all or part of the layers B32B38/10; cutting in combination with laying up and registration B32B38/185 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/2019 powered, e.g. by electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/02 of flexible canopy materials, e.g. canvas ; Baldachins
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2405 Areas of differing opacity for light transmission control
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2417 Light path control; means to control reflection
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/247 Electrically powered illumination
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2476 Solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2643 Screens between double windows
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6818 using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6827 sensing light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/40 Roller blinds usable only as awnings E04F10/06
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/68 Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/02 for controlling the intensity of light G02B26/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing

Abstract

Alight control panel is provided, comprising: a transmissive substrate; a transmissive electrically conductive layer arranged on a surface of said substrate; a transmissive dielectric layer arranged on said electrically conductive layer; a flexible roll-up blind attached to said dielectric layer, said flexible roll-up blind layer comprising a flexible electrically conductive layer and a flexible optically functional layer, said flexible layer having naturally a rolled configuration and being capable of unrolling in response to electrostatic force; and an optoelectronic device. The panel may be useful in various energy saving applications including smart windows for buildings or vehicles, e.g. providing an energy efficient light source or utilizing solar radiation for energy conversion.

Claims

1. A light control panel, comprising:

a transmissive substrate;

a transmissive electrically conductive layer arranged on a surface of said substrate;

a transmissive dielectric layer arranged on said electrically conductive layer;

a flexible roll-up blind attached to said dielectric layer, said flexible roll-up blind comprising a flexible electrically conductive layer and a flexible optically functional layer, said flexible layer having naturally a rolled configuration and being capable of unrolling in response to electrostatic force; and

an optoelectronic device arranged in optical contact with said substrate and/or said optically functional layer,

wherein the substrate or the optically functional layer is a waveguide, capable of guiding light to or from the optoelectronic device.

2. A light control panel according to claim 1, wherein the flexible roll-up blind is separated from the electrically conductive layer by said dielectric layer.

3. A light control panel according to claim 1, wherein the flexible roll-up blind layer is a stressed layer and the rolled configuration is due to inherent stress in said flexible roll-up blind layer.

4. A light control panel according to claim 1, wherein the flexible optically functional layer comprises a polymeric material, preferably selected from poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethylene terephthlate), poly(ethylene naphthalate), and combinations thereof.

7. A light control panel according to claim 1, wherein the optically functional layer comprises at least one wavelength converting material.

8. A light control panel according to claim 1, wherein the optically functional layer comprises reflective elements.

9. A light control panel according to claim 1, wherein the optically functional layer exhibits wavelength dependent reflection.

10. A light control panel according to claim 1, wherein the optoelectronic device comprises at least one light-emitting element.

11. A light control panel according to claim 10, wherein said light-emitting element is arranged to emit light into said substrate or into said optically functional layer.

12. A light control panel according to claim 1, wherein the optoelectronic device is a photovoltaic cell comprising a light active layer arranged in optical contact with the optically functional layer.

13. A window comprising a light control panel according to claim 1.

14. A light control system comprising a light control panel according to claim 1, further comprising at least one voltage source and one or more controllers for controlling the operation of the roll-blind and/or the optoelectronic device, optionally comprising a light sensor, a temperature sensor and/or a time controller.

5-6. -6. (canceled)

15. A method of manufacturing a light control panel comprising a plurality of flexible roll-up blind layers and at least one optoelectronic device, comprising

arranging a transmissive electrically conductive layer on a transmissive substrate;

arranging a transmissive dielectric layer to cover said transmissive electrically conductive layer;

depositing an adhesive material on portions of said transmissive dielectric layer;

arranging a flexible film on said adhesive material and said dielectric layer, said flexible film comprising a flexible electrically conductive layer and a flexible optically functional layer, and said flexible layer having naturally a rolled-up configuration and being capable of unrolling in response to electrostatic force;

curing said adhesive material;

cutting the flexible film in areas between said portions comprising adhesive material to produce said plurality of flexible roll-up blinds; and

arranging an optoelectronic device on said substrate or on at least one of said flexible roll-up blinds.