KR20180063586A - Switchable window using a dichroic dye mixture - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a switchable window and, more specifically, to a switchable window including a dichroic dye mixture in which nematic liquid crystals and dye are mixed. The switchable window comprises: at least one spacer; two substrates arranged at an arbitrary interval to face each other by the spacer; a transparent electrode coated on surfaces where the two substrates face each other; a vertical alignment layer coated on an upper portion of the transparent electrode; a dichroic dye mixture consisting of a mixed phase of dye and nematic liquid crystals or dual frequency liquid crystals inserted between the two substrates coated with the vertical alignment layer; and a sealant to seal the substrates and the spacer together. The switchable window including the dichroic dye mixture in which the dual frequency liquid crystals and the dye are mixed is capable of sunlight blocking control by the surrounding temperature and voltage.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a switchable window using a dichroic dye mixture,

The present invention relates to a switchable window using a dichroic dye mixture, and more particularly, to a switchable window using a mixture of a dye and a liquid crystal by controlling the molecular state of a mixture of a dye and a liquid crystal by a temperature or a voltage, To a switchable window using a dichroic dye mixture.

As for environmental issues and efficient energy use, Smart Window has attracted attention as a functional alternative in terms of economics by increasing the economic value of finite energy resources by collecting and storing technology in response to low energy consumption and external environment.

Smart window freely adjusts the transmittance of sunlight coming from the outside to reduce energy loss and improve energy efficiency, thus providing a comfortable environment for users, thus satisfying sensibility and functionality at the same time. In addition, it has been widely applied not only to automobile, bus, airplane, train transportation such as the use of ultraviolet ray shielding property, visible ray control function and infrared ray reflection characteristic but also recently in the fields of architecture such as housing and interior, information display field such as display and semiconductor .

In Korea, basic researches on films using liquid crystal among various smart materials have been carried out by KAIST and related research institutes including the Chemical Research Institute, and basic researches on EC glass have been conducted in schools and research institutes.

However, in most research institutes, researches are carried out at a level that confirms the reproducibility test and basic performance based on the literature disclosed in the past, and there is almost no research on the raw material and the enlargement showing the functionality. Also, existing smart window technology is mainly saturated with PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals) or CLCRD (Cholesteric liquid crystal reflective display). These methods are manually operated through electrical signals and have a problem of high power consumption because the power must be continuously supplied to maintain transparency.

Accordingly, the inventors of the present invention have made efforts to develop a switchable window capable of autonomous active control based on external temperature, and as a result, by including a dichroic dye mixture, it is possible to actively control the amount of sunlight by the external temperature When necessary, we have completed a smart window that manually adjusts the sunlight by voltage.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a dichroic dye mixture containing a dichroic dye mixture whose molecular structure is changed by temperature or voltage, and can control the amount of sunlight that is variable and actively introduced into the room by an external temperature, A switchable window for manually adjusting the amount of sunlight by applying a voltage is provided.

In order to solve the above problems,

At least one spacer;

Two substrates arranged at an arbitrary interval so as to face each other by the spacers;

A vertical alignment film on which the two substrates are coated on a surface facing each other;

A dichroic dye mixture in the form of being inserted between two substrates on which the vertical alignment film is coated; And

And a sealant sealing the substrate and the spacer together.

Preferably, the substrate is a single or composite material selected from glass, plastic, and metal that is transparent and capable of transmitting light.

Preferably, the substrate further comprises a transparent electrode coated thereon.

      Preferably, the dichroic dye mixture is a mixture of a temperature-transfer nematic liquid crystal and a die, or a dual-principle liquid crystal in which the permittivity anisotropy of the liquid crystal changes sign according to the intensity of a frequency and a die do.

     As described above, since the switchable window according to the present invention contains a dichroic dye mixture, it is possible to control the sunlight blocking by not only the ambient temperature but also the voltage. In addition, the intensity of sunlight can be controlled autonomously and actively according to the external environment, and sometimes the intensity of the sunlight can be controlled manually.

Accordingly, the switchable window according to the present invention effectively and actively controls the sunlight flowing into the room, so that the rise of the room temperature is suppressed to save the cooling energy consumption and the comfortable indoor environment can be realized.

