Method of making a window comprising a liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film that is operable in at least first and second visible transmission modes

• US 9,694,740 B2
• Filed: 11/21/2016
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Guardian Glass LLC (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Guardian Industries Corporation (KOCH Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vandal, Robert A., Frey, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Paul
• Application Number:
  US15/356,961
• Publication Number:
  US 20170072847A1
• Time in Patent Office: 225 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/06 comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10005 laminated safety glass or glazing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10229 Metallic layers sandwiched by dielectric layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10504 Liquid crystal layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10541 comprising a light source or a light guide
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 17/10761 containing vinyl acetal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2305/55 Liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/412 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2315/08 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2329/06 PVB, i.e. polyinylbutyral
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2367/00 Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/006 Transparent parts other than made from inorganic glass, e.g. polycarbonate glazings
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/043 Sunroofs B60J7/047 - B60J7/053 take precedencee.g. sliding above the roof
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2696 Mounting of devices using LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/208 Sun roofs; Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133302 Rigid substrates, e.g. inorganic substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1334 based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
• 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

Abstract

Certain example embodiments relate to a vehicle window (e.g., sunroof). Side-firing LEDs are provided between first and second substantially parallel substrates and emit light towards central regions of the window. A liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film is provided between the first and second substrates. The liquid crystals are sized such that light received from the LEDs is redirected in a direction substantially normal to major surfaces of the first and second substrates. The switchable film is operable in at least first and second modes, with the window in the first mode having a visible transmission of less than 1%, and with the window in the second mode having a visible transmission of 7-15%. The switchable film and the LEDs are operable independently of one another in connection with the LEDs emitting light and the switchable film controlling visible transmission therethrough.

Claims

1. A method of making a window, the method comprising:

positioning a plurality of side-firing light emitting diodes (LEDs) around a periphery of a first glass substrate, the LEDs being configured to emit light towards central regions of the window;

providing a liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film, the liquid crystals of the liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film being sized such that light received from the LEDs is redirected in a direction substantially normal to major surfaces of the first and second substrates; and

laminating together the first substrate and a second glass substrate with the LEDs and the liquid-crystal inclusive switchable film therebetween such that the first and second substrates are substantially parallel to one another, wherein;

the switchable film and the LEDs are operable independently of one another in connection with the LEDs emitting light and the switchable film controlling visible transmission therethrough, and

the switchable film is operable in at least first and second modes, the window in the first mode having a visible transmission of less than 1%, the window in the second mode having a visible transmission of 7-15%.