Smart sunglasses, helmet faceshields and goggles based on electrochromic polymers

• US 7,874,666 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2008
• Issued: 01/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Washington
• Original Assignee: University of Washington
• Inventors: Taya, Minoru, Xu, Chunye, Ma, Chao
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US12/055,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20080239452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 351/41, 351/44, 351/158, 349/13, 349/14, 359/265, 2 1/5, 2426-434
• US Class Current: 351/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F

Abstract

Eyewear exhibiting a variable light transmittance functionality is achieved by including a smart lens incorporating an electrochromic (EC) polymer, switchable between a first state and a second state in response to a voltage selectively applied thereto. The smart eyewear includes the smart lens, a voltage source, and a support. The EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state, because changing the state of the EC polymer varies the light transmittance of the smart lens. The voltage source is configured to provide the voltage required to switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state, while the support member is configured to support the smart lens and enable a user to wear the smart eyewear. Embodiments can include sensors and controllers to automate the switching, as well as energy harvesting elements to increase battery life.

Claims

1. Smart eyewear exhibiting variable light transmittance functionality, comprising:

(a) a smart lens member including an electrochromic (EC) polymer, the EC polymer being switchable between a first state and a second state by selectively applying a voltage thereto, wherein the EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state;

(b) a voltage source member that is selectively connectable to the smart lens and is configured to provide the voltage required to switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state;

(c) a controller configured to control the state of the EC polymer, the controller being operatively coupled to the smart lens member and the voltage source member;

(d) a support member configured to support the lens and enable a user to wear the smart eyewear, the support member comprising a first earpiece and a second earpiece, the controller being incorporated into at least one of the first earpiece and the second earpiece such that the controller is not readily visible; and

(e) an energy harvesting element configured to enable energy from a user of the smart eyewear to provide the voltage required to switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state, wherein the energy harvesting element meets at least one condition selected from a group of conditions consisting of;

(i) a first condition wherein the energy harvesting element converts heat energy from a user of the smart eyewear to electrical energy; and

(ii) a second condition wherein the energy harvesting element produces electrical energy when there is a difference of more than about two degrees Celsius between a body of the user and an ambient environment.

2. The smart eyewear of claim 1, wherein the voltage source member comprises a battery electrically coupled to the smart lens member.

3. The smart eyewear of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to enable a user to selectively switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state.

4. The smart eyewear of claim 3, wherein the user interface is a touch sensor that is activated by being touched.

5. The smart eyewear of claim 3, wherein the user interface enables the voltage to be selectively varied, to selectively vary a transmittance of the EC polymer in the second state.

6. The smart eyewear of claim 1, further comprising a microphone operatively coupled to the controller, such that the controller is configured to automatically switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state based on a signal provided by the microphone corresponding to an audible command.

7. The smart eyewear of claim 1, wherein the EC polymer in the smart lens member is configured as a plurality of individually addressable pixels arranged in a grid format, each pixel being switchable between a transparent state and non-transparent state by selectively applying a voltage thereto.

8. The smart eyewear of claim 7, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to each pixel, and the plurality of individually addressable pixels are implemented using different EC polymers, enabling at least one of a tint and a color associated with the smart lens member to be selectively varied by switching the plurality of individually addressable pixels with an applied voltage.

9. The smart eyewear of claim 7, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to each pixel, and the controller is configured to selectively actuate pixels disposed proximate an upper portion of the lens.

10. The smart eyewear of claim 1, wherein the smart lens member comprises a laminated EC structure having a cathodic EC polymer layer and no anodic EC polymer layer.

11. The smart eyewear of claim 1, wherein the EC polymer in the smart lens member is disposed in an upper portion of the smart lens member.

12. The smart eyewear of claim 1, further comprising an additional smart lens member.

13. The smart eyewear of claim 1, wherein the EC polymer in the smart lens member comprises a first EC polymer disposed in an upper portion of the smart lens member, and a second EC polymer disposed in a lower, portion of the smart lens member, such that a transmittance of each of the upper and lower portions of the smart lens member can be individually controlled.