In addition, the switchable window according to the present invention can reduce the power consumption by manually adjusting the intensity of sunlight by applying a voltage only when necessary.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a transparent state of a switchable window using a dichroic dye mixture according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of a switchable window showing a dark state in which the molecular arrangement of the dichroic dye mixture is changed by temperature, according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a photograph showing a transparent state and a dark state with respect to a temperature change of a fabricated cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing transmittance according to a change in external temperature of a fabricated cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
5 is a cross-sectional view showing a transparent state of a switchable window using a dichroic dye mixture according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a switchable window showing a dark state in which the molecular arrangement of the dichroic dye mixture is changed by voltage, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view of a switchable window showing a dark state in which the molecular arrangement of the dichroic dye mixture is changed by temperature, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a polymer wall for eliminating the gravity field of a switchable window using a dichroic dye mixture according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

The present invention can be all accomplished by the following description. It is to be understood that the following description is of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

Example 1

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a transparent state of a switchable window using a dichroic dye mixture according to Example 1 of the present invention,

Referring to FIG. 1, the switchable window 100 according to the present invention comprises two sheets of coated vertical alignment films 102 and 102 'arranged at arbitrary intervals so as to face each other with at least one spacer (not shown) And a dichroic dye mixture 10 in which a die 12 and a temperature-transferred nematic liquid crystal 11 inserted between the substrates 101 and 101 'are mixed.

The two substrates 101 and 101 'are used as windows, and various materials that are transparent and capable of transmitting light can be used. Preferably, the substrate can be used as a single or composite material in a material such as glass, plastic, or metal.

The thickness of the dichroic dye mixture is from 2 탆 to 100 탆.

In the dichroic dye mixture 10, the die 12 is contained in an amount of 0.1 wt% to 10 wt% based on the total weight of the liquid crystal 11, which is advantageous in terms of contrast ratio improvement and switching performance.

The molecules of the die 12 and the molecules of the liquid crystal 11 are arranged vertically by the vertical alignment film 102 to show a transparent state.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a switchable window showing a dark state in which the molecular arrangement of the dichroic dye mixture is changed by temperature, according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention,

2, when the external temperature increases, the state of the liquid crystal 11 changes from a nematic state to an isotropic state, and the liquid crystal 11 and the die 12, which are vertically aligned by the initial vertical alignment film 201, Is randomly arranged in a direction parallel to the substrate, so that the die absorbs the sunlight, resulting in a dark state.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing a transparent state and a dark state with respect to a temperature change of a fabricated cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a state where light is transparent at a normal temperature and is transparent at a high temperature of 130 ° C. I can not see the black image.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing transmittance according to a change in external temperature of a fabricated cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As the temperature increases, the transmittance gradually decreases and the liquid crystal is isotropic on a nematic. T _NI changing to phase When the temperature is exceeded, the liquid crystal alignment state changes from a vertical arrangement to a random arrangement, so that the transmittance sharply drops.

Example 2

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing a transparent state of a switchable window using a dichroic dye mixture by a voltage according to a second embodiment of the present invention

Referring to FIG. 5, the switchable window 200 according to the present invention includes a vertical alignment film 202, 202 'disposed at an arbitrary interval so as to face each other with at least one spacer (not shown) A dichroic dye mixture 10 in which a die 12 is mixed with a temperature-transferable dual-frequency nematic liquid crystal 11 'inserted between two substrates 201 and 201' .

The two substrates 201 and 201 'are used as windows, and various materials that are transparent and can transmit light can be used. Preferably, the substrate can be used as a single or composite material in a material such as glass, plastic, or metal.

The thickness of the dichroic dye mixture is from 2 탆 to 100 탆.

In the dichroic dye mixture 10, the die 12 is contained in an amount of 0.1 wt% to 10 wt% based on the total weight of the dual-frequency nematic liquid crystal 11 ', which is advantageous in contrast ratio improvement or switching performance .

The molecules of the die 12 and the dual frequency nematic liquid crystals 11 'are arranged vertically by the vertical alignment layer 102 to be in a transparent state. However, in the central portion of the cell where the anchoring is low, the liquid crystal 11' Transparency is degraded because the die 12 is not completely vertically aligned. 5, a voltage is applied and a low frequency is applied to make the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal 11 'positive so that the liquid crystal 11' is vertically arrayed by the electric field 13 generated by the voltage The liquid crystal 11 'and the die 12 are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the substrate.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a switchable window according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the molecular arrangement of a dichroic dye mixture is changed by a voltage to show a dark state,

Referring to FIG. 6, a voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes 203 and 203 ', and a high frequency is applied to make the dielectric anisotropy of the liquid crystal negative. By the electric field 13 generated by the voltage, 'And the die 12 are arranged in a direction parallel to the substrate, the die absorbs sunlight and becomes dark.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a switchable window according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing a dark state in which the molecular arrangement of the dichroic dye mixture is changed by temperature,

7, when the external temperature is increased, the state of the liquid crystal 11 'changes from a nematic state to an isotropic state, and the liquid crystal 11' vertically aligned by the initial vertical alignment film 201 and the die 12 are randomly arranged in a direction parallel to the substrate, so that the die absorbs sunlight and becomes dark.