14. The smart eyewear of claim 1, wherein the smart lens member comprises a laminated structure, the laminated structure comprising the EC polymer and further including:

(a) a first substantially transparent electrode;

(b) a substantially transparent gel electrolyte, such that the EC polymer is disposed between the first substantially transparent electrode and the substantially transparent gel electrolyte;

(c) an ion storage layer; and

(d) a second substantially transparent electrode, such that the ion storage layer is disposed between the second substantially transparent electrode and the substantially transparent gel electrolyte.

15. The smart eyewear of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first substantially transparent electrode and the second substantially transparent electrode comprises a flange that extends beyond an edge of the laminated structure, each flange being configured to facilitate coupling the laminated structure to the support member.

16. The smart eyewear of claim 14, wherein the ion storage layer comprises a vanadium pentoxide film.

17. The smart eyewear of claim 16, wherein the vanadium pentoxide film exhibits a green tint, such that even when the EC polymer is in the first state, a transmittance of the smart lens member is reduced due to the green tint.

18. The smart eyewear of claim 14, wherein the second substantially transparent electrode is covered by an anti-ultra-violet layer configured to reduce an intensity of ultra-violet radiation entering the laminated structure.

19. The smart eyewear of claim 14, wherein the EC polymer and the ion storage layer are conditioned by exposure to the gel electrolyte prior to assembly.

20. The smart eyewear of claim 1, wherein the smart lens member is incorporated into an optical blank used for prescription eyewear.

21. Smart eyewear exhibiting a variable light transmittance functionality, comprising:

(a) a smart lens member including at least one electrochromic (EC) polymer, each EC polymer being switchable between a first state and a second state by selectively applying a voltage thereto, wherein the EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state;

(b) a voltage source for providing the voltage required to switch each EC polymer between the first state and the second state;

(c) a support member configured to support the lens and enable a user to wear the smart eyewear, and

(d) an energy harvesting element configured to enable energy from a user of the smart eyewear to provide the voltage required to switch the EC polymer between the first state and the second state, wherein the energy harvesting element meets at least one condition selected from a group of conditions consisting of;

(i) a first condition wherein the energy harvesting element converts heat energy from a user of the smart eyewear to electrical energy; and

(ii) a second condition wherein the energy harvesting element produces electrical energy when there is a difference of more than about two degrees Celsius between a body of the user and an ambient environment.

22. The smart eyewear of claim 21, wherein the smart eyewear is implemented using a form factor selected from a group consisting of:

(a) a helmet in which the smart lens member functions as a face shield;

(b) a helmet in which the smart lens member functions as an eye shield;

(c) a pair of sunglasses;

(d) a sports goggle;

(e) a ski goggle; and

(f) a pair of safety glasses.

23. The smart eyewear of claim 21, further comprising a smart lens exhibiting a variable light transmittance functionality, wherein the smart lens comprises a laminated structure, the laminated structure including:

(a) a first substantially transparent electrode;

(b) at least a portion of the (EC) polymer, the portion of the EC polymer being switchable between the first state and the second state by selectively applying the voltage required to switch each EC polymer thereto, wherein the portion of the EC polymer transmits more light in the first state than in the second state;

(c) a substantially transparent gel electrolyte, such that the portion of the EC polymer is disposed between the first substantially transparent electrode and the substantially transparent gel electrolyte;

(d) an ion storage layer;

(e) a second substantially transparent electrode, such that the ion storage layer is disposed between the second substantially transparent electrode and the substantially transparent gel electrolyte; and

(f) conductors used to couple the smart lens to the voltage source, wherein at least one of the first substantially transparent electrode and the second substantially transparent electrode comprises a flange that extends beyond an edge of the laminated structure, each flange being configured to facilitate coupling the laminated structure to the support member.