Example 3

Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

8 is a cross-sectional view of a polymer wall 14 for eliminating the gravity field of a switchable window using a dichroic dye mixture according to a third embodiment of the present invention

Referring to FIG. 8, the switchable window 300 according to the present invention includes two substrates 303 and 303 'having transparent electrodes coated with vertical alignment films 302 and 302' arranged at an arbitrary interval so as to face each other, Into a dichroic dye mixture 10 in which a die 12 is mixed with a thermally-transferable dual-frequency nematic liquid crystal 11 'in the form of being inserted between polymer walls 14 vertically erected between the first and second substrates 301 and 301' Consists of.

The two substrates 301 and 301 'are used as windows, and various materials that are transparent and capable of transmitting light can be used. Preferably, the substrate can be used as a single or composite material in a material such as glass, plastic, or metal.

The thickness of the dichroic dye mixture is from 2 탆 to 100 탆.

In the dichroic dye mixture 10, the die 12 is contained in an amount of 0.1 wt% to 10 wt% based on the total weight of the dual-frequency nematic liquid crystal 11 ', which is advantageous in terms of contrast ratio improvement and switching performance .

The polymer wall 14 is formed by mixing a photocurable monomer with a dichroic dye mixture 10 to form a mask pattern and UV-curing the polymeric wall 14.

In addition, the polymer walls 14 are formed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity so as to reduce the gravitational force.

100, 200, 300: Switchable window
101, 101 ', 201, 201', 301, 301 ': a pair of substrates
102, 102 ', 202, 202', 302, 302 ': a pair of vertical alignment films
203, 203'303, 303 ': a pair of transparent electrodes
10: dichroic dye mixture
11, 11 ': Nematic liquid crystal or dual frequency liquid crystal
12: Die
13: Vertical electric field
14: Polymer wall

Claims (10)

At least one spacer;
Two substrates arranged at an arbitrary interval so as to face each other by the spacers;
A vertical alignment layer coated on a surface of the two sheets of the substrates facing each other;
A dichroic dye mixture composed of a nematic liquid crystal and a die in the form of being inserted between two substrates coated with the vertical alignment film; And
A switchable window including a sealant sealing the substrate and the spacer together At least one spacer;
Two substrates arranged at an arbitrary interval so as to face each other by the spacers;
A transparent electrode coated on a surface of the two substrates facing each other;
A vertical alignment layer coated on the transparent electrode;
A dichroic dye mixture consisting of a mixed phase of a dual frequency liquid crystal and a die inserted between two substrates on which the vertical alignment film is coated; And
A switchable window including a sealant sealing the substrate and the spacer together Two substrates arranged at an arbitrary interval so as to face each other;
A transparent electrode coated on a surface of the two substrates facing each other;
A vertical alignment layer coated on the transparent electrode;
A polymer wall vertically standing between two substrates on which the vertical alignment film is coated;
A dichroic dye mixture composed of a mixture of nematic liquid crystal or dual frequency liquid crystal and a die inserted between the polymer wall and two substrates coated with a vertical alignment film; And
A switchable window including a sealant sealing the substrate and the spacer together The method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3,
Wherein the substrate is a single or composite material selected from glass, plastic, and metal that is transparent and capable of transmitting light. The method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3,
Wherein the die is a dichroic die that absorbs light of a characteristic wavelength. The method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3,
Wherein the thickness of the mixture of dichroic dyes is from 2 탆 to 100 탆. The method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3,
Wherein the die comprises 0.1 wt% to 60 wt% based on the total weight of the nematic liquid crystal or the dual-frequency liquid crystal. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the polymer wall is a polymer obtained by polymerizing a photocurable monomer. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the dichroic dye comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of an anthraquinone series, a phthalocyanine series, and an azo series. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the photocurable monomer comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of a polyesther, an epoxy, an urethane, a polyether, and a silicone.

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